HANDBRAKE

My first motorcycle was a Royal Enfield Explorer, a rebadged Zundapp CS50 that was sold in India in the late 80s and early 90s as an alternative to smaller motorcycles that were eating into Royal Enfield sales.

- HALLEY PRABHAKAR

My grandfather passed it on to my brother, who then handed the keys to me after he picked up a Yamaha RX135. The Explorer, true to its name, gave me freedom on two wheels and taught me how to ride a geared motorcycle well, which in turn moulded me into a confident rider. Eventually, I got myself a Bajaj Pulsar 180, which I ended up crashing several times. It was a powerful motorcycle for a teenager, especially after moving from a 50cc. Eventually, I ended up riding and owning quite a few motorcycles and cars thanks to the job, but my driving and riding styles were usually a lot more aggressive. That said, I have calmed down over time.