I remember the 2003 autoexpo, we had to take the oh so overcrowded mudrika back to school. But it was like going to disney land, kept staring at those beauties.
I am sure the wait for the ninja was worth it. Mrs' opinion is the most imp one, she is happy with 5.5 years swift n let me buy the intruder.


Inshalla,just study hard n crack it. Cant wait for your thread, someday soon bro

After testing the waters on Mumbai Pune Highway several times, I am all set to take my Intruder out in deep seas. Planning to do a solo ride to Mumbai - Anand (Near Ahmedabad) and Back. Has anyone in the group done this route recently. I remember that the roads near Virar were broken badly during rains. I have done long distance riding earlier, but this is the first time Solo and first time on a superbike. I am slightly scared but if there is no risk there is no fun. so wish me luck and let me know if there are certian things that I need to keep in mind in this route or on this bike.

Hi Atul,

As you mentioned, the roads till Virar are in a bad shape(little). After that the roads are pretty smooth & there are many flyovers also, so you will be bypassing many cities like Surat, Bharuch, Vadodara etc etc. There is construction still going on at some place & there are diversions at places like Vapi & ahead. The diversions are to the left, I mean work is going on in the right most lane, so you will have to move to the left most lane later on, but again that is for a few kms.

Try to leave early in the morning at around 4.00am, why because by the time you cross the state border it will be early morning & spotting these diversions will not be an issue. Because at night times, it will be difficult to judge them due to lack of road signs.

You can ride till Vadodara & then when you reach the road which takes you on the Ahmedabad expressway(bikes not allowed), you would have to take a left , you will reach GSFC(Gujarat State Fertilizers & Chemicals Ltd), t& ask for the road to Anand. Sorry dont know the route ahead of that, never been there.

Note: You will get plenty of petrol pumps but doubt if they have high octane fuel, so its best to carry petrol boosters(additives).
There will be heavy truck traffic till Virar & you will have to ask for way literally by flashing or honking, else they will not let you pass.

Had been to my hometown(Porbandar) (ahead of Ahmedabad) just 2-3 weeks back in car, so that was the scenario at that moment & the work was still going on while returning, so it should be the same pretty much right now also.

Regarding the bike, you might carry some tools & cables, that's what I (Amateur rider) do when going on long rides.

Dont worry,everything will be fine. Go ahead & ride it. Click some pictures & do post it here.

All the Best!!!!


Vishal

when is your solo trip ?

Atul, when are you planning to go ?
if i can manage the time, I can join you
2 Suzuki's would be fun and i enjoy the leisure rides more
Ram

Awesome stuff Atul. Wish you all the best man, have a wonderful ride and post a report and pics for us.

Ride safe and have fun.

Cheers !

Hey Atul,

Congrats buddy, I had never been so close to Intruder before, thanks to you.
You have a good style of writing too.
Worthy to mention that you are very down to earth when I see you replying & thanking each n every person who is posting in this thread.
Good to see you are grounded, may be because of a heavy cruiser (Please take it on a lighter note).

Keep it up.
Seek more logs n notes from you ahead.

I still remember my college days (short) stints on Palm beach road, a blissful road to ride though short.
And yes, wish to meet you in Bangalore/Mumbai.
It will be an honor to ride with you n The Intruder.

Just back from the 1000km ride......

Hi Guys,

Just returned thanks for the pointers. All is well, but the shoulders are hurting. . I need to be more in the outdoors and less on the laptop.

Thanks a Ton Vishal. You had the best ontime updates. Your post was the last thing I read before heading out. Virar was fine since I live in Vashi, I went by Ghorbunder road and it was 6 in the morning. The diversions all the way till after Daman were killers, some of them growing into traffice jams. I couldnt even get extra premium/speed/power and the bike had to run on the general fuel. No breakdowns too.. So it was as great as it can get.

I am so sorry bro, saw your post only after I returned. It would have been so much fun 2 see the two mega suzukis on the highway, I guess some small car would go off the road just by the combined exhausts of the monster. Even I enjoy the leisure ride more. So the best is lets plan another one soon, this is the weather in which the Gear feels oh so good and even the heat from the engine is welcome.


Will sure do bro. Just returned, since I was riding solo - not many pics n none of them high quality, but will sure put them up soon.

Thanks buddy, just returned. Glad you like it, the intruder keeps me grounded, no one can do a wheely on that one

Will put up some thing about the ride once I have caught my breath. Look forward to riding with you. Where do u live Mumbai or B'lore??

That's great
BTW, how was ur last sunday ride to lonavala ?
We have to meet up and discuss these rides over a few drinks

Cheers

welcome back

Hey Atul
Welcome back
Wana join in for a ride to Igatpuri tomorrow morning ?
We will be leaving at 6 and back by 1
would be fun to be riding besides the Intruder

I am from Mumbai, but working in Bengaluru.
So just let all xBhpians know when you are dropping by in Bengaluru.
If I come to Mumbai, would take a part in Mumbai G2G

Atul - were you caught up in airolli truck traffic on Friday evening around 7pm? Saw a blvd filtering through the melee...

Hey Atul,

Good to know you are back & enjoyed your ride. Some pictures please, though there is hardly anything that you can capture but still just want to see the Intruder.

It was me, how did I miss the Thor? I was returning from the Ahmedabad ride. If you thought Airoli was bad, you should have seen ghorbunder road. That half n hour was more tiring than 3 hours on the highway

Sorry dude, was a little busy with work, would be putting up some pictures today and a brief travellogue over the weekend.

Hey Doctor,

I don't know how I missed this. My wife loved the early morning ride and has promised to come for many more. the next ride to lonavla was a disaster, you must have heard about it.

lets meet up for a couple of drinks this weekend for sure

Just took my raging bull of an intruder to a drag race. I was pretty sure that given the crotch rockets and hyper sports bikes in the imported bike category my lone cruiser would come last. But that was not to be. In the first race with the best time of 12.361 seconds, I was better than several busas and other bikes. But then there are guys like insane roller who can do this drag race in 10.3seconds.

But as the olympic motto goes participation is important. More to come later.