4 My Top 3 Dream Bikes

My current top 3 motorcycle dreams..

Flashback (Mid 1990’s): Back in those pre “internet-mobile phone” days any kind of FOREIGN motorcycle form was as desirable as Madonna of the 90’s. Any exotic motorcycle with a FAT rear tyre used to stir my raging teenage hormones.

The seed of economic reforms sown by Dr. Manmohan Singh in the early 90’s started to show its effect by the turn of the new millennium. As a result Hero Honda started the movement of satiating desi boy racer dreams in 1999 with the CBZ. The CBZ was the most stylish bike at that time made to Indian specs/money. In 2011 this movement has culminated in the form of Indians getting models like the Yamaha R15 and Honda CBR250R..!!

0 Review: "DSG Primal" Riding Gloves

Ownership review of my 4 year old DSG Primal "leather" Gloves..

"Wish it was available in size S (Small)": I got myself a pair of the DSG Primal gloves in October 2007. As I have small hands therefore I ordered size M (medium) since that was (and still is) the smallest size available. But I soon found out that size M on the DSG Primal is one size large for me. Due to the oversize it becomes clumsy for me to use my fingers with the gloves on. Therefore till date I have been able to use my DSG Primal gloves only on long rides.

2 Official Indian 2Wheeler Facebook Fanpages – a Study [2011]

A (2011) study of the Official Fanpages on Facebook of our Indian 2 wheeler brands/companies..

"I am always on Facebook" goes a popular TV jingle and that seems to be quite true with the latest generation armed with the latest “smart phones”. Heck..!! There are now even mobiles phones manufactured and marketed as "Facebook Phones"..!!

The question staring in everyone’s face undeniably is "Facebook से बच कर कहा जाओगे"?

Right now not being on Facebook is not the smartest thing to do, especially when one has a wonderful brand ..

.. so far only "desi" 2 wheeler companies have been active on Facebook..!!

[Note: Only "Motorcycle" Fanpages have been covered in this study]

This Facebook phenomenon also presents huge opportunities for corporate entities to reach out to its consumers. There already are a few Indian 2 Wheeler companies which are trying to leverage the reach of Facebook with their "Official Fanpage".

As the year 2011 comes to an end, posted below is a study of the Official Facebook Fanpages (compiled by myself) of our "desi" 2 wheeler brands/companies. Lets try to study the success/failure of these Fanpages and gain some insight on what it takes to create and maintain a vibrant Official Facebook Fanpage for our "desi" 2 Wheeler companies/brands.

0 KTM 200 Duke India: Initial Reviews

Indian Auto Publications reviews the KTM 200 Duke..!!

A couple of prominent Indian auto publications have got the opportunity to ride the KTM 200 Duke, posted below are the highlights from their reviews and also the respective links to the full reviews.



Photo Credit: xBhp

Summary of the various reviews:

• The KTM 200 Duke is an "Out and out Street Hooligan"
• Quality and Fit and Finish is of high order
• The liquid cooled, short stroke engine loves to be revved hard
• Very strong/punchy initial and mid range performance

12 KTM 200 Duke, Ready for India..!!

The KTM 200 Duke finally makes its appearance in India..!!

The much awaited KTM 200 Duke seems to ready to be launched very soon. Auto Publications seems to have got the opportunity to test ride the 200 Duke. Zigwheels has posted on Facebook, photos of the 200 Duke being ridden by its correspondents. AutocarIndia has also posted a brief first ride report on it's website.

[Special thanks to Vishnu from xBhp for informing me with the above news]

The KTM 200 Duke comes with the exact same "international specifications" of 25 bhp Peak Power with a 125 Kg Dry/137 Kg Kerb Weight..!! KTM is already claiming a (0-60 kmph) timing of 3.33 secs.. which means that the KTM 200 Duke would be the fastest accelerating "Made in India" bike..!!