Road trip from Bangalore to mysore on a bullet

Two weeks ago, I had to got o Mysore for some personal work. I was continuously debating with myself whether I should take a bus, train or drive in my car. After some thought, I thought of doing something, which I rarely get an opportunity - long bullet ride.
I was up and ready with my helmet, leather jacket and clothes for a day and was off. I started from home by 10.30 a.m. After giving a quick stop for fuel, I was off on the high way. You are in a bilssful state when you are enjoying the sounds of a bullet while going at 60 KPH. It was a very pleasant day with the sun not being very bright. There was a pleasant sunshine and cool breeze. I was already enjoying the cool breeze on my face. Initially I was cruising at a lower speeds, but as I covered more distance, I started gaining speed. By now, I was touching 70 kmph. I reached Ramnagar and gave a 20 minute break. While I was sipping tea from a road side tea stall, I quickly made a few phone calls. I started from there and started touching 80 kmph and above. Even though I was traveling alone, the journey was not boring. On either side of the road was lush green paddy fields. Paddy seeds are sown right after monsoons during June-July, which cover up the entire fields by October. By now I was already at 90 kmph. Riding the bullet is simply effortless. I used to earlier own a Hero Honday Splendor, which, used to take a lot of effort to reach 70+ kph ( I have covered thousands of kms of highway trip on my splendor as well). I gave my second 20 minute break at Sreeranga Pattana to make a few more phone calls. From here, on a few occasions my 500 CC bike Bullet touched 95kms. I didn't go above this, because if something were to go wrong, I would have to run around alone to get help (had to be extra careful as this was my first solo long distance ride). Within minutes I was at Mysore ring road, where I took a deviation towards T.Narasipura, which was my final destination. T.Narasipura is a small town, 30 kms from Mysore. My problems started from here, as I had to go on some really bad roads. There were small stretches where there was no road at all. It was a dirt track ride at certain patches. Bullet, which is known for bad shock absorbers, was already hurting my back. I reached my destination by 2.00. pm. Discounting the two 20-minute breaks that I had taken, my journey was for 2.5 hours and I had covered 170 kms. After having my lunch and taking some rest, I headed back to Mysore. This time, I was feeling that I was riding on Mars (Mars has craters too). By the time I reached Mysore, my back was hurting a lot. I took a pain killer and went to bed.
The next day, I had to visit T.Narasipura again before going back to Bangalore. I decided that I had enough of the bad roads. I parked my Bike at Mysore Bus stand and took a bus to T.Narasipura. After finishing my work, I was back in Mysore by 4.00 p.m. My cousin called me up and told me that she would join me on my way back to Bangalore. I took the Bullet from the Mysore Bus stand and went to her office. After reaching there, I asked her, if we she was ready for Ass-Ass-I-Nation. She told me that she was very excited about this trip. We started from Mysore 5.15 P.M. I told her that I was going to cover maximum distance while we had sun shine. Riding during night is something I generally avoid as the headlight is not very bright. The reaction time to obstacles will be very less as we can spot them very late.
Right from the word go, I started clocking 90 kmph. We witnessed beautiful sun set en-route. I cruised comfortably all the way till Maddur. By now, I had started losing sun light quickly. I had decided not to stop till I reached Kamat Lokruchi at Ramnagar. I reached there by 6.30 PM. I had covered 90 kms in 1 hour 15 minutes. The traffic was low as it was a week day and hence we were able to cover the distance quickly. We stopped for some snacks and coffee. The hot Mirchi Bajji and coffee was perfect after the ride. We sat there and relaxed for an hour. I asked my cousin, how she felt and she said that she was enjoying the ride.
I had another 50 kms to cover before to reach home. I thought that I would take it a little easy and cruise. But as I started, I realized that I had surrendered to the supreme power of the Bullet. There was no way, I could go below 80 kmph. There were occasion when I was cruising at 90 kmph even in the darkness. The temperature had started falling. This year we are having a cold winter. Bangalore recorded some lowest temperatures in decades this year. The traffic was also thickening as we were closing Bangalore. I reached home by 8.30 kmph. I had coverd the last 50 km in 1 hour.
After reaching home, I asked my cousin, if she was ASS-ASS-I-NATED, and she said with a smile "Not As(s) much".

It was a wonderful long drive on the Bullet. I would like to call it the Biking Nirvana. I had covered a total 400 kms in 2 days. I roughly got 30 km per liter of Petrol.

Total Distance: 400 KM.
Total Time on road: 4 hours 45 minutes.
Bike: 500 CC Bullet.
Top Speed : 95 Kph.
Mileage: 30 kmpl.
When: November, 2007.
Route: Bangalore - Mysore - T.Narasipura - Mysore - Bangalore.

Everybody makes way for a Bullet

A few years ago, there was an Ad on Indian Television for a Bullet Electra.The Ad shows a train approaching a railway crossing which slows down. Then a man comes on a bullet and crosses the railway track. And the we see the caption 'Everybody makes way for a bullet'. Yes,that's how the
Royal En-field Bullet is treated.



These days, I posses one - a 500 CC bullet - The most powerful bike on Indian roads. For long, it was my dream to get one. I had driven a 100 CC bike for many years and it was time to graduate. I was hoping to buy a 350 CC, but to my surprise, I have landed up with something more powerful.

The best part of riding a bullet is not speed or acceleration. The feel is different. The rich humming sound is a music to ears. It is a pleasure going at a the steady speed and accelerating gradually. The body resonates to the sound of this machine. With those wide handles and a
cruiser seat, I get a royal ride. With a 22BHP, the rides are ecstatic.



When I go on the road, people give me way as I approach them. At traffic signals, from the corner of the eye, I notice people are staring at my machine with admiration. Somepeople even have a friendly chat with me and enquire about this beauty. When I stand next to a bus, I can notice that people from all the windows are watching. It feels good to be the center of attraction. I know that they are not watching or admiring me, but it still feels good as you are the owner of the
wonderful instrument.



There was a time in Bangalore, when bullets were used by all police officers. So, whenever a bullet sound was heard, people gathering in the dark corners of the street would disappear. So, even whencommon man rode a bullet, he got the same respect. Today, the Bullet has become more common with the introduction of user friendly Thunderbirds and Electras which have eliminated a lot of problems that a classic bullet had.

In many ways, I can compare a bullet to girl friend or wife
- People on the road give you an envious look.
- High maintenance.
- You have to be very gentle while starting. If you are rough, she will backfire and hurt you.
- You will enjoy her company and want to be with her more often.
- Weighs a lot.
- Not easy to handle. You need to master the art.
- Loud :)

When I speak to my friends, I get some interesting thoughts

- Bullets are like (old) buses, you have to roll/rock in gear a bit for the gear teeth to get
the idea of shifting anywhere.
- Talking about fixing things is fine, actually doing it will be trouble.
- Tyre pressure 20 Front 25 Back
Anything more it is assrured that superb shocks in bullet will take you
directly to HOSMAT !
- Are you not able to change gears ?
If you can .... ignore it.... its like software... more closer you
look more money you will spend with diminishing returns and at the risk
of introducing new defects to a previously working piece :-)