BHPian kaushalswarup recently shared this with other enthusiasts: The Big One Comes Home It’s often said, “What has to happen will happen,” and how true that is! For over 12 years now, I’ve been exploring the incredible world of motorcycling. The saying, “You meet the best people and see the most beautiful places on a bike,” is something I’ve found to be 100% true. Biking has introduced me to amazing people and taken me to some of the most breathtaking places in our beautiful country. What started with the Royal Enfield Thunderbird 500 has evolved over the years to include a variety of motorcycles-each leaving its mark on my journey. From the RE Continental GT 535, the OG Himalayan, and the Dominar, to the RE Hunter and most recently, the KTM 390 Adventure. The dream of owning a “big bike” has been alive since the beginning. Watching seasoned bikers on fully-laden adventure motorcycles, riding with purpose, had always tugged at my heart. Over the past year, the KTM 390 Adventure has been a revelation. It taught me that more power doesn’t always mean more danger. Instead, it brings the joy of seeing more of this beautiful country with less fatigue and so much more fun! As the itch for a bigger bike grew stronger, I began the research that every biker in India does-scouring through Team-BHP threads! With my heart set on an ADV bike and my budget capped below 15 lakh, the hunt wasn’t too long. The Versys 650, Transalp, Tiger 660, and V-Strom 800DE were the top contenders. After poring over reviews and weighing the pros and cons, the sporty Tiger 660 and the more road-biased Versys fell out of contention, leaving the Transalp and V-Strom 800DE as the prime candidates. A quick call to Manoj at Avanish Suzuki turned out to be the turning point. They went the extra mile, offering the test ride bike for a full day and night-something I hadn’t expected but greatly appreciated. Honda BigWing Topline was equally helpful, arranging a test ride for the Transalp with a chaperone (kudos to the salesman who was up at 6 AM, riding alongside on an NX500!). On paper, the Transalp and V-Strom 800DE are quite similar-around 750cc, comparable performance figures, and both firmly planted in the ADV segment. But on the road, they feel vastly different (a purely personal opinion, of course). The Transalp’s engine is linear, feeling like a bigger version of the 390 Adventure in its performance. It thrives on being revved, delivering a sporty character. However, its suspension leaves much to be desired, detracting from an otherwise excellent engine and spot-on ergonomics. The V-Strom, on the other hand, was a revelation! The low-end torque delivery, combined with its suspension, chassis, and overall handling, makes it a phenomenal mile-muncher. It glides over bad roads effortlessly, has fully adjustable suspension front and rear, and even features a remote preload adjuster for on-the-fly tuning. The only downsides? A bit of vibration creeps in between 4,750 and 5,750 RPM (the sweet spot for cruising at 110-120 km/h), and the tubed spoke wheels. That said, having lived with Enfields and the KTM 390 Adventure, the vibrations are nothing new. As for the wheels, tubeless conversion kits from Way2Speed or Outex can take care of that issue. With both my heart and mind satisfied, learning that stocks might run low until April/May and a price hike was expected soon, the decision was made quickly. And so, “Christmas came early.” I booked the bike on December 25th, did the PDI on the 31st, and took delivery on January 3rd. It was my fastest and most sudden vehicle purchase-and it happened to be for the one bike I’d always dreamed of owning: a big ADV. With just around 500 km under its belt so far, I’m yet to explore the bike’s full potential. But one thing is certain-it’s going to be a journey filled with countless smiles and endless miles! Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.
