Apr 2018 - Jan 2019
A new Tiger was way beyond my budget - so when it was time to buy a comfortable adventure motorcycle, I looked towards the Kawasaki Versys 650. But inside my heart, I kept yearning for a Tiger.
Mind you, the Versys is not a bad motorcycle. The little that I rode the Versys, I loved everything about it. The ride is so much smooth, the suspension soaks in all the bad roads, the comfort is more than you can ask for (rider and pillion). Also being a Japanese motorcycle , it was bullet proof, the mileage was good (22 kmpl on long rides), spares and accessories were easily available (although expensive). Compared to the Z and the Duke which were overly eager and impatient- the Versys felt so relaxed and patient.
There was nothing about the Versys I did not like - but my heart still yearned for something else (the Tiger). Probably it was also the fact that after you have ridden an inline 4, it's not easy to live with a silent twin. To quote Jeremy Clarkson in his McLaren MP4 review : -
"But there is something missing. Something that can't be measured. Something that you can't really put your finger on. THERE'S NO ZING!"
The "Zing" is probably what was missing in the Versys. The Versys can do almost everything that the Tiger can (on road) and probably even more at half the price. It will give you a better mileage with that larger fuel tank. It can keep up with the Tiger too on a long ride. But, but, it's missing the Zing factor that the Tiger has.
The Zing for me are not the additional electronics that the Tiger comes with. The Zing for me is not the price or the brag factor that the Tiger comes with. The Zing for me is not that fact that the Tiger is a better off roader. The Zing for me is not the 90+ bhp triple engine.
- The Zing for me is the fact that this was the bike that bought a smile to my face 4 years ago (it was more of a grin) - more than the Z800.
- The Zing for me is the ease and confidence with which I can get onto the Tiger. I tell you, it's really a good experience climbing onto your bike.
- The Zing for me is the fact that I can ride the Tiger standing effortlessly.
- The Zing for me is the ruggedness and purposeful look of the Tiger.
So finally the "Zing" is in my life. I got hold of a very well maintained 2015 Tiger XRX. A very big thanks to a very close friend who helped me through the deal and of course my riding friends (No Potty...No Riding) - don't ask me anymore about it.
Also, all this would not have been possible without my parents and the Home Minister. The last few months were so much filled with confusion. If I take a screenshot of my discussion with my friends - it would really be a very hilarious story. To give you a brief synopsis - here is what transpired between Jan (when I put the Versys on sale) and July (when I got the Tiger).
Dec 2018 (with friends) :
[Me]: I am really very confused on what I want to buy
[Me]: Yesterday I was thinking Z900, today I am thinking Street Triple S, Sunday I was eyeing Tiger
[Me]: Last week I was thinking selling the car and the bike and buying the Mitsubishi Outlander ��
[Friend StripleRS]: Allen you sound like the English weather
[Me]: And it normally happens during winter
Jan 2019 (with the Kawasaki dealer) :
[Me]: Wanted to check with you on the OTR for the Z900 and if you have any exchange scheme with the Versys
[Kawasaki]: U wanna exchange the versys with a z900
[Me]: Yess mostly looking to replace but wanna see what's the exchange offer
[Kawasaki]: Come we can check
Mar 2019 (with friends) :
[Rahul GSXR1000]: Hi Guys, Riding this Sunday to Lonavala. Anyone coming??
[Me]: 99% me also in if my bike is still ther ����
[Friend 1 Street Triple]: Y?
[Me]: Selling it ��
[Friend Striple RS]: Quick shifter.
[Friend 2 Street Triple]: Seriously? Which one r u buying?
[Me]: Thinking of the Z900 but let's see, heard they re-launching the Z900RS again
[Friend Striple RS]: Hahahahahahahahaha..... back to the Z I see
Friends, watch & learn.
He sold & bought the adventure tourer when he got married & he felt the Mrs would like to join. Nothing happened. Now, he’ll take a hit & go back to his beloved Z where he’ll be on his own. This entire process took a few years. So before you get married, buy the bike you wanna ride. Not after marriage.
There's more to it - at one point of time I almost gave up and decided to go for a new Polo GT TSI or a Baleno or the Ignis. The mind (mind you, the mind - and not the heart) even wandered towards used SUV's - the previous gen Honda CR-V and the Mitsubishi Outlander.
All this was happening while the Versys was still waiting to be sold. Finally in July, a Tbhpian pinged me, we fixed a date, met up, he took a test ride, paid the token and then bought the bike. It's very similar to the Alexander's story - He came, he saw, he conquered. The Versys was gone in a jiffy. I wasn't a bit emotional about it - not as much as I was about the Z. I still miss the Z - bit I don't miss the Versys. Infact, I was happy it went. I could now focus on something else.
Bye Bye Versys
Around the same time, I was also co-ordinating for the Tiger. Met the owner, had a good look at the bike - checked with some friends and with Triumph too - and they confirmed it was a very well maintained motorcycle with entire service history and lot of OE accessories that were fitted at the time of delivery. I was still not sure - I was too confused. I messaged a friend and told him I am confused between this motorcycle or a car. 2 voice notes from him was all it took to make my decision and I don't regret it at all. Thank you very much Arash!