Tweet
Grunt and Me : My time with the HD Iron 883
Having spent some time in the US, it was always an awe inspiring spectacle to watch a swarm of Harleys rumble past. The unmistakable grunt of a V-Twin is hard to get out of your head.
I just couldn't stop myself from wanting one. Being the cynic that I am, I was convinced I would never be able to buy one in India.
Fast forward a few years and voila! Harley opens a showroom in Bangalore. Wow.
Now I had no reason not to buy one. Everything was in place except the money
Well that was the tough part. I already own a few bikes and every time I bought one I promised myself that it was the last one ever!
So I had no lack of transportation, that excuse was out of the window. I had already played the "Its my passion" card a few times, that would definitely not fly. Time was running out I had to find one good reason to convince my family that I needed a Harley. Then I had the "what the heck" moment…. and there you have it. Nearly 8 lacs & 4 months later the Iron 883 Sportster is parked in my garage. Decided to go for the blue color. I was leaning towards the matt black, then decided against it as it was the most popular choice.
For all you folks who are wondering if you should take the plunge. Here's my take with regard to these super bikes:
There is no rational reason to buy one. Infact, you can find a million reason to not get one, its big & bulky, it drinks fuel like crazy, you can't leave it alone in public, they are too powerful for our road, the list is endless.
It’s purely an emotional decision, if you are bitten by the bug, if can afford one and you have enough time to dedicate to it. Just pick a date and dive right in.
Have got to know this beautiful machine over a the last few months. Each time I take it out it set my pulse racing. It’s a mixture of a lot of emotions that hard to describe.
Have been on a couple of nearly 1000 Km there are few things (good and not so good) that I have noticed, here’s my take :
Engine : Well, it’s a beast. I know its smallest one on offer from Harley but hey I don’t think I am worthy enough to comment on it. Sometimes I think guys at Harley had this awesome engine and they just stuck the other bits and pieces on it. It just goes like a rocket, every time a traffic light turns green the folk who were gawking at it just a few seconds ago turn into mere specks in the rear view mirror. It’s pure ecstasy, but that doesn’t last for long, you will invariably need to slow down for a speed breaker, dog, pot hole or the pinnacle of Indian engineering the Tata ACE!
On the highway though it’s a whole new world. There is just no stopping this beauty, the grunt I just plain music. Does 140+ Kms in stock condition, I have heard folks touch 170+ with a few mods. Speed is fine, but I think you truly enjoy the bike when you are cruising at 100.. pure joy.
Looks : Well.. do I really need to say anything?
Now to some not so good stuff.
Suspension :The suspension is definitely the bike’s weakest link. Both the front and rear suspension are too soft for Indian roads. You can adjust the height of the rear shocks but that does not make too much of a difference. Anytime you hit a pot hole, no matter how slow, you will going to feel it. Also the ground clearance is so low that you will leave your mark on ever speed breaker in town J. Since have started riding this bike I have developed a phobia for speed bumps and a lot of respect for the Royal Enfield.
Brakes : The brakes I think are average, they will slow you down but don’t expect to come to a dead stop at short notice. Considering the weight of the bike and power it has the brakes do a fairly decent job. Definitely not comfortable in stop and go traffic.
That’s enough said about the bike.
Lastly, owning one of these bikes in India is an experience in itself. Everyone one the road suddenly becomes your best friend or they want to race with you. It’s not always fun. I get bugged sometimes answering the same question over and over.
Saar, how much it is? Mileage? Why only 20? Ayyo. Phew!
At the end of the day I guess they are just being curious and as long as they mean no harm. Some of them look at me like I am an idiot others seems to genuinely appreciate it, overall I guess its OK.
I just couldn't stop myself from wanting one. Being the cynic that I am, I was convinced I would never be able to buy one in India.
Fast forward a few years and voila! Harley opens a showroom in Bangalore. Wow.
Now I had no reason not to buy one. Everything was in place except the money
Well that was the tough part. I already own a few bikes and every time I bought one I promised myself that it was the last one ever!So I had no lack of transportation, that excuse was out of the window. I had already played the "Its my passion" card a few times, that would definitely not fly. Time was running out I had to find one good reason to convince my family that I needed a Harley. Then I had the "what the heck" moment…. and there you have it. Nearly 8 lacs & 4 months later the Iron 883 Sportster is parked in my garage. Decided to go for the blue color. I was leaning towards the matt black, then decided against it as it was the most popular choice.
For all you folks who are wondering if you should take the plunge. Here's my take with regard to these super bikes:
There is no rational reason to buy one. Infact, you can find a million reason to not get one, its big & bulky, it drinks fuel like crazy, you can't leave it alone in public, they are too powerful for our road, the list is endless.
It’s purely an emotional decision, if you are bitten by the bug, if can afford one and you have enough time to dedicate to it. Just pick a date and dive right in.
Have got to know this beautiful machine over a the last few months. Each time I take it out it set my pulse racing. It’s a mixture of a lot of emotions that hard to describe.
Have been on a couple of nearly 1000 Km there are few things (good and not so good) that I have noticed, here’s my take :
Engine : Well, it’s a beast. I know its smallest one on offer from Harley but hey I don’t think I am worthy enough to comment on it. Sometimes I think guys at Harley had this awesome engine and they just stuck the other bits and pieces on it. It just goes like a rocket, every time a traffic light turns green the folk who were gawking at it just a few seconds ago turn into mere specks in the rear view mirror. It’s pure ecstasy, but that doesn’t last for long, you will invariably need to slow down for a speed breaker, dog, pot hole or the pinnacle of Indian engineering the Tata ACE!
On the highway though it’s a whole new world. There is just no stopping this beauty, the grunt I just plain music. Does 140+ Kms in stock condition, I have heard folks touch 170+ with a few mods. Speed is fine, but I think you truly enjoy the bike when you are cruising at 100.. pure joy.
Looks : Well.. do I really need to say anything?
Now to some not so good stuff.
Suspension :The suspension is definitely the bike’s weakest link. Both the front and rear suspension are too soft for Indian roads. You can adjust the height of the rear shocks but that does not make too much of a difference. Anytime you hit a pot hole, no matter how slow, you will going to feel it. Also the ground clearance is so low that you will leave your mark on ever speed breaker in town J. Since have started riding this bike I have developed a phobia for speed bumps and a lot of respect for the Royal Enfield.
Brakes : The brakes I think are average, they will slow you down but don’t expect to come to a dead stop at short notice. Considering the weight of the bike and power it has the brakes do a fairly decent job. Definitely not comfortable in stop and go traffic.
That’s enough said about the bike.
Lastly, owning one of these bikes in India is an experience in itself. Everyone one the road suddenly becomes your best friend or they want to race with you. It’s not always fun. I get bugged sometimes answering the same question over and over.
Saar, how much it is? Mileage? Why only 20? Ayyo. Phew!
At the end of the day I guess they are just being curious and as long as they mean no harm. Some of them look at me like I am an idiot others seems to genuinely appreciate it, overall I guess its OK.
Comment