I kept honking at him but he did not bother to stop and apologize, let alone take responsibility for the damage done.

BHPian DocwithFiesta recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

In the last 3 weeks, both our cars have been damaged by reckless two-wheeler riders.

Yesterday evening (20/04/2024) at around 7pm, 100 meters from Atrium Apartments in Adyar, a two-wheeler ridden by a decent appearing educated guy (assuming by the appearance), while overtaking from the left and trying to navigate between my car and a parked car on the street in an extremely narrow gap, hit my car and damaged the front bumper.

I was behind him for about 30 seconds, following the incident, on that street while he was stuck behind the car in front of me and kept honking at him for the entire 30 seconds (while we both were on the move), but he did not bother to stop and apologize, let alone take responsibility for the damage done.

I could not recognise the bike make and model, nor do I remember the registration number (it was TN22 something), but if the biker is reading this, I want to say just one thing: SHAME ON YOU!

A similar incident took place in the first week of April when my father was driving the Fiesta on the ECR. A biker damaged the front bumper in a similar manner.

Now my question/concern about today's incident is: why don't people take responsibility for their mistakes? I understand mistakes do happen, but why run away? If you are emotionally or financially weak to accept the consequences of your mistakes, then why be so reckless on the road?

At the end of the day, I am left with 2 broken front bumpers.

Thanks for reading.

Here's what BHPian Arun_S had to say about the matter:

Same thing happened to me couple of months back, guy on an Activa trying to squeeze between the median and my car during peak traffic, his foot rest just took my entire front bumper.

He just escaped and didn't even have the courtesy to apologize.

I might be found a little rude, but of late, I see an increasing number of two-wheelers having an attitude towards cars like they have insurance/money to let them suffer.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

After riding my Kawasaki Versys 650 for four years and 20,000 km, I have overgrown it and looking to upgrade.

BHPian StepUP! recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Hello there!

I am seeking this community's advice/help in deciding on my next bike. Before that, just a bit of background - My current ride is, rather was, a Versys 650. 5 years old, odo stands at 20000kms. Before this, I had a CBR250R.

While CBR was a good bike, my wrists always hurt due to the sporty riding position. No matter how much I tried to correct my posture. I was in my late twenties then.

I went for Versys in my early thirties, it being an ADV has great suspension comfortable for long rides. It has enough grunt to keep up with superbikes, the engine is typical Japanese, low-speed high gears very much doable. Mild off-roading is a breeze.

However, after riding it for 4 years, I have overgrown it. With its advantages, I think it has its own flaws:

• I never felt connected to the bike, I sit on the bike and not in the bike. While it dismisses bad roads with aplomb, on the highway or taking corners, it feels usually boring. Don't get me wrong it has a superb chassis to lean in corners but this being a high CG bike, after you lean in, to get back in line, that nervousness is always there. Of course, attributed to my limited skills as well.
• Always top heavy
• Heavy 230+ kgs weight with high CG becomes scary to manage in traffic and tricky situations like when you have to stop on a slope or while coming to halt, your leg is on a slippery surface or in a ditch. For reference I am 5'9" and with riding shoes, I have to tip toe. I could never flat feet when in the saddle.
• Lacks character. Engine note is meh.

With a heavy heart, I let it go. Versys took me to so many places and a lot of beautiful memories are associated with it. Rode her to many forts, lakes, dams, and ghats around Pune. But I am convinced it's the right decision. I was not riding it much for many months.

What I want in my next bike:

• Budget max 10 lakhs OTR
• Not too much downgrade in terms of power
• Shouldn't be top-heavy, lesser the weight, the better.
• Comfortable to ride. I am 40 now and don't want to strain my back, wrists.
• Twin or more cylinders, no single-cylinder bikes.
• Open to pre-owned route.
• Reasonable ASS and maintenance.
• No Japanese.
• No cruisers.
• No KTMs

Am I asking too much?

My rides are weekend breakfast rides and sometimes to work which is 40kms to and fro.

Only 2 bikes come to my mind:

• Aprilia RS457 (actually it's RS660 but it's out of budget)
• Street Triple

Please suggest if the above are the right choices, and if there are more bikes to consider fitting my requirements.

PS - I haven't taken any test rides yet but soon will do.

Thank you!

Here's what BHPian Axe77 had to say about the matter:

Candidly, yes. I’d encourage you to think through this list and perhaps break it up into the ‘non-negotiable’ conditions and the ‘good to have’ ones. That might help you broaden your options list a bit more.

”Should not be too much of a downgrade”: That rules out the 457. As does perhaps the unknown on maintenance.

From the above shortlist of two, a sparingly used Street Triple R would suit your requirements quite well. You could also consider the Trident 660 perhaps. Again a nice enough motorcycle in its own right but the Street Triple will just be much nicer if you can snare a good one.

If you are open to classics you could also consider the classics range from Triumph. They’re heavier than the above two but not top-heavy. You’ll again need to go slightly used to make it fit in 10 lakh.

I can’t think of much else from your listed requirements, which applied strictly rule out most other options.

Here's what BHPian Cyborg had to say about the matter:

Aprilia RS457 may run into issues during servicing and spares because they don’t have market penetration for the foreseeable future.

Street Triple while being a huge upgrade to your Versys power wise will also be a huge downgrade comfort-wise. The rider triangle is decently committed and could get cramped which will not suit you either. I have owned this bike hence speaking from ownership experience.

I would suggest a brand new Kawasaki Ninja 500 (forget your no Japanese clause) which has just been launched and will fit in your budget. It will not be too much of a downgrade power-wise because it’s much lighter than the Versys 650 (~170 kgs versus ~230 kgs) and power delivery should be more direct. It should be comfortable to ride and own with Kawasaki service which should be better than Triumph and surely Aprilia.

Take a test ride with an open mind and see if it floats your boat. All the best.

Here's what BHPian Sudarshan42 had to say about the matter:

How about the Triumph Trident 660 or any of the other 660 triples (Tiger, Daytona) from Triumph? I know service is a hit or miss, but this will be the ideal upgrade given your constraints.

If not that, also consider the Honda Transalp or the CBR650R. The latter is a bit long in the tooth now, but given that it's a Honda inline 4, should be a decent upgrade. Another wild card can be the Z900, provided your no Japanese caveat is flexible.

Here's what BHPian shabih had to say about the matter:

Since the CBR250R used to put a strain on your wrist, I think the Aprillia and Striple will do the same. You may want to consider Triumph Bonneville or Street Twin. In the used market these two will come in between 5 to 7 lakhs. The classics offer you a no-fuss pure riding pleasure, a thumpy torquey engine, extremely healthy weight distribution that wouldn't feel top heavy at all and you can easily flat foot them. I own a Street Twin and I am very happy with what it delivers.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

The Jupiter is lighter and more agile whereas the Activa can reach 80 km/h easily.

BHPian Bhuvan recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

I own a 2016 TVS Jupiter ZX done 25K km, bought against the general opinion of my family (esp. father) for my sister who hardly used it for 6 months during her last semester in college. Although a lot has changed in newer generations, deep down the company DNA will reflect in the product.

My brother-in-law has an Activa 6G with a remote key, after using it for a couple of weeks and my prior experience of older generations.

I list my observations below.

Jupiter Pros over Activa

• Jupiter is lighter and more agile to use than the Activa (bought it because the primary user at that time was my younger sister).
• Activa and Jupiter both offer telescopic suspension at the front but on loose surfaces as you turn, the front tyre starts to lose grip due to the heavier back in Activa, from my personal experience.
• Petrol refill lid in Jupiter is single action and easier to use, unlike Activa where it's 2-stage in 6G (the lid is opened by a three-way button and then unscrewing the petrol filler cap which results in the rider or pillion getting down to refuel).
• Underseat storage area has always been better in Jupiter.
• Jupiter ZX was bought at approx. Rs 62k and Activa was approx Rs 64.5k, remember this was 2016 and the base Jupiter model was 59k on road.
• TVS offered a 5-year default warranty at no extra charge and delivered the vehicle immediately.
• I have always found the brakes in Activa inadequate for the weight of the vehicle whereas in Jupiter the brakes are slightly better and progressive in action.

Activa Pros over Jupiter

• Jupiter has vibrations which is tiring on long rides whereas a 15-year-old 70k run Activa will run butter smooth if maintained well, that's Honda.
• Jupiter's seat is very odd in design, rider and pillion will keep on sliding forward when brakes are applied and this results in back pain in the shoulder blade area. Activa seat design is simply great for both rider and pillion.
• Jupiter's seat cushion is soft which results in sore behind on longer rides, no such issue in Activa.
• Activa 6G has MRF tyres vs Jupiter has TVS tyres, TVS tyres are extremely poor in quality from experience.
• Except horn switch, all switches have been replaced in Jupiter because they failed, even the horn button has some rust issue which was incorrectly diagnosed as a faulty battery when not used for an extended period resulting in irregular irregular-sounding horn, I have used abused Activas where switch gear worked perfectly.
• Activa 6G and previous generations can reach 80 kmph easily with slight strain on the engine but in Jupiter, the vibrations will let you experience roadways bus.
• Handle lock assembly mounting screws of Jupiter tends to get loose with time and the whole front has to be removed to tighten it up, never faced such an issue in Activa.
• Jupiter's exhaust pipe tends to rust.
• Jupiter's original spark plug went kaput out of nowhere within the first month, changed to Champion brand, this went out within a few weeks, TVS service technician suggested an engine head gasket leak causing this, I took a chance and went with the Bosch spark plug this time as I could not muster the courage to get engine opened on a new vehicle and get an earful from father, never faced this issue again.

Activa 6G which I used recently had a remote key, which basically works as a keyless system. The vehicle detects the key and you rotate a gas burner-type knob for unlocking, seat/petrol lid open mode, and ignition. I can't remember any more options, but I am skeptical about the low battery in the remote key (there was no option of a physical key in that remote) and the vehicle's unable to detect it.

In short, Activa will age better and that's the only reason it sells approx. 3 times more than the Jupiter. Today, If I have to buy a scooter, then Activa it is.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

I am contemplating gifting it to him as a token of my affection that not only fulfils his youthful desires but also allows me to share my love for all things automotive with him.

BHPian TM_Turbo recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Hi BHPians,

I am Naveen based out of Bangalore. I am in my mid-30s and work in one of the Big 4s. Despite my career at a Big 4 firm, my heart remains captivated by the allure of automobiles.

My son who is 10 years old shares my enthusiasm for automobiles and has a budding interest in DIY projects. He is also a good Karate player and won multiple trophies and medals in National and International level open championships.

Last time when he won a trophy in an International level open competition I had promised to gift him a small bike (which he had been very keen about for a long time). As my son's birthday approaches, I am contemplating gifting him a 50cc bike, a token of my affection that not only fulfils his youthful desires but also allows me to share my love for all things automotive with him.

Now, here's where I could really use your expertise and guidance. While I've spent countless hours reading about maintaining those 50cc 2-stroke bikes, availability of spare parts, etc, I truly value the insights and experiences of this community.

So, dear forum members, I turn to you for advice.

• What are your thoughts on purchasing a 50cc bike for a young rider?
• Are there specific models or brands you would recommend?
• Any tips or considerations I should keep in mind while making this purchase?
• Any leads/contacts/dealers in Bangalore
• Maintenance and spare parts availability
• Any 1st hand experience owning these small bikes?

Thank you in advance for taking the time to share your insights. I eagerly await your responses and look forward to embarking on this journey together. Please note my budget would be around 20-25K max.

Here's what BHPian aargee had to say about the matter:

It might work by avoiding getting caught or using private land for practice because:

Learning License Age Limit for Two wheelers

The minimum age for a learning license for a two-wheeler whose capacity is below 50cc is 16 years of age. However, in today’s times 50cc scooters are few and far between. Hence, it is better to wait to get the two-wheeler above 50cc license.

Source

Here's what BHPian deep_bang had to say about the matter:

Rather than looking at petrol bikes, would suggest looking at electric ones. This space is already fairly clear wrt rules and regulations and it's very clear that any vehicle that has < 250 watts motor does not need a license to ride the vehicle.

With petrol, these regulations exist but hardly any manufacturers make them (as far as I know).

Here's what BHPian Redex had to say about the matter:

I have 4 boys who all went through this stage (as did I). Get a real "dirt bike" with a petrol engine. Get all the safety gear. Teach your child how to maintain the vehicle.

All 4 of my boys had their fill of 2 wheelers riding off-road. They went straight to cars when old enough to drive, much safer. Only 1 continues to ride a 2-wheeler but mostly drives his car.

Personally, I have ridden 2 wheelers since the age of 11 and still do now at 68.

Here's what BHPian shankar.balan had to say about the matter:

Lovely! This is really nice to read. Nothing like starting them young when it comes to automobile enthusiasm.

My Dad did. And I've ended up being a die-hard automobile enthusiast.

I agree that the sensible choice to make in your case is to go electric. But there is a certain joy in the internal combustion engine, especially for your budding DIY enthusiast. That's why I feel you should go with your instinct and get him a petrol-driven mini dirt bike or similar, along with the other safety kit etc. The greatest thing you can do after this is to take him to professional biking tracks where he can receive training and hone his skills.

I like the picture you posted. If my folks/grandma had allowed it when I was a teenager, I would have loved to have an Enfield Explorer or BSA Bond 50cc bike both of which, when modded a bit, looked a lot like that picture. Of course, those were bikes used by teens, college goers and even adults then.

Now some of us can live vicariously through your little boy and his biking!

Upon doing a casual search of the internet there seem to be literally tens of options of these 49-50cc petrol powered bikes for kids ranging from 10000 to 70000 Rupees.

Thing is, how good, how safe and how reliable are they? That is the primary set of points which require to be answered.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

This is my first motorcycle and it has an impressive fuel efficiency. I once recorded 62 km/l in stop-start city traffic.

BHPian I4_Pistoneer recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

The feeling of pure joy and ecstasy, when gifted with something new that we always yearned for, is indeed an unmatched and special feeling that we cherish for a long time, whether being gifted a watch after board exam results, a new jacket, or anything that we always wished to possess someday. It is indeed special.

Well, I had that moment on the 17th of November 2023, when my parents gifted me, my first motorcycle, the Honda SP 125. Seeing the new Honda in its stunning matte blue paintwork and my name on the owner's manual was splendid, to say the least.

Identifying Options

Since I am relatively new to the motorcycling scene, my first task was to identify the kind of motorcycle that would suit my needs.

After holding long "conferences" with other like-minded friends in engineering, I came to the conclusion that a 125cc engine would be adequate. Since my college commute clocks up around 7 kilometers daily, and considering my height (I'm 5ft 11') the factors of riding comfort, fuel efficiency, ergonomics and practicality were high up on the list.

And hence, keeping these factors in mind, I shortlisted the following options:

• TVS Raider 125
• Honda SP 125
• Hero Glamour XTEC

Armed with these options, I had a thorough look at these bikes, and after test-riding each one of them, I zeroed in on the Honda SP 125.

Why I chose the SP 125:

I've always had a bit of a bias towards the products that Honda offers, mainly because of their design, build quality and bulletproof reliability that almost all Honda owners swear by.

Keeping that aside though, these are some of the areas where Honda outshone its rivals:

• Seating position is good and there is no bend to the back when seated.
• Ergonomic factors such as the positioning of the foot pegs of the gear shifter and brake was comfortable.
• A large fuel tank combined with an impressive claimed efficiency figure of 65 km/l.

Where the TVS and Hero fell short were mainly on the factors of seat comfort and ergonomics. The Hero Glamour was a bit small for me, and the TVS Raider's seating position was not much suited for my height.

Ownership and Riding Experience:

It has been north of two months of ownership and 1700 km on the odometer, and it's safe to say that the Honda has been a smooth riding experience so far. It caters exactly to its intended purpose of being a comfortable commuter.

• The gear shifts are smooth and shift with a satisfying 'click' and has never missed a gear till date.
• The engine is very refined and responsive and virtually no vibrations have been reported at city speeds, it is only at the top end of the rpm range that slight vibrations are experienced at speeds of 80+ km/h. But, such is the nature of a typical 125.
• The seat foam is supportive and comfortable to ride around 100 km at a stretch. The standout feature being there is no bend to the back when riding which greatly improves comfort. The centre-set gear shifter, which is both a toe and heel shifter, makes it easy to shift gears in traffic.

• Fuel efficiency of the Honda is quite impressive. I've recorded an efficiency of 62 km/l in stop-start city traffic.

• Aesthetic appeal: Since the Honda had a slightly bigger wheelbase than its alternatives, and with the updated BS6 Obd-2 version that comes with a 100-section tire at the rear, it indeed has a good road presence.

• The packaging of the bike has been done tastefully with all-black painted engine components and powder coated alloy wheels.

Features on offer:

The new version of the SP 125 has a list of features that have kept it at par with some of its competitors.

• It is equipped with a full digital speedometer and the large buttons provided make it easy to navigate through the different options of mileage and the trip computer.
• The Honda also comes with a silent starter motor and a Kickstarter.
• All LED headlights with a powerful high-beam setting.
• Wider 100/80 section tires at the rear that ensure more grip.

Criticisms:

• Though the front disc brake is reassuring, the same cannot be said about the rear drum brakes, which are not very responsive and the force of braking at the rear can be vastly improved.
• Although it is equipped with an all-LED headlight which is powerful, the range of the light throw is satisfactory, to say the least.
• At this price point, it would have been desirable to have an option of Bluetooth connectivity with the instrument cluster, similar to the TVS Raider.
• The tail light could have been LED to improve its design.

Conclusion

All in all, the Honda SP 125 has been a smooth sailing (or should I say, smooth riding) experience to date. Yes, there are some minor changes that Honda can make to improve its appeal among its new competitors, but in my opinion and experience, if one is looking for a comfortable, reliable and efficient 125cc commuter, then the Honda SP 125 is definitely worth considering.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

There are some Chinese Android Auto / Apple CarPlay devices available but they are expensive. The cheapest reliable options cost around Rs 15,000.

BHPian souvik_daz recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Navigation plays a key part in enjoying a smooth and seamless touring experience on our cherished two-wheelers. The go-to solution for 99% of us riders is to attach our phones to a phone mount and use Google Maps to show us the way.

A common issue with this approach is messed up cameras, especially ones with inbuilt optical image stabilisation. Some of us revert to using a secondary phone as a dedicated navigation device. Even this has its drawbacks. Maintaining a secondary sim is a major hassle. On top of it, receiving/rejecting calls on the helmet intercom or reading incoming messages becomes a challenge without easy access to our primary phone.

Some Chinese brands (Ottocast, Carpuride, etc.) have tried to solve this with dedicated Android Auto / Apple CarPlay devices that attach to your handlebar or mirror and connect to your phone to give you a similar experience to what you get on your four-wheelers. These are relatively pricey (with the cheapest reliable options costing around ₹15,000). I nearly bit the bullet on one such device, till better sense prevailed and I decided to research for a more cost-effective solution. What I found was a relatively cheaper and quicker option. It is super easy and can be utilised by almost anyone ready to spend an hour or so tweaking things, well almost.

Disclaimer

To use the solution, you need to have a secondary phone (which will act as the Android Auto screen and will cast content from the primary phone). I have tried this with Android phones (since that is what I have access to), so I can’t comment on how it needs to happen in the Apple ecosystem.

Apps Required

• Headunit Emulator (referred to as HUR going forward and to be installed on the secondary phone). Costs ₹430.
• WiFi launcher (to be installed on the primary phone).

Steps

• Install the above apps on the concerned phones.
• Enable ‘WiFi direct’ on the primary phone (instructions to do this will vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, so search for the procedure on Google).
• Ensure that both phones have WiFi switched on but are not connected to any WiFi network.
• Launch HUR, and go to Settings -> Connectivity -> WiFi connection mode. Select ‘Use WiFi Direct’.
• Note the device name on HUR (it will show in small text at the bottom of the screen. Most often it is ‘HUR7’.)
• Keep HUR running on the secondary device.
• Launch WiFi Launcher on the primary phone. Grant the permissions requested.
• Under Wireless, select ‘WiFi Connection Mode’ and ‘Use WiFi Direct’.
• Go to ‘HUR WiFi Direct Name’ and ensure it matches the device name we noted in step 5. If it does not match, manually type in the name as noted in step 5.
• Select ‘Start WiFi Service Manually’.

That is it! Android Auto should launch on the secondary screen. Now for your next ride, you can safely keep your primary phone in your pocket or bag and use navigation, calls and messaging (and music if that’s something you prefer while riding) from the convenience of your secondary phone.

If the touch response on Android Auto seems sluggish, go to HUR Settings -> Graphics -> Pixel Density. Enter a value less than what it shows. E.g. It was 440 as the default for me but worked best when reduced to 350.

My intention with this post is to help as many of you as possible and make your riding experience as smooth as possible. Happy to hear your thoughts as well as your experience (assuming you do give it a shot).

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

There is an endless list of faults that also cause instability of the front wheel but this adjustment is the easiest to try first.

BHPian Redex recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Does your bike feel unstable at high speeds?

The most common reason for this is too little pre-load on the rear suspension. Under this condition, the rear of the bike squats down on the suspension and weight is transferred to the rear wheel. Increasing spring pressure at the rear will raise the seat height and transfer weight to the front wheel increasing straight-line stability.

If the instability increases carrying a pillion the most likely cause is rear spring adjustment.

Try it!

A quick way to check the rear preload is to sit further forward and move your body weight towards the front wheel. Instability reduced? Yes! Then increase the rear spring pre-load. Sometimes you may need to reduce the front fork pre-load if you can. Adjusting the damping will have little to no effect.

Assuming everything mechanical is correct and changing pre-load makes little difference, you probably need to change the tyres to a different pattern or brand. However, first check the tyre manufacturer's pressure for your bike, it probably differs from your owner's manual. Especially on older bikes. The owner's manual only gives the pressure for 1 or 2 patterns and brands that were fitted as OEM parts.

There is an endless list of faults that also cause instability of the front wheel. This adjustment is the easiest to try first.

After that, look at the tyres, pressure, balance, uneven wear, or wrong type. Gets more complicated, worn headstock bearings, warped disc, binding brakes, low front fork oil, buckled wheel rim etc etc.

Here's what BHPian aargee had to say about the matter:

In my humble opinion, when I feel that my motorcycle is shaking or unstable at high speeds, the very first thing I would do is fill in air in both tires to 1 PSI more than the manufacturer's recommendation.

This has not worked only once on my CBR when the front tire got punctured, otherwise, this has worked nearly 100% of the time & not a very expensive affair.

Here's what BHPian Redex replied:

Whatever works for you. Personally, I have never been able to feel any difference in pressure unless it is greater than 5 psi. My experience is based on riding in the UK. Cruising at 120 to 130 kph. High-speed wobble is usually caused by incorrect balance front to rear. (Assuming there are no mechanical causes for the wobble). Tyre design, quality and age have a much greater effect on handling. Tyre pressures can increase up to about 5 psi when riding hard and fast. It only takes one ride sitting further forward on the seat to see if you need to increase the rear spring load.

I tried it on my Yamaha XT600e, single 600cc trail bike. Sitting forward made a noticeable difference so I increased the pre-load. Still not perfect so I replaced the front and rear tyres with Conti Trail Attack 2 tyres (designed for 90% on-road use).

Now have the perfect combination in the wet and dry. Bike is most comfortable at 120kph, it will max out at 160kph but the rpm is too high to sustain on a single-cylinder 600cc bike. Not what the XT600e was designed for.

I fitted adjustable preload air suspension to my previous bike Honda Valkyrie 6 cylinder 1500cc cruiser. I find it perfect for providing a stable ride, with or without a pillion, and/or 3 hard luggage cases attached, cruising at up 180kph, max out at 195kph.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

I felt the scooter jerking and buckling under me and then there was no power.

BHPian Iyencar recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Yesterday morning the scooter was fired up after sitting for a few days. As expected, it had some starting trouble. The battery seemed weak. Anyway, after a few kicks, she was up and running. Drove up to work with no problem while filling the petrol tank towards the end.

After finishing work as I was about to fire the scooter up my worker came up and said he noticed a few drops of liquid near the sidestand. This was right where there’s a rubber drain pipe. I checked to see if there were any leaks. Thought it could be some excess fuel and started driving.

In about 10-12 kms I was on the Kharghar bridge (the same one where my accelerator cable snapped, but in the opposite direction). I felt the scooter jerking and buckling under me and then there was no power. Somehow, I coasted to the side and parked. Turned on the parking lights which I had recently installed (they have now paid for themselves). Gave it a few kicks and she fired up. Drove again thinking it was a one-off.

Another 7 kms and the same issue. This time it took longer to get started but she did start. Now I knew I had to see a mechanic ASAP. So I took the stadium service road as I had no intention of stopping on the side of a highway again. The scooter again stopped in 3 kms. Kicked again, took longer but started. Managed to reach my usual mechanic, Subhash Automobiles, behind the petrol pump (opp. DY Patil). The minion mechanic available took a quick ride and said he couldn’t notice anything! However, I asked him to evaluate all possibilities. So he then proceeded to clean the carburettor.

Taking the carb apart:

Cleaning with petrol (taken from my own tank). A lot of crap was removed

Putting it back in. Way too many screws

The black washer (circled in red) needs to be aligned correctly and is tricky to put back in.

He then proceeded to open up the air filter. A fairly easy job, except the screws holding the cover were a bit rusted. A few knocks later the filter was removed and found to be just fine. No pics though.

Then he checked the spark plug. As mentioned in my earlier post, the plug had just been replaced a few weeks back. Shockingly, it had gone bad. Maybe the grade was incorrect or the tuning was lean as mentioned by BHPian Enviroclan. I couldn’t find the manual so not sure what the grade ought to have been. Anyway, he put in a Bosch plug. I repeatedly asked if it was the right grade and he said they were using it on Ntorqs. Will get the carb tuned when the head mechanic is in next week.

Next, I asked him to check the engine oil too while we were at it. It was thick and dark and the volume was less. However, by this time I really wanted a full service done so I asked him to just top it up for now and I would get the scooter in next week. I’m not sure what went wrong or what worked. Maybe it was one of the above or all of the above. Maybe it’s Maybelline. For now, she runs fine. Fingers crossed.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

One of the reasons I chose the Mahindra Thar's mStallion engine is to balance out the petrols & diesels in my garage (else the Superb 2.0 TSI would be the sole petrol).

BHPian Jeroen recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

When I got my Mini and posted about it on the forum I had loads of very encouraging responses. Also, several members, including GTO, requested me to provide an update on my whole fleet.

Like I need encouragement to show off??

Happy to oblige of course. So here we are:

From left to right:

My latest acquisition. My Mini One, 2010 one owner, dealer maintained. I have had it for two weeks. Love it. This thing is a hoot to drive. On top of that, I am getting great fuel efficiency, 1;17. Compared to my Jeep and Jaguar that is more than double. Also, the Mini just eats Euro 95 E10. Whereas my other cars all require Euro 98 euro 5, with no ethanol.

Next, my 2002 Jaguar XJR (308). Bought it, second-hand from eBay whilst I worked and lived in the USA from 2009-2012. It was my daily drive in the USA and I brought it back to the Netherlands.

Well over twenty years old, but goes like stink. Nothing beats a 4.0L supercharged V8. I leave Tesla owners completely shattered and frustrated in my wake.

When all is said and done, this is just the ultimate highway cruiser. Nothing beats British wafting along!!

Next, my 1998 Jeep. Also 4.0l, but 6 cylinders in line. Only 180HP. You wonder how the Jeep engineers managed to extract so little power out of such a huge lump of iron!! Love my Jeep. It's my second one. We had an identical Jeep whilst living in Kansas City, USA.

My first and only true love (apart from Mrs. D obviously). My 1986 Alfa Romeo Spider. I bought it in 1995, fully restored. So hardly a classic at the time. This Spider has taken us all over Europe year in and year out. Stay tuned for more updates. Early September I am on a trip to Scotland in my Spider with my best friend and spanner mate Peter and his Spider Coda Tronca.

Next, My 1982 Mercedes W123. I love this car. Bought it in 2006 or thereabouts from Nico Aaldering—the guy who got hold of the Palmen Barn Collection. The W123 was the last of the properly well-engineered cars. The only car I can take a door card off and put it back on within 2 minutes, without breaking some clips and it won't rattle either. Love driving it, looking over that huge bonnet with the three-pointed star up there.

Fantastic engineering, but very very prone to rust!!

Lastly, Mrs D's daily drive. Our 2015 Ford Fiesta. We bought it in 2016 with only about 12000 km on the clock. Today it stands at almost 100K. Great little car, this one has the NA smallest engine of the lot. Still drives well. Never had any issues with it.

When I bought my Mini, I also posted about it on Facebook. Mrs D. had to point out to a friend of ours, Ann, that I had bought another car. A sixth car!!

So Ann, replied: "He needs some adult supervision". Well, I got this T-shirt, enough said!!

Here's what GTO had to say about the matter:

Thanks for sharing, Jeroen!

Sharing my garage.

The diversity is by design = a fast turbo-diesel sedan, a fast turbo-petrol limousine, a modern turbo-petrol Jeep, an old Jeep with a naturally-aspirated diesel and the beater car of the house. One of the reasons I chose the Thar's mStallion engine is to balance out the petrols & diesels in my garage (else the Superb 2.0 TSI would be the sole petrol). The diversity is such that the garage gearbox line-up now includes a 4-speed, 5-speed, 6-speed, 7-speed & 8-speed! No two colours are the same either. All this garage needs now is a fast 2-door sportscar.

And an old favourite from a 2018 article:

Here's what BHPian Mystic had to say about the matter:

Toyota Innova Crysta Z 2021 November Diesel automatic is the latest car I am driving now.

My tryst with various other cars prior to Crysta is covered in my introduction post.

Here's what BHPian Samba had to say about the matter:

I do not have a single pic of me with all my cars and the bike in one frame. So posting separately.

Here's what BHPian ashis89 had to say about the matter:

The annual Goa visit routine

An old habit of mine, to use the boot as a bench during breaks

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

It is only on two-wheelers that you can chase a rainbow and get to pose with it!

BHPian safari_lover recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Ever since I popped an unintended wheelie during my first tryst with controlling a motorcycle, my father seated behind trying to instruct, I have been in love with a motorized two-wheeler. As I grew older and peeked into the world through that wondrous invention generally known as the Internet, I found that there are millions of men across the world who are passionately and hopelessly in love with this mesmerizing combination of mostly metal and rubber. Why? I try to reason.

It could be our way of imitating the great men from history. Many famous men from history had a famous ride - invariably a Horse. Alexander had his beloved Bucephalus, Rana Pratap had his Chetak just to name a couple. These men proudly and resolutely rode their horses to either conquer the world or to rebel against the powers that be. The relationship that these men shared with their rides is the stuff of legends and folklore.

Now, a restless man with a desire to conquer the modern (urban, corporate) world or with a chutzpah to rebel against the powers controlling the state machine of everyday existence needs a ride that he can be proud of. He needs his own Bucephalus or Chetak. So the closest thing that suits this purpose is the humble motorcycle.

A bicycle would make him spend all of his energy on keeping it on the move instead of spending it on the conquest or the rebellion and a Car would keep him ensconced in a bubble that is removed from the battlefield a.k.a. the roads and therefore making him look sissy. Where’s the fun in either of them? So, the motorcycle has to be the choice of ride and companion. While on it he can rightfully swag like a modern-day Alexander or Pratap. Don’t find a logic in this argument? You haven’t been on Bengaluru roads then!

There’s that 'Wind In Your Hair' argument too which, to me, feels like the most romanticized but anachronistic phrase about the motorcycle in the modern world. It’s a relic from the good old days of optional helmets and dirt-free roads. In the times that we live in, one must wear a helmet to ride a bike either to comply with the laws of the land or to avoid all that dirt that comes with the wind. Of course, there are places that offer scenic, fast roads, clean air and relaxed helmet rules. But the chances are that one may have already lost his hair while earning the required moolah to buy that motorcycle and to get to those places!

Leaving aside all that, I do believe wind plays an important part in the riding experience. If not in your hair then you can enjoy it in your face, legally. It is the thing that makes riding special by making you become one with your surroundings. There’s no escape from the stench or the scents of daily life when you are on a motorcycle. On one of those lucky days you can even enjoy a leisurely ride through a pleasantly hesitant rain or on one of those unlucky days, you can suffer through a savage hailstorm. Either way, you get an experience and a story to narrate. Not many things in life give you that.

I could be totally wrong with both reasons and maybe, just maybe, it’s a matter of a very primal male ego after all. We all know how men are obsessed with the size of the things between their legs. So, perhaps, the motorcycle is an extension of that desire to have the biggest and fastest thing between their legs. This would explain a lot of things — the ever-increasing Royal Enfield sales. The constant blabbering about the specs — the size of the piston, volume of the cylinder, rpm speeds, et al. We have even coined a term like 'crotch rockets' and have come up with lines like ‘the difference between men and boys is the size of their toys’! You get the drift. While I may not be entirely comfortable with it, I can’t overlook the logic of this pseudo-Freudian argument.

But then, I may have indulged in this rigmarole for nothing. Because it's only on two-wheelers that you can chase a rainbow and get to pose with it!

As a wise man once wrote: 'Four wheels move the body; Two wheels move the soul'.

That sounds like reason enough!

Here's what BHPian vjvinamara had to say about the matter:

Very well composed. You've captured the true essence of the feelings invoked while riding a motorcycle. It is a feeling that can't be merely described in words. Hats off to the brilliant writing.

Here's what BHPian jomson13 had to say about the matter:

Very well written sir. Yours is one of the few posts that I read through completely. I have the habit of quickly skimming through most of the posts, but yours is different.

The language, use of sarcasm, wit and humor make it a compelling read.

Thank you for sharing. Ride safe!

Here's what BHPian click had to say about the matter:

While I agree with the basic premises of your hypothesis, as a proud owner of an RE Classic, I can probably say with experience that while REs might be big, they can't be ever called fast. You may have been the first person in the whole history of RE's existence to describe it as a crotch rocket. I would say it is more like a crotch and spine vibrator.... oh maybe that's why it's popular.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.