Travel+Leisure India & South Asia – August 2019

(Wang) #1

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take unnecessary risks. Gaurav, himself a
motorsports star, says this is the cornerstone of being
on the road. “The priority when I ride a motorcycle is
always safety. I want to ensure that while riding a
motorcycle, it’s very important that I remain focussed
on understanding my vision, and my vision has to
be clear: there should never be blind spots,” he says,
echoing the thoughts of the world’s most experienced
bikers, professional or leisure. That’s where the

wheels now, he appreciates the idea of the
bike more than ever. With the Gold Wing’s
Ride Modes, Gaurav could choose between
Tour, Sport, Rain or Economy, getting the
power he needed and altering the bike’s
shift points as the terrain changed. In fact,
with the Cruise Control enabled by
throttle-by-wire, the Gold Wing’s
manoeuvrability and ride comfort is
masterly. For an experienced motor-head
like Gaurav, technology plays a large part,
not just because it can determine
performance but because it can make a
journey more engaging for the modern,
smart rider.
Plus, being on the road is about the
connect between a man and a machine,
about how you can feel the pulse of
individuality. Gaurav knows this better
than anyone. “The bond between the
driver and the machine has to be one
hundred and ten percent. I can feel every
inch of the contact from the tyre, every
time the suspension moves, I have to feel
every part of it. It’s in my DNA. It takes a
lot of time, effort and years to learn these
things,” he adds.
Good roads are not always a given, and
passionate bikers know that the idea is to
enjoy the ride, not concentrate on speed or


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