[shyamg28]

I don't believe there's much to say about a trip to Ladakh, that hasn't already been covered. I am going to just try and keep this log short with some pictures

Route - Bengaluru -> Solapur -> Indore -> Jaipur -> Ludhiana -> Udhampur -> Srinagar -> Kargil -> Leh -> Hundar -> Turtuk/Tyakshi/Thang -> Pangong Tso -> Tso Moriri -> Sarchu -> Manali -> Ambala -> Gwalior -> Nagpur -> Hyderabad -> Bengaluru

Total distance - ~7700kms

Total time - ~25 days

En route Hampi expressway.






At Gol Gumbaz, Bijapur.


Somewhere between Sendhwa and Jaipur. Simply stunning, even had a horse grazing somewhere there.




Kannad ghat.


Idli-vada transitioned to aloo paranthas.


En route Jaipur.


Hawa Mahal.




State highway within Haryana.




Quick bike wash at Ludhiana.


Entered Jammu, en route Udhampur.




Udhampur to Srinagar via Patnitop.


En route Srinagar to Kargil.


Kargil War Memorial.


Quick wash at Kargil.

[shyamg28]

Sonamarg.




Dal Lake.




Moonland, a.k.a., Lamayuru.


Met a fellow rider from Bangalore, on his fully loaded Himalayan. He was extremely well prepared as a solo rider.








Sangam.


Magnetic Hill.


Touchdown Leh.




Stok Gompa.

[shyamg28]

En route Nubra valley.




Sandstorm towards Hundar.


Diskit Gompa.


Hundar.


Thang village, Indo-Pak border.


Turtuk.






En route Pangong Tso from Hundar.


Pangong Tso.






En route Tso Moriri.






Tso Moriri camp.




En route Sarchu.




Sarchu.


Outside Atal Tunnel.

[shyamg28]

Heading back was a breeze (a really wet one), we didn't take many photos.






Needed to stop at Super Suzuki, Delhi, to do the 2nd service for the bike.
Got a chance to check out the Katana in person and experience the sweet sound. They did offer a test ride but I was in no mood given the horribly hot and sultry weather outside.








Bike all ready to go for the next 6500kms!


Did get a chance to checkout the neighbouring Ducati showroom, the sales manager being extremely kind to entertain us

Mean machine!


I think my face says it all here. This looks like a FUN machine to ride fast!
The ergos too were spot on. And that seat...it's wider than my butt which is saying something!


One for our next lives!


Landing back home - Bengaluru!


Quick wash and lube before allowing this beautiful machine to rest for some time.




Just about the best investment we made - Givi Canyon GRT709! It doesn't let water in, but it did create a big hole in my wallet for sure
Got them washed too!




Parting shot!

[shyamg28]

Some quick reviews/opinions -

V Strom 650 XT ABS:

- Sweet engine. Most of the mountains were spent within 2-3k RPM. Did a service after ~6000 kms and didn't find any difference even after the oil change lol.

- Great brakes, I primarily use front brakes, they were extremely confidence inspiring, 2-up riding, all through.

- Low ground clearance - my preload was maxed out. The sump guard would've hit at least 20-30 times. It's built well so I had no issues but this is the ONLY area of improvement on the Wee for me.

- Great wind protection - I was riding the onward journey with a windshield extender. Took it out when we hit the mountains so that I could have better visibility. Realized that it was better this way and I never needed the extended visor for my height!

- Good tyres, but could do with an 80-20 set. Some of the sandy stuff was just too tough with the front giving way too often. I took my fingers entirely off the front brake lever.

Luggage -

- Givi Canyon GRT709 - 35L each, completely waterproof, easy to mount/unmount! Expensive for certain, but worth it based on the experience I had. Now here's hoping they last forever.

Riding gear -

- Rynox Storm Evo Pants - the rain pants that come with the riding pants, lasted for quite a while but gave way 2000kms before the ride, which resulted in wet shoes for 3 days. Wet feet. Wet wet feet. Horrible feeling The plan is to purchase Viaterra's rain pants, which also by the way, offer easy ingress with boots on.

- RE TCX Stelvio full length boots - The V Strom 650, Givi side bags and then this - the best purchases I made this year, in that order :P Completely waterproof (of course water ingress from top doesn't count).

Intercom system -

- Parani M10 Bluetooth Headset Communication - both, wife and I have this. We DO NOT remove it even in the worst of rain and it has now lasted about 2 years and more than 16-17k kms. I'm quite impressed with them for now. I don't much care for the speaker quality and the occasional disturbances given their cost. However, I am considering the next upgrade to the basic Cardo Spirit intercom system, since they are actually qualified as waterproof.

That's all I have folks! Adios!

[Aditya]

Thread moved out from the Assembly Line. Thanks for sharing!

[KharbandaKartik]

Originally Posted by shyamg28

Some quick reviews/opinions -

V Strom 650 XT ABS:

- Sweet engine. Most of the mountains were spent within 2-3k RPM. Did a service after ~6000 kms and didn't find any difference even after the oil change lol.

==============

- Good tyres, but could do with an 80-20 set. Some of the sandy stuff was just too tough with the front giving way too often. I took my fingers entirely off the front brake lever.
...!

Thanks for sharing! Your bike looks nice in yellow, I am not into bikes at all, but seeing the recent launches, I just want to possess one.

[NagaBond]

This is one of the best travelogues I read. Series of photos made me feel as if I was traveling on that route. I am curious about the shoes photo before Sarchu. Did you wear left shoe on right foot and vice versa? any reason?

[witwat]

Originally Posted by shyamg28

Heading back was a breeze (a really wet one), we didn't take many photos.
================
Parting shot!
Attachment 2338228

Amazing travelog Was a delight reading and thanks for sharing the feedback of V-Storm! Wish you many more happy and a safe motoring!

[am1m]

Neat and tidy writeup, and invaluable summary, thanks!

[dkaile]

Just WOW man! Keep it up! And nothing is impossible in this life too.

Cheers...

[shyamg28]

Originally Posted by NagaBond

This is one of the best travelogues I read. Series of photos made me feel as if I was traveling on that route. I am curious about the shoes photo before Sarchu. Did you wear left shoe on right foot and vice versa? any reason?

Originally Posted by shyamg28

Attachment 2332871

Hey @NagaBond! Thank you!

I don't mind doing 10 more water crossings, but I wouldn't dare interchange the left shoe for the right :P
Either your eyes are cheating you or the picture is genuinely confusing.

[ninjatalli]

Great photolog/travelogue.

It would help if you could share a short update on the itinerary break-up over the 25 day period. Noted there's a lot of threads on Ladakh trip, but we were wondering about doing a long multi-day ride (with pillion from Bangalore) and information on the daily log would help.

Edit: Agree on the investment on the Givi luggage setup, did a similar purchase on the same option for my bike too 6 months ago and so far it's been great using it!

[rk_sans]

As usual you can never get bored on reading any ladakh travelogues. And such trips becomes even more memorable when you have the pillion with same interest. As others mentioned do share the itinerary, would be helpful for someone looking for information.

[Gypsian]

Your photos says it all. The V storm appears to be a comfortable, practical, off road usable bike. The trilogy of you, your better half and the V Storm has made this an amazing post. Posts like this will inspire me to take on such endurance drives or rides. Looking forward for more such threads from you. Ride Safe. Cheers.