xBhp: For the minority of motorcycle enthusiasts in India who may still not know who Sagar or ‘Sarge’ is, please introduce yourself.

Sagar Sheldekar: My name is Sagar Sheldekar. I am an automotive journalist and a certified California Superbike School Coach. I headed motorcycle content at PowerDrift for the last 7-8 years. Last year, I quit to start something of my own and created Living It Up, which is an automotive website and a series, dedicated to helping motorcyclists get the most of their motorcycles.

xBhp: What has been the biggest turning point in your motorcycling career so far?

Sagar Sheldekar: I think the biggest turning point in my career would be the moment I decided to quit PowerDrift and set off on my own. It was not an easy decision but deep down I knew that I wasn’t content with where I was. I also felt, as a rider, I had stagnated. I felt like I could do so much more.

This felt like the perfect starting point to create Living It Up. Also, being a coach at California Superbike School was a dream opportunity. I feel it has helped me grow a lot as a rider. I have learned to be a lot more introspective. All of that helps me do a better job as an automotive journalist and an enthusiast on Living It Up.

xBhp: What has been the most difficult phase of your biking journey so far?

Sagar Sheldekar: The toughest part of the journey is, of course, the injuries. Even though you forget the pain over a period of time, it’s never easy to see the people close to you suffer along with you. That is the toughest part.

But luckily for me, I am married to an amazing woman and I have parents who understand how much I love motorcycles and how passionate I am about them. And I am just really lucky to be living the life that I have created for myself with their support.

xBhp: Of all the motorcycles that you have reviewed, which one has left a lasting impression on your mind?

Sagar Sheldekar: The bike which has left a lasting impression on me has to be the Ducati Panigale 1299 Superleggera. I have not ridden a bike more exotic! And to get a chance to experience it on a track as beautiful, fast and steeped in history as Mugello. Well, that’s what dreams are made of and that’s an experience I’ll take to my grave.

xBhp: How contrasting is your life as a CSS coach to being a motorcycling journalist?

Sagar Sheldekar: I think they are connected as I have previously mentioned. One of the main reasons why I wanted to become a coach at California Superbike school was that it was my key to becoming a better rider because only when you go on to the other side, you realize that a lot of the mistakes the students are making, could be the mistakes that you are making. Also, being a part of such a recognized institution gives me access to all the tracks around the world that CSS goes to. That is something which I am really looking forward to experiencing as a rider.

The exposure I gain at CSS helps me become a better automotive journalist. I no longer have to worry about my riding because that is something which I am constantly honing. That frees up a lot of time and energy in my mind to focus on the bike that I am reviewing and helps me really understand it as well as I can.

xBhp: Please tell us something about Living It Up.

Sagar Sheldekar: Living It Up is essentially a platform for me to improve all the things that I was not good at. Whether it is suspension setup, riding off-road or even getting better at riding on the racetrack. Living It Up gives me the opportunity to live with motorcycles over a longer period of time which in turn helps me to try out different things which I always wanted to try but never had the time or the opportunity to. And as they say, there is no substitute to saddle time. So that is essentially the premise of Living It Up, to grow as a rider and to share that knowledge so that the other enthusiasts can grow along with me. Now, the next step is going back to the roots, going back to videos.

xBhp: Any advice for budding racers?

Sagar Sheldekar: My advice to budding racers would be to invest in proper education and gear. By education, I mean attending recognized riding schools like California Superbike School to get your basics right and to hone your skills. Also, one must understand that motorcycle racing is still in a very nascent stage in India. And sponsorships are not easy to come by. So it’s very important for every individual to make a very strong case for themselves to prove to the sponsors how they will benefit from supporting a budding racer.