India & its Bikes

Update: Since writing this post, India has seen a slew of new bikes with bigger and more powerful engines. CBR 250, KTM Duke 200 and the Duke 390 have revolutionised the motorbiking scene in India. More on this in our next post.
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Have been wanting to vent my frustration regarding this topic for long.

Don’t know if you have noticed, during the late 60’s n 70’s n 80’s we had bikes like Jawa, Yezdi 250 / 350, Bullet, Rajdooth 175 and Rajdooth 350. All these bikes had over 250cc engine capacity except for the Rajdooth 175cc model but the irony was that we didn’t have enough good roads to use their full potential.

Today, we have ring roads and express highways but none of these good old bikes are available to ride on. Sad to say that our country is still stuck at the 100cc, 125 and 150cc category. Pulsar and Karisma have taken a bold step and gone ahead to launch 180 and 225cc bikes. Royal Enfield / Bullet is the only age old model still in existence with its heavy duty 350 and the occasional 500 cc versions.

Even bikes like the Bullet which has survived the test of time has not thought of manufacturing a twin cylinder bike. WHY?? Is it less fuel efficient?? Maybe, but then who cares when u’r getting the pleasure of riding on one of those beasts….

So my wait continues for the first Indian twin cylinder to be launched since I can’t afford to own an imported bike yet.

My first vintage car – 1948 Morris 8

Vintage cars have always been around either gathering dust in a godown or being cherished by their owners. But not matter their condition,  they truly stand up to the popular saying ‘Old is Gold’.

My fascination for these old beauties stated during my last year of graduation and was lucky to own a Morris 8 which was a 1948 model black and green car. I had just started my management course and this car became the talk of my entire class including the faculty.

Still remember the vintage rallies that I used to attend along with my friends who also owned few rare classics like the Hindustan and the two door Morris Minor. The attention that our cars received were beyond mention and the feeling of driving them along with some rare cars such as the six cylinder Chevrolet and the 12 cylinder Rolls Royce was unbelievable.

I do miss that beautiful yet simple machine and the memories we had with the car. Hope to acquire it back some day.