Downhill on the Yamaha R3 in this weather was pure bliss. Rev-matching, leaning into the corners a bit, all this while maintaining safe etiquette on ghat roads is like an art
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A short backstory:
Before going into the trip, if you have been following my threads from the R15’s ownership to getting the R3, you would know, this was a long time coming.
Around 20th Oct, we (dad and me) had planned a trip to Yercaud, I was having an R15M at that time and while I was obsessing about the R3 in my head, I was just planning to complete this trip before thinking further. As fate would have it, on the day of the trip, we were caught in heavy rain in Chennai itself (it cleared in 30 minutes or so) and deciding not to risk it, we returned home. The very same day, after enquiring many showroom, the R3 was booked and the rest of the story is already in this thread. Looks like fate wanted Yercaud to be done on the R3!
Starting Trip Route : Chennai – Tirukazhukundram – Tindivanam – Tindivanam – Tindivanam – Villaupuram – Attur – Salem – Yercaud
Distance: 367 km
Return Trip Route : Yercaud – Salem – Attur – Ulundurpet – Chengalpattu – Thiruporur – Kelambakkam – Kovalam – Chennai
Distance: 371 km
Dates : 7th Feb 2025 & 8th Feb 2025
Total Distance : 803 km (including around 35 km spent in loop road and around Yercaud)
Odometer reads 3854 km as we start
As per routine, we had both the bikes – R3 and dad’s CB350 Hness tanks filled up the evening prior to the journey, as well as our tyres pumped up to optimal pressures. We started around 6.00 AM in the morning. Till Mamallapuram, we followed the ECR and from there, we take a small state highway to join the GST Road near Madurantakam. The first obstacle we faced was dense fog surprisngly! Even in our recent trip to Jaipur and not even in Yercaud, we saw fog this thick! Simply had to stick to 50 kmph or below to cross this stretch.
Proceed With Caution!
Eventually we joined the GST Road/NH 45 at Madurantakam. From there onwards, as the fog had lifted, we regained some pace and were able to keep a healthy 90-100 kmph cruising speed. Breakfast was done at an A2B outlet a few kilometres south of Tindivanam. These A2B franchise guys do know which locations are the most profitable. Most of the time we land up at an A2B outlet whenever we ride due to their ideal placing.
Spotted a nice BMW F 900 GS
Breakfast done, we hit the road again. Thanks to the good condition of the NH, we began make up some time we lost due to the fog earlier in the day. Soon we reached Ulundurpet, where we switch to NH 79 which connects Ulundurpet with Salem. We always took short breaks every 60-70 kms on average. In the earlier trips together, sometimes I used to ride a bit faster and end up further and had to wait for a while for my dad to catch up. This time, we changed it up a bit where I stayed in second and for the most part kept a sufficient distance and stayed together. Though my dad does ride at a good pace, it was obviously a piece of cake to keep up with the CB350 in the R3
Machines reflecting our tastes in motorcycles perfectly
Crossed the 4K mark enroute to Attur
Eventually, we reached Salem around 1.10 PM. There was one bar remaining in my R3 and I think there was 1 or 2 bars on the CB350 as well. We didn’t want to risk running out of petrol going uphill (uphill also guzzles more fuel), so we had a fuel stop. Unfortunately for me, I couldn’t get Speed petrol at a Bharat Petroleum petrol station in Salem and since both of didn’t know where the next petrol station might be, I just reluctantly agreed to fill some amount. Frankly the fuel quality was quite bad. The engine wasn’t pulling smoothly as it did earlier. I initially thought it must be E20 related in my E10 compliant R3, but it turns out to be just poor fuel quality as even my dad felt the same in his CB350 which is E20 compliant.
About to Climb
A Nice Pleasant Welcome To Yercaud
Parked for some well earned rest!
View From our hotel room. Air is so much more clear that you can even spot the moon quite clearly at 2.30 PM
There are 20 hairpin bends in this route. In Google Maps, if you are routing from Chennai, it will show you the route via Kuppanur, which I guess reaches Yercaud bypassing Salem. It has way less hairpin bends to have fun on, so if you are planning to visit Yercaud and want to feel the curves, always reach Salem and then take the road from there. The R3 in its second home, curvy ghat roads, after the race track. As mentioned earlier, perfect upgrade from the R15, feels so natural in the way the bike reacts to your inputs!
We reached Yercaud around 2 PM, more or less the checking time at the hotel we booked in – Hotel Shevaryos. With a temperature of about 22 – 23 in the afternoon, it was quite chilly and pleasant. Typical hill station weather, a nice getaway from the humid weather of Chennai.
A Small Ride on Loop Road:
After lunch, we decided to hit the loop road, a 32 km round route which is quite scenic and covers some viewpoints/waterfalls. We took the R3 alone with my dad as pillion and just covered around 15 km till Cauvery peak and returned the same way since a local warned us about the roads not being that good further from Cauvery Peak and we decided not to risk it. Still, did get some amazing clicks!
Surrounded by huge trees on either side
This photo has a slight overseas vibe to it doesn’t it?
Really Tall!
R3 in Yercaud, Mission Accomplished
Overall, this is a very nice getaway from the heat down the hill. While it might not be as touristy as far as locations to see goes as Ooty or Kodaikanal, in a way, Yercaud feels more peaceful secluded. I guess for folks at Bengaluru, it is nearer by 100 km compared to Chennai.
Return Journey:
Since we completed the loop road which was the major one on 7th itself, we decided to start early and reach Chennai as early as possible. This gives us one day of sufficient rest before things go back to usual routine from Monday.
Weather was nice and chilly. After some refreshing tea and coffee, it was time to head back down. Once again I filled up the tank at an HP bunk in Yercaud itself which thankfully had power petrol. Quality was much better here and the engine definitely felt much more lively after the fillup.
Downhill on the R3 in this weather was pure bliss. Rev-matching, leaning into the corners a bit, all this while maintaining safe etiquette on ghat roads is like an art and this was one of the best machines to experience in this scenario. Twin Cylinder symphony along with the sweet handling accompanied by this chilly weather, not many things are better than this for a motorcycle enthusiast . Experiences such as this makes me almost forget the recent price-cut too. This is when you realize somethings in life are just priceless personally. Just live the moment.
Final Goodbye to Beautiful Yercaud
After having breakfast at Salem, we rejoined the same NH 79 back to Ulundurpet. Same as the oncoming journey, I stayed behind a same distance from my dad’s CB350. At times, my dad had to crouch a bit to maintain some speed due to windblast, while all I had to do was slightly increase throttle in 6th gear. It was hilarious and we had great fun!
With some short breaks to stretch, eventually we reached Ulundurpet where we rejoin the GST Road – NH 45. With a breakfast stop near Tindivanam, we changed the route a bit to leave NH45 at Chengalpattu to follow the route back to OMR via Chengalpattu – Thiruporur – Kelambakkam and from there reach the ECR via Kovalam. Eventually, we reached home around 3.30. One of the best trips for us on a motorcycle for me, first on the R3 and for sure many more to come!
Trip Ending odometer Reading of 4657 km
Fuel Efficiency :
On the return journey, after filling the tank at Yercaud, I got the low fuel/reserve fuel blinking only around 350 km, when nearing Chennai on the ECR. I filled at Shell, with V Power at the 359 km mark since last fill up. Hopefully this should help in reducing the impact caused by the poor quality petrol at BP in Salem. With a reserve fuel capacity, of 2 litres, I could’ve easily made it home which was just another 10 km, still, its 33 kmpl of mileage. That is super impressive of a bike of this power and capability, infact the CB350 also gave more or less the same mileage figure in this trip, proving the R3 can certainly tour and commute!
First of many trips to be had on this beautiful machine
Final Thoughts:
Having had a rough experience with the stator coil issue in Dec 2024, whatever that followed has certainly reinstated some of my belief in Yamaha’s reliability. While its not like I am not expecting any issues in the future, at least in the present, I am happy and content, nothing else matters I guess for now.
Until next time then,
Ride Safe!
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