[Uppili_N55]

Similar to GTO, I cant comment on motorcycles, but I constantly switch between a powerful BMW (Inline 6-Turbo) and 2 other cars which are both 20 years old (SAAB and a Honda) both are underpowered (for US standards) for my daily commute. I notice that my tolerance and patience varies greatly while switching rides. With the BMW I just want to be ahead of everyone, and always over the speed limit, but on the other cars, I simply cruise along, I don't get mad when someone cuts me off and even the selection of songs I want to listen varies.

[RD410]

Originally Posted by Foretio

Just wanted to share my experience and ask fellow forum members—how did your riding style change after downgrading your ride?

I learned to ride on a Pulsar 150 and a Royal Enfield Bullet 350. I’ve ridden both bikes extensively, but for the past year, I’ve been commuting almost daily on a Hero Splendor Plus. I thought it’d be interesting to share how this shift has changed both my perspective and riding style compared to the other bikes in my garage.

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I think the bs6 Splendor has very sedate power delivery, as I have exactly opposite experience than what you've mentioned. During my college days, I had a bs3 Passion Pro, which was super fun to ride in city. Bs3/4 Hero Honda/Hero 100cc's were very torquey and peppy, had good pep till 80kph and had a sweet, grunty exhaust note. I've taken it on long rides along with 150cc bikes and it used keep up without much effort, cruising at 70-75kph, even 80 was possible. Downside though was fuel efficiency. The max FE I've ever got was just 65kpl.

Coming down from a higher cc bike, a 100cc commuter will obviously 'feel' less stable. I think you just need to spend more time and trust the motorcycle. In my opinion, Splendor is one of the most potent city commuters available. The only thing it's lacking is a front disc brake.

[krishnadevjs]

I guess your driving style automatically adapts to both the vehicle you're driving and the driving culture of the place you're driving in.

I alternate between a BMW M340i and a Tata Tiago EV for my daily commute.

In the M340i, I drive fast, and often hit 3 digit speeds (my daily commute is via the expressway). The acceleration stretches are much starker because that's what's fun about the car. Most of the drive happens on the right lane.
However, it's a much more defensive drive, as I often give way to bikes, taxis etc, given the high financial and emotional cost in case of contact. I'm also super careful about the road and keep glancing for any potholes, so that I don't damage my 19 inch tyres.
To be fair, other vehicles on the road too give the BMW some consideration and space when they see it. Less number of people butt in front of it. Often, they change lanes and give it way to pass.


In the Tiago EV, it's more of a refined, gradual acceleration and max speed is capped at 80 kmph. Often the cruising speed is about 65-70 with Regen at max. Most of the drive happens on the left or the middle lane.
However, the drive is much more carefree. I don't need to look out for potholes or road undulations as the Tiago's suspension is soft and built for India.
Consideration from other road users goes down in the Tiago, and more people cut me off when in this.

The funny thing is, with all these differences - for a drive of 27km, the difference is hardly 10 mins. It's just the way the M340i elevates the driving experience in that time.

Recently, I went to Dubai and took a car on rent there. Given the driving culture in Dubai and the clear use of lanes/road markings, driving was such a pleasure - even though it was in a large, underpowered Fortuner.
There, I found myself much more patient than when I'd drive in India. Others were much more considerate when I wanted to change lanes or merge, and I found myself reciprocating.
From having to use the horn as a compulsory accessory (warning that lazy, zig-zagging biker/rickshaw ahead) in India, I hardly used it when driving in Dubai. It was such a refreshing experience sans the vehicle that I was driving.

Even within India, my dad comments that my driving style in a congested and competitive Mumbai is much more aggressive than when I drive back home in a slightly more relaxed Kerala.
Things like the gap I leave between cars, or how I drive on the right side of the lane (to allow bikers to pass through the left without hitting my ORVM) or how much I use my horn - all improve when I drive in Kerala.

[Vikram8891]

I agree with this sentiment and honestly did put my money where my mouth is. I had a Vstrom 650 (pre owned) for over an year which I had mainly purhased for touring. Though the bike was excfeptionally comfortably and had more power than I could ever need (effortless cruising at 140 kmph 2 up with metal panniers and a duffel bag), it just felt too big and unwieldy on anything other than nice wide highways. I kept gravitating towards my Interceptor every few days and enjoyed it way more on the highways. Also realised that I was not afraid to take it onto the rough or riskier sections as I always knew that in comparison to the Vstrom, any parts which would need replacement wouldn't be that expensive or take as much time to procure.

Sold off the Vstrom in Dec last year and bought a Duke 390 Gen 3 instead. Obviously not for touring. That is taken care of by my Interceptor now. The Duke is a fantastic city bike and feels like a cheat code in Bengaluru traffic. And yes the Interceptor to me just feels more fun and exciting while touring compared to my Vstrom because I have the confidence to push it harder. Also I barely feel any uneasiness when navigating through bumper to bumper traffic which one invariably encounters even in long rides.

It is also a big bonus that both bikes are manufactured in the country and spare parts availability or service centres aren't that hard to find specially in Tier 2 cities.

[SidTheChamp]

Recently my TVS Jupiter's accelerator cable broke and i got it replaced by a mechanic. Earlier the cable was stiff so i had to rev a lot to catch speed. Now the cable is much relaxed. A little rev really speeds it up. So the same two wheeler is behaving differently like a new vehicle.
I guess now i am riding more aggressive knowing that i can pick up speed and overtake slower two wheelers.

Coming to Hero Splendor, i have special connection with that motorcycle. That's my first bike and i have only driven that motorcycle. And yes quite slow compared to others. Avg speed 30-40 and max speed 60 i did. When i rode pillion on Pulsar, Karizma or Honda Shine i see that those bikes easily go 80 or even a 100. A Splendor cannot do that but i was happy riding at that speed.