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4 days & 695 km: Riding through coastal Maharashtra on my RE Himalayan

20th August 2023, 11:02 by Dev Shah

I was planning to take up riding relatively long distances. No big plans, but wanting to ride within state or maybe to closer locations.

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It was May 2022. After Using RE Classic 350 for four years within city limits, I was planning to take up riding relatively long distances. No big plans, but wanting to ride within state or maybe to closer locations at nearing states like Karnataka, Gujrat & obviously Goa; but not beyond that.

With that in mind and to check how much interest I really have in riding, before deciding on getting a bike for the purpose; I went on couple of short rides like Pawna Dam, Lavasa & Mahabaleshwar on my Classic 350. On the Mahabaleshwar ride, I tried few KMs on BMW GS310 of my friend with whom I was riding; and quickly realised difference between a regular bike like C350 and adventure bike.

The plan was to get adventure bike within budget around 4 lacs including riding gear and travel accessories. I had a look at BMW GS310, KTM Adventure 390, Yezdi Adventure & RE Himalayan.

BMW GS310 was desired one but not within the allocated budget; considering riding gear and bike add-ons need to fit in the same. Plus, recurring costs of servicing the bike were high as compared to other options. Was not interested in KTM for no specific reason. Test drove the last two and went ahead with booking RE Himalayan in June 2022. Got the bike in a week from booking, coinciding the purchase with my parent’s anniversary and hence a good day for us.

Accessories / Add-ons till date:

Hand guards – RE
Mirrors – Bajaj Avenger (as OE have less visibility)
Blind spot mirrors (Convex round) - Amazon
Tripper Navigation - RE (not of much use as realised later)
Phone mount with charger – Raptor Forzaa (for reason mentioned above)
Panniers with mounting rail guards – RE
Rear rack plate – Viaterra (replaced by top box later)
Top Box with mounting plate - Bandidos Pitstop
Tank bag – Viaterra
Handlebar Risers - Bandidos Pitstop
LED headlight bulb – Blaupunkt
Duel horns – Hella with Bosch relay
Side stand shoe – Viaterra
Headlight & indicator grills - Bandidos Pitstop
Master cylinder guard - RE
Rear brake fluid reservoir guard - Bandidos Pitstop
Front mudguard risers – Amazon
Front disc brake calliper guard – Grand Pitstop
Bottle holder – Pro Spec
Windshield extender – Pro Spec
Anti Slip Metal rider footpegs – Motocann
Brake foot pedal extender – Pro Spec
Long wire lock (for helmet/ jacket) – Decathlon cycle section
Reflectors (for panniers & top box) & Stickers – Amazon & Mr DIY store
Rear red light for top box – Decathlon cycle section

Riding gear:

Helmet - RE Escapade
Jacket - RE Explorer (with additional CE2 back armour)
Trousers - RE Ceara (with additional CE2 hip armour)
Gloves - Viaterra Grid
Shoes - Woodland high ankle outdoor shoes

Here comes The Himalayan...

During initial rides around Pune, trying the newly acquired bike on different types of roads:

This was also a trial with the new riding gear since I never used full armored gear in the past:

After few short rides around Pune with my friend, I did a relatively long solo one (4 days & 695 KMs). This was in Jan 2023. The plan was to cover limited coastal Maharashtra and stick to closest possible route of any kind to the Sea.

Day 1: Pune – Pirangut – Mulshi – Tamhini – Bhagad – Mangaon – Mhasala - Diveagar (Lunch) - Aravi - Shrivardhan – Harihareshwar (Overnight Stay).

Day 2: Harihareshwar - Bagmandala Jetty - Banakot - Kelashi - Anjarle – Harne (Lunch) - Murud – Dapoli (Fuel) - Ladghar - Bhagwan Parshuram Bhumi – Dhabhol Jetty - Anjanwel - Guhagar - Palshet – Velneshwar (Overnight Stay).

Day 3: Velneshwar – Jamsut – Chiplun (Rest day & Overnight Stay).

Day 4: Chiplun – Satara – Fort Sajjangad Shri Samartha Ramdas Swami Samadhi Mandir (Prasad Lunch) – Satara MIDC (visit to a Unit) – Shirwal (Fuel) Pune.