Professional Documents
Culture Documents
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VOLUME 1 ISSUE 1
YAMAHA FAZER
I D E !
‘FAIR’ ENOUGH TO CALL IT A TOURER?
I N S A N E R
ON E
8
VARDENCHI VIVAAN
GOD’S OWN CHOPPER
YAMAHA R15
PERFORMANCE UPGRADE
3 NUTTY BOYS, 3 RICKETY BIKES, 300MM RAINFALL, 500KM, 1 DAY, 0 LOGIC, FUN!
8
HIMALAYAN ODYSSEY ‘09
August 2009
Hello,
I make you a promise. For Motoroids, you,
the biker of this country will always come
first
I
know it’s been longer than usual since we last met, and I hope the delay
has been worth the while. During the hiatus, we’ve been trying to create a
magazine that touches the core of your heart, brings a smile on your face
as you browse through it and excites you as much as it excited us while
making it. We would like to assume that we have been fairly successful in
our attempt. However, if you think there are any pages that need to be sent to
the bin, do let us know and we’ll do the needful. This magazine is yours in every
perceptible meaning of the word, and if there’s something in it that you don’t
want, there’s no reason for it to be there.
Motoroids2 is an attempt to relate to the incredibly fervent biking
community of the country that has been largely ignored by media for as long as
I can remember. Having worked with the erstwhile only bike-specific monthly
publication in the country, I know how passionate, how loving, how giving, how
large and most importantly how callously ignored the biking fraternity of our
country is. While our market is cluttered with various car-specific or primarily
car-focused publications, the biker of the second largest motorcycle producing
country in the world remains ignored for reasons beyond my comprehension.
Motoroids2 is a reverence to the ever-enthusiastic Indian biker who disregards
dampeners like hazardous road traffic, tattered roads, extreme weather, expensive
fuel and wheezy engines to take to the road and celebrate the spirit of freedom
and adventure.
With Motoroids2, I make you a promise. That for the entire team of
Motoroids2, you, the biker of this country will always come first. That Motoroids2
will always be about living and enjoying the true spirit of biking. And that what
doesn’t excite us or you enough will never find any space on these pages.
I call all the motorheads on steroids to come and join us for the incredibly exciting
journey that awaits us. Let’s ride together!
Rev freely,
Amit Chhangani
amit@motoroids.com
02
August 2009
MISSION IRRATIONAL 15
Cover story Braking News 08
News with a pinch of salt
Faired Enough? 34
Yamaha Fazer first ride Biker Personality 61
38 Shailesh & Nikunj Gala
The Hymn of the Holy Hulk 38
Vardhenchi custom chopper 15 Moto Magnate 67
Anurang Jain, MD, Endurance Group
A Touch of Evil 45
Yamaha performance parts Moto Clubz 67
Rubber Rippers
Himalayan Odyssey 2009 49
The name says it all Dreamgear 68
Sub-zero stuff
A Mann thing 53
Mann+Hummel MD goes to the Himalayas Now Showing 69
Latest coolest flicks
Acid Test 71
Mindrevvin’ 12 Long term tests
Amit Chhangani
34 Tech Speak 73
The Fat Biker 13 Quasiturbine engine
Rohit Paradkar 74
Clutch tales 74
Motomusings 13 India’s first biking superhero
Mihir Gadre
History 80
Rotary engined bikes
45
International Motorsport 55 Crazy, crazy, world!! 82
IOM, MotoGP & WSBK Funny pics
Indian Motorsport 63
Gulf Monsoon Rally
& JK Tyre championship
03
The
Imp eccable
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For all India distributor / dealership enquiries pls call : Vinay +91 98719 95545 SMS 'Battery' to 56767
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August 2009
THE TEAM
An assortment of loons, goons and buffoons
Pradeb
“Kandi” B
Ran away fro
m jail, then b iswas
Gauri “ instantly. Sold
his platinum
roke into his
own house, w
Cookie be associated
with us.
ring for surv
ival. Heck, h
as driven out
Our in-hou
se extortion ” lokar e is still brok
e to
As long as sh
we accept al
e works har
specialist is
d this magaz
responsible
for getting
e
l currencies ine remains us al
. free. Keep th l the funding.
e money co
ming,
$ y ney
Money
one
Mo
Mon
M ey
¥
Rs.
£
£
$
¥
Rs.
Money
Rs.
$
$ £
Rs.
$
Rs.
£
05
Aditya “Click- Kiran “StickMan” August 2009
eshan “ShaTTar-
bug” shetty
Our official shooter is the tiniest pho-
tographer, in the world, but makes it up
with his enthusiasm, though after a point
it starts getting on your nerves and you
want to smash his 40D in his face.
06
BRAKING NEWS:
News that makes our heart skip a beat
STOPPIE August 2009
After the mind blowing duel between Rossi and Lorenzo at Catalunya this year, and the
epic battle between the Italian and Stoner at Laguna Seca last year, all MotoGP fanatics
were expecting a nuke-war at this year’s American GP between these top three racers. But
the result was far from it!
Dani Pedrosa who has been in the championship contention this season without a
single win, came out of nowhere and took pole positin during qualifying. Come Sunday
and the Frodo Baggins-lookalike converted his pole position into a race victory – a first for
Repsol Honda since the Catalunya victory last season. It took the entire race distance for
Remember the kick-ass V4 concept that Honda showcased last 800cc mill will most probably be replaced with a 1200cc engine Rossi to catch up with Pedrosa but his pace wasn’t enough to pass the Honda. This victory
year? The radical concept gave subtle hints about what the next- producing close to a 180 horses. Don’t expect this bike to go for seems to have pumped up the confidence of the team. This fact was instantly visible at the
gen VFR could look like when it hits the market in 2010. But the ‘Busa or the 14’s throat though. This machine will instead following race at Sachsenring. At the same circuit last year, this Spaniard had one of the
we don’t need to wait that long to take a peek at what’s coming. be one of the most desirable sports tourers money can buy and most horrifying MotoGP crashes ever when bike went flying off the the first corner. This
What we have here are some leaked photos of the final production like all the previous VFRs, will showcase Honda’s next-gen cutting year however, he overcame that mental hurdle and finished third on the podium. With new
model of what we think is the VFR 1200! Yes you read it right, the edge technologies. components coming to the RC212V, the Honda-Yamaha battle will hopefully restart soon!
08
BRAKING NEWS:
News that’s neither here nor there
SLIDE August 2009
09
BRAKING NEWS:
News that SHOULDN’T HAVE BEEN NEWS
CRASH August 2009
Seen here are photos of the 2009 Hero Honda Karizma. Unless you have been hiding
in a nutshell, there is a probability that you have already seen these floating around
on the internet. When we first looked at them in our mailbox, our unpleasant
exclamation was ‘What were they thinking???’ We thought CBZ Xtreme transition
Michael Jackson dies of from the good ol’ CBZ was the worst they could do, but this disproportionate white
elephant defies that too! Our sources however are calming us down by guaranteeing
cardiac arrest a host of new technologies under the bulbous fairing – from fuel injection and an
army of sensors to a 3-stage low emission exhaust system and unparalleled riding
We know he wasn’t a biker. But his music is what a lot of bikers grew up listening to and still listen to when comfort. Let’s wait and watch! To let us know what you think about the new
munching those kilometers. Jackson’s death comes across as the end of an era. We are sad... Karizma, write to us at Letters@motoroids.com
10
Columns
August 2009
AMIT CHHANGANI
Biking is about experiencing something
MINDREVVIN’
A
h, that sweet, throbby note of the punchy
Fiero engine. No sound in the world is
as sonorous – I can feel the pulse of the
first love of my life as she breathes. As I
shift my weight across the breadth of that narrow
seat while riding to Pachgani, I feel like a mushy
teenager, going all gooey in his heart. Someone
seems to have wiped 8 years off my life. I am once
again the 19 year old reckless teenage lad hanging
off his bike who never had a worry in the world.
There’s hardly any grip on those skinny tyres, but drenched in water head-to-toe and frozen to the spine. None of us have a fancy, fast answer even before I can utter a word.
do I care? I am going all nostalgic as I climb up bike under his bum, nor are we on a record bashing run. There isn’t really a big purpose An hour later, even after being subjected to some torturously cold ice cream in a
the curvy road. This is the same road I brought my to this ride, but isn’t that the point? Does there really need to be one? chilly weather, with heavy rains and unsettling crosswinds making riding extremely
childhood friend for a ride to when I first came to We’re riding just for the heck of it and loving every moment of it. And that’s the perilous, the team is not in a mood to call it a day. Nor am I. We ride through some
Pune. It was raining as heavily as it is raining today real essence of biking - experiencing something inexplicably ecstatic in something that of the worst weather ever, through some really hazardous road conditions, at speeds
and I almost crashed into the valley while charging appears so trivial and usual from outside the helmet. The agitation within me that has that would be excruciatingly boring in normal state of affairs, and for a painfully long
downhill overenthusiastically. Nothing seems to been chewing me up for years together seems to have been laid to rest. The inference period of time. Surprisingly, I am still having a whale of a time behind that half-fogged
have changed. The bends are still as inviting, the is simple – biking is a therapy. It’s a liberating, soothing, intoxicating exercise. If you visor as marble sized raindrops patter loud over my lid. I am a little concerned about
tar still as smooth, the bike doesn’t seem to have have not ridden for long, just pick your bike up on any given day, rainy or sunny, kick the rest of the team members who have taken a 70km longer route along with me
aged a day, nor do I. Can’t figure where I had lost it alive and ride it for as long as your body allows. You would somehow find some sense courtesy an overflowing river blocking the road back to Pune. As we take a halt for
my real self for so long – it suddenly feels so special in my words. a top-up after the taxing ride, I apprehensively take off my helmet to see what shape
to be alive. After climbing up the beautiful windy road leading to Mahabaleshwar, all soaked the team members are in. And this is when the wide grins on their faces authenticate
We are riding for the cover story of the and crumpled on the skin, I stop for a moment before stepping into the restaurant forever what I have always believed in – riding can never be boring.
inaugural issue of Motoroids2. The conditions where we are supposed to take a halt. I think of asking my fellow teammates if they
are perilous, and the weather unrelenting. We are were alright, as I am freezing myself. The brilliant smiles on their faces give me my Let me know your views and comments by writing to me at amit@motoroids.com
12
Columns
August 2009
1
25s are the new 100s, they say. Well I don’t think
extra dough for a legal import, but just like all of us, even so. The problem with the current 125s is that the
ROHIT PARADKAR they find the mindless import duties ludicrously high to
justify the spend.
manufacturers are never satisfied with just 25% MIHIR GADRE
improvement over a 100 cc bike. They are always
MOTOMUSINGS
So if so many illegal bikes were registered, where have
THE FAT BIKER
I
We are sure there is truth behind this story. But my sheet, but it didn’t sell. Sadly, the bike was too far ahead of its that they would never make a diesel car but
am as normal a bike enthusiast as you all are. I question is, where were all these authorities when the time and it list price of Rs. 52,000 was same as today’s 125s. they did, while BMW’s M division swore
have dreamt about all those big bore motorcycles bikes came in? Why didn’t the RTO verify these so called The fact that there are a couple of excellent 100cc bikes in that they would never touch their SUVs and
while I didn’t have a penny to buy even the bills of entry with the Customs department right at the the market makes life even more difficult for 125s. Especially but even they did. It is okay at times to roll
cheapest commuter in town. Sighting an outset? If the said 700 bikes were imported as spares, and the HH CD-Deluxe and the TVS Star-Sport are excellent with the punches. Who’s had the last laugh?
imported bike on the roads of this country, for as long then registered as completely built imports, why didn’t the products available at fantastic prices. These bikes have been Porsche and BMW are doing pretty well for
as I can remember has been as rare as spotting a snail Customs department realize that something scrupulous was honed for decades compared to 125s which are more or themselves, in these recessionary times while
in a desert. But the last few years have been totally cooking? Does the government really want us to believe that less experimental products. It will take bloody perfection other big-guns have gone bankrupt. Words
different. There are all sorts of imports, ranging from all these bikes were imported, assembled, then registered from any rival to beat them. Moreover these 100 cc bikes don’t matter; it’s the products that matter. It
the puny CBR150 to the mighty ZX14 gathering up and sold without their authorities playing a vital role in the never feel lacking in the engine department anyway. It’s the seems that Bajaj are finally getting it right,
outside every hangout, motorsport event and even whole process? In fact, I have heard of numerous incidents chassis, suspension, tyres and brakes which feel vastly more at least in theory, by launching the Discover
Sunday morning rides. Where did all these bikes in the past where people have tried their level best to import inadequate than the engine. I personally think that the only 100 with a stiff chassis, wide tyres, meaty
suddenly emerge from? And an even bigger question a completely legal bike into the country, but to no avail. 125 worth buying today is the Suzuki Heat. At Rs. 41,000 suspension, electric-start and a 5-speed
is - where have they suddenly disappeared? The Customs officers at various levels have denied passing (On-Road, Pune) it matches the 100cc bikes in terms of price gearbox for a killer price-tag of Rs 44,400
The first question has boggled the minds of the it out clean for the sheer fact that they can’t earn their chai- and is actually better than the 100s in terms of drivability, (On-road, Pune).
top honchos at all the bike makers who have brought paani if the bikes go through the legal channel. How many refinement and performance and build quality. Thanks to the In India the only thing people brag
their litre-class wares to country. While Honda, such officials has the DRI nailed? What further questions great low-end torque, it also delivers great fuel efficiency in about is not top speed, not bhp but ‘average’,
Yamaha and Suzuki have together managed to sell their credibility is their demand for the unpaid duties, from real world riding conditions. even the ones buying premium bikes. So
about 200 motorcycles in the past 18 months, the grey the end customer. If any importer imports a commodity via After years of trying and failing to dethrone the if you want to be one of those confused
market, as everyone likes to call it, has registered more the wrong channel and sells it to me at a price that I can CD100/Splendor/Passion from its top spot , Bajaj famously souls, you are better off with a 100cc bike.
than 700 new motorcycles. These are dream numbers afford, with all the legal documents in place, it’s the importer announced that it will no longer have a presence in the But if you are one of those enlightened
for the Indian subsidiaries of the Japanese Big Three. who is at fault, not me! But since the DRI has failed to nail 100cc segment. I cheered their words. I envisioned that souls who looking for the perfect balance
Substantially more bikes are sold via the grey channel the importers, they are now hiding their incompetency by soon Bajaj would come out with a simple product with between performance, fuel-efficiency and
because of the humongous price advantage over the making the customers pay. I think DRI should act first more sense than style, say a CT-125 for around 35 grand. value, do yourself a favour and go for a 150,
official imports, amounting to as much as 5 lakh to clean their own side of the house, before accusing the Sadly, the vision never materialized. Times changed and because with a 125, you will end up getting
rupees in some cases. It’s not that the big guns who customers. I urge you to unite, demand for the answers to all Bajaj had to back-track on their own words. Nothing wrong neither.
buy these models in the grey market can’t afford the these questions and if need be, fight.
13
August 2009
500 km, 3 riders ,7 assignments, 1 day
Mission Irrational
...you need no reason to ride
SAGAR SHELDEKAR
02. If you have an R15 at your disposal, you don’t need a reason
The former Bike India deputy editor just can’t stop grinning
as his bike is running like clockwork. The skinny TVS to ride. Sagar owns one, and he very kindly agreed to come
Srichakra tyres on his machine may not have leaked air in along as a member of the backup team. Unfortunately the
ages, but they’re going to give him a hellish time on the first run that he was a part of didn’t last for too long
slippery twisties around Pune. Quick and composed on
the road and off it, Andy has a good chance of winning the
battle, save he’s a tad too enthusiastic for his own good!
Pune All the riders are supposed to stick together. You’d think
The rules are as simple as the assignment. To start with, it’s a measure taken by the judges to prevent us from
the contending bikes have to be out-of-production 150cc acting smart and filling up fuel to show better efficiency
motorcycles – older bikes get more points to start with. at a later point, but that’s not the case. All the riders
For every extra cc over the least capacity bike, there’s a will be stripped of cash, clocks and cells when they start
penalty of five points. Breakdowns, defined as the bike so they better stick with the gang if they don’t want to
requiring repairs to be mobile again, will cost 50 points get stranded in the middle of nowhere and get eaten by
each. Points for individual missions will be revealed as
the ride progresses. All the bikes are filled to the brim, a
a lion. The riders are allowed to hurl abuses, call each
other names and use other verbal means to bring the
01
little before the end of the ride all the bikes get topped morale of the competitors down. Tinkering with the
up to find out the most fuel efficient machine. It’s a test competitors’ bike is not allowed in the open though. Do
Khambatki Ghat of the machine’s reliability, speed and efficiency, and it surreptitiously, or you’ll be disqualified. If you have to
that of the rider’s skill and stamina mix laxatives in drinks or pull out a spark plug cord, do
it when nobody’s around
Poladpur
Mahabaleshwar
02
” 01.
Rash’s big plans for the ride got a
massive jolt when he discovered a
puncture in his front tyre (and ego).
Mihir and I rejoiced for obvious reasons
I
t’s simple. We go to Mahabaleshwar and come 02.
We had to get to repairing the tyre
back. Easy peasy! Except that it’s raining
cats and dogs in and around Pune, with the
ourselves as the kid at the puncture shop
preferred playing with the balloons.
03
highest rainfall of the season recorded on the Moreover, we don’t endorse child labour
re-scheduled ride day (read on for for details on
the re-scheduled day). We’ll be riding completely 03.
When the bike moves, the massive
soaked, with our balls frozen and will have a whole vacuum created behind that monster
array of tasks to accomplish on our way and back. will make the gases rip their way out!
Slippery roads, poor visibility, unreliable old bikes Shhh!
and worn out tyres – it’s going to be exciting.
Moreover, we’re explicitly told by the judges that 04.
You may laugh if you want, but I am
they have some surprises in store for us. We’re applying for the Nobel Prize this year
game! for uncovering the safest place for
inflated balloons in the entire universe
05 04 17
August 2009
Kick start your bikes. Every extra kick after the first
one attracts a penalty of 10 points. Make sure the to kick them to life, and praying for a smooth ignition.
ignition is on, fuel cock is in the right position and I have always had immense faith in my Fiero as far
you’ve ‘kicked’ the thought of making sissy excuses as turning its engine one goes. It once came to life in just
out of your mind – because excuses won’t work. half-a-kick after staying unattended for four months. Rash
Good luck with that Pulsar, Mihir! was the first to try his luck though, and the Hero Honda
reliability stood true to its fame. My Fiero too, like always
01
W
didn’t let me down and her heart went throbbing with just a
e had to blow five balloons, tie them slight push of the lever. While the CBZ and the Fiero stood
with a string anywhere on our bike or in tune with the expectations, it was Mihir’s original Pulsar
gear (for the next mission) and kick 150 that defied its notoriety for fussy starts. None of us got
start our bikes. All the balloons were an advantage in the inaugural round. While all this kick
to be scrutinized by judges to make sure they were starting business looked a little too formal for our action
properly inflated. Even before the mission started, loving tendencies, little did we know what awaited us was
it seemed like Rash was hit by a rubber-breaking one of the most exciting rides of our lives!
tragedy. Experienced mortals would know how
disastrous such accidents could be. Not only had the
big man lost two of his balloons (pun not intended)
but his bike too had lost the one within its front tyre.
The CBZ which was looking the most promising
machine of the triad till now had technically broken
down. This meant a penalty of 50 points for the RSA
PRE-MISSION KICKSTART CUMULATIVE
Prez. Mihir and I in the meantime had the meanest
grins on our faces.
After about half an hour of delay, for which cc -25 0 65
both Mihir and I appealed for a 500 points penalty ANDY mfg yr 90
against Rash, and which was overruled owing to his
old friendship with Eshan, we sat on our bikes, ready RASH
cc -65 0 35
mfg yr 100
cc 0 0 80
MIHIR mfg yr 80
01.
We wonder why Rash is standing behind his
HH even as Mihir I pose proudly beside our
steeds. Don’t bother yourself brother, there’s
no way you can hide that big paunch of
yours.
02.
The world would end the day that Fiero
doesn’t come alive in one kick. And it obliges,
01. like always.
03.
No surprises with Rohit’s CBZ either - a
gentle push of the lever and the original 150
starts breathing
04.
Alas! Both Rash and I were expecting at least
a 40 point headstart here. That Pulsar too
uncharasteriscally came alive without a fuss
02 03 04 05. 05 18
All five intact! I am winning, I am winning!
d
one – I ha
e ll b e g u n is half d li ve d
.W ort
b ik e s in motion y h a p p in ess was sh so o n
August 2009
d
“
c a m e t o u t. M m y h e a
ids triad y task cu om above e
s Motoro rent theories m heard a bo oons abov
T
commuters on two-wheelers rode along and asked me
he geniu o u s d iffe e th o u g h , a s I
re m a in in g two ball ’t ve ry
h v a ri e n ts th n . Th e d I w a sn questions in Marathi which I reckon were queries about
up wit a y an
”
ic h position
augm
. R a sh after I beg fl u tt e ring crazil ey was to keep my mental state
w h mo st e re k
as to
o f b a lloons the a ti o n my head w g they’ll last. The ll o w e d to go
longev it y x e q u lo n n o t a
a comple efficient sure how check, but we were Khambatki in
a ri o u s v alues in a n d c o sp e e d in to re a ch
put in v fficiency,
drag n that
the
/h, and h
ad ualified
la te s fu e l e
a c o n c lu si o
b e lo w 5 0 k m
p re v e n t being disq ne a
th a t re ame to dleb a r n ho u r to had do
st ic ity and c lloons on the han the a little over a re a li zed that I on
o f e la
st o f the ba o n a g a inst th e m ission . I
n d M ih ir were so
o tec ti fro m a their
tying m m a x imum pro ons with a string e , a s both R
ash
e m ajority of
re is ta k h th ile I
will ensu o ne of the
ballo
lm e t to see if
m
th e
it
distance w hin their arms, wh .
e ti e d fh is h e lo st in w it ping
wind. H o m the back o m e reduced s si tting safely e string from snap ar
o u t fr g e fr a a ll o o n c
coming by his hu imed b protect th s at me,
e v a c u u m created g th e self-procla e ro d e slowly to ro a d th rew stone a k e th eir
th ih ir, be in o o ns at th s on th e o k and m
g . M thre e b a ll K id st o p , lo two-
flutterin rs o nality tied front for optimum b ra ked hard to hile commuters on in
e d ’ p e d ri v e rs
‘balanc
o balloon
s at the e a laugh
w questions
milies hav asked me
rear and tw n t. I op te d fa
rs rode a lo n g a n d
q ueries abo
ut my
. d iff e re w h e e le n w e re st, as I
balance ry
le
was a litt ering myself with i which I re
cko
e v en ride fa
M y th e o both M a ra th I co u ld n ’t very
m o n se nse than e b a ll o ons hang e n ta l st ate. And c a re o f. It wasn’t a rs
for com ing th s m ta k e heele
e . R a th e r than lett r, where the chance h a d so m e rubber to h a herd of two-w ings
scienc andleba were ding wit ying th
b rail or h h various objects ral nice feeling ri , pointing fingers, sa faces. It
off the gra w it ir na tu gy o u th ir
e
colliding der in the surroundin grins on peared
of them e d them to w a n
to tie th e m
v ing th e w id e st
a mbatki ap
Each rider has to ride with five balloons tied I a ll ow e r p la c e a n d h a a n d K h kfully
more, . So what b
ett
me margin was getting diffic
ult
y was. Than
to his bike/gear for 70km up to Khambatki ry – a ir k e e p so a c tu a ll rm of
territo et? And ju
st to
rab rail. farther th
an it
m e in the fo
ghats. Each balloon is worth 20 points. This th e h e lm to th e g m u c h in g fo r
than of them emed ite wait
mission is designed to endorse birth control. I tied two arted, my theory se ne there was resp
for error, re we st Rash ’s o
The more rubber you break, the more the Even befo st. Mihir’s two and disaster…
g b e e y se t their a
in th
disadvantage you have, and the more you to be work burst even before 01
suffer. You’d be given the option to keep o n h a d
Ballo
your balloon on the bike for the entire run.
If the balloon survives, you get 300 extra
points. If it bursts, you lose 300
01.
Someone kindly cancel my Nobel nomination.
I now realise my theorem was wrong. NEVER
tie balloons to your helmet if you want them
to last!
02.
There - I have that burst green one as proof!
03.
Once again Rash makes a futile attempt to
conceal his girth behind those puny balloons.
Things people would do to woo girls!
04.
Balloons or no balloons, Mihir’s pace on the
bike always remains the same - crawling slow!
04 03 02 19
“
disaster
What an irony – the backup vehicle had broken down, while
the three supposedly unreliable bikes were running like August 2009
”
a dream
W
e were expecting this ride to have some
bad surprises for us in store. We were
not sure whether our respective bikes
were ready for such a tough grill. Mihir
and Rash had borrowed their respective bikes from their
friends, so they didn’t have a clue about the health of
these machines. My Fiero had recently been started after
a hiatus of 4 months, and even I didn’t know if something
was just about to fall off. The chances of a calamity
were quite high, so we wanted our backup vehicle to be 01 02
reliable. My Opel Corsa’s engine malfunction light was
coming on and going off at will, so we decided to go with
Rash’s more reliable Palio.
Unfortunately, the big flippant guy hadn’t checked
the coolant and oil levels in his machine for ages, and
just when we were beginning to experience the real thrill HOLD MY
of this ride, the Palio decided to come to a halt. What 01. 04. CARRY OVER BALLONS CUMULATIVE
an irony – the backup vehicle had broken down, while Isn’t this the biggest coincidence in the Pradeb suggested towing the car for as much
world? Two Fiat Palios breaking down at distance as possible with each bike, as one
the three supposedly unreliable bikes were running like exactly the same point! of the additional missions 65 60 125
a dream. The coolant hose of the Palio had developed a ANDY
big hole due to overheating, and the engine won’t start. 02. 05. RASH
35 40 75
This was a big letdown, as some serious planning had Oh, so that was the problem. The car didn’t ‘Why don’t you show us how’ suggests
80 20 100
gone into this ride, and it would be difficult to reorganize have (ho)s, err hose in it. Rash gets one for Mihir
himself. MIHIR
everything for a later day before the launch deadline.
03. The show must go on! Motoroids
refused to cancel the story for another
Mihir the great Gadre went off-roading,
and later required two assistants to arrive cover story, as they didn’t want to
back safely compromise one bit on thrills. Three
days later, we started off from the same
point again, this time with Eshan’s Swift
DDiS as the back-up vehicle. The bikes
were filled to the brim again and five
balloons were suspended to each of the
three bikes. A little more than an hour
later, I emerged victorious with three
balloons hanging off proudly from my
bike at the foothills of Khambatki.
Rash was left with two, while Mihir,
even with all his planning managed to
save only one ballon from liquidation.
ani
Words Amit Chhang
03 04 05 20
was the Fiero
the line, but somehow it
S
tor spo rt eve nt off
ince it was a mo the Pulsar and
par t of, we tha t got the holeshot with August 2009
we were going to be a Hero Honda
ani zer Esh an the CBZ trailing it. The poor
demanded our eve nt org of tunes, wasn’t
rgy dri nk s. wh ich wasn’t in the best
to supply us som e ene mark no matter
re exp ect ing a ready to cross the 6,000 rpm
While we three musketee
rs we le. The Pulsar on
com ing ou r ho w hard I wrung the thrott
hot babe with a crate of Re
d Bu ll m of its own. The
spo ok y old the other hand had a proble
way; what we got instea d wa s a met to the bike was
ou r tab le. nut that connected the hel
man banging a tray of ho
t cha i on a leisurely ride! The
got , Am eya , treating this timed run as
While we settled for wh
at we pily to extend
the dep ths of Fie ro meanwhile cruised hap
with the camera car moved
int o roached though,
oto -op spo t. its lead. As the corners app
Khambatki to secure a goo
d ph age at the back of
ng ali bab u I put my weight disadvant
Meanwhile the marshalli
ng Be d to give Amit
sto od bel ow my mind (cough) and decide
reached the end of the gh
at and k me a couple of
Enough of your balloons – it’s now time for d and his a tough fight. It hardly too
a tree with a stop watch
in his han d from him, but
some manly job! Motorsport fans that you
t. Esh an, wit h corners to snatch the lea
four eyes glued to the gh at’s exi ance to rev higher
all are, your next mission is a timed sprint of
wit h Pra deb ’s after that the CBZ’s reluct
his watch already synchr on ise d g spot on the
the Khambatki ghats. You will be flagged off
t tim ed run had me stuck at a very wron
waved as a flag-off sign for
the firs uphill. While Amit
together for a fair start. The first and second rev range throughout the
ke me, he had two
finishers will score 5 points for each second of the ride.
e bee n the qu ick est had the power to overta
gained over the third finisher The Pulsar should hav
”
holeshot
03
02
01. 04.
‘Only chai as breakfast for the ...the lightest rider-bike took
contestants’ announced Mr. the lead, while the CBZ and the
Midget. We looked on with Pulsar had their own reasons to
puppy paces as the crew hogged not cross the 6,000 RPM mark
on everything in sight
05.
02. Bengali babu Pradeb forced
The three letters that started himself into the frame. I tried
it all, the CBZ - a name that to shove him off, but this
enthusiasts still vouch by! damn guy doesn’t mind getting
punched for publicity! Mihir
03. meanwhile tries to dry his shoes
The three bikes got an equal for the Khambatki run...
start but within seconds the
05 04 positions changed... 21
01 August 2009
02 03
05 04
was
second and third gears. Moreover, he
very weirdly split ratios in his Fiero’s of the Kha mba tki ghat s
ewhere at the start
lacking traction to make the move. Som enjo ying the view and
ne ride, whistling,
the Pulsar rider was enjoying the sere
t pace .
trundling along at his own swee t
tki, I could still see that dim Fiero ligh
As we reached the peak of the Khamba back the poin ts I had
Amit if I had to gain
01. in my rear view mirrors. I had to lose nhill,
foun d the solution. At second corner on the dow
As the curves began, I took the lead over the other two lost to him. And then voila! I e. Sinc e I kno w the
s battling for real estat
stooges... I saw a couple of state transport buse ed on the opp ortu nity
d, I quickly capitaliz
Khambatki like the back of my han t ONE WAY
02. s on a wide corner that followed. By the time Ami CARRY OVER CUMULATIVE
and overtook both those buse , mak ing over taki ng a SPRINTERS
...increasing the gap corner by corner... ked the entire road
came through the buses had again bloc
ehow man aged to pass them, but by then I had
03. difficult task for him. He som
seconds ahead of him. Mihir meanwh
ile got
ANDY
125 65 190
...while poor Andy Andy struggled for grip... already crossed the finish line – seven grou nd scor e to his slow
et by adding a back
into a dramatic mood within his helm
75 100 175
self that
04. riding. He was actually whistling insid
e his helmet and conv inci ng
‘The
him
Wh o’. How
RASH
...and Mihir didn’t understand why the heck were the two rite classical rock trac k by 100 0 100
he had successfully replicated his favo e SNAIL MALE
riders in front of him were shifting thier asses off the seat... was, the dram atic whistling gave the Snail Male som
weird is that! But whatever it nd And y. Insp ite of the
, 13 seconds behi
05. kind of a boost as he finished hardly, ahem
to stay true to its sporty characteristics. But what
The CBZ rivals tried to get into my large slipstream! But in throttle issues, the CBZ man aged
g to
over the Fiero – a facet that it was tryin
vain. Weight is not everything guys. It’s the skill of using the it highlighted most was its supremacy
powerrrrrrr!
defend throughout its lifetime. Words Rohit Paradkar 22
01 02 August 2009
02. 05.
Pradeb trying to make sense of the Amit doesn’t find the course any more
T “
he course was set-up at the round licked. Amit just zoomed through instructions being relayed to Amey difficult than his daily commute.
The path led up to a kutcha wall on which
foothills of Khambatki. It the course as if he was riding on streets of 03. Pradeb was made to stand like a sculpture
”
consisted of a bullock cart trail Pune, feet up on the pegs and the victory Amit unable to stop his bike inspite of guerilla warrior
winding across the moorlands firmly in his sight. He took the precious of a locked rear wheel
and onto an uphill meadow interspersed stone from Pradeb and splashed back thru
with slush gravel, pebbles and puddles. puddles and muddles making light work
The path then led up to a kutcha wall on of whatever the course threw at him. The
which Pradeb was made to stand like a Fiero worked like clockwork, just blaring
sculpture of guerilla (pun not intended) away its scooter like soundtrack without
warrior. We were instructed to deliver/ even missing a beat! Amit set a blinding
collect our priceless souvenir to/from pace through the course with a time of 5
Pradeb to the start-finish line as quickly minutes flat.
as we dared. First all three of us went for a Rash went in next, pressing on
sighting lap during which I missed a turn, through the course on his beloved CBZ.
got lost and joined the highway some 50 The undulating terrain and the trigger
yards before the start/finish line. happy CBZ meant that his ride was
Amit set-off first, on the off-roaders’ turning out to be a double fencing match
favorite TVS Fiero. With a dry weight of against the terrain as well as the bike. He
just 115 kg, a short wheelbase, compact somehow managed to keep the front end
dimensions and a light front end, we pointing in the right direction until the
were sure that it would have the MX time he hit the grasslands.
03 04 05 23
ng to be so lucky next
a gen tle he know that he wasn’t goi
The killer combination
of slu sh and up his bike and must August 2009
ing int o time around. He picked
uphill gradient meant tha
t Ra sh wa s slid when the CBZ went
int end ed have gone hardly 5 yards
every other direction oth
er tha n the e Rash went down
pro gre ss. down yet again. This tim
one without even makin
g an inc h of got caught under the
ma chs with the bike and his leg
Amit and I were laugh
ing till ou r sto rescue, but Eshan first
ally the rea r bike. He called Eshan for cle
ached at poor Rash’s misfo
rtu ne. Fin had got the whole specta
had eno ug h of spi nn ing made sure that he sh’s aid . Sh ake n 01. 04.
tyre decided that it had to Ra
ou r by fin din g som e on camera and then went res t of the Our precious souvenir that acted First gear, check. Landing gear in
fav the
around and did Rash a stirred, Rash took it easy
for as a relay baton for the challenge. place, check. Mud - bad, grass -
Ra sh ret urn ed ou r pre cious souvenir to and ple ted the cou rse in 6 minutes 34 good.
grip. course and com
Pradeb and knowing tha
t he had wa ste d a
wa
lot
y seconds. Not bad aft
er kissing terra firma twice
. 02.
eve n har der on the tw ice , I dec ide d Rash-crash no.1 brought to you
of time started pushing ng too mu ch After seeing Rash go down ded in complete detail by Eshan.
he wa s car ryi than sor ry. I con clu
back. We could see that that it was better to be safe
me ntu m on the wa y down. Rash went hard ess wo uld be the key around the 03.
mo up , trie d that smoothn
onto the brake causing the rea r to loc k words of Master Oogway
ban g! Th e course, and keeping the d
Rash-Crash no. 2. “Abe Eshan
to correct it with oppo site loc k and in my mind, I was poise stop shooting and help me pick
his leg s. Lu cki ly eno ug h from Kung-fu Panda oth er tw o. the bike up”.
bike just slipped thru the
do a ‘hare and tortoise’ on
had got ten off it bef ore it fell, but little did to
Rash
01
”
easy to follow.
02
03 04 24
Ready to be flagged off, I took my position to run last. I rode alongside the trail trying
August 2009
at the start line, blipped the throttle and, to avoid it as much as possible and made it
damn, I stalled it! Miffed at myself, I kicked through the grasslands without any fuss or
the Pulsar to life and set-off to retrieve the drama. I quickly put our souvenir into my
“
treasure from Pradeb, with Rash and Amit jacket pocket (where it remains, to this day)
laughing away at my misfortune. The Pulsar and started on my way back. I tackled the Rash returned our precious souvenir to Pradeb and
was by far the least ideal bike for MX with downhill run with utmost caution and made knowing that he had wasted a lot of time started pushing
”
its heavy steering; forward biased weight it back in one-piece. I made sure that I didn’t even harder on the way back
distribution and a hair trigger clutch. Both get lost this time and crossed the start-finish
the Pulsar’s brakes were useless with the rear line in what I thought was a good time.
brake-liners completely worn off and the But alas, all that smoothness and caution
front pads surviving on tenterhooks.
I decided to tackle the whole course
had cost me time and forget Amit, my time
was even slower than Rash’s at 7 minutes 21
01. 05.
Pradeb trying to give Rash a pep
in first-gear, so that the throttle would seconds. I lost the challenge but I learned an talk by doing some frantic hand The first dog in the world to get
movements. the Loreal hair colour.
give me total control over the rear tyre and important lesson – slow and steady won the
more so because I wouldn’t need to use the race by fluke!
02. 06.
Pulsar’s confusing ’box. Also it would keep Amit had a moment at the puddle We later found out that it wasnt
my speed in check and keep me safe from
Words Mihir Gadre green poop but chutney from
but still managed to keep both
any unwanted surprises the track threw the wheels on the ground. that packet , which got sprayed
onto Eshan’s jeans as Rash stepped
at me. Because of the many trips that had
been made on the trail before my run and 03. on it. Later Amit stepped on it to
see how it would have happened,
Eshan’s jeans with wierd green
relentless rainfall, it had become even more poop all over it, eeew! and this time it got squirted on to
slippery than what it was at the start of the Eshan’s face. Poor guy!
day. On my sighting lap, I had noticed that 04.
the terrain beside the actual trail had much People trying to make sense of
more grip than the actual trail. So with this Rash’s happy -high expression.
trick up my sleeve I intentionally elected
01
02 04
03
With his crushing victory at the dirt track, Amit built up a healthy
lead of 65 points. Rash was running in second place with 225
points and after my hat-trick of defeats I had been relegated to
3rd place.
25
August 2009
W
ith muck from my mud-slinging adventures the RVMs. Eshan by now had passed us and was probably since the sweet sounding boy didn’t have his whistle boost, he
having spread all over my gear, I was now waiting at some location to catch us on his camera. Or so we managed to get even slower. Incredible!
praying for a heavy rainfall to wash off the thought. After a while we spotted Ameya ready to shoot us After regrouping, we were briefed about the mission.
dirt. People on the way to Mahabaleshwar with a wide lens, as the midget was busy using his tele-lens This was one challenge that put a wide smile on my face
were amused by the sight of the three stooges with a foolish to capture some females bathing in the waterfall. I wondered for obvious reasons. All that had entered our stomach since
grin on their faces and mud splattered across their bikes and how god managed to fit such a big pervert in such a tiny morning was the sad tea, some bugs and plenty of rain water.
gear. As we reached the foot hills of Wai Ghats, the light body. We reached Mapro Gardens as told and waited for the Some real food was what we needed now. But what was in
drizzle turned into a heavy rainfall and I got my much needed Snail Male to arrive. Apparently the cold weather at this hill store for us was hard to consume, ultra cold thick shake with
shower. Andy once again started struggling for grip on his station was making it difficult for the fair Brahmin boy to big dollops of ice cream in it. And we had to finish big glasses
TVS Shreechakras while Mihir as usual turned into a dot in whistle. All that was coming out of his mouth was vapor. And of it in three minutes flat apiece! How cruel can someone
”
faces and mud splattered across their bikes and gear
26
01 02 03 04
August 2009
get!
Thankfully Eshan had been kind enough to allow us to choose the flavor we wanted. While
Mihir and I opted for a chocolate flavor, Amit made a grave mistake by opting for butterscotch flavor.
We took the coupons and headed for the counter, while our commander in chief decided to browse
through the entire menu card. Our devil brains pounced on this opportunity and we asked the guy
09 at the counter to add extra sugar syrup to the butterscotch shake. Within a couple of sips, Andy was 05
already making faces. ‘It tastes a tad too sweet’ he said, with the funniest expression on his face, as
Mihir and I tried to conceal our chuckle.
06
27
05
August 2009
02
01
04
03
As all the three glasses finished, it before the body does. I had made up my
was time for round two. This time Amit mind, I had to do it. I decided to gulp
decided to shift to chocolate too and down my fourth glass to put some mental
accompanied us to the counter since he pressure on Amit. The trick worked a bit
had started suspecting us already. This with Amit looking a little bothered, but
01. those wonderful slices, Ameya
keeps track of the time...
round however was a disaster for Mihir.
The Snail Male was slow at eating too!
he wasn’t going to give up so easily. He
finished his fourth glass within the set
After finishing round four way
quicker than my time limit, I Poor guy refused to contest round three time too! Since these rounds failed to get
had all the time in the world 04. for the fear of disqualification, leaving us a verdict, and another round would
to pose around with all those Look at that face!
He should have given up long only Amit and me in contention. Round have surely made us die, we mutually
glasses...
time back. Pradeb praying to 2 made us feel stuffed and sick with an decided to shift to sandwiches – where the
THE SHEIKHS
02. god that Andy leaves the last
two slices for him...
CARRY OVER
OF SHAKEISTAN
CUMULATIVE overdose of that ultra heavy and ultra one who finishes more in 3 minutes takes
...and more. Andy, somewhere sweet syrupy shake. With the progress of the victory. My bigger mouth-n-belly
in the background was still
trying hard to push the shake 05. 290 200 490 Round 3, our stomachs were accelerating combo came in handy as I stuffed down
And then the inevitable ANDY along the X-axis. But neither of us was three slices as Andy struggled to finish
down his puny throat
happens! The giant laughs and 225 250 475 ready to give up. Amit was still ready two and a half! What followed was a loud
03. shakes the very foundation of RASH for more. I was already feeling sick, but devilish laughter and an even louder burp,
Round five was my favorite - Mapro Garden! Bow down to 100 100 200
it was a matter of pride so I had to fight announcing my victory!
sandwiches!! While Mihir and the winner you mortals.... SNAIL MALE
on. They say the mind gives up ten times
Pradeb get jealous looking at Words Rohit Paradkar
28
August 2009
04
W
e stopped at the maintain a speed of 40 kph at all times, 01 03
M’shwar petrol-station poop or no poop. Rash was flagged off
with Rash and Amit’s first followed by Amit while I elected
bellies swinging out to go last. 04
and me (who was disqualified unfairly I was hoping that my fellow rivals
in the previous round, by the way, citing hadn’t accounted for their bike’s speedo
reasons that I was a slow eater. Well for errors and had cunningly kept my
the record I always have been and will mouth shut so as to not remind them. 01.
remain a slow eater) hoping that all I set off into the heavy fog keeping the Amit was pissed at the paparazzi while I scratched my
head in bafflement as eshan announced the surprise
that eating would cause an emergency needle stuck at a speedo indicated 50 mission in the heavy fog and rain.
nature’s call and make them stop in the kph. The road to Poladpur was the most
middle of the ride to take a poop. It was challenging bit that we had encountered 02.
decided that our support car driver/ on our ride, so far. The conditions were Rash was the first one to be flagged off, but the poor guy
photographer/marshal Eshan would treacherous as the day of our ride saw took the wrong route.
get a head start of 15 minutes and three the heaviest precipitation of the season. 03.
of us would be flagged-off one-after- There was heavy fog reducing visibility Amit got fooled by the under-reading speedo. “Does 40
the-other at an interval of 5 minutes. to just meters ahead of the bike. kph always feel this fast? Must be because of the ghats”.
Pradeb’s watch was synchronized and Streams were gushing over the road and
the support car sped off into the fog. huge boulders had washed up onto the 04.
The fog had cleared up and I was trying to claw back all
No one had any idea where it would tarmac. Rash even swears that he saw a the time lost in the ghats.
stop. Its location had purposefully been huge cat leaping across the road.
kept secret so that we would have to 29
But at the same time it was also the most scenic riding-road have a precise control over your speed in order to win. Rash
of the journey with gushing waterfalls and steep mountains meanwhile took a detour by mistake at the starting point, August 2009
on one side and an even steeper valley on the other side. but luckily realized his mistake in time and asked a local for
Engulfed in fog, it didn’t even feel like a part of this mortal the correct route. However, he had lost a chunk of time and
earth. I had a moment where I forgot about the challenge, even after pushing to the limit down the ghats, was unable RAID DE
CARRY OVER CUMULATIVE
the TSD, the corners, the apexes and the speed. I let go of to complete the course in time averaging 3 km/h below the POLADPUR
the throttle and just took a moment to take it all in. It was set speed. Meanwhile, I had got past the ghat section and
490 0 490
the most surreal biking experience of my life, watching my the road had opened up giving me a chance to make up for
ANDY
own shadow in the fog. The shadow looked like a ghost the time lost in the ghat section. Evil Eshan was nowhere to 475 50 525
rider having a radiant halo around it. Even after riding for be seen till Poldapur, which meant I had to take a U-turn RASH
200 odd kilometers in heavy rains, soaked to the bone, I still and try and find him on my way back. A couple of km 200 100 300
wanted to keep on riding. I never thought that I would have later I saw the Swift. They had stopped a little earlier than I SNAIL MALE
the best riding experience of my life astride a crummy old, expected and I knew I was slightly faster than 40 but still I
“
fork-out, Pulsar. was closest to the ideal velocity and came away triumphant
Thanks to Amit’s under-reading speedo, he hurried in mission 4. It was the most surreal biking experience of my life,
through the course exceeding the set speed limit by more watching my own shadow in the fog. The shadow looked like
Words Mihir Gadre
”
than a few km/h and lost the challenge in-spite of being the a ghost rider having a radiant halo around it
fastest. That’s the beauty of the TSD format – you need to
30
01 03
August 2009
A
other,
I had a hunch that in some way or the
fter a day full of hard-riding, we e into play
the fuel efficiency angle would com
stopped at a dhaba warming our
fingers with cutting chai, looking
during the challenge. This is Indi a
a
after
mile
all.
age
05
No story can be complete without
out at our bikes sparkling with dew se mode, I had
n as test. Whenever we were in crui
drops and looking just as ready for actio even though it
bikes’ maintained a steady 70 kays
they did in the morning. I shared the ywhere and got
detour meant that I reached last ever
enthusiasm. We had taken a 70km . Rash’s CBZ
with a new nick-name from the guys
as the road to Wai was blocked. Even dy running on
fatigue was out of the game. It was alrea
miscellaneous muscles protesting and ll en-route to Pune.
steaming reserve and required a re-fi
setting in, I wanted to ride more. The neck between
white It was going to be neck and
chai too was working its magic and our though. Both the
colour. Amit’s Fiero and my Pulsar
faces were slowly regaining their lost y while sipping
ented bikes being fantastically sting
But Eshan just couldn’t stand the cont s were almost a
ptly, he fuel. Mind you, all three bike
look on our faces for a minute. Prom lakh kilometers
there decade old with close to one
took out his diary and announced that Pulsar came out
colour clocked on their odos. The SIPPER OR
would be one more final challenge. The of fuel for the CARRY OVER CUMULATIVE
fastest tops consuming just 6-litres SUCKER
from my face drained out faster than the the Fiero right
elf from 375 kilometer journey and
Indian. Somehow, I controlled mys up just 6.5 litres of
expected on its heels after burning
490 50 540
wrestling him to the ground. I half last two missions ANDY
to some unleaded. My wins in the
the challenge to be a night time rally reckoning, I 525 0 525
till I had put me right back into the
God-forsaken location without any food ing so RASH
hoped. Why are Rash and Amit look 300 100 400
dropped dead. l Mal e?
be a worried? Is it because of the Snai SNAIL MALE
I was wrong though. It was going to
the ride
mundane fuel efficiency test. All along Words Mihir Gadre 31
I
August 2009
t was time to calculate the final
scores. With 2 wins apiece, all
three of us were confident about
our victory. Eshan took out the
tally board and, damn, the smile got
wiped off my face, I had lost the
challenge. Rash had won the two 03 375 POINTS
Had he been a bit faster, he would have
01 490 POINTS
Consistent througout the run, Andy
proves that experience matters!
big point scoring missions but the had the first two finishers licked! Planning
breakdown had cost him dear. Amit is good, but Mr. Snail Male would require
had emerged as the victor. Inspite a bit more pace to get lucky next time
of the 50 point penalty for missing
mirrors, he had won the challenge by
02
a 15 point margin over Rash. 475 POINTS
Had it not been for that unfortunate flat
Rash and I obviously didn’t agree with tyre and the poor show in TSD format
Eshan’s crappy scoring system and the run, the big man may have won
argument continues to this day…
FAIRED
ENOUGH?
Mihir Gadre ponders whether Yamaha has gotten the
Fazer right on the second attempt
I
t is a proven fact that Indian bikers are extremely fond of fairings. tank bags are out of the question and doesn’t have any bungee hooks, either. 04
From ancient bullets to humble HH CD100s there has never been a The new fairing mounted mirrors have a huge wingspan of close to 3 feet
bike on which people haven’t tried to slap on a home made fairing. from one pointed edge to another and have a tendency to poke adjoining
Maybe it has something to do with the fact that for decades, the Indian riders (specially at traffic lights) in the wrong places, which can be a bit of
buyer was deprived of this simple piece of plastic and now they just can’t do an issue.
without one. Today, the fairing fetish has gone so far there is hardly any bike The engine is lifted straight out of the FZ. The bike pulls like a dream
left in the market which is available exclusively in a non-faired version! from low revs accompanied by a satisfying growl from the mid-ship exhaust.
Personally, I am not a big fan of fairings, firstly because at speeds that And the gearbox is as good as they come from the land of the rising sun.
our bikes are capable of, the fairing mostly serves only cosmetic purposes The gearing is super-short giving excellent pace off-the-line; ideal for all the
rather than aerodynamic ones. Secondly, even the smallest of the fairings traffic light GPs, however it does take its toll on the bike’s cruising abilities.
hamper visibility and compromise my pothole dodging capabilities. Thirdly, The engine feels laborious and runs out-of-breath past its midrange and
they increase the weight (6kgs in case of the Fazer) and also the girth of the doesn’t rev as freely as mills from any of its rivals be it Honda, Suzuki, TVS
bike requiring you to be extra cautious while parking into that tiny slot, or even Bajaj. The lack of tall fifth gear and a weak top-end mean that the
which was just vacated by a Splendor. But Yamaha has learned its lesson the Fazer isn’t really ‘ready for touring’. Whatever the promos may say, the bike
hard way. In India you have to give the buyer what he wants and not what remains a city slicker and the whole touring hoopla is just a different theme
you think is good for him. I am sure that by now every Yamaha showroom the advertising agencies were told to come up with.
in the country must be irritated out of their minds answering enquiries The Fazer has first-rate cycle-parts with those ridiculously fat tires,
from FZ and FZ-S owners whether the Fazer’s fairing can be bolted on to front and rear, suspended from equally fat front forks and a mono- 03
their bike. shock at the rear. Its handling capabilities far outweigh those of the
Looks are totally a personal thing, so for me the new fairing works engine. And it is this excessive over-engineering that makes the FZ line
wonders front-on but loses the plot when viewed side-on. That’s probably of models so likeable. I think that it bears an uncanny resemblance
because it has wavy, organic lines while the rest of the bike has a lithe of character to the sporty SUVs or SAVs like say a Porsche Cayenne
muscular look. The quality of the fairing job is top notch with no excessive a BMW X6. It has ultra-wide low profile tyres and a stiff suspension
flex in any of its panels and why not? Nothing less is expected of Yamaha. but, it won’t really break lap records at the track, just like an X6. It
Yamaha engineers have played around with the Fazer’s ergonomics making has enough grip and confidence to blast through potholes, gravel and
slight changes to the seating position and have succeeded in taking some of muck without worries, but the fat rubber hampers its feedback, which
the weight off the rider’s palms compared to the FZ; however, the problem is evident on stretches of smooth tarmac, just like an X6. One more
hasn’t been remedied completely hampering its much advertised touring thing that it shares with the SUVs is the fuel efficiency or the lack of
credentials. It has a plastic panels over the tank, which means that magnetic it, again, just like an X6!
Verdict
When I saw the FZ-16 I instantly thought that this is what the Pulsar should’ve
become. The first generation Pulsar started off as a naked street-fighter but gradually lost
the plot with each upgrade. Bolting on a fairing to an already successful model is easy
money, but the Pulsar brand lost its identity. Is the FZ treading the same path? Maybe, this
is what happens when manufacturer delivers far too much to customer demands. Then
there is the matter of price. At Rs. 80,799 (On-Road, Pune), it is around 15 grand more
expensive than its 150cc rivals. Agreed that the FZ is dynamically far more accomplished
than any of its 150 cc rivals but engine could’ve been better. Instead of adding increasingly
bigger fairings to the FZ, Yamaha should’ve kept the FZ a street-fighter and should have
opted for a different, bigger platform for a touring bike.
Overall the Fazer along with the FZ16 and the FZ-S can lay claim on the top-spot in
the 150 cc segment (not considering the R15 that is), but only by a whisker and certainly
not enough to ask for such a hefty premium over its rivals. Its price-tag does put it bang
into the new Pulsar 220 and Karizma territory, both of which are potent machines in
their own right, especially the new 220 with a lot of standard kit, good-performance, and
fantastic value-for-money. The actual Fazer (the 1000cc one) is based on the ‘06-07 R1
and gets all the hi-tech stuff from the superbike, why can’t our Fazer be based on the R15
platform tweaked suitably for torque and touring? Or do we have to wait till the third
attempt?
37
August 2009
40
August 2009
01.
The original 1980s Bullet 500 powerplant along
with the organic exhaust pipe provides one of the
most sonorous thumps anyone has ever heard
02.
Puny as they may seem, that headlight housing
commences the inscription of the Hanuman
Chalisa on the chopper
03.
The single-sided swingarm unit is upgraded
now and provides better dynamics to Vadenchi’s
choppers. The belt drive sprocket looks as stunning
in motion as at standstill. The number plate too is
makes a style statement
04.
The chromed Pulsar alloys sit firmly between the
new elongdaed fork-pipes
05.
Just like the new swingarm, the mono-shock
absorber mounting has been modified too for
better comfort. The overall finish has improved by
01 leaps and bounds, not only in the cosmetic, but
also in the engineering department 02
03 04 05
41
August 2009
I walked around the metal sculpture repeatedly to alphabets. No stencils were used either, rather an ethnic revised suspension elements are sufficiently comfortable, much more than the price of a brand new hatchback, but
absorb its stunning design. This chopper is probably font depicting those of the ancient Vedas was used by while a recalculated steering geometry makes it easy to it’s worth every penny, for every inch of this bke puts you
one of the longest that Akshai’s team has ever built. Akshai’s mom to inscribe the poem on to the bike. The maneuver this lengthy motorcycle. The donor bike being in the spotlight. Be it the 200-section tyre; the large 17”
The entire body work looked similar to the Vardenchi whole idea has been executed very well. Believe me when almost three decades old, has the least clutter of cables chrome draped rim; the single sided swing arm or the
choppers that I have ridden earlier, but this one stood I tell you, this chopper looks far more breathtaking the you can come across making the finished product appear sheer wheelbase of this steed – it all gives this chopper
out. It’s finished in bright pearl white, but what sets it in flesh than in any of the photos. very clean. The whole customization has cost the owner its unique character. Its not that Akshai hasn’t used these
apart is the beautiful inscription of the entire ‘Hanuman As crowd started gathering around the chopper, I
Chalisa’ which runs right from the headlights to the asked Akshai for the keys. With a smile on his face he
rear fender. We have seen skulls, flames, tribal art and replied ‘There are no keys for this bike. Its so holy, no
even air-brush artwork on choppers, but something like one would attempt to steal it…’. I smiled back, got onto
this is a completely novel idea. Akshai told us that the its saddle and rode away. The bike is loud with its straight
enthusiast who summoned this bike is a devotee of Lord through exhaust pipes, but the thump is pure, for it comes
Hanuman, so he wanted a chopper that could in some from an old 1980s Bullet 500 powerplant. It has the
way signify his devotion towards the deity – and hence ability to shake the ground that it’s riding on and make
the inscription. To maintain its originality, the Avadhi an announcement of its arrival while still being a mile
poem isn’t translated, but instead inscribed using English away! Surprisingly, it’s very convenient to ride too. The
42
August 2009
”
that Akshai’s team has ever built
43
August 2009
44
A touch of evil August 2009
Yamaha lifts the performance ante higher with a first of its kind performance kits in India for
the R15 and the FZ
T
he R15’s launch last year was a radical move The list of the upgrades includes a performance ECU, track with the stock ones so that we have a benchmark to stock discs. The R15 always had the capacity to tackle
by Yamaha to re-enter the performance biking camshaft, full system exhaust, 298mm wave braking compare the modded ones with. anything you wanted to throw at it at the racetrack. Now
segment in India. About a year after redefining rotors, steel brake lines, adjustable rider foot pegs, and As I went out on the sighting lap, I realised that the Yamaha has raised the level of playing filed considerably
the performance benchmark in the country, last but not least, a quick throttle. All of these have been riding position on the modded bike is just so perfectly with the performance parts package. Here’s a small
Yamaha wanted to make waves yet again, especially with launched by Yamaha as their goodie package for the track balanced that even me at a good inch over 6 feet was description of how each of these performance upgrades
rivals Bajaj Auto introducing the new Pulsar 220 and junkie. These parts will be available to everyone but are pretty comfortable on the bike. I could not have asked for contribute in making the R15 a faster bike round the
claiming it to be ‘The Fastest Indian’. To demonstrate the recommended only for professional track use. anything better. A lap down, I felt really good. Midway racetrack.
even more wonderful capabilities of the R15, Yamaha In a fashion similar to the R15’s launch, the foretaste through the start-finish straight, 10,000 RPM in fifth, Race ECU: The stock R15 is very rev-happy but
India brought down some performance parts for the R15 of performance kit came with the Sriperumbadur I slotted it into sixth and the bike kept accelerating. on the racetrack, once you take it in the power band
made in Japan by Daytona Racing, and wanted us to racetrack serving as the platter. Yamaha got a bunch of Impressive! While the increased power output courtesy beyond 7500 RPM, the red line comes up rather quickly
get a taste of the brew they had prepared. Little surprise bikes ready for us media population. There were 2 R15s the new ECU, exhaust and cam helps you carry higher at 9,500 RPM and you’re most likely than not, in the
that these parts were developed in Japan, as the bike ready with the performance bits and 4 stock ones to speeds on long, sweeping corners, that big, wavy front middle of a corner with nowhere else to go but a slot
itself was designed and perfected at the track at Sugo. guage the difference. Logically, we wanted to get out on disc helps you brake much later when compared to the higher in the gearbox. The replacement ECU helps out
46
August 2009
greatly in this regard as the rev-limiter has been Again, I’m surprised that a set of stronger valve have to. Just figure out a way to get one of these up running off the track. Taking things slow
kicked up a few notches to kick in at a healthy springs are not part of the package to help with exhausts out on the streets and it will make sure again for one lap; I was able to get the feel
12,500+ RPM. This gives us a good 3000 revs reducing the stresses but it may also be because nobody likes you either. and precision back into the brakes after they
to play around with and on track, makes a hell the original parts themselves were engineered Large Wave Rotors: All that ‘go faster’ were a little hot at the latter end of the first
of a big difference. Again, the ECU has been keeping the mods in mind. power is no good if you can’t stop in time right? lap. Once you get them brakes in the oven, Oh
designed keeping in mind the other parts of Full System Exhaust: The R15 is a beauty, Well, great minds think alike! The Yamaha guys Mamma!!! What a way to stop. I was able to
the package as well so I’m not really sure how but this part makes it a beast as well. A straight have gone to the extent of providing 298 mm push the bike harder into corners and brake
well it may do on its own or whether that is bolt on exhaust system is something that dreams Wave braking rotors for the R15 in combination later as well. It also improved the feel of the
even an option. The ECU comes pre-defined are made of, and Yamaha, just realized that with steel braided brake lines and a beautifully brakes while trailing into corner entry.
with the maps and is not customizable as per dream for us. Again, a part of the race package, crafted master cylinder like its bigger bretheren Quick Throttle: It pretty much does what
requirements. Guess Yamaha still does want us it’s loud and how. Definitely not street legal as (R6/R1). The brake feel on the R15 was really the name suggests. The throttle actuation has
to keep yearning for more. it goes well beyond the allowed range of 75 - good to begin with and according to me it’s a been reduced to a great extent and you really
Replacement Camshaft: all that extra 80 db. It is a true gem in the way it bumps up bit of a gamble that Yamaha has played with don’t need to wring the life out of it to get going
fuel-air mixture and no-where to put it makes the useable power in the midrange which isn’t this part of the upgrade. The brakes need a all the way. The travel has reduced from about
no sense. Yamaha have come up with yet quite there in the stock bike. I would have loved little time to come up to peak performance 90 degrees to 60 degrees. This part however did
another gem of a part in the High lift Camshaft to get my hands on one of these for my daily as I experienced firsthand out on track. After not feel right to me, maybe because the throttle
for the R15. It allows the remapped ECU take ride as it just makes so much grunt low down spending a couple of hours out on the stock is just so darned hard to twist. In a way that is
better advantage of the race maps and also that the bike can well be enjoyed in the streets bike, I tried the same braking markers while on good so that you don’t just get on full throttle
better deal with the increased stress that the in the daily red light to red light drags as well. the modded one, and was in for a big surprise. without a limiting in this factor, but it does
bumped up rev limits may have on the valves. You don’t like your neighbours, well you don’t Not only did the brakes lack bite, but I ended make you work hard for it.
47
August 2009
Y
amaha, while giving enough power-up to the R15,
have also come up with a bunch of goodies for the
younger of the two siblings, the FZ16. Though not as
hardcore as the R15 performance parts, trust me when
I say that it does just enough to make the FZ a sweet ride.The
performance upgrades for the FZ come in the form of brake and
exhaust systems.
In its stock form, the FZ is a middle of the road performer
at best. But slap on the new exhaust and you have a hooligan at
hand. The muscular lines of the bike are justified by the loud;
no scratch that, insane, exhaust which it shares with the R15.
The power delivery is just so linear and smooth that you hardly
think it’s the FZ16 you are riding. Without the exhaust, the bike
is pretty lethargic to get to the red line. The exhaust changes
the entire character of the bike to such an extent that on every
corner exit, I expected the front wheel in the air. The package
also includes a newly designed air-box for the bike which would
improve the overall flow from the intake right up to the exhaust,
not to miss on the fact, that the Yamaha mechanics had done a
glorious job of fine tuning the carbs. on the bikes to match the
performance gains. Just goes to show that a bit of tinkering here
and another bit there can do wonders to a bike’s performance.
The package also includes the front 300mm wave rotor, steel
braided brake lines and all new master cylinder. These are not as
necessary on the FZ as the stock brakes themselves seemed to do
the trick. But since the entire package had been offered as a track
(race) package, I don’t see any harm in slapping those on this bike
as well. Overall, the brakes had a reasonably good feel. However,
I had to get some heat into them to get them to really grip and
help shed speed faster. Mid-corner line corrections were a breeze
with the new brakes and definitely confidence inspiring.
At the end of the day, this great package with a price tag to
match will do the trick for Yamaha to up the ante of performance
biking in India. Though the numbers won’t be high, we are sure
there will be some takers for the new upgrades.
48
T 2009: A Himalayan
August 2009
he grand daddy of all the Himalayan rides in the country,
the Himalayan Odyssey, in its 6th iteration, beckoned
Odyssey
55 riders from across the nation to embark upon a
journey which would present a whole new perspective to
motorcycling. Flagged off from Delhi on the 14th of June, the journey
took the bikers through some of the most beautiful locales, uncharted
terrains and a plethora of weather changes!
Like every year, Royal Enfield organized this year’s trip too,
however the timing chosen was a tad earlier than what it has been
all these years. The weather wasn’t exactly too relenting even with the So what if you haven’t watched the movie we have named the title after, the visuals from RE’s unique annual ride
shifted dates. While crossing water streams in some sections is a given. are no less thrilling. Go on, feast your eyes!
a strong snow storm came as a taxing surprise to the 55 riders. But that
did not dent the confidence of all these Bulletiers one bit. The riders’ Photos by Bhagirath, Santosh, Avinash, Akshay, Tanmay & Yesshwant from Roadshakers, Pune.
hard work paid off, as the following day brought forth one of the
most picturesque visuals the Himalayas had to offer. Though the ride
and the route was same for all the riders, the experience in itself was
completely unique for each one of them. In his words, our contributor
Yeshwant More quotes, ‘The ride is very challenging and at the same
time very exhilarating. It sets your pulse racing. Every rider on his way
back has graduated a few steps further in his riding skills and is more
confident in maneuvering his bike.’
Since words are not enough to bring forth such an experience,
we’d let the pictures do all the talking…
49
August 2009
All the riders get together at the India gate to commence a journey that they
would remember for their entire lifetime Sachin Chavan, the trip commander-in-chief briefs
the entrie group before heading towards Sarchu
Thicksey Monastry - could they not have this Monastry on The five riders who contributed these
the planes, its far and high for a mortal to reach with ease I am the Strongest, don’t mess with me! photos, pose against the Sanchi Stupa
50
August 2009
Our adventurer trio at the Tso Kar Lake. Notice the Bullet
Classic, which is exported to Europe by Royal Enfield?
The Shey Palace - an architecture that looks much Yash and Tanmay’s bike making for a fabulous
better in flesh than in a picture picture near Khardung La
The route from Kaza to Kalpa is a simple looking rocky terrain but is still one of the most
51
The Himalayan Odyssey logo with SheyPalace in the background demanding routes throughout the journey
August 2009
01
01.
Riders, taking a moment to capture the scenic
landscapes, which changes at every corner
02.
Acclaiming the highest motorable road in the
world at an alttitude of 5359 meters, is always
going to be something to remember
03.
One of the two ladies from the team posing
02 03 astride a Royal Enfield Classic 54
August 2009
W
ith round four of the J. K. Tyre NRC having moved to the
Kari Speed Way, it meant that the riders had to fiddle with 01. 03.
Rain tyres slowed down Poncho on
the bike’s settings to suit the tight corners of the Coimbatore
track as opposed to the fast flowing Chennai circuit. For the the bone dry track. He still managed a Sumit Lucas (white 600RR) is a racer
based out of Ranchi, who not only came
03
podium finish. Great show!
experienced riders however, it wasn’t going to be very difficult – thanks to the down all the way to Kari, but also finished
innumerable number of track days these guys organize at Kari. Qualifying was 02. on the podium!
as tricky as the weather around Coimbatore during this time of the year. A Sanjay Kumar had a brilliant weekend
constant drizzle gave the riders wet tarmac to qualify on. Alok Shashidhar took at Kari. His FIAT Yamaha replica R1
the pole for the 1000cc category by setting an overall benchmark of 1.12.232 finished on the podium both the times
for others to follow. K. V. Balaji who took P2 overall, was the fastest 600cc class
rider for the qualifying session. 02
01
56
August 2009
Since Race One was to happen as per schedule on Saturday evening itself, some riders decided
to take a gamble by sticking to rain-spec tyres for added advantage on the wet track. However
as the race began, the tricky weather conditions came into play again – leaving the riders with a
completely dry track to ride on. As the five lights went off, the bikes roared their way down the
start-finish straight. Within a corner or two, Vivek Pillai used the might of his 600RR in the tight
corners and took the lead ahead of Alok’s R1. As the race progressed, he opened the lead further.
Meanwhile Poncho who was also contending in the 600cc Expert category was having a hard time
04 with his 2CT (rain spec) tyres, which were reducing his pace on the dry track. Emmanuel Jebraj,
who had started from the back of the grid due to qualifying problems, made his way through the
rest of the pack and in no time was on Pillai’s tail. Though Jeba was carrying more pace, he hung
onto this position for three laps to build pressure on Vivek. With the final two laps to go, he made
his move by out-braking Vivek in a corner and taking the lead all the way to the chequered flag. In
the 600cc Novice category, Balaji converted his P2 into a race win – ahead of P3 rider Sumit Lucas
who lost a couple of positions, but regained them in the end. Racing Lass Alisha, who too was
suffering from a bad tyre choice hung in throughout the race to take the final spot on the podium.
Alok who won the 1000cc category, was in a race of his own, as no other rider from hi category
was even close to him. He was joined on the podium by Sanjay Kumar and Ramji Govindrajan.
Race 2 was in complete contrast to the first race. The only drama that happened was an
unfortunate incident where ace rider Poncho crashed aboard his 600RR and ended up with a
fracture in his hand. For the rest of the racers, it was business as usual. Unlike race one, Jebba
03 overtook Vivek within the first couple of laps itself and raced away to a comfortable finish.
The classification for both the races is as follows -
01. 03.
1000cc Open Class, Race 2(L-R) 600cc Expert Class, Race 2 (L-R)
02 Sanjay Kumar, Alok Shashidhar, Prakash
Murali
Vivek Pillai, Emmanuel Jebaraj, Praveen
Keerthi
02. 04.
600cc Novice Class, Race 2(L-R) 600cc Expert Class, Race 1 (L-R)
K. V. Balaji, Sumit Lucas, Alisha Abdullah Vivek Pillai, Emmanuel Jebaraj, Poncho
01
“ as the race began, the tricky weather conditions came into
play again – leaving the riders with a completely dry track
”
to play on
57
August 2009
58
August 2009
h riders
cture te r ra llyists wit
mfortable in this pi r sc o o eld im-
ly looks co e nt only fo c les and is h first
Shailesh Gala sure e ti ti v e e v m o to rc y s
is a comp mpeting o
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50kph. Phew! Scooter d from co on. The ra d by
inspite of nudging th e Gulf M o n so o n
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r th e onset o f m o n so
sc ra ft and sp o n so re
o f e 2009 . A a ft e Sp o rt et Singh
T
dition mediately anized by r Lovepre ed as
he 20th e ed on 28th Jun a g g e d -o ff s b e e n o rg Th is y e a
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Chawla me in Pa
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The monso
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who still calls the sh ear y fall
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59
August 2009
Yes, drifting
a Kinetic H
get across a onda becom
slushy stage es neccessary
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bs the f the 20th edit
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The smile sa erall winners trophy n so on Scooter
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ov M o
ever elusive the Gu lf
Like Father,
Like Son
Pradeb Biswas meets up with a one of its kind father-son
scooter rally racer duo
I
f you are among the countless events as a spectator and sought information
number of financially broke bike on how to participate. He then honed his
racing enthusiasts who wonder how skills on open grounds and finally took a
life would have been different had plunge into bike racing and rallying. He
daddy sponsored your motorsport dreams, first participated in an autocross event and
then ensure that your dad gets to read this became a regular at all Juhu Aerodome
feature. reading about the scooter rallying races, dirt track events and hill climb events.
father-son duo of Shailesh and Nikunj Gala Till date he has participated in over 30 bike
may just do the trick for you. The rally-racer rallies and around 70 races. During his racing
dad, in his rallying heydays had decided heydays he had won the hill climb events
that as a father he would encourage his kid held at Mumbai as well as Pune. While
to participate in motorcycle rallies. The daddy would pursue his motorsport dreams
rallying success of his son is testimony to his within the budget of his pocket-money, beta
faith in his ward’s talent. It would be mighty has been born with a golden spoon in his
difficult for a motorsport discouraging dad mouth! Daddy not only supports junior
to not think twice before denying his son financially but also utilizes his expertise to
an opportunity after reading about this help him in his rally exploits.
benevolent counterpart of his. As a kid Nikunj Gala would accompany
Shailesh Gala’s, the father, spent his his dad to various rally events. He is quick
childhood taking part in cycle races to to admit that watching daddy participate in
quench his thirst for speed. As he grew up various motorsport events fuelled his dreams
he graduated to motorcycle races to satisfy of emulating his dad. Gala junior was only
his increased speed cravings. “Shailu” as sixteen years of age when he took part in his
he is affectionately known in rally circles, first scooter rally which was a local event.
got introduced to motorsports in an His professional racing career began two
unconventional way. One day while riding years ago and he has taken part in eight
home on his motorcycle, he caught the rally events till date. Since 2007, junior
attention of a couple who used to take part has been taking part in scooter rallies held
in bike races. The couple complimented his in Mumbai along with autocross events. In
riding style and informed him to take part the 2008 Gulf Monsoon scooter rally he
in bike races. was adjudged the Best Mumbai rider. By his
At 20 years of age and unaware about own admission he intends to complete his
the bike racing scene, he first went to a few education before jumping into the world of
61
“
August 2009
While daddy would pursue his motorsport dreams
within the budget of his pocket-money, beta has been
”
born with a golden spoon in his mouth!
The 2009 WSBK season is turning out to be a real 2006 to 2008. He filled up the seat vacated by Haga at
scorcher with 2-way fight for the title between Ben Yamaha Italia and is making a strong bid for the title in
The spectacle of MotoGP has never been so good, doubt about his competence. The Repsol Honda duo
Spies and Noriyuki Haga. Haga now in his 10th season his rookie season. He took pole position at his very first
thanks to awesome dogfights between the Fiat Yama- of Pedrosa and Dovisioso haven’t been able to mount
of full time racing in WSBK has twice been runner-up race meeting and a perfect weekend at the second round
ha team-mates Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo. a consistent challenge for the title so far. Marco Me-
and has finished 3rd in the championship four times. in Losail, Qatar by taking pole, the fastest lap, both the
Rossi’s 4 victories put him in the championship lead landri has been the surprise of the season with some
Haga switched to Ducati Xerox this year filling up the races, and breaking the outright circuit lap record. He
with 176 points followed by Lorenzo with 2 victo- unbelievable performances on the sole Hayate racing
seat vacated by Troy Bayliss and is hungrier than ever broke the long-standing record of 6 consecutive poles
ries and 162 points. World champion Casey Stoner Kawasaki. Colin Edwards has turned out to be the
to win the title this year. Haga has won 6 races and has set in 1991 by Doug Polen by securing 7 consecutive
has maintained his blinding pace astride the Ducati best-of-the-rest with consistent points-scoring finish-
been atop the podium 13 times so far this season. He pole positions. Spies has won 10 out of the18 races so
and with victories at Losail and Mugello. He stands es in all the races. Sete Gibernau meanwhile has had
currently leads the championship by 14 points, with a far this season, collecting 294 points. Will the lethal
third in the title fight with 148 points and still has a dismal comeback to MotoGP, with his sponsors
tally of 308 points. combination of the crossplane R1 and Spies be able to
a fighting chance to claim the title. While Casey has announcing their withdrawal from MotoGP leaving
But the sensation of the 2009 season has to be snatch the title from Ducati? Let’s wait n watch.
been able to channel the Ducati’s fury in the right him in a fix.
Ben Spies. The Yankee from Tennessee has won the Next race: 26 July 2009, Brno
direction Nicky Hayden has struggled at getting with Next Race 26 July 2009, Donnington Park.
AMA Superbike Championship, 3 years in a row, from
grips with the scarlet bike. The former world cham-
pion’s performance on the Ducati has raised serious
66
August 2009
Racing at the Isle of Man is perhaps the purest form of The first race was held in 1907 and was called the International
motorcycle racing. The race is run as a time-trial but on Auto-Cycle Tourist Trophy. The ‘mountain course’ was raced
public roads closed for the public during the races. There are for the first time in 1911. The event was a part of the MotoGP
no gravel traps or run off areas. The road surface is far from from 1949 to 1976 but was transferred to the United Kingdom
racetrack-smooth, while an almost 38 mile course means that in 1977 due to safety concerns. It was run by the FIM as
it takes decades to ‘learn’ the track even partially. The bikes are the British Grand Prix for the 1977 season. The Isle of Man
pushed to their limits on semi-slick tyres and the suspension TT Races became part of the TT Formula 1 Championship
has to be pliant enough to accommodate the ruts and bumps. during the period 1977-1990 to preserve the events racing
The racing at the Isle is more real than MotoGP. No wonder status. From 1989 the racing has been developed by the Isle of
then that in the 100 years of racing at the isle it has seen a lot Man Department of Tourism as the Isle of Man TT Festival.
of deaths over the years. You got to have real balls to race at The TT Races are a part of the TT Festival covering two weeks
the ‘isle’. from the end of May to the beginning of June every year. The
first week consists of practice racing with the second week
being the main racing event.
Tourist trophy
Joey Dunlop:
John McGuinness:
Joey Dunlop is widely acknowledged to be the most talented
road racer to have ever lived. This media-shy man from North Known as ‘Morecambe Missile’ or
Ireland was known as the ‘King of the Road’. He contested in ‘McG’, John McGuinness currently
25 TTs and won a record 26 races in total making him the most holds the outright lap-record for the
successful rider at the isle. His achievements include a triple hat- ‘mountain course’ at 17:12.30 at an av-
trick at Isle in 1985, 1988 and 2000. He died in Estonia, in erage speed of 131.578 mph. He races
2000 while leading a 125cc race (he had already won the 750cc for the HM Plant Honda team and has
and 600cc events) when he lost control of his bike in the wet and a total of 15 race wins at the TT to his
suffered heavy impact with a tree. credit.
63
the 250 cc and 350 cc categories Hailwood was also an
equally accomplished racer at the Isle of Man. He won a
Classes: August 2009
total of 14 TTs including three straight wins during the Steve Plater
1961 event. He won what many consider to be the most
dramatic Isle of Man race of all time, the 1967 Senior
TT against his greatest rival, Giacomo Agostini. In that
race he set a lap record of 108.77 mph on the notorious
Honda 500-4, which stood for the next 8 years. After
that he turned his attention towards Formula 1. He par-
ticipated in 50 Formula One Grands Prix, achieving two
podium finishes. In 1978, after an 11 year hiatus from
motorcycling, Hailwood performed a legendary come-
back at the Isle of Man TT. The 38-year-old managed a
hugely popular win riding a Ducati 900SS. The follow-
ing year he raced at the TT for the last time. In that final Senior TT
Mike Hailwood IoM appearance, Hailwood rode a 2-stroke 500cc Suzu-
ki in the SeniorTT and he won the race. He then opted
Senior TT: This category allows any machine eligible from TT Superbike, TT Superstock or Supersport Junior
TT categories and consists of a 6 lap race around the mountain circuit. Steve Plater won the 2009 race when his
Widely regarded as one of the greatest racers of all time, to use that same 500cc bike in the Unlimited Classic and HM Plant Honda teammate, John McGuinness retired due to a broken chain.
Mike Hailwood a.k.a ‘Mike the Bike’ started racing in battled for the lead with Alex George (1100cc Honda)
1957 at the age of 17. By 1961, Hailwood was racing for all 6 laps in yet another TT epic losing by just 2
a four-stroke, four-cylinder 250 cc for a Japanese up- seconds. He retired with 76 Grand Prix victories, 14 Isle
start factory named Honda on which he won the 1961 of Man TT wins and 9 World Championships at the Ian Hutchinson
250cc MotoGP world championship. In 1962, Hail- age of 39.
wood joined MV Agusta and went on to become the
first rider to win four consecutive 500cc World Cham- TT Superstock:
pionships. In 1966, Hailwood went back to Honda
and won four more world titles in 1966 and 1967 in These races allow bikes with displacement
of 600-1000cc 4 cylinders, 750-1000cc 3
cylinders or 850-1200cc 2 cylinders and
complying with FIM Superstock specifica-
tions. Ian Hutchinson won the race taking
his total win of the season to 2, one better
McGuinness.
Supersport Junior TT
These races allow bikes with displacement of 400-600cc
4 cylinders or 600-750cc 2 cylinders and complying with
FIM Supersport specifications. Padgetts Racing’s Ian
Hutchinson won the first race on the Honda 600 RR Fire-
blade, while Michael Dunlop won the second race riding
a Yamaha R6.
Michael Dunlop 64
Classes:
XGP August 2009
TT Superbike:
These races allow bikes with TTXGP
displacement of 750-1000cc 4
cylinders, 750-1000cc 3 cylinders The TTXGP was a new event for the 2009 for bikes powered
or 800-1000cc 2 cylinders without the use of carbon based fuels and zero toxic/noxious
and complying with World emissions. The race consisted of 1 lap around the mountain
Superbike specifications. Veteran circuit. The TTXGP was divided into two categories professional
John McGuinness won the race and open. The motorcycles had to weigh 100-300 kg in race
surpassing Mike Hailwood’s tally ready mode. The official qualification time was 50 minutes an
of 14 race wins. average speed of 45.16 mph for 1 lap of the Mountain Course
without stopping.
Team Agni
‘McG’
Professional Class:
The professional class will be conducted in four different categories for electric
bikes, fuel cell bikes, hydrogen powered internal combustion engines and hybrids
in the future. This year there was only one category, the e-bikes. Rob Barber took
the chequered flag aboard the Team Agni bike. After dominating both practice
laps, Barber cruised uncontested to the finish with more than a three-minute
advantage over the XXL squad with a time of 87.434 mph Barber beat the
standing 50cc record at the Isle. The German XXL team came second recording
the highest speed of 106.5 mph while team Brammo from USA finished third.
Team Electtric Motorsport
TT Sidecar:
Open Class:
The TT (Tourist Trophy) California based electric motorsport
Sidecar Motorcycle Races cover crossed the line at the top of the time
113.19 miles/182.1 km over 3 sheets while barefoot motors from Oregon
laps on the Mountain Circuit. came second. Team Tork from Pune, India
The races allow sidecars built took the final podium step. It was a great
according to ACU Formula 2 achievement for team the engineering
Sidecars specifications. Dave students from Pune University who proved
Molyneux and Daniel Sayle their worth on the international stage at
won the Sidecar A event the veryfs first TTXGP.
astride A & J Racings 600cc Team Tork
DMR Suzuki. 65
This month Motoroids caught up with the ‘Rubber Rippers’ on the biking August 2009
trail. Here’s all the important information about this biking club.
Price: Rs 17,000
69
August 2009
If the first installment of the ‘Transformers’ movie blew your minds off, then the
sequel is all set to sweep you off your feet! The ‘Revenge of the Fallen’ introduces
motorcycles into the robotic mayhem. Contrary to the reports of a Buell based Ar-
cie robot that floated on the net, the movie in reality employs the services of a MV
Agusta F4, a Ducati 1098 and a Suzuki B-King as a part of the ‘Autobot’ gang. Apart
from the bikes and Megan Fox serving as eye candy, the movie has a few heartrend-
ing scenes too, like the Audi R8 being sawed down for example. Enough of spoilers
then, we think its time for you to watch Transformers now.
Motoroids Tip:
Don’t waste bandwidth downloading the low-res DVD rip. Instead watch it on
the big screen at a theatre near you. It’s worth every penny.
Masala movies woven around the ‘biking’ subject, like Bikers Boyz or Torque are
good eye candy. However, it’s the motorcycle documentaries like The Long Way
Round or Faster that really appeal to a true biker. One such Indian documentary
that earned a lot of applause from bikers around the globe was ‘Riding Solo To
The Top Of The World’. And if you are one of the many like us who were smitten
by that Dirt Track Production, then this is just the film for you. Christened ‘One
Crazy Ride’, this new documentary chronicles the adventures of five bikers
charting their own route through the eastern extremes of India. To know more,
or to order your own DVD, log on to www.dirttrackproductions.com
70
ACID TEST
August 2009
New gear, more often than not will work perfectly. We tell you what state it’ll be in
after it undergoes some hammering
DSG NERO
The DSG NERO proved to be a very good investment for me
being my very first article of riding gear. Firstly, it’s easy on the
pocket compared to most of the riding gear available in the
market. Secondly it caters perfectly to your need for a basic
riding jacket. The jacket comes with a water proof liner and
protective elements in the shoulder, back and elbow regions.
The jacket works well in various weather conditions. For rains
or winters, the waterproof-cum-thermal liner is a boon and
fits in very comfortably with minimum water seepage. In
the summer, get rid of the liner, and the six air vents provide
enough ventilation.
There is some space inside the liner to store your cellphone
and a few other small articles and protect them from getting
drenched during wet weather. The textile quality is good and
the zips never get stuck. Earlier DSG jackets had this problem,
but my jacket comes from a later lot whereon the company has
adressed the issue.
With practically no drawbacks (except the velcro around
the neck that tends to leave a rash sometimes) the jacket is a
steal for its Rs. 5250 price tag.
72
ACID TEST August 2009
TVS FIERO
A
fter about nine long years, dozens of crashes, relentless I realize that the gap between the ratios of the second and
abuse and clocking close to one lakh kilometers, the third gear is quite large. Third cog feels a tad too tall to thrust
good old Fiero is still as ready for responsibility and ahead with assurance, while second is a little too short and
game for challenge as it ever was. It has withstood revvy. The front tyre, even after having done close to a hundred
the toughest test that ever could be – the test of time. It still thousand kays, still has some groove left on it. It’s all thanks
functions with clockwork precision, consistently returns a fuel to the feather-light front of the bike that makes its steering
efficiency of 45kmpl and gives its peers a good run for their probably the lightest ever on any reasonably powered bike in
money. The rock solid and incredibly reliable bike has proved the country – making it one of the best off-roading machines
its mettle yet again by winning the cover story contest featured the country has produced.
elsewhere in this issue by a huge margin. Of course, I cannot compare its corner carving capabilities
The time has taken its toll on its heart though, the engine to the incomparably better balance of today’s bikes, but knowing
somehow doesn’t feel as punchy as it did during its prime, and
sometimes I do feel the need for a bit more poke when on the
highways. The lack of a fifth gear too makes itself obvious after
that this bike was one of the first 4-srtroke 150s of the country,
I don’t have anything to complain about. Utterly robust and
reliable, the Fiero holds true to the Indestructible epithet
YZF-R15
having ridden the modern 150s. It’s been some time since I bestowed very fondly by the journalist fraternity on it. I know it This puny little 150cc monster needs no In all these months the R15 has clocked a little
replaced the clutch plates and it’s quite evident that I’ll have doesn’t anymore take a Fiero to catch a Fiero, but its sure takes a introduction. Every other automobile over 10,000 kms since it was parked away as a
to go in for a new set very soon. While ascending the ghats, Fiero to make my heart skip a beat. journalist, including me, has been praising weekend bike. But times are changing and this
this Yamaha, times without number, for its bike is now assisting me in my daily commutes
handling abilities and how it’s made fodder as well. And this is precisely where she has started
of the cubic capacity game by delivering a impressing me even more. Its light weight build
performance that could shame bikes closer to and precise handling gives it flick ability like
the quarter litre capacity. Since none of the none other. I agree to the fact that there is hardly
other magazines have given the readers a long any juice under the 5,000 mark. But once you
term report yet, let me be the first to do it. get used to the bike, keeping her in a meaty range
Even amidst all the praise, there have been isn’t all that difficult. She has been returning me
people ridiculing the R15 too – essentially the a decent fuel economy between 35 to 40 kmpl
breed who advocate the fact that there isn’t any within the city. No parts have been replaced yet,
replacement for displacement. But putting all but by this month end I would be going in for a
such critics aside, I did buy this motorcycle. A new set of clutch plates, oil and air filter change
downgrade as some would call it, I sold of my and would be shifting from the Yamalube mineral
220cc motorcycle for this baby supersport. oil to Motul semi synthetic. Read this space next
So have I made a mistake? No, I don’t think so. month for my R15 experience after I change the
I have owned this bike for almost a year now. aforementioned components.
71
tech-speak August 2009
The Quasiturbine engine is able to burn fuel more efficiently than Considering the modern internal combustion engine has
any other type of engine. It also has some other significant advan- enjoyed almost 120 years of design refinements, the Qua-
tages like almost no vibration because the engine is perfectly bal- siturbine engine is still in its infancy. The engine is not used
anced, faster acceleration without a flywheel, higher torque at lower in any real-world applications that would test its suitability as
rpm, nearly oil-free operation and lesser wear and tear because of less a replacement for the conventional IC engine. It is still in its
moving parts. The one and only Wankel engine still in production, prototype phase. The best look anyone has gotten so far is when
the Mazda RX8’s engine already puts out an incredible 2xx bhp from it was demonstrated on a go-kart in 2004 (check out the video
a 1.3 litre engine. But unlike the Wankel engine, the Quasiturbine on YouTube). So why aren’t the Hondas and Audis of this world
is also more fuel efficient than a conventional IC engine. Ongoing even acknowledging this technology, well because they have al-
research at the Sweden University is claiming it to be upto 60% ready invested zillions of dollars in developing the conventional
more fuel efficient than a conventional engine. So if and when the engine, and it will take up atleast a decade of R&D to get the
Quasiturbine becomes a reality we might be able to extract upwards Quasiturbine ready for use.
of 300 bhp as well as 30 kpl from say a 1.3 litre engine. For more information on the Quasiturbine engine, other engine
types and related topics, check out the links on our website.
73
August 2009
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History August 2009
The Wanker!
Report Mihir Gadre
Y
ou might have heard about the Wankel rotary engine from Mazda’s RX8 sports car, but did you
know that the rotary engine found its way into some motorcycles as well? The most notable of
the rotary engined bikes produced was the Suzuki RE5. Many manufacturers experimented with
the Wankel engine in the early 70’s but Suzuki was the only motorcycle manufacturer that used
the rotary engine on a mass produced bike.
Suzuki showcased its first and only, rotary engined motorcycle at the Tokyo motor show in late 1973.
The RE5 was Suzuki’s technical flagship at the time. The engine was based on NSU’s licensed Wankel ro-
tary technology. It was an extremely refined mill, thanks to its design with no reciprocating parts like the
conventional IC engine. The rotary engine produced impressive power figures from a low displacement
engine and seemed perfect for motorcycle applications.
The ‘75 Suzuki RE5 with Star-trek inspired dials and tail-lamp.
The Mazda RX-8, currently the only production The Wankel engine in its complete form and glory. The ‘76 REs ditched the star-trek inspired dials for normal
automobile with a rotary engine. dials and a conventional tail-lamp
80
August 2009
SpecificationsSuzuki RE5 Suzuki GT550
Engine type Single Rotor 2-stroke Air-
Wankel engine cooled inline-3
Displacement 497 cc 543 cc The rotary engine has a much simpler design as there is no need for cam- for the tip seals by mixing oil with fuel. The carburetor was adapted from a
Power 62 bhp at 50 bhp at shafts, crankshafts, pistons, connecting rods, intake and exhaust valves and
thus has a very few moving parts, making it refined and rev-happy. The RE5
rotary power unit in a car and was exceedingly complicated by motorcycle
standards (of the day) and only operated well when in a carefully tuned
6,500 rpm 6,500 rpm was quite advanced in its steering and overall handling with critics around state, something often outside the abilities of the average owner.
the world remarking on this. It also had exceptional ground clearance and Motorcycle buyers in the mid-1970s did not take to the RE5, and very few
Torque 75 Nm at 54 Nm at you had to be a brave man indeed to scrape the pegs of an RE5 on its origi- of them were actually sold. Final numbers were around 7,000 units world-
3,500 rpm 6,000 rpm nal Japanese tyres. wide with most of those going to the U.S.A. The RE5’s complex looking
The RE5’s rotary engine produced a lot of heat, requiring a large and cum- mechanicals combined with some teething problems made the buyer’s look
Fuel consump- 11-12 kpl 13-15 kpl bersome radiator for liquid cooling as well as a separate oil cooling radiator. for safer alternatives. The reality though was that the bike was much sim-
tion The very high exhaust temperatures necessitated the use of an air cooling
duct between inner and outer shells along with external heat guards mak-
pler than it looked and gave good service to the few who persisted with it.
Many RE5 owners have lovingly restored their bikes. On the road, the bike
Weight 229 kg 200 kg ing the exhaust pipes heavy and complicated. Ignition was CDI but used was heavy compared to the GS500 but was much more powerful and more
two sets of ignition points, one for normal acceleration and the other under importantly produced substantially more real world torque. Ridden sensibly
Acceleration: 13.9 sec at 148 14.6 sec at 141 deceleration. This also required additional sensors and speed relays. There the bike would return around 37 miles per imperial gallon. Treated well, the
Quarter Mile kph kph were three separate oil tanks (sump, gearbox and total loss tank) and two oil RE5 proved to be a reliable bike provided you were prepared for its Achilles
pumps (one for normal engine lubrication and one to supply oil for tip seal heel, the single spark plug. Carry a spare one and the bike was as good as
Top speed 176 km/h 158 kph lubrication via the carb). The throttle controlled not only the primary car- any Japanese machine of its time. It has to be one of the most novel vintage
buretor butterfly but a second valve in the inlet manifold of the secondary machines on the road today.
How the RE5 compared to a contemporary 550 cc two-stroke throat (the “port” valve) as well as the oil pump which provided lubrication
motorcycle from the Suzuki stable
From 1974 to 1977 Hercules produced a limited number of The motor tooling and blank apex seals from the Hercules were later used by Dutch manufacturer Van Veen produced the OCR-1000 be-
motorcycles powered by Wankel engines. It used a 297cc single Norton to produce the Norton Commander model in the early 1980s. Two tween 1978 and 1980.The first prototype was completed in
rotor Wankel engine which produced 27 bhp at 6500 rpm and types of Commander were built. The first, code-named P52 was a single-seat 1974 using a 1000 cc Comotor 624 twin-rotor engine. Small-
propelled the 176 kg bike to a top speed of 140 km/h. It also model equipped for police use, while the second version of the Commander, series production of the OCR 1000 began in 1978. 38 examples
returned a respectable kpl of 15.5. code-named P53, was a dual-seat model sold as a civilian tourer. were built before production ceased in 1981.
81
August 2009
the divine
d f o r
pare
Be pre you sinner!
,
justice
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