My short love story

It began when one of my friend prodded the idea of touring Madhya Pradesh on a motorcycle. It must have been sometime in Mid-2013. The seed was planted. By October 2013, I was sold on the idea and started urging my dad to let me have this life experience. A dismissive nod and I started short listing bikes.

My objectives were simple: The bike should cost less than Rs. 1Lakh, should have a decent fuel economy rate and should be able to do triple digit speeds. The options were limited. RE Electra (delivery after 6 months … no chance), Yamaha FZ/Fazer (found it comfy but underequipped and underpowered) and the Bajaj Pulsar 200NS (my pick). KTM Duke 200 was a costly option to consider.

I test drove the Bajaj Pulsar 200NS at Bajaj Sai Service Borivali outlet and inquired about the specifics of the deal. Armed with all the information I went home and pleaded with my father for giving the green signal. Sometime in December 2013, we completed the formalities and I took delivery of my love on 28-Dec-2013.

The date of my MP trip were finalized, 04-Jan-2014 departure. I was running short on time to complete the run-in period and 1st service before the long trip.

The very next day 29-Dec-2013 (Sunday), I rode out on to the NH-8 highway. Holding the engine in the tall 6th gear at a constant 55-60 kmph range. I had underestimated the winter morning and the cold kept my adrenaline in check. I couldn’t ride fast even if I wanted too.

That day I clocked around 250+ km. My first ride of solace with my love. Nothing between us. Just man, machine and the beautiful sound of the engine.

On the morning of new year 2014, with only 3 days before the trip, I set out once again on the NH8 highway to complete the required distance of 500 km before the first service interval. This time I did have to open it up at a couple of places to overtake slower moving trucks and it was really difficult for me to keep the speed under the mandatory 60 kmph. 

By noon, I had completed 480+ km and dropped my love for her first service. The guys at the service centre were taken aback that I had completed 480 km in just 5 days. Serviced and shining, my ride was ready for the MP trip.

From 04-Jan to 11-Jan I rode through Maharashtra and MP and my love for the bike just grew with every passing kilometer. I will write in detail about my MP trip. Watch this space.

Post MP, I rode my love to many short and medium trips: Nashik, Pune-Lavasa, Igatpuri, Tansa, Harihareshwar, etc. Not to forget the many sprints up and down the NH8 with friends on Sunday mornings.

But as time passed I wasn’t able to keep up the same fervor and for many months my bike lay still. The maintenance required to keep my love looking new and time I should have given to maintain it dwindled. It was slow and painful. And one fine day I decided that my bike deserved a better caring owner. With a heavy heart I bid adieu.

The memories from all the trips, the smiles from every kilometer is something I'll hold in my heart for a long time.