I could hardly believe that after so much consideration and test rides, I was buying my new steed in just an hour.
BHPian nstark13 recently shared this with other enthusiasts:
The Backstory
It all started when my parents gifted me my first bike, an Apache RTR 200 4V, for my birthday. That was when I began my engineering in 2017, and also my love for motorcycles. 8 years, 3 job changes, and 51000 kms later on that mean machine, I was finally ready to move on to something much more interesting.
Now, what else would be a better kick for a fairly young bloke in his early 20s working in the influencer media? Another bike, and this time it has to be all sorts of different. (I know, engineering to influencer media is quite an industry jump, but that is a different story altogether.)
So, I started saving money, because this time I wanted to buy it on my own. During that time, I never stopped searching for the perfect upgrade.
The Considerations
1. Triumph Speed 400 – This was at the top of my list, and fairly so. It offered industry-best quality, paired with a good amount of power. Took a test ride, and I was fairly certain I’ll be buying this.
2. RE Guerrilla 450 – I was surprised but happy when this came out. This was all that I required: a more powerful Hunter-esque machine that didn’t scream cheap. Oh, and the stance it gave with those chunky rear 160/60s was just perfect.
3. KTM Duke 390 – While I did think the front was a bit too much at the start, it kind of grew on me the more I saw and read about it. I came out laughing like a kid after the test ride, but was I ready to go through with the image that came with the bike and the brand? No offence to any current owners, but that is how it is nowadays. (Convincing the parents was a different story.)
4. Apache RR 310 – It wasn’t an upgrade-upgrade over the existing 200, but I still took a test ride and came out feeling okay with this motorcycle. The amount of tech was crazy good, but do you need it daily?
The Convincing
For a year, I had been subtly hinting to my parents for an upgrade. They were never against it, but also never agreed to it. So, one fine day in February 2025, I just talked to them regarding the upgrade and showed them my consideration list.
Quite frankly, they weren’t impressed with the options that I had shown them (Features aside, the design was the first thing that mattered). Much to my surprise, not a single bike was given a go-ahead, not even the Speed 400. They suggested the RE Classic 350 in the Dark avatar, but I wasn’t keen on owning one, plus there were enough REs out there already. So, we put the purchase on hold. After this, the annual office trip came up among other things, and I just stopped thinking about it altogether.
The Unexpected
Come 1st May 2025, my elder brother and I were out to see Thunderbolts* (great movie btw, even though the movie sets them up as The Mental-Health Avengers) when we saw a Rave Red Goan Classic 350 parked beside our Apache. We were mesmerized, and here’s how that conversation went:
B: What’s this? Why don’t you buy this? It’s a RE Classic and fairly unique.
Me: Really? I didn’t suggest this because it has quite a radical design, which I was sure nobody would like.
B: No, it looks cool. Let’s check it out after the movie, and we’ll decide from there.
Now, I was looking for an upgrade, and my only criterion was something different and interesting, but a Goan Classic? Never did I imagine this.
We saw the movie, grabbed a bite, and it was time to check out the bike now. So, we went to the nearest RE showroom, RE Saket – near Select CityWalk, but the problem was that it was shut. Then we saw the notice that it had moved to the other side of the mall. It was nearby, hardly a minute’s walk, and so we went in.
Suddenly, I was greeted with a familiar voice, “Hello, sir”. I turned to see, and it was Mr. Arun from RE Okhla that I had previously visited for the test rides of Guerrilla and Hunter. That’s when we also found that the now-closed store was the only RE-owned showroom in Delhi, but it was moved, and now it was a dealer-owned store, another branch of the RE Okhla showroom. No worries, since we just wanted to check out the bike.
And there it was, standing in all its glory. A Shack Black Goan, we were impressed. All the equipment on the bike felt premium, be it the handlebar, the mirrors, the grips, or the seat. And it even came standard with the tubeless spoke wheels and the navigation tripper. (To be honest, I’d have liked the all-screen unit from the Himalayan and the Guerrilla, but the analog-digital speedo felt nostalgic.)
What I loved the most was the sitting posture and the overall silhouette of the bike. It gave a bobber look whilst still providing a fairly decent pillion seat and comfort. That’s when it hit me that we could buy it right now. Both my brother and I liked the bike; we were okay with the budget, and it was not just any RE out there, but had a proper, unique feel to it. We discussed with Arun if we could take the delivery right now, how much time it would take to get everything ready, and which color was readily available.
I was eagerly waiting for Arun to just say Yes, Asap, and Rave Red in that particular order because it was such a unique color with the perfect amount of flames and red tubeless spoke wheels. Arun nodded with a smile after checking the stock list on his phone and said we could take the delivery in an hour. He just needed to get the vehicle prepped with a proper wash and polish.
Listening to the affirmation, my brother and I quickly had a call with Dad, and he liked the bike too. It was decided, Goan Classic 350 it is!
The Delivery
We gave Arun a go-ahead, and at this point, my excitement was beyond control, and I was all gaga. I could hardly believe that after so much consideration and test rides, I was buying my new steed in just an hour.
I opted for RTI in the insurance, a crash guard, and a sump guard as part of the additions. After waiting some time, the staff brought the bike out in the showroom, all cleaned and polished. It glistened under the warm light, as if a horse were being prepared before setting out.
I inspected the bike for any scratches or marks, noted the chassis number, and voila! It was a March production bike with just 8 km under her belt. Everything seemed in order, so we proceeded with the payment.
There was no push of any sort from Arun, and we liked the whole interaction. We completed the payment under the blessings of a GT 535, I signed a few forms and invoices, and the final amount was INR 2,78,000 (on-road Delhi) including the accessories.
We had a key exchange ceremony, clicked a few photos, I thanked Arun for the prompt response, and we were ready to move out. Finally, it was real. I was now the owner of a Rave Red RE Goan Classic.
The After
From there on, I started the bike and heard the deep grumble exhaust note for the first time. I let it warm up for 30 seconds and revved it a little. It was a nice, raspy note, with all sounds nice and a few short crackles too. The ride home was a careful but short one since we lived nearby. My brother followed from behind on the Apache, making sure I wasn’t being mean to the horse.
We reached our locality and went straight to the Mandir for the customary pooja, where Mum waited for us.
Even after reaching home, I could hardly believe the new purchase and was all “Hehehehehe”. I couldn’t really sleep much that night.
Fast forward to today, 6th May 2025, and I’ve ridden the horse to about 70 km, and I can’t be much happier.
Riding in the rain, in the sun, in traffic, on the highways, with pillion and without. It excels at everything. Now I get the RE feeling that everyone talks about. It really is unexplainable until you experience it yourself.
Well, I’m loving every bit of it, and more to come. Since the Delhi weather is also merciful right now, I might as well put a few more km under her belt.
My biggest takeaway from this experience: Things play out as they are supposed to, and no matter how much you rush or delay, they will happen on their supposed schedule. The buying process has become a story in itself, and I’ll always remember it.
Cheers,
nstarkl13
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