[Ownership Thread]: Hero Xtreme 2014

Warning: This story may go longer than you expect

It was on december 2013that I thought I will have my first geared bike. Till that day I was not a fan of Bikes, but used my Wagon R for extensive touring. My Activa(2007) have began to torn off after 98K plus KMs of hard driving. Activa have shown the signs of age and now the engine and the rear wheel is always "hot" even after a short ride.
After a couple of blown drive belt's and ruthless starting mannerisms, my wife started to compel me to take a bike. on december 2013, I went to the Royal enfield showroom in Alappuzha(Rider motors) and booked my bike(electra silver) after paying 5K. Delivery date was given after a couple of months and after long wait when I went there, the bike was not ready. This coupled with the expression of sales girls(What are they doing in that enfield showroom?) compelled me to ask for a refund(they even intimidated me saying that they will cut 250 off as handling charge). later it was the chance of St. Mary's motors in Eranakulam. There I booked a thundebird 350. same thing repeated there as well. at last i went to showroom and they said to pay the cash and take the delivery after a week(My neighbour waited for a month after paying this full amount for his std 350). That evening I heard the gods call and the next day i paid the entire 1.5 lakhs kept aside for buying thunderbird to SBI to pay off my car loan.

The decision to take the bike was kept pending, and in websites and XBHP, i was following the new launches and saw that Karizma was in for a complete revamp with EBR. On Monday, June 09 2014, I walked into the hero showroom (East Venice Motors) in Alappuzha for the test ride of ZMR 2014 version. I was in love with the machine when i saw ZMR and post ignition it grow in as my obsession. Was about to confirm my order(OR around: 1.15L in Alappuzha) that I suddenly thought "hei I am a family man". i asked the showroom guy to sit in front and tried my hand as a pillion. With 5'8" i found it difficult to climb(it was a indeed a steep climb) and what will be my wife with 5'1" will do(That too with the naughty kid - 9 months old)?

Then I saw Xtreme sitting in a corner and I asked the guy that I need that machine, and I booked Xtreme without even doing a test drive.

I know the features, I know that it is the same trusted honda sourced engine and what else should I check?

after doing a quick PDI I asked the showroom guys that I need the delivery by evening. They agreed and I went home happily.

At 5.00 PM I was back again in East Venice motors with my riding gears(It's rainy season in Kerala) and after waiting for more that 30 minutes, someone came and informed me that my bike is not registered!(they know about that by 1.00 PM and no one even call me?). I was in full fury, but resisted temptations of foul language and after much debate they agreed to deliver the bike next day to my Wifes home. and went home with a sinking heart. Later on I found that It was the first xtreme 2014 in Alappuzha and RTO asked for proof of approval for that (must be from ARAI - not sure).

BTW, I paid Rs. 81300 that day as Bikes OR Price.

Next Evening I was so immersed in the work that i wasn't aware that it was 5.00 PM. I got a call from showroom guy to confirm house and they keys were delivered to my mother in law. It was about 9.00 Pm when I reached my home and it was drizzling. I was curious to see my black Xtreme and went out after 9.30 PM when the fury of the rain was less. Opening the gates I saw the welcoming blue blinkers on xtreme(Of the immobilizer) and after a couple of courtesy talks with my in-laws, took Xtreme out in to the roads. Filled to the brim from the nearby petrol bunk, I went back to my home riding on xtreme.

Here are some of the photo's (Sorry for the clumsy photos, for they were shot in my mobile at night with and without flash)










next:> Unexpected stuffs.

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