It is only on two-wheelers that you can chase a rainbow and get to pose with it!

BHPian safari_lover recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Ever since I popped an unintended wheelie during my first tryst with controlling a motorcycle, my father seated behind trying to instruct, I have been in love with a motorized two-wheeler. As I grew older and peeked into the world through that wondrous invention generally known as the Internet, I found that there are millions of men across the world who are passionately and hopelessly in love with this mesmerizing combination of mostly metal and rubber. Why? I try to reason.

It could be our way of imitating the great men from history. Many famous men from history had a famous ride - invariably a Horse. Alexander had his beloved Bucephalus, Rana Pratap had his Chetak just to name a couple. These men proudly and resolutely rode their horses to either conquer the world or to rebel against the powers that be. The relationship that these men shared with their rides is the stuff of legends and folklore.

Now, a restless man with a desire to conquer the modern (urban, corporate) world or with a chutzpah to rebel against the powers controlling the state machine of everyday existence needs a ride that he can be proud of. He needs his own Bucephalus or Chetak. So the closest thing that suits this purpose is the humble motorcycle.

A bicycle would make him spend all of his energy on keeping it on the move instead of spending it on the conquest or the rebellion and a Car would keep him ensconced in a bubble that is removed from the battlefield a.k.a. the roads and therefore making him look sissy. Where’s the fun in either of them? So, the motorcycle has to be the choice of ride and companion. While on it he can rightfully swag like a modern-day Alexander or Pratap. Don’t find a logic in this argument? You haven’t been on Bengaluru roads then!

There’s that 'Wind In Your Hair' argument too which, to me, feels like the most romanticized but anachronistic phrase about the motorcycle in the modern world. It’s a relic from the good old days of optional helmets and dirt-free roads. In the times that we live in, one must wear a helmet to ride a bike either to comply with the laws of the land or to avoid all that dirt that comes with the wind. Of course, there are places that offer scenic, fast roads, clean air and relaxed helmet rules. But the chances are that one may have already lost his hair while earning the required moolah to buy that motorcycle and to get to those places!

Leaving aside all that, I do believe wind plays an important part in the riding experience. If not in your hair then you can enjoy it in your face, legally. It is the thing that makes riding special by making you become one with your surroundings. There’s no escape from the stench or the scents of daily life when you are on a motorcycle. On one of those lucky days you can even enjoy a leisurely ride through a pleasantly hesitant rain or on one of those unlucky days, you can suffer through a savage hailstorm. Either way, you get an experience and a story to narrate. Not many things in life give you that.

I could be totally wrong with both reasons and maybe, just maybe, it’s a matter of a very primal male ego after all. We all know how men are obsessed with the size of the things between their legs. So, perhaps, the motorcycle is an extension of that desire to have the biggest and fastest thing between their legs. This would explain a lot of things — the ever-increasing Royal Enfield sales. The constant blabbering about the specs — the size of the piston, volume of the cylinder, rpm speeds, et al. We have even coined a term like 'crotch rockets' and have come up with lines like ‘the difference between men and boys is the size of their toys’! You get the drift. While I may not be entirely comfortable with it, I can’t overlook the logic of this pseudo-Freudian argument.

But then, I may have indulged in this rigmarole for nothing. Because it's only on two-wheelers that you can chase a rainbow and get to pose with it!

As a wise man once wrote: 'Four wheels move the body; Two wheels move the soul'.

That sounds like reason enough!

Here's what BHPian vjvinamara had to say about the matter:

Very well composed. You've captured the true essence of the feelings invoked while riding a motorcycle. It is a feeling that can't be merely described in words. Hats off to the brilliant writing.

Here's what BHPian jomson13 had to say about the matter:

Very well written sir. Yours is one of the few posts that I read through completely. I have the habit of quickly skimming through most of the posts, but yours is different.

The language, use of sarcasm, wit and humor make it a compelling read.

Thank you for sharing. Ride safe!

Here's what BHPian click had to say about the matter:

While I agree with the basic premises of your hypothesis, as a proud owner of an RE Classic, I can probably say with experience that while REs might be big, they can't be ever called fast. You may have been the first person in the whole history of RE's existence to describe it as a crotch rocket. I would say it is more like a crotch and spine vibrator.... oh maybe that's why it's popular.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

2-wheelers account for over 75% of the volume, with the entry-level category making up 70% of it.

A delegation of the Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA) recently met the Minister of Road Transport & Highways Nitin Gadkari, seeking a reduction of GST on entry-level 2-wheelers.

FADA has requested the government to reduce the GST on entry-level 2-wheelers in the 100-125cc segment from 28% to 18%.

According to Manish Raj Singhania, President, FADA, a reduction in GST would alleviate the burden on potential buyers, especially in rural India and prove as a catalyst for the resurgence of the segment, which has seen a 20% decline since pre-Covid times. 

Singhania stated that 2-wheelers account for over 75% of the volume, with the entry-level category making up 70% of it.

Source: ET Auto

India ranks eighth in the world in number of passenger cars.

According to the latest Road Transport Year Book, India has the highest number of registered 2-wheelers in the world, with Indonesia in second place.

As per the data, India had 32.63 crore vehicles in 2020. Out of these, nearly 75% were 2-wheelers. In the past 3 years, more than 2 crore vehicles have been registered, which puts the total number of vehicles on Indian roads to 34.8 crore.

Among all the states and union territories, Maharashtra sits at the top with the maximum number of registered vehicles. The state has 3.78 crore vehicles, followed by Uttar Pradesh with 3,49 crore and Tamil Nadu with 3.21 crore vehicles.

Among big cities, Delhi tops the list with 1.18 crore registered vehicles, followed by Bangalore with 96.4 lakh vehicles. The data also shows that Faridabad has the highest number of registered commercial vehicles. The high number of registered private vehicles in the 55 million-plus cities is said to be an indication of inadequate public transport.

When it comes to passenger cars, India ranks eighth in the world. The top three spots are occupied by China, USA and Japan, respectively.

Source: ET Auto

What really riled me up was seeing many ambulances wailing away with no effect.

BHPian itwasntme recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Torrential downpour in the Cantonment area today afternoon followed by an enormous jam at the railway underpass. Usual reason being the numerous deeply civic-minded 2-wheelers (& their owners) parked there to avoid the rain.

My simple mantra - if you ride a 2-wheeler, be prepared with adequate rain gear (or similar), else stay at home or take public transport. What really riled me up today was seeing the many ambulances wailing away with no effect. Again, there are zillions of hospitals and clinics in that general area + train travellers rushing to catch their trains.

Making the general population suffer so that one can stay dry is a criminal thing to do.

Also noted that Jayamahal Road leading to Mekhri Circle was a complete waterlogged mess due to the rainwater pouring out of Palace Grounds, coupled with the unfinished pipeline and roadworks on one side. I shudder to think of what is awaiting us when the real rains hit.

Here's what BHPian mayukh42 had to say about the matter:

I don't think it actually helps to avoid getting wet. A low-intensity wind which often accommodates rain completely invalidates the "cover" for at least the ones parked near the edge of underpasses. It makes them as dry as a pillion holding umbrella over the rider (yes that is a sight on BLR roads too).

I have seen this practice on NICE Road also. Considering the already poor visibility of that road, it is also dangerous and stupid to just leave one's life at the mercy of that truck.

We need cameras at these places, and insurance premiums should get affected / DL should get cancelled with a repeat offence, only then perhaps they will learn.

Here's what BHPian fordday had to say about the matter:

This is criminal.

I can understand the guys trying to save themselves from getting wet. But why do they have to do the same for the vehicle? Police should take action if traffic is blocked because of this.

Here's what BHPian jaaz had to say about the matter:

Yes, Police do take action by shooing them away. But they come only after they get any complaints or are passing by. It's a habit in India to protect self at the cost of others.

Another example is Cars (even 2-wheelers) taking a U-turn before a roundabout. It hardly takes a minute or less to go around the roundabout, but some drivers block the road on both sides and take a U-turn and sometimes burning more fuel. Waste of time for other drivers, as well as Fuel.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

MBOs do not provide after-sales services and are allegedly involved in tax evasion.

The Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA) has raised concerns about the rise of unauthorised multi-brand outlets (MBOs) that resell new 2-wheelers.

According to the FADA, MBOs are acquiring unregistered 2-wheelers from dealers in bulk and reselling them to customers at discounted rates, higher than the prices offered by OEMs.

FADA claims that such outlets do not provide after-sales services and are allegedly involved in tax evasion. Unauthorised outlets are said to issue fake or undervalued insurance policies and deliver vehicles without HSRP and helmets, as mandated by law.

FADA believes that authorised dealerships are losing business because of MBOs. It also affects the confidence of customers in the brand and dealer partners.

According to Manish Raj Singhania, President of FADA, the issue has been raised with concerned authorities. FADA has also reached out to the Maharashtra government and Transport Commissioners of Mumbai and Delhi to take stringent action against these MBOs.

Source: ET Auto

2-wheeler sales remain below pre-pandemic levels and fell to a 7-year low during FY2023.

According to vehicle retail data shared by the Federation of Automotive Dealers Association (FADA), the 2-wheeler segment registered a YoY growth of 12.42%. However, sales remain below pre-pandemic levels.

Data shows that 14,45,867 units were sold last month compared to 12,86,109 units in March 2022. The 2-wheeler segment witnessed a growth of 12% YoY but was down by 9% from its pre-covid levels. This could be attributed to the inflationary pressure experienced by rural markets.

The 2-wheeler segment fell to a 7-year low with total retails of 15.9 million during FY2023. EV penetration in this category during the year was at 4.5%. The cumulative 2-wheeler sales for FY2023 stood at 1,59,95,968 units, which is 18.54% more than the previous fiscal (1,34,94,214 units).