World Motorcycle Day 2023: ZigTeam's Motorcycle Journey: Then vs Now

Over the last five years, the Indian motorcycle landscape has changed drastically. We’ve got everything from affordable twin-cylinder classics, to affordable and capable adventure bikes. With the two-wheeler market evolving so dramatically, Indian bikers have evolved too, although that can’t be said for every member of the ZigWheels bike team. So to commemorate World Motorcycle Day 2023, the ZigTeam looks back at the last five years of their motorcycling journey…

Priyadarshan - 2013 KTM 390 Duke to… 2013 KTM 390 Duke

In January 2014, I bought the last of the first-gen KTM 390 Duke bikes. It was really impressive… 373cc, 43.5 horses, zero to 100 in under 6 seconds. Not just outright performance, but handling too. The superb chassis and W-rated Metzeler tyres gave it unparalleled handling. And all that for an astonishing on-road Pune price of Rs 2.05 lakh! It really had no rivals. Over the years, the 390 Duke itself evolved and got better in many aspects (and pricier too), and other companies also threw their hat into the ring for a piece of this “affordable mid-capacity performance bike” pie.

But even today, nearly a decade after I bought my 390 Duke (which I’ve lovingly named Shukuji — a long story for another time), there has been no bike that has tugged at my heartstrings like Shukuji still does. She’s an old girl, but she’s still as manic and exciting (and scary) as the day I got her home. I’ve thought about getting another bike for the last few years, and most likely, I will soon — something to scratch the recent off-road itch I’ve developed. But Shukuji,  she’ll stay… forever!

Jehan - From Yamaha R3 To Hero XPulse 200 4V Rally Kit-enabled

Isn’t this how motorcycling in general has transformed in the past half a decade, with sport bikes taking a back seat and adventurers coming to the fore? However, I still enjoy my supersports as much as I do my off-roaders. And I don’t think that the Hero XPulse is a downgrade from the Yamaha R3 in any form. The Yammie sportbike was brilliant, helping me improve my basics of road riding and the XPulse is doing the same for my off-tarmac activities. 

The XPulse is now part of my garage, as I love its carefree, go-anywhere attitude, and the Rally Kit really amplifies its abilities. Sadly, the void left behind by the R3 is yet to be filled. If only the R3 once again arrives with a digestible (hopefully Rs 4 lakh, ex-showroom) price tag, I might seriously consider getting one again.

Praveen - From Royal Enfield Thunderbird 350 To TVS Radeon

Five years ago, the Royal Enfield Thunderbird 350 fulfilled my “ride a swanky cruiser down the highway” dream. Its laidback dynamics made it the perfect mile-muncher. After all, I literally moved my stuff with the ‘Bird from Delhi to Pune. The nature of my job gives me access to bikes every now and then, so the bike was lying mostly unused. Moreover, as years passed, my financial priorities changed, and just in time, I got an offer that I simply could not refuse on the humble TVS Radeon. 

Purchasing the motorcycle was an absolute no-brainer especially considering it consistently returned an insane 100+kmpl (with a cautious throttle hand, of course). With the Radeon, a full tank of fuel lasted me a full month! Better yet, it was also an absolute hoot to ride as the peppy motor and light kerb weight made snaking through the traffic a breeze. Who wouldn’t want such a machine for no-nonsense commuting?

Manaal - From 2015 KTM RC 200 to...2015 KTM RC 200

When the first picture of the KTM RC 200 (and the RC 390) surfaced on the internet, I knew I wanted that bike. It had the explosive performance that the Indian market still wasn’t used to, and it looked like nothing else in the market.

And for a first bike, the RC 200 felt just right. And now, eight years later, after riding a new motorcycle almost everyday, it still feels special. The raw, unadulterated performance is even more enjoyable (and sometimes scary, even) because of the lack of ABS. Till date, I have clocked over 76,000km which includes off-roading, touring, spirited weekend jaunts and even commuting. Yup, for a bike that’s meant for the track, my RC has been everywhere but a race track. Hopefully, that’ll change soon.

Ishan Lee

Five years ago...hmmm... I was riding my uncle's BS3 Royal Enfield Himalayan. I'd just started my new job as a motorcycle tour lead, and would often travel to various countries to ride big ADVs. Hence, I felt the practice of living with one would be good. The Himalayan is a proper ADV. So what if it doesn't run fast like one? It weighs like a full-size unit, and chugs over whatever surface is underneath like a ‘proper’ ADV. It served me well and I learnt how to muck about on the Himalayan and navigate off-road riding. 

Today, I ride a 2023 KTM 390 Adventure, though not the Spoked Wheel version or the 390 ADV-X, a mistake...(not)... Jehan won't let me live with. Why? Well, the Himalayan made me fall in love with the format. ADVs are like big lumbering battering rams, they take time to maneuver, but if you get it to point in the direction you want, it'll plough through nature. The KTM offers good portions of power, so it's good on road, and more than sufficient off it too.

Nishad More - From KTM RC 390 to Suzuki Access 125

I still remember the day when I took delivery of my 2017 KTM RC 390. The bike had just received its new black and orange paint scheme, and I was awestruck; it was love at first sight! What more could a 21-year-old want? The bike made me feel like I had all the power in the world at my disposal. It also gave me a  sense of freedom and a go-anywhere attitude, which are the only things I miss now, after parting ways with it in 2020. 

Since then, my everyday commuter has been the reliable Suzuki Access 125 with its decent mileage and comfortable suspension, it makes daily commuting a breeze. However, the void left by the RC still remains and I continue with a strong hope of replacing it soon with some of the interesting upcoming bikes in the 300-400cc segment.

Irfan Kabeer - From Suzuki Gixxer to Suzuki Access 125

The first bike is always special for an enthusiast and I wanted a bike that handled well and had a powerful motor. So, back in 2015, when I was in my second year of college, I finally decided on the Suzuki Gixxer that had launched a year earlier and man, did I choose the right one! It was everything I had imagined it to be and more. The bike handled like a dream and even though I felt like the motor needed to be a bit more powerful, it was actually perfect for me as the combination of the above two factors helped me learn all the fundamentals of riding a bike. I’ve used the Gixxer for everything, from daily commutes to long road trips, and it has never failed to impress me with its peppy character. 

I moved from Guwahati (my hometown) to Pune last year to start my career in automobile journalism and very recently. I have been using a friend’s Suzuki Access 125 (the pre-facelift model). The practicality of that scooter (large storage area, good fuel efficiency, the works) suits me perfectly for daily office commutes and other trips inside the city. I have only been using it for less than a month, but so far, it has served my needs very well!  

Aamir Momin - From Honda CB Unicorn 160 to…?

Five years ago, I made the leap from scooters to motorcycles with the Honda CB Unicorn 160. Amara, as I call her, gave me an escape. A way to explore and rediscover my city on two wheels by myself. My loyal compadre has been there for me at different times, people and phases of life, and even through two accidents. Sadly, after my last accident, she hasn’t been in a great condition, and can only do short rides. 

But my life isn’t without two wheels. I have the Ola S1 Pro as my long-termer for daily commutes now. And I also get on the saddle of a lot more motorcycles, and that’s all this day is about, right? Motorcycles and our appreciation for our two-wheeled loyal companions.

Nishaad Joshi - From Hero Passion XPro to TVS iQube S

My riding began with the humble but likeable Hero Passion XPro. It’s nice, it’s light and was decently quick for the newbie that I was. But more importantly, it was the single do-it-all bike for me. From highways where it struggles to breathe, to gnarly, dangerous off-road expeditions, this modest commuter has seen it all.

Fast forward to June 2023 and I am riding the adorable TVS iQube S. This humble electric scooter is in many ways the Jupiter of electric scooters with all its friendly and ‘take it easy’ nature. But where the iQube has really spoiled me is with the electric experience. With all the torque available all the time, the iQube S has made commuting very easy for me. This is to the extent that the iQube S, with all its torque, makes the Passion XPro feel a tad too slow…