There’s something about your first bike that never leaves you. It’s more than just a machine, it’s a symbol of freedom and the beginning of adventures. My story begins in 2018 when I was 18 years old, a time when life was a mix of teenage dreams and the eagerness to step into adulthood. My heart was set on the Yamaha R15 V3, and the moment I saw it, I knew it was the one.
In 2018, bike deliveries weren’t the ceremonious events they have become today. Unlike today’s grand deliveries with ribbons and ceremonies, my R15 came to me on a bus from Kanyakumari to Chennai. There was no fanfare, no crowd cheering as I received the keys. Instead, it was a quiet and personal moment, a raw, unfiltered experience. I remember watching the bike being unloaded, feeling a surge of emotions that I can still recall with vivid clarity. The machine was there, standing tall, but it wasn’t ready to ride. The tires were flat, and there wasn’t a drop of fuel in the tank.
Getting the bike to a fuel station and seeing it roar to life was an adventure in itself. That first throttle, oh what a moment! It wasn’t just the sound of the engine that thrilled me, it was the realization that this machine was mine. For the first time, I felt the power of owning something that could take me wherever I wanted to go.
Being a hardcore Yamaha fan, the R15 was more than just a bike. It was a statement. The engineering, the design, the sheer passion that Yamaha poured into their machines, it all resonated with me deeply. I couldn’t get my hands on the legendary R1, but the R15 was the next best thing, and it felt just right. At 18, I hadn’t ridden anything as fast or as powerful before. The first ride was terrifying. The bike had power I wasn’t used to, and for a moment, I doubted if I could handle it. But there was something inside me a quiet confidence that told me I could.
Looking back, it wasn’t the speed or power that made the R15 special, it was the sense of freedom and responsibility it brought into my life. As an 18 year old, owning that bike was like a dream come true. It wasn’t just about the thrill of the ride, it was also about the discipline and maturity that came with it. The R15 became a symbol of my transition into adulthood, teaching me the importance of responsibility and respect for the road.
But as life progressed, so did my needs. As I got deeper into riding, exploring long distances, it became clear that the R15, with its aggressive stance and sports DNA, wasn’t built for this. I needed something that could go the distance, and so I made the difficult decision to sell my R15 to get a Royalenfield Interceptor. Parting with the R15 was tough. But the memories remain evergreen, and the feeling of owning my first bike is something I’ll cherish forever.
Letting go of your first bike is a universal rite of passage for many bikers, marking a bittersweet moment of growth and change. The first bike often holds a special place in our hearts. Selling it, whether due to practical needs like better suited bikes or financial constraints or simply moving on to new experiences, can be an emotional experience. While some may keep their first bike as a nostalgic relic, for most, parting with it is an inevitable part of evolving passions and adapting to life's new chapters.
As I look back, the memories with my R15 still bring a smile to my face. What about you? Do you still feel that rush when you think about your first bike?
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