Bullet Expedition by Bangalore bikers

Samurai · 8th August 2005, 09:22

This story was on Deccan Herald Metro Life yesterday.

Two of these nine are family, my first cousin and his wife. I wish them all the best on their adventure. The 1978 model Bullet they will be riding was also the first bike I learnt to ride in 1986.

Big on biking with Bullet

Nine Bangalore Bullet riders are off on an expedition to some of the world’s highest passes in northern India.

It is the heavy engine firing of the Bullet that drives men crazy. Nine riders of same feather have flocked together to go on an expedition to India’s northern most tip.

These nine Bullet lovers are going to cruise their bikes to the world's highest passes, including Barlacha La, Taglung La, Khardung La and Marsimik La (the highest motorable place in the world) at altitude soaring over 18,500 feet. They kick start their trip on the eve of Independence Day from New Delhi.

The nine bikers which include Anil, Pratima, Nishant, Vikas, Satish, Kartz (Karthik), Vishu, Raghu and KK (Krishna Kumar), will ride towards ‘Sasoma’ - the northern-most part of India accessible to civilians - beyond which lies the Siachen glacier and the LoC.

These intrepid riders have been into adventure biking since years and confess that the bullet will remain their life partner for years to come.

Most expeditions are done for a cause, but these riders don’t have any. It is all about adventure and the passion for cruising into different territories.

With a lot of preparation to enhance their endurance and keep themselves fit, these guys have undergone extensive breathing excersise and jogging.

Says Karthik, “Some guys have stopped smoking and drinking. All the bikes are stock, except Vikas who has upgraded his 350 cc to 500 cc for more power. The bikes have been installed with some stands to hold the luggage.”

Elaborating on the precautions taken, he says, “A lot of safety measures have been taken like tuning the bikes and planning out the trip. The riders are with their safety gears and we follow strict discipline on road. One man will lead the team and another will follow the entire team.

All the guys are good at bike mechanics and can handle any crisis. We will carry radio communication devices to stay in touch, additional petrol and thermals because once we are on the mountains, we will be detached from any form of aid.” Adds Anil, “Two bikes have already reached Delhi and others are on the way. We preferred this season because after September snow starts forming in the passes.”

Briefing on the tour plan, Anil says, “The first phase starts from Delhi and will traverse through Barlacha La, Taglung La, Khardung La and Marsimik La passes. These die-hard riders will have to brave the tough terrain and they are confident.”

The second phase will be from Sasoma to Kanyakumari - the southern-most part (the tip) of India.

The riders will traverse through Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry, thereby covering the entire North and West coast of the Indian subcontinent.”

In short, the journey is what their T shirts say 8B9R25D12S7500K300L1E (eight bikes, nine riders, 25 days, 12 states, 7500 kms, 300 litres, 1 expedition).

All the guys are experienced cruisers and Vishnu rode till the Rann of Kutch (Indo-Pak border) from Bangalore and back last vacation. Karthik and Satish, who are good photographers as well, will bring back the memories. Vikas, who is a self-trained Bullet mechanic, will keep the engines running.

moralfibre · 8th August 2005, 10:45

I have done extensive rides on Bullets from Pune to Goa and Bangalore... nothing beats the ride quality of Bullets on highways.... the highest distance I have done is on a Scooter from Kinetic named Nova .... rode with 3 friends from Kashmir to Kanyakumari in 14 days..!

Samurai · 8th August 2005, 10:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by moralfibre

I have done extensive rides on Bullets from Pune to Goa and Bangalore... nothing beats the ride quality of Bullets on highways.... the highest distance I have done is on a Scooter from Kinetic named Nova .... rode with 3 friends from Kashmir to Kanyakumari in 14 days..!

Yes, I know. I have read your initial posts on that adventure. Would you mind PMing your email or phone number to me, I'll pass it on to my cousin, he might like to talk to a veteran like you before they take off.

Rover · 8th August 2005, 15:33

Samurai:

Wish them luck from me.. I read the article and went back to my younger days.

I had a 15 year love affair with my Bullet until I sold it in 1995.....

Samurai · 30th August 2005, 19:29

Well, my cousin and his wife are back after 3100Kms of drive. They had to stop their drive at Delhi for lack of leave. The rest will continue until Kanyakumari and then back to Bangalore.

moodswings · 31st August 2005, 06:53

This trip is truly Awesome.......anyone who gets a chance should go...

moodswings · 31st August 2005, 06:56

Rover I have a 7 yr love with my bullet and its as strong as ever....even though I hardly get time to Drive it.....Samurai wish em luck

Samurai · 31st August 2005, 09:31

The bullet in that picture is a 1978 model, it belongs to my mom's brother, he doesn't use it anymore, my cousin does.

This is was same bike I played with (imaginary riding) as a 10 year old. This was also the first bike I rode at 17, never can forget the cool sounding thug, thug, thug... during that first real ride...

And now it has driven the highest motorable road in the world thanks to my cousin.

8th August 2005, 09:22	#1
Samurai Team-BHP Support Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Bangalore/Udupi Posts: 25,830 Thanked: 45,557 Times View My Garage	Bullet Expedition by Bangalore bikers This story was on Deccan Herald Metro Life yesterday. Two of these nine are family, my first cousin and his wife. I wish them all the best on their adventure. The 1978 model Bullet they will be riding was also the first bike I learnt to ride in 1986. Big on biking with Bullet Nine Bangalore Bullet riders are off on an expedition to some of the world’s highest passes in northern India. It is the heavy engine firing of the Bullet that drives men crazy. Nine riders of same feather have flocked together to go on an expedition to India’s northern most tip. These nine Bullet lovers are going to cruise their bikes to the world's highest passes, including Barlacha La, Taglung La, Khardung La and Marsimik La (the highest motorable place in the world) at altitude soaring over 18,500 feet. They kick start their trip on the eve of Independence Day from New Delhi. The nine bikers which include Anil, Pratima, Nishant, Vikas, Satish, Kartz (Karthik), Vishu, Raghu and KK (Krishna Kumar), will ride towards ‘Sasoma’ - the northern-most part of India accessible to civilians - beyond which lies the Siachen glacier and the LoC. These intrepid riders have been into adventure biking since years and confess that the bullet will remain their life partner for years to come. Most expeditions are done for a cause, but these riders don’t have any. It is all about adventure and the passion for cruising into different territories. With a lot of preparation to enhance their endurance and keep themselves fit, these guys have undergone extensive breathing excersise and jogging. Says Karthik, “Some guys have stopped smoking and drinking. All the bikes are stock, except Vikas who has upgraded his 350 cc to 500 cc for more power. The bikes have been installed with some stands to hold the luggage.” Elaborating on the precautions taken, he says, “A lot of safety measures have been taken like tuning the bikes and planning out the trip. The riders are with their safety gears and we follow strict discipline on road. One man will lead the team and another will follow the entire team. All the guys are good at bike mechanics and can handle any crisis. We will carry radio communication devices to stay in touch, additional petrol and thermals because once we are on the mountains, we will be detached from any form of aid.” Adds Anil, “Two bikes have already reached Delhi and others are on the way. We preferred this season because after September snow starts forming in the passes.” Briefing on the tour plan, Anil says, “The first phase starts from Delhi and will traverse through Barlacha La, Taglung La, Khardung La and Marsimik La passes. These die-hard riders will have to brave the tough terrain and they are confident.” The second phase will be from Sasoma to Kanyakumari - the southern-most part (the tip) of India. The riders will traverse through Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry, thereby covering the entire North and West coast of the Indian subcontinent.” In short, the journey is what their T shirts say 8B9R25D12S7500K300L1E (eight bikes, nine riders, 25 days, 12 states, 7500 kms, 300 litres, 1 expedition). All the guys are experienced cruisers and Vishnu rode till the Rann of Kutch (Indo-Pak border) from Bangalore and back last vacation. Karthik and Satish, who are good photographers as well, will bring back the memories. Vikas, who is a self-trained Bullet mechanic, will keep the engines running. Last edited by Samurai : 8th August 2005 at 09:26.
	() Thanks

8th August 2005, 10:45	#2
moralfibre Team-BHP Support Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: MH-12 Posts: 8,451 Thanked: 13,973 Times	I have done extensive rides on Bullets from Pune to Goa and Bangalore... nothing beats the ride quality of Bullets on highways.... the highest distance I have done is on a Scooter from Kinetic named Nova .... rode with 3 friends from Kashmir to Kanyakumari in 14 days..!
	() Thanks

8th August 2005, 15:33	#4
Rover BHPian Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Bangalore, Airplanes, Hotel Rooms Posts: 112 Thanked: Once	Samurai: Wish them luck from me.. I read the article and went back to my younger days. I had a 15 year love affair with my Bullet until I sold it in 1995.....
	() Thanks

30th August 2005, 19:29	#5
Samurai Team-BHP Support Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Bangalore/Udupi Posts: 25,830 Thanked: 45,557 Times View My Garage	Well, my cousin and his wife are back after 3100Kms of drive. They had to stop their drive at Delhi for lack of leave. The rest will continue until Kanyakumari and then back to Bangalore.
	() Thanks

31st August 2005, 06:53	#6
moodswings BHPian Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 205 Thanked: 10 Times	This trip is truly Awesome.......anyone who gets a chance should go...
	() Thanks

31st August 2005, 06:56	#7
moodswings BHPian Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 205 Thanked: 10 Times	Rover I have a 7 yr love with my bullet and its as strong as ever....even though I hardly get time to Drive it.....Samurai wish em luck
	() Thanks

31st August 2005, 09:31	#8
Samurai Team-BHP Support Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Bangalore/Udupi Posts: 25,830 Thanked: 45,557 Times View My Garage	The bullet in that picture is a 1978 model, it belongs to my mom's brother, he doesn't use it anymore, my cousin does. This is was same bike I played with (imaginary riding) as a 10 year old. This was also the first bike I rode at 17, never can forget the cool sounding thug, thug, thug... during that first real ride... And now it has driven the highest motorable road in the world thanks to my cousin.
	() Thanks