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Hi All,
Just a short intro about me. I am just a budding automotive enthusiast, Mech Techy and working as a Automotive Exterior Designer. I am 30 and Married for a year now. My Biking Experience is 10 years, mostly a office commuter and graduated from a 100cc commuter to a 200cc entry level performance bike about a year ago. My Bike Riding Experience till now has been 95% City riding mostly through the high Traffic Zones of Bangalore for the office commute and only recently started short touring with my RTR 200. So Basically i am a NewBie to the world of Biking.
My Desperate Plan of a Big Bike.
As a common Bikers wishlist my dream is to own a Big Bike , to me a Big Bike is anything at and above the Middle Weight Category. I had this wish right from my schooling during when the superbikes or the Big Bikes were a rarity to even find them in our country, I had planned such a way that when i start earning i will save my complete monthly salaries for 3-4 years and buy a Big Bike. Despite this being my dream i didn't really make efforts for it to be reality, I started to learn riding only when i was in my 2nd Year Engineering. My Late start at riding was because of my ridiculous thought of learn to ride with your own bike and don't mess with others bike. That same thought Led me to only use my 100cc Platina, even when my friends and cousins offered their bikes to ride, I turned them down fearing i might spoil their lovely machines. The year 2014, i just returned from a short Germany assignment with my eyes and heart filled with the Feast of super bikes and exotic bikes running across autobahns. That is when i started to think of upgrading my bike to a performance bike, but with other ordeals to run and my work keeping me busy, I had to postpone my bike plans for some more time. By 2015 end i had planned to upgrade to 390 duke which would satiate my thirst of big bike to a level and also i wouldn't have to break the bank for it. I planned to take loan for the purchase and was happily looking forward to pitch this plan to my parents and was certain that they would accept my proposal. Here is where the Turn of Events started, my parents as every other parent were against this plan of mine and to turn things more difficult for my Bike plans, they pitched in with their plan of chaining me for my entire life with the bonds of family, Marriage. Their argument was to not start my married life with a loan over my head and i had to oblige. Well fate had other plans for me as well, Jan 2016 i was sent to Sweden for a short assignment and at the same time right before my travel i was engaged. A blessing in disguise it may be, i planned this time to save money with the Sweden Travel and purchase a smaller cc vehicle by not taking a loan thereby i could successfully up ease my parents desire of getting me married and also approving me of my first ever performance bike the RTR 200.
The Bug Bite.
The Brand new Bike parked at my house, I was happy and proud of my new Possession. A few months prior to my purchase, i started to get trained for the upgrade by watching videos and reading some training articles and reviews to get accustomed for the new ride, my small fears were if i can handle the acceleration, the power, will i be able to maneuver the bike around in the Traffic, can i use it for daily commute and can i not get intimidated with the co users of the road. These fears were basically because of my inexperience on other bikes and one and only extended usage of my commuter. But when i first laid my hands on the Ride and took for a spin, my fears were subdued and i knew i can handle it. Just a month after my Purchase I heard my cousin had purchased a Z800 and to be honest i became a little envied by it. A few weeks later he had been to our house with his Z800 and i was just awestruck with the bike and every second that passed i was urged to touch it. Like small kids who pesteres elders with the same annoying questions, i quizzed and quizzed about the bike to my cousin almost making him annoyed during his visit. Yet again after a few weeks he visited our house with his bike, i was again trembling for the touch of the bike and a constant battle between my heart and mind seeing the beauty, i blurted out my interest of taking the ride of the world class beauty. To my surprise my cousin agreed immediately and handed over the keys for a short spin, Trembling top to bottom from the inside, big grin plastered to my face and in a distant voice my cousin was instructing on the bike and i thumbed the ignition. The Bike roared to life with a deep grunt, my worst fears almost immediately vanished, my heart and mind in complete sync i moved the bike like was inching towards heaven, the most memorable bike riding moment had arrived and the big bike bug had stung fair and square on me.
After affects of the Bug bite.
Right after the bike ride, I promised myself of a cure to the sting, i fixated on the next plans for the Big Bike. I started to fill the idea of my next bike to my better half and workflow for the target big bike. My partial thought into buying RTR 200 was it was like a gateway to bigger capacity bikes. Buying a bike for me is to use it to its full potential and to test its full potential to me and as many would agree is touring. Quite naturally big bikes are primarily used for touring rides and my idea was to fit into the bill perfectly. I started to go on short stints of 100kms or above rides with my wife as pillion around Bangalore though i couldn't go on for a ride every weekend, i am trying to take at least one such ride in a month. Coming to the next aspect of big bikes is the finances to arrange for it and definitely arranging for it takes years of savings plus the thought of big interest loans is a lot to ponder with. My basic idea is to save the money for the DP for around 2 years, meanwhile keep using my pocket performer warm and ready to chug for big rides and exercising my mind to take more big rides and prepares myself for the big bikes.
Am I ready for the Ride.
Last one year since I got My RTR, I am using it for my office commute daily and occasionally for a 100 to 200 kms long rides. From the time of my pre-purchase to date i am looking into honing my riding skills and also looking into the self maintenance of the bike and honestly I am not able to maintain my bike in Top Notch condition, blame it on my daily usage to office, cleaning it everyday is not possible or blame it on my laziness to not clean them during the weekends. I know this cannot be the same with the dream bike as i am supposed to keep it in top notch condition for all my rides and also its the only way you can avoid yourself paying all earnings for the maintenance. Seeing the forums on user experience and the amount of time, money and dedication spent by some bikers on their bike is simply amazing , at the same time if i compare my level of competence on such matters makes me think twice on my decision. Apart from the maintenance chores for the bike, the finances for the big bike is another big thing to think about, it sounds simple to plan with the 2yrs of saving on DP of the bike and the next 3yrs or more on emi, planning all this with the current salary i draw and current price structure of the bikes. But if I think of the price of the bike which may increase in the next years and the current situation as i am in with out kids, this seems to be the right time for my dream to realize. Keeping these two factors aside I have another thing to think about , In a span of around 4 months i met with two accidents on my RTR and both occasions it was panic breaking and poor maneuverability resulting in breaking my right footrest bracket on both occasions sliding through the tarmac for some meters, thank god i was saved both the times with just minor bruises as i was geared up both the times. But these all factor rings the bell and puts me to the question AM I READY FOR THE RIDE. Invariably I have to up my skill set for the next Big Ride, i cannot afford to lose some more years into planning as the Bike rates will increase as the years pass by and financial and social status will definitely pull me to other investments (Buying a House or Education and other Fees for Kids).
Here is Enough of ranting by a middle class Biker. But if you have gone thru this much of my ranting, please pitch in your suggestions in helping me out to decide on whether to wait some more years for the Big bike purchase or shall i take up the risk buy the big bike now(within a Year). Or otherwise i upgrade my current ride to 300cc category and later on if things are right may be a span of 10 years from now get the Big one I desire. Based on the replies on this i might soon post on what bike section.
Anyways my budget is 6 to 7 lakhs OTR , Bikes in consideration is ADV Touring Bikes,
Benelli TRK 502 upcoming , (reviews as of now is ok ok)
Z650(naked but probably can setup for touring)
Ninja 650(Sports Tourer same as above but a better bet)
Versys 650 over my budget but desire to have
Benelli 600GT (Not sure )
Just a short intro about me. I am just a budding automotive enthusiast, Mech Techy and working as a Automotive Exterior Designer. I am 30 and Married for a year now. My Biking Experience is 10 years, mostly a office commuter and graduated from a 100cc commuter to a 200cc entry level performance bike about a year ago. My Bike Riding Experience till now has been 95% City riding mostly through the high Traffic Zones of Bangalore for the office commute and only recently started short touring with my RTR 200. So Basically i am a NewBie to the world of Biking.
My Desperate Plan of a Big Bike.
As a common Bikers wishlist my dream is to own a Big Bike , to me a Big Bike is anything at and above the Middle Weight Category. I had this wish right from my schooling during when the superbikes or the Big Bikes were a rarity to even find them in our country, I had planned such a way that when i start earning i will save my complete monthly salaries for 3-4 years and buy a Big Bike. Despite this being my dream i didn't really make efforts for it to be reality, I started to learn riding only when i was in my 2nd Year Engineering. My Late start at riding was because of my ridiculous thought of learn to ride with your own bike and don't mess with others bike. That same thought Led me to only use my 100cc Platina, even when my friends and cousins offered their bikes to ride, I turned them down fearing i might spoil their lovely machines. The year 2014, i just returned from a short Germany assignment with my eyes and heart filled with the Feast of super bikes and exotic bikes running across autobahns. That is when i started to think of upgrading my bike to a performance bike, but with other ordeals to run and my work keeping me busy, I had to postpone my bike plans for some more time. By 2015 end i had planned to upgrade to 390 duke which would satiate my thirst of big bike to a level and also i wouldn't have to break the bank for it. I planned to take loan for the purchase and was happily looking forward to pitch this plan to my parents and was certain that they would accept my proposal. Here is where the Turn of Events started, my parents as every other parent were against this plan of mine and to turn things more difficult for my Bike plans, they pitched in with their plan of chaining me for my entire life with the bonds of family, Marriage. Their argument was to not start my married life with a loan over my head and i had to oblige. Well fate had other plans for me as well, Jan 2016 i was sent to Sweden for a short assignment and at the same time right before my travel i was engaged. A blessing in disguise it may be, i planned this time to save money with the Sweden Travel and purchase a smaller cc vehicle by not taking a loan thereby i could successfully up ease my parents desire of getting me married and also approving me of my first ever performance bike the RTR 200.
The Bug Bite.
The Brand new Bike parked at my house, I was happy and proud of my new Possession. A few months prior to my purchase, i started to get trained for the upgrade by watching videos and reading some training articles and reviews to get accustomed for the new ride, my small fears were if i can handle the acceleration, the power, will i be able to maneuver the bike around in the Traffic, can i use it for daily commute and can i not get intimidated with the co users of the road. These fears were basically because of my inexperience on other bikes and one and only extended usage of my commuter. But when i first laid my hands on the Ride and took for a spin, my fears were subdued and i knew i can handle it. Just a month after my Purchase I heard my cousin had purchased a Z800 and to be honest i became a little envied by it. A few weeks later he had been to our house with his Z800 and i was just awestruck with the bike and every second that passed i was urged to touch it. Like small kids who pesteres elders with the same annoying questions, i quizzed and quizzed about the bike to my cousin almost making him annoyed during his visit. Yet again after a few weeks he visited our house with his bike, i was again trembling for the touch of the bike and a constant battle between my heart and mind seeing the beauty, i blurted out my interest of taking the ride of the world class beauty. To my surprise my cousin agreed immediately and handed over the keys for a short spin, Trembling top to bottom from the inside, big grin plastered to my face and in a distant voice my cousin was instructing on the bike and i thumbed the ignition. The Bike roared to life with a deep grunt, my worst fears almost immediately vanished, my heart and mind in complete sync i moved the bike like was inching towards heaven, the most memorable bike riding moment had arrived and the big bike bug had stung fair and square on me.
After affects of the Bug bite.
Right after the bike ride, I promised myself of a cure to the sting, i fixated on the next plans for the Big Bike. I started to fill the idea of my next bike to my better half and workflow for the target big bike. My partial thought into buying RTR 200 was it was like a gateway to bigger capacity bikes. Buying a bike for me is to use it to its full potential and to test its full potential to me and as many would agree is touring. Quite naturally big bikes are primarily used for touring rides and my idea was to fit into the bill perfectly. I started to go on short stints of 100kms or above rides with my wife as pillion around Bangalore though i couldn't go on for a ride every weekend, i am trying to take at least one such ride in a month. Coming to the next aspect of big bikes is the finances to arrange for it and definitely arranging for it takes years of savings plus the thought of big interest loans is a lot to ponder with. My basic idea is to save the money for the DP for around 2 years, meanwhile keep using my pocket performer warm and ready to chug for big rides and exercising my mind to take more big rides and prepares myself for the big bikes.
Am I ready for the Ride.
Last one year since I got My RTR, I am using it for my office commute daily and occasionally for a 100 to 200 kms long rides. From the time of my pre-purchase to date i am looking into honing my riding skills and also looking into the self maintenance of the bike and honestly I am not able to maintain my bike in Top Notch condition, blame it on my daily usage to office, cleaning it everyday is not possible or blame it on my laziness to not clean them during the weekends. I know this cannot be the same with the dream bike as i am supposed to keep it in top notch condition for all my rides and also its the only way you can avoid yourself paying all earnings for the maintenance. Seeing the forums on user experience and the amount of time, money and dedication spent by some bikers on their bike is simply amazing , at the same time if i compare my level of competence on such matters makes me think twice on my decision. Apart from the maintenance chores for the bike, the finances for the big bike is another big thing to think about, it sounds simple to plan with the 2yrs of saving on DP of the bike and the next 3yrs or more on emi, planning all this with the current salary i draw and current price structure of the bikes. But if I think of the price of the bike which may increase in the next years and the current situation as i am in with out kids, this seems to be the right time for my dream to realize. Keeping these two factors aside I have another thing to think about , In a span of around 4 months i met with two accidents on my RTR and both occasions it was panic breaking and poor maneuverability resulting in breaking my right footrest bracket on both occasions sliding through the tarmac for some meters, thank god i was saved both the times with just minor bruises as i was geared up both the times. But these all factor rings the bell and puts me to the question AM I READY FOR THE RIDE. Invariably I have to up my skill set for the next Big Ride, i cannot afford to lose some more years into planning as the Bike rates will increase as the years pass by and financial and social status will definitely pull me to other investments (Buying a House or Education and other Fees for Kids).
Here is Enough of ranting by a middle class Biker. But if you have gone thru this much of my ranting, please pitch in your suggestions in helping me out to decide on whether to wait some more years for the Big bike purchase or shall i take up the risk buy the big bike now(within a Year). Or otherwise i upgrade my current ride to 300cc category and later on if things are right may be a span of 10 years from now get the Big one I desire. Based on the replies on this i might soon post on what bike section.
Anyways my budget is 6 to 7 lakhs OTR , Bikes in consideration is ADV Touring Bikes,
Benelli TRK 502 upcoming , (reviews as of now is ok ok)
Z650(naked but probably can setup for touring)
Ninja 650(Sports Tourer same as above but a better bet)
Versys 650 over my budget but desire to have
Benelli 600GT (Not sure )
would be better at this point (for parents, bike = accident!).
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