[Bigzero]

I had been away from two wheelers for around 15+ years (had a Yezdi deluxe those days), and then I bought a RE Meteor 350 some three years back . Have done around 10,000 km, city + occasional short weekend rides (the longest round trip i did was 250 km - otherwise the weekend rides are usually around 100km or so).

I always have this lingering desire to go on very long trips on the bike (with an upgrade to an adv tourer for that purpose ), but I have put them on hold for now largely because I don't think I will last multiple continuous days on a bike. For me 3-4 hours is what I can do in a day. I have now realized that I would need to be physically in a much better shape to do proper touring on the bike, and do have a plan to fix that over time. For now, I enjoy the bike mostly during the weekends and city runs, and don't mind the dust and exposure to sunlight (and most importantly the feeling of being exposed on busy roads, after having been cocooned in the comforts and safety of the car for years). I believe it takes some time to get used to being back on the bike (took me a few weeks). Once you get used to being back on the bike however, its something that you will enjoy more and more as time progresses!

My 2 cents on the topic: don't give up so quickly - go for a few more runs on the bike and then take a call.

p.s. I will turn 57 this year.

[Rev2Serenity]

Hi,

As some of the members pointed out above, I too feel you should give couple of more shots on other lighter bikes for lesser distances to start with.

Some will like on the heavier Enfields and some will like it on lighter bikes such as Xpulse.

In my own experience it was cumbersome to ride a Himalayan for a distance of 60 kms up and down few months back but I loved the same distance on a xpulse.

So, don't lose heart so early on riding. Try again on another machine, I am sure you will find your sweet spot!

Happy Riding..

[bblost]

I ride a Himalayan 411 and drive a Verna DCT.

The bike is extremely low tech and does not even have an ABS in it.
My car is loaded with all kinds of technology and comfort.

I use my car for my family trips.

My bike is for my heart and soul.

My entire life revolves around my bike. At 46 years of age and a body weight that is around a 100, I pay a lot of attention to my core strength.

My gym includes lifting heavy and exercises like pull ups.

Unless or until your body is extremely well taken care of, riding a bike over multiple days on our unforgiving roads will never ever be comfortable.

Even the smallest issue will get amplified and create pain.
Once that happens, there is nothing that can help.

If anyone wants to get into motorcycling in their 40's, first and foremost fix your core.

When comfortable, the issues like dust, heat etc don't feel as bad as they will.

[Vasuki]

Originally Posted by bblost

My bike is for my heart and soul.

My entire life revolves around my bike. At 46 years of age and a body weight that is around a 100, I pay a lot of attention to my core strength.

My gym includes lifting heavy and exercises like pull ups.

Unless or until your body is extremely well taken care of, riding a bike over multiple days on our unforgiving roads will never ever be comfortable.

True. I have made multiple long trips(7000ms+) both in four wheeler and two wheeler. Even though they're pretty tiring, of all the trips, the ones I remember the most are my bike rides.

As mentioned by our moderator, Irfan, it all depends upon your fitness. The more fit you are more you would enjoy(Caveat : you should love your machines)

Shumi also mentions this quite a lot, He says, it is not the bike's fault, you are not fit enough.

I remember riding from Kaza to Manali and fully covered in dirt. The feeling of reaching Rohtang Pass( Atal tunnel was not open then), and subsequently reaching a hotel at Manali, man, nothing beats it.

In the car you are in a safe cocoon and not connected with nature, it is not that you will not enjoy, but the feel of riding is something else. Hard to explain.

In my case, it started in the late 2015 as a mid-life crisis, which led me to the Z800 first and then to the Multistrada 1260S, as more long rides started getting planned. As of now, have sold both the bikes. Looking out for the next steed, KTM Adventure 390, which I would feel be right for me, weight and budget wise.

I am one short of half century, but still the yearning to be on the saddle again.

BTW, Irfan it is your review of Ninja 650 which again led me into the world of biking. Special Thanks.

[Clickr_Biker]

I am in my early 40s. I got my first bike in 2009 which was a pulsar 180 when I was in Pune. Used to ride to nearby hill stations and forts around the city. Later I shifted to Bangalore in 2011 and the riding got limited to office commutes. This had more to do with new family responsibilities (kids) and trouble riding a MH registered vehicle in Bangalore.

Fast forward to 2024, my Pulsar's registration got expired in Nov 2024 (Didn't re-registered it in KA) and it was time to buy a new vehicle.

Got myself a Honda CB350 and I decided to restart riding.

Dec 5th 2024 - Got the bike
Dec 8th 2024 - Did a 120km (total) ride to Gunjur Lake
Dec 15th 2024 - 230km Ride to Lepakshi (total)

Since my body was responding well to these long rides and never felt any back, wrist or joint pain, I decided take the plunge. Bought below riding gears.

Riding jacket and pants - Viattera Spencer
Helmet - KYT TTcourse
Gloves - Rynox Advento Pro
Tailbag - Viattera Drybag 52L
Rain coat - Decathlon
Boot - Woodlands trekking boot (for now)

Jan 2nd 2025 - Bangalore to Kodaikanal 515 KM one way
Jan 19th 2025 - Bangalore to BELUR & Halebidu 210 KM one way
Feb 6th 2025 - Bangalore to Kannur 370 km one way
Mar 7th 2025 - Bangalore to Koonthankulam bird sanctuary 630 KM oneway

Few observations

• Getting out of Bangalore very early is the key for an enjoyable ride. I usually start between 4:00 to 5:00 AM.

• Keeping yourself hydrated is very important, take a break every 2-3 hours and gulp one liter of mineral water every time.

• Carry one Redbul or similar energy drink in your backpack. You will definitely feel sleepy while on the the highway and have nothing much to do than cruising at a fixed speed

• 90-100kmph is the ideal cruising speed for my bike with out much strain on the engine.

• Your butt will pain after riding continuously for 2-3 hours, the hydration breaks will give you much needed relief.

• Hit the gym and build good core strength. Maintaining a healthy weight is very important else your body will not stand the torture.

I am a hobby photographer as well so clubbing my riding and hobby is doing wonders for me and I am enjoying every bit of this new experience



Sandeep

[PatienceWins]

Glad you tried with a rented bike and not with a new bike.

200 km ride for the first time will be tiring as the body is not accustomed to it. As you said, the threshold gets broken after 100 kms and then you will be struggling with every km. I can relate to it as I have experienced it while returning back home in heavy traffic/ dust/ heat in the afternoon after an enjoyable ride starting early morning. This typically happens when I am back to long ride after a long break.

I have crossed 45 years and have been riding regularly. After 45 years of age, body is less forgiving and the daily aches/ pains get multiplied after riding on our broken roads. I would recommend you to start with small rides (50 kms) and then increase it gradually keeping enough buffer to return home fresh. Once the body gets accustomed, you can try long rides.

All my memorable trips have been on two wheelers. I have memories of painful experiences too where every muscle in the body was aching and I kept on asking myself why do I go through this torture. But I cannot resist the joy of motorcycling where I am out in the open, soaking in the views and I am back in the saddle again risking the pain/ torture.

"Me time" is riding time and "Family time" is driving time.

Some tips:

• Plan ride in such a way that you are out of city early in the morning and get back into city during the non peak time.
• Heat tires you out with all the riding gear. Avoid long rides during peak summer.
• Fitness helps a lot, especially core strength.
• Do not go for a long ride if you have an untreated injury/ pain issue that gets worse after couple of hours on the saddle (neck/ shoulder/ back pains are the usual culprits). I have a neck/ shoulder pain condition, getting it treated and avoiding long rides for now.
• Take breaks frequently and stay hydrated (a hydration backpack helps a lot). Drinking a lot of water forces you to take regular pissing breaks and refresh.
• Don't eat heavily. Eat dry fruits, energy bars during break time along with light breakfast/ lunch.
• During multi-day rides, take off days/ less distance days on alternate days for the body to recover and enjoy the place.
• Listen to the body. Do not keep any strict goal for the day. If you feel very tired and cannot concentrate at all even after regular breaks, call it a day and check into a hotel or take a nap in a crowded place (after toll gate, petrol pumps etc).
• Pack light and use a comfortable, light motorcyle that is easy to steer.
• Travel solo unless you have a group of friends that adjusts to your pace/ frequency of breaks etc.

[HTC]

Everyone who has replied has given ample amount of reasons for 'not stopping riding' and give it 'one more try'. I guess OP should have gotten the message by now .

To start with, I have around 25 years of riding motorbikes experience. anything below 1000kms is not considered as ride (one or multiple days) as per my standards. I have done Ladakh circuits three times ( with Bullet electra twice and once with himalayan 410), Spiti once (Himalayan 450), Gujarath-Rajastan, Orissa-Andra and countless rides in south india (bullet and ninja250). Have done 1200 kms in a single day. Now that I have established my credentials, here are my thoughts,

'The Bike':
OP took the wrong bike to start with. New Himalayan is top heavy. I realised it during Spiti ride. I fell twice during that ride. Both the times, it was due to the weight of the bike. Once it decides to lean, there is no way you can balance it. Now my biggest worry was - what will I do if the bike decides or loses control near cliffs. I had decided to let go of the bike and jump to safety if such a scenario arises. He should have rented a lighter bike.


'One day ride':
Trust me, unless you have a huge motivation to start and finish your ride in single day, for example - go meet your girl friend and come back or take your GF on a day ride and drop her back before 6 pm or similar, one day solo rides are no fun. That too, if your city chokes up in the evenings, then your last leg of return journey will be closer to hell. Bangalore or any metro falls into this category. Sometimes I wonder why did I even plan this ride.

Once me and my friend decided to do Bangalore - Kodaikanal one day ride. My plan was to start the ride from Bangalore, visit Kodaikanal and from there return to my hometown Mysore. We started at 5am and by 9:30 am we were at the foothills of Kodaikanal. By 10:30am we were sipping chai with bajji by the Kodai lake. Post that we descended the hills and parted ways. I took the Satyamangalam-Ch Nagar-mysore route. Due to single road traffic, forest entry restrictions post 6pm at Satyamangalam forest check post I ended up reaching Mysore by 12am. I was soo tired and last 100+ kms, I kept cursing myself for doing that ride .

'Fitness':This is crucial. Like any sport, Motorcycling require few core muscles to be strong for long rides. If you are not used to long rides, start slow with short rides like breakfast rides or early morning 4 hour rides (start at 5am and return by 9 am) till you learn the nuances of saddling for long hours.


But dont giveup so easily. Its all in the mind. So keep it simple and try again.


cheers
HTC

[PreludeSH]

Me and friends usually ride on non NH, rural kind of roads most of the time and we enjoy it. Most of them are also towards the hills. You cant ride continuously like in car. Also, riding in a group is always good and end it just after noon.

I still think you could rent a 350 CC bike and take off beaten tracks and enjoy.

[rishi.roger]

I have done a lot of miles on motorbikes, a lot. And I have had atleast 7 motorbikes in my own garage/ownership right from a 100cc lord splendor to a heavy 450cc himalayan. I have done over a 1000km in a day kind of ride in my thirties now (and I just keep doing it more and more), and despite of how much I love this wind in my face kind of feeling - motorbiking is hard! It really is (even for those who say otherwise, however some of us develop a liking to it).
Also, It doesn't matter how much money you spend in gear, how great a motorbike you get - in the end the aggressive riding conditions and weather in India doesn't help for most of the seasons. Sure, the youtube and social media has given a lot of spike due to FOMO but reality of long distance travel is far from what most of them show.
If you seek comfort, stick to a car. You're not missing out too much on fun and travel anyways. I'm saying this as someone who absolutely loves doing long rides, its an acquired addiction.

If you still are confident and would like to believe in try again, get a light weight beginner friendly motorbike in 250cc category (pack minimum luggage) and head out. I think you made a terrible choice of bike in your ride and that pushed you far back. Himalayan 450 is easy to ride ? (Don't let the social media fool you!).

[Shobhitsaxena]

Originally Posted by BullettuPaandi

So to me, Motorcycling is always a case of 'picking ones own poison'- making measured risks for meaningful rewards. It brings a part of stupid fun at a fraction of the cost of equivalent cars. A quick google-fu tells me the H450 can roughly be as fast as an Audi A6 in 0-100kph (~7s). Who in their right mind would choose to do it on two wheels, without airbags, impact beams, quad-channel ABS and all sorts of Traction Control systems, etc.? Other than the obvious answer of 'someone who can't afford to buy/rent the Audi', it is simply that someone who also enjoys the exposure; the hardships it brings along with the fun. It may sound counter-intuitive, but it is very much a part of what makes the experience mean a lot more. We all have our preferences, but I think most would agree that the difference is best felt in Hill Stations. Curvy mountain roads, hairpin bends, enjoyable weather conditions are best enjoyed on a Motorcycle where you can lean both into the corner and the chill breeze against you. So typically, this makes the potentially uneventful highways- with all its dust, smoke and heat- worth it. And if/when you make it back home, the experience is all the more pleasing or fulfilling, as you took a risk and reaped the rewards; without the sense of which, any trip to-and-fro is just a long damn commute.

All this is to say, I don't think you'd know if Motorcycling is not for you after a ride. You'll probably know if you never want to ride again in a long while; if you never go to a place in a car, and feel 'riding a Motorcycle here would be fun'; if you never miss being as exposed on a Motorcycle when in a car; or in any other way you found riding this Himalayan pleasing, which you find missing in a car.

So beautifully written and describes the essence of what I also wished to communicate. Even if I would have tried, won't come close to how you wrote it. Here is my try anyway!

37 yo, restarted motorcycling 3 years ago, and have clocked 31k on odo in this time. Even with good kms clocked, I am somewhere in the middle in terms of my excitement for motorcycling. There are so many factors which can lead to excitement or lethargy towards taking out the motorcycle. Climate, hour of the day, traffic situation, destination, what are you going to destination for, what are your plans for rest of the day, etc.

I have had some great solo days rides and some truly forgettable ones. There are nights when I cannot sleep due to excitement of talking out the motorcycle the next day. There are also mornings when I don't want to look towards the motorcycle. I am neither a very skilled rider, nor too much into the mechanics of the machine. What draws my excitement on positive days is the exposure to the environment, and what brings down my excitement on negative days, is also the exposure. May be I am just moody, but that's been my experience!

All being said, when I look back at my 3 year journey of motorcycling, it has added to my life experience, and added a new dimension to my life. For me, that is reason enough to keep motorcycling as part of life, and keep playing to each day's tune, one day at a time, ride when I feel like and look away on other days.

[true_sedan]

Originally Posted by SerArthurDayne

Attachment 2742923

Being exposed to dust, smoke, and scorching heat made the ride extremely uncomfortable. I’ve done 800 km in a day in my car, but I’ve never felt as tired as I did after just 200 km on this bike.

Summer is the worst time to be driving a motorcycle in any road conditions anywhere in India. That too in a rented bike that's been abused by n number of people. A motorcycle cycles refinement is only as good as the solo driver riding it. So already the weather and the motorcycle was against your expectations. I have two potent cars in my stable - Virtus GT DSG and XUV700 Diesel Auto. Yet I still lean towards my Himalayan 450 whenever possible because it feels special. Sometimes I just want to take a break from everyday routine like work and family(this might sound harsh but everyone needs a break). This is what my motorcycle gives me. Just hop on and ride to nowhere. That freedom to be a solo traveller can only be truly achieved in a motorcycle. Also the ability to take care of it with very little overhead is laughable when compared to a car maintenance.

Again this is just my opinion. It's good you found yours.

[Samarth 619]

I'm 38.

I think biking is not a lifestyle you can decide about in just 1 day and 1 ride. Here are some mistakes we all do on day 1 and decide it's not for us:

1. Overspeeding for extended duration. I have a 172 kmph capable Duke 390, yet I always cruise on 80. Why? Because its the best considering the windblast and everything, it won't tire you so much. Even 100 kmph makes a bigger difference than the speed gap would suggest.
A faired bike is slightly better here, but crouching may pain your backbone & wrists for a few days initially.

2. Not preparing for the bad weather. It can get dusty but you must have an all purpose headgear, a face mask inside the helmet. A lot of bikers have it.

3. Change riding posture and stretch while riding once every 30 minutes, don't push it for hours till you become numb. Stand on the footpegs once in a while.

4. Choose the bike wisely. As with cars, not all of them are similar. My Duke 390 for example, will roast your backbone on bad roads, it's not built to be ridden this way. It's focused on providing superior handling & control on good roads.

5. Start small, end big. I did a 570 kms/ day journey in my 6th year of biking, not first.


In the end, yes, you're either a biker or no, you're not. 21 years and going solid, I got to realise a few things.
I can tell you that the engine oil is tasleless but the petrol tastes bitter, coz I tasted them unintentionally. I can tell you not to press the brake lever when the wheel is removed. I can tell you not to plonk in the top most synthetic engine oil on a brand new engine, if you care for your engine.

But, I agree with you in a way. I also plan to give up biking...
After all, everyone dies one day, I assure you I will too. The day I can't ride anymore, is the day I'll stop riding.

[lancersfx]

Originally Posted by Samarth 619

I'm 38.

21 years and going solid, I got to realise a few things.
I can tell you that the engine oil is tasleless but the petrol tastes bitter, coz I tasted them unintentionally. I can tell you not to press the brake lever when the wheel is removed. I can tell you not to plonk in the top most synthetic engine oil on a brand new engine, if you care for your engine.

But, I agree with you in a way. I also plan to give up biking...
After all, everyone dies one day, I assure you I will too. The day I can't ride anymore, is the day I'll stop riding.

. I have been riding bikes for commute for a couple of decades now. Then comes the motorinc shorts that lights up a spark.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Br_pqzVKCd0

. I put aside plans of picking up a new bike or looking for upgrade. Most of my rides since the last 12months have been on unicorn. The riding groups I've rode range from 200cc or more. But it is good for cruising at 80kph on highways. The most beautiful part of it is offroads. A unicorn is truly a mountain goat. Switched to a new mode of learning how to better utilize the current bike and explore its limits/capabilities. Rode solo to yercaud via karadiyoor climb, rode to kotagiri. Learnt the limitations of the bike and life's so much more pleasant when you are in terms with what the bike offers and the compromises you're ready to make. Treating the unicorn like an adventure bike, jumps over smaller speed breakers or rumble strips, saddling on trails/bad roads. Absolutely love it. Now, the fun with a specialized bike will unlock doors to new chapters for sure and hopefully that will be realized soon.

A colleague of mine always avoided riding in rain. We rode a random route around chikmagalur during monsoon and he was stunned. All the fear turned
to joy and he now loves riding in rain and waiting for the dose of 2025 monsoon.

[Samarth 619]

Originally Posted by lancersfx

. I have been riding bikes for commute for a couple of decades now. Then comes the motorinc shorts that lights up a spark. https://www.Youtube.com/watch?v=Br_pqzVKCd0. I put aside plans of picking up a new bike or looking for upgrade. Most of my rides since the last 12months have been on unicorn. The riding groups I've rode range from 200cc or more. But it is good for cruising at 80kph on highways. The most beautiful part of it is offroads. A unicorn is truly a mountain goat. Switched to a new mode of learning how to better utilize the current bike and explore its limits/capabilities. Rode solo to yercaud via karadiyoor climb, rode to kotagiri. Learnt the limitations of the bike and life's so much more pleasant when you are in terms with what the bike offers and the compromises you're ready to make. Treating the unicorn like an adventure bike, jumps over smaller speed breakers or rumble strips, saddling on trails/bad roads. Absolutely love it. Now, the fun with a specialized bike will unlock doors to new chapters for sure and hopefully that will be realized soon.

A colleague of mine always avoided riding in rain. We rode a random route around chikmagalur during monsoon and he was stunned. All the fear turned
to joy and he now loves riding in rain and waiting for the dose of 2025 monsoon.

Beautiful thoughts brother. One should never underestimate his/her ride. In these 1.7 lakh kms on my Duke 390, I've done a little of everything that's mentioned in the youtube short.
Unicorn is a beautiful ride indeed. I remember riding one when I had a Pulsar 180 and was simply impressed with how it handled, to the point where my Pulsar felt ancient.
I have a Planet DSG fabric-based riding jacket that's waterproof, and it has made riding in the rain pretty easy. A slow, no pressure ride in the rain is so much fun if done right.
Towards the end, cc doesn't matter as much as we think it does. An admin from a previous website used to say a quote:-
"Many a time, I find myself in the middle of nowhere,
And rarely, in the middle of nowhere, I find myself"

I think this bike riding thing is all about finding yourself, more than anything else.

[PB11AZ]

I own a 2012 UCE Enfield Electra UCE. It has been mostly used in city. About 3 summers back in 2022 (With around 21,000 kilometers on the pricol odometer) my tryst with ‘long rides’ began.

Still remember asking my dad if air cooled bigger bike engines get siezed when driven continuously. Got a go ahead from him, just to be certain googled with the same result.
Just to be extra cautous, decided to take break every 100km.

Yet one more thought vexed my mind. It were the tyres. The tyres were about 10years old had developed minute cracks (rubber had hardened) though tread depth was adequate. Asked my dad again he said to continue with the tyre set however the kerb weight of the bike along with long trips could prove disastrous so got new set of tyres for my electra. Front was same as stock size however the rear was changed from 3.25 to 3.50 inches width.

Got my electra serviced, chain lubed and brakes checked.

One eventfull day i set out on a modest 200km circular trip around my city. That’s when i realised the joy of bike trips. The electra cruises comfortable at 70-80 speeds. I have changed the stock handle to RD 350 so riding posture has improved. Electra delivers around 47-52km/l on highway only speeds.

Attaching some pics of the silver beauty