In a country where size is equiated with might and luxury is often directly related to the ability of a vehicle to turn heads wherever it goes, the idea of luxury motorcycling in India becomes slightly different from the West. If you were to think of open highways, rock and roll music, and motorcycles - you might probably be thinking of a two-wheeled version of the "American Dream." But, fancy terminologies aside, what you might be thinking of is the state highways of California and the said motorcycle being a 'Chopper' which means that it has been extensively worked upon and modified to express the personality of the rider who owns that machine.
This "dream" of luxury motorcycling comes crashing down in India when you get your hands on a machine with such high luxury and stature in the world of cruiser motorcycles.
The state highways of California look like a distant dream - both literally and figuratively and it turns out what you have ahead of you are the likes of the Delhi-Jaipur highway or a sprint between Mumbai-Pune, and so on. As for the motorcycle, perhaps the most you can do is accessorise it with more lights than it already has, because the idea of a riding a "Chopper" goes out of the window when you realise that modifying vehicles in India is illegal. Your high rake-look motorcycle will probably end up getting you traffic challans or result in a lot of time wasted in awkward conversations with the cops.
This story is from the January 2023 edition of autoX.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the January 2023 edition of autoX.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
GOOD OLD DAYS...
Is the old Marc Marquez finally back? The race in Jerez surely gave flashes of it...
Prancing Off-Road
The SUV trend has even caught on with Ferrari, which is evident with the introduction of the Purosangue. However, does a Ferrari of this type really make sense?
Ahead of the Curve
There's not one but two new GT variants available with the Volkswagen Taigun now, meaning there's one for everyone!
SPACE WARS
There are plenty of budget-friendly seven-seat MPVs on the market, but what if you desire ample space without compromising on style?
GOING BIG
The 3XO makes big promises on all fronts - from features and safety to styling and value proposition. But does it deliver on these promises?
HAMMER TIME
The new Gurkha 5-door comes with updated styling, improved performance, and better features. So, do these changes make it the practical 'proper' off-roader we've all been waiting for?
MOUNTAIN GOAT
With a mid-life facelift, the Jeep Wrangler has received several noteworthy upgrades. But does it truly live up to the reputation of being unstoppable
SUPERSPORT TRILOGY
We embark on a 300km journey on three of the finest supersport twins in the world. Which one would reign supreme at the end?
SECOND WIND
Bajaj is once again stirring the pot with the updated Pulsar N250. But has it nailed the recipe this time around?
PASSION & Precision
A brand new V12 supercar! In this era of downsizing & electrification, that's about as rare as seeing a total eclipse and the Northern Lights on the same day. But if the V12 remains the heart & soul of the automobile, well, then, Ferrari is its saviour.