@ aargee- Sure they add in fine print words like New, Super, Rich etc...very constructive thinking minds.

@shinoyansari- We were in Pondi on 13 dec. From there we headed to Chennai and back to Blr. Sad, that we missed the opportunity to meet one more xbhpian on our way. Maybe sometime in the future.

@ Ajay- So now I have to start acting more responsibly

@ Cursedcrusader. Thanks buddy.
The windshield on the GS does an adequate job of protecting the wind blast to the torso area of our body, but still allows some air around the body and head to keep you cool in warmer conditions. It can be adjusted up or down manually, whereas the RT being a sport tourer has a huge electrically adjustable windshield and extensive bodywork that creates a nice comfy bubble for the rider & passenger in cool climate. But, this can be a pain during very warm days as you sit in a warm bubble! So it all depends on the type of riding you are doing. The RT's wind protection was a big boon for me & wife during our Alps ride coz we were riding in close to freezing temperatures.

@ dcs. Many thanks. I feel the GS is probably the best bike for touring in India. But with the official bikes sold at 22 laks, I dont have that kind of money to splurge on one. Actually, it is very comfortable for the pillion- its like sitting in a SUV. All said, I still give her praise as a non-biker for supporting & accompanying me.

@ worrisomebear- Thanks buddy & its my pleasure. No, I actually left India on 7 Jan and my bike left from cochin by ship on 22 Jan. It should be here by 19 Feb


Note: Due to rain flooding in Jeddah yesterday, tel/net lines are bad and it seems my log posting may be affected today. But shall give it a try.

Lol Haroon ji, its not constructive, its crooked. Trying to imitate one successful name & then quickly capture the market. IMO that may sustain long ONLY if they exceed the expectation, otherwise a steep downfall is for sure.

Next episode pls?

Day-7 Pondicherry to Chennai

After breakfast at our Surguru Hotel, we decided to tour the beach in daylight on the bike without our riding jackets. It is an extra-ordinarily hot & humid day, we got roasted in the sun and after a quick stroll on the beach & taking photo of some of the old French style buildings facing the sea as well as taking in some sights around the congested streets of the city, we halted for our ever rejuvenating tender coconut break. We were back at the hotel within one hour dripping in sweat. Time for another shower!!

































Street junction with a Policeman (remember it was a French colony before)


A huge Kollywood poster..


Our hotel













































Goats sharing the road with us


The occasional doggy that I dread on the road..































After that we pass some of the beach resorts, amusement park and arrive on the outskirts of Chennai at 2:30pm.
















Goats meeting to decide if the grass is geener on the other side..









From here, we take a left to OMR Road and continue to Laxmipuram to a relatives place for tea. Drop off my wife there. In the meanwhile I contact Chennai xbhp member Aargee(Ganesh) and decide on meeting up near Vellachery. Weave thru traffic and reach there at 4 pm. Aargee is already there in his immaculate looking RX100 which during our conversation I come to know he has rebuilt all by himself.

Day-8 Chennai to Bangalore

Knowing the road to Bangalore is just superb, we take it easy and after a leisurely & sumptuous breakfast at my brothers home, we head out at about 10:45am. Ofcourse, its heavy traffic as usual in the city, including the occasional cows on the road etc but once we touch the highway the traffic eases a bit.



















This stubborn guys know well that motorists will make their way around them..





















One round of applause for buffalos please - for using the pedestrian crossing!


































Video clips of our ride
YouTube - GS cruising from Chennai to Bangalore Part-1


YouTube - GS cruising from Chennai to Bangalore Part-2




Some distance after Vellore we halt for lunch at a nice restaurant Deepam Motel Highway and enjoy one of the last thali meals of this trip. Yummy food but although price is reasonable it is getting costlier than Chennai, after all we are closing in towards Bangalore where everything gets expensive!



































YouTube - Ride from Chennai to Bangalore



At Krishnagiri, we take right merging with NH 7 & again the 4-lane roads are a bliss and we are now closing in on towards our home stretch continue our wonderful ride heading towards Hosur.





















This bike sure has space for one more on the tank!







































Video of our ride on the Elevated Flyover
YouTube - GS on Hosur road Elevated flyover






The all too familiar Indiranagar 100ft road



We ride along the inner ring road and finally arrive at our home in Indiranagar at 5:00pm, where our kids Adil & Amal are ecstatic to see us. We too have been missing them for so many days.












As much as we enjoyed traversing thru incredible south India, it was an equal pleasure sharing the ride with all of you and hope you enjoyed it.

Ride safe
Haroon & Farzana

A BIG Applause to have completed the ride & another BIG applause to have completed the log. Rating 5* right away & yes, Thanks for your kind words & I'm glad to have in your Himalayan trip logs

Thanks Aargee.

Glad to hear the trip served you well and it's purpose. It was nice to meet both of you though it was only for few mins. Looking forward to seeing you sometime in the future. Like the badge on your bike says, 'Ride the world'.

regards,
Jay (xBhp Tvm)

Thanks Jay. Yeah the trip was another personal milestone for us. It was nice meeting you in Tvm, though briefly and hope to see sometime in future.

As usual lovely pics and the way you put it almost makes us feel it.

hahahahaha - liked it when you said the goats meeting to decide on which side is the grass greener. and for once the cows must have thought - MAN this bike is HUGE I think we should give way for it, something that they wouldn't even dream of with regards to any of the bikes we find on the indian roads

I was in Chennai in 2001-2002 and rode to Pondi a couple of times on my KB and numerous times to Sriperumbadur - looking at the pics have bought back some good old memories of those roads.

Thats a happy ending with the family pic. Excellent log and I felt almost riding myself. Thank you Haroon bhai for such a nice log. Your next destination?

Thanks for posting such a wonderful log. I enjoyed reading it Looking forward to more from you in the future.

That was truly a fantastic travelogue. Kudos to the both of you for making it a special trip filled with memories to last you a lifetime.

Thanks Yaser. The cows unanimously decided the GS is still obliged to make way around them!


Thanks Sri. The ending point was anyway only about 200 mtrs from your home. Next destination is my OFFICE! Have to work to replenish my empty bank account

Thanks sciphi. Sure I believe to Ride the World- god willing.

Thanks akshay. Indeed, it makes it more special sharing our memories with all of you like minded friends on this forum.

Logged in after a long time and saw this! I read this through in awe over the past nearly an hour!

Finally you did it Haroon! Hats off. And thanks for sharing this unique experience. I thought that initially it might be a harrowing experience. But looks like you adapted pretty well.

I also notice that the Canon Ixus 70 did good service to you.

And I was at Mahabalipuram approximately the same day that you were, the 14th if I am not mistaken!

hala haroon bhai

great trip
went through the entire thread

u surely had a blast
y not one jeddah to dammam please hehe
excellent write up

btw any problems with the cops
and how did u get english in the number plate?