Yes, that’s right. I consider our "desi" bikes like the Yamaha R15, Hero Honda Karizma ZMR, Pulsar 220 as glorified commuter bikes.
Why?
Affordability:
I am sorry to burst the bubble of those who think their "desi" bikes are super cool sports bikes..
- Affordability will be one big factor here. A guy in India, who can afford a bike like the Kawasaki Ninja 250R at Rs. 3 lakhs, or a litre class import at 13-14 lakhs, will in all probability have at least a car in his garage.
But the reverse can't be always said for a guy who uses one of our "affordable" bikes.
Purpose and Frequency of use:
- Let me ask a straight question. "How often do you ride your bike?" The most probable answer from a biker next door like me would be, "Almost everyday".
Unlike developed nations where motorcycles are viewed and bought as toys for recreation, in India a motorcycle is mostly bought as an affordable tools to commute.
Whereas in India most middle class guys who happens to own a car also sometimes keep or retain a two wheeler, just to use it for his daily commuting needs. This lets our middle class 'carwala' to save on the fuel costs for that weekend lesuirely ride in his car.
Exceptions to the rule:
There will of course be a couple of guys who will buy our "desi" bikes just for the occasional long distance touring (Karizma), feel like the Fastest Indian (Pulsar 220) or for that occasional track day (R15) [provided he is lucky enough to live somewhere near Chennai]. But honestly, numbers of such guys will be minuscule.
Welcome to the real world
Therefore I am sorry to burst the bubble of those who think their bikes are super cool sports bikes, but bikes like the R15, Karizma ZMR can be considered as a slightly premium (in the Indian context) or glorified commuter, but a commuter nevertheless.
According to me, except the Kawasaki Ninja 250R and the 1000 (and plus) cc imported bikes; all the other bikes will come in the commuter class. Now, don’t get me wrong, since I have also done my share of grocery shopping with my wife on my Pulsar 220.
I have also seen more than a couple of times where dudes carry their saree clad mothers as pillion (sitting crossed legged) on his R15/Karizma ZMR/Pulsar 220!!
Need I say more?
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Disclaimer:
This is to remind that the Views or Opinions in the blog are entirely mine unless explicitly stated. The Views and Opinions published in this blog should in no way be related to any other person or organization associated -- directly or indirectly -- with me.
11 Comments:
Commuting in R15 ? Oh no, its a nightmare.
i agree....
and also the point about track racing...shit man! in chennai but how many of these p-220,r-15,zmr owners go there and use their bikes "only" on tracks...hardly...
yes in india commuting comes first then comes everything else...so u can say i love performance biking with pulsars/zmr's/r15..but then there are times when u may have to make too many market/railway station trips ...there are exceptions...but very few.. like one VP in our company...who usually came in driver-driven car.. had rode to office in BMW 650 on a rare working-saturday for a meeting..barely used as good as new...650 was damn cool...i think he is one of few who bought bike for recreation..
I couldn't really gather the real purpose behind this post. It apparently is hinted at someone who must have a row with you while he was trying to show off his "Super cool" Pulsar. What I intend to say is, this is what strikes you at the first place after going through this write-up.
I mean, its so obvious, everybody knows that, our own desi bikes stand nowhere in the global arena, they still belong to a third world nation and they still are meant for normal commuting purposes. But India is evolving and so are the Indian bikers. They want something that have got decent power and are sporty enough to make their wishes of owning a GOOD bike, at least partially true. Amidst all these, money comes into play. You can't ignore it here, not in a emerging market as India. Price is still the deciding factor, both for the manufacturers and the bikers.
Money has got no limits, somebody owning a liter class Honda CB1000RR can still crave and dream for a high end Ducati. It's so much relative you see.
It ain't any eye opener. But snubbing those poor souls who are pretty happy with their mean machines and fastest Indians is quite harsh mate. Let them bask in the glory of their bikes.
@Sankoobaba, yes that's an example of using a motorcycle for pleasure/recreation and not merely for commuting (your VP actually used his car for commuting)..
One can have a small/inexpensive bike yet use it for pleasure, but then such examples with guys blessed enough with ample means (to use a car for commute) and yet find and have time for pleasure biking are very rare in India.
@Anurag, I am not snubbing at anybody.. I too belong to the enthusiast breed but yet from the mainstream commuter crowd.
As this blog is my "Online Diary" of my thoughts related to two wheelers, i have just posted down my thoughts.
Hi,
This is a nice article and you are right. Here in india 90% of people think like having a car not a sports bike.
Hi,
This is a nice article and you are right. Here in india 90% of people think like having a car not a sports bike.
I couldn't really gather the real purpose behind this post. It apparently is hinted at someone who must have a row with you while he was trying to show off his "Super cool" Pulsar. What I intend to say is, this is what strikes you at the first place after going through this write-up.
I mean, its so obvious, everybody knows that, our own desi bikes stand nowhere in the global arena, they still belong to a third world nation and they still are meant for normal commuting purposes. But India is evolving and so are the Indian bikers. They want something that have got decent power and are sporty enough to make their wishes of owning a GOOD bike, at least partially true. Amidst all these, money comes into play. You can't ignore it here, not in a emerging market as India. Price is still the deciding factor, both for the manufacturers and the bikers.
Money has got no limits, somebody owning a liter class Honda CB1000RR can still crave and dream for a high end Ducati. It's so much relative you see.
It ain't any eye opener. But snubbing those poor souls who are pretty happy with their mean machines and fastest Indians is quite harsh mate. Let them bask in the glory of their bikes.
i agree....
and also the point about track racing...shit man! in chennai but how many of these p-220,r-15,zmr owners go there and use their bikes "only" on tracks...hardly...
yes in india commuting comes first then comes everything else...so u can say i love performance biking with pulsars/zmr's/r15..but then there are times when u may have to make too many market/railway station trips ...there are exceptions...but very few.. like one VP in our company...who usually came in driver-driven car.. had rode to office in BMW 650 on a rare working-saturday for a meeting..barely used as good as new...650 was damn cool...i think he is one of few who bought bike for recreation..
Commuters?? You mean to say tourers.
The R15 can take C1 at MMST at more than 110kmph. Have you ever raced on a track??
@above,
Please read: "Exceptions to the rule" posted above.
i have never read a more idiotic article than this ever before... really man u need some pills to b normal again
"god please help him"
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