Provider and Still a Rider

Photo by Ananthu Ajayan on Unsplash

My first bike was Bajaj XCD 125 when I was in 12^th standard. I rode it a bit and then it was time to go to college. When I was in college there was Bajaj Pulsar 150 at home and in the third year of college, I got a second-hand Yamaha RX 100. I consider the RX 100 to be my first bike. I absolutely loved that white and blue 100 cc beast and whenever I took that bike for servicing during my stay in Patna the bike mechanic welcomed me with open arms. He loved to service the bike just like I loved to ride it. I explored Patna on that bike for three years and then it was time to come home. Unfortunately, the RX 100 was taken by one my family staffs and I didn’t have the courage to ask it back and I thought I’ll get another one for myself when I have enough space at my home as it is a consideration. Then I get married and get myself a Hero Duet scooter, it was a shitty scooter but then I can’t say for sure as I didn’t take good care of it but then I don’t take good care of the Activas at home too and they run quite well. There is a Royal Enfield of my brother but to be frank I’m just an admirer of Royal Enfield and not a fan and only Royal Enfield bikes I might get for myself are the Himalayan or the Continental GT. I’m a fan of dirt bikes and cafe racers and hence my preference for the Continental GT. I might get myself one, I think. When my scooter croaked and I had to get myself a two-wheeler for daily commute which is mostly a bit of Highway and quite a bit of village roads, I chose Hero Xpulse 200, it was inspired in part by my love for dirtbikes and although it is not a dirtbike it is the closest a middle class man can come to a dirt bike in India. My opinion of Xpulse 200? Great bike. I thoroughly enjoy my daily commute of about 35 to 40 kms up and down. Runs great on the highway and runs great on village roads.  

I love riding though the bike should be enjoyable to me to enjoy the ride. I dislike heavy bikes and that would include superbikes though I don’t hate them. I like bikes that are easy to handle, nimble and quick. RX 100 I had was all of it and the Xpulse I have is the same, though it’s a bit tall but an enjoyable ride, nonetheless. I might eye a Continental GT for purchase because I love the bike though the final decision would be made after I have ridden it as I haven’t got a chance to ride that bike till now. The Royal Enfield at home is a great ride but it is not as great as the hype though I can understand that it’s a fanboy thing. Like I’m a fan of dirtbikes and cafe racers. Real dirt bikes are expensive, though not as much but I’m waiting for a company to launch an authentic dirtbike in India. The only cafe racer, I think, in the market is Continental GT and I search there are a couple of more, but Continental GT remains the most available and accessible. If the space issue gets solved, I would aim for a RX 100, or I might turn shameless and ask back my RX 100 from my family staff.