I have no plans to keep adding to my bike collection and have indeed parted ways with my Lowrider because I couldn’t justify its presence after minimal use over the last two years!
BHPian josepeter recently shared his thoughts with fellow enthusiasts:
Let me be straightforward! It’s gotten out of hand.
People often say that if you have more than one of anything, you’re a Collector! But I promise, that’s not my goal; I just want to ride every single one as much as possible! To summarize a long story – after sticking to a single motorcycle for most of my life, I finally made the leap (no pun intended) and bought another bike while keeping my earlier one. This new phase was surprising; I’ve spent the last two years riding with a total of 7 impressive machines in my garage! A small part of me hoped to sell a few soon, but that part hasn’t surfaced yet.
Let me take you on a quick journey through my 2-wheeled experiences. About 27 years ago, I bought my first bike with my own money, a shiny Yamaha YD 125! Unfortunately, I couldn’t hold onto it for long since my brother needed it for work and I let it go. With some leftover cash from a home loan, I got a well-loved Enfield Machismo 350, which I customized heavily, making it a stunning ride back in ’97. I spent 25K on the bike and another 50K on modifications. My salary? Completely devoured by fuel and upgrades – savings? Zero!!
I kept her until 2010, during which I moved homes from Kochi to Bangalore, then to Mumbai and finally to Chennai.
On my move to Hyderabad, I visited an HD dealership and felt an immediate urge to buy one, though a lackluster interaction with the staff initially dampened my spirits. However, seeing magnificent Harleys cruising on the roads reignited my passion, and I found myself back there with my checkbook ready.
This set off a thrilling four-year Harley journey, filled with HOG meetings, custom competitions, riding through Route 66, and countless road trips across India!
My Harley Davidson 883 SuperLow! – Team-BHP
Building a Poor Man’s Harley Performance Bobber! – Team-BHP
A Guide to Owning a Harley-Davidson in India – Team-BHP
Losing My Religion!
As time went on, the whole HOG lifestyle began to feel cumbersome, akin to a religion. There was an overwhelming saturation of “Harley this, Harley that,” along with a rather fanatical intolerance towards other bike brands, and a kind of obligation to attend rides and events. Let’s be real; Harleys should be a lifestyle choice, not an all-consuming way of life. It became clear that a change was necessary.
In 2014, I liberated myself from the Harley scene on a Daytona 675 R – a radical shift from my retro bikes to an absolute beast of a sportbike. I bid farewell to my leathers and half helmets and welcomed Arai helmets and Dainese gear into my life. Hooray! I devoured countless YouTube videos on riding techniques and even got into shape for my first sports bike!
The Daytona 675 R is a gem and remains one of the finest sports bikes ever made. It’s no wonder they command a million rupees even today, despite a crowded marketplace for used sports bikes!
I had an absolutely fantastic time with the Daytona, and you can read about my experience here:
Triumph Daytona 675R. A true everyday Superbike! – Team-BHP
A Brief Sojourn!
Owning the Daytona felt like living in a dream that was almost too good to be true.
Contemplating it was nerve-wracking — ironically because the bike never terrified me at all! That lack of fear was disconcerting. Fast bikes typically induce some level of fear and exhilarating anticipation once you get off, but the Daytona handled everything effortlessly; it was all pure enjoyment.
Unaware of it, I decided to part ways with such a perfect and forgiving machine! Within a year, I had logged 10K kilometers, contributing only fuel expenses.
This ultimately led to a sudden, dramatic hiatus from biking! I sold most of my riding gear, and for the first time since I acquired the Harley, my home was devoid of motorcycle paraphernalia! No stock silencers under the bed, and no shelves filled with pedals and spare parts. I was genuinely a former biker! Unbelievable.
Equally remarkable was how my lack of bikes affected my personality overall. I began losing the bravery to take risks, the motivation to seize opportunities, and the audacity to voice my opinions. Within a few months, I had lost my biker swagger! My friends noticed the change, and one particular friend I hung out with regularly made a point of turning our meet-ups into a pilgrimage to the Triumph showroom. He had recently purchased a Tiger 800 and insisted that I either accompany him or take him on a ride since he was relatively new to larger bikes. My excuse of being bike-less didn’t hold water anymore, as he had secured three bikes for me to ride: a 48, a Thunderbird, and a Tiger 800. With a little tremor in my voice, I opted for the Tiger….
This led to my longest ownership period yet and some amazing adventures on a Tiger 800, which I acquired soon afterward.
If you’re curious about the Tigers, check out my ownership thread.
Triumph Tiger 800 XR – 10,000 km Review – Team-BHP
Breaking the Rule: The Second Steed Arrives!
My Tiger served as my reliable companion for several years, and life was pleasant! Then I received a call from a friend with an irresistible motorcycle offer. He had just acquired an immaculate 2000 Yamaha R6. A legal import with papers valid until 2029 and just 20K on the clock. He was relocating abroad and was looking to pass it on.
As someone who believed in the one-bike philosophy, the idea of having a second motorcycle sounded like a poor choice. But it was an R6! Forget the rules.
The 2000 R6 is something special! A younger sibling to the groundbreaking R1 from 1998. It’s compact, lightweight, and features a screeching 4-cylinder engine capable of reaching a redline of 15500 rpm! The sound it makes at high revs is nothing short of unbelievable — a pure scream that delights the ears of inline-4 enthusiasts!
The Dam Breaks, the Floodgates Open!
Suddenly, owning two bikes no longer felt like a sin. The allure of Japanese sportbikes had captured me. If a 600cc could thrill me this much, how ecstatic would I be with a full-sized Japanese bike? I had to find out — excuse after excuse!
One image of a bike speeding away like it’s a tachometer never left my mind; I had to have either a Hayabusa or a ZX-14R. Machines born at the height of the top-speed race!
I preferred the ZX-14R and spread word that I was on the lookout for a quality specimen. There were several bikes priced above 16L in Chennai, but I wasn’t willing to pay that much.
That’s when a low-mileage Gen 2 Busa came into the picture at a fair price, and the seller was open to trading my Tiger and some cash. I didn’t hesitate and booked a flight to Kochi with my helmet. The ride back to Hyderabad was insane and exhilarating. The distance covered on a Busa is mind-blowing. I would ride in 2-hour segments with a 10-minute tea break! Watching that speedometer behave like a tachometer was a surreal experience. It’s genuinely comfortable too; the riding position is sporty yet not extreme, unlike a liter bike. You don’t have to rev it hard for the power to kick in—its relentless torque is something else. I even used it daily for my office commute, surprisingly functional despite its immense power, and it’s electronically limited to 299 km/h. What a pleasant surprise!
One weekend, I joined a ride with the Triumph group and borrowed a Trident for the trip. We headed from the city to Srisailam, navigating through winding roads with superb pavement but riddled with speed bumps every few hundred meters. It was an absolute joy ride, with the Trident’s front wheel leaving the pavement all too often! However, my adventurous mind couldn’t shake the thought of what would be the perfect bike for these roads. A Speed Triple 1050 came to mind — wild and capable of a wheelie, it would fit the bill perfectly!
I casually mentioned this to my good friend and fellow rider, and lo and behold, there was one for sale in Pune!
The ride from Pune to Hyderabad was precisely what it was meant to be—fun! The superbike-like power from an upright riding position felt aggressive yet comfortable! The aggressive bark of the ferocious 1050 triple, coupled with the two arrow mufflers perfectly positioned near the rear, was music to my ears. The striking single-sided swingarm brilliantly showcased the beautiful rear wheel.
I felt elated! I had a 600 supersport, a 1300 hyper tourer, and a ferociously loud naked bike settled in my garage. What more could one possibly want?
During my next trip to Kochi, I visited my usual hangout—my friend’s superbike garage. As always, my eyes gravitated towards the corner where my long-desired bike resided. An Arlen Ness custom 80s HD Sportster stuffed with more billet parts than an Orange County Chopper. With 1700 cc S&S barrels, twin spark plugs, and fed by a Mikuni flatside carb, the distinctive sound of a carbureted Sportster is something else entirely. Today’s Harleys don’t replicate the charm of a slow-revving, carb-fed Harley.
The modifications on it could fill a thread of their own, but here’s the gist. 1700cc S&S motor, billet disc wheels (21-inch in front and 18-inch in the rear), chain drive conversion, raked-out billet forks, billet controls, and a stunning custom paintjob adorned with intricate airbrush artwork. I genuinely doubt there’s a more customized Harley out there in the country.
My friend casually noted that all paperwork was in order, and I found myself exclaiming, “I’ll take it!” Deal sealed!
He offered to give the bike a thorough once-over by polishing all the billet aluminum and changing fluids, etc., since it had been idle for years after importing. I’m waiting now!
Back in Hyderabad, I was riding all my bikes regularly—early morning trips for Chai, a daily office commute of 70K, and night jaunts with friends. I cherished the diverse experiences offered by these three distinct motorcycles and honestly craved more.
That’s when things took an unexpected turn!
Three new bikes in a span of 24 hours!
Everything unfolded in a whirlwind as three irresistible offers came my way—an MV Agusta, a Thruxton, and a Low Rider S. When in the mood to explore different machines, these options were simply impossible to resist, and my heart raced as I made the decision to acquire all of them.
It was nothing short of chaos! I called an Uber to collect each bike and bring them home, repeating this process thrice. By the end of that exhausting day, three new treasures were mine.
A Thruxton 900 loaded with performance upgrades from British Customs, all installed by the first owner, who happened to be a prominent movie star and motorcycle aficionado here in Hyderabad. The list of modifications is extensive: LED headlights, Rizoma levers, BC master cylinder, progressive springs, petal brakes, K&N air filters with stock airbox delete, BC oil temp gauge, Ohlins rear shocks, tail tidy with LED brake lights, RK gold chain, BC exhaust, and more. In short, this is a motorcycle distilled to its essence, a true café racer. It’s a joy to ride and admire, captivating my friends even in a crowd of machines.
The MV Agusta is exceptionally special—one of just 200 worldwide and one of only two in India. It’s a Dragster RR America edition, so stunning that I was apprehensive riding it home in fear of scratching that exquisite paint. Its performance astonished me as it unleashed around 140 horses from its screeching 800cc three-cylinder engine. True to its name, it would charge hard up to 100 km/h, then launch into a wheelie, signaling a gear shift was in play! This thrilling experience persisted across all gears, leaving me breathless each time. The sound emitted from its three beautiful pipes was raw fury, as if it sought to hurl you into the nearest bush! To this day, the bike I regard with the utmost respect and treat with gentle care is the Dragster; it redefines what it means to be extraordinary. It’s not just a Ducati; MV Agusta is the genuine Ferrari of motorcycles!
The final entry in this trio was the formidable HD Lowrider S. What sets this Harley apart is its muscle bike specifications—upside-down forks, twin front discs, and a powerful V-twin engine. Having ridden a range of Harleys over the years, this one stood out because it felt composed at any speed. Few know that the Lowrider is likely the sportiest of the Softail models and also serves as a fantastic tourer.
Now “settled” with 7 big bikes in the driveway, what could possibly go wrong?
As fate would have it, the ZX-14R I contemplated before acquiring the Busa came up with a tempting offer. Off I flew once more, helmet in hand, and rode her home from Kochi.
I eagerly looked forward to resolving the Busa vs. 14R debate on my own terms and relished every moment of that ride from Kochi to Hyderabad.
What I Learned Living with These Beasts!
Every bike possesses its unique identity. The only truly ‘bad’ bike is one that sits unused (or perhaps a Mahindra!!)
Take, for instance, the Busa vs. ZX-14R debate. Both machines can perform remarkably well in terms of speed and touring capabilities, but the experience of riding each is distinctly different. The 14R feels akin to a 600 supersport with an endless power band, while the Busa delivers its performance akin to a 200bhp Harley. Although some may argue that the Busa handles better, I find that both motorcycles do an exceptional job handling cornering for their weight class.
The Speed Triple and Dragster are both high-powered triples, but their power delivery styles are worlds apart. The Dragster tends to wheelie after a hard launch, while the Speed takes a different approach. The Dragster feels incredibly nimble and light, with a design that keeps you tucked in tight when accelerating fiercely. In contrast, the Speed might be perceived as more of a touring setup!
I have no desire to keep accumulating bikes and have, in fact, sold my Lowrider due to the lack of justification for keeping it after such minimal use over the past two years! I might gradually let a few more go but may also consider adding a bike or two to my collection.
I vow not to become a collector!
For more insights and comments, check out the BHPian comments.