sunilg

Text: Sandeep Goswami/Old Fox





A young teenager, in early 1980’s, dreamt of winning a Rajdoot GTS (better known as ‘Bobby’ Rajdoot) in a lucky draw raffle at his school’s Diwali mela. He’d bought 5 tickets with money saved by doing odd-jobs. Despite fervent prayers and passionate dreaming, he didn’t win it. But the bike had ignited the biker within. Few years later, while walking down with his older brother, he felt and heard the thump of an Enfield Bullet from up close. His brother told him that the bike was the heaviest and the most powerful of all being sold in the country. Not exactly true but close enough to convince the young mind. The GTS was discarded and the Bullet came parked in his dreamland thereon.
Naved Zahur lived in Old Delhi, studied in St. Xaviers and loved two wheelers. The only kind he rode as a youngster were bicycles and rented ones at that. But his love for two wheels was so great (he would wipe clean the bicycle he rented from the shop before riding it away) that the shopkeeper stopped charging him rent for the cycle. A conscientious young man, Naved started working part time with outdoor caterers when just out of school. He supported himself through college and kept dreaming of buying the Bullet. His father offered to buy him a scooter but he refused to give up his dream. Years later, in 1990, he finally bought a second-hand 1986 model Enfield Bullet and rides it till date. The bike was part financed by his maternal aunt who respected his dream but also wanted the youngster to work hard to earn it. So she gave half the money for the purchase while the other half came from Naved’s savings.









A mechanic, more like a mentor for him then, brought the bike to good running condition for him. The engine needed overhauling but lacking money just then, Naved rode it for another year or so (rigging an oil collection bottle for the oil thrown out by the crankcase breather) before getting the engine rebuilt. His first ever long ride was to Jaipur in 1991 and was the beginning of a long journey that eventually would take him to almost every nook and cranny of India over the years. He gradually developed the skill of riding well at night as he would usually ride at night to make full use of his weekend holidays. A two-week break during the tourist off-season would become his annual getaway, fulfilling his urge to travel and develop an infallible bond with motorcycling. A deeply religious man, Naved feels motorcycling is one of the reasons why God has given him life and he must leave a positive legacy of motorcycle riding for the coming generation.

A chance meeting with an erstwhile colleague, who wanted to do a pan-Indian ride, led to the two of them doing one together over the winter of 1999. The twosome left Delhi on the 7th of Nov 1999 (Deepawali night in the North) and rode around and all over India for a 100 days before returning on the 17th of Feb 2000. India had then been recovering from the Kargil War and the sacrifices made by our brave soldiers had left a deep impression on Naved’s and his friend’s mind. So they had dedicated their ride to all who died at Kargil and to those who had died earlier to get India’s freedom. Their ride was a tribute to all who have made the supreme sacrifice for the safety, integrity, and freedom of our country. For people like Naved, motorcycling is a lot more than a mere means of personal transportation. For them, it’s a life source, a means of expressing themselves and a way of giving back in return for what they have received.

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(Been There Done That) x 3.25

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daredemon

What an awesome writeup!!!

Really Naved is lucky to follow his dreams and achieve it!!!

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Ride Hard !!! Ride Safe!!! Enjoy every moment on your machine !!! Cheers....

jd666

A salute to this guy.. amazing!!

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My offerings to the gods of speed -

- KTM Duke 200
- Yamaha RXZ 5 speed

tilak_soni73

thanks dear Sunil for starting this wonderful thread & providing such wonderful details abt Naved bhai he is an inspiration & motivator for all of us... he is among those who live for their passion... hats off to him !!!

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A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving. lao tzu
Travel HARD or STAY at Home........

Shivanshu

I was lucky to have met this person in First Delhi xBhp Talkies. I still remember his words " we humans do everything for our mind and body, but what do we do for our souls? " this sentence means a lot. Such a spiritually awakened person he is. Was great to meet him in person.

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Save the Earth - We are the one who are running out of time, as Earth will take it own time to heal but that time may not be enough for us.

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I dont just ride my bikes, I live with them.
Yamaha RX100 (1987)
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anmol_1990

A great write up for a great man............cheers naved.

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T-Bone

Naved sir is indeed another most influential man i have met in my life who have given real meaning to dreams their definitions. The last XBhp talks at CCD, Hauz Khas, New Delhi was a memorable one. The above photos not only shows the passion & dedication towards their dream it shows even if they have came along way in life, they still have made themselves geared-ready for any day ride. Hats off to Naved sir for the Peace Trip.

arvstreetracer

Saluting you Naved Bhai...

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ARVSTREETRACER

"Faster, faster, faster, until joy of speed overcomes the fear of death."

Haariss92

Hats off to you Naved ...beautiful writeup

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Love the feeling when overtaking another biker with twice the speed.Can only imagine their faces

InsaneRider007

Hats off to this guy