[vigneshkumar31]

Originally Posted by shancz

Force Motors keeps impressing us, brilliant, true enthusiasts
Gurkha feels at home and with that splendid backdrop, what a home.


This pic is epic, needs a caption better than Safari's "Reclaim Your Life".

Thanks for the feedback. Mr Sankar was a real enthusiast and was happy that we took him offroading. I guess we impressed him enough to consider an Island Edition similar to the Spiti Edition.

And congratulations for your 1000th post.

[shancz]

Originally Posted by vigneshkumar31

- I guess we impressed him enough to consider an Island Edition similar to the Spiti Edition.

- And congratulations for your 1000th post.

- Absolutely. Right from your casual email to FM to the drive to Chennai and the ship to the islands, what a journey for the Gurkha even before it reached you.
Hard earned and well deserved

- Feel honoured to dedicate this post to The Island Gurkha

[vigneshkumar31]

High tide swallows old Japanese bunkers that dot the island.



The setting sun sets a brilliant backdrop for the Island Gurkha

[Red Liner]

Just managed to get through the initial purchasing process and ownership review of your beast. Loved it - and loved the force even more. I have fond memories of the Andaman, we sailed there when my dad was working with the Shipping Corporation of India back in the days. I must wrench a visit to the islands soon.

I used to be a 4x4 guy with a Willy's Jeep when off-roading had just begun being discussed in whispers back in 2006. Life happened, and a regular SUV or road biased cars made their way into the garage. Will the dark side rise and bring forth a 4x4 back into my life?

[vigneshkumar31]

Originally Posted by Red Liner

Just managed to get through the initial purchasing process and ownership review of your beast. Loved it - and loved the force even more. I have fond memories of the Andaman, we sailed there when my dad was working with the Shipping Corporation of India back in the days. I must wrench a visit to the islands soon.

I used to be a 4x4 guy with a Willy's Jeep when off-roading had just begun being discussed in whispers back in 2006. Life happened, and a regular SUV or road biased cars made their way into the garage. Will the dark side rise and bring forth a 4x4 back into my life?

Thanks for the wishes.

It is never too late to jump back off the road, eh?

[vigneshkumar31]

Checked out this sweet Black Gurkha with wickedly blacked out alloys. Let’s Prey !

[vigneshkumar31]

Island Gurkha moves to Goa

Hi guys,
Work beckons and we have left the island and moved to mainland. Django, has moved with me to Goa.!
.
The home of the RFC is coming alive in monsoons and the lush green is invitingly slushy. The entire Konkan coast is a great treat for Roadtrips and off-road trails alike and I’m looking forward to make milestone memories here as well.

Here are a few clicks to kickstart the #GoaDiaries.

[tanmay324]

Hi Vignesh, been a silent observer to this thread till now. Django looks great in the lush greens. I am thinking of putting same 245/75 bighorns on my Gurkha. What kind of mileage are you getting with these? And how is the highway performance of the tires?
Hoping to bump into you in Konkan sometime soon!

[vigneshkumar31]

Originally Posted by tanmay324

Hi Vignesh, been a silent observer to this thread till now. Django looks great in the lush greens. I am thinking of putting same 245/75 bighorns on my Gurkha. What kind of mileage are you getting with these? And how is the highway performance of the tires?
Hoping to bump into you in Konkan sometime soon!

These are extremely grippy in slush and mid Tanmay, highly recommend these sets.

Mileage is less, but, as expected from this size truck and these wheels probably shave off a few clicks.

I use it mostly off-road so not tracking very deliberately.

[Ksingh544]

Originally Posted by vigneshkumar31

Checked out this sweet Black Gurkha with wickedly blacked out alloys. Let’s Prey !


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Wow ! this is a real beauty.

after having owned 3 black vehicles in a row, i had vowed not to get another but this combination of the black Gurkha and black alloys has me wavering on my promise !

I am quite close to booking the Gurkha as my next vehicle and having been leaning towards the Grey color like yours, since the Green has become too common already. But i may have to rethink the decision soon.

Thanks for sharing this. and good luck in Goa.

[vigsom]

Originally Posted by vigneshkumar31

- The insulation on the underside of the bonnet for engine is a good addition. But doesn't subdue the diesel clatter fully.

- The stadium seating is more pronounced than it was in the Safari
- the second row seats are mounted on a small step
- magicalpanaromic window, continuous expanse of magic, changes the ambience inside the cabin completely and the passengers see the world pass, like a movie

Had the privilege of riding in a Force Gurkha this evening.

What I liked

- The best rear seat in a high seating vehicle; comfortable captain seats, and great under thigh support since the foot is placed on the floor that is slightly lower than the floor where the seat is mounted
- commanding view of the front and the sides from the rear seat thanks to the theater style seating and the massive side glasses
- the brute cruises effortlessly at 100kmph on a smooth road

What I didn't like

- Engine would get rough at approx 2,500rpm
- Transmission whine very audible especially in gear no.2 and no.4
- driver side wiper blade was making noise - and for an under 2 month old car, this is unacceptable
- bumpy bumpy ride at the rear
- the plastic ends on the rear armrests can be rather uncomfortable if places one's arm(s) on them

Overall, a good experience, with the high point being the rear seating.

[drsamuelk]

Why for the love of God, the snorkel is placed on the right. It increases the blind spot. Why hasn't ARAI objected? The snorkel should always be opposite to the driver. The cars in the US format of driving have it on the right side to prevent blind siding the driver during turns. A car traveling at the same speed as the Gurkha turning left at a T-intersection would go un-noticed. Give it a thought. Indian vehicles should have snorkels on the left, for safety reasons.

[vigneshkumar31]

Originally Posted by drsamuelk

Why for the love of God, the snorkel is placed on the right. It increases the blind spot. Why hasn't ARAI objected? The snorkel should always be opposite to the driver. The cars in the US format of driving have it on the right side to prevent blind siding the driver during turns. A car traveling at the same speed as the Gurkha turning left at a T-intersection would go un-noticed. Give it a thought. Indian vehicles should have snorkels on the left, for safety reasons.

I agree with your logic and endorse your recommendation of moving it to the co driver side.

But, I must say that the snorkel on Bs6 Gurkha has been deliberately modified and much improved, to mitigate blind spot, compared to the older generation vehicle.

In my present Gurkha, the snorkel comes out of the side of the engine compartment (unlike earlier where it used to come from the top) and hugs the A pillar. The blind spot in my case is more because of the windshield guard I have installed.

[drsamuelk]

I used to own a Grand Cherokee 5.7L V8 abroad and they are notorious for large blind spots even without a snorkel. I've had 3 close calls at intersections. But I've never had this issue with my trusty old MM540, complete road visibility.

[drsamuelk]

Originally Posted by vigsom

Had the privilege of riding in a Force Gurkha this evening.

What I liked

- The best rear seat in a high seating vehicle; comfortable captain seats, and great under thigh support since the foot is placed on the floor that is slightly lower than the floor where the seat is mounted
- commanding view of the front and the sides from the rear seat thanks to the theater style seating and the massive side glasses
- the brute cruises effortlessly at 100kmph on a smooth road

What I didn't like

- Engine would get rough at approx 2,500rpm
- Transmission whine very audible especially in gear no.2 and no.4
- driver side wiper blade was making noise - and for an under 2 month old car, this is unacceptable
- bumpy bumpy ride at the rear
- the plastic ends on the rear armrests can be rather uncomfortable if places one's arm(s) on them

Overall, a good experience, with the high point being the rear seating.

Attachment 2341533

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The same firm force makes both Gurkha and the tempo traveller but the fit and finish of the tempo traveller, the internal plastic, the body metal edges, the paint work, the engine refinement, the raw throaty exhaust note, the unrelenting gearbox, is far superior compared to Gurkha. I wonder why? They are priced similar. I have seen many a Gurkha with paint peeling and bubbles at the bottom corners of doors. The Gurkha does feel like a neglected step sibling. Is it just me or has anyone else noticed?