How he went from a business analyst to becoming an expert off-road riding guide
Sharique Ansari, better known by his nickname ‘Sharko’, hails from Indore. He developed his love for motorcycling all by himself, being from a non-biking family. He is now KTM Certified Offroad Riding Expert and the Vice President of the biggest active bikers’ club of Central India. Apart from planning bike events and rides in association with brands such as KTM, and many more – he is currently working as a Senior Healthcare Business Analyst at CitiusTech Healthcare in Mumbai, dealing with healthcare technology and business solutions.
The Start Of His Biking Journey
Sharique’s introduction to motorcycling was not anticipated. None of his family members or relatives ever rode motorcycles, and he never had any interactions with them as a child. But destiny had other plans. It was when his mother bought him his first bike, a 150cc commuter – that sparked the two-wheeled romance in him. It was his haven, his freedom. With each ride, his passion for motorcycling only grew stronger. After he finished his master’s degree in Mumbai and got his first job, the first thing he bought was not a car or a luxury good – it was his dream bike: the KTM 390 Duke.
Traveling on city roads and vast highways, he found his calling. Riding on the open road was thrilling for sure, but the real steal of his heart was off-roading. The adrenaline rush in venturing into new terrains ignited his passion even stronger. And with a career promotion to Senior Business Analyst, he wanted to test his limits even higher and purchased his second bike, a KTM 390 Adventure. It provided him with the wings to ride quicker, traverse the mountains, and feel the thrill of life he always envisioned.
A Lifelong Obsession
Sharique has been riding KTM bikes since 2017 – starting with his white 390 Duke and then switching to the 390 Adventure. Both the bikes, through the years, not only enhanced his riding skills but also awakened his interest in adventure, and the bikes turned out to be more than just a means of transport – they were his ultimate riding buddies.
The Duke purchase was not a planned one, but it was fated. On his working days in Mumbai, he used to have a ritual: post office hours, he would head to a tiny momo place right opposite Vashi station. A KTM showroom was just directly opposite the street, and he would always end up glancing at the 390 Duke in its beautiful white shade every night, fantasizing about owning one.
One fateful drizzly night, and the monsoon had put Mumbai at standstill. He stood by himself waiting for a train in the rain. As he crunched his plate of momos, he got a buzz on his phone – a notification that his salary had been credited. Without any hesitation, he dried his hands, walked across the road, and entered the KTM showroom. That night, he booked the 390 Duke on the spot. It was not an expense to him – it was a dream realized. With the rain coming down in buckets, he did not care about getting wet, as he had just fulfilled his lifetime dream.
Pushing The Limits
Sharique’s KTM journey has been nothing less than phenomenal. His first major ride was from Mumbai to Goa for India Bike Week (IBW) and was a crash course in long distance riding. But the real test came during the COVID-19 lockdown, and his Duke was the only lifeline in those trying times. Travel restrictions aside, he rode his motorcycle from Mumbai to Indore to visit his family – a 900+ km journey of endurance that tested his mettle as a motorcyclist.
KTM Pro-XP Events
Then he enrolled himself for the KTM Urban Escape Ride at KTM Khajrana, and there he met Amit Nahar, a showroom manager, who would also go on to become one of his closest riding buddies. Taking up off-roading, he enrolled himself for the KTM Bronze Level Certification session with 8 Moto, and he learned under the expert guidance of Sangram and Varad. He learned to ride off-road and soon attended another Bronze Certification session in Lonavala to practice.
Next came one of his most exhilarating experiences—the KTM Adventure Northeast Tour (Season 2) with KTM experts Mayur and Rishi. The tour saw him traverse stunning landscapes and demanding terrain, testing his stamina to new heights. Returning home more confident, he enrolled in the Silver Certification Academy under the mentorship of Nelly and Sunny, where he honed his skills further.
His biggest challenge yet was laid out in KTM Adventure Session 4 in Ladakh, where he experienced extreme weather conditions, high altitudes, and treacherous passes. This ride was the ultimate challenge to his endurance, and it reaffirmed his belief that there is no end in adventure riding.
Becoming A Mentor
Sharique’s passion and knowledge earned him a high position as a KTM Adventure Expert for Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. He organized official KTM rides, was a training instructor, and even conducted training sessions for showroom mechanics and sales people in Gujarat (Vadodara) and educated them on the soul of KTM motorcycles.
The KTM Brotherhood
Besides KTM ProXP adventures, Sharique not only became a better rider but even made life-long friends. He met Russell at the Bronze Academy, who challenged him to new heights. Raihan, another thrill-seeking rider, added an element of wildness to their adventures, particularly during the Ladakh Tour. They brought more than just riding partners into the family.
Lessons From The Road
Sharique’s top takeaways from KTM ProXP events are:
Off-Road Mastery: Achieving proper body position, throttle control, and ground management at ProDirt Academy and 8 Moto helped him improve as a rider.
Mental Endurance: The Northeast Tour and Ladakh Adventure Sessions created that adventure riding is as much a mental activity as a physical one.
Building a Community: From his initial Urban Escape Ride in Indore to making friends for life, he understood the strength of being among enthusiastic riders.
Continuous Learning: Bronze and Silver Certification training made him understand that irrespective of how experienced one is, there is always room for betterment and learning.
Adventure is a Journey: The journey in the rides made him realize that the most satisfying experiences are the ones gained by overcoming obstacles in the journey, and not by going to the destination.
Building a New Career: Creating showroom professionals in Gujarat and organizing KTM rides as an Adventure Expert gave him a new calling – to make others feel the adventure riding thrill.
A Life Transformed By KTM
With ProXP rides, Northeast and Ladakh tours, and expert certifications, KTM has turned him from a committed rider to an expert guide. Now, he is the 2nd ranked at the all-India level in KTM ProXP, which speaks volumes about his passion and love for adventure riding.
Having a KTM has been more than just riding – it has been an adventure of self-discovery, learning, and making life-long friends. From his Duke 390 to riding his 390 Adventure in the mountains, every ride has been a mission. KTM is not just a brand to Sharique – it is a way of life, family, and an endless adventure.
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