My Diary [Oct 6 2024]: Choosing the Perfect Touring Bike: My Ultimate Adventure Companion

One advantage of having a friend who shares my passion for adventure and travel is that we get to spend more time together on the road, doing exciting things and truly enjoying life.

Both my friend and I are motorbike enthusiasts, and we've been planning an all-Pakistan trip this winter, specifically on a motorbike. However, the challenge has been deciding which bike to choose, as traveling through northern Pakistan during winter demands a reliable and sturdy bike to navigate the rough terrains.

For the past month and a half, we've been searching for the right bike. Finally, we've decided on the Suzuki GS 150. Given the current economic inflation, buying a bike hasn't been easy, especially in a city like Karachi, where scams are rampant.

This weekend, my friend called me, saying he had shortlisted two bikes and asked me to come over immediately so we could check them out and make the purchase.

It was an extremely hot day in Karachi, and I hadn't even had time for lunch when we had to rush out. My friend and I were eager to set off, as we also needed to pick up another friend of mine who had expertise in motorbikes. We reached his place around 4:30 PM, and that marked the beginning of our search for the perfect bike.

We pulled over to the side of the road and started calling all the dealers we had been in touch with. The heat was relentless, but we were determined. Negotiations began over the phone, with each dealer presenting their prices and details. It was a challenging process, taking more than an hour to decide which bike owners we would visit that day. We weighed the options, comparing the condition, prices, and availability of the bikes before finally narrowing it down to two owners who seemed to have the best options.

Once we had our choices, we informed both owners that we would be visiting them later to inspect the bikes and finalize the deal. We knew we were in for a long day, and it was crucial to make the right decision, considering the market conditions and the effort we'd put into searching for a bike.

Just as we finished coordinating with the owners, it was time for the evening prayers. We made a stop at a nearby mosque to offer our prayers and gather ourselves for the next phase of the day. The short break allowed us to re-energize and refocus, knowing that the decisions we were about to make were important. After the prayers, we planned our route, determined to make the most out of our trip and, hopefully, secure the best bike for our upcoming adventure.

Living in Karachi has its advantages, but it also comes with its share of challenges. One major issue is the lack of proper traffic management, which can turn even the shortest of journeys into a long ordeal. It took us more than an hour to reach the destination where the seller was supposed to show us his bike, even though it was not that far away. Navigating through the chaotic traffic was exhausting, but we remained hopeful, anticipating a bike in good condition as promised.

However, when we arrived, it was a disappointing experience, to say the least. The seller had assured us over the phone that the bike was in excellent condition, but the reality was far from what he had described. The bike showed clear signs of neglect, with rust visible all over the frame. It was apparent that it had not been well-maintained. The carburetor, a crucial component, needed work, and the chain sprocket was also in poor shape, indicating that the bike required significant repairs before it could be considered roadworthy.

Although the seller had invested in extra accessories for the bike, such as upgraded headlights and a new seat cover, these additions were of little value when the essential parts were in such bad condition. We quickly realized that purchasing this bike would not be a wise decision. There’s no point in investing in a machine that needs extensive repairs, especially when the core components are compromised. Disappointed, we decided to move on, knowing we had one more bike to inspect later that day, hoping for a better outcome.

I was starving. Did I mention I hadn’t eaten anything yet? I believe I did. One advantage of helping out a friend is that you can make the most of the situation. So, that’s exactly what we did—we told him to get us some food before we headed to the next seller, who was located on the other side of the city. My friend took us to a well-known Bun Kebab stall, where we enjoyed bun kebabs, potato chips, soft drinks, and finished it off with some tea.

I had a gut feeling that the next seller we were about to visit would bring us good news. It was the 14th seller we had contacted in just four days, and we were genuinely exhausted, but we knew we had to see it through. It took us another hour to reach his location, a part of Karachi I had never visited before.

The narrow alleys were so congested that no car could have passed through. Small residential houses were tightly packed next to small factories where the locals worked. I couldn't say if any of it was legal, but it was an interesting sight.

We navigated these narrow streets and called the seller. He came out of his small factory and greeted us warmly. From the start, he seemed like a friendly and genuine person. His bike was covered, and he removed the cover upon our arrival.

The bike was in authentic condition. Although there were some signs of rust, there was no artificial paint covering it up. He offered me a test ride, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The bike had excellent pickup, a solid balance, and accelerated from 0 to 100 kph in just a few seconds. The brakes were in excellent condition, and I was especially pleased with the disc brakes and alloy rims.

I was genuinely satisfied with the bike, and after my friend took a test ride and conducted a thorough inspection, we moved on to negotiating the price. The seller was firm at 270,000 PKR (around $300 or 5,600 STEEM), while we stood our ground at 250,000 PKR (approximately $250 or 5,200 STEEM). Believe it or not, it took us over two hours to settle on a final price. Finally, at 11:42 PM, we officially bought the bike. We couldn’t believe it—it was a moment of triumph.

GS 150 SPECIFICATIONS

_pakwheels

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