Biking Capital Of The Country??...Really??

I recently got the chance to visit a city people like to call the biking capital of the country. No it’s not down south, nor is it up north, but somewhere in between. The major industry in this region is the auto industry with a lot of big names in both the two wheeled and the four wheeled world having operations here.

Anyways, everybody seems to be calling this beautiful city the biking capital of the country, but the ground realities don’t quite seem to match up to all the hype. From the middle aged uncle, on his CD100 to a college kid on his Pulsar 220, to the PYTs on their twist-and-go. Neither seems too concerned about their safety. I hardly saw anyone put on anything close to even resembling a helmet in all the time I was there. No doubt all the saner ones did and always stood out in all the chaos on the streets.

Young men all seem to hate even the sight of a helmet and the women folk like to cover their faces and heads with a duppatta. What I would like to say to the guys is, investing thousands on ‘modifying’ your ride can wait, but buying a good quality helmet cannot. To the ladies, all I have to say is that duppatta might save your pretty faces from the sun but god forbid, if something terrible happens that thing will turn to smithereens and so will that pretty face of yours. No offence.

Would you also believe that there is a rule to compulsorily wear a helmet when riding a two wheeler in place for the last few years? But no one seems to care, neither the riders nor the police. I characteristically remember that when the regulation to wear a helmet came out, there were ‘anti helmet’ rallies in the city. I think the government should just give up trying to get the people here to wear helmets. Since protesting against something built to save their heads proves that the head doesn’t have anything worth saving in the first place.

I’m not the only one saying this. While I was there one of the newspapers carried a story, accompanied with pictures, of how people get their driver’s license by giving the mandatory test without a helmet to the RTO.

In the capital on the other hand, there is a similar ruling, but people actually do wear helmets, even if it’s out of the fear of the Police slapping them with a hefty fine. Also there were no protests against the rule. None that I can recall. One cannot even imagine going out of the house within the locality without a helmet, so strict is the Police in enforcing the rules. They might trouble you at times but try passing a manned intersection and you have to be the luckiest one around to get away without being pulled over.

Biking capital of the country??...Really?? Not in my books it isn’t.

Where Have You Been?

That’s the first question I was asked by one of my friends today. I have just come back and I was expecting a polite Hello. But what I got was a very enthusiastic “where have you been so long?” and a tight slap on the back that almost made me trip over a few potted Cacti. Considering the friend in question is a former body builder and pretty muscular at that, I am feeling quite lucky to have not lost a tooth or got perforated in the process of exchanging greetings.

Next time onwards, a distant wave of the hand will be affected before I can come in the range of the muscle man’s long arms, so as to calm down his animated approach to receiving people.

Take A Break

Off for a few days. Be back by month end. Ciao.

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Safe Driving - Tips

Safety includes you being safe while driving. If you have passengers in the car, then their safety is your responsibility. It also includes the safety of the vehicle and the expensive stuff in it. Taking into account the state of our roads and the kind of driving that takes place, being safe should be right up there on the priority list. So here are some things to help you keep safe.

1. Seatbelts. Thank the government for the regulations, otherwise the manufacturers would have skipped on them too in their endeavor to cut costs. So use them. In an event of a crash, it is the first line of defense.
2. Check the lights. Make sure all the lights are working properly. This includes the indicators, headlamp and tail lamps. Change any bulbs that are in need of replacement immediately. They are of immense help warning the oncoming traffic as well as the traffic behind. Never drive at night if your headlamps are non-functional.
3. Driving position. The seat should be upright and not leaned too far back. To see if you are seated in the correct position put your hands on top of the steering wheel and your wrists should rest on it.
4. Head rest. Don’t remove it just because you want to see better while reversing the car. In an event of a crash, they protect your head from whiplash and prevent spinal injuries.
5. Position the mirrors. Before you set off, position the inside rear view mirror and the ORVMs. Fiddling with them while driving distracts you and your total concentration is not there on the road. And if you want to check out the hottie in the car you just passed, don’t.
6. Cell phone. If you have a call to make or are expecting a call, then pull over to the side of the road or better still don’t drive at all. Switch off the phone if you are alone or let the passenger receive the call for you.
7. Speed Limit. Respect the law and drive within the specified speed limits. Driving too fast doesn’t give you as much time to react while driving too slow, will make you a rolling obstacle for others. In either case, you are not safe.
8. Keep Distance. Keep at least three car lengths distance between you and the car ahead. This will give you enough time to react to his sudden braking.
9. Overtaking. Always give a signal to the car you want to overtake. This can be done by means of the horn during the day or by using the dipper/high beam flasher during the night. Wait till you get some space to pull off the overtaking safely. If he/she is not giving you any space, there may be a good reason for that, so wait. Always overtake from right. Overtaking heavy vehicles from the left will put you in danger, since most don’t have ORVMs and it’s all a big blind spot on the left for them.
10. Anticipate. Anticipate the traffic conditions ahead of you. If you see too many tail lamps, you are about to catch up with the traffic. That tiny flash of red in the sky is the traffic signal showing red, so be ready to brake. Etc, etc.
11. Braking. Don’t leave the braking for too late. If you did, it just might happen that the guy in front did too and braked harder than you did. You will end up rear ending him. Early braking will give you ample time to react to any mishap that might take place ahead.
12. Alcohol. A strict no-no. If you are out in a group, nominate someone for driving duties. The only beverage he/she should be having is a hot cup of cappuccino. If you are alone, please don’t drink and drive. If you’re in the mood to drink, stay home and drink till your bladder bursts, but don’t drive.
13. Leave early. If you have to be some place at a particular time, leave early. Anticipate the traffic conditions you might encounter on the way and start accordingly. Speeding to your destination will only put you and the passengers in danger. If you are late already, don’t bother rushing. Five minutes of fifty, once you’re late, you’re late. Might as well use the time to look good for the date or prepare for that interview.
14. Rash driving. Cutting across lanes and driving like a maniac will increase your chances of a visit to the emergency room and if you’re lucky, some road rage (Also see 21) from the fellow you just ticked off. Also if you’re a wannabe Karthikeyan and thrash your car too much, the mechanicals will wear and tear that much quicker.
15. Hands on the wheel. Both hands on the steering wheel will give you better control. It’s a normal tendency to rest one hand on the gear shift and using the other to turn the wheel. Trust me, two hands are better than one. You have much better control on the steering with both hands. Remove the left hand only when you have to shift a gear. Also if you rest one hand on the gear shift, you might accidentally shift it into neutral.
16. Music. Don’t fiddle with the music system while driving. Set the radio channel or the track on the disk before you start driving. If the RJ is annoying you, just bear him/her for a while, it’s their job. As it is they will have to play a track sooner rather than later. If there is a passenger along, let him/her be the DJ. On the other hand if you have steering mounted controls (Also see 15), go ahead and show that RJ who’s boss.
17. Bus Stops. Steer clear of these. Buses start off without an indicating and going slow around bus stops is a good idea. Also a favorite spot for the jaywalkers to show you what they are made of. No, they will not use the safer options like overhead bridge or the underground pass. They are lurking there around the overcrowded buses just waiting for you to show up and scare you with their athletic abilities.
18. Parking. Always park your vehicle properly at an authorized parking only. Don’t park in a hap hazard manner. If you left that boot hanging out, you just might find the tail lamp dangling like a Christmas tree decoration when you come back. Lock everything properly, and don’t leave your keys behind with the attendant. If they insist, find yourself some other place to park.
19. Morons. Everybody else is a moron. Keep that in mind while driving. You can never be too sure of what will happen next and its better to be prepared (Also see 10, 14).
20. Anger. If you just had a fight with your girl or you just knocked the day lights out of your boss, don’t drive. Driving in anger usually leads to you speeding (Also see 7, 14) and driving like an overall moron (Also see 19). So please refrain. Cool down. Switch on the music, and just sit in the car. Cause if you drive thinking about what just happened and not concentrating on the road, you’re in for some trouble.
21. Road Rage. The worst thing to do. Ever wonder why people get all worked up about a small scratch or a dent? Or when a moron (Also see 19) parks his car where you usually park yours? I understand you love your car a lot, don’t we all? But just think about this. It would cost a lot less to fix something on your car than having a surgery. Now, rage can be directed at you too if you were being the moron (Also see 19) and were driving in a dangerous manner (Also see 14).
22. Theft Protection. A lot of cars now have features like remote locking, immobilizer etc. Its also a good idea to get a gear and a steering lock for your car. Don’t leave valuables in the car when parked. Car parks (Also see 18) are a nice place to get your laptop nicked if you were not careful with it.
23. Lastly. If you can, do buy a car with all the safety equipments like Airbags and ABS. You might have to shell out a little more on the buying part, but your life is worth much more.

Yes, it’s a long list. But what can I say, you can never be too careful. Drive safe.

Bajaj To Introduce 4 New 125cc Models In FY 09

Bajaj Auto has said that it will introduce 4 ‘new’ 125cc models in the current financial year starting April 2008. More on this, here.

Now, what attracted my attention was the fact that Bajaj have only shown two of these as of now. These are the XCD Sprint and the Blade. What about the other two? Hhmm…let’s speculate, shall we?

Now, most probably one of these two not-yet-seen-motorcycles will be based on the XCD DTS-Si (The Sprint is the four valve DTS-i mind you). Bajaj had said earlier that they will be introducing more models on the XCD platform. Why not, I say. After all Bajaj are the market leaders in the 125cc and above segment.

The other not-yet-seen-motorcycle I hope will be the one they are developing with KTM. They are supposed to introduce their KTM range this year, and if it is the KTM, it most likely will have top notch specs like liquid cooling, six speed transmission, brakes all round. Heck it might have a full fairing, considering the European market where it will be introduced first has the likes of the Yamaha, Honda, Aprillia and Cagiva 125cc models.

It’s so much fun dreaming isn’t it? Just hope Bajaj sees this.