History and Background:
Before starting with the experience of ownership of my bike I would like to share some history of how I arrived here. I also always had a dream of owning a superbike. I wanted to have that experience of hitting high speeds on a superbike. I always kept on watching videos on YouTube of bikes hitting 300 kmph. Also used to surf net on which are the latest superbikes in the market. But like most of you all I also belong to a middle class background/salaried person. So owning a superbike was always a distant dream or far from reality. My craze for superbikes had started way back in 2008 when I had started working at my first job. In my college days I owned Pulsar 150. When I started this job I bought Pulsar 220 with my own money. It had crazy acceleration but it did not have the smoothness as well as the looks of superbike. So in 2011 I sold off P220 and bought Yamaha R15 with a thought that even if it did not have a powerful engine (1000 cc) at least it looked and felt like a proper superbike like R1. I was really happy with the reliability and smoothness of Yamaha engine. Also what a superb balance (Chassis) the bike had. I always wondered if Yamaha R15 was such a brilliant bike what would be the real R1 like?

That time I was interested between CBR 1000RR and Yamaha R1 as these were the only bikes available that time. Slowly with the launch of ZX10R in India my inclination moved towards it as it was the most tech laden bike with a good price tag as compared to its Japanese competitors. I couldn't even think of the European counterparts due to the high price tags. I can clearly remember that from 2013 to 2015 I had been to Kawasaki showroom multiple times to see ZX10R under pretext of taking quotation or showing the bike to my sister/Friends/Girlfriend etc. when really I just wanted to droll on the bike. From that time, it had become my dream bike.

But in 2015 I got married and I knew this dream had come to an end as no wife would entertain such a stupid dream. Also the prices of the superbikes had reach sky high. So I completely took this thought out of my mind and behaved like a good husband :P. Then in year 2016 my friend bought a used 2010 CBR 1000RR. I saw that bike and then a spark was re-ignited in my mind. But I kept it to myself. Then one day I was surfing through Facebook and I came across on add featuring used 2011 R1 for 11.5L. I thought to myself that I could afford used bikes at this price point. This was the first time I spoke to my wife regarding this. My wife took it lightly as she thought I will forget this over time. But day by day I started becoming more serious. I went to see that R1. The dealer was very rude. The first question he asked me was do I have that much money. I told him I have half the amount and remaining I would take loan to which he replied he wants all the money in cash. That was the first shock to me. Being salaried person I never kept cash with myself leave alone such high amount. Also later on from friends I came to know that the R1 which was on sale was used on track and my friends advised me to not think of it. So I dropped that idea. Then I discussed with my wife and I decided to save some money overtime and buy brand new ZX10R which was around 22L on road that time. She agreed (again taking it lightly thinking I will forget this over time). Then one fine day I was in a family get together and I started discussing my plan on buying ZX10R. Then one of my wife's cousin suggested me that his friend has a very low mileage 2013 Aprilia RSV4 and he told me instead of spending such a high amount on ZX10R to go for this bike. I saw the pictures of this bike on his phone and seriously that was one of the most beautiful bikes I had ever seen. Couple of days later with my wife and cousin I went to see the bike. The bike in flesh was even more beautiful as compared to pictures. I instantly decided to myself that this is the bike I want to buy. The owner even gave me a test ride. Frankly speaking I dint like the roughness and the sound of V4 (as we are used to the smoothness and sound of inline 4s) but still I wanted to buy it. Then after going home when I told my parents and my wife that I am going to buy that bike a big fight started. They were completely opposed to the idea of me buying such an expensive bike as well as I had a history of riding my bike (R15) at dangerously high speeds. This fight continued for weeks but I was adamant on my decision. Finally, my wife gave in even she explained my parents that it was my dream and finally they too agreed halfheartedly. Even she helped me financially in achieving my dream. She has definitely played a major role in completing my dream and I am thankful to her from bottom of my heart for that.

One thing I want to tell you guys. People who deal in used superbikes be it owners/dealers they always want part or full amount in cash. But to my luck PM announced demonetization and the owner of the bike has no choice but to accept the entire payment online. I had taken personal loan as I did not have such a high amount in my bank. Finally, the deal went through and I bought my first superbike on 1st Jan 2017. I could not sleep even a minute the night before. I was so excited. The dream which I had for 9 years was finally going to be true. I went for the delivery took all the papers of the bike. Then the owners walked me through the different functions of the bike. This bike let me tell you is totally tech laden with features like 8 level traction control, 3 levels of launch control, 3 levels of wheelie control, 3 levels of ABS, 3 power modes and quickshifter. All these things were too much for a layman like me. But still I gathered what I could and the moment came. I sat on the MY superbike and started it. What a feeling it was. I took my bike home. I was totally an attention magnet on road. Everyone was looking at my bike. I felt like a superstar. This is how the ownership started.

Ownership experience:
I knew that I was going to ride a powerful superbike so I needed good protection as well. So the first thing I did was to go and buy a good helmet, good riding jacket with protectors, good riding pants, gloved and shoes. Then came the day of first highway ride. I was bit scared so I kept the bike on the lowest power mode. Before this my top speed on two wheels was 143 kmph on my P220. I saw an empty stretch on road and just pulled the throttle completely. The bike instantly hit more than 200 kmph and my entire body had cramps literally. I had to stop my bike get down and stretch myself. I had goosebumps over my body. I never had felt such a high acceleration in my life. I drank some water and then again started riding it. Every time I would accelerate my heart pumped. Riding a V4 superbike is really an great experience and this I am telling you because when I rode my friends CBR 1000RR I did not get the same thrill or the fun. It’s a great bike all around but Aprilia is an Aprilia. I was so happy at my decision. Also I stared liking the roar of the V4 and now I don't at all enjoy the sound of inline 4s. It’s too boring.

Now going to such high speeds has become a routine for me. Top speed I have hit is 267 kmph as I did not have the road to go any further. But yes every time I hit it I know the risks involved in it. So unless I get a complete empty patch I never try these heroics. Also I want to give you real time experience of riding a superbike on Indian road conditions. Superbikes are designed for the race track and they are meant to be ridden there. The suspension of these bikes are very hard, the seat is very hard, riding position is extremely committed and the engine is a burning furnace. It’s all fun till the time you have open stretches of road and you are opening the throttle, but once you encounter traffic situation or bad roads it just becomes unbearable. You are seated with legs completely bent backwards with your weight completely on your shoulders and wrists. The engine is constantly generating heat around 100' C and on top of that bike weighs around 200 kg. Imagine with all these conditions you have to make your way out of the heavy traffic. It just becomes a nightmare. When I go out for highway rides I like the early mornings. The weather is cool and also the roads are open with less traffic. It’s the most ideal time to take out the bikes. But past 11 am while returning home I just feel when I am going to reach home, remove my gear and relax on by bed. I want to tell you guys riding a superbike is not so easy in terms of ergonomics. You need to be in an excellent healthy condition. I have seen my obese friends buying superbikes and then selling it off as they could not enjoy it due to such demanding riding position.

Wallet Burner:
Now comes another interesting part of running expenses of a 1000 cc superbike. Every time I go out for ride I have to fuel my bike with Rs 1000 to 1400 depending on the fuel rate that time. Also the bike on highways gives an average of 13 to 14 KM/L. In city its around 8 to 10 KM/L.
The first thing after buying my superbike which I changed was the rear Tyre and it costed my around Rs 17500. The front Tyre is around Rs 10000 depending on the brand. The tyres last for around 2 years or depending on how much and how fast you ride.
Then comes the brake pads. Original Brembo brake pads cost you around 12K for front and 8k for rear. If you go for EBC then the front ones will cost you around 7k and read 4.5k. God forbid if you damage you front discs then it will set you back by 50K and rear one my 25K.
Now the normal service cost of the bike is Rs 8000.
But when I bought this bike I came to know that all bikes need valve clearance check done. Every bike has certain intervals at which this is required. Lower CC India bikes sold have very high intervals like 75K Kms to 1L Km so we never know this. But super bikes have this at a less interval from 20K km to 30K Km and RSV4 needs this at 20K KM. Mine was at 16K km and I decided to get this done. Total bill given to me was 59K which brought tears in my eyes .
Also battery needs to be replaced every 3 to 4 years which will cost around 12K.
Lastly chain and chain sprocket cost is around 50K.
European bikes are quite costly to maintain as compared to Japanese ones. In all over these 2 years I have spent around 1L on just the maintenance. So the person planning to buy used or new superbike should keep all these things in mind. On a rough scale should take aside 10% of the bikes cost for the maintenance for first two years.

Accessories:
Till the time you are new to superbike world you only think buying the bike is the final thing. But you are wrong. After you buy the bike you come to know there are million different modifications you can do to your bike. Naming few are full exhaust system/slip on, frame sliders, spools, tall wind screen, remapped ECU, carbon fiber parts etc. Sometimes these are so costly that it can cost you more than the bike’s cost itself. There is no limit of how much you can modify your bike.

Final Verdict:
Superbike is like a sexy girlfriend who is very attractive but very high on maintenance. Also she is very demanding and sometimes mean. But who doesn't want a sexy girlfriend. I totally enjoy riding my superbike and look forward to every ride.

Note: I am not able to upload pictures. I will try it once I login from home.