Joined Mar 2005
7K Posts | 20+
Woody Creek
I can't believe he's learning Italian, he can barely speak English.
I watched that terrible MTV documentary with him and he was in Spain and couldn't say a thing. It was embarrassing. By that point he had been in Europe for four seasons, with three rounds a year in Spain and having a sponsor like Repsol, you'd think he could have picked something up in that span.
But hey, I guess they pay him to ride.
I watched that terrible MTV documentary with him and he was in Spain and couldn't say a thing. It was embarrassing. By that point he had been in Europe for four seasons, with three rounds a year in Spain and having a sponsor like Repsol, you'd think he could have picked something up in that span.
But hey, I guess they pay him to ride.
Joined Jun 2008
2K Posts | 6+
America
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (L8Braker @ Dec 16 2009, 12:37 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Was a good read. Gives some insight on his relationships with the Ducati brass. You can tell he wants to say the 800cc package is .... and is ready to get on with 1000cc racing again....hopefully he can hang on long enough to see it happen.
He will hang on. He will be on a SAT ducati next I would say unless Stoner goes when Rossi gets there.
He will hang on. He will be on a SAT ducati next I would say unless Stoner goes when Rossi gets there.
i too think that almost every other door is closed for hayden.
my hopes (and predictions) are that he will be top 5 or 6 regularly and earn some podiums in 2010. THIS will secure his ride for 2011 I guess unless anything big like a switch of the doctor to duc takes places...
reading this interview i just dont get all the hayden critics in this forum! the man knows how to ride and didnt get any gifts in 2009! being taken off the bike by other so often U and me woulnt be able to hold up such a momentum of motivation like he did!
go 69!
my hopes (and predictions) are that he will be top 5 or 6 regularly and earn some podiums in 2010. THIS will secure his ride for 2011 I guess unless anything big like a switch of the doctor to duc takes places...
reading this interview i just dont get all the hayden critics in this forum! the man knows how to ride and didnt get any gifts in 2009! being taken off the bike by other so often U and me woulnt be able to hold up such a momentum of motivation like he did!
go 69!
Joined Aug 2007
11K Posts | 3K+
Pomona NY
Good interview. I think the most interesting quote was:
"I don't think the racing would change that much by going just to 990s. ... Because the electronics is what's made the bigger deal, as far as - as much corner entry as corner exit, as far as why the bike looks so easy, and why on TV they come across so .. they're coming across a bit dull. But you know, good luck policing that."
Also - I'd like to be a fly on the wall when Jumkie was reading the part about
Hayden liking to go to Star Trek conventions. That sure would explain some
of his choices of eye-wear and some of his facial hair combos. He must really like Klingons.
"I don't think the racing would change that much by going just to 990s. ... Because the electronics is what's made the bigger deal, as far as - as much corner entry as corner exit, as far as why the bike looks so easy, and why on TV they come across so .. they're coming across a bit dull. But you know, good luck policing that."
Also - I'd like to be a fly on the wall when Jumkie was reading the part about
Hayden liking to go to Star Trek conventions. That sure would explain some
of his choices of eye-wear and some of his facial hair combos. He must really like Klingons.
Joined Jul 2007
5K Posts | 1K+
unda cheese
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Keshav @ Dec 19 2009, 10:25 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Also - I'd like to be a fly on the wall when Jumkie was reading the part about
Hayden liking to go to Star Trek conventions.
Do you really think the guy whose username was taken from a Star Wars movie would have a problem with that? If anything now Jumkie and Haydens "relationship" has now risen into soulmate territory.
Anyways what are you talking about? I just reread the interview and saw nothing about Star Trek
Hayden liking to go to Star Trek conventions.
Do you really think the guy whose username was taken from a Star Wars movie would have a problem with that? If anything now Jumkie and Haydens "relationship" has now risen into soulmate territory.
Anyways what are you talking about? I just reread the interview and saw nothing about Star Trek
Joined Aug 2007
11K Posts | 3K+
Pomona NY
Lets be crystal clear about this JK; my post wasn't a knock on Hayden. I'm a total supporter. It was all in good fun. Re: Star Trek.... go back to the article and see the photo of Nicky in his rain suit. Underneath the photo is a caption.
"On non-race weekends Hayden likes to attend Star Trek conventions. Do you speak 'Wookie' while there? we asked. 'Damn, dude,' he said 'there aren't any Wookies in Star Trek.' Fine. He didn't/doesn't."
Not that I'm an expert on Star Wars - but I've never heard of any character in the series by the name Jumkie. I've never had any idea where he came up with that name. Did a Google search and nothing came up.
Did anyone note that Ducati is sending Hayden to India for the opening of a Ducati dealership?
That's the ....... craziest thing I've ever heard of. There isn't a decent, motorcycle-worthy
road in the whole country. I lived there on and off for 10 years. Any road in India that isn't
paved like the surface of the moon is elbow-to-elbow with 75cc Honda Hero-engined pit bikes
and Bajaj scooters none of which go faster than 40 MPH - even when heading downhill. I guarantee the genius who promoted a dealership in India will go far.
"On non-race weekends Hayden likes to attend Star Trek conventions. Do you speak 'Wookie' while there? we asked. 'Damn, dude,' he said 'there aren't any Wookies in Star Trek.' Fine. He didn't/doesn't."
Not that I'm an expert on Star Wars - but I've never heard of any character in the series by the name Jumkie. I've never had any idea where he came up with that name. Did a Google search and nothing came up.
Did anyone note that Ducati is sending Hayden to India for the opening of a Ducati dealership?
That's the ....... craziest thing I've ever heard of. There isn't a decent, motorcycle-worthy
road in the whole country. I lived there on and off for 10 years. Any road in India that isn't
paved like the surface of the moon is elbow-to-elbow with 75cc Honda Hero-engined pit bikes
and Bajaj scooters none of which go faster than 40 MPH - even when heading downhill. I guarantee the genius who promoted a dealership in India will go far.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Keshav @ Dec 20 2009, 08:53 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Did anyone note that Ducati is sending Hayden to India for the opening of a Ducati dealership?
That's the ....... craziest thing I've ever heard of. There isn't a decent, motorcycle-worthy
road in the whole country. I lived there on and off for 10 years. Any road in India that isn't
paved like the surface of the moon is elbow-to-elbow with 75cc Honda Hero-engined pit bikes
and Bajaj scooters none of which go faster than 40 MPH - even when heading downhill. I guarantee the genius who promoted a dealership in India will go far.
http://www.topnews.in/ducati-india-plans-s...ar-2010-2245934
Looks like they are targetting 150 sales out of a 1000 bike market. I'm guessing that there's more than a bit of trophy involved.
That's the ....... craziest thing I've ever heard of. There isn't a decent, motorcycle-worthy
road in the whole country. I lived there on and off for 10 years. Any road in India that isn't
paved like the surface of the moon is elbow-to-elbow with 75cc Honda Hero-engined pit bikes
and Bajaj scooters none of which go faster than 40 MPH - even when heading downhill. I guarantee the genius who promoted a dealership in India will go far.
http://www.topnews.in/ducati-india-plans-s...ar-2010-2245934
Looks like they are targetting 150 sales out of a 1000 bike market. I'm guessing that there's more than a bit of trophy involved.
Joined Aug 2007
11K Posts | 3K+
Pomona NY
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (mattsteg @ Dec 20 2009, 01:27 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>http://www.topnews.in/ducati-india-plans-s...ar-2010-2245934
Looks like they are targetting 150 sales out of a 1000 bike market. I'm guessing that there's more than a bit of trophy involved.
Ducati would be smarter to create a cheap 200cc bike out of existing parts.
A sales potential of 150 bikes after overheads of creating a dealership,
paying rent, training mechanics and transporting the bikes and everything
else not available in India can't be much. Tho I don't live there anymore
I still travel to India twice a year and have seen much more of the country
than most actual Indians - and I have never in tens of thousands of miles
of travel crisscrossing the continent - ever seen a real Japanese sportbike
on the road. Maybe a few wealthy kids will buy them and keep them in their
back yard so their friends can come by and have their picture taken with them.
The biggest Jap bike I ever saw in all my year there was 150cc Honda Hawk
I rented in Goa. Actually the most popular two-wheeled ride in India is the Bajaj
scooter - which is actually a Vespa with an Indian badge on it. For 30 odd years
Vespas were built in Pune in Maharashtra and when the Italians pulled out they
licensed the Bajaj people to continue making the scooters using the Indian marquee.
But really - any person who knows the riding potential of a Ducati would be a fool
to buy it - with the intent of riding it in India. Makes as much sense as trying fly
an F18 down the back alleys of Bankok. I know there are a hidden few Indian
owners of Jap sport bikes because I have found pictures of them online when
looking for old Jap bikes to buy for restoration projects. When you email the
owners they proudly send you a photo of the instrument cluster on these
pristine Jap bikes two and thee decades old - that only have 56 miles on the
odometer - because, there's just no adequate roads to ride them on.
Back in ye olden days when the princes and the maharajas still received
privy purses from the government - they went in big for ostentatious
stuff like solid gold train sets for their children and diamond encrusted
toilet seats - but those days are over. I have a hard time picturing
1000 Ducatis being sold in India. Even the wealthiest Indians are driving
around in cut-rate model Toyota Land Cruisers that have no heaters or CD player.
Most wealth in India is illusory. The ones that really have the big bucks are
ancient super orthodox old farts who wouldn't be caught dead on a bike.
Looks like they are targetting 150 sales out of a 1000 bike market. I'm guessing that there's more than a bit of trophy involved.
Ducati would be smarter to create a cheap 200cc bike out of existing parts.
A sales potential of 150 bikes after overheads of creating a dealership,
paying rent, training mechanics and transporting the bikes and everything
else not available in India can't be much. Tho I don't live there anymore
I still travel to India twice a year and have seen much more of the country
than most actual Indians - and I have never in tens of thousands of miles
of travel crisscrossing the continent - ever seen a real Japanese sportbike
on the road. Maybe a few wealthy kids will buy them and keep them in their
back yard so their friends can come by and have their picture taken with them.
The biggest Jap bike I ever saw in all my year there was 150cc Honda Hawk
I rented in Goa. Actually the most popular two-wheeled ride in India is the Bajaj
scooter - which is actually a Vespa with an Indian badge on it. For 30 odd years
Vespas were built in Pune in Maharashtra and when the Italians pulled out they
licensed the Bajaj people to continue making the scooters using the Indian marquee.
But really - any person who knows the riding potential of a Ducati would be a fool
to buy it - with the intent of riding it in India. Makes as much sense as trying fly
an F18 down the back alleys of Bankok. I know there are a hidden few Indian
owners of Jap sport bikes because I have found pictures of them online when
looking for old Jap bikes to buy for restoration projects. When you email the
owners they proudly send you a photo of the instrument cluster on these
pristine Jap bikes two and thee decades old - that only have 56 miles on the
odometer - because, there's just no adequate roads to ride them on.
Back in ye olden days when the princes and the maharajas still received
privy purses from the government - they went in big for ostentatious
stuff like solid gold train sets for their children and diamond encrusted
toilet seats - but those days are over. I have a hard time picturing
1000 Ducatis being sold in India. Even the wealthiest Indians are driving
around in cut-rate model Toyota Land Cruisers that have no heaters or CD player.
Most wealth in India is illusory. The ones that really have the big bucks are
ancient super orthodox old farts who wouldn't be caught dead on a bike.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Keshav @ Dec 20 2009, 06:37 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Even the wealthiest Indians are driving
around in cut-rate model Toyota Land Cruisers that have no heaters or CD player.
Most wealth in India is illusory. The ones that really have the big bucks are
ancient super orthodox old farts who wouldn't be caught dead on a bike.
or, the new breed of bollywood stars and the most likely targets, the IPL players, young rich sportsmen...? Lalit Modi has created a big money spinning operation that has drawn a large interest from media companies and that equals $'s. Ducatis are sure to follow...
for an explanation of what the IPL and Lalit Modi is, here you go-
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_Premier_League
around in cut-rate model Toyota Land Cruisers that have no heaters or CD player.
Most wealth in India is illusory. The ones that really have the big bucks are
ancient super orthodox old farts who wouldn't be caught dead on a bike.
or, the new breed of bollywood stars and the most likely targets, the IPL players, young rich sportsmen...? Lalit Modi has created a big money spinning operation that has drawn a large interest from media companies and that equals $'s. Ducatis are sure to follow...
for an explanation of what the IPL and Lalit Modi is, here you go-
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_Premier_League
Joined Aug 2007
11K Posts | 3K+
Pomona NY
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (BigAl @ Dec 20 2009, 06:29 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>or, the new breed of bollywood stars and the most likely targets, the IPL players, young rich sportsmen...? Lalit Modi has created a big money spinning operation that has drawn a large interest from media companies and that equals $'s. Ducatis are sure to follow...
for an explanation of what the IPL and Lalit Modi is, here you go-
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_Premier_League
Y'know.. I could see a cricket player buying a Ducati.Those guys really are superstars
and command better salaries than 90% of the Bollywood people. Some of the really
big - old-timers - like Amitabh Bhachan could easily afford a Ducati as a nice toy.
But many of the actors who are perceived as being highly successful in the business
are literally performing for for four or five different directors, actually scrambling from
one sound stage to the next - actually playing in four different films in the same day
in order to make enough money to support the kind of lifestyle their fans believe they
lead. Many of the big name actors don't really make that much money - largely because
the whole film industry is run by the Mumbai Mafia and these are not people whose desks
you can bang your fist on and make demands for higher salaries. Also - it has to remembered
- that in India - when you're a big-shot - you do not drive your own car; never mind ride a
motorcycle. Expensive motorcycles as a status symbol are not yet a part of the bourgeois
mind-set. Every nickle and dime small businessman I know in India has a full-time driver
who works for about 600 rupees a day (about $13.00).
for an explanation of what the IPL and Lalit Modi is, here you go-
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_Premier_League
Y'know.. I could see a cricket player buying a Ducati.Those guys really are superstars
and command better salaries than 90% of the Bollywood people. Some of the really
big - old-timers - like Amitabh Bhachan could easily afford a Ducati as a nice toy.
But many of the actors who are perceived as being highly successful in the business
are literally performing for for four or five different directors, actually scrambling from
one sound stage to the next - actually playing in four different films in the same day
in order to make enough money to support the kind of lifestyle their fans believe they
lead. Many of the big name actors don't really make that much money - largely because
the whole film industry is run by the Mumbai Mafia and these are not people whose desks
you can bang your fist on and make demands for higher salaries. Also - it has to remembered
- that in India - when you're a big-shot - you do not drive your own car; never mind ride a
motorcycle. Expensive motorcycles as a status symbol are not yet a part of the bourgeois
mind-set. Every nickle and dime small businessman I know in India has a full-time driver
who works for about 600 rupees a day (about $13.00).
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Keshav @ Dec 21 2009, 06:22 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Y'know.. I could see a cricket player buying a Ducati.Those guys really are superstars
and command better salaries than 90% of the Bollywood people. Some of the really
big - old-timers - like Amitabh Bhachan could easily afford a Ducati as a nice toy.
But many of the actors who are perceived as being highly successful in the business
are literally performing for for four or five different directors, actually scrambling from
one sound stage to the next - actually playing in four different films in the same day
in order to make enough money to support the kind of lifestyle their fans believe they
lead. Many of the big name actors don't really make that much money - largely because
the whole film industry is run by the Mumbai Mafia and these are not people whose desks
you can bang your fist on and make demands for higher salaries. Also - it has to remembered
- that in India - when you're a big-shot - you do not drive your own car; never mind ride a
motorcycle. Expensive motorcycles as a status symbol are not yet a part of the bourgeois
mind-set. Every nickle and dime small businessman I know in India has a full-time driver
who works for about 600 rupees a day (about $13.00).
If you haven't seen a sports bike in Indian metros till now, I believe it has been a long time you visited India. Event though sports cars & bikes are not affordable to an ordinary citizen, there are lots of them screaming through the streets.
@Keshav: Your prtrayal of India is too 1970's. Things are different now
For starters go through this thread http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/super-cars-imports-india/
and command better salaries than 90% of the Bollywood people. Some of the really
big - old-timers - like Amitabh Bhachan could easily afford a Ducati as a nice toy.
But many of the actors who are perceived as being highly successful in the business
are literally performing for for four or five different directors, actually scrambling from
one sound stage to the next - actually playing in four different films in the same day
in order to make enough money to support the kind of lifestyle their fans believe they
lead. Many of the big name actors don't really make that much money - largely because
the whole film industry is run by the Mumbai Mafia and these are not people whose desks
you can bang your fist on and make demands for higher salaries. Also - it has to remembered
- that in India - when you're a big-shot - you do not drive your own car; never mind ride a
motorcycle. Expensive motorcycles as a status symbol are not yet a part of the bourgeois
mind-set. Every nickle and dime small businessman I know in India has a full-time driver
who works for about 600 rupees a day (about $13.00).
If you haven't seen a sports bike in Indian metros till now, I believe it has been a long time you visited India. Event though sports cars & bikes are not affordable to an ordinary citizen, there are lots of them screaming through the streets.
@Keshav: Your prtrayal of India is too 1970's. Things are different now
For starters go through this thread http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/super-cars-imports-india/
Joined Aug 2007
11K Posts | 3K+
Pomona NY
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Renjith @ Dec 21 2009, 04:10 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>If you haven't seen a sports bike in Indian metros till now, I believe it has been a long time you visited India. Event though sports cars & bikes are not affordable to an ordinary citizen, there are lots of them screaming through the streets.
@Keshav: Your prtrayal of India is too 1970's. Things are different now
For starters go through this thread http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/super-cars-imports-india/
My portrayal of India is based on going there for four to six weeks at a time
three and four times a year on business (and pleasure) for the last 12 years. I was there Feb - March and again Sept - Oct this year. Yes - one does have the occasional BMW or Lexus
sighting when driving through the enclaves of the super wealthy. But they
only drive these cars from the house to the office 6 miles away or to the
little malls where they go to buy chi chi groceries - so they can be seen by
their neighbors. But if they go on a long distance drive on holiday or to
go on yatra in the mountains along roads that look like they belong in a war zone, they
take the old Ambassador or the SUV. I've seen zillions of cheapo 75 and 149cc
shitbox pitbikes that Indians think of as "motorcycles" but have never seen a
250 or larger bike (I don't consider all the crappy, lumbering Enfields to be sportbikes)
on the road. A Honda Hero Achiever does not quality as a sportbike.
The forum you pointed to is about cars. The discussion is about
sportbikes - you know... the ones with two wheels. If you have mistaken the vehicle
pictured in this post with a sportbike - you should probably stick to the India Mike forum.
@Keshav: Your prtrayal of India is too 1970's. Things are different now
For starters go through this thread http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/super-cars-imports-india/
My portrayal of India is based on going there for four to six weeks at a time
three and four times a year on business (and pleasure) for the last 12 years. I was there Feb - March and again Sept - Oct this year. Yes - one does have the occasional BMW or Lexus
sighting when driving through the enclaves of the super wealthy. But they
only drive these cars from the house to the office 6 miles away or to the
little malls where they go to buy chi chi groceries - so they can be seen by
their neighbors. But if they go on a long distance drive on holiday or to
go on yatra in the mountains along roads that look like they belong in a war zone, they
take the old Ambassador or the SUV. I've seen zillions of cheapo 75 and 149cc
shitbox pitbikes that Indians think of as "motorcycles" but have never seen a
250 or larger bike (I don't consider all the crappy, lumbering Enfields to be sportbikes)
on the road. A Honda Hero Achiever does not quality as a sportbike.
The forum you pointed to is about cars. The discussion is about
sportbikes - you know... the ones with two wheels. If you have mistaken the vehicle
pictured in this post with a sportbike - you should probably stick to the India Mike forum.
Attachments
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Keshav @ Dec 22 2009, 01:38 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>My portrayal of India is based on going there for four to six weeks at a time
three and four times a year on business (and pleasure) for the last 12 years. I was there Feb - March and again Sept - Oct this year. Yes - one does have the occasional BMW or Lexus
sighting when driving through the enclaves of the super wealthy. But they
only drive these cars from the house to the office 6 miles away or to the
little malls where they go to buy chi chi groceries - so they can be seen by
their neighbors. But if they go on a long distance drive on holiday or to
go on yatra in the mountains along roads that look like they belong in a war zone, they
take the old Ambassador or the SUV. I've seen zillions of cheapo 75 and 149cc
shitbox pitbikes that Indians think of as "motorcycles" but have never seen a
250 or larger bike (I don't consider all the crappy, lumbering Enfields to be sportbikes)
on the road. A Honda Hero Achiever does not quality as a sportbike.
The forum you pointed to is about cars. The discussion is about
sportbikes - you know... the ones with two wheels. If you have mistaken the vehicle
pictured in this post with a sportbike - you should probably stick to the India Mike forum.
Don't get raised Keshav. I was just replying to your comment - "and I have never in tens of thousands of miles
of travel crisscrossing the continent - ever seen a real Japanese sportbike
on the road." . This simply is BS. Go to any metro - be it Delhi, Bombay, Bangalore, chennai or Hyderabad. You don't need to criss-cross millions of miles.. Just have an eye out on the street and you can find lots of biker boys.. (yes with real jap 1 litre bikes)..
I pointed you to the forum to tell you that the idea that all indians drive in el-cheapo cars without Cd player and heater (we don't need heaters we need cooler btw) is the typical foreigners portrayal of 1970s. Almost all the cars in India have the above two comfort factors. Just calling out the exaggeration there..
Now, I know what a sports bike looks like (Ofcourse I am in a MGP forum and if I don't know what a sports bike looks like, I shouldn't be here) though I have never owned one. (I own one 'crappy lumbering' enfield though which is great fun to ride).
Now, I just don't want to start a war of words. All I wanted to say was - it is not as bad as you have portrayed
.
Cheers
Renjith
three and four times a year on business (and pleasure) for the last 12 years. I was there Feb - March and again Sept - Oct this year. Yes - one does have the occasional BMW or Lexus
sighting when driving through the enclaves of the super wealthy. But they
only drive these cars from the house to the office 6 miles away or to the
little malls where they go to buy chi chi groceries - so they can be seen by
their neighbors. But if they go on a long distance drive on holiday or to
go on yatra in the mountains along roads that look like they belong in a war zone, they
take the old Ambassador or the SUV. I've seen zillions of cheapo 75 and 149cc
shitbox pitbikes that Indians think of as "motorcycles" but have never seen a
250 or larger bike (I don't consider all the crappy, lumbering Enfields to be sportbikes)
on the road. A Honda Hero Achiever does not quality as a sportbike.
The forum you pointed to is about cars. The discussion is about
sportbikes - you know... the ones with two wheels. If you have mistaken the vehicle
pictured in this post with a sportbike - you should probably stick to the India Mike forum.
Don't get raised Keshav. I was just replying to your comment - "and I have never in tens of thousands of miles
of travel crisscrossing the continent - ever seen a real Japanese sportbike
on the road." . This simply is BS. Go to any metro - be it Delhi, Bombay, Bangalore, chennai or Hyderabad. You don't need to criss-cross millions of miles.. Just have an eye out on the street and you can find lots of biker boys.. (yes with real jap 1 litre bikes)..
I pointed you to the forum to tell you that the idea that all indians drive in el-cheapo cars without Cd player and heater (we don't need heaters we need cooler btw) is the typical foreigners portrayal of 1970s. Almost all the cars in India have the above two comfort factors. Just calling out the exaggeration there..
Now, I know what a sports bike looks like (Ofcourse I am in a MGP forum and if I don't know what a sports bike looks like, I shouldn't be here) though I have never owned one. (I own one 'crappy lumbering' enfield though which is great fun to ride).
Now, I just don't want to start a war of words. All I wanted to say was - it is not as bad as you have portrayed
Cheers
Renjith
Joined Aug 2007
11K Posts | 3K+
Pomona NY
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Renjith @ Dec 21 2009, 05:01 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Don't get raised Keshav. I was just replying to your comment - "and I have never in tens of thousands of miles
of travel crisscrossing the continent - ever seen a real Japanese sportbike
on the road." . This simply is BS. Go to any metro - be it Delhi, Bombay, Bangalore, chennai or Hyderabad. You don't need to criss-cross millions of miles.. Just have an eye out on the street and you can find lots of biker boys.. (yes with real jap 1 litre bikes)..
I pointed you to the forum to tell you that the idea that all indians drive in el-cheapo cars without Cd player and heater (we don't need heaters we need cooler btw) is the typical foreigners portrayal of 1970s. Almost all the cars in India have the above two comfort factors. Just calling out the exaggeration there..
Now, I know what a sports bike looks like (Ofcourse I am in a MGP forum and if I don't know what a sports bike looks like, I shouldn't be here) though I have never owned one. (I own one 'crappy lumbering' enfield though which is great fun to ride).
Now, I just don't want to start a war of words. All I wanted to say was - it is not as bad as you have portrayed
.
Cheers
Renjith
Been to all those places (numerous times) except for Hyderabad and never seen anything other than scooters, 125 and possible 250cc commuter bikes and have personally driven all over the country and never in almost 20 years have I seen a modern Jap bike in 600cc, 750cc and definitely not one liter sizes. I've been riding motorcycles since '78 and a real firebreathing sportbike on the streets of India would stand out like like three sadhus on an elephant making their way down Lexington Avenue past Bloomingdales. Like I said - I know a few virtually un-ridden ones exist here and there sitting in the backyards of spoiled rich kids, but to imply that they are a commonplace sight on the streets of any Indian city is purely, fatuous, wishful thinking. As far as not needing heaters go... apparently you've never frozen your ... off driving at night up in the Himalayas in February. And "being in a Moto GP forum"
doesn't make you knowledgeable (clearly) anymore than standing in the halls of Congress makes someone a congressman. One can say a lot of great things about India - but to say there is a thriving sportbike scene there is bukwas.
of travel crisscrossing the continent - ever seen a real Japanese sportbike
on the road." . This simply is BS. Go to any metro - be it Delhi, Bombay, Bangalore, chennai or Hyderabad. You don't need to criss-cross millions of miles.. Just have an eye out on the street and you can find lots of biker boys.. (yes with real jap 1 litre bikes)..
I pointed you to the forum to tell you that the idea that all indians drive in el-cheapo cars without Cd player and heater (we don't need heaters we need cooler btw) is the typical foreigners portrayal of 1970s. Almost all the cars in India have the above two comfort factors. Just calling out the exaggeration there..
Now, I know what a sports bike looks like (Ofcourse I am in a MGP forum and if I don't know what a sports bike looks like, I shouldn't be here) though I have never owned one. (I own one 'crappy lumbering' enfield though which is great fun to ride).
Now, I just don't want to start a war of words. All I wanted to say was - it is not as bad as you have portrayed
Cheers
Renjith
Been to all those places (numerous times) except for Hyderabad and never seen anything other than scooters, 125 and possible 250cc commuter bikes and have personally driven all over the country and never in almost 20 years have I seen a modern Jap bike in 600cc, 750cc and definitely not one liter sizes. I've been riding motorcycles since '78 and a real firebreathing sportbike on the streets of India would stand out like like three sadhus on an elephant making their way down Lexington Avenue past Bloomingdales. Like I said - I know a few virtually un-ridden ones exist here and there sitting in the backyards of spoiled rich kids, but to imply that they are a commonplace sight on the streets of any Indian city is purely, fatuous, wishful thinking. As far as not needing heaters go... apparently you've never frozen your ... off driving at night up in the Himalayas in February. And "being in a Moto GP forum"
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Keshav @ Dec 22 2009, 03:35 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Been to all those places (numerous times) except for Hyderabad and never seen anything other than scooters, 125 and possible 250cc commuter bikes and have personally driven all over the country and never in almost 20 years have I seen a modern Jap bike in 600cc, 750cc and definitely not one liter sizes. I've been riding motorcycles since '78 and a real firebreathing sportbike on the streets of India would stand out like like three sadhus on an elephant making their way down Lexington Avenue past Bloomingdales. Like I said - I know a few virtually un-ridden ones exist here and there sitting in the backyards of spoiled rich kids, but to imply that they are a commonplace sight on the streets of any Indian city is purely, fatuous, wishful thinking. As far as not needing heaters go... apparently you've never frozen your ... off driving at night up in the Himalayas in February. And "being in a Moto GP forum"
doesn't make you knowledgeable (clearly) anymore than standing in the halls of Congress makes someone a congressman. One can say a lot of great things about India - but to say there is a thriving sportbike scene there is bukwas.
i never saig there was a thriving sports bike scene in india. all i said was - the picture of India you are giving to the world is totally exaggerated and false.
Now, what makes you think that since you ride a bigger engined bike, you are so knowledgeable? See riding is all about having fun - you can have it even on scooters. Having a congress man in the family doesn't make you a congress man either.
As long as you both haven't ridden in MotoGP, I don't consider you anything more than a sports bike rider.
And about Himalayas - I agree you need heaters during winter there. But thats a very small portion of the country and we are talking about the conditions in India in general. (Anyway all the cars having Air conditioners can heat/cool the cabin)
Cheers
Renjith
i never saig there was a thriving sports bike scene in india. all i said was - the picture of India you are giving to the world is totally exaggerated and false.
Now, what makes you think that since you ride a bigger engined bike, you are so knowledgeable? See riding is all about having fun - you can have it even on scooters. Having a congress man in the family doesn't make you a congress man either.
As long as you both haven't ridden in MotoGP, I don't consider you anything more than a sports bike rider.
And about Himalayas - I agree you need heaters during winter there. But thats a very small portion of the country and we are talking about the conditions in India in general. (Anyway all the cars having Air conditioners can heat/cool the cabin)
Cheers
Renjith
Joined Oct 2007
4K Posts | 744+
Tuscany, Italy
I loved Hayden's interview, he's always honest. Great guy.
I think Ducati are smart putting their foot in countries like India (and China) now. The superbikes are useful for establishing the brand name, probably they'll eventually bring to these markets some more accessible, ad hoc, locally-manufactured model.
Regarding the development of the motocycling scene in India, I just followed a BBC link that shows they are definitely getting the sport bikers' virus over there:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8425843.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8266977.stm
From that point, it's just a matter of time.
I think Ducati are smart putting their foot in countries like India (and China) now. The superbikes are useful for establishing the brand name, probably they'll eventually bring to these markets some more accessible, ad hoc, locally-manufactured model.
Regarding the development of the motocycling scene in India, I just followed a BBC link that shows they are definitely getting the sport bikers' virus over there:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8425843.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8266977.stm
From that point, it's just a matter of time.
Joined Aug 2007
11K Posts | 3K+
Pomona NY
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Renjith @ Dec 22 2009, 12:56 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>i never saig there was a thriving sports bike scene in india. all i said was - the picture of India you are giving to the world is totally exaggerated and false.
Now, what makes you think that since you ride a bigger engined bike, you are so knowledgeable? See riding is all about having fun - you can have it even on scooters. Having a congress man in the family doesn't make you a congress man either.
As long as you both haven't ridden in MotoGP, I don't consider you anything more than a sports bike rider.
And about Himalayas - I agree you need heaters during winter there. But thats a very small portion of the country and we are talking about the conditions in India in general. (Anyway all the cars having Air conditioners can heat/cool the cabin)
Cheers
Renjith
Now you're just dragging the conversation down blind alleys. How knowledgeable I am
isn't based on the size of the bike I own. Never said that. It's based on my past
experience as a club racer and team manager for an endurance racing team and
almost three decades of street riding.
My statement about the virtual non-existence of serious sport bikes in India is based
on nearly 20 years of traveling around the country. In all that time I've never seen
one single Japanese sport bike in the 400-1000 cc range. Unless folks are hiding them
under bedsheets every time I come to the cities - I'd say that's a pretty good indication
that they're as rare as hens teeth in India. If anything - your statement that there are
lots of biker boys with liter bikes in the big cities is an astounding exaggeration.
If you can post a photo of a group of Indian guys standing around on the street with actual sport bikes with devanagari signs in the background - we can continue this conversation. Otherwise
- just drop it.
Now, what makes you think that since you ride a bigger engined bike, you are so knowledgeable? See riding is all about having fun - you can have it even on scooters. Having a congress man in the family doesn't make you a congress man either.
As long as you both haven't ridden in MotoGP, I don't consider you anything more than a sports bike rider.
And about Himalayas - I agree you need heaters during winter there. But thats a very small portion of the country and we are talking about the conditions in India in general. (Anyway all the cars having Air conditioners can heat/cool the cabin)
Cheers
Renjith
Now you're just dragging the conversation down blind alleys. How knowledgeable I am
isn't based on the size of the bike I own. Never said that. It's based on my past
experience as a club racer and team manager for an endurance racing team and
almost three decades of street riding.
My statement about the virtual non-existence of serious sport bikes in India is based
on nearly 20 years of traveling around the country. In all that time I've never seen
one single Japanese sport bike in the 400-1000 cc range. Unless folks are hiding them
under bedsheets every time I come to the cities - I'd say that's a pretty good indication
that they're as rare as hens teeth in India. If anything - your statement that there are
lots of biker boys with liter bikes in the big cities is an astounding exaggeration.
If you can post a photo of a group of Indian guys standing around on the street with actual sport bikes with devanagari signs in the background - we can continue this conversation. Otherwise
- just drop it.
