I've had a KTM 390 since October 2013, but I've never really gone on any trips, the longest (and only )one being to Daman 2 years back.
My friends would often say - hey such a powerful bike you've bought, is it just for show ?
I decided to do a solo night ride to Goa a few days back. Why night ? Less traffic and cooler (which is good on the bike) !


I'd been to Goa by car twice before, but I didn't really know the route to Pune for bikes. I wanted to use the AH 47 route. A Google search for "bike route to Goa"
would bring up only "car routes". I figured I'd just find my way. Bad idea ! I wasted 2 hours, 1 riding around in Pune city( I mistakenly entered Pune city) searching
for the exit to Goa, and the other hour asking people on the way( at 2 am in the night) the exit from Nipani to Goa, etc.


Any way, here's the route I took:
Khanda(start of Old Bombay Pune road)
Panvel
Pune
Sankeshwar(on the AH47)
Gadhinglaj
Azara
Amboli
"Goa road", a "kachcha" hilly road passing through Insuli
Banda
Mapusa
Panjim
Madgaon


First things first !
Doing this alone in the night at 3 am is a little unnerving. I was told by a car-group I met at Nipani, not to go via Gadhinglaj (or for that matter, Nipani).
I went anyway ! Those 2 roads, which ultimately lead to Ajara, are completely deserted. I'd put off the headlights for a second, once or twice(just to see how dark
it is in reality). Believe me, you'll see absolutely NOTHING - it's pure darkness, pure blackness.


Secondly, "Goa road" is a hilly, rough road, not meant for bikes with hard suspension. It however bypasses Sawantwadi AND the Sawantwadi Bypass road itself(yes, you read
that right, it bypasses the bypass)
That being said, the AH47 is a dream run. I would often touch 140kmph, and did an average of 100kmph on that entire section.


Here's the route on Google Maps:



( Do let me know in case of any corrections. )




An alternate route is:
Khanda(start of Old Bombay Pune road)
Panvel
Pune
Nipani(on the AH47)
Azara
Amboli
Sawantwadi
Banda
Mapusa
Panjim
Madgaon


The KTM is a beauty. I loved the ride. It just keeps wanting more, pushing harder, and keeping you all-alert.
Starting point: Vikhroli
End point: Margaon(madgaon)
Kms: 645
Riding Time: 8 hours
Approx Avg speed: 73 kmph
Mileage: 28kmpl


A seasoned rider who knows the route (and has a powerful bike) will be able to do it in 7 hours.


My advice regarding the route would be:
-- Do it with friends(unless you really want to do it alone !)
-- Carry water
-- If you have a back-pack, tie it to the seat(don't wear it on your back)
-- Stick to the middle road markings whenever you can.
-- In the city, use the low beam, but you cant do without high beam on the village roads.
-- Please please wear gear, and a tight - fitting helmet
-- If you can, install a app on your phone which will upload your location periodically(maybe Glympse)


Would I do it again ? Hell yes !


To the mods: Can you please keep this as a separate thread? Google-searching through pages of xbhp and actually finding a route(in one place) is difficult, unless of course,
I didn't search well enough :-)
Also, please move to the appropriate thread if I've made a mistake.