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Re: Kawasaki Z800 - Dream Comes True
Touching 5000KM on the Z by finishing a much awaited ride.. to Goa :
there was always some hesitation to ride 600 odd KM with Pillion on a not so pillion friendly bike. if it was the N650, then, there was no issues but planning started and thanks to @phanikar for letting me try the Viaterra tank bag and then getting some feedback from Pahni and @santoosh on using saddle bags which is a better option on long rides...
so off i went to LGU and got myself the Viattera Tank bag and the Rapid saddle bags.. first impression, well it fits well, no issues when it comes to the bag touching the exhaust, and enough psace for the pillion to use the rear foot pegs
Now the planning... Goa was my first choice as i loved the quiet beaches in the south and wanted to spend some peaceful time there... so planned the usual boring route below as against other better serene routes since i was taking pillion on the Z and wanted to make it more of a comfortable ride..
Bangalore > Tumkur > Chitradurga > Haveri > Hubli > Yellapura > Ankola > Karwar > Goa ~630KM
we decided to hitch the first night in Karwar... as against going till Goa directly as i was not sure how tired we would be riding all the way.. also wanted the Mrs to see karwar which again doesnt have much places to see but you know something atleast.
so we got all packed up and was ready to leave by 5.30
we stopped every 100 KM and when required to make sure that the ride is more on a relaxed theme... the first 400+ till hubli was done in 5 hours.. we were in hubli by 10.30
the ride from Hubli to Karwar was more slow as we have decent incoming traffic but the roads and the scenery was amazing.. didnt stop to take many pics as we were just enjoying the ride...
close to 500 and my butt showed first signs of why the seats on t Z arent the best for touring.. had to stop every 50KM and give the butt a break.. that said, the Mrs never had an issue which was good news
we finally reached Kawar by 2.30PM.. got rooms inside the town in a place called Anmol Residency for 1350/- the room was ok and not very clean or great. since it was holiday time, most hotels were packed.
took a break slept for a couple of hours and then went to the beach and spend some time there
Next morning we left for Goa around 11AM.. at this time, i hadnt booked any rooms and was worried about the prices and the difficulty in getting a decent place to stay. around 1PM, we reaced Agonda and to our luck, we got rooms very close to the beach for just 1800/- a night.. the room or a hut as you can call had a bedroom and a toilet.. the best part, it was clean and so quiet.. that you would want to just stay there for weeks.. once we freshned up, we walked in to a sea facing restaurant... the owner asked us if we wanted rooms and i asked him the price.. this shocked the hell out of me.. he told if we are staying for like 3 days, he can give it at 1000 a night. now, i already paid for teh previous one and knowing there was one cheaper and closer to the sea made me feel like shit... well no complains..
Place we stayed in Agonda - Waves on Waves
our food place for the trip - Agonda Sunset - owned by a Nepali guy so got some good food
yep! Predator was in Goa
some surfing
got to see a good sunset in Palolem
for the next 3 days, we just spent time in Agonda and Palolem.. i preferred not to ride towards the north side as i felt it will be crowded and you really wouldnt enjoy some peaceful time with family..
finally, after a lot of fun i must say i missed Goa when i was heading back home.. we took the same route back ... we left at 7AM on 29th morning and was home by 6PM... actually reached by 4PM in Nelamangala but thanks to MOnday evening traffic, took 2 hours to cover the stretch till home...
over all, a great way to end the year. i never expected this to be a smooth ride.. with my mind playing games about the comfort of pillions, the stay options, at the end.. all went well..
Total KM travelled - 1314KM
Avg FE ~ 21 (i missed to note down the amount of fuel filled and spent at some of the gas stations
)
Range - 350KM (full tank = 17Lts)
Issues - except for the butt taking a hit, I couldnt think of any issues touring on the Z. The tank and Saddle bags were a good buy and served the purpose perfectly.
Not sure when and where the next ride would be but lookign forward for it
Touching 5000KM on the Z by finishing a much awaited ride.. to Goa :
there was always some hesitation to ride 600 odd KM with Pillion on a not so pillion friendly bike. if it was the N650, then, there was no issues but planning started and thanks to @phanikar for letting me try the Viaterra tank bag and then getting some feedback from Pahni and @santoosh on using saddle bags which is a better option on long rides...
so off i went to LGU and got myself the Viattera Tank bag and the Rapid saddle bags.. first impression, well it fits well, no issues when it comes to the bag touching the exhaust, and enough psace for the pillion to use the rear foot pegs
Now the planning... Goa was my first choice as i loved the quiet beaches in the south and wanted to spend some peaceful time there... so planned the usual boring route below as against other better serene routes since i was taking pillion on the Z and wanted to make it more of a comfortable ride..
Bangalore > Tumkur > Chitradurga > Haveri > Hubli > Yellapura > Ankola > Karwar > Goa ~630KM
we decided to hitch the first night in Karwar... as against going till Goa directly as i was not sure how tired we would be riding all the way.. also wanted the Mrs to see karwar which again doesnt have much places to see but you know something atleast.
so we got all packed up and was ready to leave by 5.30
we stopped every 100 KM and when required to make sure that the ride is more on a relaxed theme... the first 400+ till hubli was done in 5 hours.. we were in hubli by 10.30
the ride from Hubli to Karwar was more slow as we have decent incoming traffic but the roads and the scenery was amazing.. didnt stop to take many pics as we were just enjoying the ride...
close to 500 and my butt showed first signs of why the seats on t Z arent the best for touring.. had to stop every 50KM and give the butt a break.. that said, the Mrs never had an issue which was good news
we finally reached Kawar by 2.30PM.. got rooms inside the town in a place called Anmol Residency for 1350/- the room was ok and not very clean or great. since it was holiday time, most hotels were packed.
took a break slept for a couple of hours and then went to the beach and spend some time there
Next morning we left for Goa around 11AM.. at this time, i hadnt booked any rooms and was worried about the prices and the difficulty in getting a decent place to stay. around 1PM, we reaced Agonda and to our luck, we got rooms very close to the beach for just 1800/- a night.. the room or a hut as you can call had a bedroom and a toilet.. the best part, it was clean and so quiet.. that you would want to just stay there for weeks.. once we freshned up, we walked in to a sea facing restaurant... the owner asked us if we wanted rooms and i asked him the price.. this shocked the hell out of me.. he told if we are staying for like 3 days, he can give it at 1000 a night. now, i already paid for teh previous one and knowing there was one cheaper and closer to the sea made me feel like shit... well no complains..
Place we stayed in Agonda - Waves on Waves
our food place for the trip - Agonda Sunset - owned by a Nepali guy so got some good food
yep! Predator was in Goa
some surfing
got to see a good sunset in Palolem
for the next 3 days, we just spent time in Agonda and Palolem.. i preferred not to ride towards the north side as i felt it will be crowded and you really wouldnt enjoy some peaceful time with family..
finally, after a lot of fun i must say i missed Goa when i was heading back home.. we took the same route back ... we left at 7AM on 29th morning and was home by 6PM... actually reached by 4PM in Nelamangala but thanks to MOnday evening traffic, took 2 hours to cover the stretch till home...
over all, a great way to end the year. i never expected this to be a smooth ride.. with my mind playing games about the comfort of pillions, the stay options, at the end.. all went well..
Total KM travelled - 1314KM
Avg FE ~ 21 (i missed to note down the amount of fuel filled and spent at some of the gas stations
)Range - 350KM (full tank = 17Lts)
Issues - except for the butt taking a hit, I couldnt think of any issues touring on the Z. The tank and Saddle bags were a good buy and served the purpose perfectly.
Not sure when and where the next ride would be but lookign forward for it
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