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**hensil** · 01-07-2011, 04:35 PM

Thanks to all for your response. My blackbird is fuel injected. I have rode many SBKs in UAE (I have many biker friends) but I liked Blackbird the best. That's the reason I did not changed my bike from so long. I am sure it will be good for another 10 years.
Harley will be the last bike I would own or ride. For the same reason I never liked Bullet when I was in India. When I was in collage in Mumbai I opted for Rajdoot 350 instead. Latter I had Honda VF400.

**dineshsamtani** · 01-07-2011, 04:54 PM

Hensil buddy,

the number of SBKs in Mumbai and Pune are increasing day by day. But the fact remains you cant ride these SBKs in the City during the day times. But you can own the nights.

Also once you move out of the City, there are Butter smooth pothole free roads where you can ride you Bird

There are amazing stretches in the City as well where you can burst speeds upto 130 kmph ( or more) at the night/non traffic hours.

And the Honda showroom in Mumbai is the one which will take good care of you BlackBird

**vas** · 01-07-2011, 05:43 PM

Originally posted by dineshsamtani View Post

And the Honda showroom in Mumbai is the one which will take good care of you BlackBird

Will Honda take care of the bikes not purchased thru HMSI? (unlike the HD's)

**dineshsamtani** · 01-07-2011, 05:46 PM

Originally posted by vas View Post

Will Honda take care of the bikes not purchased thru HMSI? (unlike the HD's)

Why not??
Firstly, Its a HONDA. So, as long as all the documents are in place, there should be no issues.
Secondly, They dont do anything for free

**vas** · 01-07-2011, 05:59 PM

Originally posted by dineshsamtani View Post

Why not??
Firstly, Its a HONDA. So, as long as all the documents are in place, there should be no issues.
Secondly, They dont do anything for free

OT: Cool. Nothing can be expected for free from HONDA who charged for RVM, Side stand for the 1st Gen Activa.
No more OT

**Haroon** · 01-08-2011, 01:19 AM

As per my talk with cochin customs office 4 days back, the bike should not be older than 15 years and you should have owned it abroad for atleast 1 year continuously (still suggest that you cross check this with a clearing agent before you actually bring in the bike). Also you have to be eligible for TR, which is that- TR can be availed once every 3 years only and you should not have stayed in India for more than 6 months in the past 2 years. Anyway a complicated customs duty calculation process still means the customs & other levies work out to about 150% on the depreciated value as per their chart.

As for riding, you have plenty of roads in India where you can cruise between 90-120 kph. Down south, Tamil Nadu has some excellent highways, where you can cruise long distances for 100-120 and do an occasional burst of 200plus kph. On my recent South Indian Peninsula ride, my personal best on my R1200GS solo was 170 and with pillion was about 160 for a reasonable distance (atleast wife managed to click a pic at 140 and the rear topcase saved her from flying off

).

**hensil** · 01-08-2011, 03:34 PM

Thanks Haroon,
That's good new for me. I am planning a TR next year and wish to get my bike also. Your signature says you are in Saudi and own the R1200GS in Chennia. So you only ride your bike when you are visiting India? Did you import it from SA?

**Haroon** · 01-08-2011, 07:58 PM

Originally posted by hensil View Post

Thanks Haroon,
That's good new for me. I am planning a TR next year and wish to get my bike also. Your signature says you are in Saudi and own the R1200GS in Chennia. So you only ride your bike when you are visiting India? Did you import it from SA?

Actually, I live & ride the GS in Saudi Arabia. However, I took the bike on a temporary 'Carnet' (without paying customs) to India for a south India peninsula ride covering Karnataka, Kerala & Tamil Nadu (about 3500kms total). Bike is leaving back to Saudi by ship from cochin this week. My freight clearing agent in Cochin has done a good job.

BTW, the below link gives a good indication of custom duty calculation in our great country..

Import regulations for bikes - Page 8 - Team-BHP

**hensil** · 01-08-2011, 08:37 PM

Hi Haroon,
I was just reading the same thread on TBHP and also saw your queries there. That's an excellent information.
I was reading your Europe travelogue on bike. I am very impressed by your love for biking. Unfortunately, my wife would never accompany me on a bike. In the last 10 years she has never sat on my bike as a pillion. If you are making another tour to Europe on a bike I would accompany you. We can hire independent bikes.
A couple of years back I made a similar tour from Germany-Italy-Swiss-Austria-Germany by car. It was a 16 days tour and we were 4. All for photography (hobby).

**Haroon** · 01-09-2011, 07:09 PM

Thanks hensil. Absolutely passionate about biking.
Sure we can join up if I am going on another euro trip, after all Europe is very addictive. BTW, the Blackbird will always have a special mention in the history of motorcycles. So, you like BMW apparel

- Airflow jacket & first generation BMW modular helmet.

**satyenpoojary** · 01-09-2011, 07:37 PM

Just to clarify: I dont think Honda India would even touch your bike for servicing. (and I dont think you would want them to touch it either!)

Import rules - Clarified

Roads - Are good enough, but expect the unexpected on the highways where you will see slow moving cattle carts rule the 'gq' . As a golden rule, aqoid the SHs.

Service: should not be an issue if you are not choosy about having HONDA do it for you.

Practical or not?
- for 20 days of touring in India - IMO NO!
- for riding it as a leisure ride whenever in India, Yes!

Edit: I dont own an SBK (yet) but even if I had one, I would be paranoid about touring with them for the simple reason that the servicing infrastructure is poor for such bikes. Sadly bikes in a highway are toys to compete in a drag racing for MOST cagers here.

**gsferrari** · 01-09-2011, 08:20 PM

Short answer: Not practical

1. Expensive
2. Expensive to maintain
3. Poor Service
4. Safety issues
5. Parking issues
6. Tires are expensive
7. Roadside assistance - what?

8. Insurance companies - thieves
9. Image of SBK riders - Dhoom

**gsferrari** · 01-09-2011, 09:45 PM

Short answer: Not practical

1. Expensive
2. Expensive to maintain
3. Poor Service
4. Safety issues
5. Parking issues
6. Tires are expensive
7. Roadside assistance - what?

8. Insurance companies - thieves
9. Image of SBK riders - Dhoom

**nfsnfs** · 01-09-2011, 09:57 PM

Originally posted by gsferrari View Post

Short answer: Not practical

1. Expensive
2. Expensive to maintain
3. Poor Service
4. Safety issues
5. Parking issues
6. Tires are expensive
7. Roadside assistance - what?

8. Insurance companies - thieves
9. Image of SBK riders - Dhoom

So sir ,why did you buy the MT ?

**hensil** · 01-09-2011, 11:44 PM

Originally posted by Haroon View Post

Thanks hensil. Absolutely passionate about biking.
Sure we can join up if I am going on another euro trip, after all Europe is very addictive. BTW, the Blackbird will always have a special mention in the history of motorcycles. So, you like BMW apparel

- Airflow jacket & first generation BMW modular helmet.

I love Blackbird absolutely, that's why I don't want to sell her and get any other bike. Whenever you are planning just inform me 3 months before to arrange my leave and ofcourse arrange our tour.
This air flow jacket and helmet was bought 10 years ago from BMW showroom that is just across my apartment. Although I have other apparel they cannot be used due to UAE heat. You know how it is. BTW, my name is Henry.

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