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Breakfast ride with Apache Owners Group on my TVS Apache RTR 310

3rd July 2024, 12:36 by Utkarsh Chaudhary

We met a group of Royal Enfield riders. The ladies were riding a mix of Classic 350, Himalayan 411, Hunter and a Sunburst Interceptor.

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Pre-World Motorcycle Day Breakfast Ride

The WMD event is happening on Sunday 23/6 and the Apache owners group will represent their brand and love for their machines in full force. I would not be able to attend due to other commitments, but a breakfast ride was planned for today which got me interested.

The meetup point was at the Hoskote toll where there was a sea of bikes waiting for their ride groups to join them. Our group was easily identifiable thanks to the brilliant RED RR310s lined up. Of the 15 riders from our group, we had 12 RR310s, 2 RTR 310s (mine and Mani's, whom I had met at the care craft camp earlier in the month) and a Ronin.

My poor bike is barely seen as it's caught between 2 RRs. (you can barely catch a glimpse of the headlights after the 3rd bike)

We set off on a short but spirited 9km ride to the Pakshala on the Chitoor highway and reached in no time. (point to note, RTR twins reached first as the RR gang got caught up in their straight-line speeds and happily drove past the place).

Breakfast is a usual affair of socializing and getting to know the other riders. As someone who probably is the most recent member of the AOG 310 group I was a bit hesitant but everyone I met there was super friendly. Mani and I spoke to a gentleman who drove to the meet despite having a minor accident earlier in the day because, as they put it "When it's a ride everything disappears". I hope some of that spirit rubs off on me. We also had a gentleman who had an exam, yes written exam, at 1330 hrs, yet he happily joined as it was a stress buster.

Something to appreciate is the skills showcased by the riders. They left me with dust in my eye quite soon and yet there was no rashness in the way they rode.

We did meet a group of RE riders who are known to some of our group riders. The ladies were riding a mix of Classic 350, Himalayan 411, a Hunter I think and a Sunburst Interceptor.

The destination was decided to be a location whose name escaped my tongue, which was 90km away. I excused myself from the full journey and shared that I would accompany them till about 40km and then head back home. Who knew that in the end, it would just be me and Mani on our RTRs cruising on the highway enjoying the scenery?

RTR 310 ride and rider characteristics at triple-digit speeds

I am, for lack of a better word, less skilled as compared to the other riders in the group for obvious reasons. But that did not stop me from pushing the bike to almost 70% of its capabilities. The jacket I had worn played spoilsport and was creating a drag thereby preventing me from having a steady ride at high speeds while the others were having proper riding jackets.

As the RRs zoomed away into the horizon, Mani decided to keep pace with me and we rode as a pair. With him leading and me following him at 2 car distance. Mani, if you are reading this, you were an amazing ride lead for me man, as you kept pace and planned moves well in advance.

Now onto the bike

With the changes made by TVS at the camp, most folks would have pushed the bike but I had not got a chance to see the outcomes.

Today, we were consistently maintaining triple-digit speeds (road permitting) and surprisingly the bike is absolutely well-mannered even at higher speeds, and a person with less experience like me, felt comfortable holding the line. We did drop down to 80 and maintained the speed limit most of the way and pushed it to 3 digits only if the road was open. The bike sings harmoniously in 6th gear and except for the seat vibrations, the other portions of the bike at 8-9k rpm don't vibrate much. Wind buffeting will hit you hard if your gear is compromised, as in my case, but if you are geared up properly, you won't be fatigued and can blitz through.

Return

Shortly after crossing Kolar and almost halfway to Mulbagal, Mani and I stopped near a grove of Eucalyptus trees, had a mini photo session, and decided to head back. We rode together till Hoskote and then parted ways.

The roads are amazing, barring a small stretch, and the view is very good. If you are like me, you will constantly keep saying wow and riding as you go past the green fields and mountains that look like motichur laddoos piled up.

I am looking forward to the next ride. To those from our forum who are going to the WMD Bengaluru event, please stop by the AOG/TVS fixtures and interact with everyone.