A decade long pursuit of a dream, finally realized
Dr. Sundaram Sharma’s motorcycling experience started years ago, “It began a lot earlier than I was born, it was passed on to me genetically I believe,” he says. He was brought up in Delhi, India, and in his home, motorcycles were not only a means of commuting, but also a way of life. He recollects his many highway trips with his father on their rather modest 100cc commuter bike – these defined the outlook of his life for years to come.
A Childhood Dream
At the age of 12, he was already eager to ride his dad’s motorbike. With input from his father and older brother, he learned the basics, and soon fell in love with all of it. Learning something new, exciting and the freedom that came along with knowing how to ride a bike – had him hooked. At just 15 years old, he got his first bike. Taking that 180cc motorcycle to its limit, he rode and rode, covering 35,000 kilometers within a span of just two years – before the engine gave up.
The KTM Obsession
In 2012, he first laid eyes on the 200 Duke – in its iconic orange paint, one fine day when coming back from school. He was drawn to it instantly, there was just something about it. And in 2014, he also saw an RC 200 – in its matte-black and white-orange paint scheme. He definitely did not sleep that night, he had stumbled upon his dream bike.
Years went by and despite the itch to get a KTM never disappeared from his mind. Meanwhile, he did his duties on three other bikes – owned jointly by him and his brother. With the second-generation 390 Duke being launched in 2017, he was tempted but felt the bike lacked the rawness and sharpness, as compared to the first-generation. It was not like the KTM that he had become so attached to, so he held back from buying it.
A Dream Realized
At last, in 2023, after he had settled into his career, KTM introduced the third-gen 390 Duke. He was eager and anxious at the same time “What if it is worse than the original 1st-gen Duke?” But all doubts disappeared the moment he sat on it – the bike felt like an extension of himself. According to him, the new Duke had the right mix of thrills and stability – combining the rawness of the first with the sophistication of the second. He made up his mind, he was finally going to own his dream bike. And so, after a decade of waiting, he returned home with the 2024 KTM 390 Duke in the beautiful electronic orange color.
“Having the Duke has been nothing but magic. Be it daily commutes, single long-distance outings, or white-knuckle sprints, the bike always puts me in high spirits,” he says joyfully. His first long distance ride on the Duke was to Mahakumbh at Prayagraj, and the bike did not disappoint at all. The journey helped him once again solidify the fact that he had indeed made the right decision.
KTM Pro-XP Experience
Being a part of the KTM Pro-XP community has enhanced his motorcycling experience in every way. Being a member of Urban Escapes, Overnighters, and the Republic Day Ride, he was amongst riders who were just as passionate. Besides the group rides, experiences like these created better, more skillful riders. He was impressed by KTM’s dedication to road safety awareness, particularly by initiatives like safety camps in colleges and the RC Cup, which made motorsport thrive in young riders’ hearts.
Advocating For Responsible Riding
While appreciating the fun and friendship, he could not turn a blind eye to the careless activities of some Indian riders, particularly on social media. He was very much responsible towards advocating safe riding by urging other riders to take advantage of track days or ProXP events, instead of doing hazardous stunts on public roads. He believed that KTM had to act against such influencers because their actions spoke volumes for the entire motorcycle community in a negative manner.
A Future Fueled By Passion
Despite all of this, Sundaram’s passion for KTM has never lessened, even one bit. Every ride creates the same amount of glee, same as the one he felt as a 12 year old – when he saw the Duke 200 for the first time in 2012. Now a seasoned rider, he gazes toward the future eagerly waiting for the next set of upcoming KTM motorcycles – particularly the new RC 390.
For Dr. Sundaram Sharma, motorcycling is not a pursuit of speed or a rush of adrenaline – instead, it is a life long obsession, a sort of science, a discovery about himself. And with his partner 390 Duke by his side, he is all set to pursue each horizon that beckons him.
Follow the BikeDekho WhatsApp channel to get instant updates from the automotive world.
