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Towards the end of the first day, I was presented with the keys to an orange and black Sportster — the Roadster 883R to be precise. First reaction from the saddle was “Good god, someone is cheating me, this can’t be a Harley-Davidson!” thanks to the bigger machines from the stable that I had been riding. In profile, the Sportster is every inch a Harley though, and I love the peanut tank as well as the staggered exhausts — brilliant. Of all the machines that I rode, it was the Sportster that felt most mechanical of them all. There is ample torque and power from the age-old motor and reliability, rest assured, is built into the package. Time warping does not necessarily mean polluting and time spent by the side of the road waiting for help, right? Again, the seating position could have been better for my frame — and within half an hour my riding enjoyment was being affected by a nasty cramp in the left leg. But boy, was this machine fun to ride! For once, I was riding the bike and not the other way around. I was in control of the proceedings — accelerating hard, braking hard and downshifting and liberating more torque as if there was no tomorrow. Soon I was in love all over again. I knew the Enfield Café Racer back home is going to feel decidedly slow when I return to it. I also know my son may have to forget overseas higher education. The Sportster is not exactly a mechanical device — it is an extension of a rider’s soul complete with its own heartbeat. It grows up during the ride to entertain you, tickle you, laugh out loud with you. It even has mood swings when it scares the hell out of you. If someone tells you that the Sportster is just a ‘small Harley’, stop being friends with him. He is jealous.
That said, I would prefer the 1200 version (Nightster) to the 883R, but if you don’t want to shell out the additional money (Rs 9.96 lakh) then the 883R should be a great motorcycle to own — especially on our roads. Mind you, I didn’t say that this is an ‘entry ticket’ or any of those things — the Sportster is a great motorcycle in its own right and it is entirely up to you to like Dynas, Rods or even the baggers. The base 883L is priced at Rs 6.95 lakh, while the 883R will cost just about Rs 7.5 lakh.
There, I have run out of space and I have not told you how sweet an all-rounder the XR1200 is and how forgiving the Dyna family is. The Fat Boy did get its share of attention, while the sight of the low-slung Rod was enough to give everyone goosebumps — forget the speeds it could manage. It was a magnificent way to spend two days and I sincerely hope this is just the beginning. All of you out there — there is a reason to do well in life after all.
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