[iamahunter]

We have many posts mentioning about the missing Royal Enfield.

Well, as a "brand", yes its an Iconic Brand with its rich British history, but how about motorcycles?

AFAIK, before the Classic 350, there was Thunderbird 350, Machismo 350/500 and Standard model - Bullet(correct me if I am wrong) and they were not really iconic motorcycles, cult - probably yes, but again because of the brand, not really as motorcycles.

Where-as if you ask me today, the RE Classic 350/500 has become kind of Iconic in the past few years, and this is actually defining the brand Royal Enfield. However, its only for the current generation. May be the older generation still prefers the RE with gears on the right.

But is the RE Classic, Most Iconic bike of India, Ever!?
Or is the RE Classic, the most Iconic Royal Enfield Ever!?

[ebonho]

Originally Posted by iamahunter

We have many posts mentioning about the missing Royal Enfield.

Well, as a "brand", yes its an Iconic Brand with its rich British history, but how about motorcycles?

AFAIK, before the Classic 350, there was Thunderbird 350, Machismo 350/500 and Standard model - Bullet(correct me if I am wrong) and they were not really iconic motorcycles, cult - probably yes, but again because of the brand, not really as motorcycles.

Where-as if you ask me today, the RE Classic 350/500 has become kind of Iconic in the past few years, and this is actually defining the brand Royal Enfield. However, its only for the current generation. May be the older generation still prefers the RE with gears on the right.

But is the RE Classic, Most Iconic bike of India, Ever!?
Or is the RE Classic, the most Iconic Royal Enfield Ever!?

A bike that defines generations of red blooded Indian men from before Independence is not an icon.

But CBZ and Karizma is?

I fail to get the logic and rationale of the presence of those two bikes in what should be a very august list.

[iamahunter]

Originally Posted by ebonho

A bike that defines generations of red blooded Indian men from before Independence is not an icon.

Are we talking about any specific bike over here, or the brand?

If Wikipedia, is right we had RE in India since 1955. Before that we did have BSA and Indian.

There is not much information about 2 wheelers in India before independence.

If there is any legit article or information portal, kindly point towards it.

[ebonho]

Originally Posted by iamahunter

Are we talking about any specific bike over here, or the brand?

If Wikipedia, is right we had RE in India since 1955. Before that we did have BSA and Indian.

There is not much information about 2 wheelers in India before independence.

If there is any legit article or information portal, kindly point towards it.

I am talking about the specific black Bullet 350 Standard.

That holds the record for being the longest running model of any motorcycle in continuous production in the world. Till RE killed it.

Which powered generations of Indian males.

And on which rode two world armies, in multiple wars, including our own.

P.S. What is CBZ and Karizma's claim to fame to make it alongside the RD 350, the RX 100 or the Bullet 350 Std? If you must have a bike as an icon for that slot (modern performance commuter) then it belongs to only one bike, and that is the Pulsar. Or the Splendour. Or even the Unicorn. As the super commuter across generations, with repeat buyers galore.

[fawad0222]

Rx 100 is my pick. I had a red RX 100 in my college days and though it was not my first choice, which was Honda Sleek, as usually happens, it was enforced on me by my father. The bike slowly grew on me due to its ruggedness, pickup and the advertorial song" listen to the heartbeats". Almost all of my friends, seniors and juniors owning RX 100 also played its part too.

RD 350 comes close second and I admired it for its macho looks with big fuel tank, sleek profile and the best of all, the twin mufflers coming out from the twin cylinders. At that time I was not a great admirer of harsh exhaust sounds but today I find them really seductive. Later once I started earning, I could not own a preowned one due to its very poor FE.

The third on my list is Bullet 350 standard. It was owned by my father and was the first motorcycle I rode. I loved, its thump, still do if I come across an original one, its claim to be the most powerful bike of its time and the adulation and admiration it commanded from the public.

I feel RE Interceptor is going to be the next icon in coming times and I might go for one myself soon.

A special mention for Rajdoot 175. which in my opinion was the one of the three most popular bikes of its times other ones being, Bullet and Yezdi. While Bullet was aspirational, Yezdi for enthusiastic or for people who wanted middle grounds of the three, Rajdoot was usually the first rung on the success ladder.

[saitvsk23]

The reason I'm a motorcycle nut today is solely due to my dad's 2003 Hero Honda Splendor+. It's quite a rare colour. I was introduced to the bike maybe when i was 2 1/2 yrs old. I have a very specific memory with the speedometer of the bike. When you would roll up a 5 rupee chart paper from both the sides, you would get two rolls, which was similar to the casing of the speedometer.


That faint glow you would get behind the speedometer dial when you'd switch on the headlight at night. I also remember my dad asking about the fuel meter on the right side and the Highbeam light beside the neutral light. It was a very simple machine, and a tough one too. It once carried all four people of my family. I had grew up with the "Hero Honda" brand as a child and could not take the JV split in Aug of 2011. It was sold in 2012 as my dad had exchanged it for a Passion X Pro.

My dad's bike was instantaneously recognizable wherever it was parked. As my dad is a railway employee, the parking sticker added to its character. A no frills commuter bike, which has been the commuting backbone for many, many Indian families, has made me what I am today. It has made me respect every 2 wheeler out there, no matter its displacement or its power figures. I still keep track of it as I remember its registration number. He used to maintain 2 keys back then, attached with a telephone cord like keychain. One was for the ignition and another was for the fuel tap. It was replaced twice, as far as I remember.

Another small fact about this bike was that my dad had subscribed to the "Suhana Safar" newsletter offered in the Hero Honda Passport Programme. I still have that passport somwhere with all the details (including the chassis no. and the engine no.) filled in, and he also had a special edition locket key chain which was redeemable to service points. It was in the shape of a heart (❤) with Hero Honda's logo engraved on it.

My friend's dad also owns a Splendor+, but of a different colour, and probably bought new around the same time as my dad's. Whenever I ride his bike, it immediately makes me feel like my 5-year old self again, sitting behind my dad.

As far as I had heard, the Splendor was the sign of a settled male. Just like the Chetak was. I would not be surprised if it's declared as the national motorcycle of India. 😂


A few pictures, for your viewing pleasure.

[ebonho]

Originally Posted by saitvsk23

As far as I had heard, the Splendor was the sign of a settled male. Just like the Chetak was. I would not be surprised if it's declared as the national motorcycle of India. 😂.

I know so many families who replace one Splendour with its newer generation.

Lovely post. Between the Splendour and the Unicorn, the Splendour would win on sheer weight of numbers and longevity .

But it would be tight.

Cheers, Doc

[narasimha raju]

Got my 2001 CBZ restored recently!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zWInqImsds0

[rishi.roger]

RD350 anyday! It was a crazy bike. Still relevant if you do the comparison!

[neeraj0272]

As someone who has never owned or driven a two wheeler I think I am qualified to list most iconic two wheelers in India. To me iconic means lasting legacy along with exceptional sales volume.
List is in descending order:

1. Bajaj Chetak
2. Enfield Bullet
3. RX100
4. CD 100
5. Bajaj Pulsar
6. Scooty
7. Activa
8. Luna

[RakishRam]

Voted for Rx100. While I never owned one, my teenage time was when Rx100 was at its peak and every teen's showoff bike. But I was wowed by the Shogun, for its looks, claims and inspiring Advertisements, so bought the one bike which was launched with the purpose of taking on Rx100, Suzuki Shogun : the boss. The icon beater is also an icon I suppose.

The 14bhp engine revving around 8K RPM was an absolute joy at that time and it could easily touch 105+kmph which was a big deal then

And here is a pic, I still have my 28 years old icon with me.

[amol4184]

Voted others because I am surprised Pulsar isn't on the menu. Iconic in more than one ways in my opinion.

[MadTitan]

Voted Others.

For me, the true icons have been the machines which enabled us to experience something new or pushed the Indian motorcycling scene forward.

Off the top of my head, the following deserve a place in this poll:

Bajaj Pulsar 180, Gen 1
Yamaha R15
Duke 390, Gen 1
Classic 350, UCE
Interceptor 650

If I have to pick one from these, my vote goes to the Duke 390, Gen 1.