Biking is all about self rejuvenation, reclamation and what not; atleast that is what it is in my mind. You ride a bike to soothen your soul, not to look cool or showoff

BHPian saikishor recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

I'm not starting this thread because of some superbike crash that took place recently, this question kinda ponders in my mind looking at the influencers that exist in today's social media pages.

What is biking? What do motorcyclists do? Who are motorcyclists? The one person who I feel is apt for a passionate motorcyclist is Mr.Subhabrata Marmar aka Shumi from Motorinc. I stumbled upon his new channel very recently and have been hooked since. The way he explains and displays stuff makes his intention clear. I mean, you can tell that man was born for motorcycles. That kind of passion is what makes someone a true biker or a true motorcyclist. Another name I can recall is Zohair Ahmed but now he has moved to cars and no longer does motorcycle content.

So yes coming back to what is biking and who are bikers? In my opinion, bikers are people who are passionate about riding and their bike ONLY. Bikers don't and shouldn't care about stuff which is not related to bikes. Those were the things which I associate to bikes.

Now if I know what biking is, then why am I starting this thread? Well as a young guy, who loves his bike to the core and goes nuts whenever he parks it and looks back at it, I feel the biking culture is being diluted and the terms biking and biking culture themselves are being diluted. These so called influencers are conveying wrong stuff to the younger gen like me. I mean, biking in India has become more of a show off kind of thing nowadays. Biker meets are all about showing off your expensive bike with its triple expensive accesories, photos, videos and what not. Photos is still fine but showoff IMO is not fine. These showoff guys are conveying the wrong image to the younger gen.

See I'll take my example. I am 20 years old, currently in my engineering 2nd year. Buying a bike and going on good rides was a dream since I was 13. I finally got my first bike when I was 19. My dad paid for it, and he pays for my petrol, maintenance, gear etc etc. All is good till here. I know my limits mentally and financially, so I do what ever is feasible for me(gear purchases, rides etc). So now what happens when a guy like me wants to buy a bike for himself or lets say has a bike with him already, but now he watches some influencers video, gets hooked and wants the same expensive stuff on his bike too? If he's someone like me who relies on his parents for his stuff, won't his parents feel pressurised? Is this how biking culture is meant to be? Absolutely not. Biking is all about self rejuvenation, reclamation and what not; atleast that is what it is in my mind. You ride a bike to soothen your soul, not to look cool or showoff whatever you have to people who dont give a rat's ass about bikes.

Another example I have in my mind are biking groups. I am a kinda silent member of 2 biking groups. I joined one in January, and the second one quite recently like 2 weeks ago. Situation is the same in those groups also; there is a lot of spam instead of actual bike talks. I might get kicked out after someone reads this from the group but it is what it is. I feel like exiting them, lets see I will if I find it pointless in being there.

Sorry if my post went too long but all I want to say is, biking culture is a literal joke in India at this point. I mean, look at content creators like Fortnine, Motorinc etc and look at other chapri content creators (no offense).

And lets not talk about guys who started with motorcycles as their thing but now do home tours, babysitting videos and what not.

I would like to hear others views and see if there is a possibility of changing this to a small extent atleast.

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

All I can say is:

• We should stop being purists.
• We should stop being elitist, even indirectly.

To me, anyone who loves to ride is a biker. Whether it's Manson on his 954RR, or the banking clerk who enjoys his Splendor. Axe77 on his Triumph, or a student on an Activa. I reiterate, anyone who loves to ride is a biker.

I follow a similar philosophy in the 4-wheeled world. In fact, this thread was my idea. This one was my idea too.

Me, Aditya, Omkar & gang are as much of car guys as anyone on the planet. We drive 50 cars every year between the three of us. From economy hatchbacks to deadly-fast EVs to 8-cylinder mean machines. Yet, if you see our real-life experiences & comments on those threads, we also enjoy driving Corollas & Hectors.

Anyone who loves to drive is a car guy, IMHO.

Here's what BHPian am1m had to say on the matter:

Boss, we were having these exact same conversations 25 years ago in engineering college! And I'm sure 25 years before that, people at that age would have been having similar conversations.

So it's nothing new and not limited to bikes. It's about the age you are at and trying to find your identity. It's the basic human need to find a 'tribe' and prove (mainly to themselves) that their 'tribe' is 'better'. It's the same sentiment/urge that allows politicians to manipulate people based on nationality, and makes us so suceptible to marketing and advertising through pop-culture, whether it's Royal Enfield, Justin Bieber, Live free XUV, etc etc.

Do what works for you. If you like riding alone, go for it, if groups work for you, go for it. Just be wary about people trying to sell you a product, packaged in emotion. All the brands do it. And now even people have become personal brands.

Spend more time on the bike than off it, and you'll be just fine.

Here's what BHPuan bf1983 had to say on the matter:

Biking culture is being diluted no doubt about it but you still get a good number of bikers who love biking for the sake of biking.

Just last week I went for a bike ride and our group consisted of two Ninjas, two KTM 390 ADVs and two retro bikes (an old Bullet 500 and a Honda CB350). So we had a great mix of bikes and nobody was trying to show off. Whoever would go ahead would stop and let everyone catch up before traffic dispersed us again. This is not something new and we see such groups all over Mumbai. So biking culture is still very much alive and we shouldn't let these chapris who call themselves Youtubers dictate their version of biking culture.

Here's what BHPian Ironhide had to say on the matter:

Sai,

What you have brought out is genuine and from the heart. Motorcycling was all about exploring new places, taking in the sights and sounds and feeling the wind in your hair. Instead, what it has turned into is a kind of Social Media oneupmanship in colourful filters.

Your observations about Fort9 & Shubhabrata Marmar are spot on. They are genuine motorcyclists and their content is well researched, engaging, entertaining and carries the weight of experience. Another guy with similar content for travel goes by the name of Toll free traveller. His travelogues on a Thunderbird earlier and now on an X-Pulse are a delight to watch. Why go too far, in our own forum we have riderzone who writes beautifully and passionately about all things motorcycle. Even Dileep Menezes, another BHPian writes beautifully about his explorations - on a Xpulse (though he has a Tiger too). There are motorcyclists of all hues on our forum itself - from the likes of Ashvinprakas who used to do interstate trips on his eminently capable CT-100B and is a DIY enthusiast when it comes to motorcycles, to aargee & vijayanand who are veritable authorities on CBR 250R to the indefatigable rb2399 who munches miles for breakfast, lunch and dinner on his V-Strom.

So don't let all the made-up, and phoney balderdash that passes for biking culture on social media bother you and keep you from doing what you love - motorcycling. Ride safe, travel, explore, and enjoy the sun on your face and the wind in your hair.

Happy Motorcycling!

Cheers!

Here's what BHPian SoumenD had to say on the matter:

Was an avid 2-wheeler tourer back in 2007-2011(did some 22k kms across India) when social media wasn’t as influential yet. Yes we had forums like xBhp(been more than a decade I last logged in) where I learnt about safety gears(still have my DSG mesh jacket somewhere) & long distance touring. But by 2010/11 itself this show-off thingy had started and I remember discussing these same things that you mentioned.

Personally I feel if someone is getting influenced by wrong folks(again what’s wrong for me might be right for someone else), there’s very little we can do. An adult is expected to choose his own poison judiciously. I don’t care about the social media influenzas doing their thing. Its a free country, people can do whatever they like, follow whoever they want to.

For me motor-biking is a very personal thing which is liberating. Still see it that way and hope to get back to it soon.

Here's what BHPian R-Six had to say on the matter:

I echo with GTO's sentiments! Everyone who ride a bike is a biker!

And in India, biking culture doesn't necessarily always mean, the breakfast rides or the most coveted ride up to the Great Himalayas! It is also about the milkman, a regular 9-5 Joe who couldn't yet afford a 4 wheeler, or that middle-class family man who manages to accommodate his entire family on the splendor so that he doesn't have to shell out extra for a taxi. Its about those too. They have their own stories as well!

Bike culture for a little kid could even mean, that fun joy ride within the society before his/her dad goes to work in the morning.

So lets not try to narrow down the biking culture to just those long rides, instagram worthy pictures and reels or the youtube videos. Its much more than that for a country like us.

But we do hear your concerns though. All the motovlog culture and the easy accessibility to the electronic devices have made it looks like biking is all about the fancy rides to beautiful locations. Lets accept it, it is there on the internet because there are people who are ready to consume such content. They offer what sells, And if we look at it that way, whom should be blamed in the first place?

And the above quote sums up what biking brotherhood is all about! You get to meet strangers on your rides and who knows, he is going to be your riding partner for longer than you imagine!

Anyway, I see you are quite young. Still trying to find out where you fit in. Take your time, go for joy rides with your riding groups, no harm in that. You may ride solo too. Sooner or later you will figure out what sort of rider are you. And that is how you'll begin your biker journey!

Until then, ride safe and yes, keep riding!

Best,

R-Six

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

An auto or car commute will be minimum 5-6k per month translating to 50k per year. In that respect, the bicycle has already paid for itself.

BHPian RashmiRathi recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

One of my new year resolutions for year 2022 was to start a healthy lifestyle. After pondering over several options, zeroed down on bicycle commute as the most sustainable one. After the pandemic, my office opened in Feb'2022 and that is when I put the resolution to practice. I have been commuting using a bicycle since then and had set a target of completing 4000 kms in FY 2022-23. Just completed the target this week:

Motivation:

When I mentioned the resolution to my better half, she jokingly commented that "She will give one week to this new resolution before it meets the same fate as other unfulfilled one". This added an extra layer of motivation.

The commute:

I live in a housing society very close to Gaimukh on Ghodbunder Road and my office is in Waghle Estate. Total commute distance is 13.3 kms each way. The terrain in way of commute is not exactly flat but there are few undulations. On a everyday basis, commute becomes physically demanding for few stretches.

The machine:

After some research, I decided to go for an electric bike from Hero. Bike cost me around INR 27,000. Best feature in the bike is pedal assist which gives additional torque on inclined roads. I mostly use the bike in manual mode during my commute and only use pedal assist during steep climbs. With my limited usage, one charge lasts for around 125 kms which gives me 5 days of commute:

The logistics:

Our office is located in a co-working facility. During rental negotiation, we had requested for a separate shower room with storage racks etc., which the facility manager complied with. So, every morning, I carry a fresh set of clothes and tiffin box in the saddlebags and carry the soiled clothes back in the evening. Initially I had some reservations on how this will work out but to my surprise, it has worked out excellently.

Route and safety:

Commute route mostly consists of service roads and internal roads which don't have much traffic. I take extra precaution to avoid Ghodbunder Road which is full of high speed and heavy vehicle traffic. On safety side, I wear a helmet and gloves without fail and have installed fwd and back side safety lights. During evening commute, I also wear a fluorescent harness.

Daily route:

Service road during morning commute. A Hanuman temple can be seen by the side:

Another view of the service road:

This brilliantly lit Yeoor Hill welcomes me every morning:

Benefits:

• Weight loss: Lost around 5 kgs of weight in last one year without any additional effort. I have to admit that loss of weight was less than what I had anticipated but I have also realised that for amateur athletes like us, weight loss is more a function of what we eat than what exercises we do.
• Better health: This has been an eye opener. During my annual checkup, discovered that all vitals including BP, Heart functions, Sugar levels have improved by a big factor in last one year. Doctor was also surprised by these improvements. As the stats prove, for same commute my maximum heartbeat has come down by almost 20% in last one year.

Stat for morning commute for 1st week of April'2022:

• Time management: Commute on bicycle saves me from these deadly traffic jams on Ghodbunder Road and provides me a better hold on my time. The commute is limited to 50-55 mins each way and doesn't vary much.
• Cost: An auto or car commute will be minimum 5-6k per month translating to 50k per year. In that respect, the bicycle has already paid for itself.

Summary:

It gave me a great sense of achievement that I decided on a resolution and managed to complete it. Also, health benefit is very good. Road Safety is still a bit of concern, which I try to mitigate by avoiding high traffic areas and by being extra vigilant.

Me in morning after commute:

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information

I made a promise to myself to exercise the utmost level of caution while driving or riding and ensure my safety and the safety of those around me on the road.

BHPian MVM recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Greetings to all the members of the forum.

I was issued my driving license in the month of October 2022 (Both for car as well as motorcycle). I remember vividly before I got my driving licence about how disapproving I was of those riders and drivers who over speed or drive recklessly on public roads. I made a promise to myself that I would always ride/drive at a reasonable speed. I made a promise to myself that I would always adhere to traffic rules and not get instigated by the other commuters on the road.

I made a promise to myself to exercise the utmost level of caution while driving or riding and ensure my safety and the safety of those around me on the road.

But as time has progressed I have gradually started to break these promises. I have also developed a bountiful amount of overconfidence and I have no idea where it arises from. I have begun to drive recklessly at times.

I have been driving for only 4/5 months but for some reason I have the stupid idea that I am a pro when it comes to driving and riding and that I can ride any bike and drive any car at high speeds with utmost control. My father has been driving for the past 40 years and has an unmatchable level of car control, but when I drive with my father I find myself almost always stupidly defending all the mistakes that he points out with my driving just to prevent my ego from being hurt.

Of late this overconfidence has come back to bite me and I realise the dire need to curb it before it lands me up in a horrible situation.

2 events of late made the severity of the issue very evident.

Event 1:

This event occurred on the 17th of February at 6 P.M.

I had never ridden a Royal Enfield Bullet or Classic 350 before. Hence when our driver bought a 2015 RE Classic 350 I always wanted to take a ride on it. He purchased the C350 at around the same time when I got my HF100 but I decided to learn how to ride my bike bike properly before asking for a ride on the C350.

But for the past few weeks I have developed an overconfident attitude which fools me into thinking that I can ride any and every bike on the planet like a professional right from the first ride. The Classic was brought to our house and I took her for a spin. I was riding on familiar roads and all was going well for the first 5-10 minutes. I then decided to head to the road where my grandmother's road is situated since it is a fairly good road with almost no traffic. I had learnt how to ride my bike on that very road and had spent a lot of time playing on this road during my childhood. I felt I knew this road like the back of my hand. I approached the 90 degree left turn which would take me onto the road and leaned into the turn while weaning off the accelerator. Once I had made the turn I immediately got back on the accelerator too fast and too hard. What I didn't / couldn't see was the sand and cement which had spilled onto the road from a nearby construction site. The rear tyre lost grip and the inevitable happened. I walked away from the accident with scrapes on my shoulder, knee and my ego. Since I was wearing proper riding attire I walked away with minor injuries.

The bike suffered a bent engine guard and a bent footpeg. This was the first ever fall that I had on a motorcycle and moreover it wasn't even my bike which made the pain a lot worse. I paid for the damages while profusely apologising to our driver who was more concerned about me than his bike. The C350 was fixed within a day and runs and drives fine but I don't have the guts to ask our driver for another ride. I felt that this would make me learn my lesson and be a more cautious rider but it definitely hasn't.

The very next day I got back on my HF100 and went about running some errands. I rode very cautiously at first but after a few kilometres I began resorting to my old ways of riding. The style of riding I practice is somewhat safe on lower capacity bikes such as my HF since their acceleration is gradual and they have meagre amounts of power. The problem arises because I use the same throttle control when I ride higher capacity bikes like the C350 instead of riding them slowly and getting a feel of the acceleration, braking, suspension etc.

Event 2:

This event occurred on the 20th of February at around 7 P.M.

I had seen the advert posted by an avid biker and Yezdi collector who was selling one of his bikes. I had received his contact earlier through another Yezdi owner and had spoken to him around 2 months back. At that time he very sensibly dissuaded me from buying a Yezdi since I was student. He told me that these bikes require a more than adequate amount time, money and patience all 3 of which are hard to find in student life. I heeded his advice and stopped my search for a Yezdi but I couldn't forget about Yezdis and when I saw his advert I couldn't resist contacting him since I knew it would be in good condition. After contacting him and telling him about my passion for Yezdis he told me to come and have a look at the bike after which we could go ahead. My father and I went to his house at around 7PM. After speaking with him for a while I took the bike for a ride and ended up getting lost in that area which was my fault entirely. I was quite close to the owner's house ( around 400 metres away ) but since I had never been to the area before and since it was dark outside I ended up getting lost. They were able to find me after I sent them my location but once they found me the owner snatched the keys from me and took away the bike. Once we reached his house he was extremely frustrated and told my father that he was not comfortable selling the bike to me since I didn't know how to properly ride or treat the bike and that despite his advice if I am persistent he will give me the keys to the vehicle only after the transfer of ownership is complete. During the test ride I accidentally missed a shift and ended up shifting into neutral before going to the second gear. I also rode the bike at a slightly high speed down a slope both of which deeply offended the owner. I did not cause any damage to the bike but I understand the sentiments of the owner. He told me that I should learn to take care of a bike especially when it isn't mine and that I should know how to treat other people's belongings. I was deeply hurt by this incident so much so that I permanently gave up the idea of owning a Yezdi. I always thought that I had an iota of mechanical empathy but when I heard that the owner was not comfortable with selling the bike to me fearing the damage I would cause to it I decided to stop looking for a Yezdi henceforth and accept that I am not the appropriate rider for one. I have been chasing the bike for the past year almost and the bike has rejected me on multiple occasions so I have decided to move on.

During both these incidents I have committed various mistakes all of which have been caused primarily due to my overconfidence. Hence I am requesting advice on how to curb this insouciant behaviour.

Please share your suggestions. Thank you for your time.

Here's what BHPian Abhyjith K.A had to say on the matter:

Life can sometimes, seem to hang on a loose thread that can break off anytime. Our existence in itself can be fragile and anything can happen to anyone at anytime.

Those who understand this, but still don on that helmet and hit the road are the real riders. Being careful on the road is something that must come from within. Something that must come from experience. Your experience with the C350 will always teach you to take it easy from now onwards, however unpleasant it may have been at that time. Trust me, even I've been there as well. It's embarassing, but enlightening.

I face the same ordeal with my dad while driving as well, but I learnt to always accept his constant advising, however annoying it may have initially been, knowing that all he's trying to do is teach me all that he knows to make sure I turn out to be the best driver I can be. With this arrangement, we've already done multiple trips all the way across Tamil Nadu, Kerala & Andhra with me purely behind the wheel. I guess those trips deserve a thread as well. Will make one for sure!

Love brings humility.

When it comes to ownership of vintage motorcycles and automobiles in general, one can never afford to be easily affected and must learn to develop a thick skin to take on the often harsh beatings we face. If not this one, then you can always find another one. Maybe there's something better in store for you, so don't take things personally. We don't love a certain type of thing or even a person for no reason. We just find factors that we relate to.

And when you do eventually pull the trigger and get yourself a Yezdi, don't be afraid to ride the living daylights out of it. Just not recklessly. Jawas & Yezdis had a fine motorsport pedigree. They were meant to be ridden. If not petrol, even kerosene can keep them going. They're hardy machines. Never feel guilty of mishaps even if they occur. Learn and move on. That's the spirit to always have. It's possible to baby a machine, and ride it properly at the same time. As far as what I can see, the machine is only making you more mature as a rider through those experiences. That's a fantastic thing, if you ask me.

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

What I'm going to say are my own experience, learned through years, so opinions may vary. Most of them might sound philosophical, unfortunately that's my learning from Indian roads:

• Age has got nothing to do with mishaps, this is why it's called an accident, otherwise it's an incident.
• I've said this to my children as well & sharing it here - Just don't ride/drive faster than your guardian angel can fly {below picture summarizes what I try to convey}.
• It's the ability of CONCENTRATION & FOCUS that determines the outcome of anything & everything in life.
• If you imagine your guardian angel as the ability to focus & concentrate, then DO NOT let your mind wander when you ride/drive
• If you go through this forum, many a times, our folks have said driving/riding is like meditation. It is this high state of mind {flow} they achieve through concentration & focus that they're able to attain when driving/riding {perhaps what they love doing the most}. Try to love & enjoy being at the moment what you're doing the most - Ride/Drive
• Ride/drive as if you're going to reach your destination in the next minute & you love being on the saddle/seat & you would like to stay there forever. So naturally you would like to be there forever in that state & you would naturally savor being there every second & want it to last for ever.
• I wouldn't term it inner peace kind of overwhelming philosophy, but a state of mind that's so focused to driving/riding that everything else don't exist in the mind.
• Although its a single state of mind, you still need to view the duality: 1. The present state. 2. Anticipate the next move of everyone around you (yes all 360 degrees, if not 720).
• Remember, if you ride for everyone else {open mind}, even if the other person makes a mistake, through your own thoughts, actions & focus you're shielded.
• For every ride/drive you undertake, this is the first time you're starting; this will not only make you remain attentive, but also LEARN & where there's continuous learning, there's knowledge being built {for instance, trucks have lots of blind spots, they're the most decent & predictable people on highway; most two-wheelers are menace; highways are most dangerous; stray cattle are unpredictable on curvy highways etc}.
• All the more - practice, practice & practice {perhaps with a track? or group of responsible riders/drivers} which will help you a lot in improving not just your skills, but also your personality as well. What you've asked here shows a very responsible state of mind as well.
• Besides practicing, be practical as well; if you don't feel like riding/driving in traffic, simply don't ride/drive! Remember there're other options: Public Transport; if you're running out of time - Uber Moto/Taxi or India's mini ground missiles - The Autorickshaw!!
• Last but not the least - to ride fast, you need to start with riding slow {as this requires a deeper level explanation, I'm leaving at this point to ponder over}.

Here's what BHPian Chetan_Rao had to say on the matter:

Look around you, are all the reckless riders/drivers young?

It's not about age, it's about respect and training. Respect for your own life & wellbeing, those of others, and your ride. Training plays a crucial part, which unfortunately is a step skipped by the vast majority in our country. We learn on the go, make mistakes and get better. Some never learn, and get worse.

Don't beat yourself up about it, it's a natural phase we all went through while getting out first taste of the freedom an automobile brings. You'll keep learning as you ride/drive, that process is never going to stop. The urge to be reckless will never go away entirely either, you'll just learn to let your sane brain keep control.

Gear up, do your best and if the reckless urge gets too much, take a break to calm down and protect yourself. You'll be fine.

P.S. Resist the urge to 'upgrade' too soon. You might be able to afford to buy it, but ask yourself if you can afford to ride/drive it responsibly.

Here's what BHPian drt_rdr had to say on the matter:

How should you keep the energy of youth in check? Listen to your dad and\or experienced people. Don't ignore his\their experience and knowledge because knowledge of certain things can accelerate your growth at a rapid pace.

They've been through the grind of weeding out the good from the bad. You don't have to go through the same. You don't necessarily have to follow everything people say. Not everything will be agreeable or even applicable to you. But keep those as a template from which you can experiment and arrive at your own conclusions, or branch out on your own.

Also, maybe buy a slightly higher capacity used motorcycle with your own earnings\pocket money and maintain it from own purse as a means towards obtaining a sense of responsibility.

A fairly light, well handling 150-250cc naked might do the trick. This will satisfy your need for speed and control, but also expose you to potential dangers while not being too overwhelming and keeping you relatively safe (but keep in mind, that doesn't exclude the possibility of things going wrong at any time). This will likely instill a practical sense of responsibility in you as you amass experiences, weed out bad habits, and seek out knowledge and more experience to ride better.

You will come to practically understand that riding a motorcycle in Indian conditions is not something to take lightly. Anyone can ride any motorcycle, but riding well and safe and surviving years and decades on our roads invariably takes a lot of awareness, forethought, knowledge, AND FEAR. That usually sits firmly in the head only through experience.

You may eventually even grow out of your desire to ride motorcycles, or atleast ride them with the urgency you feel now.

Good luck.

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Solo rides have taught me a lot about myself, made me tougher and appreciate life a little more. Group rides on the other hand introduced me to motorcycle brotherhood.

BHPian saishivaj recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Motorcyclists are a different breed altogether. And I believe there is a caste system within us. This caste system is formed not just because of the type of motorcycle they own but their own use of it. For some, it is just the cheapest tool to commute while for some others, their motorcycle is a member of their family. On the latter spectrum, everyday, I come across enthusiasts with such infectious fervour about riding motorcycles that it instills me to do more rides and more difficult rides.

In my short (or relatively short) riding years so far, I have covered the length and breadth of Indian highways on my beloved CBR250R, Interceptor and Classic 500. My CBR recently even crossed the 1 lakh mark. In all these years of riding, I have done various forms of motorcycle trips, solo rides, small group rides, breakfast rides, large multi day group rides, etc. While each of these types have their own ups and downs, I have enjoyed solo rides the most.

Solo rides have taught me a lot about myself, made me tougher and appreciate life a little more. Group rides on the other hand introduced me to motorcycle brotherhood and the fun that an introvert like me can have when he meets like minded individuals. I am now part of more motorcycle groups than I can do justice to.

Here are my identifiers of riding formats and my thoughts on why going solo is my preference:

• Solo ride.
• Group ride with known folks (2-7 riders).
• Large group ride with known/unkown riders (>7)

Why do I prefer solo rides:

• You are free, responsible and independent to take the decisions you want. You want to take the more difficult but scenic path, or you want to take the faster route, it is on you. You want to stop for a break or ride 600 km at a stretch, it is on you.
• Solo rides are always faster. Unless you end up basking in the sights more than normal, you are always quicker. You can set your own comfortable pace.
• In my opinion, riding solo in most cases is a safer option. You don't have to deal with newbies as part of your group. You can maintain your own comfortable distance and speed with traffic. You are not bound by the group rules (if any).
• Flexibility of control over itinerary.
• You are also on your own when it comes to unforeseen incidents like breakdowns and accidents.
• Group rides are a nuisance as seen by general public. With riding gear, loud exhausts and fancy toys, that feeling becomes all the more pronounced.

Downsides of solo rides:

• You are on your own during incidents like breakdowns, accidents or when you are a bit under the weather. While this maybe fine in most situations within India, given the population density you will find help, there will be a few cases you wished you had company.
• Boredom. On longer rides, riding with company can possibly reduce fatigue during the ride and provide company after the ride.
• There are smaller nuances like language, shared resources and local support you may end up getting from group rides.

I have done almost 2 lakh km of saddle time. And my preference is currently solo rides for 80% of the time and 20% of group rides. I see group rides more of a social gathering than actually enjoying motorcycles and enjoying the ride.

What would be your preference?

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

Not a rider, but I enjoy solo drives more . Just like a great workout at the gym, I really get "in the zone" with a great car and a great road. It's extremely therapeutic for me & I get some of my best ideas and thinking done when on solo drives.

Second choice, driving in small groups. Even when it comes to offroading, I prefer just another 4x4 or two for company.

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

As I started solo, moved to group & now back to solo & semi-solo (will get to this later), my thought is simple:

• If you're beginning - Start, start & start ONLY with a group which will accelerate getting to discover if you're a social animal loving to be in pack or a lone Wolf or even whether you love to ride or drive & all the nuances of being on open road.
• Choosing the group is very very, VERY important. I consider very lucky enough to start when the culture of motorcycle riding was picking pace & had made some awesome friends (both TBhp & xBhp across the country & best part being we're all still in touch more than a decade) & almost all of us have identical thoughts, shared similar interests with motorcycles; point being, the group was a RESPONSIBLE one from where I learnt much beyond motorcycling...FOR LIFE!!
• These days I prefer solo or max with 2-3 riding buddies; some of the most important point to consider in group riding are:
• No matter 3 or 30 people in the group, one should know the remaining 2 or 29 folks not just by their name, but also their abilities to ride.
• A common pattern being, everyone wants to be that lead rider after 2-3 group rides; needless to say the lead has to come from the experience of ride + skills to lead & not by the age or having the most powerful motor!!
• Larger the group, better, shorter the distance unless everyone are equally skilled enough & determined, which ofcourse ages over time.
• Mixing motorcycles with different segment (like 250/400/650/800/liter) are most likely to result in dissatisfaction, which ofcourse can be mitigated by having subgroups according to their classes. But then, some 250 riders are too spirited & can keep up with some lethargic 400s or even 650s that might turn sour.
• If the entire group is not like minded, groupism (politics) plays a spoilt sport as well.
• Last but not the least, if one is picky in nature, group rides are to be avoided straight away!

On the downside of Solo rides, one can always mitigate the risks to an extent; for instance:

• Breakdowns can be mitigated with reliable motorcycles; Weather can perhaps affect the travel time & change plans; accidents, ofcourse, are bad, can't help much; but health issues are the worst nightmare where one can't do anything much. Atleast in an accident people will rush to help (either to make you or themselves better), but when health rots, things get worst; especially the headaches, diarrhea, dysentery where the fatigue hits after a while forcing you think you can manage.
• Even if someone charts the route map, a solo rider has to do it; actions are much different GMap. Solo rides are tiresome both mentally & physically compared to some respite with group rides. In a solo ride one has to take decision on the stoppages, decision taking a route, decision on food, decision on accommodation, decision, decision, decision tiring mentally to ofcourse the riding which is both tiring mentally (in our Nation) & physically.
• Boredom yes, on a long stretch of highways (eg: Nelamangala - Tumkur - Belgaum; Manor - Vapi - Surat - Bharuch - Ahmedabad; Adilabad - Nagpur; Nagpur - Narasinghpur - Jhansi - Gwalior), where one has to have a strong endurance otherwise a group can be a blessing here.

The speed of the group depends on the speed of slowest rider in the group; so if one is not comfortable riding in those speeds, better to ride solo.

However, there's a intermediate & yet a little uncomfortable that very very few people undergo - Semi Solo/Riding Two-Up. If spouse (most of the cases) is comfortable taking back seat or taking turns to ride, then, nothing beats this approach. Few downsides being:

• One has to have a very very, very good motorcycle offering as much comfort as possible.
• Spouse has be comfortable in being little uncomfortable with the attitude of swalpa adjust maadi.

Here's what BHPian Athek had to say on the matter:

Been on both spectrum, and have ridden solo as well in long and small groups quite a bit. Where in the larger groups looked fun earlier, the charm died very quickly and I stopped joining them and started going solo or with a friend or two at best.

One fine day I quit all the riding groups I was part of, and along with one another close rider we decided to form a small group of like minded people. We make it a point to add only people who align with each other and are a regular joiners. Now this group is my go to group, and more or less is again divided in sub groups where people ride in small groups and sometimes we all meet and ride together. Average size of a ride for this group is 2-4 riders on a given weekend.

We are only a group of 17 riders over a course of more then two years, and good thing is everyone gels with everyone and knows everyone both as rider and personally. This for me has worked the best, as I have grown in age I really am not upbeat about meeting new people regularly, and usually for this group also people are added based on referrals. This is my happy place where I would probably want to continue operating.

To quote an ongoing example few of them wanted to ride to Dhanushkodi for the long weekend, and others just wanted an overnighter. So few of them went to Dhanushkodi and some of us are going to Yercaud tomorrow, where they will join us on the way back and then we will all ride back together.

If not from some one from this group, then I prefer to go solo.

Here's what BHPian Slushmaster had to say on the matter:

After riding motorcycles across the length and breadth of Himalayas and Northern India, my two cents. it's always good to ride in a small group, if you are on long rides or going places you are unfamiliar with because of two main reasons:

• Safety from mugging, road rage or even harassment by locals.
• In case of an unfortunate incident, it's always good to have people who can take care of you, especially when you are far away from your home.

For small weekend rides around the city, I prefer going alone.

Here's what BHPian rohing had  to say on the matter:

Nice thread. I mostly agree with everything that has been said about different type of rides.

I did vote for a group ride of 2-7 but that was because there was no option of 2-3. I enjoy the safety and company of having someone along but 7 is way too much. After 3 it gets unwieldy. If you have 1-2 good friends along with you, they sometime open your eyes to new things which you would not do it yourself - new routes, new restaurants on the road etc. I do solo for short rides and like a small group for longer ones.

Here's what BHPian PrasannaDhana had to say on the matter:

I prefer solo rides.

Have done 700 km a day rides solo a decade back. Recent years, my rides have been limited to 300 km max a day. That too, only when I was in the mood to hit the ghats. Solo rides have the independence that group rides don't. I usually avoid group rides, specially with unknown riders.

Reason being, I lack the basic self control to stick with the group. Usually there is always one or two slow riders, who for some reason refuse to keep up the nominal pace.

I enjoy group rides when I ride with a select few close friends who have similar riding styles. There, the coordination gets magical!!

Here's what BHPian aravind.anand had to say on the matter:

I love riding motorcycles. And I enjoy both solo rides as well as rides with a small known pack in equal measure.

Solo rides give us a lot of independence and we can decide absolutely everything for ourselves - right from the start time, the route, the pace, the rest stops - so that gives quite a lot of flexibility.

I also enjoy the Sunday morning group rides. Our connected during a huge Royal Enfield ride where there were a huge number of riders. But a select few riders connected and bonded from that ride and we now have a Whatsapp group to connect and plan for rides.

I also have a good friend John (a fellow BHPian) with whom I have done several weekend rides together. Those have been some of my most memorable rides.

Only the larger group rides with many unknown faces where some are zipping away, some are too slow to catch-up to me are pointless.

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Trust me, a guy who has bought a big bike for the simple reason that it does something to him, rather than what it does to his Insta profile, would have kept his bike nicely.

BHPian forty6 recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Apologies to the OP for turning this into a multi season soap opera, when all s/he wanted was a 10 second skippable ad.

To get the z650 of your choice, I would suggest keep looking at olx and Facebook groups. I would suggest staying away from dealers, but wouldn't hurt to just check.

Lastly I would also suggest reaching out to Kawasaki dealers and ask them about second hand bike of your choice. They do get enquiries for upgrade and probably can help you out, if you ask nicely. Leave your number if required.

Now, continuing with the second season of this soap opera that is sellers and buyers, and apologies to those who get offended post this, or find it a bit demeaning or other such miserable things, I am a bit flummoxed with all this talk about value and cutting losses and one side having less emotions than others.

Now, I used to think that majority of the people who buy bigger bikes (refraining from calling them all superbikes, because they are not, and that term is used far more than the bikes themselves) were like me, who had a photo of a supercar (Ferrari F50) growing up, started watching racing, got into bikes and then made sure they were ruined financially. For the rest of their lives.

I never thought about does this big bike makes sense or not, because honestly after CBR 250R, none of my bikes made sense. Was the ninja 650 worth 3 times that of the CBR 250R? No. Yeah the power rush was a bit better, yes, it was more comfortable if you wanted to do 600 kms in a day, but, the CBR 250R could rip its pants off on a tight and twisty road, the roads that really make your grin, the roads that make the pathetic racer in you think like it is not that pathetic after all, while keeping your chances of staying alive way higher and you wallet a bit fatter while doing such shenanigans.

A little bike, with sorted chassis and suspension is far more grin inducing than any of the big bikes. There is no use for the extra 50-100 odd hp on that road between Theog to Rampur (at least the road that was 10 years ago). Or Almora to Binsar. Or between Jaswant Garh War Memorial to Sela pass. Or actually most of the road to Tawang. In fact I would go on to claim that on a superbike, you would not dare to touch the mid to top end, if you even have an iota of sanity and love for your life. They are just that dangerous.

So, why do you buy a big bike then? Well, because as a kid you saw great racers do strange things with the bike. Because the first time you took your knee out and leaned gingerly, you felt the kiss from centripetal force was more giddying than a kiss from any human. Because of the way a bigger bike sings. Because the first time you twist the throttle of any thing with over 100 bhp, your heart wants to get out and slap you, and also simultaneously wants you to do it again. Because it is like addiction, and just like addiction, it is dangerous, yet immensely pleasurable. Because big bikes make you understand Gulzar, Kishore, Pink Floyd, Led Zep, Asha, Talat Aziz, Metallica better. Because they are the cheapest way to sort mid-life crisis. Affairs and divorces are ruinous in comparison. In short they are love.

And why would you want to put a profit/loss perspective to love? Love is supposed to cost you. Heck I would say, is it even love if it doesn't cost you?

So, I don't get this the seller has more emotion than buyers? Why are you even buying a big bike if there is any less emotion than sellers. If you haven't told yourself that you would stay away from buying new phones, eating outside, drinking, having chance to procreate, in short having a life, you need to seriously reconsider your commitment to big bikes.

And if you do, you are going to get the bike you want, rather than the deal that you need. You are going to research, find out what goes wrong, how to sort it, what to keep in mind and above all how to identify a passionate owner to buy the second hand bike from. Trust me, a guy who has bought a big bike for the simple reason that it does something to him, rather than what it does to his Insta profile, would have kept his bike nicely, irrespective of the years and kms. In fact a bike that has done decent kms in decent years, is going to be a better than a barely run bike. People have a tendency to believe a bike that has done a 5k km in 5 years is wow. It is not. Standing on a paddock stand does more damage to bikes than running. People who don't run their bikes enough are least likely to change parts and consumables at the correct interval.

All this you would understand if you genuinely love biking. Because if you do, a big bike won't be the first time you have felt whatever I have described above. A big bike is a culmination of a fairly long love affair, never the beginning of it.

So, in short, be on the lookout for what you want, look for it with the tenacity and passion that is usually reserved for lovers in poems, and you will find what you are looking for. And when you do, all this, a bit more, a bit less will seem inconsequential.

I would go on to say, there are more chances some passionate owner would take a hit for a passionate buyer, than for someone who just wants a good deal. After all who better than a passionate guy to understand the plight of another one who is suffering from it.

And if all this sounds like gibberish to you, chances are you are going to waste your money. Because, yeah you will get the bike, at a price you will like, but still lose money on it. Because, getting them is one thing, riding them is another level of passion all together. And if you don't have the former, chances are you will be bothered by the heat of the engine, the running costs, the efficiency, the hard clutch, the inability to take your better half, the lack of leaves from office, the crazy city traffic, and so on and so forth, and eventually sell it, because you don't use it. So no matter what awesome deal you got, you will still lose money on it after a year or two.

So, find the one you love, and get the one you love. And as life would teach you, never be cheap in love.

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The helmet did not have a tinted visor available at the time of purchase.

BHPian Torino recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Picked up the SMK Retro helmet couple of weeks back. Wrote a small review with more photos in the ownership thread.

Pros:

• Fantastic retro design with some modern features.
• Double D ring lock.
• Comes with Pinlock 70 preinstalled.
• Anti-microbial treated removable liners.
• Provision for wearing sunglasses and helmet goggles.

Cons:

• On the heavier side at 1650g.
• Wind noise.
• Expensive at Rs5.7k. I think 5k is a good price considering the above pros & cons.
• No tinted visor available at the time of purchase.
• Lack of availability. Especially S size and white color.

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While behind a 4-wheeler, always follow the left/right wheel, never the vehicle's centre. Also, respect the momentum of trucks, buses & cars.

BHPian 1.2TSI7DSG shared this with other enthusiasts.

While we have an exhaustive list for driving safely in the rain for cars, can we create a similar checklist for bikes?

Here is a consolidated list below:

• Ensure that your bike is in a healthy condition; the tyres & brakes especially must be in top shape. Your tyres must have at least 2 - 3 mm of tread left and should be inflated to the manufacturer's recommended levels. Check Bulbs, Batteries & horns as well.
• Ensure that your bike has the mudguards, it is a menace for others, as much as it is for you.
• Riding on tires that are over or under-inflated can prove to be dangerous, even on dry tarmac. I have observed the air fellow at the petrol pump inflate rear tyres to 40-45 and front to 35 irrespective of the spec. Also, many bikes have different pressures for rider only & rider + pillion conditions. Try to be as close to the real conditions. For monsoon conditions, you can try to have a slightly lower pressure than recommended, say about 2 psi. It will improve traction.
• Ensure all your lights are active. While headlamps help with head-on visibility, we often miss out on the tail lamps for ensuring visibility from the rear. Keep all your lights on (except indicators) when riding in the rain.
• Please use low beams. High beams, esp LED ones are a menace in rains dazzling even to oncoming cars and rearview mirrors.
• Switch on headlamps immediately once it starts raining. With auto headlamp on, people miss out on switching on lights completely. Please ensure your taillights are on as well.
• Use indicators always. Even for changing lanes. It will help cars and other road users take care of you.
• The roads are slippery, ride slower, and avoid the edges of the road where the water accumulates. Also, try not to block traffic by driving slow in the middle lane.
• Get a good safety kit for yourself. Always (can't stress enough) wear a helmet in the rains even for very very very short rides. I learned the hard way by falling off on a 100 m ride from home to pick up breakfast.
• If one invests time and effort (not just money) in rainproof gear, we can remain unbothered by it.
• You can get a pin lock-ready visor on your helmet with an anti-fog insert for the visor. That will help you see clearly through your helmet visor without fogging. The pin-lock-ready visor and the insert cost a bit more but are worth it and a lifesaver. Use a clear visor during monsoon due to poor visibility. If you have a tinted visor please do change it for a clear visor for the period of rains.
• Wear reflective/bright rainwear/clothing. This aids visibility in showers.
• Buy a few strips of red reflecting stickers from any car accessory shop. Cut and stick a few pieces at the rear of your luggage box, rear mudguard, and even at the rear side of your helmet.
• Wear good grip shoes which will help you to run on wet surfaces. I have seen people lose balance when their shoes had no grip. Ladies- avoid heels while riding.
• Beware of the first shower after a long time since the roads will be slippery due to oil/grime and fallen fruits and leaves which when it gets wet, become slippery.
• While following a four-wheeler, always follow either the left or right wheel, never the vehicle's centre. This way you can avoid a nasty stone or pothole jumping at you from underneath that vehicle suddenly.
• Look out for puddles. Not only you don't see the road/potholes & you get dirty but it is highly possible that a car may splash an immense amount of water on you which may catch you off guard. Stay away from cars which are notorious for splashing (eg the Mighty Muscular Scorpio).
• Never ride on an unknown road that is filled with water and you can't see what is beneath the water, ride slow & with utmost care if it is absolutely necessary. You might end up in an open manhole.
• While taking shelter under bridges and similar structures, ensure you don't obstruct other traffic. I have seen people hounding for shelter under a foot overbridge right till the middle lanes. It is dangerous that someone might clip you and also you are choking the traffic flow.
• Blind spots! In the monsoons, cars, trucks and other commercial vehicles have absolutely no rearview. Take extreme caution before overtaking them because, in all probability, they can't see you! Honk and flash your headlights liberally.
• Avoid speeding on wet roads just to reach a shelter/home faster to avoid being wet.
• While passing through puddles, keep the speed slow & throttle steady and consistent. Look ahead where you want to go and not at the puddle. Do not lift your feet off your footpegs (many do that to avoid water), that might tend to put you off balance.
• Don't cut lanes as you do on the dry roads. I have seen people fall off in such circumstances.
• Remember while cars are kinder to you they are not gods, they also have inferior grips and brakes in the rains. Respect momentums of trucks, buses and cars.
• Don't ride in the wrong direction as you do in the dry to avoid U-turns and save distance/time. The extra mile will be definitely safer. Don't cut through dividers and unofficial turns.
• If you ever feel that you lost balance while riding, don’t try to hit the brakes hard. Panic braking can cause the bike to slip even before you realize it.
• Also, never hold on to your handlebar too tight. If the bike starts leaning towards the side, try to loosen up the grip instead of holding on to it in an attempt to steady the bike.
• If you want to slow down before a corner or even a relatively smaller curve, make sure to slow down and downshift well before you enter the curve, downshifting while you are taking the turn can cause the rear to spin out.
• Be extra careful around the traffic signals (especially where we wait for the signal to go green), you will often find more oil and similar lubricant residue there than on any other part of the road.
• Plan your routes properly and check the weather before leaving. It will save you from putting on rainwear in the middle of the road. In case the weather is fine, not wearing rainwear will save you from unnecessary discomfort.
• Always keep a waterproof bag/pouch under your seat which can be used to keep your wallet/mobile.
• Keep a set of spare clothes at your workplace. it will help you in case you get drenched.
• Find a good covered parking spot for the bike not in puddles. Try & park it on the main stands to help you kick start it if the weather is cold.
• Keep a cloth to wipe the bike seat & mirrors dry whenever you get out of the parking.

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Polygon looks to be better value for money with Trek being on the expensive side.

BHPian moonisahmed recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Hi,

I am looking to buy a new road bike and after many reviews and considerations, landed on the Polygon Strattos S4 and Trek Domane AL3 Disc. Not able to decide which one to go for - Polygon comes with a better groupset of Tiagra, but the Trek comes with lifetime warranty on frame and generally better brand perception. Polygon looks to be better value for money with Trek being on the expensive side.

For context, I'm looking more for endurance long distance riding. Previously used to ride a Giant TCR Aluminium frame bike with Shimano 105 groupset few years back and loved it. This time Giant seems to be exorbitantly priced with supply chain issues due to covid.

Thoughts?

Moonis

Here's what BHPian jai_asnani98 had to say on the matter:

Hey Moonis!

I consider myself able to answer this question because until 3 months ago, yours truly was doing extensive research on good road bikes and looked at various options. I ended up choosing a Scott for the same reason as you have mentioned - 'brand perception'. How that turned out to be is a different story altogether.

My two cents on each brand:

• Polygon- It's a relatively nascent brand in India but they are pretty damn good. Matter of time before they hike their prices too. Flyin' off the shelves.
• Trek- One word: Tough. MTB, roadie, gravel ar selling like hot cakes too. No matter what the price.

My verdict- Go for the Domane. I believe by spending a few thousands more you can have a bike that would give you the liberty to use it as a gravel too. Though it's not gravel specific, it's gravel capable. Plus, you get disc brakes too. Strattos comes equipped with rim. So that's an added advantage.

So if you're willing to step a groupset down and weigh the benefits like disc brakes and a gravel capable bike, go for the Domane.

I have a few more options in mind. Check out Marin bikes, especially those built with Chromoly steel. Built like a tank! Equipped with disc brakes too. Nicasio and Four Corners particularly. Pretty sure it will fit comfortably in your budget and you'll end up saving a whole lotta moolah. Will come in handy when you'd consider upgrading the groupset.

If you're deviating from comfort and start craving speed, or vice versa, I must mention you get good flexibility for different tire sizes too.

All the Best!

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