And just when I thought it is getting boring, it got yellow! Yes, the red riding dude likes yellow! ;) This color was long long awaited by many enthusiasts I suppose. Undoubtedly, the best looking 150 in the country.
May 15, 2011
May 8, 2011
The way I think about buying motorcycles
I am not gonna write an essay here. But I'll give you an idea. :) As mentioned in my last post, I am contemplating buying one of the following:
FZ16 (I can buy immediately), or
Classic 500! :D (perhaps in a couple of months I might be able to make the provisions), or
Bandit! :D :D (Yes, the 1250cc Bandit! God knows when I would be able to manage that kind of spare monies. Perhaps in about an year's time...)
The fear in waiting is that petrol would become so prohibitive that the one wouldn't feel like buying a Bandit at all. It would rob you instead! ;)
FZ16 (I can buy immediately), or
Classic 500! :D (perhaps in a couple of months I might be able to make the provisions), or
Bandit! :D :D (Yes, the 1250cc Bandit! God knows when I would be able to manage that kind of spare monies. Perhaps in about an year's time...)
The fear in waiting is that petrol would become so prohibitive that the one wouldn't feel like buying a Bandit at all. It would rob you instead! ;)
What a Royal surprise!
I've been contemplating buying a bike off late.
A few days back I visited the Royal Enfield showroom at Ambawadi, Ahmedabad. Wasn't as interested in the test-ride as I was in knowing the price of Bullet Electra. So after a brief 5 minutes at the showroom, I was on my way.
Yesterday, in the afternoon, I got a call from Rakesh - I suppose he handles (or may be owns, I am not sure) that showroom. He asked me what I was thinking. Hearing my answer, he simply said, "I giving you a 500 for a day. Ride it for a day and then think. I am sending my guy with the bike at around 6."
And I had a Classic 500 for a day. I went for a ride to Gandhinagar in the evening. 55kms. Dad rode it too to the factory in the morning. 40kms. All combined we did a little more than 100kms before I returned the bike to the showroom.
I must say a lot has improved. Clutching. Gear-shifting. Starting, etc. And the one important (perhaps the most important thing) has stayed the same. The THUMP. And the throbbing feeling you get riding a Bullet is just the same. I had a Machismo 350 (AVL engine) earlier and I sense 'this thump' is closer to the original than the one I remember of my Machismo.
As disappointed as I was with my experience at Royal Enfield showroom at Bandra Mumbai, this one thrilled me. And the gesture of offering me the bike for a day was oh so 'royal'. Policies are the same for every showroom; how the prospect feels depends on the man present at the moment of truth.
I might just buy a Classic 500 now!
A few days back I visited the Royal Enfield showroom at Ambawadi, Ahmedabad. Wasn't as interested in the test-ride as I was in knowing the price of Bullet Electra. So after a brief 5 minutes at the showroom, I was on my way.
Yesterday, in the afternoon, I got a call from Rakesh - I suppose he handles (or may be owns, I am not sure) that showroom. He asked me what I was thinking. Hearing my answer, he simply said, "I giving you a 500 for a day. Ride it for a day and then think. I am sending my guy with the bike at around 6."
And I had a Classic 500 for a day. I went for a ride to Gandhinagar in the evening. 55kms. Dad rode it too to the factory in the morning. 40kms. All combined we did a little more than 100kms before I returned the bike to the showroom.
I must say a lot has improved. Clutching. Gear-shifting. Starting, etc. And the one important (perhaps the most important thing) has stayed the same. The THUMP. And the throbbing feeling you get riding a Bullet is just the same. I had a Machismo 350 (AVL engine) earlier and I sense 'this thump' is closer to the original than the one I remember of my Machismo.
As disappointed as I was with my experience at Royal Enfield showroom at Bandra Mumbai, this one thrilled me. And the gesture of offering me the bike for a day was oh so 'royal'. Policies are the same for every showroom; how the prospect feels depends on the man present at the moment of truth.
I might just buy a Classic 500 now!
Apr 26, 2011
Motorcycle industry suffering from imitancy
As avid a motorcycler as I am, it surprises me that I've been without a motorcycle for almost 2 years now. When I am out on the street I keep looking at motorcycles, pretty intently, as if one of them (the motorcycle models) will really really fascinate me and propel me to buy it.
But it doesn't happen. All the motorcycles more or less look the same. Similar lines, similar essence. The entire industry, especially in India, is suffering from imitancy.
A model has to make shit loads of money for the manufacturers. If there is a slight inkling that it will make a little less money then it won't be launched. At least that's what I gather from all the action happening in this space.
Companies making hundreds and thousands of crores of money aren't launching any niche products. As sales in lacs is the only success parameter for a model, aficionados are barely getting the stuff which would excite them.
No doubt, many enthusiasts revel in whatever is available and affordable and make the best of the situation. But the more I've come to appreciate the nuances of motorcycling, the more difficult it is for me to accept the current crop of motorcycles.
Yamaha is an exception. R15 and FZ-16 do break the mould. I might go for one of these if nothing appropriate (read Kawasaki W800, Yamaha RD350, etc. type bikes) launches in the near future.
But it doesn't happen. All the motorcycles more or less look the same. Similar lines, similar essence. The entire industry, especially in India, is suffering from imitancy.
A model has to make shit loads of money for the manufacturers. If there is a slight inkling that it will make a little less money then it won't be launched. At least that's what I gather from all the action happening in this space.
Companies making hundreds and thousands of crores of money aren't launching any niche products. As sales in lacs is the only success parameter for a model, aficionados are barely getting the stuff which would excite them.
No doubt, many enthusiasts revel in whatever is available and affordable and make the best of the situation. But the more I've come to appreciate the nuances of motorcycling, the more difficult it is for me to accept the current crop of motorcycles.
Yamaha is an exception. R15 and FZ-16 do break the mould. I might go for one of these if nothing appropriate (read Kawasaki W800, Yamaha RD350, etc. type bikes) launches in the near future.
Jan 31, 2011
Eye Candy - Kawasaki W800
Wonder when will stuff like this come to India. I don't want 800cc. 200, 300 or 400 is enough. This stuff leaves me droooooooooooolin' :).
Now don't tell me get a Bullet Classic. I have many reasons not to buy that one. Had booked it once; sure it looks good and has a new engine too. But I got tired of the waiting period. Besides, a lot still to be desired as far as service is concerned.
Triumph or Kawasaki must develop one such model for India. I'll buy.
Know more about Kawasaki W800 here.
Now don't tell me get a Bullet Classic. I have many reasons not to buy that one. Had booked it once; sure it looks good and has a new engine too. But I got tired of the waiting period. Besides, a lot still to be desired as far as service is concerned.
Triumph or Kawasaki must develop one such model for India. I'll buy.
Know more about Kawasaki W800 here.
Dec 3, 2010
driving force
The repeated phrases gave the poem the hum of a good engine.
Read the above on the blog ursprache by JforJames. Let me put this in another manner...
the hum of a good engine on an idle road
like the repeating rhythm of my favorite song :)
Read the above on the blog ursprache by JforJames. Let me put this in another manner...
the hum of a good engine on an idle road
like the repeating rhythm of my favorite song :)
Dec 1, 2010
TVS Velocity 160
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| Source: xBHP.com |
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| Source: xBHP.com |
The flanks look ridiculous. The silencer is a misfit. Can't comment on the specs though.
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