Preparation and Modifications

In this part I would cover, preparation of myself, my bike, modifications to bike, and packing lists.

Preparation

Though I had done my fair bit of biking but since last few years had not done serious riding. The first thing I started was practice bike runs during weekends. Every weekend I would take the bike during the hottest period for a ride of 250 to 300 Kms on various highways around Delhi. This got me to a few pointers......

I needed better and comfortable seats. The seat had to be wider (as per configuration of my butt), softer and must to have a back support.

I needed protective riding gear (NO brainer actually). The gear should be used often before the main ride so that you are comfortable wearing it for long rides.

Some modifications are required in the bike. Some for safety and some for efficiency and some for fun.

In Indian roads, come what may, a biker is not given his due respect. I had to be extra careful. A few of practice runs were.....

Delhi-Jaipur Highway.   NH 8 used to be the best road around for driving some ten years back. Now probably it's the worst stretch due to construction and widening work in progress. The main practice can only commence after the toll gate, however, for bikers you have to either go below the first flyover or take two U turns to get on the main highway. Once on highway, the ride is satisfactory till next toll gate. The battle commences after second toll gate near Manesar. There are numerous flyovers being constructed since last many years and traffic is forced to move through narrow side lanes. The trucks are another story. Why is it only in India, that trucks are also in race with each other flouting all traffic rules. There are times when all lanes are covered by trucks competing to overtake each other though at slow pace due to overload of weight. This forces already erratic car drivers to zig zag on the highway leaving biking akin to video games of yester years. Over and above all this is the persistent road crosser. They are the guys who have pedestrian bridge blindness. Some have night blindness, some are colour blind but these guys just can not see pedestrian crossing bridges or places. They stand smilingly on side of road or on the central divider and hop across the highway between traffic. If you hit God save you or your bike with pedestrian fury and the police. The general trend with Indian police is that mistake is of the bigger vehicle, so with pedestrian it would be the bike.

Bikes in India are not a passion but mode of transport in general for guys not yet graduated to a car due to financial constraints. Real bikers are available but far and few. These 'Transport Bikers' (they use bikes for transportation) are worst of the lot. They use their bikes for going to office, work, job and all mundane tasks but with intent of driving on a traffic dare devil stunt ride. You can find them squeezing between cars, zipping across the lanes and trying to be off the block on red lights. They can materialise from any where, any time and have no protection on them. Only protection they have is that they are never wrong and there exists a unity among this clan. Let one of them be hit or in a fracas and you would have all two wheelers coming to halt around that four wheeler.

Practice on Jaipur highway has it's gains. It polishes the jaded reflexes I would need on long drives and gives you an experience of worst. You can be prepared for the worst by biking along the Delhi-Jaipur highway during peak traffic hours. Best time to ride on this highway is either when it's essential or after completion of flyovers :))

Delhi-Gurgaon-Alwar Road. This highway takes off from the Delhi-Jaipur highway from exit 10 along the Sohna Road. Once you cross the heavily populated areas in initial 40 Kms it's two way road with less traffic during afternoons and relatively pleasant drive. The road passes through lot of small villages (where speed has to be checked) but overall a good ride. Through like all Indian roads it does not have barricades on sides and danger of animals or humans crossing the road exists. best time to ride on this highway is late afternoons.

Delhi-Chandigarh Highway. Exiting from Delhi towards this highway would take it's time depending where you are starting from. Once you enter the highway it is a good ride with normal Indian dangers existing along. It has some very good eateries (dhabas) along, though the highway crosses one town to next constantly. Many flyovers have been constructed resulting in our car riders confusing it with Formula 1 track. This stretch has one of the maximum vehicle crashes. Best time to ride on this highway is during early hours but not on a foggy day. Fog is legendary on this stretch. 

Delhi-Rohtak-Hissar Highway. This is amazingly an interesting Indian road drive through heartland of Jats (Indian Texans). It again involves ride through traffic till 60 Kms out of Delhi. After crossing Rohtak the highway becomes a bit drivable for bikers. However, if planning to practice speed riding; forget it. The is no way one can go beyond 80 kms per hour and survive. Besides erratic drivers you would encounter bullock carts, tractors, cyclists and animals. Cows and buffaloes make the highway their home.

Delhi-Meerut and beyond. Option was available but never tried the road. Feedback was not very encouraging owing to traffic.

Delhi-Agra Express Highway. This is a toll road constructed for decreasing driving time from Delhi to Agra for easing the time lag for tourists. Its eight lane high quality highway of international standards. One has to cross Delhi and then Noida to enter this highway and thereafter it is a dream run for next 200 Kms. Though beware, it might be international standard highway but guys driving vehicles are Indians and one needs to be alert and ensure bike is within control speed. There have been many bike accidents in recent times due to over speeding.

Bike Modifications

This was the first time I was attempting biking for such a long distance in a limited time frame. Decided to modify my bike for the trip to ensure efficiency as well as comfort. My modification concept based on safety, ease and looks in that order.

I decided against any modification for the engine. My basic modification would range from luggage compartments, lights and seats.

Initially got carriers placed and changed my seats to have back rest for both riders. Got a big leg guard and rear view mirrors on my handle bars. Tried the bike for 2000 Kms and decided on final modifications. All my modifications I did with different guys from Karol Bagh area in Delhi after identifying good guys for various jobs.

My Final Modifications....

Bottle holders on my leg guard (one for water bottle and other for fire extinguisher).

Exhaust pipe wrap (to reduce heat on my right leg during long driving times).This is also supposed to increase kick (power) of the bike.

Exhaust Cover to reduce heat on my legs

Wind Shield in front with additional fog lights. This wind shield I choose was after many trials and was of highest quality. The aerodynamics of these wind shield are important to ensure stability and movement over long distances in heavy wind conditions.

Changed my head lights with reflector light of Maruti Omni Van (more powerful lights). Got this idea from Bhavishya, another biking enthusiast. The power of head light went up tremendously.

Complete Wiring Redone

Reinforced the carriers at it's weak points and extended the carrier by two inches.

LED lights on carrier connected to side signal and brake lights for safety and more visibility.

Additional LED lights in Rear

Changed my seats to the best in category available at Khajanchi, Karol Bagh. Back rest for rider and back rest with arms rest for co-rider. Amazing material of seat for comfort. Though he charged a bomb, I think it is worth it.

Got complete wiring checked and changed where required. All my electrical issues of the bike was done by two amazing guys Simpi (+91-9810770235) and Javed.

Got all worn parts of bike engine changed with new ones. Basically hubs, nuts, chain links, spokes and bearings. Got my bike fully checked from 'Bawa Bullet Engineer, Karol Bagh' (+91-9810674823)

Got new tyres for both front and rear. Though my tyres had about 6000 Kms left I decided to take fresh tyre and tubes for the trip.

Tried the bike with all modifications and was satisfied after at least five trips to Karol Bagh for changes. I feel it is essential to try out all your modifications before main ride.

For helmets I had to buy DOT (Department of Transport, US) approved ones as ISI approved are not valid in Europe. I bought these from Gaurav (Chopra Helmets +91-9212728848) in Karol Bagh and also fitted them with communicators. Communicators are for talking with each other as well as it connects to FM radio and takes mobile calls. The ones I had bought were not up to my standards and finally bought expensive ones four days before departure.

Got names stickers made with blood group for my helmets, tool boxes for my spares and bike was ready to go.

All these modifications and safety gear was keeping in mind that my wife would join me mid way.....

I feel that modifications to one's bike should be done keeping safety, comfort and ride requirements in view......

I had a to waste a lot of my time as this guy from Baroda came with his old bike, one check by Bawa and he declared it unfit to go even to Agra, what about many thousands miles. Cajoled thisguy to get his bike repaired to ensure less trouble during travel.

Packing List

It was a constant battle between desire and space. I desired to take lot of my things including luxury items one has got used to in life as the journey was for nearly 70 days but was restricted due to space in terms of volume and weight.

Read through at least 15-20 packing lists available on net and dug in deep on my experience of trekking and biking in India to come up with my own packing list for this trip.

Bike Related

Spares nearly 35 kgs worth 30 grands (Guys do not do this mistake and carry only spares which you think will not be available on the trip. I got influenced by these other guys and ended up carrying massive dead load, all of which came back and is lying in my garage).

Tools

Puncture kit

Spare tubes

Disk lock

Tyre lock

Chain lock

Helmet

Communicator for helmet

Poncho Raincoat (this should be the best quality one. We got stuck in massive rains and finally had to buy high quality leak proof top & trouser in Moscow).

Personal Kit

Riding jacket

Riding pants

Riding shoes

Soft shoes one pair

Jeans one

Shorts one

Cargoes one

Dry fit T shirts three

Night wear two sets

Buffs

Gloves (should be water proof for all types of trips)

Thermal inner

One fleece top

Socks

Scarf

Comb

Tooth brush with small paste

Soap

Toilet kit (scissors, tweezers and nail cutter)

No shaving as had decided to grow my beard

Miscellaneous Items

Goggles

Cap

Book

iPad

Mobile phone

Swiss knife

Sunscreen lotion

Chapstick

Debit and credit cards

Forex cards

Passport

National Driving licence

International driving licence

Bike registration card

Hotel bookings sheet

Carnet

Water bottle

Packing Stuff

One ruck sack

One tank bag

One waist bag

On final packing realised even this is long and heavy list but had to be on road for 70 days and needed some spares.

Initially I had decided to carry camping gear but then dropped it at last minute due to massive overload on bike.

Will keep updating of utility of items and what should have been brought along.