The bustling city of Bengaluru can be a nightmare for four-wheeled commutes. This is exactly what I experienced after relocating there from Delhi in August 2022. My trusty SCross, perfect for highway trips to Kanyakumari, Hampi, Munnar, and Chennai, felt cumbersome for daily errands and weekend explorations. With frequent trips back to Delhi to see family, keeping the SCross just didn’t make sense. So, it went back, and a more practical solution emerged: a two-wheeler.
The Alluring Aerox
Even while in Delhi, the Yamaha Aerox 155 had caught my eye. Its sporty design, liquid-cooled engine, ample storage, and surprisingly good touring capabilities, as per reviews, made it a compelling choice. Plus, the automatic transmission was a big win, especially considering my wife’s preference for scooters.
Breaking2@ In the Beast
After acquiring my sleek black Aerox, I meticulously followed the break-in period. Once completed, I embarked on a few spirited runs to Nandi Hills and beyond, both solo and with a pillion rider. These rides instilled confidence in the Aerox’s handling and ergonomics for highway journeys. A big shoutout to Crazy_Driver, Sebring, and AnAntInspired on online forums whose posts solidified my belief in the Aerox’s capabilities and erased any lingering doubts.
The Agonda Adventure
The Plan
Destination: Agonda Beach, Goa
Duration: February 18th-20th, 2023
Route (Onwards): Bengaluru – Davengere – Tadas – Kalaghatgi – Yallapur – Karwar – Agonda (Distance: 580kms)
Route (Return): Same route in reverse (Distance: 580kms)
Embarking on the Journey (Day 1)
Excitement for the trip kept sleep at bay. Though I had set an alarm for 2:45 am, I was wide awake at 2:30 am. After a quick breakfast, I meticulously packed my luggage, donned my riding gear, and memorized the route using Google Maps (phone mounts are not my thing!). With a toolkit, coolant, air pump, and other essentials secured in the storage compartment, a small tail bag containing clothes and necessities was fastened on.
Pre-Dawn Departure
As always, my journeys begin at 4:00 am sharp. This time was no different. With minimal traffic, I cruised at a moderate pace of 50-60 km/hr, occasionally hitting 70 km/hr, allowing myself to adjust to the darkness. After Tumkur, the pace quickened, and by sunrise, I was nearing Chitradurga. A well-deserved breakfast break, some stretches, and a fuel refill at Hotel Naivedyam on the highway kickstarted the next leg.
Smooth Sailing, Bumpy Surprise
With the sun high in the sky and excellent visibility, the ride became a breeze, maintaining speeds of 80-90 km/hr. However, exiting the main highway towards Tadas-Yallapur revealed a hidden challenge – the Aerox’s stiff suspension wasn’t a fan of the first 10-15 kilometers of rough roads. Nevertheless, the automatic transmission continued to shine, eliminating the need for frequent gear changes while navigating speed bumps, potholes, and the occasional stray animal.
Lunch Break and Scenic Detours
The road quality improved significantly upon joining the Hubli-Kalghatgi route and remained good throughout. A delicious lunch break at an eatery after Yallapur was followed by a hotel booking (Cilantro, Agonda) while I savored the meal. With ample time to spare before reaching the hotel by 4:00 pm, I indulged in some photography, capturing key milestones along the way.
Reaching the Coast
As I descended towards the coast, the air grew warmer and more humid, but it was nothing unbearable. After bypassing Ankola, the Aerox finally caught a glimpse of the majestic sea while crossing Karwar.
Goa Welcomes!
Entering Goa marked a shift in my mood – a sudden surge of excitement, perhaps due to the state’s inherent charm. Finally, at 3:45 pm, I arrived at my clean and comfortable hotel/shack/tent (it served its purpose perfectly). After parking the Aerox (keeping a watchful eye out for falling coconuts and a territorial dog!), I quickly freshened up and headed out to explore Agonda.
