Tweet
re: Benelli TNT 300 | Ownership Experience | The "ITALIAN STALLION" arrives
Congrats buddy. Well written.
Congrats buddy. Well written.
-
Now Showing: K2K 9000Km of Solo Bliss
Rolling Thread: Bangalore Backroads
My Last few rides:
Kumaon Wanderings - Darma Valley
2400Km of Solo Spiti Sauntering
From the rains of Uttarakhand to the deserts of Ladakh
Other Rides: Riding Blog -
Dilemma || So many choices
My first choice was Honda CBR 250R last year. However, my heart slowly moved away from CBR and started harping about Royal Enfield. I sat down and jotted down about my requirements. Now this part is purely subjective, I hope all of you agree. This varies from biker to biker, and I am sure that there is not a single motor cycle in this world which will tick all the boxes. Well my requirements were and are as follows and they are quite simple and nothing technical involved here:
1. Bike has to be a head turner. You can call me a poser. But I think if people notice your bike for all the right reasons, it certainly gives you a kick.
2. Bike has to be a cruiser. I am not a corner junkie. I am not a racer. I have my own apprehensions while dealing with corners and twists.
3. Ergonomics should be easy on the body. Should not be too aggressive.
4. Should be comfortable for pillion too, as my wife has intentions to be part of my rides in future. I am one lucky guy to have lot of support from family.
5. Should not burn a hole in my pocket with regards to fuel and maintenance.
6. Night illumination should be good
7. Should not struggle at 3-digits speeds.
8. Should occasionally please my adrenaline rush on absolute empty stretches
9. Good brakes and stopping abilities. I was not too keen on ABS. But I strongly feels that ABS adds that super safety cushion. No doubt.
Now, coming to reasons why I did not choose certain bikes. This is purely subjective and no offence. I somehow feel that I should skip this part. I do not want unnecessary arguments amongst our members. But, let me see.
Honda CBR 250R.
Nope, first let me tell you guys why I did not choose Royal Enfield.
Many people asked me why not KTM Duke 390
Last edited by experimentalhead; 05-22-2015, 12:29 AM.Comment
-
Decision making || Waiting
Well, I believe why I did not choose a particular bike does not matter. What matters is why I chose a particular bike. I had almost zeroed in on Royal Enfield Thunderbird 500. But, for some strange reason, I kept postponing the booking and my wife was not happy over my procrastination. One of my colleagues inquired about what happened to my new bike plans. I told him about the dilemma. That's when he enlightened about the Italian's advent in India. Strange that I had missed on this completely. I had not even heard or read about this bike. Really strange! Well, I immediately took to internet and went through technical specifications. Then checked out you tube videos. The moment I saw the beast it struck a chord with me. But, I wanted to see the beast in real. Call it co-incidence. But my wife and I both felt that Royal Enfield is quite common. Especially in Bangalore, the roads are infested with Enfields. We decided to go for something exclusive. I informed my mom about my decision to go for a sportier bike. My mom was cool about this entire thing and just said do what makes you happy as long as it is not harming others and you. This encouraged me. Somehow my wife was not impressed with the looks of bike and said it looks like FZ.
Test ride and booking:
On 11th April, my mom, wife and I went to showroom. before going to showroom spoke to Manager Syed and asked for a test ride and he agreed. We went to showroom which looked quite cool with three beasts on display. Phew, what a sight it was. My eyes were on 300. My wife said "Is this the same bike you showed me over internet?! It looks so different and so big!" I fell in love with the Italian Stallion the moment I saw it. I was like it looks quite hot. Oh...yeah!! before I forget, my wife fell for Kawasaki Z250 purely for the way it looks. But my requirements were just not looks you see. Somehow I did not feel connected. You guys remember Avatar movie where in the bonding had to be established. Well for that a test ride was required. I finished formalities prior to test ride. When I was handed over the bike, I felt the weight and I was like damn this is heavy. My mom was like “Are you sure you can handle such a bulky bike”. I took it out for a spin. I was very conscious and slow in the beginning. But as I felt that I am doing okay with this beast, I twisted the throttle and man, did she take off or what. I was impressed. It held beautifully in bumper to bumper traffic and I did not feel the weight once I was on the bike. When I got an open and free tarmac I unleashed the beast but slowly. And, it started showing it’s true colors and it made sure that others made way. How? It roared, and it was such a soothing feeling. Gear shifting, I felt, was not as smooth as I expected. I conveyed this to showroom folks to which they responded stating many folks have taken for a spin and that would have taken a toll. I found fit and finish to be good and nothing that would put you off. After all this, it struck me. How much does it cost? I was so engrossed with its looks and exhaust that I had forgotten about the ‘vitamin M’. Well, many people told me that it’s on expensive side and comparisons came up with KTM being such a VFM which cannot be denied. Initially I also felt that it’s priced a bit steep. But, I had fallen in love and you know love is blind and it gets the better of you. We went to a nearby restaurant for lunch and we discussed about the bike. We unanimously decided that I would book this bike. Well, it’s purely based on my instincts and love. Whenever I have made a decision based on my instincts and gut feelings, I have not gone wrong. I pray that this will not be an aberration.
We went back to showroom and paid the booking amount. I prayed to god and sought almighty’s blessings as this was a big buy for me and a big leap in my love for biking.
I was told by the Benelli folks that delivery may take about 15 days. I was excited and was always hooked to internet going through any material available on the bike. I was always discussing about the bike with my wife and brother. I was hooked to xBHP Thank you ride.
I connected with @The Monk in order to obtain information about how the bike behaved during Thank you ride and other pieces of information about bike. Thank you very much @The Monk for your valuable inputs. They were unbiased and positive. Thanks for being patient with my queries.
The waiting began for the day of arrival. In the meantime, I completed the financial arrangements. I was getting impatient and was calling show room guys about when the bike would arrive. They were quite patient with me.
Attached FilesLast edited by experimentalhead; 05-26-2015, 01:14 AM.Comment
-
-
Re: Decision making || Waiting
Wish you hearty congrats for the purchase sir!! The bike is a beast in person!I fell in love with this bike the very moment I rode it. I felt the exhaust note can give even some inline 4s a run for their money!! The bass in the note is addictive
But I had only one single concern when I rode this bike and I want to check with you and anyone else who has ridden/plans to own this bike. The brakes are less sharp than I would desire for in such a bike. I felt that they somehow have less bite for a twin disk setup in the front. Will it help to change the cables to steel braided cables or by upgrading the brake pads like what people generally do for the ninjas(picked this info from the Ninja threads)?
Work to Ride - Ride to WorkComment
-
Big Day | ' The Italian Stallion' arrives
Thanks Arjun for your wishes. You are spot on with looks and orgasmic exhaust note. I have ridden bike for 1000+ Kms. I found the brakes to be sharp with good feedback even in wet conditions. Thanks to sticky pirelli tyres too. I hard braked on couple of occasions and found brakes to be top notch.Originally posted by arjun bharadwaj View PostWish you hearty congrats for the purchase sir!! The bike is a beast in person!I fell in love with this bike the very moment I rode it. I felt the exhaust note can give even some inline 4s a run for their money!! The bass in the note is addictive But I had only one single concern when I rode this bike and I want to check with you and anyone else who has ridden/plans to own this bike. The brakes are less sharp than I would desire for in such a bike. I felt that they somehow have less bite for a twin disk setup in the front. Will it help to change the cables to steel braided cables or by upgrading the brake pads like what people generally do for the ninjas(picked this info from the Ninja threads)?
----consecutive posts auto-merged-----
' The Italian Stallion' arrives:
On April 21st , I called showroom to inquire about arrival of my beast. They said in couple of days the beast will arrive. However, I got a call from Syed stating beast has arrived and I can collect it as per my convenience. But, I was held up with truckloads of work and I held my nerves as I did not want the delivery process to be a hurried one. I told Syed that I would come on 24th
Attached FilesLast edited by experimentalhead; 05-26-2015, 01:15 AM.Comment
-
-
re: Benelli TNT 300 | Ownership Experience | The "ITALIAN STALLION" arrives
Welcome to the dsk family bro! Safe serene miles to uOne man's black magic is another man's EngineeringComment
-
Comment
-
re: Benelli TNT 300 | Ownership Experience | The "ITALIAN STALLION" arrives
Congrats on the purchase! Can you share how much was the on road price? I don't think my state has this brand's showroom at all. For just info, can one buy a bike like this from Bangalore and ride it to their state?Comment
-
Re: Benelli TNT 300 || The "ITALIAN STALLION" arrives
Thanks Buddy. Well, in Bangalore, 300P (With Pirelli Tyres) on road is 3.56. 300M (MRF tyres), it is 3.46. If you are from Kerala, then I hear that in two months Benelli are going to open a showroom either in cochin or Trivandrum. They will also penetrate into tier two cities in a year's time. That's what I hear. Hopefully this happens.Originally posted by Pulsar220F View PostComment
-
Re: Benelli TNT 300 || The "ITALIAN STALLION" arrives
congrats on the purchase mate.. Happy munching miles !!Comment
-
Re: Benelli TNT 300 || The "ITALIAN STALLION" arrives
Thanks buddyOriginally posted by faiz0210 View PostComment
-
re: Benelli TNT 300 | Ownership Experience | The "ITALIAN STALLION" arrives
Nicely written... Straight from the heart.
One again..many congratulations
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xBhp Connect mobile appits all about CC...Comment
-
re: Benelli TNT 300 | Ownership Experience | The "ITALIAN STALLION" arrives
Congratulation on your new steed.... Awaiting more on you ride experience. I am also waiting for 600 GT reviews... Loved every word jotted down...Comment
-
Re: Benelli TNT 300 || The "ITALIAN STALLION" arrives
Thank you for your kind wordsOriginally posted by rohitmundra View Post
Thank you for your kind words. A detailed ownership experience will be up by Monday as I am currently getting my beast through first service and tomorrow I will be out for a ride. I got to know that couple of GT owners from Bangalore have already done long distances and are mighty pleased.Originally posted by Ashish Hegde View PostLast edited by experimentalhead; 05-23-2015, 01:19 PM.Comment
-
Re: Benelli TNT 300 || The "ITALIAN STALLION" arrives
Congratulation on your beauty buddy . Really the Bike is a head turner and looks too good it is in my wish list to get one to but my nearest by DSK showroom is 650kms from my town so have to wait for some time until it reaches cities atleast around 200 kms of radius from my town .Comment
Comment