What if a downgrade is ‘the’ upgrade you were looking for?
Concerned fellow biker buddies – “But, why did you ‘downgrade’ to a Royal Enfield Himalayan?”
One of the most common questions I was asked by people when I bought the Royal Enfield Himalayan. The funny thing is I find the tagging of ‘upgrades’ really stupid. You move or change to a motorcycle as per the riding style. If you can’t change you improvise and use what you have. And, on that point, people who know me well did not bother to question my choice.
Now, my question is, what is an upgrade? Is it bumping up to a higher cubic capacity? Is it a more powerful bike in terms of numbers? or just spending more money, compared to your existing one, on a new motorcycle? Or is it just doing more than what you did with the last motorcycle?
I feel the matter is imperceptible and cannot be summarized by just throwing around numbers. If I could afford to, I would love to keep both the motorcycles. Maybe, sometime in future, I will.
My last motorcycle was the Benelli TNT 300, a street bike which I had used extensively for the daily commutes and touring. Even a fair number of off-road trails have been covered on the motorcycle. And, I still do not have anything to complain about the TNT 300. A 360-degree parallel twin with oodles of low-end torque, kicking in as low as 2500rpm. Subtle linear power delivery made it a breeze to ride, especially while touring.
So, coming to the point of why I sold my Benelli TNT 300? Well, I have just one reason. My riding style changed. I started avoiding highways and travelling more of B Roads and off-road trails. People who have ridden with me also know that I have taken the Benelli to a fair number of technical trails. As long as ground clearance was not an issue, the motorcycle chugged away miles after miles. I loved the low-end torque and how useable it was when I was tackling trails and inclines. But – there is always a but, when it came to rocky terrain, the ground clearance was a hindrance. I had to take it slow and worry about the motorcycle making it past an obstacle. For water crossings, the under-belly exhaust was an added worry.
Now, coming to the Royal Enfield Himalayan. I had a few parameters for my next motorcycle. It had to be less than 3.0 lakhs INR on road in Bangalore. It had to be an off-road capable and comfortable stress-free touring motorcycle. The RE Himalayan fit the bill and the bonus was a wide service network across the country and low cost of ownership. This also meant I could spend on some good premium accessories and have extra moolah for my travel funds. Show me another touring motorcycle in India capable enough, within the said parameters. The Hero XPulse, some might say. A capable off-roader, yes, it is. Touring, maybe not.
So, in my outlook, the purchase of the RE Himalayan is an upgrade for me (even though I went from a twin cylinder to a single) as I can do all that I did with the Benelli TNT 300 and additional I can do more off-road trails, even the rocky terrains. I had money left after selling the Benelli and buying the RE. My service costs are less now because the motorcycle and spares are made in India and labour costs are less, which in turn lets me save more for my travel & motorcycle fund.
Eventually, I had to take a call between my ‘wants’ and ‘needs’. What I ‘need’, may not be what I ‘want’. But it will get me going for sure. And, what about my ‘wants’, well – that story is far from over my friend.
I’m taking my blog to the next level with Blogchatter’s
MY Friend ALEXA
LEAVE THE ROAD 
Nice, this is real experience based on practicality, totally unbiased and not influenced by anything. Much appreciate.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank You for those words.
LikeLike
Perfectly summarized.. I hope more people understand their needs than wants.. Ride out their machines and enjoy the travels… Marketing guys of every automobile manufacturer are paid to confuse the customer.. If you have a choice made up, just go for it.. I have followed your travels to a fair bit and yes, the segment of the Himalayan has undoubtedly no competition and fits an aspirant like a tailor made suit!! Enjoy your travels Binil.. It’s always the ‘nut’ behind the handlebar!!
#TheAdventuresofArmstrong
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, you are right… Marketing and Peer pressure is what throws everyone on an ‘upgrade’ path. And most only look at upgrading the machine. Why not ones capabilities too?
LikeLike
Great outlook and very well captured. Cheers
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Vasanth
LikeLike
Oh if I would have read this before I wrote my Marketing Management Paper today, definitely would have copied this.. 😁…
That’s more smart and calculative step! When I decided to buy bike, I looked up at number more than my needs and wants! Because of that couldn’t get money for traveling anyways lesson learnt! Adventure and Fun of riding is not basically on how premium your bike is, but more about how you live that life!
LikeLiked by 1 person
We all learn from our doings 🙂
LikeLike
Very interesting and informative and personal experience works well with vehicles.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The downgrade and upgrade is truly a personal experience and liked your positivity for your choice.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I really love being a RE family member and agree that it’s up to you how you take life with a positive choice!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like the way you have put the upgrade into perspective. For usage it’s kind of metaphorical and people happily pick it up to use free flow 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Interesting. I especially liked the part about lower service charges and the parts thing .People dont look into.these aspects while buying and it can get expensive fast!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah quite an interesting post buddy, enjoyed the read
LikeLiked by 1 person
Royal Enfield is my favourite motorcycle…in fact, I even wrote a story about it in my book. For me, any and every Royal Enfield is a dream motorbike. Thank you for writing such an insightful and informative post – I loved reading it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thats an amazing indepth, well thought through and excellent review. My brother will love this!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Okay! I love bikes and would like to ride one, one day. Go on a long drive too…
But whatever this blog post said, i could not much understand 😝… Sorry but maybe this is too technical for me….
LikeLike
I know 🙂 . I try to make it simple. as much as I can. 🙂
LikeLike
Very informative post.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Such an apt heading you chose for this post. Liked reading the post. I actually shared your blog to one of my colleague who likes biking.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for the share. glad you liked it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hey Binil, totally agree with you that a downgrade may not be actually a downgrade for a particular person. I like the idea of saving money while buying and using it up on premium accessories thereafter.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, this is something most people overlook and only go by the spec sheet. What use is all the power and specs, when one is not skilled enough to use them?
LikeLike
So correct
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was good to read about your choice. We ll learn from experience. My cousin recently bought a benelli and I’m sure he might want to read this. #tmmreads
LikeLiked by 1 person
Benelli makes good motorcycles. I never had any concerns with them. Had it been affordable for me I would have kept both.
LikeLike
You have shared your unbiased experience and some practical points which comes from a good amount of usage. Really appreciate.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad you liked it
LikeLike
I am not a biking enthusiast but I fully appreciate the reason you switched to the Himalayan. It is always about the riding style. This is true of all vehicles not just bikes.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I must be honest, all these biking terms seemed absolute jargon to me but I really appreciate your passion for the subject. The pictures are beautiful!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank You
LikeLiked by 1 person
As we grow older, the needs become more important than the wants.
Nice article with unbiased review.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, all this is a life lesson after all.
LikeLike
Considering my total bike experience is…zero, this post was picked just because I have to read it for the challenge. Having said that I am actually happy I read this post, You have said one thing which I do try to follow, what you “want” and what you “need” are two different things, we need to know the difference of both. Happy biking to you!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Needs and Wants, it will work in every facet of our lives.
LikeLike
I was not sure if I would understand an article about motorcycles, but through your words “sometimes a downgrade becomes the upgrade you are looking for”, is a serious lesson in life.
P.S. I wasn’t sure my previous comment was published so wrote again!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am glad you liked it
LikeLike
See I know you’re talking about motorcycles and their add ons but I swear what I read was do you really need this shiny new thing in your life or can you work with the things you have. This was a life lesson!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, needs and wants are a life lesson.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I guess this is what all of us need to apply in our lives on a day to day basis, letting our decisions being influenced only by us! This post tingled a part of my thought process and has made me realize how my “downgrades” till date have actually been my “upgrades” in life! 🙂
Thanks for sharing your journey, Binil.
LikeLike
and I loved the way you wrote this! especially the ending
LikeLiked by 1 person
Totally agree, even I’m not sure why people consider a more expensive item as an upgrade in your life. I mean, satisfaction is more important than the cost of it, right?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Exactly
LikeLike
Not a motor enthusiast but what a detailed article. Enfield fan now😉
LikeLike
I’m not much interested or know about bikes but all I can say is – the vehicle has to suit your requirements. Your requirement may very well be style – so be it – but it has to fit you. That’s simple really.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You went for what suited your requirements and hence that’s not a downgrade at all! This was a nice glimpse of passionate biker’s life.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Royal Enfield is my all-time favourite …My dream bike in fact. Loved reading this superb post.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Opting for the best options based on your experiences and preferences is always appreciable. I think on the technical part, I won’t be the right person to comment on,
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t know much about bikes, but I like your perspective about downgrade and upgrade which is true for a lot of other things. At times people forget the functionality and gave too much importance to upgrade and downgrade!
LikeLiked by 1 person
An apt perspective on “the upgrade you want” more than the one that’s needed.
That is so true about the kind of change more than upgrade that’s required.
The pics here are absolutely stunning!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hmmm! I was not sure if I would call a shift from double cylinder to single an upgrade but reading your account, I am kind of sold! Thanks!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Looks like the decision of changing bike was done with full research and it paid you off.
LikeLike
I’m not a bike-enthu, but my husband has always raved about RE. Your post is such a delight to read & I specifically like the way you draw the equation of wants & needs here. And yes, I guess the money-saving part applies to any important purchase in life.
LikeLike
An upgrade is moving over to your needs, I believe.. and loved your last line… Your want can not be your need sometimes
LikeLike
I loved the post that comes straight from the heart & with personal experiences. . It’s always better to upgrade to your needs and not brands.
LikeLike
I’m not a biker, but can totally appreciate your sentiment. People often throw around the terms “upgrade” or “downgrade” without realising that the right “grade” is what works for you at that time in your life! Wish you many wonderful adventures on the new Enfield.. and may your journey never face the obstacles of “log kya kahenge” 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well my knowledge of bikes is limited to just knowing their name. I like RE n so my husband got one (on which we never rode alone, thanks to our two kids) and now he got a Triumph while my bro in law rides a gixxer 1k cc….
LikeLiked by 1 person
your take on this. The downgrade could be actually the upgraded we needed. Well said!
LikeLike
Sorry my last comment got submitted wrongly. I am not a bike person but I liked the anology. Downgrading things can also at times make our lives better. Like leaving smart phone and using basic keys phones to give a detox to the life, atleast for a while.
LikeLike
You have nicely explained that difference between need and want .
LikeLike
That’s a lot of new info for me. This year’s Alexa had got me reading all that I hadn’t ever thought of. Thank you for this post. I learnt something new.
LikeLike
Lovely writeup!
LikeLike
Thank You Prabul for your kind words.
LikeLike