[offroad_maniac]

On those flooded days, Last year itself, the RTO and cops and Govt all praised the Kerala Jeepers for their selfless bravery and act of heroism and now this. Its a shame that some authentic and useful modifications will also be considered now as Illegal.
Are they going to stop and penalize those idiots who drive their STOCK cars with high beams/ xenons? Arent those illegal too since th beginning? Then why no strict action on those and acting on some stupid reasons

[naveen.raju]

Here's what's being circulated on FB and WA. There's nothing slowly them (MVD) down I guess . I saw them yesterday on the airport road and few cars were stopped.

[neil.jericho]

It has been an interesting past few days in Kerala. First things first, the following article appeared in the Deccan Chronicle and since I couldnt get a link, Im sharing the news clipping below. The approach by the MVD is so sensible, I had to admit that they are doing a good job. The highlight of my day was reading that the booked vehicles included the one that got the first prize in the competition

Here is the related news from the Hindu though it lacked specifics. Link - https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities...le26717629.ece

Through social media, there have been some forwards from fellow enthusiasts regarding this clamping down. As with all social media related details, it is nearly impossible to personally verify everything. But given the current climate, I personally do not doubt the authenticity of these. YMMV.

- One gentleman who was part of the college fest above mentioned that the police had called him and he had to pay a Rs 1,500 fine. He claims the MVD had the addresses, names and numbers of everyone involved. The summons that were sent out were for Rs 5,000. There is a dedicated office in Kakkanad (where the RTO and MVD are based out of) for Operation Freak. The officials have access to full cameras lots of cameras in the Kakkanad area. There is a biker who is famous for doing a wheelie on the highway (probably on Youtube) who is on their list. He claims he was in one of the 10 vehicles that went for the college fest and paid the fine and avoided a case. The rest of the offenders will be taken to court.

- Another gentleman says RTO letters being sent to homes of people with modified vehicles that are put up on Instagram and Facebook. A doctor who won a prize in Wayanad last week in his modified Jeep was questioned about it and he said he has sold it.

- Another gentleman says the officials have all the details and he too was caught. He was on his way to work in his wife's Ignis and was told to remove the sunfilm and alloys and report the next day to the offices. He was asked about his Fortuner and jeep. Everything tracked on social media has been tracked by the officials. He mentions Red Band Racing (?) and they have removed all their posts as everyone is going to be in trouble. With regard to another enthusiast, there has been a dedicated squad tracking his home for 2 weeks to check for new vehicles. The guy who got caught said there was one senior officer and 4 junior officers. There was an event in Wayanad last week (the offroading one from above) and the MVD officers know who participated and had paper cuttings of the winners. They advised him not to take his jeep (modified) out and he said that he only takes it out for events. Nonetheless, if they catch if, they have said they will fine him. They are doing 24x7 patrolling. There are some 70 officers as part of this initiative. There might be one squad per jilla. In true Malayalee fashion, he winds up by wishing everyone all the best and saying superbikes and supercars are good (since we dont need to modify them).

[ashwinprakas]

The P220 has been squeezing by as people mistake her to be a Pizza/Food-Delivery vehicle courtesy of the top-box, every time I've been stopped they simply ask me what the box is for and let me off.

Now after going through the posted articles my concern is whether she'd be flagged down and charged, as the motorcycle is non-stock in appearance but all parts used are from Bajaj, handle-bar and the works, not even KTM.

The ambiguity with the scale used to determine rate of modification is what worries me, as even my CT100B sports hand-guards which is visually noticeable.

[jailbird_fynix]

Impressed by the strict & painstaking dedication of the police towards Operation Freaken. Though I believe only those modifications that are proved to be dangerous and can cause inconvenience to other people on the road should be banned. Pulling a car over & fining the driver for aftermarket alloys or a bumper lip sounds ridiculous IMHO.

Besides, there are so many simple, basic things they can do first to improve traffic control & reduce accidents. I wish they would've shown the same time and dedication in implementation of traffic rules, signals at junctions, reflectors at high risk areas, diversions for bottle-neck roads, dividers in congested two-lane roads and road maintenance. But then again, maybe I'm asking too much of them.

[hserus]

Originally Posted by naveen.raju

Here's what's being circulated on FB and WA. There's nothing slowly them (MVD) down I guess . I saw them yesterday on the airport road and few cars were stopped.

That is what, five or six hundred votes in a city the size of Kochi? Who is going to care about such immature threats?

[albertprince]

This is a clear 2 sided coin.
The strict actions are a result of street races, dangerous maneuvers done at local auto expos etc. This brings all the major and minor mods under the same level of observation.
Sad part is that a person cannot touch his vehicle to make it unique.
I would say that Remaps, accessory brands and all should be given license based on some bench tests and an enthusiast can legally use them to touch up his car.

[hserus]

Originally Posted by offroad_maniac

On those flooded days, Last year itself, the RTO and cops and Govt all praised the Kerala Jeepers for their selfless bravery and act of heroism and now this. Its a shame that some authentic and useful modifications will also be considered now as Illegal.
Are they going to stop and penalize those idiots who drive their STOCK cars with high beams/ xenons? Arent those illegal too since th beginning? Then why no strict action on those and acting on some stupid reasons

Are they targeting Jeeps as much? This looks like they are targeting riced up cars and motorcycles with loud exhausts, lowered suspensions etc rather than offroad fitted jeeps.

[Vasuki]

Originally Posted by hserus

Are they targeting Jeeps as much? This looks like they are targeting riced up cars and motorcycles with loud exhausts, lowered suspensions etc rather than offroad fitted jeeps.

Hope below post by fellow bhpian answers your query.

Originally Posted by neil.jericho

They advised him not to take his jeep (modified) out and he said that he only takes it out for events. Nonetheless, if they catch if, they have said they will fine him.

I too got that audio file. It's in malayalam and you've done a good job of translating it.

Originally Posted by ashwinprakas

The P220 has been squeezing by as people mistake her to be a Pizza/Food-Delivery vehicle courtesy of the top-box, every time I've been stopped they simply ask me what the box is for and let me off.

I'm having Topcase and side panniers on my bike. Will I be stopped/fined? Technically/Legally can we use these types of hard carriers?

Also mine is Multistrada and boy does it make a proper ducati racket. Hope they don't catch us with stock exhausts.

[hserus]

Originally Posted by Vasuki

Hope below post by fellow bhpian answers your query.
I too got that audio file. It's in malayalam and you've done a good job of translating it.
I'm having Topcase and side panniers on my bike. Will I be stopped/fined? Technically/Legally can we use these types of hard carriers.

Ah ok, thanks. What were the specific mods on that jeep? Was it solely for events or was it used for offroad applications as well?

[Vasuki]

Originally Posted by hserus

Ah ok, thanks. What were the specific mods on that jeep? Was it solely for events or was it used for offroad applications as well?

Please find attached challan. They are quite strict on upsizing of tyres too.

[hserus]

Originally Posted by Vasuki

Please find attached challan. They are quite strict on upsizing of tyres too.

So oversized tyres and AUX spotlights were all they objected to? :(

My guess is they started with the AUX lights and then added on everything else they could find (eg: tyres, tints etc).

[Vasuki]

Originally Posted by hserus

So oversized tyres and AUX spotlights were all they objected to? :(

My guess is they started with the AUX lights and then added on everything else they could find (eg: tyres, tints etc).

Snorkels , Suspension alteration etc., are also applicable.

Yes AUX lights and exhausts were the main culprit. You should listen to some exhaust, it is really deafening.

OT :: The first thing I asked my ducati service personnel was whether they can reduce the sound of my stock exhaust. LOL. They literally fell off the chair. He told me I'm the first person with such request, normally guys here want more noise. Anyway I'm coming from an inline four, so..

[hserus]

Originally Posted by Vasuki

Snorkels , Suspension alteration etc., are also applicable.

Yes AUX lights and exhausts were the main culprit. You should listen to some exhaust, it is really deafening.

I think if you say these are required for forest trails there won't be as much of an issue, if you were on stock tyres or at least ones that don't project beyond the wheel walls, and aux lights / lightbars. Tow hooks / snorkels etc could be explained away ..

[Vasuki]

Originally Posted by hserus

I think if you say these are required for forest trails there won't be as much of an issue, if you were on stock tyres or at least ones that don't project beyond the wheel walls, and aux lights / lightbars. Tow hooks / snorkels etc could be explained away ..

On the contrary, they are not allowing that too.

A whatsapp forward clearly mentions the conversation between a party and RTO officer, where the party is from Idukki, high range in Kerala. These places fog lamps and MT tyres are necessity. But he was caught in Cochin during a hospital run. It seems RTO here has taken every rule in quite literal sense. Don't know, how long these measures will last?

Totally OT :