I was thinking of keying down these posts for long time but when I was replying to a thread on BN, I realized I need to take out some time and key in some of the moments from my past.
So, if you have time and are willing, come let’s walk …
Month: February 2008
“Torque factory” – First Impression
Last night I got a chance to swing my leg over the new AVL 500 ala Machismo 500LB. Thanks to the owner of bike, Dr. Vistasp Sethna.
Starting the bike using the thumb was a breeze, no more decompressing the engine and kicking it is required but given a choice, I’ll go with the kick.
The clutch felt lighter than some of the other Bullets I have test ridden and the gear shift was smooth by Bullet standard. OK, once you get used to riding a Bullet, you don’t find these as a problem 
Initially I was hesitant to pull the bike hard as I thought its still in running in but once I got the go ahead from the courageous owner sitting as pillion, I started to pull the bike. Since I was in city, I could run out of empty stretch but the bike would keep on pulling and pulling and pulling in 3rd and 4th gear and I had to short shift to top gear. Can’t wait to ride it on the open highway and looking at things, the day is not too far away.
Having owned and ridden a Bullet with drum and disc brakes, it was a relief to have disc upfront which was doing well to control the pace of the flying mass of 350+kg.
With bike making such a humongous amount of torque you are forgiven for being in a gear too high, while accelerating out of traffic.
What I miss in the bike is the sound and thump of the standard 350/500. Well you can’t have your share of pie and have it as well, right?
For a new bike, nearing 3,500km mark and which has just returned from a attempt to SS1600 in which, it managed to cover 1,400km in a day. I’m impressed by the bike but as I already own a Bullet, I’ll give it a miss. But I’m always welcome for a small stint on this bike any day, any time, any where 
I’m looking forward for the day when I might get a chance to ride this torque monster out of city limits and a voice from deep inside me is saying, hang on the day is not too far away. So just wait for that day to come and a post from me sharing the experience I’m looking forward to. Till then work hard, ride harder.