Motorcycle Funeral Escort Killed

The motorcycle rider who went to this funeral procession didn't expect that it might well become his also. He was leading the procession and a car hit him killing him on the spot. Sad for his family and the funerary members, it seems to be a day of double sorrow. May god give them the strength to tide over the sad times.

Robbery Inspired by Movies

Looks like some people learn lessons from movies. This set of criminals did at least and made away with a cool $3.1 million heist from a jewelry store. On the flip side these guys are bringing a bad name to bikers and motorcyclists who ride for fun and enjoyment. I wonder what kind of backlash there will be in Britain against motorcyclists.

Surprising Passenger on a Motorcycle!

My Latest Project

1982 Yamaha Seca Turbo For Sale (Photo credit: Ryan Frost)

I used to be a biker when I was in India. Now after almost five years I have bought myself a motorcycle - a Yamaha Seca Turbo 650cc motorcycle. This was made in 1982-83 as the precursor of all the modern crotch rockets like the Yamaha R1, Honda CBR series, etc. It is shaft driven, so no question of chain adjustment for life time. Hopefully I will be able to get it running quickly and start enjoying it on the streets.

This is not a running bike, it is a project. My friend has been kind enough to agree to help me strip it apart, fix it and put it together again. We managed to get it started last week and now we still have some work pending. Here are some pictures of what the bikes looks like now. The picture on the side is what a complete bike looks like. That picture I found on the internet and is a bike that doesn't belong to me....

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Confederate Hellcat: Motorcycle Inspired by The Mahabharata

Image Courtesy Wall Street Journal

It is rare that one comes across someone saying that they have been inspired by the Hindu Epic Mahabharata. Specially in the day when ridiculing everything that is connected to Hinduism, Hindu spirituality or Hindu Epics is a fashion. This morning I read an article in Wall Street Journal about a master motorcycle designer Ed Jacobs and was heartened to note that he derives his inspiration from "Arjuna the silver-bright and unconquerable charioteer (should have been warrior) in the Mahabharata" among others.

Ed Jacobs is the chief designer at Confederate Motorcycles a boutique that manufactures custom, aesthetically designed, two wheeled beauties. I read the entire article and was awe struck by the attention to detail that makes this motorcycle the beauty that it is. Confederate's X132 Hellcat is their latest offering which is priced at $45,000 is one beauty on two wheels that will make every bike lover go weak in their knees.

According to the article Ed Jacobs got his inspiration to design motorcycles after he visited India and rode the Enfield Bullet to the Himalayas. He decided to work and build beautiful motorcycles that are aesthetic, functional and unique. I am glad that at least this individual has acknowledged that he derived inspiration from the Hindu Epic Mahabharata.

I wonder how many Indian designers of any kind - be it motorcycle or software or car would even think of the Mahabharata as a source of inspiration and even if they did how many would acknowledge the fact. Because if they did, there is every likelihood that the Indian media would brand them "right wing Hindutva fascists."

In my next blog post on the same topic I will discuss how motorcycles made in India could get a more intimate feel by simply renaming the models. It goes around to make a statement that we are aware of our heritage and are rooted in our culture, which unfortunately I think India is fast loosing.

Accessories for your Harley Davidson

America has a few non-negotiable icons. One of them is the legendary Harley Davidson Motorcycle, the dream machine of every biker in the world. The motorcycle is one of the most popular, desired and revered two wheeled steed in the US. During my short stay in the Texas, US I have come across several ardent bikers who own a harley and spend thousands dollars not only to buy one but to add accessories.

While browsing the internet I found this website that is solely selling harley-davidson accessories at discounted prices. They site is an ideal place to purchase everything that can be added onto your Harley Davidson motorcycle to make it look and feel better and more utilitarian. Things like touring bags can be added to carry stuff on long rides.

The site is user friendly and one can browse by model to find the exact part to fit into the motorcycle. Each model has numerous accessories that fit in as if it were stock equipment. The net result, your motorcycle will look even better and the next time you hit the road on your favorite set of wheels you can be sure to attract several envious and admiring stares.

For a short time they are also offering free shipping on all orders.

Electric scooters From BSA

Several decades ago when BSA was still Birmingham Small Arms Limited based in UK, the company produced fantastic motorcycles ranging from 125 cc to 500 cc. Bikes like the Gold Star and B-31 reigned supreme in race tracks across the world.
Then the company went into a retrograde motion and limited itself to produce only bicycles. Now it seems like they are taking baby steps back towards its original products. This news item BSA Motors launches e-scooters in New Delhi sparked off my reverie about the past. It is good that at least the present BSA has decided to take steps towards Eco-friendly transportation. Hope it picks up momentum soon.

Own a Motorcycle? Get great parts here!!!

Motorcycling or biking as it is commonly known is not as simple as buying a two-wheeler off the shop and riding it on the road. It is more like a sub-culture with enthusiasts spending enormous amounts of time and money to customize their toys before riding them on the road. Few of the enthusiasts went one step further and promoted businesses in this area. At one point of time getting the right sport bike exhaust was a challenge. But now thanks to the internet and several websites there are thousands of different motorcycle parts which are easily available. Bike enthusiasts need to just go online order and then customize their wheels. There are special accessories for big brands like Harleys, Sport Bikes, Goldwings etc. The community of riders who ride cruisers and customize them is completely different from those who ride sport bikes. Online communities cater to all the genres of motorcycle enthusiasts.

World's longest motorcycle

While browsing the internet I found this interesting video and thought I'd share it on my blog. It is about how the World's Longest Motorcycle was built. This motorcycle was created/ engineered by Colin Furze of United Kingdom and measures 14.03 meters (46 ft 3 in) in length. Colin had to ride the home-grown motorcycle for about 100 meters to be accepted for the record. Nevertheless I think this is a spirited effort. Technologically it is nothing of any use to the human race but in terms of personal achievement, I think he has gotten there. Good for Colin.

Harley Davidson - My Dream Motorcycle

Every biker's dream would be to own a Harley Davidson motorcycle. The deep throaty thumping beat of the motorcycle generates flutters in everyone's heart. I have been attracted to this big V-twin motorcycle ever since my teen years. At that time I was in India and it was impossible to even see a Harley, let alone ride or own one. But being a great fan of this legendary motorcycle, I bought several Harley Davidson Accessories such as a jacket, key chain, cigarette lighter, etc.

I moved to the US 18 months ago and now I live in Texas, the big state where one can ride motorcycles almost round the year. Here is where I got an opportunity to ride a Harley and also visit a showroom. I now understand that the cost of owning a Harley is quite high. Buying a new Harley is quite expensive and in this country, insuring one is even more expensive. Then there is the cost of maintenance. HD Parts can be expensive if bought at the wrong place.

One thing I must say here is that Texas is definitely an out and out Harley Davidson state. On clear days one can see hundreds of Harley riders enjoying their ride on the highways. These guys attired in leathers, astride on gleaming motorcycles, ride on without a care in the world enjoying the sun and winds blowing against their faces. Sometimes I do stop by and have a chat with the owners of these beautiful motorcycles.

Somehow or the other the topic moves to maintenance and I have gathered that most people don't patronize a mechanic or repair shop. They work on their motorcycles and fix problems, if any were to occur. One owner was very candid and said he would simply go online and order Discount Harley Parts because it is a lot faster than fixing a repair appointment and taking the motorcycle to a shop. I guess the high labor costs at official Harley Davidson shops could be quite a deterrent. But looking at the other side, I'd say it gives the owners immense pride to say that the motorcycle is self maintained.

Online Motorcycle Commuinty

There is something about people who ride motorcycles, they forge friendships very easily. Bikers can talk all day and all night about their favorite rides, motorcycles and communities. Every motorcycle rider has a story. The proliferation of internet has given rise to a unique online motorcycle community which is a virtual meeting place for bikers of all types. The community is not limited to any geographical region, it is global.

This community a one stop shop for information about motorcycles, modifications, parts, rides and everything conceivable about these endearing two-wheeled wonders. It also acts as a platform for motorcycle enthusiasts from across the world to meet and exchange ideas, thoughts and information about technical stuff. There are user-uploaded pictures, videos and stories about biking and motorcycles. This community will sure hold the attention of every biker acorss the world.

New Models at the Mumbai Auto Show 2009

I found this video on zigwheels.com.. the comment attached to the video mislead me into watching (or should I say enduring) the entire 5.5 minutes hoping to get a glimpse of the new motorcycles from Royal Enfield. But then apart from bad presentation and reporting the video contains a fleeting glimpse of the two wheeled wonders. Anyway this is one of the most mediocre works I have ever come across. Hope they will do a better job next time around.

Another Racing Fatality

Motorcycle racing is a very dangerous sport which attracts only those who dare. The sport is most common among the young and reckless and it is not uncommon for promising young racers to get martyred on the tarmac or dirt. The race track took another life today in Costa Rica. American freestyle motocross racer Jeremy Lusk (24), succombed to his head injuries today, two days after a serious crash, while attempting a backflip during a competition.

A high-achiever motocross rider, Lusk had a successful 2008 season during which he won a gold medal at the 2008 X Games, and silver in Best Trick when he landed the first double-grab Hart Attack backflip. He won a bronze helmet in Freestyle at the Moto X World Championships in his hometown of San Diego. Here is a video of his crash taken from Youtube.



Motorsports is thrilling and gives one the rush of adrenalin which most other mainstream competitive sports give. But this rush is intimately attached to the possibility of severe and at times fatal injuries to the participant, however good he/ she is. Life hangs in balance when one gets astride the metal steed and revs up the engine to enter the arena of motocross. If one comes out alive and unscathed then he/ she gets to live another day and ride another course, otherwise.... well... otherwise... the rider becomes a memory like Jeremy Lusk became two days ago....

Amazing Biker Video

Man on a Bike Performs Stunts While Being Lit on Fire. - Click here for more free videos

Royal Enfield V-Twin

I received this video as an e-mail forward from one of the groups I am a member of. This guy in UK had a dream of building a 700 cc V-Twin motorcycle using two Royal Enfield Bullet engines. He is one of those characters who is not just a dreamer and decided to do it, and the result is this fully functional V-Twin motorcycle engine. Sounds great and I am sure runs smoothly too. I wish Enfield guys will take note of this biker's innovation and try to produce it commercially in India so that Bullet enthusiasts will have something more than the 350 and 500 cc bikes to ride and rave about.

Antiquated Enfield Commercial

I chanced upon this TV commerical of Royal Enfield Bullet on youtube and thought I'd share it with my readers. This is one bike which I probably owned for the longest period of time while I was in India. I have ridden several motorcycles since parting with the Bullet but none have come anywhere close in terms of the feel and riding comfort of this big thumper. It is on this motorcycle that I doscovered the joys of riding in the backroads of rural India... places where there are no roads but only foot trails... places where rivers flow across the roads... places where traffic is so thick that one has to inch along for hours before opening the throttle. But all said... Enfield Bullet is the bike...

Fantastic Motorcycle Display

This is a fantastic synchronised motorcycle riding display by the Italian police. The precision of riding, timing and the amazing balancing act by these bikers is something to be emulated by every motorcycle enthusiast. If this kind of skills were developed by every biker then there would be very few accidents.

Great Italian Motorbike Display - The best free videos are right here

World's first Motorcycle Recreated

The world's first motorcycle was manufactured by Daimler and it was made in 1885.... a little over 125 years ago. Though Gottlieb Daimler, the pioneer in automobiles holds the patent to the motorcycle design, it was not him who created the very first motorycle. It was Sylvester Roper, who was employed in the Union Armoury during the U.S. Civil War who built a primitive "motorcycle" as early as 1867. This was a tiny two-cylinder machine powered by steam. On the other hand Daimler's motorcycle was gasoline-driven and had a one-cylinder gasoline powered Otto-cycle engine mounted on a wooden bicycle frame.

Now coming back to my post, Phil, a friend's friend in Australia is such a motorcycle lover and enthusiast that he decided to go ahead and build his own 1885 Daimler. Phil loves collecting motorcycles, specially those with 6 cylinders. One night, whilst staring at his latest Franklin Mint model 1885 Daimler Motorcycle, he had a sudden brainwave. He decided to reproduce a full size working model of it. From then on started the journey of hard work and loads of expenses. And now after 2 years & lots of $$$, the results are stunning as can be seen in the pictures, Phil plans to display this recreation at the Vic & NSW motorcycle shows. I am sure there are lots of motorcycle enthusiasts waiting to catch a glimpse of this machine.

Smaller motorcycles from Harley Davidson???

Globalisation is changing things across the world and the impact is being felt in the US also. The most favored cult brand in the US or rather I would say the world, Harley Davidson is facing the brunt of the economic downturn in the US. During the 1990s when the US economy was booming the bike manufacturer was the most favoured company of bike dealerships and stock brokers in wall street. But a decade down the line, US is spending billions of $s in fighting two wars half-way across the world and domestically people are grappling with steep increase in gas prices, home mortgage crises, rising unemployment (6.5 percent) and sky-rocketing grocery and food prices. Historically the motorcycle has been a symbol of prestige; a vehicle of pleasure and entertainment in the US and now people are so strapped for money that they are just not riding lesser and lesser as the days pass. The first to be hit in this flagging economy has been the motorcycle behemoth, Harley Davidson. The company has been experiencing sales at snails pace and is planning to cutting back production and laying off workers. Harley-Davidson stock split four times during the 1990s, but the last split was eight years ago, and shares in end-August were priced at $38.78, down considerably from a 52-week high of $55.41 reached in September of last year.

Since the US markets are pretty much saturated Harley Davidson is looking at international markets for sustainance. They are opening dealerships in South American and Asian nations in the hope of drumming up flagging sales. But in Asian countries where roads are narrower than the sidewalks in the US it is difficult to ride the elephantine Harleys. And perhaps for the first time in the history of the company, Harley Davidson is contemplating manufacturing smaller motorcycles. It would be sad to see the big-daddy of motorcycles falling from grace like this.

Biker Memories

It has been 8 months since I sat astride a motorcycle and felt the raw power at the end of my palm. Being a biker-by-birth, to be without riding motorcycles for such a long time is something like not living. But then circumstances are such that I have not been able to ride a motorcycle. Do I miss riding my bike, weaving in and out of choc-a-bloc Bangalore traffic? Honking incessently? Riding out on the open but dangerous highways in India? You bet I do and now all that I have are memories of those days when I would take off without a thought or care out into the wilderness to explore the teeming countryside of India.

Now in America, I feel claustrophobic driving a car. Though the roads, speeds and relative comforts are much greater in this country, I miss India and sometimes I wonder if I will ever get back to my country? And after experiencing so much different scenario, like driving on the right side of the road I wonder if I will be able to drive on Indian roads again? Initially adapting to American roads and traffic rules was difficult and now I am comfortable in this scenario and I wonder if I will be able to fit into the chaos and disorder that prevails on Indian roads.

I don't know I will find out only if and when I return to my motherland. Till then all I can do is to remember and feel nostalgic.