[Tushar]

Four wheels move the body. Two wheels move the soul

Look over the past decade and you'll realize how much the Indian automotive scene has evolved. This revolution has been well pronounced with the biker culture, which has lifted off like never before. Brands are entering India by the dozen, people are buying motorcycles priced by the million, fuel is being burnt by the gallon and odometer readings are climbing by the thousands.

It's only natural that this spirit be celebrated by getting the brotherhood together, and for the 3rd consecutive year, India Bike Week has done just that. Held at the Vagator hilltop in North Goa, the main event took place on the 20th & 21st of February and saw the participation of bikers, brands, stunt riders, community legends and a lot more. If you missed the action - fear not. This report will offer enough motivation to make you saddle up and ride down for next year's edition!

The Venue:


IBW now enters its 3rd edition:


Harley-Davidson is no longer the sole brand participating officially, but still the one with the maximum presence:


Food stalls like these "fenced" the entry path. Omelette pav, Maggi, beverages and other items for the thousands of visitors:


Ticketing and enquiry booths:




The accommodation tents:


The campsite outlined the venue at the main stage end. Around 60 visitors opted to stay at the campsite. You had the option of individual or shared accommodation. Prices started at Rs 700 per person/ night:


Common area for the campers. Proper arrangements for showers/washrooms were made as well:


Brace yourself. The bikers have arrived!


The crowd gives the riders a celebrity's reception:


Predator helmets:


Family on a Fatboy:


Jolly rider from Pune:


No one's camera shy here:


Check out the 'lunar' headlamp:


Motorcycles from Maharashtra dominated the roads:


Rider from the Seven Hills (Mumbai) Harley-Davidson chapter:


Some rode 'down' from Delhi...


...while others rode 'up' from Karnataka:


Lady rider on a V-Rod:


It's not a biker event without Enfield riders:




Bullet bikerni:




Triumph Thunderbirds storm in:

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The Austrians attack. KTM riders make their presence felt:


A rare sight in India. KTM 1190 Adventure R:


Korean conglomerate. Hyosungs make some noise!:




IBW is always the best event for superbike gawking:




Predator on a Fireblade:


The recently launched Triumph Thunderbird LT:


Tiger tamers. With and without gear:


No loud engines, but the Vespa riders honked away to glory:


Easily the most colourful entry parade:


The excitement is in the air:


The parking lots

The general parking area:


Riders would either park up here or buy tags to enter the more "secure" parking lot:


The 'brotherhood parking'

This was a parking area inside the venue for all brand riders:


A sea of orange,white and black:




A nice mod job on a Classic 500:




Harley-Davidson parking bay:

The exclusive parking area for Harley-Davidson owners:


Harley-Davidson records a year on year increase in their rider turnout. This time it was said to have crossed 2000!:




A personal favourite - the Heritage Softail Classic:


This rider shows some love for Harley's homeland:




Small bike. Big seller - the Street 750:




A droolworthy combination of yellow and chrome:


Harley owners - always willing to strike a pose:

[Tushar]

Brands:

IBW has been a one brand affair so far, with Harley-Davidson being the chief partner. However, the third edition has seen participation by multiple motorcycle makers! Here's a look at who brought what machine to this high octane playground.

DSK-Benelli:


Benelli showcased 3 new models at IBW '15:


Trek 1130 Amazonas. Find myself falling in love with the name and the wacky design. I'd label it a "touring TNT 1130":


Benelli will officially launch their entire range on March 19:




Simple finish to the rear with an under seat tail-pipe. Pillion won't need a seat warmer in Ladakh :


Personally prefer analogue dials (like these ones) over digital set-ups:


Blackster 250:


This one seems a little too oddly designed for my liking:


TNT 250:


A single cylinder quarter liter machine. Not the most radical design, but could be Benelli's best seller in India:




Too familiar to the Yamaha FZ?:




Benelli also showcased the 2015 editions of the models they have already revealed. Here's the in-line, four-cylinder 600 GT:




BN 600i. Uses the same engine as the 600 GT:




TNT 899:


In-line, two cylinder TNT 300 in an interesting shade of green:




TNT 1130:

[Tushar]

Indian Motorcycles:


The machines wait patiently in the sweltering heat:


Indian Scout. Prices start at Rs 11.99 Lakh:






Indian Chief Classic. Prices start at Rs 25.51 Lakh:




I could spend an entire evening just sipping some coffee and staring at the chrome glare:


Indian Chief Vintage. Prices start at Rs 28.50 Lakh:


This beauty falls under Indian's 'Bagger' range:


Classic styled fender is a work of art:


Here she is in another shade:




Indian Chieftain. Prices start at Rs 32 Lakh:


Definitely a stately machine, but that price makes no sense at all. Yet, it's nothing compared to the 37 Lakh Roadmaster:




Dollops of chrome garnish the entire range:


The legendary 1.8-liter Thunderstroke engine:

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Triumph:


Triumph presented 3 new motorcycles, including this Scrambler created by Rajputana Customs. Vimal Sumbly, MD, Triumph motorcycles India enters with the bike:



The Tiger XRx and XCx await their grand entry:




The XCx features spoke wheels:




The XCx gets higher ground clearance than the XRx and is the more off-road focused model:




Like the other Adventure range models, these machines need a tall rider too:


Note the mudguard on the XCx...


..that isn't seen on the XRx:


Prices for both models will be announced in March:




Note the alloy wheels:




Tiger Explorer. Prices start at nearly Rs 19 Lakh:




Customized Bonneville:


Green Thruxton:




The Thunderbird LT. Priced at Rs 16.20 Lakh:


Looks eye to eye with the Fatbob. The Thunderbird Storm. Priced at around Rs 14 Lakh:


Woah big daddy! The 2.3-liter, 3-cylinder Rocket III. Priced at Rs 21.30 Lakh:


(R to L) The Speed Triple (Rs 11.06 Lakh) and Street Triple (Rs 7.92 Lakh):


Daytona Twins. Priced from Rs 10.70-12.15 Lakh:




Bonneville with Scrambler pipes. Me like!

[Tushar]

Vespa, Moto Guzzi and Aprilia:

The Italians brought the music and the funk, as Benelli was joined by Vespa, Moto Guzzi and Aprilia. Vespa had a surprise showcase:


The GTS 300!


The model was a showcase only. The 278.3cc engine makes around 22 BHP/22.3 Nm:


The design isn't exactly distinctive, but chique nonetheless:


I was hoping to catch a glimpse of the Vespa 946. Note the ABS and ASR indicators:


Moto Guzzi California 1400 Touring:




Contemporary? Classy? Confusing? Not sure how to deem the design:


Tail pipes emerge from under the carry cases:


Moto Guzzi V7 Racer:


This chrome cafe racer was quite an attention grabber. Designs like this are usually restricted to one off custom builds:


The protruding 90 degree, 744cc, V-Twin engine:


Moto Guzzi Griso 1200 SE:




Tail light looks oddly similar to that of the Suzuki M800 Intruder:


Clean layout to the instrumentation:


Moto Guzzi V7 Stone:




Analogue dials with km/h and mph markings:


Aprilia Caponord 1200 ABS:


If Bumblebee from Transformers was a motorcycle (Camaro to Caponord ):


Impeccable styling IMO:


Carry cases with the travel pack:




Aprilia Shiver 750:


Styling is simple by Aprilia standards:




Aprilia RSV4 R APRC ABS:


This demon throws out a tarmac burning 182 BHP/117 Nm from its 999.6cc engine:

[Tushar]

Harley-Davidson:


Harley-Davidson showcased their regular set of motorcycles. With over 2000 HD owners at the venue + a variety of customized models - the brand didn't have to do much else for promotions:


The custom Harley-Davidson Street 750 made by Rajputana Customs:


Tyres with enough tread to flatten gravel:




Mean no nonsense design gives this a completely different vibe from the motorcycle it's based on:

The tri-colour Fatboy:




This Softail is a flagship Harley-Davidson:




Had enough of the Fatboy? Well here's another one with a custom paint job:






The recently launched Breakout:






Gloss finish for the paint-job:


The Street Bob:

[Tushar]

Modified Motorcycles

Modified motorcycles were present in the triple digits. Many of them were exclusive showcases, while some were done up for competing. Here's a look at the two wheelers that made the cut.

Harley-Davidson dealer customs

A rather simply done up Sportster:


Spider-HOG!:






Ummm didn't Royal Enfield just trademark that?. Link to Team-BHP discussion:


Rustic and brutal:






Carbon fiber look for the panel:


If only photographs could support audio. This was one of the loudest bikes at the event:




Denim Davidson:




Debit card holder? Could use one for easy tank ups:


A personal favourite:


Lion saddle:


Crown for the fuel cap. With our petrol prices, this actually works as a great metaphor:










Tourer team:


A rather odd bodied customization this:




One of the most elaborate customizations:




American machine with Roman art on the tank:

[Tushar]

Bike Build-Off

The bike build off is a competition for dedicated customization houses:


Ibex - A Yamaha RD 350, done up by Moto Exotica:


Front suspension lifted off a Honda CBR 600:


Certain parts were made of carbon-fiber:


HID headlamps:


Legend of an engine. Insane performer even by today's standards:


Kamaani. Based on a Royal Enfield 500cc engine. Developed by TNT Motorcycles:


Changes include a leaf-spring suspension and a belt drive transmission:




K&N conical air filter:




Custom made 7 liter fuel tank:


Wooden finish at each end:




The Alchemist- Customized KTM Duke 200:


Name plating by the customization house - Mean Green Customs:








Gemini Angel by R&G Custom. This one is based on a Royal Enfield too:




Decals on the engine restricted to the crankcase and cylinder head for obvious reasons:




DA-BANG - Overhauled Harley-Davidson by RH Customs:




Easily the biggest crowd puller:




RH Customs won this year's bike build off. They were the winners last year as well:


The post box where visitors put in their vote for their favourite bike:

[Tushar]

Open class modifications

Custom Royal Enfield CI 350:




Yamaha RD 350 in a crotch rocket avatar:




Royal Enfield UCE 350:


Not sure if this is a modification or a work in progress:


Custom Bajaj Pulsar:




Tricked out Yamaha Enticer:


Note the difference in tyre width (front vs rear):




Look at the seat and handlebar. Yezdi turned into a bicycle :




Among the more well executed mod jobs:




Old, grimy and grungy. Just the way I like it!:


A wide variety of custom Enfields. Bobbers, cruisers, et al:












Funky customization based on an AVL engine:




Factory Fatboy on the outside or the custom Royal Enfield on the inside. What would you pick?:




Always something to keep Bruce Wayne happy:


Batman approves :


One of the many offerings by Transfigure customs:

[Tushar]

The Joker. The tank looks like it was lifted off an Enfield, but that twin cylinder engine sure ain't from Chennai:




Royal Enfield was a no-show at the event, but customizers advertised their engines quite a bit:



I believe this one is based on a Bajaj Avenger:




This little guy got a big amount of attention:


Check out the angry eyes:


NOS kit!? Legit or just for show..you be the judge:


Yet another baby bike. The crowd behind gives you a perspective of its size:




The Kinetic Luna based "Luna-tic":




Harley-Davidson didn't get a trike. Doesn't mean we don't get to see one:




This one too uses an AVL engine:




This one appears to be based on a Yamaha RX 100:




Air filter eyes!


Yuvraj Singh's custom KTM Duke 390 - YouWeCan by Autologue Customs:




The modification hasn't gone overboard:






Majestic blue paint scheme:

[Tushar]

Vintage Motorcycles


1947 Matchless G80:




BSA Goldflash:






An old Triumph:




1954 Matchless G3L:


Gotta love that tyre whitewall:




1954 BMW R25:




1955 Norton 500:




1956 AJS 56:


The blue accentuation is delicious:




Another Vintage Triumph:




1957 Triumph Tub:


Appearance borderlines on a scooter:




Triumph's British heritage is reflected in these beautiful designs:






1960 BMW R27:




1928 Sunbeam Model 9:

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1929 Ariel model B:




Cup-holder?


1939 Triumph 3HW:




Norton:


1942 BSA WM 20 with ammo carrier:


A battle bike with no battle wounds. Better maintained than many new motorcycles on our roads:






1946 BSA M20:




1964 Moto Guzzi Cardelino:


Engine displaces a humble 63cc:


1947 Triumph Tiger 100:




Old Norton with a side-car:

[Tushar]

Stunt riders, racers and community legends

A dirt-cross rider has some fun on the track:






This little guy captured the whole event from the air:


Stunt Arena


Stunt riders enthral the crowds with some agile action:


Teams had 10 minutes to showcase their routine:


Complete gear and a controlled set up - that's how stunt riding is done!


Like a dance form, the performance is perfectly choreographed:


Shaking hands is too mainstream!




Look ma, no hands!


The arena was tight, but the riders made the best use of it:


Good old fashioned stoppie:


Remember how dad taught you to ride a bicycle?


Guts of steel:


No reverse gear, so how about a reverse rider?




The machines relax after a long day:


Customized fuel tanks for support:


The Legends

The gentlemen from Ace Cafe taking a breather in the media lounge. Mark Wilsmore (L) is the current owner of the iconic cafe:


Raheesh Khatri - the world's youngest drag racer with the veteran riders:


Raheesh (6 years old!) pulling his ride along:


The mini-machine - a Yamaha PW 80:

[Tushar]

Stalls, events and performers

Ace Cafe


Triumph Thruxton parked to add to the ambience:


Visitors poured in through the day:


This bike belongs to the owner of Transfigure customs:


Live performers entertain the crowds:


The Red Bull Tour Bus:




Performers on stage played everything from trance, EDM to pop:




The main stage:


Sky Rabbit performs early in the evening:


An award ceremony. Here we see Aspi Bhathena and his brothers get a lifetime achievement award:


Dyno Wars - by Race Dynamics:


Riders paid to have their motorcycles tested on the dyno. Platform was brought in from Bangalore:




The Kawasaki Z800 and Triumph Street Triple await their turn:


Zippo Endurance Challenge:


This was a fitness test. Participants had to cram in 15 push ups + 30 sits ups, and complete the round by running to a nearby post in the shortest possible time:


Most people managed a time of 45-50 seconds:


Bikini bike wash:




Performers at the DSK-Benelli rock stage: