Buying a bike!

Hmmm, buying a bike is always a difficult decision. Being young, upwardly mobile (hopefully) and desirous of female attentions, you are pulled apart by the forces of economy and future matrimony! So, one day I decided to be the smart one and shortlist all the models that I could possibly desire and own.

The great Indian bike scene has a whole gamut of bikes for the petrol crunchers. These fall in the sub 100 CC, to the 110CC category. These are the bread and butter of the motoring companies. Staid looking cheap to own and run (in most cases) these usually have no oomph value, depending solely on their ability to stretch a buck. So this whole category was out first go.

The second segment seems to be the executive segment. The 125 - 135 CC bikes. These are slightly better looking, more equipment levels and definitely more power. Can even make it to 100Ks some times with no hustling and lots of space. Naahhh!

The third is the executive segment. This is the 150 CC segment. With names like Pulsar, Unicorn, Apache and Achiever doing the rounds. Promising mileage and power, these are slightly larger bikes, more comfortable and more powerful. These bikes touch 100Ks regularly with no issues at all. The main issue with these bikes is that they are the preferred choice of every wannabe biker on the street and one tends to get lost in the crowd. The other problem is that at my current salary levels, these are the only sensible choice! Sense and sensibility, that’s more Jane Austen than Harley Davidson I suppose.

The fourth and the last segment, is the segment where all the larger bikes fall. These range from 180 CC to anything like 1000CC and up. Depending on the Moolah. These bikes are fast, they make a statement. They are soul bikes. They make you start clubs when you purchase one. (no wonder, some of these bikes are more expensive than real estate) . They make you race, rally and be the nature spirit, all while commuting to work. These are the old bikes, the Royal Enfields, the Big Yamahas, Hondas and Suzukis.

My heart also came over a Royal Enfield. it’s a 350 CC, 18 BHP. 5 speed mammoth of a bike. Weighing in about 180Kgs, it has gas shock absorbers, a disc brake and an electric start. It sounds like heaven and seats two as if on a royal palanquin. Its smooth on the roads, heavy on the pockets. It is temperamental, moody and great looking. Lots of chrome and a red finish. The best thing about it is, that my whole family is against it. Right from my nearest ancestors to distant twigs of the ole family tree, like cousins second or third removed.

So what will I do? What every smart man does before he goes and buys a bike. Ask my girl friend!