ISSUE 11 | NOVEMBER 2019
BC: What's your high and low phase in
life?
SR: I take life as it comes. Yes, when I had
to forego riding bike for many years, I did
feel low on that account. It was a passing
phase. But I am back on the saddle.
BC: Which are the best destination to ride
in India?
SR: My beautiful country India is vast with
varied kind of terrains and vegetation. It
depends on the biker's choice. Personally,
Northeast India is a pleasure to ride in for
large parts are still virgin country with
remarkable flora and fauna and also a
challenge to ride in.
BC: What's your point of view about riders
and rider's community in India?
SR: The number of bikers are growing by
the day. So are the number of clubs. The
country is going through a phase where
lot of youngsters are taking to riding and
forming biking clubs. Maturity of riders is
also growing through experience rather
than being groomed by senior riders. It's a
passing phase in the chapter of biking of
our country.
BC: What do you think about professional
racers and stunt riders?
SR: I admire professional races for they
are racing in the track and are doing so
after going through professional training
lessons under experts. Imagine the
presence of mind riding along with many
others at a speed of over 200 kmph and
coming down to about 90 kmph and
speeding again. We will soon be seeing
better performances by our racers in
world track racing.
Stunt riders unfortunately do not have a
dedicated place like tracks. Stunt riding is
an art that requires both body balancing
and balancing the bike in short unique
frequent moves.
BC: Do you think because of social media
many people have started riding, just for
an instant fame? Or you really think riding
motorcycles is becoming a passion
nowadays?
SR: Those who get motivated by seeing
posts in social media look for instant
fame. But the passion for riding
motorcycles is definitely growing.
Passionate riders continue with their
passion. Social Media posts are
secondary for them. You will see the
difference in posts which talk about great
BIKERS CLUB | MAGAZINE | PAGE 20
achievement and those which posts the
same as an informatory post.
BC: We have noticed that there are
bikers who are very famous in social
media with less rides whereas, there are
many other bikers who have roamed
entire world on motorcycle but nobody
knows them (less famous in social
media)? What do you have to say about
this?
SR: Passionate riders ride for their
passion and look out for riders who
have travelled extra ordinary miles.
Some riders derive pleasure in
their riding. Posting in social media is
secondary to them. Similarly, riders
who have travelled extra ordinary miles
are satisfied with their achievements
and do not look for recognitions.
BC: What you have to say about wanna-
be riders? have you come across any?
SR: Yes, I have come across them.
Wanna-be riders should look out for
riders who have experience in riding
and discuss and learn from them.
Riding is not about starting the bike,
changing gears and accelerating. One
has to know the correct posture,
signalling, turning, braking, handling
and functioning of the bike, In addition,
learn to repair / replace common
failures like broken chain, replace bulb
and carry out regular maintenance etc.
The best way is to learn from a good
mechanic and practice it for perfection.
My advice to all bikers is to remember
bikers who rode Ladakh and Northeast
15-20 years ago. There were hardly any
roads or communication, be it Ladakh,
Khardungla or Tawang.
I salute them, I also salute those who
rode to Khardungla on a Scooter, M80,
Kinetic Honda etc.
BC: What is the difference between real
rider and a wanna-be rider?
SR: A real rider is cool whereas a
wanna-be rider is full of enthusiasm. A
real rider will continue with his passion
of riding. Some wanna-be riders also
becomes passionate riders.
BC: What's the difference between real
rider and commuter as they both ride
motorcycles?
SR: A commuter is one mostly riding
daily for office or for other errands. A
real rider in addition to commuting to
office etc, will also be riding to different
destinations for the joy and
satisfaction of his passion for riding,
exploring and gulping miles.
BC: Do you own or have any riding
club? if yes then tell us about that,
when and how it started?
SR: No, I do not own or have any riding
club. I am member of Royal Enfield
Riders Association of Meghalaya
(RERAM), Teesta Thumpers in North
Bengal and was made Honorary
member of Arunachal Bullet Club when I
was invited as a guest rider in Royal
Homage Ride in memory of Late Chief
Minister Dorjee Khandu who was killed
in a helicopter crash.
BC: What you have to say about a very
famous term amongst the bikers, which
is "Bikers Brotherhood?" What do you
mean by "Bikers Brotherhood?" Do you
believe in it?
SR: "Bikers Brotherhood" is a very
popular term amongst the riders. It has
certainly brought the biking community
closer as a family. It has also given rise
to quick, meaningful interaction,
coordination and exchange of ideas
amongst riders and the clubs.
Responsibility towards biking has also
definitely grown.
BC: Have you come across to any
female riders (aka bikerni)? What do
you have to say about female riders, as
they face more challenges in riding than
the male riders? Do you encourage
female riders for LDR?
SR: The women have been riding for a
very long time. It's only that they did not
come into limelight. My wife has also
been riding a Hero Honda Splendor to
work. In Lucknow she happened to be
followed home by news reporters to
take her interview. There are other
ladies who have also been touring a lot
but their rides remained confined within
friends and relatives. Today the number
of female riders have grown, is more
organized and number of women
touring long distances has also grown.
Women have set records in "Raid the
Himalayas" and Sjoba Rally. Many
women riders have done solo
international rides, solo and in groups
too. Women are strong and self-reliant.
They are no lesser than men. Yes, it is
equally important for them to be
physically strong and learn repair of