I liked it too! Riding on the airstrip was the "REAL" fun. I did not want it to end.

Nothing monstrous about the R1. It is pretty compact actually. Look at the Road King. Now that is monstrous!
Yes my pillion partner is an avid pillion. I salute her spirit and the way she backs me up.
About the underseat exhaust, the pillion does not feel anything on the bum. I was on the pillion seat of the R1 y'day nearly all a'noon, I did not feel the heat at all. But my pillions lower calves were exposed where she did have genuine problems on the way back!

People do not realise and that is what leads to fatalities. It is a sad state of affairs. And what I have described above is NOT to be taken with a pinch of salt. It happened for REAL! I was recounting a real incident that took place.

Yes Abhishek, I was referring to this ride. On the way back, our legs had problems due to the heat in the engine which was building up. I got my radiator flushed on my return precisely for this reason. First time since I bought the bike... it was high time!

And yes, I too laud the spirit of my friend who sits pillion for so long for the thrill and pleasure of the ride.

Thanks Shivanshu. Good to see that you enjoyed. I am not sure if I can come Sunday. I am crazy enough to think about a ride... again... in this heat! I hope I am crazier to be able to materialise it!

I hope I will. Thanks you liked it.

Thanks Akash. A lot of people seemed to have liked the airstrip bit. I guess it appeals to our fantasies.

I know this is a common occurrence. Some of the most common vehicles to chase me down or try to push me out are the Hyundai CRDI cars. But during this trip this did not happen, I guess since it was a Friday. There weren't too many cars on the road that I had to worry about thankfully. Only trucks! They were relatively easy to handle.

But in Udaipur, it is quite common to see young guys without helmets, wearing sandals riding shining Zmas trying cutting desperately and unnecessarily through traffic to chase me down all the way to the airport just because they get intimidated by the sight of my bike. I normally let them overtake me if I am in traffic. It is their town, their city, their space. But the moment I get open space, I just yank open the throttle not because I am racing them but because when you gotta go, you gotta go, you can't wait!

Thanks Old Fox for sharing those pix taken during the night. Yes, it is true, SBk riding season is over...

Thanks Moeed, glad you liked it. Hope you read it!

@ken: Loved the airstrip part...

PS: Loved the pic: where your pillion was standing in a garden. Fantastic shot.

ken sir, could you please post thumbnails of each shot as well. Somehow i cant see most of the pics (downloaded either half way / no pic at all)....

currently reading the content...

So, this trip was a relatively 'quiet' one in terms of "challenges" and "chases". I remember one such SBK thread of yours in which you had mentioned you and Vivek sir playing with a couple of cars (Mercs, I believe!). That was FUN to read and imagine.

Summer 2009 ...really hot..nice pics , u had a great ride

Great write up and pics ken

It is one of my favourite portraits too in "Sahelion ki bari" and liked by a lot of people around me too! Glad you liked it.

So did the content go down well with you?

And for the benefit of those who have a slow connection...





I remember that trip to Mt Abu. Yes it was with a Merc. That was exciting and 3 years ago. First long trip with a Sbk, 700kms I believe it was! No, this was more sedate riding, occasionally going fast... but no challenges, no chases... from cagers!

I know, after that ride, it got really hot. I have not had a ride in the past two months! And I am missing it big time. Do I see a tiny window open somewhere...

Thanks for your appreciation!

This, sir, was a great read. Articles like these affirm my belief in the art of great narration of great rides. Kudos. I am sincerely motivated to visit Udaipur.

And the pictures are all good, but this one just takes the cake. Amazing depth of field. What camera/lens did you use? Even a pro would be proud of this!

In love with Udaipur to say the least, all because of the pics and write up. Rajasthan is possibly the most attractive destination in India for any traveller. Another activity added in my to-do-list.

PS: I love the way you multi quote and reply to each and every post in your threads.

Worlderful ride there Ken Sir, really like the whole write up and Excellent picture there..! One request, please keep yourself motivated sir so that we can get to read such a wonderful road trips in future ...!!

amazing trip and bike!!! i think its all the more fun with your better half as a pillion
so i have the gorgeous pillion rider, the only thing missing is that black beauty

Well knowing you as much as I can ken Da.... I know you will materialise it.... as it is riding in extreme weather condition is another joy which not all feel but a biker like you ...will definately enjoy.... and since you will be riding so that means another marvellous set of pics and log... so I will be waiting brother

Excellent write up and brilliant pictures. Like it.... I like it a lot!

Hello Ken,

This seems to be one of your amazing trips with your One and Only One. That’s nice. The places that you pic are generally form the Royal state of Rajasthan. I am very fascinated with the State. Cause the Architecture there somehow fascinates me. but one question for you is that how do you manage to tackle the high temperatures of the State and riding the R1 I am sure that the R1 would be evening throwing out heat. And how comfy is it for the Mrs. to ride in that particular stance for such long distances. I am sure that the distances are cover more quickly as compared to our bike which are relatively slow when compared to yours.

I find that the Lazy Cruisers that can do around 130 - 150 all day long are best for these kind of tours but again this is a subjective thing

Thanks

DEsi d

great narration of the city
really liked it
but one question, how did you accessed the airstrip for the speed run on a bike!

i know there is not much air traffic to bother about, but still....how did you convinced the authorities