Bikes - A Style Icon of the Indian Youth

The history of bikes in India started with the Enfield "Bullet" bike. The early years saw youngsters zooming around astride bikes like the Bullet, the Rajdoot and the Yezdi. Post liberalization and the opening up of the economy, many new players entered the bike market, targeting the Indian youth. These new bikes, which are attracting hordes of people from the young India, are mean powerful machines that are a combination of looks and performance. Suzuki Intruder M1800RThere is a continuously growing market for premium bikes in India. Major manufacturers are always ready with new products. A new model is being launched almost every two-three months to attract the youth who believe that owning one of these machines is the ultimate style icon among their circle of friends. Bollywood movies, like "Dhoom" for example, used exotic bikes on screen that further captured the imagination of youngsters and also raised the demand for big and powerful bikes in the market. Indian youth are increasingly getting attracted to advanced sports models of bikes. The features that they look for are outstanding looks and amazing power which can generate zipper acceleration and pick-up most effortlessly. No more do they want the so-called old fashioned and simple bikes of yester years. Bikes are generally the first love of a youngster and possess a cult status among them. They avidly wish for bikes that have a great combination of technology, engineering, a great style and obviously high speed. For the youth a bike is a style icon. They zoom around on the roads because they are under the impression that it makes them look cool. The riding gear, leather jackets and gloves etc are further attractions. They want to look and ape their favorite movie star in order to cultivate a cool image and be accepted among their peer group. The horn is used by them mainly to attract attention to themselves and their machine. The heavy traffic on city roads poses no deterrent to them as they weave in and out and around bigger vehicles with ease. Yamaha Commercial Harley Davidson - Black Sheep Youngsters ride their bikes in India for many reasons, the most basic among them being to travel to and from school, college or work, and to go on fun trips with their friends. Bikes in India are cheaper than cars. For other youngsters the bike is a very convenient and practical vehicle which because its high mileage helps to save gasoline and is easy to park while also possessing the "fun element". Biking for a youngster implies freedom - freedom to feel the wind in his face, the speed and the sheer enjoyment of controlling a speed machine. For the youth, no other vehicle can feel quite like a bike. The thrill of navigating a two-wheeler mean machine though risky gives such pleasure that cannot be rivaled. The rider is completely one with his bike. He is part of it all in the thick of action and not just a mere spectator. This gives him an overwhelming sense of presence as driving through the various changing seasons each gives a distinct and different experience.