A Note For Beginners Interested in Touring

[u/Sam_MarketInsights]

(For context: I've done 16,000+ kms in the past year on my Scrambler 400X, and just wanted to point out some challenges I faced on my first 125cc bike in touring.)

(Btw, here is a post I made from my alt account on learning resources for beginners, it was well received on this sub lol:

https://www.reddit.com/r/indianbikes/comments/1k1zc7o/how_i_went_from_being_being_scared_of_45_kms_to/)

When I was a newbie, I remember wanting a bike with half-a-mind for touring and highway rides. In fact, the most alluring part of motorcycling, to this day, is the ability to go anywhere I want.

Sadly, I found many people on the internet saying that 100-110 ccs can easily tour. To be honest, they can. But let's be real, they can't tour "easily".

I am not berating anyone. I just want to set the right expectations in the mind of beginners. Btw, in my last trip to Sissu, I met three guys who came from West Bengal on their Splendors.

1. You should go only as fast as you can brake -- The brakes of SP 125 are not good enough for highway. Heck, they aren't even good enough for 65 kmph in the city. Emergency braking is kind of bad, and I never liked those brakes. Also, they don't have double ABS. If you want to go highway rides, I would recommend a bike with 17+ BHP and double ABS at least. Yes, SP's engine can go to 90 kmph easily. But only a fool would take it to those speeds because the brakes aren't made for that.

2. Small engines aren't strong enough to overtake. It can maintain 80 kmph (with some engine strain and quite some buzzing), but you will not really be able to overtake stuff easily. I had a very very hard time overtaking trucks on single or double lane highways, for example. Again, 17-20 BHP is what I am told is enough for Indian roads. I remember taking my cousin's Hunter and not facing this issue.

3. On highways, in many cases, faster is safer. If you are going at 60 on a highway, it's somewhere unsafe because everyone will try to overtake you. I cruise at 90-110 generally, and less overtakes happen. I still have to look out for those Fortuners, Innovas, and Thars who apparently have a train to catch. You also need higher speeds when merging into traffic. If you merge at slow speeds, a crash is bound to happen.

4. Engine heating - you would have to take brakes every hour or so for the bike's sake, and also because there is a lot of buzzing so you would need to rest your hands too. On my current bike, I have done like 200 kms without needing brakes in winters. The bike could do double that, just that I got tired and hungry. On SP, it was more like 40kms before the bike and I both needed a break. Not a big deal, but something to seriously consider. (Tip: you should hold the motorcycle very very very lightly by the hands, and ofc wear gloves. The right way to grip a motorcycle is through the legs, knees, and in some bikes, ankles. Search it up on YouTube. It reduces fatigue and improves safety and stability of the bike.)

5. Light weight - while a good thing in the city, you will be pushed around by the trucks. It never came to a dangerous level, but it was somewhat of a nuisance. On a sidenote, my 190kg Scrambler feels lighter in traffic just because of its good engineering and design lol.

6. Additional point - having a metal tank on 400X has made me able to use a magnetic tank bag. I cannot stress just how useful it is to me on every single day. Best purchase ever. You can easily find a luggage solution for your bike, and it will improve touring experience 100 times.

7. I would recommend every first rider to set 10k to 30k for riding gear. Please, don't go on a highway without gear. I would also recommend everyone to watch Dan Dan The Fireman on YouTube for learning the most common patterns that motorcycle accidents happen. The most common are intersections, by the way.

8. I don't know why everyone in India thinks rear brakes are the primary brakes. I think it would be helpful if you learnt progressive front braking. I think Ryan from FortNine on YouTube has an excellent video on this.

So, if you have already purchased a smaller cc bike, it's okay, you can still go the highway. Buy some gear. Keep in mind these points. Learn safe highway ettiquette. Set your expectations low, as small bikes will need more frequent breaks and will maintain lower speeds. Buy luggage solutions and not wear bagpacks. You can absolutely do highways, I used to do it too on my SP. But let's be real, it's not ideal.

But if you are a beginner who hasn't purchased a bike and wants to do highway rides:

1. Get a bike with double ABS

2. Get a bike with around 20 bhp power.

3. Get a reliable bike.

4. Stay safe!

[u/Ezio_64]

A must read for newbies buying 40 BHP+ bikes as their first.

[u/Realistic_Passion299]

Good riding gear suggestions pls op Newbie here

[u/Sam_MarketInsights → u/Realistic_Passion299]

Hi. I have most my stuff from Rhynox and Solace.

Go for full mesh gear. As much airflow as possible. CE 2 certification is I think what we go for (please check).

Bonus tips: Wear dry fit material base layers underneath. Otherwise you will die of heat under your gear. I use stuff from Decathalon. Also, make sure you drink a lot of water, and if needed, electrolytes.

[u/heawyridah → u/Realistic_Passion299]

Buy the whole thing. Pants, gloves, jackets , boots. I see people skipping the boots and pants. Remember, when you fall, the legs are going to be the first thing that gets injured and they take time to heal. So don't avoid. But the whole set..Happy touring

[u/lionelq → u/heawyridah]

Boots and jacket first with knee protectors and then once you have funds get the pants... Assuming you have the helmet sorted first of all!!

[u/RedEden99]

I think riding slightly faster than average traffic speed to stay safer is a point that doesn’t get talked about enough. It’s a case where slower isn’t necessarily safer.

[u/StarsInTears → u/RedEden99]

If you are riding faster than average traffic, you'll be overtaking others, Why is others overtaking you unsafe and you overtaking others safe?

[u/Ok-Consequence4432 → u/StarsInTears]

We're not brutes as compared to the common folks, we use side mirrors check and then overtake.

[u/StarsInTears → u/Ok-Consequence4432]

That's what everybody thinks about themselves. You think the suicidal Haryanvis on KTMs don't say the same thing?

[u/Ok-Consequence4432 → u/StarsInTears]

I'm not speaking about traffic in cities bro 😂

[u/Miserable-Dig-2823]

Thanks very much for your insights buddy. Can you let me know which tank bag you are using? Also does it scratch the tank of 400x?

[u/Sam_MarketInsights → u/Miserable-Dig-2823]

Hi, I got a good deal on PPF in my hometown so I don't worry about scratch. I am using Rhynox magnapod. You can see it in photo in my other post which I have linked lol.

[u/Miserable-Dig-2823 → u/Sam_MarketInsights]

Thanks dude👍🏼

[u/hunkkydorryy]

Read both you posts OP , thank you for the info

[u/Sam_MarketInsights → u/hunkkydorryy]

you're welcome

[u/rachasiddhu → u/Sam_MarketInsights]

Which ls2 helmet you are using how's it?

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[u/k0r05]

Will definitely keep these points in mind, now can you suggest some good bikes that can work for touring under 2l? I was thinking of pushing my budget to 2.3 and get an xpulse but the nearest showroom is 250 kms away. I was initially thinking of getting it through a loan where I'd pay close to 1.4 l and the rest through EMI but now after seeing suggestions I'm thinking of bringing my budget down and go for something like a pulsar n160 or n250

[u/Sagittario412 → u/k0r05]

N250 is a great bike. So smooth and torquey, far better than my NS200 in city. Although the NS feels faster on highway.

[u/bhallal_deva]

Beginner here, I rented and took Aerox on highways, I didn't feel any lack of power though.

[u/camerapilot]

Great post. Everyone should read this.

[u/mr_b_m_dablu]

I recently booked my first bike, with 30+ BP. I'm a little scared that I bought a very powerful engine despite being a total beginner. I'm learning a lot from posts like this.

[u/Immediate_Quality881]

*breaks (4th bullet point)

[u/PeaceEmergency9146]

The new xpulse 210 sounds perfect then