Many of my co-members in my motorcycling club (especially those with expensive imported bikes) swear by Shell’s quality. Frankly, I couldn’t understand why. You see, Shell buys its fuel from the Mangalore refinery, from which all PSU oil companies also source theirs. What’s the big deal? And what justifies the extra price?
Anyway, they kept insisting that it is a better fuel for our high-capacity engines and that I have to try it before I knock it. Also, the points you can earn and redeem at their outlets aren’t a bad perk too, I was told.
So, finally, today, I succumbed. I downloaded the Shell Asia app and went to a Shell pump on my way to Wai this morning. I was asked if I wanted normal unleaded or the Shell V-Power. The difference was slight (meaning that at less than ₹20 a litre, which translates to an extra spend of around ₹2,000 per month), and I thought, ‘What the hell; why not. In for a penny, in for a pound.’ After all, it isn’t any different in terms of the Research Octane Number (91 is what you’d get in most petrol pumps, and the V-Power is RON 91 too, only with some detergents added to keep the filters and injector clean). So, V-Power it was.
I had a Red Bull from the convenience store and checked the air pressure in BattleCat’s tyres as I watched the sparse highway traffic from inside the air-conditioned cocoon of the Shell store. Once relaxed, I geared up, started the bike and hit the highway as usual.
And as I gently opened the throttle at the merge junction, it came at me from bloody nowhere…like a sledgehammer on cotton candy!
The bike had become a frigging ROCKET. 🚀 WTAF!!! The throttle response was clean and light, the gear shift was smooth, and I was shocked to realise I was at 140kmph without knowing it. No vibration, no strain, no unnecessary whine, no stress, no mess; just open and go.
This was a revelation. Aren’t you supposed to use it a few times before its effects can be seen? Also, what the actual fuck!? Yes, I know I am repeating myself. But truly, what happened there? I am impressed. No, even better, I am converted. This is effing brilliant!
I shall only be using Shell V-Power in BattleCat from now on. This is a life-changing discovery!
Thanks, Sid (my friend with the Kawasaki Z900 and a motorhead, apart from a damn good professional photographer). You showed me the light. I owe you one.
And now, to a sumptuous lunch, and then to open that throttle on the highway again as I head back home! Ah, life.
