{"id":248036,"date":"2023-12-11T08:49:38","date_gmt":"2023-12-11T08:49:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/automotobuzz.com\/?p=248036"},"modified":"2023-12-11T08:49:38","modified_gmt":"2023-12-11T08:49:38","slug":"how-a-triumph-speed-400-replaced-my-duke-200-from-search-to-ownership","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/automotobuzz.com\/news-features\/how-a-triumph-speed-400-replaced-my-duke-200-from-search-to-ownership\/","title":{"rendered":"How a Triumph Speed 400 replaced my Duke 200: From search to ownership"},"content":{"rendered":"

While parting, the Duke gave me a taste that is hard to forget and I for one cannot be satisfied with something not being as intoxicating.<\/h2>\n

BHPian itsMridul<\/strong> recently shared this with other enthusiasts.<\/p>\n

Hello everyone! Please welcome our newest member fee bleue in this forum.<\/p>\n

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Isn’t she beautiful!!<\/p>\n

Background:<\/p>\n

My search for new bike began during January this year after undergoing and recovering from a surgery.<\/p>\n

I have learnt riding bikes while studying in class VII on a Bajaj M80 which belonged to a relative. Although my father used to ride a Yezdi, but I was not allowed. Later he sold the Yezdi and bought himself a Bajaj Chetak. I occasionally ride it for about 6 years. Then when I was in college, he gifted me a Discover 125. That was my first!! I rode it with my hearts out. Then after college, when I got a job, I got a Pulsar 150 (Pulsars were the craze then in two \/ three tier cities). Although I wanted the 200 one, but father agreed to only 150.<\/p>\n

Fast forward 8 years, got married, got another job and it was time for an upgrade. After much research and availability in my area, I zeroed in Duke 390 (the first gen, second gen was yet to be launched). Surprisingly the dealership guy convinced my better half that Duke 200 was a better choice for me. I was ready to shell out the full amount for 390 but came home saving about 60 thousand rupees and a Duke 200. I was not unhappy as I was never a top speed or acceleration guy. I was more of a cruiser kind of guy who loved occasional speed bursts for a few minutes in open road.<\/p>\n

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But the Duke fulfilled my desire. It has superb handling, occasional adrenaline rushing and good mileage for my use cases. And it spoiled me. The grin when revving out was an addictive one. She was rough, she was angry and moody. She whispers things in your ears, she makes you do things you didn’t know you were capable of. She keeps you on the edge. But when she rides, she makes a connection which nothing can emulate.<\/p>\n

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But not all was rosy with it. The seat was extremely hard, there was engine vibes and unmistakably stiff suspension. I could feel the smallest of rumbles in my spine while on it. My wife also started to complain against its’ ride quality. Two up was manageable but even thinking of carrying our little one for a long ride was impossible. So the Duke had to go. But while parting, she gave me a taste that is hard to forget and I for one cannot be satisfied with something not being as intoxicating.<\/p>\n

Search:<\/h2>\n

After selling the Duke, a few things happened in quick succession. I had to undergo a surgery, it took considerable time to recover from it. During that time, I was riding my wife’s Suzuki Swish 125 for daily office commutes. She even bought herself an Electric Scooty for her daily chores. All our road journeys were in our Nexon. But the longing for a bike was always at the back of my mind. So the search for the new one started again. But as the age advances, so are our priorities. This time my priorities were a little more practical:<\/p>\n