May 25, 2009 01:46 PM
7247 Views
I purchased the Avenger 200 on April end and due to the excellent service levels of Probiking in maa was able to get the delivery on schedule. To add to the style I put on a Windshield as a extra fitting. I wanted to get used to the bike and the only way I could do is to get out driving. With excellent tank capacity and a cruiser seat perfect to fit my 100 Kg on I packed by Leather bag with some goodies, water basic first aid and clothes for a week and not to mention my good old Lee jeans and studds hand gloves and a lovely Slick Helmet chin lift helmet and set off on a ride of my life.
Crazy as It may sound , I set of on a journey on the bike from Chennai to Tripunithura in Kochi, Kerala. I left home early at 0400 Hrs and being a new bike maintained speeds between the 45- 60 Mark . The bike is a piece of art , The Light as promised was strong on the Highway giving clear view ahead . The engine was cool thanks to the new cooling technology. I took close to Half hour off at Kallakuruchi and enjoyed the local dosas and vadais at a hotel in the town.
By then it was past 0930 Hrs and all eyes were on this heavy fellow and a equally sparkling Titanium silver Avenger 200 that stood distict in the road parking. "Anna enna vandi idue velliooru vandiaa" in tamil, What is this bike is it imported was the question. I had to take time to tell then at it was Desi and Jai Ho to bajaj for giving us this bike. Road to Salem was bad with small pocket holes on the road making it a bit bumpy but the bike took the tolls with ease and the seating helped my back greatly did not have any aches. 1800Hrs I passed palghat , Teh bike was cool as a cucumber, All controls brakes and shocks all doing just the work they had to do.
The night light was filled with the lights from my powerful ave200s glow. The traffic was flowing and could not better above 50 till past Chalakudi. The NH opened up into a clean smooth surface and I was up to 60 again and the night wind was cold and a small clouds gathered around the sky covering the lovely moon. It was around 1030 Hrs when I pressed on the bike horn to wake my Family and children in Tripunithura who had been holidaying their and had no clue as to my visit. I inlaws and wife and uncles could not believe I drove from Chennai and even checked the Number plates to confirm the bike was indeed registered in chennai.
The bike stood proud as its owner and the owener that me stood untired like the Ave200. I checked the odometer and the distance covered was 698 Kms start till end. about 18 + hours ofcourse with all the due breaks. Thats not all their is the return part. I saddled up but only after I took my bike to a total service which was my first service at a probiking dealer station in Kochi , Popular are quiet popular and I had a full clean check , engine oil change , brakes and chains and brakes oil seals all checked and a teflon coat on the bike done the day before leaving Kerala back to chennai.
The journey started as usual at 0330 Hrs , The slight drizzle and the cold air with all the smells of the sand and the trees and the grass was over whelming , same was the case till I passed the walayar Check post. at 0900 Hrs I was at Avinashi having break fast . This Time I sat in a position facing my parked by . I was seeing that almost every one passing near the bike paused looked around and was having an open eye wondering what this beast of a machine was. I realised that barring the Metros not many had a chance to see or feel one, other than the good old Bullet and this was a change in their eyes.
It was election time and I had the pleasure in joining the caders of a lot of political parties canvassing in different districts, salem, panruti, ulundurpet one of the bikers asked me how different the bike was from a bullet I told him the bullet is gold indeed but this is 24 caret and this is hall marked for 5 years and professionally services and with the customer made to feel like a king when serviced by the dealer. Believe me the old man indeed asked his son " dai thambi palia vandikudutu intha vandi town lendu wandgala orula orupaiyankaila indavandi illa. Plane pola irruku".
Young one sell the old bike and lets buy this one from town as no one has this kind of vehicle in our place and this looks like a plane was the words. All this was encouraging. By sweet Ave200 was sweet as ever and was making good coverage. by 0830 Hrs I reached Chennai and at home in Kolathur. Sound and safe.
My odo said 1540 Kms in total chennai to Kochji and back.
I reset the meters to zero and to remind me that I have to clock another long drive soon.
My experence was refreshing on the Avenger 200. The bike was absolutely superb , good in handling, Had to get used to the gear shifts initially , the vehicle was sweet tuned at 60 as that was the max I pushed being a new bike. The tyres took it smooth , being new was careful to cool them before restaring every time. Kept the pressure also at 21 in front and 25 at rear thus making my ride smooth and avoiding any tyre wear. Only two disadvantages I saw was with the Ignition key position under the tank. If you do not bend over which in this seating position for a heavy fellow is quiet difficult as you may tough the engine and burn your hands could have been better positioned. Also noticed that the fuel indicator was full of humidity and water drops formed inside possible due to the gaps in the gauge feel this could have been better sealed. In total the vehicle was a gem and I would recommend any first time bike to go in for the Bajaj Avenger 200.
Hope my experience a bit long one, but did convey my love and passion for the long drive and the bike who has taken care of me well during the ride.
My personal review will be incomplete if I did not tell you all what the title said , pugmarks on your hands. Well after all the ride I was having breakfast and my daughter came upto me and asked me to close my hands into a fist and felt the top of the hand and said tiger pug marks daddy , I need this tatoo pls. I realised due to the vents in my leather glows had exposed by skin to the sun had left four rings small once under both my hands just under the knuckles and a large one around my hand making it look like tiger pug marks. I told my daughter that the same can be done only if you travel 1500 Kms in a bike and a Bajaj Avenger 200 who is the only one who can get you that far if she needed them . Now My daughter claims rights to my Avenger 200 as soon as she get to ride the bike . she is only 8 yrs and with the bikes performance and feel I am sure I will maintain it for that long , Or may be I have a new bread of girls who will then be driving a AVE500 and make a longer distance run and claim the Av200 distance as nothing. Happy driving Bike lovers.
So long friends. Never drink and drive.
C.Gopakumar Age 35 yrs. Chennai.
