New member, old biker - xBhp.com : The Global Indian Biking Community

The Mountain · 09-12-2011, 03:27 PM

Hi xBhp. I'm from the US, but living in Bhubaneswar now. I've been riding since I was 9, and am 40 now. Counting my dirt bikes when I was a kid, I've had 8 bikes, and will be getting my 9th soon. You can see a list of my former bikes in my profile. My next bike will be a new Suzuki Bandit, which I will be turning into a streetfighter as soon as the warranty expires. I'm looking forward to hearing from you, and seeing (some of) you out on the road!

Noor · 09-13-2011, 03:25 PM

Introduction approved

Welcome to xBhp

Binoy · 09-13-2011, 05:32 PM

Welcome to the biking brotherhood elder bro

. Just checked out the beautiful garage that you owned

. BTW how's riding in India when compared to US?

The Mountain · 09-13-2011, 08:22 PM

Binoy, thanks for the welcome. Honestly, the differences between riding here vs the US are numerous. I want to try not to sound condescending or insulting, as that isn't my intent, but some of the differences might sound that way.

I think the primary difference is the maturity of the "road rules" culture in the US vs here. The US is, arguably, the land of the automobile. The vehicle culture there is probably unequaled anywhere in the world, and driving skill is a big part of that. Kids learn to drive often before they're legally allowed on the road, and many kids start riding motorcycles before they enter grade school. Between that and bicycles, the "rules of the road" are drummed in at an early age. Things like "slower vehicles stay to the outside shoulder", "don't walk in the road", "look both ways before crossing", "observe the lane markings", "don't block the road", etc.

India by contrast never had that. When India shook free of its colonial status, the car culture in the US was already nearing its peak. Only 20 years ago, the Ambassador 1.8 litre was the fastest thing on the roads here. The sudden influx of affordable vehicles in such a heavily populated country has meant that many people are getting on the roads without a framework of practical behavior. Combine all those new drivers with lax enforcement of driving standards at all levels, from the schools, to the examiners, to the traffic police, and a lot of indian drivers simply don't know any better. CEAT has their little "Know Your Idiot" thing out there, but relevant to this board, one type of idiot is missing: The "Motorcycle Maharaj" who ignores all lane markings, cuts around you at the slightest sign that you're slowing, and pushes to the front of queues at intersections, despite only going 25kmh once traffic starts moving again (forcing everyone to pass him again). He never wears his helmet except to get by the police, and hangs it on his mirror the rest of the time, which is ok by him since he never checks his mirrors anyway.

I have managed to get ahold of training materials very similar to those used by the
Motorcycle Safety Foundation, and would love to put on a clinic to help start the ball rolling towards less chaos on the roads here. I also want to write a longer essay on your question, in the hopes that my different perspective might be of help to someone.

Aneesh@4GHz · 09-13-2011, 10:16 PM

Welcome to xBhp bro.

Checked your garage, Nice rides.

Loved every thing in the "About The Mountain" section.

Enjoy and Ride Safe!

princesirohi · 09-14-2011, 12:00 AM

welcome to xbhp....

Binoy · 09-14-2011, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Mountain

Binoy, thanks for the welcome. Honestly, the differences between riding here vs the US are numerous. I want to try not to sound condescending or insulting, as that isn't my intent, but some of the differences might sound that way.

I think the primary difference is the maturity of the "road rules" culture in the US vs here. The US is, arguably, the land of the automobile. The vehicle culture there is probably unequaled anywhere in the world, and driving skill is a big part of that. Kids learn to drive often before they're legally allowed on the road, and many kids start riding motorcycles before they enter grade school. Between that and bicycles, the "rules of the road" are drummed in at an early age. Things like "slower vehicles stay to the outside shoulder", "don't walk in the road", "look both ways before crossing", "observe the lane markings", "don't block the road", etc.

India by contrast never had that. When India shook free of its colonial status, the car culture in the US was already nearing its peak. Only 20 years ago, the Ambassador 1.8 litre was the fastest thing on the roads here. The sudden influx of affordable vehicles in such a heavily populated country has meant that many people are getting on the roads without a framework of practical behavior. Combine all those new drivers with lax enforcement of driving standards at all levels, from the schools, to the examiners, to the traffic police, and a lot of indian drivers simply don't know any better. CEAT has their little "Know Your Idiot" thing out there, but relevant to this board, one type of idiot is missing: The "Motorcycle Maharaj" who ignores all lane markings, cuts around you at the slightest sign that you're slowing, and pushes to the front of queues at intersections, despite only going 25kmh once traffic starts moving again (forcing everyone to pass him again). He never wears his helmet except to get by the police, and hangs it on his mirror the rest of the time, which is ok by him since he never checks his mirrors anyway.

I have managed to get ahold of training materials very similar to those used by the
Motorcycle Safety Foundation, and would love to put on a clinic to help start the ball rolling towards less chaos on the roads here. I also want to write a longer essay on your question, in the hopes that my different perspective might be of help to someone.

LOL

... this is exactly the answers i get when i ask my cousin whose in US about our riding/driving culture. He's really scared of driving in India

which i first thought he was talking like a moron

and when i learned many things about safety and riding/driving ethics from xbhp and google i knew he was correct

.

09-12-2011, 03:27 PM	#1 (permalink)
The Mountain Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Bhubaneswar, Odisha Posts: 130	New member, old biker Hi xBhp. I'm from the US, but living in Bhubaneswar now. I've been riding since I was 9, and am 40 now. Counting my dirt bikes when I was a kid, I've had 8 bikes, and will be getting my 9th soon. You can see a list of my former bikes in my profile. My next bike will be a new Suzuki Bandit, which I will be turning into a streetfighter as soon as the warranty expires. I'm looking forward to hearing from you, and seeing (some of) you out on the road!

09-13-2011, 03:25 PM	#2 (permalink)
Noor Administrator Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. Posts: 2,336	Introduction approved Welcome to xBhp __________________ Happiness is finding you have another Gear left.... Join xBhp On

09-13-2011, 05:32 PM	#3 (permalink)
Binoy Ride Long... Ride Safe... Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Thrissur,Trivandrum, Bangalore Posts: 1,982	Welcome to the biking brotherhood elder bro. Just checked out the beautiful garage that you owned. BTW how's riding in India when compared to US? __________________ ...Ride Long...Ride Safe... When you dance with the devil, you wait for the song to stop...

09-13-2011, 08:22 PM	#4 (permalink)
The Mountain Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Bhubaneswar, Odisha Posts: 130	Binoy, thanks for the welcome. Honestly, the differences between riding here vs the US are numerous. I want to try not to sound condescending or insulting, as that isn't my intent, but some of the differences might sound that way. I think the primary difference is the maturity of the "road rules" culture in the US vs here. The US is, arguably, the land of the automobile. The vehicle culture there is probably unequaled anywhere in the world, and driving skill is a big part of that. Kids learn to drive often before they're legally allowed on the road, and many kids start riding motorcycles before they enter grade school. Between that and bicycles, the "rules of the road" are drummed in at an early age. Things like "slower vehicles stay to the outside shoulder", "don't walk in the road", "look both ways before crossing", "observe the lane markings", "don't block the road", etc. India by contrast never had that. When India shook free of its colonial status, the car culture in the US was already nearing its peak. Only 20 years ago, the Ambassador 1.8 litre was the fastest thing on the roads here. The sudden influx of affordable vehicles in such a heavily populated country has meant that many people are getting on the roads without a framework of practical behavior. Combine all those new drivers with lax enforcement of driving standards at all levels, from the schools, to the examiners, to the traffic police, and a lot of indian drivers simply don't know any better. CEAT has their little "Know Your Idiot" thing out there, but relevant to this board, one type of idiot is missing: The "Motorcycle Maharaj" who ignores all lane markings, cuts around you at the slightest sign that you're slowing, and pushes to the front of queues at intersections, despite only going 25kmh once traffic starts moving again (forcing everyone to pass him again). He never wears his helmet except to get by the police, and hangs it on his mirror the rest of the time, which is ok by him since he never checks his mirrors anyway. I have managed to get ahold of training materials very similar to those used by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation, and would love to put on a clinic to help start the ball rolling towards less chaos on the roads here. I also want to write a longer essay on your question, in the hopes that my different perspective might be of help to someone. __________________ ATGATT: All The Gear, All The Time! Your helmet should be on your head, not your mirror! Put the phone away and ride!

09-13-2011, 10:16 PM	#5 (permalink)
Aneesh@4GHz The D.I.Y Angel :P Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Kollam,Kerala Posts: 3,375	Welcome to xBhp bro. Checked your garage, Nice rides. Loved every thing in the "About The Mountain" section. Enjoy and Ride Safe! __________________ DIY's & More... 2006 Karizma [ SOLD ]

09-14-2011, 12:00 AM	#6 (permalink)
princesirohi 18...till i die.. Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Aamby Valley City, Lonavala, Pune, Maharashtra Posts: 3,344	welcome to xbhp.... __________________ Tyre Sizes _ Spark Plugs Pirelli & Michelin Tyres for Indian Bikes Motorcycle Headlight Focus ASHTAVINAYAK & SHIRDI BIKE TOUR WITH WIFE

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