POLES APART

Picking a side is always tough, and this bike vs car duel doesn't make it any simpler

- Manaal Mahatme

Mountain vs desert. Bike vs car. Two-wheels vs four. Black vs white-There's a lot going on with this story. I have always preferred the unadulterated experience of a motorcycle over the comfortable cocoon that spoils with all sorts of luxury. And even though I knew I'll end up drenched, stinky and itchy after this shoot, I chose the Royal Enfield Himalayan over the Mahindra Thar Roxx. My bias towards motorcycles isn't because of some 'Four wheels move the body, two wheels move the soul' philosophy, but rather because of a lack of experience with fourwheelers. And seems like the Thar Roxx took it upon itself to change that for me.

And it began with the simplest thing getting ready for the trail. With the Himalayan, the prep started much earlier, with me squeezing myself into the skin-fit off-road armour. Then came the knee guards, followed by the top layer followed by boots, helmet, goggles and gloves.

By this time I was already sweating and eager to start riding just to cool myself down. With the Thar, my watchman had no clue what I was heading out to do. Could have been a grocery run or a cross-country drive. I was in my cargo pants and t-shirt. And before the 150 steps to the car made me sweat, I was in with the air-conditioning turned to the max and sipping on a cold brew. So, the Thar was already off to a good start.