Name: Anil Arora
Age : 39
Profession: Logistics
Motorcycling Clubs: Brotherhood Riding Club, Harley Owners Group (H.O.G.)
Location: New Delhi
1.When did you first put your legs over a bike, which one was it and who gave you your first lessons?
I was 14 or 15 when I first flicked my elder cousins Yezdi and as in most cases it was squeaky friend you cajoled me into taking it out, promising he would teach me.
2. When was it that you got hooked onto biking?
I guess it was instantaneous
3. How many bikes have gone through since your first ride?
4, yezdi then two Rx 100's and then the RD 350 and coincedently they were all hand me downs from elder brothers and cousins.
Also not counting the Luna, hero puch or other mopeds I used to steal for a ride from office boys, couriers, employees etc.
4. How many do you own currently?
The only one I own is my Heritage Softail Classic 2010 (First to ride India) .
5. The Heritage Classic - Was it love at first sight or a prodcut of long time research?
Love at first sight, in Singapore 2005.
6. What do you feel is the best feature of it?
The ride comfort and handling is supreme, and of course the classic look.
7. Any negatives?
None that worry me too much, but the rear tyre and braking could be bigger and better, at times I have fishtailed when I slammed the brakes.
8. Did you consider any other options before zeroing in on the Heritage Classic?
On the day of the booking I did try out the roadking and had ridden a Fat boy in Singapore but I guess I was meant to be on the classic!
9. How many Kilometers have you covered so far and in how much time?
16000+ in 21 months
10. What questions does the general public have when they see you and the bike?
How much it is for ?
Kya Average Deti Hai?
Kaunse Desh ki Hai?
Import kari hai?
11. And your answers?
How much it is for - Dont ask,too much, 20 lacs, do you want to buy
Kya Average Deti Hai - Deti nahin leti hai
Do Tanki Hai Kya (Does it have two tanks) - Yes, one for Diesel, one for Petrol, I start it with Petrol and switch over to diesel for economising
Kaunse Desh ki Hai - America
Import kari hai - No the dealer is here at Delhi
12. Who maintains the bike?
Me, My Driver (who is also an accomplished rider) and of course the HD service network.
13. How has your experience been with the dealership?
Initially it was a little bitter as they had a lot of teething troubles, but for the last year or so it has been fairly good!
14. Narrate a memorable experience on the road.
On the Rajathan Ride in november 2011, I had a puncture in the front tyre, tried to fill some air and move a little bit but couldnt sustain, hence we stopped at this small nonedescript village and decided to get it repaired.
The hospitality, the warmth and concern of the villagers not to mention the willingness to help and provide a service in those circumstances was memorable.
15. And a not so memorable experience
Mostly with some overzealous and crazy car fellows but would rather forgive and forget those!
15. Have you ever felt that the weight of the bike makes your ride cumbersome at times?
Not at all, it is a very well balanced machine, with a low center of gravity hence handles very well even at low speeds.
16. Have you done or intend to do any modifications.
The Heritage is a fully decked up machine so apart from some foot pegs and a leg guard I have not done any major modifications / additions.
17. What was your most memorable ride so far?
All of our long rides, whether to Udaipur, kasauli, Jaisalmer,Bikaner, Jodhpur, Sambhar Lake, and lately Pong Dam have been unforgettable.
But if I was to single out one then it would be riding or gliding over the Pong Dam, at 60 km, on one side is the lake which is one of the biggest in India, with the Majestic Snow capped Dhauladhars in the Backdrop and the other side is a sheer drop of the Dam which leads to the beas river flowing in to the evergreen fields of Punjab, it was a moment to die for!
18. Group Riding or Solo?
Group for sure!
19. Have you faced any mechanical/electrical issues so far?
Mostly wear and tear related like battery replacement, tyre and brake pads etc
20. What are the maximum figures you have seen on the speedo?
165
21. Tell us a little about your riding gear.
Starting from the footwear, I have two pairs of boots- one Caterpillar steel toes with laces and the other is Alpinestar racing boots with Velcro, I use both of them depending upon the ride timings and conditions.
Knee guards are a must on rides where we intend to go 80+.
3 Jackets- all harley, one all weather, one mesh jacket for the summer and of course my HOG Asst Director Jacket, all of them have Elbow and Shoulder protection.
3-4 pairs of gloves-winter, summer (cut fingers), armour knuckes, lots of face masks
One Arai helmet fitted with scala for long high speed rides and one Harley skull cap for short city rides.
22. Have you set your eyes on any other bike(s)?
Getting tempted with the K-1600 BMW and the Rocket 3 triumph.
23. Do you enjoy having a pillion? What impressions do they have of the bike?
Not really as it restricts my freedom and i have to ride more cautiously, they love the experience as i have a very comfortable back seat with a sissy bar, you've been my pillion once so how was your experience?
Sriram Sridharan: A journey on a moving couch with a V-twin music system is definitely one hell of an experience!
24. What is your advice to somone who wants to step in to the world of biking?
Look yourself in the mirror and ask yourself some simple questions-
Whether I can comfortably afford the bike that I Want?
Whether I can put safety as prioirty no 1 when I hit the road?
Whether I have the maturity to handle the power that the machine will instill in me?
If any one answers is no, then dont enter this mad mad world.
