29. Straight Talk:The best SUPERBIKE in India

This is one question that keeps popping up every time a group of biking enthusiasts get together."Which is the best superbike?" I’ve personally been asked the same questions countless number of times. Earlier in the day, way before I owned a superbike, I used to be thrilled to answer this question. Those days I considered myself to be a Mr. Know it All. However my opinions were never original. Whatever opinions the big names in the motorcycle journalist’s world recommended I would accept as mine and begin the task of spreading the word.

There were not too many people in my engineering college who were well educated in appreciating superbikes. I used to take it upon myself the job of imparting to them the nuances of this obsession. The bike that featured high on my list was the R1. Many of you reading this post will also be sharing a similar opinion. The only reason I loved the R1 so much was that it was so beautiful to look at. Unless you own a superbike, the only sense with which you can judge a bike is by looking at it. Hence the bike that appealed to me most was the one that I considered best.

Little later in the day when I befriended a superbike mechanic, I got to touch and feel the bikes a little more. My loyalties from the R1 quickly shifted over to the Gixxer for the simple reason that in the mechanics opinion the Gixxer was a far more evolved bike. My fascination was towards the GSXR 750. I thought that the 750 was a great displacement for a superbike. Don’t ask me how I came to that conclusion even before I’ve ever ridden a superbike.

When I was in business school I happened to see a video of the 600RR on youtube. That video was shot with so much style that I fell in love with the bike. Also all the magazines claimed it was the best bike in the world. These two reasons made me freeze on the bike I decided that I would buy. Unlike the car market where you can take a test drive and decide, in the biking world that’s not much of an option. A year ago I got myself a middle weight CBR600RR. The boy I bought it from let me ride it for 100 meters. That’s the first time I ever rode the 600RR. However I had already decided on buying it even before I took that test ride. I’ve had the bike with me for a year now and I’ve done close to 10000 KM on it. Now its time for me to tell you if all those bike magazines were right about the 600RR being the best bike in the world.

The answer is "not really". Please don’t get me wrong and assume that the 600RR is a bad bike.. its an incredible bike, but is it the best bike in the world? No its not. So which is the best bike in the world? The answer is going to be complex but let me make an attempt to answer it.

One should understand the effort put in by biking firms when they begin creating a bike. Every biking company of repute begins by trying to make a machine that’s the best in the world. They do hundreds of hours of research, talking to riders to understand their needs and figuring out ways to improve on the product. It takes about three years for each of these companies to bring in a new model and trust me this is even with best engineers working on it. Finally when its time to roll out they give their bikes to a few big auto magazines. The mags employ top championship riders to evaluate the bikes on parameters which are closely related to circuit racing. After doing 10 to 15 laps on the bikes they sit together, discuss and bring out the verdict. Very fair exercise for anyone planning to buy the bike to use in a racing circuit. The real question is how many of us are buying the bike for its closed circuit racing abilities?



Barring these auto magazines most other critics tend to rate bikes based on their specifications. In my opinion rating a bike based on what you see on paper is a terrible folly. Mike Tyson weighs close to hundred kilos and is 5’10 inches tall. A year ago my height and weight were close to that figure too. So on paper if Tyson and me were to be in a boxing ring we should be having an even fight right? In reality we know that I’d be lucky to last even 10 seconds.This is because Tyson has way better skill than me. Similarly its a bikes "feel" that is most important.
A bikes on road characteristics never ever come out on the specs sheet because Torque and Bhp are not exactly the only attributes that make a great bike. Several other softer attributes often are far more important than the above two. Let me list down some of them

1.Smoothness of the engine
2.Effective engine heat management
3.Quality of Brakes
4.Level of Vibrations
5.Sitting position
6.Suspensions
8.Exhaust System
9.Leaning ability
10.Reliability
11.High Speed stability
12.Finally the looks.

Tell me how do you put a number beside any of these attributes.? Its impossible as they are qualitative attributes. However at the same time these attributes are so important to make the ride a far more involving one. Over the last year I’ve had the good fortune to ride almost every bike there is to ride in India. Until I rode each of these bikes, my ignorant mind kept telling me that the 600RR is the best bike in the world. But I convinced myself to have an open mind while I rode the other bikes and trust me I found joy in everyone of them.

I love the rough, raw power of the R1, the butter smooth power delivery of the Blade, I’m amazed by how light and nimble the Gixxer feels while having all the power of a litre class. I’m taken to another world of luxury on a Busa- incredible how the guys at Suzuki made a superbike feel so comfortable. I love the simplicity of a monster 796. The incredible looks of the street fighter, the elegance of the 848, the low center of gravity and rumble of the Harley V twin and the gut wrenching acceleration of the ZX- 12R Ninja,The all round practicality of the Bandit, the attention grabbing ability of the Intruder...

All the bikes I’ve been on had that one special thing about them. We should realize that companies go a long way to fine tune that special spot. That’s what makes these bikes so unique.

Another very important reason why you or I can never ever judge a superbike is because we don’t have yet the skill or the expertise to master these machines. I’m yet to come across a rider in Delhi who has managed to exploit the full 100% of the bikes potential. Unless we are masters of the machine we ride, its unfair to pass a verdict on the same. Let me give you an anology. Riding a litre class bike in India today is like owning a 200 channel Television in 1995 when there were only 20 or so channels in the air. We simply don’t have enough road to even push these machines to their max.

Hence in the limited infrastructure that we have all similar class bikes will behave more or less in the same manner. If we do a blind test, that’s covering the riders eyes and make him test all the bikes without telling him which is what( not a great idea) it would be very hard for him to identify each bike as the street skills of all these bikes are almost at par with each other.


Hence the only true method with which we judge these bikes are with the heart and all of us do it so well all the time. I’d like to tell you that all bikes are special, everyone one them was built with a lot of time, money and love behind it. So go on and keep an open mind. Love every bike and appreciate each one for what its worth. To finally answer which is the best Superbike in India? Its actually rather simple..It’s the one that’s sitting in your garage right now. You would not have spent your hard earned money if you thought that its anything less than the best, will you?

28.Dr SPEED -dream GARAGE!

Dr Arun Thareja AKA Dr Speed has been nothing short of an inspiration for innumerable superbike enthusiasts. Thanks to him many went on to realise their dreams. Doc is the Founder and President of arguably the oldest and the largest organised superbike club in India, The Group of Delhi Superbikers(G.O.D.S).I’ve had the honour to have met Doc over a year ago. For all the achievement he has had, you’ll be surprised by his humility and generosity. I’ve heard though common friends about his fabled garage that houses toys that would make grown men cry. I requested Doc to let me have a preview of the place and he graciously obliged. We spent an hour at the garage and Doc patiently took me through all the finer details of the place. Its incredible! I’ve requested Doc to share this place with the world and give other fellow riders a peek into it. Hence the post below from Doc himself.

Hope this would help all you bikers out there to one day take things into your hands and set up your own garage.

GODS – garage of dreams

1984- the year which changed my life forever. Two things touched my soul that year, motorcycles & body building & I dived into them headlong. My dormant passions were ignited like nothing before & motorcycles became my sole purpose of living. I got involved with the 2 BB’s- bikes & bodybuilding, like a man possessed but my friends wanted the 3rd B also added- babe :)& sure enough, they were not disappointed.





In 1984 I picked up my brand new beauty, the Yamaha RD350 & I still remember I was the happiest man alive at that moment but my happiness was short lived when I came home & was not happy to park it in the drive way.i wanted my own garage but sadly that was taken up by my dads car & I knew it was going to be an uphill task to wrench that garage from him coz he was also an automotive lover & that also a possessive one but I had to something for my beauty. Lots of discussions followed including the cost difference between the car & the bike blah blah blah but ultimately he agreed to let me park the bike inside but only till the new garage got constructed & surprisingly he also told me to take the new garage. I guess he spotted the engine love inside me.Love u dad.




After a month or so I parked my red beauty into the freshly constructed garage & it was like a homecoming. I felt so elated to see it safe n secure inside with no threat from any kind of weather n human interference. By the year end my Yamaha had company, the Kawasaki 440 LTD & suddenly I was a father of two.

I was clear from day one that I wanted a garage of my own despite having a parking space inside my house. Like a baby needs a cradle my bikes needed a garage & that’s how it all started in 1984. Owning bikes is one thing but to maintain them on your own is totally a different thing altogether & thanks to my RD350 there was no dearth of maintenance being a 2 stroke with ignition points & twin carburetors, I had no choice but to learn all the intricacies of de-carbonizing , setting the timing & synchronizing the carbs as all these needed attention very frequently..Thanks to the guys at Yamahas workshop at Green Park, new delhi that I was able to learn all the things by first watching them do it & then getting involved in them myself; very special thanks to Mr Tandon & Paramjeet.





RD350 taught me a very invaluable lesson – to have the correct tools for the job & they should be of high quality & from then onwards I have collected almost every tool in my garage needed for motorcycle maintenance. It took me a couple of years to get the right stuff but in the end it was worth every penny. Every bike taught me something, whether it was an electrical or mechanical problem the right tools rescued me every time, no doubt the basic knowledge is important but the tools are also equally important.

Another very important early addition I made to my garage was the Air Compressor. I feel it is one of the most important part of my garage when I see the host of functions it can do. Apart from regularly checking the tyre pressures I use compressed air to clean the nooks n crannies of my bikes where normally a hand wont go; also it’s the best way to clean the stock air filters of any vehicle. Its also very helpful when I’m cleaning the carbs of my RD350 or my karizma, the air from the sharp nozzle just clears the jets very effectively. Another benefit of the air compressor is in painting ,though I have done that minimally ,just painted the rims of my bike,but its a good option to have.



After loading my garage with all the appropriate tools I wanted to beautify it & so out came my biking pictures & posters which I plastered on all the four walls & the ceiling it was very tough but with a little stamina & a 9 foot ladder,I managed it  I collected some posters from around the world when I travelled, some from motorcycles shows & some from the dealers. I also collected & still collect miniature bike models which I have displayed on glass shelves on the garage walls, their number must be around 100 by now. Similarly I have displayed some biking memorabilia like a Ducati towel, Harley Davidson bike shaped telephone & a shopping bag,etc etc.







Lastly to store my helmets I got a wooden cabinet made which accommodates around 10 helmets but right now I need a bigger cabinet. All my tools are also stored in a big L shaped cabinet which runs along two walls & its upper surface is dotted with all the lubes & fluids. Theres also a small glass trolley in one corner where I keep all my cleaning n waxing polishes along with filter cleaning solutions.
Last but not the least , to spice up working in the garage I have put in a 5 speaker audio CD music system though its doesnt sound better than the bikes exhaust but believe me, it s a must have.:)





My garage & the exact tools have helped me many a times when diagnosing the problem was not at all easy.eg one my sbks refused to start & the F1 light came on the dash without any blinks,so there was no way I could diagnose the problem with the blink code. My humble multimeter came to my rescue when I located the fault in the wiring coming from the ECU,thanks to a hungry rat who had nibbled it! Though it took me 2 days but finally I could sleep properly. Similarly another sbk suddenly died n refused to start, no F1 light & no battery issues either. Finally after a week I could find the fault in the fuel pressure regulator whose diaphragm was not working & as a result it was not letting the fuel pass on to the injectors. It was all because of the tools I had that I could open up the entire bike & reach till the injectors & the regulator.



A properly stacked garage made me a complete biker over the years & it gave a me a lot of confidence on the long trips outside the city, the confidence that I could tackle almost any bike related problem if it occurred;it also made me self reliant & not dependant on any mechanic with half baked knowledge & in my early years there was hardly any mechanic of a superbike. It was do it yourself by hit n trial & that made me what I am today- a true lover of bikes, inside out

My garage is my favourite place in the house ,as you would have guessed by now, its big n airy, full of bikes & everything related to bikes. In all these years numerous bikes have gone thru my garage that I have lost count but I remember each one of them distinctively coz they were my babies & how could I ever forget my children? in fact I grew up with them & each on of them taught me something or the other & in return they got the best of TLC; many people think I’m mad but then they don’t know what love is & that’s why my garage has some very beautiful & emotional memories attached to it which I fondly remember & enjoy almost everyday when I sit inside with a cup of coffee in my hand & my favourite music playing in the background . this is my nirvana. my life is complete.
Some tips to have a workable garage-

1)it shouldn’t be cramped. Make sure there’s ample space for the bike & the tools & it should be ventilated.
2) good lighting- a garage must have adequate light, 2 tube lights are a must & if the space is big then put a 300 or 500watt halogen also,like I have done.
3) pick appropriate & standardized tools. No point having lots of tools but all substandard, such tools ruin the part you intend to work upon. Don’t pick your tools in a hurry, build your collection gradually . tools fall in 2 categories – the routine ones or must haves & the exotic ones.





The must haves- these as the name suggests are a must in any garage

- All the spanners starting from no6 & going all the way to no36
- All the sockets starting from n08 till no20
- Socket bits of varied sizes & tips
- Allen keys of every size
- A screwdriver set-all sizes n different lengths & if some have magnetic tip ,still better
- pliers of different tips n lengths
- A digital multimeter,rs150-200
- An impact driver with different bits-very helpful when you are stuck with hard or rusted bolts
- A good option is to pick up a tool kit or a box which has almost all of the above mentioned tools.the good companies are snap-on; garware;etc & they cost around 3-5000rs
- Sprays, mainly multipurpose lubricating sprays like WD-40, & the chain lube sprays



The exotic tools

- an air compressor with appropriate nozzles & a spray gun if required & most importantly ,a good quality rubber tubing. Don’t go in for a big compressor ,a small to medium size will do & it will cost around 5 to 7000 rs
- a paddock stand- a very important thing if you own a superbike. A painful chore like chain lubrication becomes very easy. Tyre removal also will not scare you then. Cost ranges between 5 to 7000rs
- a good quality drill with all the appropriate bits- 800 to 1000rs
- a small battery charger,costs 1500 to 2000rs



Make your garage good enough to sleep in coz one day you are gonna get the boot for being a bike maniac unfit for the house ,im the living proof
Thankfully after all these years,27 to be precise, the 2 B’s are still going very strong but my friends are not pleased that I dropped the 3rd B- bodybuilding

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27.Sanjay Tripathi- 25 years of Biking

India has some famous names as far as biking in concerned; they involve illustrious journalists, A few professional racers, one or two celebrities and certain other distinguished gents who’ve left a mark. The one thing common about all of the above is that they have influenced the lives of many riders through their articles, blogs, talks and general attitude towards biking. They have always been in the spotlight. If you dissect their work, you’ll realize that they were messengers, each unique in their way of letting their followers know what was on their mind. For this we were blessed to have them in our midst.

However there exist some not so famous names in the Indian biking world. Unsung heroes who create the experience of biking that we sometimes take for granted. They quietly go about their job ensuring we get a far more refined product every year and the joy of biking improves with every ride . One such person is Sanjay Tripathi AKA Ringo Piston. He has played a part in almost all important biking catharsis India has been through. Undoubtedly the most important one being the introduction of the official R1 into the Indian market. A step that paved the way for legal superbiking in India.



Not too many years ago, there were two kinds of bikes on the road. Sub 350 CC legal bikes and 600+ CC grey market superbikes. The grey market was thriving. Not one of the bike companies took notice of the fact that there was indeed a market for premium bikes in India. The reasons for the same are many. High entry barrier, Poor infrastructure, Expensive and Time consuming homologation. There was however one more very important reason for India not seeing legal superbikes earlier, there were hardly any true bikers working in these companies. It takes a biker to understand the nuances behind the philosophy of superbiking. There simply was no one to understand that

Sanjay always knew India had great potential. He just knew it in his gut. Of course, in everyday business nothing moves purely on gut, especially not in a Japanese company. He had to present his case over to the head honchos at Yamaha. They were not easily convinced. This is when Sanjay decided to make them see India’s potential with their own eyes. He arranged for the folks at Yamaha to meet the Group of Delhi Superbikers. Dr Thareja and the rest of the bikers turned up their full riding gear and their exotic bikes. A long fruitful interaction opened Yamaha’s eyes and they indeed saw that there existed a small but potential market in India. It was this meeting that made Yamaha bring in the Mighty R1 and the MT 01. The first superbikes to be officially launched in India. In no time the other companies followed suit and the rest as they say is History.



Sanjay’s love for biking goes back a long way. His father was placed in Holland on work in the late seventies and a young, curious Sanjay loved to look under the engines of European bikes. He was curious about two attributes. One, the number of exhaust pipes that came out from the cylinder head and two, the printed top speed on the speedo. It was during this period that the biker in him was born. However it was in 1987 though that the maniac in him came out. His first bike was the brilliant RX 100. Perhaps the ideal first bike for any petrol junkie. Sanjay believes that all bikes are uncut diamonds. Unless you chip off the rough edges the true beauty in them is never seen. Thus began his tryst with experimenting on bikes.



The most important ingredient to extract the most out of your bike is a thinking mechanic. Sanjay says he is incredibly lucky to have found an equally maniac mechanic to tinker with the bike. Pappu from Johns Garage was the perfect man for the job. Together they began work on making the RX 100 into the diamond that it truly deserved to be. They took the bike apart, ported it, put a slightly oversized piston, tweaked the carb and believe it or not, forged a 5th cog into it.

All this in ’87.There was no Dyno those days but Sanjay believes that the RX now belted out a staggering 14 Bhp from the 11Bhp that it had originally. The tweaking did not end there. His experience in Europe kindled a desire to have a fully faired bike along with a tachometer. Again the two of them got to work and an entirely new fairing was molded from fiber glass. A tacho was imported from Singapore. The monster RX100 that they finally created could touch a genuine 130 kmph.



In a few years the RX felt lacking and there was a new toy in town that every young man was desperate to have. The mighty Race Developed RD350. In no time the RX100 made way for the RD 350 and as before the two of them got to work on making this machine the fastest one on the street. They began with porting the inlet and exhaust until it was a mirror finish. Over size reed valves were installed, the point timing unit made way for the more reliable CDI unit. Carb equalizers were put in and a 2 into 2 compression chamber was installed to milk all the possible BHP out of the bike. From the cosmetic angle everything was left as is but for a neater two piece clip on handle bar.

Sanjay says the bike used to genuinely touch 160 Kmph. No mean feat that considering the closest other bikes came were a good 30Kmph slower.



He was certain that he wanted to make a career in the biking industry. In the middle of the nineties there were not too many bikes nor biking companies to choose from. In the second year of his MBA he shot off a letter to Royal Enfield expressing his desire to work with them. Royal Enfield obliged and thus in 1997 Sanjay rode to office to report for his first day of work on the RD 350. Not a very wise thing to do. His boss had the parallel twin RD350 immediately replaced by a single cylinder push road RE standard 350.

He still regrets having to let go of the RD 350.

Today Royal Enfield in synonymous with camaraderie, long rides, Leh-Ladak and of course the innumerable biking clubs. Little does one know that Sanjay’s first project over at RE was to set up the first Bullet Club in India. He along with his mechanic buddy got to work again. They build up John’s garage into an uber cool, very western looking biking joint. Regulars began trickling in and the first of the bullet clubs in India took shape. The picture below is from one of the first club meetings. This sparked off a craze and no one needs to be told what has happened after that.



Sanjay knew that the design on the Bullet was amenable to customization. He looked up pictures of Harleys and discovered that by making minor changes to the tank ,seats and head assembly the entire character of the bike could be changed. Thus began the work on the lightning 535, a bike which was far ahead of its time. The true harbinger to the thunderbird, the bike that put Enfield back in the game.

Five years at Enfield came to an end when he was offered by Piagio to take up an offer in Italy. It was too tempting to let go off. The next couple of years were perhaps the most important time in Sanjay’s life. These two years in Italy made him a connoisseur of biking. Every weekend he used to ride the streets of Florence on a rented bike. The Ducati 916 being his favorite. This is when he realized how behind India was as far as biking was concerned. He vowed to do something about it.



He spent less than two years with Piagio when an offer from Honda India came his way. He was to be a part of the R&D team. Sanjay says that the two years in Honda made him appreciate the roles of the engineers more. The years with Honda were enriched with learning. His project was to launch the unicorn. This took him to Germany to master clay modeling and other design tools. It was in Germany that he experienced automotive nirvana. Several laps around the famed twisties of the Nurburgring on a race prepped fireblade was the ultimate experience of his biking life. He has had the opportunity to ride in many other circuits but the Ring will always remain the most special one.




While at a visit to Intermot, Sanjay had a chance meeting with Yamahas head of design, Ishiyama San. He was impressed with Sanjay’s vision for India and convinced him that Yamaha was indeed the place for a person like him. Yamaha however was stuck in the doldrums those days designing horrible bikes such as the gladiator and the likes. Sanjay took over as head of product planning. In less than two years three bikes rolled out from the Yamaha Stables. The R15, The FZ 16 and the Fazer. Bikes that were instrumental in the legendary turnaround of fortunes for Yamaha. It goes without saying that all three went on to win bike of the year awards.








He knew that a brand ambassador should be someone who understood bikes. Thus began the long and fruitful relationship with John Abraham







Yamaha had brought down a few bikes from Japan to show case at the Auto Expo. Once the expo was over the bikes we lying unused. Sanjay could not digest the fact that they were lying like that and he took matters into his own hands. He got KRP to get the bikes back on the road.He used this as a opportunity to ride more. The R6 and the R1 got special treament during those days.On the R1 he nearly clocked 30,000 Kms






It was during this period that Sanjay became very serious about Moto GP. He has travelled around the world with the Yamaha team. He has had the rare priviledge of having lunch with Valentino Rossi himself. Regrettably that picture has been lost, but he dug out the one with Rossi's team mate Colin Edwards



During his Yamaha days he connected with certain people over at Harley- Davidson. They wanted to visit India and Sanjay obliged. In less than a year Harley- Davidson set up shop in India and Sanjay took over as the Head of Marketing.



Thus began a series of Boot Camps where anyone who wanted to experience the bikes and the Harley Rock Riders where Rock Music and Bikes are combined so perfectly.
Sanjay has extensively ridden Harleys across the USA and has proudly displayed our flag on the Sturgis Ride.The prized picture in his kitty is the one along side Willie G Davidson. A legend in himself








Sanjay sees beauty in every bike he rides. A true rider will never speak ill of any bike. Every manufacturer makes a bike hoping it becomes the best bike in the world. Hence there is always a lot of joy in every bike, one should just have an open mind to find that joy. Its been 25 years since Sanjay has been on bikes. Here’s wishing him another fruitful 25 more years…

Sanjay can be contacted on tripathi.sanjay@gmail.com

26. Nitin's Harley-Davidson 883 IRON, 2011

Name: Nitin Anand
Age:34
Profession:
Motorcycle Club: G.O.D.S



1.When did you first put your legs over a bike, which one was it and who gave you your first lesson?
A.I guess it was at the age of 13 when I started riding. It was my cousin’s Hero Honda 100 cc bike in 1989-90 and the first bike I threw my legs across and since then got fascinated to the big wheels and the word BIKE went deep inside me. Then in 1995 I got my own Yamaha RX100 and loved it like anything, Felt like I was on the top of the world. Managed to do everything what a biker of that age does. Few years later I moved on to a Suzuki Shogun 110 cc. The first big lesson was learnt in 1998 when I met with an accident and was on bed with broken leg for almost 4 months. It made me a better biker. Tought me to respect power.


2. You stopped riding for a while, what made you do that?
A.The professional part of the life took few years away and the biker in me took back seat. Travelling was major part of it which took me to places and was hardly at home for more then 2 to 4 days between projects. 2004 moved out of India and worked abroad for 3 years before finally settling down in India.

3.What made you want to get back on the bike after the gap?
A.I couldn’t stay away from the word BIKE for long I guess and the desire to have my own Superbike.

4.In all the choices available in India what made you go in for the Harley?
A.The Choices available in India as per my Budget were only grey market Bikes. I wanted a legal bike so that no hassle of customs. And on top of that when I took test ride on HD Iron I fell in Love with the bike. Secondly it suited me and my pocket.

5. What’s the best aspect of the 883?
A.It’s nimble and adds to your attitude.



6. How does your neighbor deal with the famous Vtwin growl?
A. VTwin growl has become famous now in my locality and especially sunday mornings have become sleepless for few car owners. Their car security systems activates with the loud sound of screaming eagles. I kind some kinda kick out of it. Its like my bike scaring away those fancy cars.

7. What’s the kind of questions the public throws at you when they spot you on the bike?
A. Common question is “Kitnai ki Hai? & Kitni average deti hai”.

8. How do you answer those questions?
A.I just simply tell them the actual price and 20 – 25 as average figure.


9. What about the 883 do you think Harley should improve and how?
A.It’s my second month with my Iron and I just love everything about it. I need to still explore it to suggest any improvements.

10. How has the bike changed you as a person?
A. Guess I am still the same. The only change I see in my self is I have started waiting for Sunday mornings more eagerly.


11. Who maintains your bike? How has the experience at the dealership been?A. I take it to Harley workshop. So far the experience with the dealer is really great. They keep calling for the meets in Delhi and for the Harley rock shows.

12. How is Delhi roads/climate suited for the 883?
A.The best roads to enjoy the ride are NH8 and Noida express way. The best part of Iron is you can ride on Delhi roads and traffic with no hassles.

13. What’s the best road the bikes been on?
A NH8 and Noida Express way.

14. If you plan on getting another bike which one would it be?
A.As of now no plans/Budget for another Bike but would love to have a Honda CBR Fireblade too one day.


15. How expensive is it to maintain an H-D?
A. To fulfill your passion it takes a cost and so do the maintenance of it. So far it’s just routine service I have paid for which come to around 8K. But yes what are expensive are aftermarket accessories and installation of it due to import duties of these items.

16. Do you get challenged by smaller capacity bikers on the street, if yes how do you deal with it?
A. Yes that’s one painful thing when you ride with traffic as all other excited bikers and cars wants to come close and check out the bike and ask you questions. I just slow down and let them pass by.

17. Do you think everyone can own a bike one day? How do you think they can do it?
A It’s not that difficult to own a superbike in India now with all the choices of bikes with different price range available to suite every passionate biker’s budget. What you need is passion for the superbike and 3d’s Dream Determination and Desire.



18. What mods have you done? Has it helped?
A. I have added Screamin’ Eagle Street Performance Slip-on’s along with Stage 1 Air Cleaner Kit, Performance Spark Plug and Spark Plug Cable. I noticed a difference in the bike immediately after I started it. The Bike sounded great and the ride feels more sensational. other changes are handle grips, Foot pegs and shifter Peg.



19. What you advice to aspiring bikers?
A. Keep in control don’t let these machines take control on you. If riding is your passion then ride safe to ride again.

25. Straight Talk- The real Indian Superbiker

My tryst with super-biking happened in a manner no different than how it happens to any 18 year old. I was usually armed with second hand info fresh out of a glossy auto mag. I vividly remember going crazy seeing the bhp figures increasing with every new model that hit the market year on year. Until I turned 23, the superbiker in me was relegated to just figures that I learnt by heart from the mags. I used to ride an ’82 Royal Enfield those days and I truly thought it was a super fast bike. Every time I downed a gear and wrenched the throttle, I swear I felt that tearing acceleration. Since this was my only frame of reference, I innocently believed that the superbikes might be a “little” faster than my Bullet. I’m sure many of you reading this post feel the same way about your existing sub 250 cc bikes also.

It was in 2003 that I finally got a pillion ride. What better bike than the mystical R1? The bike belonged to a mechanic buddy of mine and I can safely say that those ten seconds made me a believer. I cannot tell you what the feeling was. I mean I can but it would be no different than what you’ve read in the numerous auto mags. All I can say is that whatever notions I had on superbiking completetly changed post that ride. I found my humble Bullet to be a rather slow bike. Post that moment every cell in my body craved to own a sbk.

It finally happened seven years later. It sure was a long wait but It was worth it. The reason behind this post is an attempt to convince you that it does not take being born with a silver spoon to buy a superbike. Regular, middle income blokes can and usually are the people who end of being Indian Superbikers. This is not my imagination; I ride in a group that has almost fifty riders. Barring a few, everyone else has either saved up for a long time or bought the bike on installments.

The first hurdle to cross is of course, the budget. Well today we are living in perhaps the most interesting time as far as a biker is concerned. Every other day we get reports of a new company launching or an existing one bringing in new cheaper models. Now, one needs to ask himself which is the bike that would fall within his means. Let me take the cheapest bike as an example. For roughly five lakhs you could be the proud owner of a Ninja 650 by the time you turn 28.

Here is how it works.
Age 23 – graduate from college and apply for a professional course
Age 25- graduate from B-school or any other such stream
The minimum salary that someone earns once you begin work is around 4 to 5 Lacs a year. This would mean you take home approximately Rs 35,000 home every month. Make it a point to keep aside Rs 5000 every month for a bike fund in any instrument that gives you around 10% return on investment. By the time you turn 28 ( in three yrs) this amount would have touched 2 lacs. The bike companies understand that people are increasingly interested in opting to make a purchase through an auto loan. A certain company has already tied up with banks to offer loans to potential buyers.

Now that you have a capital of 2 Lacs, you need to take a loan of another 3 lacs. Keep in mind that you have been working for three years and your salary has now increased to close to 7 Lacs based on a healthy 10% increment year on year. Which means you are taking home close to 50,000 every month. A loan of 300,000 for 3 years at 11% interest will roughly come to close to Rs 10,000 every month. After paying of the EMI, you still have around 40,000 left for you every month and you’ll have a gleaming superbike parked in your home. There are a lot of If’s and But’s that must be going through your mind. All I can say is that I’m someone who bought my bike based on the above philosophy. If it worked for me I see no reason why it won’t work for you.

Friends of mine from B-school find it hard to believe that I invest 10,000 every month on a depreciating asset. I can’t agree more that a machine will always be a depreciating asset as far as pure monetary value is concerned, however hand on my heart, I can claim that this has been the most fruitful investment I’ve ever made. Super biking opened avenues that I never knew existed. I was new to Delhi when I bought my bike and I had less than five friends in the city. Today I have made some incredible friends who share the same passion. I’ve had the honour to ride bikes of my fellow club members and I can safely say that there are very few bikes left to ride. Each time I’m on the bike I get more than enough attention and all this for just 10,000?? I think it’s a steal.

The real super biker is one who worked hard to earn his ride. I’m sure there are many people out there who could walk into a store and buy the bike because they had the means to do it. I truly doubt if the same person would wake up at four AM on a Sunday when the whole world is fast asleep, to clean his bike and take it for a spin before the traffic makes it impossible. The real biker makes sacrifices everyday to live his super biking dream. Be it skipping that extra movie or having to decline an invite to party on a Saturday night or postpone that expensive purchase so as to ensure he has enough money for fuel and service.

I would encourage everyone to know that it’s a myth to believe that only the super rich can be superbikers. All you need is a strong desire and determination along with hard work. Have these three, I promise you that you’ll be on a bike in no time.
Until then ride safe and dream hard!

24.Arvinds Harley-Davidson 883 Roadster,2010

Name: Y V Arvind
Age: 37
Profession: Telecom Professional.



0. Why Biking?
Arvy>

Be it Men on high horses or high on horse-power (CCs), these men always had an urge
to extend their reach on power, mobility and adventure, with an ultimate intention of
extending the circle of influence on their surroundings. The sense of extending oneself to the maximum limits is ingrained deep within and the primordial force extends outwards from the Heart, oriented by the mind and executed by the physique. The force stops at the physical level unless the man accessorizes himself with extensions. On the land, at an individual level, one way of achieving this extension is through a motorcycle packed with tons of power, speed and acceleration. Speed and Power are worthy possessions to have, at the twist of the wrist, but it is the Acceleration that has you addicted, forever, burning
out the fuel of passion within!!!

Enter the Rider…Yee-Haw!

“Giddyap, Giddyap……..Vroom,Vroom, Vrooooooooooooooom…….”

True riders are a different breed of people who follow the wind and their senses, in search of adventure. The drive is inherent and programmed into the blood. Some recognize it themselves and some have to be initiated, but the rider cannot ignore the blueprint if it is burnt into his DNA!

There are people who live in groups; then there are people who go through life – solo,although they are surrounded by the social fabric. But, by heart, they are individuals seeking independence in terms of thoughts and actions. I strongly believe that Bikers are the nomads of the old ages, flamboyant like the gypsies, who want to go their own way,to connect to the nature and understand themselves (most probably unknowingly).And there are those people who ride the wave created by the crowd. As long as the wave has momentum, they ride and then subside with the ripples…
For me, biking is about going to places and picking up the vibes of the local surroundings and while experiencing those moments, try to work on putting together, the Jigsaw puzzle called “Life”. So, I ride to get a fresh/localized outlook towards life.


A few favorite quotes ~
“Sometimes it takes a whole tankful of fuel before you can think straight!”
“A good long ride can clear up your mind, restore your faith, and use up a lot
of fuel!”
“…and the answer, my friend, is blowing in the wind…”
1. When was the first time you ever “threw a leg over the saddle”? what was the feeling like?
Arvy> Technically, the first time, I threw my leg over a saddle was a standard size cycle, when I was 8 years old, barely able to reach the pedals. A current went through me, which I couldn’t explain then, but which I understand now. (Probably, I was not ready to understand the rush of blood then but a few years later, my reaction would have been natural…)

The first time I actually hopped onto a motorized 2-wheeler was on my Dad’s “Vijay Super (Mk-II)” way back in 1985, when I was 11 years old. Dad used to come home from office, park the scooter outside the house and leave for Tennis. One day, when the call came, I pushed it in neutral and jumped onto it, putting it into 1st gear… and the scooter rattled off. I had broken the “horse”; nay, I was broken and the feeling was of exhilaration! I had graduated…from the cycle to the motorcycle and it was my proud/beaming moment!



2.What was your first bike? Was it your choice or just what you could afford?
Arvind> “My” official first bike was the ‘Bullet A350 Machismo’ in 2002, although all my college friends would contest that ‘Hero Puch’ was my first (1993), for almost 7 years. I’d say my Dad gave me that, but my own first bike was the “A350”. I had just started working in Bangalore and that was the best Indian Bike I could think of then, but more than that I was as enamored by it, as I am with a SBK now; Superbikes didn’t exist in that time frame, in my “world”. I was very happy then with it and still am, as I ride it to office everyday, 9 years ever since. It’s been my loyal work-horse and we have covered a lot of ground together (80,000 kms), since then! It has been an integral part of my career-growth. Talking about loyalty, it has stood by me in the coldest of Delhi’s Winters (3-4 am) returning from relentless nights of work (where my eyelids would be forcibly shutting down) and during the hottest of Summers, for almost 4 years while I was working on the Delhi Tube. It has introduced me to every nook & cranny of Delhi. Four years into Delhi and I probably knew more about Delhi than the locals themselves who had spent their entire lifetime here. If a place has to be recced, you could do it best on a 2-wheeler.

3.What bike(s) do you ride now?
Arvind> My weekday ride is the 500 Machismo (upgraded the A350) and the weekend ride is the HD 883 Roadster.

4.Was it love at first sight or a product of long term research?
Arvind> It was infatuation (if not love) at first sight, considering my budget and the lineage of bikes that were within my reach. After narrowing down my options to the HD’s 883 series Sportster family, it was a matter of personal appeal on the 883R’s timeless & classic street-bike look. Performance-wise, they all had the same heart. Iron and 48 were not options then…

5.How many bikes have you gone through till the present one? Do list them.
Arvind> They’re just two: <1>A350 (2002) converted to 500 Machismo (2010) and <2> HD 883R (2010).

6.How long have you had this bike for and how many kilometers have you clocked.
Arvind> HD883R: Since Aug 2010, I’ve clocked around 7000+ kms on the odo.



7 How often do you ride – daily, fortnightly, monthly or just occasionally?
Arvind> Weekly.

8.What do you like most about your bike?
Arvind> The go-anywhere attitude and the time within which it can do it. It is nimble and effortless. The best part about superbikes is that they are the fastest things on the road. If there is a need, there is a road and you will be delivered, in time and gratification. You are the Superman of the Highways! (And Superman never bothers about rain/shine, Right? Wrong! This Highway Superman has to be totally “grounded”)

9. What don’t you like about your bike?Arvind>
A. The seating posture…It’s a P.I.T.A./P.I.T.B. after you touch the 3 digit distances. I’d prefer a much more comfortable seat with a back-rest for the long rides. The low-ground clearance, as well, is a concern.

10. What modifications have you made to your stock bike? Have these modifications helped/improved ride and handling of your bike?
Arvind> I’ve fitted it with a engine-guard and it should be mandatory on every such bike, unless, you machine is meant for the race track only.

11. Which is the best road in Delhi to ride?
Arvind> For a short sprint, I like the Dwarka-NH8 Under-pass Road. For a medium sprint, I prefer the NH8 (Delhi-Manesar road). For longer hauls, I like the NH1. You don’t have many options…

12. Tell us about an interesting experience on the road.
Arvind> Eye-Candy: This car pulled over from the side suddenly and cut across my path, coming to a screeching halt, forcing me to jam my brakes, as well! The first thought that came to my mind was to bludgeon the guy, but when he came out of the car, I could see that he was not able to control his excitement on seeing a HD. As if, he had seen the ghost of a HD, he kept on asking the same question again and again until I reassured him that it was a HD. He introduced himself as the owner of a local Gym and asked me to visit the place sometime. I thought to myself – “ One devil beckons the other!... and I have to be careful of what else might cross my path on the road.“

13. Do you ride in a club? Tell us about your club.Arvind>
A. Yes, with the HOODs & HOGs India. The former group is a small bunch of sorts. You have the Fun-loving Boyz, the Caring Gentlemen, the Audacious Veterans and the Rollicking Entertainers, all rolled into this one - an interesting lot! The latter group consists of basically all the HOGs of Delhi, C’garh and a few riders who ride other superbikes.

14.What has been your most memorable ride till date?Arvind> This would be from the HOODs ride from Delhi to Kasauli. On the last day when we started back for Delhi, I would race ahead of the pack, many times, on the winding roads of the hills, to find a spot for a few good shots, to pin them for posterity. While I would be waiting, in the early morning silence of the hills, I would hear the slow growl & rumble of the HDs approaching and when visible, the bikes would twist and turn on the hilly roads like a slow slithering & glittering monster, in the mountains. It was a sight to behold and what impressed me most was the discipline with which each rider was riding in the formation. That is the closest you could get to a spiritual “meditation on 2-wheels” experience, in the hills(or Himalayas), I guess!



15.What’s the maximum three digit figure you’ve seen on your speedo?
Arvind> 160 kmph.

16. Who maintains your bike – cleaning, servicing, etc?
Arvind> When it comes to regular cleaning, I do it myself and when it comes to servicing, I would rather leave it to the experts.

17.Have you faced any problems with your bike(s)? If yes how did you managed to rectify it?
Arvind> The horn is as good as not being there! I’ve got used to, not using it.

18.What fuel/oil do you use and why?
Arvind> Xtrapremium wherever I can.

19. Tell us about your riding gear (helmet, gloves and suits/jackets/pants and other protective gear)?
Arvind> I use the Standard Gear – Full-faced helmet, back-supporting jacket with shoulder/elbow protection, Knee pads, Riding shoes and Gloves. I had a fall once and the knee and elbow pads took the brunt of the tarmac, but there were no bruises.

20. Are you looking at changing your bike any time soon? If yes, what bike would you consider and why?
Arvind> I wish to have a bike for every occassion; perhaps one bike for every day of the week. I would like to add (not change) the following bikes, out of my “pocket-money”, in the order of preference mentioned below:
• Off-Roading: 1.BMW 1200GS Adventure and 5.Ducati Multistrada.
• Sports Tourer: 6. Suzuki Hayabusa & 3. Honda VFR1200
• Muscle Bikes: 2. Yamaha V-Max and 7. Triumph Rocket – III.
• Cruisers: 8. HD Streetglide, 4. HD Ultraclassic Electraglide or Honda Goldwing.

21. What’s does your ideal weekend look like?
Arvind>

Solo: Riding on Early Mornings, pleasant weather….the road up ahead unfurling itself,
without a soul to sight, at it’s cruising speed/sweet-spot, wherein your mind is just
floating and absorbing ideas from the surroundings…
“It takes more love to share the saddle than it does to share the bed. “
Formation: It feels great when riding in a formation, many bikes but one mind. I wouldlove to ride in silence for long distances over changing landscapes in total communion with others.
“Sometimes the best communication happens when you're on separate bikes.”

22. How do you answer the following questions
How much does it cost? What mileage do you get? Are you guys going for a race?
Arvind> Depends on who is asking. If it is out of genuine curiosity, I usually answer back with the facts. If it is some smart-aleck, I usually ignore them and if he gets belligerent, I ask him to go to the showroom.


23. Do you get irritated when people sit on your bike?
Arvind> No, as long as they do not mishandle it. In fact, I read their faces and I get amused by their curiosity, awe and disbelief. It’s good to see people’s face brightening in this ‘Ho-Hum’ world.

24. How has the experience at the dealership been so far.
Arvind> As with any start-up, they do have their short-comings and hence, I do not have too many expectations from them. In fact, I believe, prevention is better than cure, so I try to handle it such that I do not have to send it for any out-of-turn servicing. They are learning at our cost. But what is hopeless is the non-availability of the accessories and spares. This area is where the dealership has to smarten up its act.



25. What tips do you have for aspiring riders looking to pick up a Bike?
Arvind>
1> Irrespective of what experience you are looking for, on 2-wheels, it has to be
consciously approved by your inner self first. It is not a ‘heady’ statement, of
testosterone or adrenaline-rush; it is a disciplined hobby and if you want to ride
till your grey years, let the biker in you awaken first and let it make sensible
decisions for you.
2> If you have the heart to ride the CCs, discipline your heart first!
3> Safety is a switch in the head; if you do not turn it on before every ride, you are on a rendezvous with your fate, no matter what protective gear you wear! Every
time you breathe life into your machine, it could serve its’ master well or turn
against him, depending on the Mind’s safety switch status.
4> Quote the famous biker quotes –
• “Everyone crashes. Some get back on. Some don't. Some can't.”
• “If you ride like there's no tomorrow, there won't be.”
• “Respect the person who has seen the dark side of motorcycling and
lived.”