Re: A BIG HI and a Mid-life bike selector for a Returning Biker

Thanks mate. You're correct about the riding conditions although my commute isn't bad, actually quite fast.
Not too worried about the committed riding position because I recently did 200 & 400 km brevets on a track oriented road bike.

Re: A BIG HI and a Mid-life bike selector for a Returning Biker

if thats the case,close your eyes and go for rr310.

Re: A BIG HI and a Mid-life bike selector for a Returning Biker

While D400 I will have a go at again (mainly for it's price to value ratio), the Triumphs are out. After having ridden a Thunderbird for 15 years now (not very regularly though), I now want something that is lighter and more sporty. So, the stance and style is important for me.

Yeah, trying to find out slip-ons as I said earlier. But, am absolutely in love with the way this bike looks. And at my advancing age, looks become doubly important.

Re: A BIG HI and a Mid-life bike selector for a Returning Biker

Sir, I'd still suggest you to prefer bikes with comfort.

D400 is an allrounder good package.

CBR 250 is an old but a trusted tourer with sportiness.

Re: A BIG HI and a Mid-life bike selector for a Returning Biker

Quick update:

Just came back from nearby TVS showroom Street yet another test ride of the RR310. The way these guys treat customers makes you feel as if they are doing you a favour by selling you a bike! I mean... this isn't a ration shop, right?
I'm not sure that I want to have a product and service relationship with such idiots.
For comparison, the KTM showroom less than a kilometer away is treating me so nicely and being so patient with me. I'm feeling like chucking everything and just picking the RC. :X

Need to sleep on this.....

Re: A BIG HI and a Mid-life bike selector for a Returning Biker

Damn, and I thought it was only me who felt that. The main TVS showroom in my city is run by a sales team of 2 people who are from same family, seemed like a bro and sis to me, they had same last name too. I don't even feel like going there to ask for test ride as previously they had offered test ride in my 3rd visit and that too after I had complained during the follow up call from the second visit.

I'm not even considering Apaches for this sole reason. While, the Bajaj folks are so cooperative and the guy who deals in Pulsar specifically understood my concerns & was quite warm and nice to deal with.

The TVS guy was more interested in the people who had come to see 310R than to deal with us, they seem to be understaffed too. I am in industrial sales, and even I don't behave lowly towards a smaller customer. And even if I were to buy TVS bike, I'd happily go to the other showrooms that are further away than to deal with those people.

Re: A BIG HI and a Mid-life bike selector for a Returning Biker

Hi there Roy, I know what you are talking about. I read the original post of yours and I am going thru a similar situation.
Coming back to TVS though, we have 3 TVS dealerships in my town and I had the same experience to what you had in two of them. No briefing about the product, features etc.. No TD offered, just the finance scheme. I am genuinely surprised why they do not care about enquiries. And I was hell bent upon test driving the RTR 200 Race Edition. Before going to the third I had to call up an old contact to ensure and verify that I will get what I need from that dealership. And fortunately the TVS ASM was also on a dealer visit on that day. A pleasant experience at the end.

Re: A BIG HI and a Mid-life bike selector for a Returning Biker


Hi Roy,

I think I met you when you were at TVS looking at the 310! This was at sect 63 right? That showroom is full of a**holes.

Of the big 5 in India, my showroom experience has been in the following order RE>Bajaj/KTM>Hero>Honda>TVS. The absolute best experience for me is Yamaha. Super nice and professional people.

Re: A BIG HI and a Mid-life bike selector for a Returning Biker

Hey that would have indeed been great if we had known right then! I am thinking of giving the TVS Sahibabad dealership one more try, to see if they are acceptable (to me), else I will probably ditch TVS altogether and go pick something else.
I have decided to hold my horses and keep myself within this segment only - Max N300, not beyond. If only the R3 was a little bit reasonably priced.
So, no 650's or anything else for me yet, but no Dominar either.

Re: A BIG HI and a Mid-life bike selector for a Returning Biker

Back to back update guys -

11 a.m. - I gave another TVS dealership one more shot. Almost as I expected they disappointed me equally.

12.30 p.m. - Got on the phone with KTM just after noon and discussed availability. They said every option was available and tempted me with a slightly sweetened deal on any of the 390's.

1.30 p.m. - Mailed them my documentation. Bike not finalized.

3.00 p.m. - Called my best buddy who rolls in a ZX14R and he said he'll reach by 5.30 and help me take a final call.

5.30 p.m. - Reached KTM dealership with chequebook. Bike not decided.

6.30 p.m. - Buddy rolled in late due to traffic. Parked his, sat on the Duke and promptly jumped out, sat next on the RC and said this!
That's exactly where my heart was too.

6.40 p.m. - Started final paperwork for the RC390.

8.15 p.m. - The ZX14R and the RC390 rolled out of the KTM premises in unison.

8.30 p.m. - Recounted the day's madness over a cappuccino and parted ways for our homes.

So, there you have it gents - chronologically.

The very idea of me owning a bike again started with the RC390 a couple of years ago, meandered all over segments, budgets and styles, but finally ended up where it all began.

The short ride home was "e x h i l e r a t i n g". A new journey begins. Thanks everyone for confusing me and helping me make up my mind.

Re: A BIG HI and a Mid-life bike selector for a Returning Biker

In north east india, tezpur where i live tvs people are hopeless, they didn't give me test ride of rtr 200.

Re: A BIG HI and a Mid-life bike selector for a Returning Biker

Heartiest congratulations on your new steed. A surprising choice but nevertheless that is what sets your heart on fire, so be it. Wishing you many more miles of happiness & carefree riding.

Cheers

Re: A BIG HI and a Mid-life bike selector for a Returning Biker

Congratulations Sir. RC390 is a wonderful bike.I noticed many people on YouTube using it as track weapon. Wish you happy miles ahead.

Re: A BIG HI and a Mid-life bike selector for a Returning Biker

Thanks ThmpuMeister and Zapps. I have no intention of using it as a track weapon on public roads, unlike some of the YouTube videos I have also seen. But, I am having immense fun having it as a city runabout, occasional office commuter etc. Yesterday I got the first service done, but they haven't yet opened up the throttle.

I also got a Top Rack fixed on the bike to take either a Tail Bag or SHAD. Still trying to decide which way to go.
Other bits and pieces I have put so far are Frame Sliders, Swingarm protector, Exhaust protector and Radiator guard. Waiting for the Front Fork Sliders to arrive.

Don't intend to do anything else, other than the Tail Luggage, now that I have bedded in enough with the bike to know I can hold the posture for a day's tour easily.

P.S> Forgot this - The stock Rear View Mirrors suck! Guys, how do I get a wider rear view perspective? I hate blind spots when driving/riding.

Re: A BIG HI and a Mid-life bike selector for a Returning Biker

Sir, please share some pics of your bike, especially with those protection mods. Regarding the tail luggage, I saw some tail luggage for RC390 on KTM powerparts site. It wouldn't look good with those extended tail and box, instead some side boxes or KTM powerparts (they seemed to fit on pillion seat) would look good.