On a moto in India, not a K to be seen

[Glacial]

i have been in Chennai, South India, helping out a charity that supports poor kids through school and college.  There are literally millions of motorbikes in this city but I haven't seen anything bigger than a 500cc Royal Enfield all week. Got to be small, light and nimble to survive in the crush. Being on the back as other riders cut across or ride the wrong way against the traffic is one of the scariest experiences of my motorcycling career.

[F14CRAZY]

What other makes are you seeing there? Are there Indian (not the American brand) bikes?

[beemuker]

test drove one of those newer Indian made Royal Enfields, very cool vintage vibe, but a real piece of crap, at least the one I rode. very scary above 60mph. I thought it would rattle itself apart.

[Glacial]

Makes of bike - there are lots of Hondas and something called Hero Hondas which I think is a licensed Indian copy. Some Suzuki and Yamahas. A lot of Bajaj which I think is an all-Indian product. The factory that makes Royal Enfields is here in Chennai, it produces huge numbers for the Asian market. Roads around here don't often allow you to get as fast as 60 mph. The key design criteria here is can it survive dropping into a huge pothole at regular intervals?

[johnny]

i hear they gotts desireable weed in india...

looking for a confirmation on that...

j o

[bocutter Ed]

and Inder hacks come from somewhere around there, IIRC.

[The Mighty Gryphon]

Spent time in Bombay(Mumbai), Bangalore, and Goa in the 80's.  Back then they still had ridiculous tariffs on foreign stuff, so all you saw were Enfields and some little scooters I can't remember the name of.  I wanted one of those 500cc Enfields so bad.  They looked so retro and sounded so sweet.  Time machines back to the 50's.