How many of you have wanted to travel on a small quick motorcycle but never have due to various reasons? Probably not too many because that’s the norm. But, for me it’s always been 350 cc or more (not that the RE motorcycles are fast) and the KTM Duke series are motorcycles that I’ve always wanted to try. This is a write up from when I managed to get my hands on one and head out to the countryside.It’s been a long time since I’d headed towards Whitefield. Especially during peak hours. But, this day traffic didn’t bother me much. I was headed to the Indimotorad workshop to borrow one of their motorcycles, a KTM Duke 200, out for a nice 1000 kilometers this weekend. A track day that they’d run had just been completed and the garage still had motorcycles (of all shapes and sizes) waiting to be picked up. Yummy looking ones at that.

I had only once ridden the 200 before this and that was only once for a grand total of 3 kms. The bike that I got had been at the track last weekend and still had a track number on it. Anand warned me about the Hoodi junction traffic and I took off  heading towards the nearest petrol pump. The KTM’s fuel tank holds a little over 10 liters of fuel.

Riding out of the city was a breeze. I just had one backpack and no other luggage. So, being compact combined with the good acceleration had me out of the city and almost near Tumkur in about 90 minutes. An average of a little over 60 kmph. Definitely would not have been possible with ThunderDuck.

I had eventually reached Shimoga at about 1.30 am without any drama. Thankfully.

Since I did not want to disturb anyone at that unearthly hour, I just slept for the night at a hotel since I planned to leave by 6am. The front desk at the hotel were alert enough to pack me some sandwiches and fruits for breakfast, so that I could eat along the way.

 

My breakfast spot. Nice silent stretch in the forest with only an occasional vehicle passing by. I’d filled fuel before heading out of Shimoga, so I could head anywhere I wanted in search of a spot.

The ideal use for a flat tank top – breakfast table. Only missing coffee.

Keeping higher averages are so simple on motorcycles like this. Effortless acceleration and deceleration make this possible. A quick break on the highway.

“Sumne selfie haakobeda”, she said. This picture now reminds me that I lost these shades. Have to order a replacement.

Though the seat is quite uncomfortable for long journeys, the suspension does a great job of dampening out the bad roads.

 

Dirt tracking the last stretch to my destination. Nice orange earth, almost matching the KTM’s colors.

Never too early to introduce safe riding to children! The next few snaps are from where I would be spending the next three days till I head back to the city.

Over the next few days, I had short trips around the area. Never thought the KTM would take it all in so comfortably.

I had to do some maintenance on the roads in the early morning on the way back. Trees had fallen due to the rains and winds and blocked roads in many places. See the gallery to figure out what the other end of this tree was clinging on to.

Before I head into a fine drizzle, I have a few curves that I can hug. I made sure that I did not straight line any of the curves. Weren’t the curves why I was here?

The tyres on the Indimotard KTM 200 were in great shape. Especially when you come around a corner at good clip and wet patches appear out of no where.

Approaching Sagar. It would soon be time to give my cousin a call and see if her family was home. But, the visit never happened, mostly due to bad mobile connectivity and missed messages. I love this curve that I shoot through most times. This time I felt the need to stop for a panorama shot.

Did not stop much except for a butt break before Shimoga and another at a railway crossing.

I was doing good time and knew I would be back in record time. This was my quickest ride on this stretch, ever. KTM 390 next?

NICE road means just one thing, under 30 minutes to home. Wring it!

KTM Duke 200 touring gallery

All pictures from this ride are here. Shot with a mobile phone, Xolo Q 800.