5 Royal Enfield Classic 500 upgraded + Classic Chrome & Desert Storm launched in India

Royal Enfield improves its Classic 500 range.. also launches new Color variants expanding the Classic 500 family in India..

When every other bike is trying to become the next "fastest Indian", the Royal Enfield Classic is like a "Strong, silent & mature character".

To me the Royal Enfield Classic tops the list of "Best Looking Motorcycles in India". And now the Royal Enfield Classic 500 in the new "Desert Storm" color (posted below) is the epitome of Indian Motorcycle Art.

I have always visualized the Royal Enfield rider as "Buddha on two wheels". Some people might say that Royal Enfield is the poor (Indian) man's Harley. But to me these two brands are poles apart.

As a brand Harley Davidson (to me) is about living the American dream and a statement of making it big in life (In India). Royal Enfield on the other hand is about being the proud & confident global Indian with strong desi roots/identity.

What's been upgraded in the new Classic 500 range?

7 Guide: How to select a good pair of Motorcycle Riding Gloves (in India)

Tips on selecting a good pair of riding gloves in India..

Why wear gloves while riding a motorcycle?

Looking cool is not the primary objective of wearing any kind of motorcycle protective gear. Motorcycle riding gloves are an important and essential part of a biker’s wardrobe as they provide Protection & Comfort to the rider.

[Photo credit: www.mac.sa.gov.au]

4 Points:

• Keep in mind the weather/climate

• ALWAYS get the correct size/fit

• Make the choice between Leather & Textile

• Know the brands available in India

Protection: Most of the times it is our hands/palms which hit the ground/tarmac first in case of a crash or fall. Regardless of the severity of the fall, human flesh & skin is not thick enough to take the impact without causing injury or road rash.

Motorcycle riding gloves provide protective layer(s) which protects our hands/palms. Modern riding gloves are designed to provide protection to the finger joints, knuckles and the palms with materials like carbon fibre inserts and sturdy construction at the impact areas.

Comfort: Riding gloves are also designed to provide the rider comfort during his ride by keeping him isolated from the harsh climate. A comfortable rider would ultimately mean that the ride will be a safer one.

9 Garware-Hyosung GT650R: Ride Review

Ride Review/Experience of the Garware-Hyosung GT650R

Foreword: "At the outset I would like to express my gratitude towards Garware Motors for arranging a ride experience of their GT650R bike for me last Saturday. I picked up a white GT650R from their showroom at Bhandarkar Road in Pune and took it to for a 100 km ride to Lavasa and back. The terrain consisted of mostly smooth roads with twisties round the ghat/hill sections."

1 2011 TVS Star City launched along with a Limited Edition

TVS launches a refreshed Star City Model..

Like I mentioned in my previous post.. "Less is More" is the mantra for our 2 wheeler manufacturers these days.

Following the current trend of playing safe, TVS Motor has launched a refreshed Star City "Limited Edition" model.

What's new?

Apart from getting Black colored alloys wheels, suspension and exhaust heat shield, the Limited Edition Star City also gets the signature of the current Indian cricket team captain M.S Dhoni on the visor of the motorcycle.

The other USP/talking point for this particular model apparently seems to be the TV Ad which is in the news for featuring Dhoni's wife (!?!) in the Ad along with Dhoni..!! Yeah right..

9 Changing attitude of the Indian middle class towards bikes/motorcycles [Indian 2 Wheeler Update, 2011]

One has to accept that in 2011 excitement for cars among India's middle class is clearly visible. What could be the future for "desi" bikes/bikers..??

Having attended college way back in 1998, I belong to a generation which has seen

[1] As a child [1980’s- mid 1990’s]: The heydays of the Bajaj Chetak Scooter

[2] As a teenager [1990-2000]: Change of preference from geared scooters to 4 stroke 100 cc motorcycles, led by the Hero Honda Splendor

[3] As a young man [2001-2011]: Birth and growth of Indian Performance 4 Stroke motorcycles, spearheaded by the Pulsar (150/180) twins and emergence of the gear less scooters led by Honda Activa

It was in college when I started to look at bikes with keen interest, which later resulted in me starting "Bike Chronicles of India" in 2006 with the mission to capture the changing 2 wheeler (motorcycle) scene of India through my eyes. Since then for me it has been only about Indian motorcycles 24/7, 365 days a year, for the last 5 years..!!

This particular post is the first which I am making is on what I feel are the first signs of the changing Indian attitude towards motorcycles in 2011.

Sign 1: Increased density of cars in Bangalore City (which I once considered a bike capital of India)