Reflecting on the trip, I realized how blessed I was despite the inconveniences.
BHPian Parameshwaran recently shared this with other enthusiasts:
Ever heard of a trip where everything starts wrong, sounds wrong, but ends good?
My Avenger 160 CC’s emission certificate was about to expire. I had been putting off the emission test for a fresh certificate, thinking I could make a good bike ride out of the test. Finally, with just one day left and no choice but to get it done, I decided to ride to Krishnagiri to get the emission test, and as part of the journey, look at some tourist attractions there.
Oversleeping meant my journey started late; instead of hitting the road at 5:30 AM as planned, it was a leisurely and late 7:45. Feeling a bit under the weather added to my woes, making me cautious about eating anything that might worsen my condition.
I began my usual bike prep rituals—cleaning, lubing the chains, and checking tyre pressure. After gearing up with my riding jacket and accessories, I set off. Just a couple of kilometres in, something felt off—it was unusually chilly and windy. That’s when I realized I had forgotten my helmet . I quickly turned back, grabbed it, and started anew.
The weather held up until I crossed Bangalore, after which a light drizzle began. Undeterred, I maintained a steady pace of 75-85 km/h as I neared Krishnagiri. That’s when the side panel of my Avenger suddenly flew off for no apparent reason. I had noticed a loose panel when I bought the bike but was assured it was standard for all Avenger bikes (how I fell for that, I’ll never know).
I retrieved the panel (thankfully, no vehicle had run over it by then) and rode into Krishnagiri town to find the nearest Bajaj service centre, only to find it closed on a Saturday—quite unusual. I later found out that the service centre was shifted to a new venue a few kilometres away. To make matters worse, there was no mention of the new location at the old premises, which still carried the name board, misleading me into thinking they were operational there.
But here’s where the best part of the journey began.
I encountered some incredible people, complete strangers who went out of their way to help me. Near the closed service centre, a man not only gave me detailed directions but explained the entire route to the new location – so I had no trouble finding it.
At the service centre, the staff were so kind they fixed my panel without any fuss and didn’t even charge me. Despite the panel being heavily scratched from its fall (a lifelong reminder to always wear riding gear), their assistance was a lifesaver.
Curious about the local sights, I asked about Krishnagiri Fort. Once again, the staff were incredibly helpful, providing detailed directions and even showing me pictures on their phone. The panel still seemed loose, so I secured it with tape and set off for the fort.
Even with clear instructions, my sense of direction led me astray, and I asked a local for help. To my surprise, he not only gave me directions but also led me to the fort on his bike.
At the foothill, I parked my bike and paid a small fee. Another kind local offered to look after my helmet as I began the climb.
Now came the hardest part—climbing the hill. I regretted not carrying a lighter pair of shoes. The uneven steps made the ascent challenging, and my riding boots didn’t help. The descent was even more grueling, taking me two hours and several slips. My heavy backpack, loaded with a chain lube can and tyre inflator (that i forgot to leave at home before my journey), added to the challenge.
(The customary few pictures of the place of visit)
Just as I reached the bottom, the skies opened up with torrential rain. Exhausted, I headed to an emission test centre and got the test done amid the downpour. The lady at the centre kindly offered me shelter and we chatted about my journey and her business.
After the rain subsided, I headed home. The raingods finally chose to pour their mercy on me instead of the usual heavy rains.
Reflecting on the trip, I realized how blessed I was despite the inconveniences. The people of Krishnagiri are unlike any I’ve ever met—extremely kind, helpful, and warm. They made all the difference, turning a seemingly disastrous trip into a memorable adventure.
The Avenger 160CC proves to be a formidable choice for urban commutes due to its refined engine performance and respectable fuel efficiency (of around 45 KMPH). While it may not match the smoothness / refinement of a Japanese engine (I also regularly ride an FZV2 and a Fascino), it regardless offers a pleasantly smooth and comfortable ride. The seating position is fairly comfortable, though your butt starts feeling sore once you’ve been on it for more than 5 hours. The slender front tyre does challenge your confidence while breaking on sand or gravel surfaces – though it performs quite commendably on proper Tarmac or concrete roads. In essence, this motorcycle stands as a dependable option for both city cruising and highway travels, provided one adheres to its optimal maximum speed of 85 kmph (that you may occasionally push further).
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