
My passion to own a "bullet" started almost 11 years back. Then I was with my brother and was working in a pharmaceutical manufacturing company. My brother owned a bullet (Even now he has the same bullet). Then, I was very thin built. I must have weighed almost one third of the dry weight of that exceptional machine. (That model weighed somewhere between 160-170kg and I was a paltry 53-55kg). My brother encouraged me to go for a ride. Believe me, until then I've not even wiped clean a bullet.

I'd decided to give a try. First thing, I didn't even know how to start the vehicle. My brother taught me how to ease the piston before kicking it to start. I somehow managed to clear the amps meter and gave a swinging kick. I really didn't know what happened. There was a huge back-knock and I got my knee crashing against the handle bar. The pain was so overwhelming that my left leg with which I was balancing the vehicle started trembling despite my best efforts. I really felt giddy. I was desperate to abort the operation.
My brother pacified me to give another try. Fear stricken, I was very reluctant. We had reached a compromise that my brother would start the bullet for me and I'd go for a small ride. My eyes brimming with water(hey , I was not crying, it was just a reaction to the pain). I was still sitting pretty on the machine.
I somehow managed to move the vehicle. First gear, second, third and while trying to go to the top gear and barely within 300 meters the bullet came to a halt. Since it was a winding street my brother actually had no idea of where I was. Now either I've to start it on my own (which I was very reluctant to) or I've push the vehicle all the way back home (which I was not sure whether I could make it because of the pain I was in).
Caught between the devil and the deep sea, I mustered all my courage to give a try. (I've forgotten to tell you another thing. Actually I'd learned to put the vehicle on its stand by then). I got down and put it on the stands, walked around the bullet and this time I acted intelligently. I kept the handle bar far from the kicker side so that even if there is a back-knock I won't get hurt. (once bitten, twice shy). Believe me, I started the bullet with one kick. So proud about my effort, I rode back home. By then it was almost 10-15 minutes and brother was waiting for me anxiously.
The 600 m ride that I had that day had actually sown the seeds of desire to own a bullet.
It was a very big dream for me to own a bullet at that point of time. Now, the dream realized, albeit with great difficulty.

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