So, it's true.
Hell yeah, we're set for life!
No way!
It's just a lamp.
But, if it was real, what would you ask for?
Motorcycles to ride, more fuel to fill them up and uh...world peace? Let's not be selfish!
Yeah, okay.
You two!
I know you two.
You do?
I watch PowerDrift!
If you're done laughing, then tell my why did you drop the lamp and summon me?
Sorry, but can we get our three wishes now then?
The world economy, thanks to COVID-19, is shrinking, I can manage just one.
Fine.
We know what we want. We wish that we have the right motorcycle for whatever lies ahead.
By the powers granted to me through the virtue of its legacy, you are on!
The Great Rann of Kutchh, flat right to the horizon,
white as driven snow,
the beauty of this intense landscape, its serenity comes from its utter simplicity.
The genie's first gift for us, the Husqvarna Svartpilen 250, isn't white, but it is similar.
The design is so simple,
the lines are stark,
but like the Rann, the effect is impressive.
It's dual sport tyres allow us to explore the edges of this salt desert.
We left for Bhuj with a quick stop at Arjun and Naran Velji's homestead to look at
some homemade Kutchh-y handicrafts.
Oh god, Kutchh is so pretty and so different.
I know, I love the place,
the people, landscape, it's amazing.
And you know the roads that we were on,
I think they were perfect for the Husky Svartpilens.
I agree.
A little salt,
good speeds,
good tarmac, good vibes.
The White Rann is 100 kilometres from Bhuj, the former capital of the Kingdom of Kutchh.
This is exactly right for the Svartpilen 250. It leaps into light off-road action, and then
just as easily,
We are back on the road to Bhuj.
Gotta love the 250s, no? Yeah man! 150s can feel a little slow,
400s can be a little bit intense.
But 250s!
What shall we do tomorrow?
You really want to test that wish is it?
Yeah!
Riding in an unfamiliar city, especially a 500 year old one, is marvellous, and Genie,
ever clever, had picked a good one for our day in Bhuj,
the Husqvarna Vitpilen 250.
The history of this town isn't just a history of hardy people in a bleak landscape.
There is tragedy here too. Bhuj was nearly destroyed by a massive earthquake in 2001.
I'm so happy to see all the damage and destruction from the 2001 earthquake, seems to have more
or less been repaired.
Wait! You were here?
Thank the lord, no.
We came here about I think two or three years after that,
and the buildings were bent, there were cracks everywhere and the damage and destruction
it implied was both tragic and very scary.
Yeah, it's been, what, almost two decades now?
Yeah.
What else has changed? Whatever little charming features and you know, character of the city
that was there, it's still there.
And you know what? That makes me happy.
The modernity of the Vitpilen 250's design contrasts well with Bhuj. The compact Vitpilen 250
can duck and flies through traffic easily, and no one can ignore it.
The 250cc single, it's just right. Smooth power to catch up to traffic,
and then to make it disappear in the mirrors.
This old city has palaces, walls and history.
The Husqvarna brand is like that,
storied and historic.
From making guns, to motorcycles.
So Bhuj, the city, like the white Husqvarna has elements of many other Gujarati cities and
all that right, but when you come to Bhuj, you realise there's nothing else quite like it.
The genie's two for two huh?
Yeah, so that's why I'm thinking we leave tomorrow,
we leave the salt behind, we leave the city behind, we head for salty water.
Salty water? What does that mean?
The beach!
Bajaj created the Dominar 250 for this,
for smooth refined cruising, out on the highway.
It is unique in the lineup of Bajaj, KTM, Husqvarna's
five 250s, using its own tune to offer similar power and torque,
but smoother performance and better economy.
The Dominar's engine, suspension, actually comes together as a pretty nice touring bike.
Where are we headed?
Well, we are at a secluded beach next to the city of Mandvi,
from there we go to Narayan Sarover and after that we're going to the fort of Lakhpat.
It's a beautiful place, the landscape, the fort itself is just amazing.
The Dominar 250 loves being ridden at these moderate fast speeds.
It's quiet and vibration free.
The stable chassis makes the most of these deserted highways,
and you can look at the landscape for long, lingering seconds.
We were travelling and being moved at the same time.
On the route, lay the 500 year old port of Jakhau.
In fact, Gujarati sailors were famous. Vasco de Gama had one on his crew.
Passing through the amazing azure piece of Narayan Sarovar brought us to Lakhpat.
Rising like a mirage out of the flatness of the Rann, a beautiful old fort that sears into your heart.
This is amazing Shumi Lala. What a place and what a ride!
I just didn't want it to end by the way.
End? We have more places to see!
So now, we'll head inland to Dholavira.
I have an idea.
Let's take the scenic route.
Varun, what do you think we've been doing all day?
So, what's next?
Today we're going to walk in a centuries old city.
Yeah, I meant after that.
The genie's delivered in the night, Varun.
Didn't check the parking lot, did you?
Dholavira is 300 kilometres from Lakhpat, one of the largest cities of the Indus Valley
civilisation.
It's 4450 years older than our dear Shumi. A 120 acre sprawl that speaks of organisation
technology, language and trading.
We are going off road.
Yes we are.
But, you don't like off-roading.
More like I don't know off-roading, I'm a learner,
and in that sense genie is right. That's exactly the right motorcycle for me today.
How so?
Do you know why learner class motorcycles,
the largest one in most countries eventually turn out to be 250?
I don't want to explain, you have all the answers anyway.
That's exactly right.
I have all the answers.
These are fast enough to hook new riders to motorcycles important for the future, but
slow enough to allow them to learn and in that sense, it's exactly right for me,
but you'll have a lot of fun on it too.
As usual, the KTM 250 Adventure proved to be just right.
It was spacious for a long day in the saddle,
and for us to have a laugh in the Rann. Just right, in the mix of smooth engine power
indestructible feel, extra suspension travel and ground clearance.
So when the roads ended, our ride continued.
That looks so marvellous.
Yes, it does.
And places like this, is why I'm so interested in learning how to ride off-road.
The sunset?
Yes, the sunset. Places where special stuff happens so that I can ride confidently to
places like this.
So the motorcycle that you're sitting on then the 250 Adventure, is a pretty good motorcycle no?
It is! The smooth and linear engine power,
it allows me to focus on riding.
And after you take a few big hits, you realise it's sort of built like you, it's a tank.
Oh.
I knew it!
I knew this bike will be waiting for us today.
Mr. Genie's choices are getting a little bit predictable no?
Hmm, so editor sa’ab,
shall we go home?
Varun bro,
that's exactly what the KTM 250 Duke is doing here.
Let's go home.
The KTM 250 Duke is where the story of Bajaj's 250cc pro league of motorcycles began.
When it came out, the 200 was the revvy frantic flavour of the Duke
and the 390 was the all muscle, all action flavour.
The 250 Duke sat and still sits in that sweet spot between them.
It's calm enough and fast enough.
But with all the naughty genes that anything from Mattighofen seems to be packed with.
Somehow, the calm of the engine and the effortless performance seems to temper the chassis as
well, which again, is lovely and neutral.
And of course, when you're done being all sober and mature, it's still a KTM.
And so it was that our road trip of a lifetime wound down.
Genie had certainly delivered. Varun and I got to enjoy the unique pleasure of riding
five different 250cc motorcycles, each in the environment they were born for.
But was this magical interlude, too good to be true?
Varun, I think we made a mistake.
Mistake?
This is awesome!
New motorcycles every day.
It's not going to last.
Why not?
It was a pretty complete wish.
Yes, but, we forgot to say one word… we never said "always".
Oh, never mind that.
You won't miss this?
Of course I'll miss this! But when the genie's goodwill runs out.
We'll still be at PowerDrift!
Oh yes!
New bikes every single day!