After the success of the Bajaj Pulsar, R.L.Ravichandran, former marketing head of Bajaj Auto has moved in as the CEO of bike maker Royal Enfield (RE). Subsequently RE announced the launch of two new variants; Bullet Electra 5S and a new variant of its cruiser ‘Thunderbird’. The new Bullet, with gearshift on the left, comes with gas-filled shock absorbers, glass wool silencer, multi-focal reflector lamps with option of disc brakes and electric start.
Ravichandran said the company would also come out with a new integrated 500 cc engine in next six months. This is most probably gonna be the AVL 500, a definite thumping bull and my next bike upgrade (plans subject to change if a better bike is in the pipeline).
Judging by the way Ravichandran and BAL launched almost 5 variants of the Pulsar in 2 years, I wouldn’t be surprised if the existing Thunderbird is upgraded in versions 1.1, 1.2, 1.3 and finally version 2.
RE is also working on a completely new engine platform. Its widely spoken that this one is gonna be more sporty (the RD 350 just crossed my mind ;) The integrated engine will give the riders the advantage of efficiency, an absolute necessity owing to the steadily rising fuel prices (currently Rs 49.81 in Hyderabad)
So its good that the R&D team has atlest woken up, and I just hope that they design bikes and not just new stickers (an inherent characteristic of a few Indian bike makers… read “Hero Honda” ;)
Treat me good, I’ll treat you better.
Treat me bad, I’ll treat you worse.
Yours faithfully,
Your VEHICLE.
It was Thursday (7th july), ride planning day ;) initial plan was to ride somewhere towards warangal. After taking much needed words of wisdom from GR (scientist at National Geological Research Center and fellow biker) plans shifted more northbound. Kuntala falls, Saturday, ~320 kms from Hyd on Nagpur Highway. Went early to bed to prepare for the 4 am wake up. Saturday, 4:30 am: Clueless as to why it was raining this hard, after Friday’s pleasant weather. Calls flew in and out and finally decided to care a damm about the rain and take off on my Black Hooligan (Pulsar 180 classic). Man!!! This is the first time I took off on a two wheeler in a downpour of this magnitude. Was immediately welcome by trucks splashing water off the road, which was under a foot of water. Didn’t seem very encouraging. Took a 5 minute break at an ATM. Set off to meet Pravin (P 180 DTSi) near QP, Begumpet. Pravin was cladded in all leathers, my pair of leathers was safely packed in my backpack and I was in my raincoat. We reached Runway 9 at around 8 am, still raining cats and dogs. By this time I was fully wet, neck to toe, thanks to the helmet, it kept my head dry.
So solly (Black Karizma) comes in, soon followed by GR (Royal Enfield 350 Machismo). We decided to go forward with the trip and so did we. Rode some 50 kms (rain is implicit), breakfast at Fauzi Dhaba, on the Nagpur Highway (aloo paratha and sweet milky chaai). The shelter was very welcoming and cozy, so we guys had a pretty long (45 minute) breakfast. Reluctantly took off. From there onwards there was no one stopping us. Steady 80 kmph in moderate rain and 60 kmps when the rain was almost pushing us off the bike. My rain coat was of no use and so switched to my leather gear, which was kept me dry for around an hour :). By this time all of us except GR who was in his waterproof and thermal ride gear were dripping wet.
Rode 200 kms to reach the fort (see pics), a 15 minute break there and proceed towards Kuntala falls (APs Tallest falls). Awesome, plush greenery all the way, finally led us to an uninhibited and unexplored natural falls. The sight was truly awesome. Stripped off the wet clothes let em dry on the rocks and changed to dry clothes to get wet again in the water falls ;). We could spare just an hour in the falls as it was raining and the ride back would be much slower because there would be atleast 200 kms of night riding. We planned to skip lunch and cover maximum distance when the natural light was on. Butt break for late lunch after fueling at Reliance Petrobunk at around 6:30 pm. Again it was Aloo Paratha, Egg Burgy, Dahi and Chaai (kinda becoming standard ride meal). Thereafter it was continuous riding, solly having the brightest 55/55v Headlamps took the lead, all of us trailing with his tail lamp as reference, kinda target fixation :).Finally made it back to fauzi dhaba at 9 pm. Dispersed in our own ways from there.
A good and wet way to spend a weekend.PICS: http://vinay.rides.fotopic.net/
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