Once again it is that time of the year when motorcycle riders from across the world embark upon the annual pilgrimage to the stunningly serene and challenging terrain of Ladakh. And this year, it’s not just my first time on this revered journey, but it’s also Mahindra Mojo Tribe’s first expedition to Leh. Christened ‘The Mountain Trail’, the journey was designed to take 30 Mojo riders from Delhi to Leh and back to Chandigarh, and I got the opportunity to join this epic ride.
With the initial 100-odd kilometers of my 1,200km journey mostly being highway riding, I got enough time to get acquainted with the nuances of the Mojo. The rev-happy, 295cc motor felt most comfortable in the 4,000-6,000rpm band and cruising at speeds over a 100kph was a natural experience on the bike. It was here that the smoothness of the Mahindra’s motor made short work of the dual carriageway.
It was on the twisties on the way from Chandigarh to Manali where the Mojo’s sticky Pirelli Diablo Rosso 2 tyres really come into their own. Their ample grip was more than enough to make up for the slightly front-end-heavy nature and somewhat inconsistent brakes of the bike. And the ample power on tap made the climb easier than I had imagined. When dealing with a couple of rough patches on our way up, it was pretty clear that the suspension setup on the bike I was riding had been tuned to keep the bumps at bay. The Mojo glided over potholes pretty easily and there were no spine-jarring jolts. After settling into a rhythm, it was smooth sailing all the way up to Manali. It was on this section that the Mojo Tribe was joined by Ranvijay Singh of ‘Roadies’ fame and renowned Indian filmmaker, Nagesh Kukunoor.
A cold start
Most of our journey up to Manali was loaded with adrenaline, and it was clear that the road ahead would be even more perilous. We started before dawn, and the thundershowers and plummeting temperatures dampened the Mojo Tribe’s spirits. But as we crossed Rohtang Pass and caught the first glimpse of the stunning snow-capped peaks and lush green valleys, we felt the effort was totally worth it. The Pirellis worked their magic once again – this time over damp tarmac – as they provided the traction to manoeuvre through the narrow twisties with potentially fatal drops just a slip away.
Ved Janve
Vishal Venugopal
