15. Titus' Harley-Davidson FatBoy 2010

Name: Titus
Age: 43
Profession:CEO -United Consultancy Services India Pvt. Ltd.
Motorcycle club: Brotherhood Riding Club
City:New Delhi




Describe yourself in less than 20 words
I am in relationship with Jesus and live a life for His Glory. Am very keen to spread goodness around me.

1. When did you first get yourself on a bike? which one was it? How was the experience?.
It was way back in 1986, I was 18 and had my eyes set on an IND Suzuki, The proud part of the deal was that I purchased it with the money that I earned as Salary so it was all the more satisfying. Learned riding only after I bought my bike and the very first day ended up taking it to work! I was younger and braver!

2.Who taught you the first rules of riding a bike?


I used to ride my mother’s TVS 50 that was gearless, when I got my Ind Suzuki I had no idea how the clutch and gear needed to be used, A friend gave me few tips and that was it, I took to it like a fish to water.

3. How many bikes have you owned since then?
Four in total, Ind Suzuki, two RD 350,and the Harley – Davidson FATBOY. The RD 350 was the one on which I learned the tricks of riding fast, in fact I did Rohtang and Leh way back in 1989 on her.



4. Which one is closest to your heart?

RD 350 was the one that I owned when I was 20, It will always be a special bike as the thrill of riding her was something else, I don’t think they had any better bikes available at that point of time except for maybe few superbikes here and there.the insane things that I did on it is unforgettable. However the one thats closest to my heart is the FATBOY as it was always a dream to own a Harley. The joy of realizing ones dream is an incredible feeling.

5 What made you choose the Fatboy?

I had gone in for the test ride organized by the HD dealer, At the very first sight of the Fatboy I wanted her, there was this strong connect with the bike. As they say the owner never chooses the bike but the bike chooses the owner.however the dealer got me to test ride the Dyna as the fatboy was given to another prospective client, on my return, though I impressed with the Dyna I wanted to try the Fatboy, my persistence got me to ride and that’s when I realised that the Fatboy suited me the most. The Look, the Power, the legacy..It had to be a FATBOY

6.Was there any other bikes in your mind while you were zeroing in the FatBoy?

Hmm.. I did explore the Intruder but I found the handling on the Intruder to be below par. The front felt very heavy at slow speeds. Somehow the bike refused to appeal to me. It just was not a HARLEY!



7.Whats the best feature of the FatBoy?

Although it’s a big machine its handling is superb! One has to ride it to realize how nimble she feels. The bike is balanced perfectly.

8.Whats the most irritating issue of the bike and what do you think H-D should do to fix it.

Its low clearance, the Indian Roads and speed breakers are bothersome. The fear that I may not be able to take her to Leh Ladakh. That’s been troubling me a little..

9.Narrate a memorable experience on the road..

On my recent trip to Bali I hired a Harley Softail Classic and embarked on an eight hour ride to the Kintamani hills with my wife. She was riding Pillion with me after about 20 years. The weather, the roads, the scenery and the orderly traffic was fantastic. It was just amazing.

10. How about a not so memorable experience..

In1989 a trip to Manali on my RD 350 with my friends ended up abruptly as the Rectifer (charger) stopped working. As no one could repair it I had to get her up a Himachal Tourism bus and return to Delhi. What a kill joy!

11.Whats the best way to answer this question on the road " How much does it cost?

"Show two fingers and leave it to them to guess!!



12. Do you get irritated when asked about the mileage?.

On Indian roads these are the standard question that you can expect, Kitni deti he? Kitne CC ki he? Kitne ka he? By now have figured out how to respond to each of the questions. Many a times put myself in the shoes of the ones who cannot even dream of owning such a bike and feel humbled, hence no room for irritation when I am on my bike as I am constantly reminded of my beginnings! Hence I respond to them in a manner that does not insult them.

13.Solo riding or group riding. which do you prefer?

The feeling of brother hood which gets shared among bikers, no matter what they ride, the colour, language, and ethnicity makes group riding more preferable.

14. Has biking changed you as person?

Not really I think I’ve been biking since a very young age so I’ve been this way for far too long a time.



15. Where do you park your bike? how do you deal with people sitting on it when its parked.?
I have a closed parking available at home, Feel a little upset at times when people try to sit on the bike when parked with their feet on the silencers, the sole of their shoes would have melted and a mark left on the chrome! I should also mention that I pay 2000 bucks extra to maintain that closed parking. This too after much difficulty in convincing my neighbour to part with the space.

16.Have you ever run into any mechanical/electrical issues? if yes how did you fix it.
The horn would not stop honking, had to remove the connecting wire, the dealership was prompt in replacing the horn switch under warranty. Its awful when the horn refuses to stop. You can imagine the looks I got on the road. People must have thought I’m filled with road rage and in a terrible hurry.



17. How has your experience been with the Harley Dealership?
Initially the experience was not that satisfying however with time it seems they are getting to have a better understanding of bikes and the bikers. Supply chain management is an area that they need to improve.

18. Which is the next bike you have set your eyes on?
I am content with what I have and usually you buy a H-D for life.

19. You enjoy having a pillion? do they get scared or do they fall in love with biking?
I love having a pillion, most of the time I see them fall in love with biking.



20. Whats your advice to someone who wants to begin riding.
Pick the right kind of bike, one which is not very aggressive, slowly progress to a bigger bike. Have respect for others and ensure that you enjoy responsibly.

14. Manson's Honda CBR 954 Fireblade,2003

Name: Manmeet Soni AKA Manson
Age: 28
Profession: Entrepreneur
Motorcycle club: www.team-bhp.com
City: Mumbai

Been there, done that. Now looking to do some more. Period.



1.Tell us about your first experience on a bike
A.Not sure if it really qualifies for a ‘bike’ experience, but my first take on an motorised set of two wheels was upon a puny Bajaj Sunny. It was a very slow timid ride, and the moment sank in only once I was off the saddle.
My first bike ride credit goes to my Yamaha RXG – 135. The bike belonged to my older brother who barely used it and I had almost come around to rescue it from fading away. The next two years or so I rode the wheels off that two stroker!

2.Who taught you the first rules of riding a bike?
A.My older brother, he guided me on the gearshifts, location of levers, etc

3.How many bikes have you owned since then?
A.2, Yamaha Thunderace YZF 1000R & Honda CBR 954 RR



4.Which one is closest to your heart?
A.Can’t really pick one, all three are just as close. The RXG got me around motorcycles and I rode my heart out on that bike. The Thunderace taught me to act mature. The Fireblade has helped me up my game in more ways than one.

5.What made you choose the 954? Its arguably the best looking fireblade ever!
A.Remember being 18 and single and at the same time having some eye candy trying to get with you? What would you do?
Exactly what happened for me. I had finally decided to part with the Thunderace and look around for a larger hyper sport which seemed like a logical upgrade over the Thunderace.
Around the same time a friend mentioned this particular Fireblade to be on the market. I thought it looked rather mean, a few nights of reading on the 954 RR convinced me I couldn’t go wrong with the purchase. For me, the eye candy has stuck around to make it into a more meaningful relationship.

6.What do you think of the 2011 fireblade
A.To be honest, I haven’t ridden it. The reviews indicate it is one of those bikes I’d consider to have in the garage despite its clichéd looks.

7.What is the best attribute of the 954.
A.It is till date the lightest liter class production motorcycle, which has it sticking its nose ahead of the more recent bikes despite the comparatively low HP output. Apart from that, any superbike enthusiast worth his salt has a deep insight of the handling characteristics of the CBR 954 RR. I have really come around exploiting or even getting familiar with the same only after the tire upgrade to the sticky 2 CT tires. The 954 has the ability to make you feel so much more pro and perfect than you actually are. In simple words, it does everything well and has looks that still get attention over the newest bikes.

8. What aftermarket kit and are you running on your CBR 954 RR?
A.Arata Full Titanium Exhaust System
Dynojet Power Commander III loaded
Dan Kyle Tune
Ohlins Steering Damper with Harris Fitting Kit
Michelin Pilot Power 2 CT
Stomp Grips
Dark Smoked Screen
Harris ‘RR’ Grips
8000K Low Beam
Crash Bobbins
Swingarm Spools
Motorgrafix ‘RR’ Tank Pad
EBC Stintered Brake Pads
Shock Racing Tail Tidy kit



9. What is your current riding gear wardrobe like?
AGV XR-2 helmet
AGV Sport Jacket
Alpinestar SP 2 Gloves
Komine Knee & Shin protector pads
Setup Vision Boots

10. Narrate a memorable experience on the road..
A.It has to be bringing home the Thunderace. It took me close to two years to getting things into the perfect equilibrium where my folks would agree to let me have a bike again, I would have the money to put out for a luxury toy and a clean well kept bike with known history being available. The two years of wait was a blessing in disguise though, it made me look up blogs, websites, forums day in and day out which made me more aware of how capable these machines really are and how important it really is to respect that throttle.

11. How about a not so memorable experience.
A.I lost a very close friend who was a mentor for me in more ways than one in a bike crash a couple of years back.

12. What is the best way to answer this question on the road " How much does it cost?"
A.Some people lack the financial ability to acquire superbikes, and most people lack the knowledge and inclination to bring one home. Being honest about the cost of the bike would only help burst myths around these machines.



13. Do you get irritated when asked about the mileage?
A.Nope, almost never. People even asked me the mileage of my RXG at traffic lights, I think superbike riders have taken it upon themselves to exaggerate the curiosity expressed by the single pot riders.

14. Solo riding or group riding. which do you prefer?
A.A small group of KNOWN riders, generally about 4 – 10 odd. It helps me choose my spot in the ride; who I want to lead and who I should follow. This helps in reducing stress levels through the ride and gives more flexibility for reflexes when required.

15. Tell us about Mumbai traffic. which is the best road out there to head out for a spin.
A.Regular traffic conditions in Mumbai are definitely not the most favourable to be riding around atop your multi cylinder superbike, especially through peak hours.
Not too many fast stretches either within city limits really. The Palm Beach stretch at Navi Mumbai is some good surface to be riding around though.



16. Where do you park your bike? How do you deal with people sitting on it when it is parked?
A.The Fireblade is parked in partially covered parking within my building. I usually do not take it to places where I may have to leave the bike parked for long periods. If in case I do, then I mostly put in an extra word to the security guards to keep a special eye out for my Fireblade. Touch wood, I have never come across any stranger sitting, or posing on either of my bikes.

17. Have you ever run into any mechanical/electrical issues? If yes how did you fix it?
A.Of course! With an eight year old vehicle small niggles are bound to crop up. The trick is to diagnose the problem in time and not till the bike stalls.
I had heating issues on my Fireblade last year for which I had to run back to back checks for a couple of weeks. With lots of reading, and help from my mechanic, the problem was diagnosed to be a kaput water pump.
The solution was simple, had it replaced with a brand new OEM unit from Honda.

18. Being a city where the cops take their work seriously, do they stop and question you regarding the bike. Have you had any issues with them?

A.Nothing besides appreciating smiles, works for me!

19. Which is the next bike you have set your eyes on?
A.Money no bar, it would just have to be the BMW S 1000 RR!



20. You enjoy having a pillion? Do they get scared or do they fall in love with biking?
A.Not really, pillions usually affect my riding style and comfort in a big way. I can’t go at the same pace I otherwise would knowing that I am responsible for another person riding pillion with me. If anything, pillions usually come back more thrilled than they would after a rollercoaster and generously handout brownie points in my favours.

21. What is your advice to someone who wants to begin riding..
A.Your skills will help get you out of trouble if you don’t ride over the limit.
Once your skill level goes up you'll have two choices. Travel at a reasonable speed on the street and give yourself a cushion or roll the dice and play with your life.

13. Capt Kabir's GSX-R 1300 Hayabusa

Name: Capt Kabir AKA Lonewolf
Age:25
Profession: Pilots a Boeing 737
City: Delhi/Chandigarh
Motorcycle Club:G.O.D.S

"If you dont find him in Delhi then the chances are that he is zooming on NH1 to Chandigarh"

What the Manual says about his bike...


Engine and transmission
Displacement: 1340.00 ccm (81.77 cubic inches)
Engine type: Single cylinder, four-stroke
Compression: 12.5:1
Bore x stroke: 81.0 x 65.0 mm (3.2 x 2.6 inches)
Fuel system: Injection. Suzuki SDTV fuel injection system with dual injectors per cylinder and ram air intake with large volume airbox
Fuel control: DOHC
Ignition: Electronic ignition (Transistorized)
Lubrication system: Wet Sump
Cooling system: Liquid
Gearbox: 6-speed
Exhaust system: 4-into-2-into-1 exhaust system with a large capacity catalyzer, oxygen sensors and an oval cross section canister with dual openings that meets Euro 3 and Tier 2 regulation
Chassis, suspension, brakes and wheels
Frame type: Twin-spar cast aluminum alloy
Front suspension: Inverted telescopic, coil spring, oil damped
Rear suspension: Linky type, coil spring, oil damped
Front tyre dimensions: 120/70-ZR17
Rear tyre dimensions: 190/50-ZR17
Front brakes: Double disc
Rear brakes: Single disc
Physical measures and capacities
Dry weight: 260.0 kg (573.2 pounds)
Weight incl. oil, gas, etc: 260.0 kg (573.2 pounds)
Seat height: 805 mm (31.7 inches) If adjustable, lowest setting.
Overall height: 1,165 mm (45.9 inches)
Overall length: 2,190 mm (86.2 inches)
Overall width: 735 mm (28.9 inches)
Ground clearance: 120 mm (4.7 inches)
Wheelbase: 1,480 mm (58.3 inches)
Fuel capacity: 21.00 litres (5.55 gallons)




What Lonewolf has to say about it...

1.When was the first time you ever “threw a leg over the saddle”?what was the feeling like?
A.when I was in 9th (15 yrs old) shhhhh !!! (don't tell anyone )drove my dads cb250n 8 during the night ;) .It was a feeling of being totally free from everything ....

2.When would you say you got “hooked” on to biking and why?
A.I was hooked way back in my school and college days .... it was the only thing which made me feel so free and yet so in control .... it still does

3.What was your first bike? Was it your choice or just what you could afford?
A.It was my dads cb250n , it was by far the most beautiful thing I had ever seen in the 90s


4.What bike(s) do you ride now?
Hayabusa 2010 and Honda Cb 250n 85'

5.Was it love at first sight or a product of long term research?
A.Well it was a mixture of head and heart . What I really wanted was the 07 'cbr but since the production had stopped and I couldn't find one with few miles on it I decided in the favor of the busa which was also one my favorite bikes.

6.How many bikes have you gone through till the present one?
A.This is my 3rd bike

7.What modifications have you made to your stock bike?
1> Two bro slip ons to make the bike lighter and give a better sound
2> K and N air filter to help the engine breath more easily and to inc the performance
3> Galfer Rear and Front Petal Disc Brakes for better cooling hence increasing the life of the brake pads
4> Fender Eliminator
5> Carbon Fiber mods
6> Gel Seat for making long rides comfortable

Planning to get power commander soon



8.How long have you had the bike for and how many kilometers have you clocked.
A.1 year done about 7000 km as my job keeps me busy for atleast 21 days out of 30 days in a month I couldnt put more miles than I wanted to


9.How often do you ride – daily, fortnightly, monthly or just occasionally?
A. Whenever I get a chance ;)

10.What do you like most about your bike

A.Well this bike has more than 10yrs of history behind its r&d so you hardly have any complaints about this bike . I love its engine , its display unit , its seating position, the list goes on and on and on . She is always trying to please you in each and every way .

11.What don’t you like about your bike?

A.Well I still feel its braking could be a lil better planning to get ebc hh carbon brake pads :) will keep u guys updated about the braking performance after that

12.How good are the roads in Delhi as far as superbiking is concerned?
A.They are mostly good only problem is the traffic ... I do most of my rides on Delhi Chandigarh highway ;) reach in about 3 to 3.5 hrs average

13.Tell us about an interesting experience on the road..
A. one time a guy walks up to me on signal and asks me that whether im working as a mechanic for john Abraham :P


14.Do you ride in a club? Tell us about your club..
A.Well I'm a member of Gods ( group of Delhi superbikers) Its not a club but a family the bonds are very strong and we are always their for each other whenever required

I also ride solo a lot since my home is in Chandigarh but my work is in Delhi .So whenever I get off .... I just leave for my home on the bike .

15.What has been your most memorable ride till date?
A.My first ride to Chandigarh from Delhi .... it was the first time I really felt the power of the busa. She's one bike which can impress you by staying calm and give you a smooth ride but also becoming a beast when demanded and really raising your pulse and increasing your adrenaline levels

16.What’s the maximum three digit figure you’ve seen on your Speedo?A. 268

17.Who maintains your bike – cleaning, servicing, etc?
A.Servicing is being done by done by the authorized workshops of Suzuki while I do the cleaning and polishing myself.




18.Have you faced any problems with your bike(s)? If yes how did you managed to rectify it?

A.Yup Brake got locked once due to over heating . Just let it cool down for sometime and the brake pads itself released the disc.

19.What fuel do you use and why?
A.I use mostly speed 97 but if I don't get it than I use extra premium + octane booster

20.Tell us about your riding gear (helmet, gloves and suits/jackets/pants and other protective gear)?
Agv t2 helmet
alpinestar gloves, jacket , bionic knee pads and boots

21.Are you looking at changing your bike any time soon? If yes, what bike would you consider and why?
No im very much satisfied with the busa
22.What’s does your ideal weekend look like?
A.If its up to me I would like to be on A open deserted highway not a soul present just me my bike and my ipod ....Nothing beats that



23.What tips do you have for aspiring riders looking to pick up a super sports bike?

A.Well my only advice is .... be patient and try to understand your bike ..if you want a long term relationship with your bike she needs to be understood be gentle and try to see yours and her limitations it may take a little time but once you have that level of understanding.... Nothing can stop you

Please always wear protective gear especially if you are about to become superbiker . Ride safely and not rashly .You can either enjoy one ride on your bike in your entire lifetime or enjoy entire lifetime with your bike the choice is yours to make :)

24.Finally, what do you call her and why?
A.The Falcon as that's what "hayabusa" means in Japanese

12. Ambika's Honda CBR 1000RR, 2010

Name: Ambika Sharma
Profession: COO - Media House
City: Delhi
Motorcycle Club: G.O.D.S

"I have always believed that we are limited only by ourselves we can’t do most things because we think we can’t and thus never even try. So I am a superbiker I ride a 1000 CC Blade and on any good day flying at 245KMPH is part of the deal. Its not a competitive prove a point thing. It’s just me being me. Biking has been, is and will always be a special part of my life. "



What the manual says about her bike..

Displacement: 999.00 ccm (60.96 cubic inches)
Engine type: In-line four, four-stroke
Power:175.3 bhp @ 12000 rpm
Torque:84 lb- ft @ 8500 rpm
Compression: 12.3:1
Bore x stroke: 76.0 x 55.1 mm (3.0 x 2.2 inches)
Valves per cylinder: 4
Fuel system: Injection. Dual Stage Fuel Injection (DSFI)
Fuel control: DOHC
Ignition: Computer-controlled digital transistorized with three-dimensional mapping
Cooling system: Liquid
Gearbox: 6-speed
Transmission type,
final drive: Chain
Driveline: #530 O-ring-sealed chain
Fuel consumption: 6.36 litres/100 km (15.7 km/l or 36.98 mpg)
Greenhouse gases: 147.6 CO2 g/km. (CO2 - Carbon dioxide emission)
Emission details: Meets current EPA standards. California version meets current California Air Resources Board (CARB) standards.
Chassis, suspension, brakes and wheels
Rake (fork angle): 23.3°
Trail: 96 mm (3.8 inches)
Front suspension: 43mm inverted HMAS cartridge fork with spring preload, rebound- and compression-damping adjustability
Front suspension travel: 109 mm (4.3 inches)
Rear suspension: Unit Pro-Link HMAS single shock with spring preload rebound and compression-damping adjustability
Rear suspension travel: 137 mm (5.4 inches)
Front tyre dimensions: 120/70-ZR17
Rear tyre dimensions: 190/50-ZR17
Front brakes: Double disc
Front brakes diameter: 320 mm (12.6 inches)
Rear brakes: Single disc
Rear brakes diameter: 220 mm (8.7 inches)
Physical measures and capacities
Dry weight: 320.0 kg (705.5 pounds)
Weight incl. oil, gas, etc: 199.1 kg (439.0 pounds)
Seat height: 820 mm (32.3 inches) If adjustable, lowest setting.
Wheelbase: 1,407 mm (55.4 inches)
Fuel capacity: 17.79 litres (4.70 gallons)






What Ambika has to say about her Fireblade..

1. Tell us about the first time you ever rode a bike, what was the feeling like?
a.The 1st time I was on a bike was my dad’s Royal Enfield, my feet dint touch the ground! The feeling of finally having the machine to myself for a few minutes was exhilarating, that was when I decided I had to have one of my own.

2.Give us a list of all the bikes you’ve owned. Which one holds the most special part in your life?
Of all the machines the 600 is the one, which holds the top slot. My 1st SBK it was a truly cherished ride, I also experimented the maximum on it. Right down to designing my own kit and getting it done from China! Great fun!
a. Java
b. Enfield 535
c. Suzuki samurai
d. Honda Fireblade 600
e. Honda Fireblade 1000 C-ABS

3. Why the blade? How long have you had it and how many KM have you done?
a.Well I bought the blade for its ease of handling, super neat looks, longevity (Honda is known to be a tough machine) and the fact that it’s the nicest color in the category. Its just 11 months old and its clocked 11,000 on the odo.

4. What’s undoubtedly the best attribute of the Blade
a.It’s a Honda and that was my biggest pull to buy it, my previous experience with the Blade has been great! The current experience with service leaves much to be desired! But it’s a great bike non-the less.


5.If there were something about the Blade you would improve what would it be.
a.The Honda India service without doubt – needs a complete make over really fast!



6.Have you run into any mechanical/electrical faults if yes how did you get it fixed?
a.The C ABS model has been a real disaster world over, and I have a ton of trouble with the current blade! What did I do? Well, got help from forums and fellow riders from G.O.D.S, figured out the issue, then told the shop what to do .

7.What Performance Mods have you done on your bike?
a.Well not much as yet, a double bubble, K&N filter and a Two Brothers exhaust. With the warranty threat looming in the background I’m a bit weary of playing with the electricals, this considering I have an almost new bike with the changes under warranty!!


8.What cosmetic Mods have you done on your bike?
a.Nothing much really the 2010 Orange silver Blade is beautiful I did put 3M to avoid scratches on the cowl, gel grips in orange and rest is just the basic sliders and spools but apart from that nothing as yet.


9.Where do you get your accessories from?
a.I’m mostly buying off the net, my fav is bikebandit ….

10.How friendly are Indian roads to a female rider on a superbike, have you ever had a bad experience?
a.Indian roads are not friendly to any one on a superbike, a bit more for women though. But it goes with the territory. Not only do I get almost every guy on the road rearing to race but it’s the fellow travelers who suddenly see the kajal mascara lined eyes behind a helmet on a mean bike which is my gallery of Kodak moments. Guys nudge each other, women at times give the thumbs up sign and kids just wave happily. While I would not repeat a few experiences but its all in good fun at the end of it all.

11.How has your life changed ever since you began riding Super Bikes?
a.My life is the same, not much of a difference bikes have always been a part of my life. There is however the fact that I now spend an increasing amount of time with the bike. More than me changing I think its peoples perspective has changed. In a country where grown men are at times not allowed by their parents to buy a two wheeler I have chosen the strangest of passions! Super bikes! “These 1000 CC Machines of the “dangerous kind” are certainly not for women!” I have heard that more than once accompanied by shocked and at times disapproving expressions. It’s amusing to say the least however this is the lighter fun side to my not so common hobby. I come from a family where “you can’t” was not a term my parents used, fauji kids we traveled the country climbed every mountain and swam every river celebrated every fall and got on bikes before our feet touched the ground. It’s from here that the fun began and it’s been a series of shocked faces ever since. People think I’m either eccentric or just plain crazy!



12.What can be done to convince more women riders to take to the roads on superbikes?
a.I do not think you can convince any one to get on a superbike, not even guys let alone women! It has to come from within. You have to love the machines and the thrill of riding to go and treat yourself to a superbike. If you don’t love them then don’t get on them!

13.Tell us about you’re riding gear and the best way to purchase them?
a.Good gear is very important and I rarely ride without mine. In India its difficult to get good gear for any one and impossible to get women’s gear at all! I mostly buy mine on the net though I have found some stuff at Performance racing.


14.If you could buy any bike in the world, money no object, which one would it be?
a.Y2k :) I’d say! But actually would love to have a busa if I could just manage the weight!



15.What according to you is the best colour combination on a bike?
a.I love reds and oranges for the lead color on a bike. I like the Repsol but currently my favorite is the Orange Silver on my blade.

16.Describe how your ideal weekend looks like..
a.Ideal weekend …. Hmmmmm. Ok so ideally a few hours ride to the beach at Mexico, couple of hours of diving, dinner on the beach and early sleep . In reality though it’s more like a weekend trip anywhere within a 600 kms radius of the city, with some great weather.

17.Have you ever given a pillion ride to anyone? Did you enjoy the look on their face?
a.Hmmmm not sure I could ever look at their face during the actual ride! Just two brave hearts who tried the pillion seat! My sister quite enjoyed the speed but the only other person who did is a colleague at work, and she got off at the DND toll preferring to walk the rest of the way. Guess that sums it up.

18.What’s the max figures that you’ve seen on the speedo?.
a.245 KMPH is what I have seen on my current bike and revving for more!

19.What advice would you give to riders who one day aspire to break into the superbike club?
a. I would say if you are going to buy an SBK for any thing but the love of biking. Then DON’T! And if you love superbikes and want to ride for a long time to come then go slow and steady. Every one has their pace find yours and then stick to it! These machines don’t like to give very many 2nd chances.




20. Last question.. What gender is your bike? And what do you lovingly call it?
A.Well technically considering the language “she” as in all bikes. I don’t have a very fancy name; I just call my bike THE BLADE.

11. Sharad and his XR1200 Sportster, 2010

name: Sharad AKA SHEROO
Age: 44
Profession: ACTOR and TELEVISION ANCHOR
Motorcycle club: Brotherhood Riding Club
City: New Delhi




"I must ride the road because it’s there. I don’t know my destination, but I’m on that highway and its taking me places..!"



What the manual says on the bike..

Displacement: 1202.00 ccm (73.35 cubic inches)
Engine type: V2, four-stroke
Torque: 98.00 Nm (10.0 kgf-m or 72.3 ft.lbs) @ 3200 RPM
Compression: 9.7:1
Bore x stroke: 88.9 x 96.8 mm (3.5 x 3.8 inches)
Fuel system: Injection. Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI)
Cooling system: Air
Gearbox: 5-speed
Transmission type,
final drive: Belt
Clutch: 9-plate, wet
Exhaust system: Upswept, high-volume 2-1-2 straight shot exhaust system finished in satin chrome
Chassis, suspension, brakes and wheels
Frame type: Mild steel tubular frame; circular sections; cast junctions
Front suspension: Sport-tuned Showa® suspension featuring 43mm inverted front forks
Rear suspension: Twin pre-load adjustable shock absorbers
Front tyre dimensions: 120/70-ZR18
Rear tyre dimensions: 180/55-ZR17
Front brakes: Double disc. 4-piston calipers
Front brakes diameter: 292 mm (11.5 inches)
Rear brakes: Single disc. Single pistom
Rear brakes diameter: 292 mm (11.5 inches)
Physical measures and capacities
Dry weight: 251.0 kg (553.4 pounds)
Seat height: 742 mm (29.2 inches) If adjustable, lowest setting.
Fuel capacity: 12.50 litres (3.30 gallons)



1. When did you first get yourself on a bike? which one was it? How was the experience?
A.When I was about 16 I knew this fellow who rode a “Yezdi”. I knew that the bloke was switched on each time he was on it. I couldn’t resist any more and so I asked him to teach me. Being a friend he showed me the gears (the kick start turning into a gear was completely insane!.!) and 30 seconds later I was ripping across the parking lot. It was quite incredible that I took to it like a boy takes to his Levis. I rode in the parking area for 30 minutes and that was it! I was hooked. But my initiation goes back much further. I remember riding pillion behind my dad as he rode his BMW R 60/6 (600 cc) around the twisty’s of ‘Juhu Tara’ Road in Bombay. I can never forget the throb of the engine underneath. The excitement of leaning the bike over holding on to dear dad for life.
(BTW my dad still keeps those bikes in running shape). But when I turned 16, surprisingly he didn’t want me to take to motorcycling at all. But the blood of the two wheeled horse runs deep in my veins and not before long I was riding that R60/6 BMW Twin practically every day.
In the early 80’s my pillion buddy and I used to ride down the Jaipur highway (The only 4 lane expressway in India at the time) every Sunday. We would leave at 10 am (there was no traffic back then), via Gurgaon and ride to 'Neemrana' (en-route to Jaipur) all in a span of a couple of hours. To be able to cruise @ 120 kmph was unheard of in those days on a bike. Commuters would be agog with what this beast was and I loved it..!!

2.Who taught you the first rules of riding a bike?
A.When I was in college I had a roommate from Bangalore - Richard, who was a very knowledgeable RD350 aficionado who read all these books on riding big bikes (BTW I must mention here that ‘Super bikes’ was still a term used in only in MOTO GP or at the Isle of man TT. It was the year’ TOP GUN’ was released and Tom Cruise rode the Kawasaki Ninja 900. The world first official superbike for the masses. And it turned the biking world on its head. Those were the days of the Suzuki Katana, the Honda CB 1100 6 cyl behemoth, The Kawasaki Z1, the Suzuki 600 Bandit, the Honda 600 Hornet, the VFR 750 and the 1st generation Gixxer 750 and many more. All bikes that have spawned legendry descendants!)
It was he who demonstrated to me what counter steering was. I remember he sat behind me and pushed and pulled my arms and my amazement at the concept. He explained why GP riders shift their bodies for maximum cornering clearance. Why there were double discs up front and single ones at the back. We would watch all the MOTO GP races together and talk bikes and gear. I bought my first set of ‘Frank Thomas’ riding gloves from him. Yes he definitely left an indelible impression on me. And the irony of it all – I lost touch with him. So if anyone knows where Richard Christopher from Bangalore is please let him know that I thank him deeply for that wealth of knowledge he shared with me.



3. How many bikes have you owned since then?
A. My first purchase was a Suzuki DR350 Two stroke off roader. It was a 2nd hand, had a an oil leak from its crank but I loved it. Bright blue it was - with a white fender and knobby tyres. I rode it to college everyday even took it to the hills a couple of times. It had that loud two stroke buzz which announced my arrival much before I was seen. The girls loved it. I would lean it to its max on roundabouts and looking back I’m amazed that I didn’t toss once. After college I sold my Suzuki DR 350 and I didn’t really purchase a motorcycle as I had access to the BMW’s at home. Soon after marriage I moved out of my father’s house and with that my motorcycling chapter came to an abrupt end. Didn’t really expect my father to part with his beauts...! Furthermore priorities were different and I had had my fill of motorcycling by then. I struggled as a youngster and making ends meet was not easy. Remember we were a completely closed economy back then. Superbikes on the road were limited to a few Norton’s, BSA’s, some non descript Japanese 400’s imported from Japan, a couple of Indian chiefs and Harleys or the occasional BMW.


4. Which one is closest to your heart?
A. For me it would be the BMW R 60/6. Although not mine technically I found my riding feet on that bike. It was big, it was powerful (well if you call 35 bhp powerful..!) shaft driven, a large bikini fairing, with a head light more powerful than all the cars on the roads. It made me feel like a celebrity. But the Beemer was like a teenage crush you never forget but ultimately get over. Because I now have a new mistress and it’s called the HD XR1200X.

5 What made you choose the XR1200? It’s definitely not a quintessential Harley-Davidson
A.. Correct. But if you look at the XR – it is essentially the BMW that I rode as a kid. The ergonomics, the TWIN cylinders, the naked look, the enigma of the brand. And it’s not surprising that the XR was developed for the European market. The home turf of the BMW’s, the Moto Guzzi’s and the Ducati’s.

When I was carving those roads in Lutyens Delhi on the Beemer in the 80’s I wished that the bike had tighter and racier suspension and not wallow across the road. I hated that I couldn’t get my knee down. I wanted to scrape the cylinder heads but I couldn’t. 25 years later when I was financially able to shop for a motorcycle from all the brands available in India, I knew what I wanted.


I seriously considered the Honda CB1000R (descendant of the Hornet one of the favs back then as well). I was hoping that the Yamaha FJ1300 would make its presence but all they had on offer was the R1 (too sporty) and the MT01 (too brutal). Ditto for the Gixxer and the Fire-blade. I guess my DNA was already leaning towards the TWIN. Whether in a V configuration or horizontally opposed. I looked at the Ducati’s but they were too expensive and exotic. BMW’s were still into cars two years ago. So the obvious choice was Harley who launched with much more conviction than any other brand.

(Incidentally my father owned a 1940 WW2 Harley but he sold that before I was born – I believe it was converted into one of the 1st “Phat phatias” that ferried passengers to Old Delhi and beyond).

But I couldn’t see myself on a cruiser. Well not yet anyway. I still had to put some quick miles under my belt. So I set my eyes on the HD Nightster. Red n black paint. V Twin. 1200 cc. Retro Chic. But when I rode her on that balmy May afternoon at Kala Ghoda in Mumbai, in 2010 John McEnany (The Original HD Yankee with HD India) came up to me and said “Sir that bike is way too small for you - why don’t you try all the bikes because your bike will pick you”. Words that I shall never forget. I tried the Fat-boy, the Road King, the Dyna Street glide, the V rod. But when I swung my leg over the XR1200X. All those sensations of riding the BMW R60/6 came rushing back and I knew it instantly, this is my ride.

6.Do people confuse the XR for a Jap bike?
A. No never. Because there is nothing like it on the road. They know that it’s a superbike. But when they come closer they don’t know what to make of it. I guess it takes time for all the darkness of the bike to consume its onlooker. They just stare at it. Not speaking just taking it all in. Because it is raw naked aggression staring back. Like Anakin Skywalker (for all those who missed Star Wars episode 4, 1978) after he was seduced by the dark side of the force. Black. Dark. Deathly.




7.Whats the best part of the XR1200 –

A.Its ride. Its enigma. The profound sound of the V twin that emanates when the throttle is opened (and I still haven’t put in After Market exhausts). The torque that hits you between your eyeballs at any given RPM. Its ground clearance - all 150 mm of it. The 180 section rear. The fully adjustable USD forks up front. The fully adjustable Showa set at the rear. The matt black look devoid of chrome. Retro yet modern. Its ability to seduce me each time I throw my leg on her. She can take me across the continent. She can play with the superbikes on the expressway. She’s my black beauty and I call her ‘ANAKIN’

8.Whats the most irritating part and what do you think H-D should do to fix it.
A.I am always looking for a 6th gear. Being a bike that traces its roots to Flat track racing its geared very low. In top gear i.e. 5th it begins to sound urgent at speeds over 130. Even though its spinning in the meat of its power band and is great fun, I do miss a 6th especially when I’m touring. So I’m going to change the gearing and put in a taller one. And that will make a great bike even greater. Another thing that does annoy at times is the vibration from the engine. But then thats what the Harley is all about.

9.Narrate a memorable experience on the road.
A.TEN HARLEYS cutting loose in the crisp February morning on the deserted expressway between Kishangarh (Rajasthan) and Udaipur. Not another soul on the road that twisted ahead for miles. Just the rumble of the Ten V twins. In formation - like a big black beast wearing its shiny chrome armour, glistening in the winter morning sun. The sum greater than its parts. We shook our heads in disbelief at the emotions that were coursing through our veins. Each one of us had the same thing to say when we stopped for some ‘Chai’. “Those damn 100 kms made every penny that we spent our bikes worth its weight in gold”



10. How about a not so memorable experience.
A.Getting into Udaipur later on. The traffic. The chaos. The heat from the engines. The unwarranted attention. Losing our direction. Getting separated and having to find our way to the hotel. Although it sounds like just another day in super biking in India, but the contrast to the ecstasy we experienced moments before was way too jarring to forget.

11.Whats the best way to answer this question on the road " How much does it cost?"
A. I just show them two fingers. They fill in the blanks.

12. Do you get irritated when asked about the mileage?
A.Yeah. I say it proudly “Bhai saab deti nahi hai – leti hai” (Sir, it doesn’t give, it takes) It always leaves them with a smile.



13.Solo riding or group riding. which do you prefer?
A.Both. Riding Solo has its moments of spirituality. I rode alone from Mumbai To Delhi. ( I had my driver following me in my car – but I was riding alone) and I haven’t had a more spiritual experience ever. On the other hand Group rides bring with it elements of camaraderie, freedom, unity and BOYhood!


14. Where do you park your bike? how do you deal with people sitting on it when its parked.?
A.I park my bike in a garage in my house. There is a 24 hr security guard and CCTV monitors on it. Yeah call me paranoid. No one touches my Harley when its parked at home. But if someone sits on my bike when its parked in a public place and I can see him (if it’s a her, she can sit on it all day) then I will yell at the top of my voice and it usually works. I have a loud voice. J

15.Have you ever run into any mechanical/electrical issues? if yes how did you fix it.
A.Not yet. Just the horn began malfunctioning after we rode in the rain on the way back from Kasauli last month. The minute it cleared up it started to work again. Strange.
Also - I had purchased an optional fuel gauge from HD. It did not work and malfunctioned from the beginning. So Harleys do have their share of niggles and that gets irritating because you pay top dollar for the product and replacement takes a lot of time.


16. How has your experience been with the Harley Dealership?
A. My personal experience has been from good to bad. Bad - because of the 1 1/2 month delay in delivery even after full payment despite the bike being in India. Bad – because the mechanics at the HD service centre are sometimes out of their depth. Good - because the dealership offered to pick up half the shipping costs of the bike to Mumbai. Good - because the HD service centre will bend over backwards to address all complaints.

17. Which is the next bike you have set your eyes on?
A. Ah well - that’s a fantasy that changes from Day to day. Hour to hour. It ranges from the
BMW R1200 GS adv to the BMW S1000RR to the Ducati ‘Diavel’ to the Harley CVO Ultra classic Electra glide.

18. You enjoy having a pillion? do they get scared or do they fall in love with biking?
A.Taking someone pillion is more fun on a cruiser. So it helps if you buddy loves travel, biking and the outdoors. But if I were to take someone pillion on the XR, I would do it to share my excitement that I experience on the bike. So until I get a genuine request from my wife or my best friend for a ride - I will ride alone. But if they do ride pillion I will be very restrained in my antics. That way you get to keep your marriage and your friendships intact. J
But my children have been on the bike and they love it.




19. Whats your advice to someone who wants to begin riding..
A. Learn how to ride on a 150 cc or a bullet. And only after 5,000 kms under your belt should you think of moving to a Kawasaki 250 ninja or a Honda CBR 250. The next step after notching up another 5,000 kms would be a litre class BUT beware you’re still not ready for a superbike. I would recommend the Suzuki bandit or the Honda CB1000r or a Ducati Monster 796. After this your biking skills and your acquaintance with road traffic will allow you to responsibly enjoy any superbike of your liking. So at least THREE full years of riding before you can even touch your superbike. Because you can make a fatal mistake only once.

10. Praveer's Suzuki Bandit, 2010

Name: Praveer Kochhar AKA pkon
Age: 28
Profession: Owns a marketing firm
Motorcycle Club: xBhp

"Pkon is as true a biker as they come. The love for biking hits a crezendo when you know that you'd do anything to convert your passion into your work. Pkon has done just that!"



What the manual says on the bike..

Engine type :4-stroke, liquid-cooled, DOHC
Bore Stroke :79.0 mm (3.110 in) x 64.0 mm (2.520 in)
Displacement :1255 cc (76.6 cu. in)
Compression Ratio :10.5 : 1
Max Power : 98 Bhp @ 7500 rpm
Max Torque : 108 Nm @ 3700 rpm
Fuel System :Fuel injection
Transmission :6-speed constant mesh
Final drive : RK GB50GSVZ3, 118 links
Front suspension :Telescopic, coil spring, oil damped
Rear suspension :Link type, coil spring, oil damped
Front brake :Disc brake, twin
Rear brake :Disc brake
Front tire :120/70ZR17M/C (58W), tubeless
Rear tire :180/55ZR17M/C (73W), tubeless
Fuel tank :19.0 L
Overall Length :2130 mm (83.9in)
Overall Width :790 mm (31.1 in)
Overall Height :1235 mm (48.6 in)
Seat Height :785/805 mm (0.9/31.7 in) – Low/High
Wheelbase :1485 mm (58.5 in)
Curb Weight :250 kg (551 lbs)
Ground Clearance :135 mm ( 5.3 in)

What Praveer has to say on himself and the bike..

1.Describe the biker in your in less in less than three lines

A.I am still in the process of defining what is it about motorcycling that I love. Why do I ride a bike? I know a lot of you out there know the answer pretty well but not me. To me its something alien, something that is so deep in the sub-conscious that it will take probably more than a eureka moment to figure out why do I ride a bike?




2.When and what machine made you realise that biking is what you were made for?
A.My first bike the RE 535 Lightning that I bought within 20 days of getting my Drivers License. It was faster, bigger and meaner than anything around at that time. The choice was a real easy one to make.


3.How many bikes have you owned till the Bandit happened?
A.3 bikes in all. And all 3 bullets. I have been a thump lover all my life. It started off with the Lightning 535 and then it was the Electra which I got converted into a Chopper and now finally a Thunderbird Twin-Spark which I still retain.


4.Was the decision to buy the bandit instantaneous or was it a product of long drawn research?
A.It was pretty instantaneous. I saw the bike and realised that for a tourer like me it is the best machine in the market. I am a very impulsive buyer and went for it naturally.Before I knew it the brand new machine was there in front of my eyes with some 90odd bhp. Think about it thats almost 5 times of what I was used to. And well within 4 days of buyiing it we decided to ride it to Khardung-la Top for a short documentary and to create some news for the arrival of the bike. What a way to run in the Bandit.


6. How long have you owned it and how many KM's have you put on it
A.I have owned it now for 8 months and I have clocked 12,000 kms on it.I doubt if any other bike has clocked more KM's in such short time. Do they have a prize for this kind of thing? :)


7.What about the Bandit appeals to you the most?
A.The Low-end torque and the comfortable riding position for both rider and pillion.




8.What about it irritates you and what do you think should be done to sort it out?
A.The high Center of Gravity is one of the most irritating parts of the bike. Its made to ride in a straight line and it does that beautifully. The bike is just not suited to be thrown in to corners without having your heart in your mouth. But I am getting a hang of riding it on the corners. It is an elephant when it comes to leaning and I guess its made me realise that maybe it has too much power for the kind of corners we have in India.


9.Have you run into an mechanical/electrical issues? if yes how did you fix it.
A.Never faced a issue. Though when we took it to Leh within a week of its landing here, the radiator fan got shut due to some mud and the fuse blew. But since the weather was cool we kept riding it.


10.Do you believe in customising the bike? If yes what are the mods you've done to it? have they been useful?
A.I do like to customize the bike but only to suit what I need from it and that is Touring. One thing that I missed in the bandit is the sound. I mean being a Enfield guy I miss listening to the almost mute engine exhaust. So I installed a Beowulf on it and Now it sounds much much better and insane.


11.What has been your most incredible experience on the road with the bandit?
A.There have been many many long rides but my personal was the Delhi-Udaipur-Delhi. I did delhi updaipur in just over 10 hours at a leisurely pace. I have also done a lot of other rides as well including taking a bandit and a GSXR to Nako but the Udaipur ride just for the sheer quality of tarmac.


12. Have you ever been in an unfortunate incident thanks to the roads not being ready for a superbike?
A.Well yes I had a fall but not a very serious one just 15 kms before Pooh in Himachal. The road was a mountain gravel track and I turned left on a sharp left hander only to find a stone hidden under the mud and the rear slid out of control. I didnt have any injuries but it was a task to pick this baby up once it falls on the ground.

13.What do you answer when people pull up and ask you " what mileage do you get?"
A.I tell them honestly that it gives around 17-18


14. Have people asked you if its a modified karizma or other such likes?
A.It does look like it sometimes right?Well considering the Bandit is not such a great looker, which was another reason for me to go in for this bike. Now many would think of it as an oxymoron but since I ride with my wife a lot I dont want un-necessary attention when not required. So I have been able to avoid getting noticed since I ride a bigger looking karizma.



15. When faced the the uncomfortable question, "how much does it cost?" how do you answer it?
A.Its a tough one,Well I try not to answer that one. Tell them it costs just a little more than a car.


16.If you could buy any bike money could buy what would be it?
A.A BMW GS1200 Adventure. Cant ask for a better bike to tour on. Who ever designed it has definitely been a major tourer.


17. Do you have you eyes on any other bike that is for sale in India? If yes why?
A.Well yes I want to own a Iron 883 really soon. I am missing the Thump in my life and hopefully should go for it within 6-8 months.




18.do you like giving rides to people who have never been on a superbike, If yes which was the most fun?
A.Well yes I do basically friends of mine who are interested in Biking. And yes once I took a friend pillion on the Delhi Noida Expressway and by the end of the ride he swore not to sit on a bike ever again


19. Would you recommend that people take a loan and buy a superbike?
A.Yes why not, I have taken one and I dont think that is a bad option at all. In todays world no-one wants to dispose off the valuable liquid cash lying around. And also in the middle of the loan you might want to change your bike so you can just sell and shift the same EMI for another bike. Its like having a bike with a very high Monthly rental.


20. Whats your advice to someone who is thinking of getting into the superbike league?
A.Only one advise which I realised after getting the Bandit and still do realise everytime I sit on it. With greater power comes greater responsibility. And on these big bikes if you dont have fear of the road, you are surely not going to have a long time riding. We live in a country where superbiking has a very different definition. So go for a 600cc to start with and then upgrade to a litre class. That is also one thing I would like in the Bandit, adjustable power bands that can reduce its power when I want.