gsferrari

Seems like only yesterday that "Thor" made his way into our home and hearts. July 2009 it was when after much struggle and strife that Thor finally arrived in Bangalore and our own "rossiter" took delivery on my behalf because I couldn't get time-out from work until a few days later.

2009 is a long time ago and I posted the "20,000 Km ownership report" thread in July 2010 exactly 12 months later. 20,000 Kms covered in the span of one year felt like a lot and it took it's toll on my finances thank to tire replacement, service intervals being very short in terms of time...because of the pace at which mileage was being accrued. It got bloody expensive and I also realized I wasn't enjoying the rides anymore...that the MT01 was to be saved for those special rides and not used as a commuter scooter!

The fact that it took me a further 14 months to cover 10,000 Kms is a direct result of that decision. Quality took priority over quantity and I started enjoying shorter rides more and more. Back in 2009 I wouldn't think twice about hopping on the MT01 and riding from Mumbai to Chennai. Nowadays I think twice about riding the MT from Bangalore to Chennai which is a 370Km ride from door-to-door!

I'm enjoying the ride and I have time to appreciate my machine, talk to it and give it the best at all times. The MT01 has treated me with a trouble-free ownership experience over these 30,000 Kms and my aim is to ride it to 1,00,000 Kms. I don't think I will purchase another CBU (I've already taken delivery of my Ninja 650R) and the MT01 could possibly be with me until my own spark extinguishes. My earliest biking experiences and memories were on my dad's 1962 Bullet 350 and I hope that my kids take to this big lazy lug as well.

Some say that this is the highest mileage CBU in the country and I'd like to be proven wrong because machines like this one are so much fun to ride that there shouldn't be time to do anything else! At the very least I hope that my ownership experience gives you the confidence to look to your superbike as something to use frequently and enjoy on a regular basis...not just something for a short weekend ride.

Some of the best memories over the last 3 years:

1. Taking the MT01 home...


2. First service in just 3 days!! (the beginning of the financial strain)


3. First long ride from Chennai to Mumbai via Bangalore


4. Upgrading Thor from double barrel shotgun to warmongering twin cannons!


5. Riding up Malshej ghat in MH


6. Meeting fellow big-bike riders at Lonavala. One of my closest buddies Dhaval just got his MT-01...this was his first ride. You'll also recognize Kalpesh and our very own Busalover Jay



7. Meeting my Pune gang at Lonavala and heading on from here to Pune for the weekend...


8. Off-roading and camping with my Pune gang




9. Tale of three yamahas...


10. The first ride where Thor (MT01) and Phwoar (rossiter's R1) rode together!


11. Hampi...the defining trip where I shunned the road and took on water, slush and rocks and the MT-01 conquered all!




It even made me walk!


This was because of a river crossing. The Tungabhadra sort of overflowed and we had to get across to the resort before dark and there was no knowing when the water level would go down again so we had to go for drastic measures. What an adventure!


And zipper up my fly...which is incredibly difficult while wearing a helmet and gloves and with an audience!!




12. Crazy drunken nights at Hubli en-route to Bangalore with my Bangalore crew driving up to meet me and have a few drinks. I miss those days!



13. I was riding from Chennai to Mumbai when rossiter (Akhil) called me to give me the news of Kriss' death. I had spoken to kriss on the phone just a few hours before he went on his ride to sort out some radiator issue. I cannot believe Kriss is no more...one of the saddest days of my life and one of the toughest rides to complete. I hadn't cried in a long time until this moment when the setting sun seemed to signify the end...






14. Riding with the Mumbai Pune gang and leading the convoy from Mumbai was one of the best short rides. Xbhp goes beyond the web...many of you guys are friends for life and constant companions on the phone/facebook/Xbhp.com


15. A recent ride to Pondicherry with Xinfii and his brand new Ninja 650R. The MT had done 29000 Kms at this point and the chain sprocket was due for replacement.






16. The MT's home for 2 years...my friend Sunil's drive-way in Thane. I didn't want to park it in my apartment complex and he so kindly agreed to give the MT a home for 2 years. Now that I've moved to Bangalore his driveway is much more easy for visitors to navigate



And the story continues...
As long as there is petrol and there is time, the MT will continue to prowl the roads of India.

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SKSy_Biker

Dude! Hats off, not many people use these big bikes like the way they should for various reasons. Wishing you complete 100 thousand kms more on the "Thor"

satyenpoojary

Ah! That is SOME solid riding guru! And congratulations! The MT is one bad arse bike and yes the commute can happen on the mini 650 now.

We wish the Thor,
Many miles more!

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shrek

Congratulations!

Thor is missed here in Thane.
The photo feature brings back memories.
Here's hoping the memory building continues.

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Four strokes move my body, two strokes move my soul.
1988 RE Std 350 (Bull)
1998 RX 135 4-speed (Stella)
2002 Kinetic GF-125 (what was I thinking?)
2008 HH Karizma R (Elsie - sold)
2012 KTM Duke 200

hss

Amazing story and pics!!

rachitkohli

Vow.. just awesomely narrated GS..!!
You took us in a breeze with the memories you spent over the years..
Wishing you many more happy miles in coming years..!!

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..»».. I will rather ride my Bike thinking about God, then sitting in a Temple thinking about my Bike.. »»..

Mumbai - Leh - Mumbai June '09 :On xBHP: Ride With me to Leh

Blog : Mumbai - Leh - Mumbai : 21 Days, 6500kms. Journey to Heaven..June'09

GreatIndianRide - West India on a 110cc for over a month

2nd, Mumbai-Leh-Mumbai : July'11 (blog coming soon)

aargee

Lost at words GS!!! Very few people in this country (or probably in the world) use these machines as they're intended to & you belong to the 1% rare category. More than you, the machine deserves (and likes) to be with people who're passionate. Helmets off to you!!!

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rakshit rana

Ah!! what a story.wish you more & more happy kilometers on the Thor.Btw,how many times you changed the rear tyre??
RIDE SAFE.

kishoremuthu

That is one amazing log, sharing all your memories with Thor... Nice set of pictures too..

Ride safe.

Cheers,
Kishore

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Everybody dies.. But, not everybody really live!!

strider

Congratulations and thanks for the nice trip down the memory-lane...

Your mileage on the Thor would definitely exceed the total number of clicks of all SBKs put together in certain cities

I completely understand when you say ' I'm enjoying the ride and I have time to appreciate my machine, talk to it and give it the best at all times.'
After a while, you wanna make every outing with your bike 'A Memorable One'

My deepest wishes to many more fantastic experiences on board the 'Thor'

KTM - Keep Touring More

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Hammer the racetrack. Pace yourself on the street.

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