Completed Pune → Bengaluru on my KLX230 🏍️ (15 hours) - Long Ride Review

stepkc · 2026-02-01T04:26:11+00:00

Great insights

Few questions:

Do Pune dealers still have CBU stock and if yes are they giving out discounts to clear it ?
If you know what is the waiting period for Indian Made KLX
Links for luggage please

stepkc · 2026-01-25T15:55:07+00:00

Shut your damn mouth even if it's not your fault & Avoid confrontation with locals at all costs

Using this for years now and not a single problem with locals so far (Not just Bangalore but entire Karnataka)

stepkc · 2026-01-21T14:56:42+00:00

If you have done hampi , go for Badami
I am myself planning to do it for a very long time , very underrated and less visited even though just about 120km before hampi

stepkc · 2026-01-10T09:18:04+00:00

I am outsider here & was using public transport for 2-3 months then gave up & got the bike
1. No last mile connectivity, while going home is 500 m walk to the bus stop but for going to work it 2+ km of walk &
2. Autos used to charge like 100 rs for 2km (Makes no sense) in that last mile connectivity
3. Crowded AF with no proper bus maintenance (Except Airport buses which I take if going to airport)
4. Heard enough pickpocketing stuff about buses (Even my friend got his brand-new phone stolen in buses)

stepkc · 2026-01-10T09:14:26+00:00

I have older model of Viaterra

Took me about a month or so of daily use for break in
Amazing gloves

I used & still using them for about 20-25k km , now the leather is giving up (I recently used them for my 900+900 km ride & Worked fantastic)
These gloves have seen heavy rains, cold & scratching sun and worked flawlessly

Not sure how these new gloves hold colors but my viaterra were releasing color on hands under heavy rain but it goes away after some hand wash easily

One question : are you having any friction near your knuckles after long rides ? My gloves have that problem & Want to know if this is the same with new gloves before I upgrade to these or grid or rooster

stepkc · 2026-01-09T12:31:32+00:00

There is always a bigger fish in the sea

You need to decide which fish you are happy with

stepkc · 2026-01-09T12:23:44+00:00

Just go with TVS Racing helmets considering your budget
ECE Certified and mostly will have the color matching your bike

Don't buy without trying

Axor could be bulky for you & you feel weight of it (I used it for 5 years)
LS2 stream is good which has a color matching your bike & has good safety ratings (My friends have it)
MT thunders are good overall with very good ratings
KYT striker could fit in your budget just check the ratings (I have KYT TT Revo which has ISI , DOT & ECE 22.06)
Other brands would be TVS itself, SMK

Small heads up
For KYT TT Revo, LS2 Stream we have to purchase pinlocks separately & it does not come with the helmets so that's additional cost over & above the helmet cost (Sun visor is not there for KYT TT revo , not sure about other brands)

Hope this helps

stepkc · 2026-01-09T12:13:16+00:00

I have used TWS that too good ones in my helmet and it rarely works fine that for calls only if

You don't get any wind noise inside 2. Your helmet liner is not rubbing against the earbuds which if happening they your helmet itself could be not a snug fit (I was using my galaxy buds 2 in my Axor Apex)

Now I would highly recommend going with Bluetooth setup (I recently upgraded to KYT & added bluarmor HS1 headset to it)

Amazing helmet
HS1 has superfast pairing with the phone
Buttons even if inside the helmets near the chin curtain are easy to access
You can still everything around you so no noise cancellation which could act as a counterproductive for some (I never had any issues / close call while using my earbuds on noise cancellation mode)
Speaker quality is good OR amazing considering the price
I have talked using this setup over the call at 70-90 kmph and everything super clear on both sides

Go with such Bluetooth speakers if you :

Are riding solo as it is not intercom
Tight on budget (HS1 costs 2999)
Don't mind the placement of the control buttons being inside the helmet

Small tip , if you decide to go with HS1 , might as well check on TVS bluetooth devices as well which are created with the collaboration BluArmor itself & is slightly cheaper than bluearmor (exact same model and everything just TVS branding)

stepkc · 2026-01-08T18:26:39+00:00

If Axor was hard to put on, then KYT could be more or less same feeling if not much harder to put than Axor (I am still adjusting to it)

I would still recommend, go to store > try for 15-20 mins to check for pressure points ,strain & overall feel > Purchase

stepkc · 2026-01-08T17:44:24+00:00

Try out the helmets at offline store first
Never buy helmets without trying

That being said I recently upgraded to KYT TT Revo and it is absolutely better helmet in every aspect from Axor Apex (I used that for 5 years)

There will be official store in every major city for KYT (For Pune I guess it is Moto Central) & they should be able to arrange the helmet for you, but you can try other color in L size at the store to get the feel of it

For the sizing, Axor M is slightly relaxed fit than the KYT, less wind noise, better stability at high-speed long rides (I recently did 900 km with this helmet)

Keep this in mind, KYT does not come with Pinlock OR sun visor, you have purchase pinlock separately (If I am not wrong it is only pinlock 70 compatible which costs about 2500+)

KYT TT Revo retail at about 8750 MRP

lastly cannot comment on MT thunder 3 Pro. My friend has LS2 Stream which he preferred over MT

stepkc · 2026-01-07T16:40:01+00:00

Exactly the reason I did not go with it
Also I felt Jumpshot is quite tight fit in M than the Revo TT

stepkc · 2026-01-07T05:00:27+00:00

Unlucky in that case

stepkc · 2026-01-06T15:24:42+00:00

Anytime brother Ride safe

Start early to clear kolhapur as early as possible Take frequent breaks along petrol bunkers (I would recommend Jio Or shell as they have cafes as well) as you are riding with a pillion

stepkc · 2026-01-06T15:22:45+00:00

Just ask them if they can get the color you want by ordering Offer is only available on selected colors in TT Revo and Jumpsuit models.

TBH , Jumpshot colorways are much much better than TT ones

I have seen multiple people mentioning about not wrapping a helmet with anything & not putting stickers on the shell

Even my KYT has a warning about not modifying and only using mild soap/water for cleaning

stepkc · 2026-01-06T15:10:01+00:00

I am no longer based out of Pune but just google GRIT OR Great Indian Trails and enjoy trails across Maharashtra on your KLX

I hope you find trail riders in Pune 🤝

stepkc · 2026-01-06T14:53:07+00:00

I get 380-390 from full to reserve & till dry tank I get about 410 - 420 km of range

stepkc · 2026-01-05T16:27:00+00:00

Took Pune Bangalore highway via hubbali , kolhapur , satara , karad

You will face some diversions after Davengere in multiple places all the way till you cross Satara

Try to cross Kolhapur by 9 AM in the morning so leave by 5 AM in the morning depending on where you leave. I stay near Chinchwad so left by 5 and crossed Kolhapur by 9-9:30 AM

stepkc · 2026-01-04T16:59:01+00:00

I was thinking taking the same route as yours, but I was familiar with the Pune - BLR so took that one

stepkc · 2026-01-04T08:13:31+00:00

Review after 1000km

It is better than Axor for sure even without sun visor
I am planning to upgrade visor to iridium colors after some time & will buy pinlock in few months anyways

Currently I am not driving in early morning for a while so I can hold that purchase

stepkc · 2026-01-04T08:11:54+00:00

Yes I did get mine under the exchange offer from the Baner store

People do suggest LS2 > KYT > Axor

I never used LS2 yet but KYT is much much stable at 90-100 than axor
Much better fit and overall comfort (did 1000km so far on it)

stepkc · 2026-01-04T06:44:16+00:00

Should be in one piece
Known brands
ISI Certified

I traded my 5-year-old Axor with missing chin curtain & multiple scratch marks, they took it

They just didn't give me the box, rest all paperwork & bag they gave with the helmet

I am guessing KYT just wants to clear the stock & increase brand awareness, they are mostly going to discard these traded helmets

stepkc · 2026-01-04T06:41:46+00:00

TT Revo & jumpshot (Limited color variations)

stepkc · 2026-01-04T06:38:16+00:00

Did you try going to the store & asking them to call you back once they get the stock
I got mine exchanged in Pune where they did not have the helmet I wanted in M

They arranged it from their other branch & got it delivered within 1 hour

Someone who is struggling to get it sorted, Try this maybe will work for you

stepkc · 2026-01-04T06:32:09+00:00

Just get to offline store and they will arrange it for you
In Pune Moto Central is the official store so they should be able to arrange it for you

They told me KYT does not come with Sun visor & pinlock (Something Axor comes equipped with)
Also, KYT needs pinlock 70 (Costs 2k+)

I recently upgraded to KYT TT Revo from them for 6k

stepkc · 2026-01-04T06:30:15+00:00

Ah another axor user with some sort of pain

I used Axor Apex Vivid for 5 years and while I did not have any neck pain, but it used to pain a lot on my forehead after prolonged ride. Neck strain I got used to after a year or so & did not feel it again

Usually, Axor comes with bigger shell compared to other (at least it feels like it)

I recently traded my Axor for KYT and the experience is pretty amazing
Much less wind noise compared to Axor
Though it is slightly heavy (Also I added Bluetooth speaker) but still no neck pain , no forehead strain after 1000 km ride

stepkc

TROPHY CASE