Well you guys will have to arrange for an ambulance too.. cause i am sure i will faint after getting the news of winning.. It would simply be the best thing ever to happen to me... Going to Italy is like a dream. A million dollar dream. Landing in Italy specially to visit the Legendary Ducati factory sounds so very exciting. My heart is already skipping some beats. Getting a chance to sit on the Ducati StreetFighter "in Italy" and representing our very own xBhp team would be the coolest thing on Earth. And lets not forget the brand new Videocon cell phone to capture some yummy Pasta & Red Hot Ducati Pixels.. This would be a once in a lifetime biking opportunity for someone like me. And i am a Biker.. a die hard Ducati fan.. its my passion.. its my religion, and i would call it - "The Great Italian Dream". Maybe 10 to 15 years more.. one day im going to buy the SBK 848. Hardwork and patience are my tools.. and God-willing, my time will come soon. Shoutouts to Ducati, xBhp and Videocon for such a great opportunity !! Rock on and Ride safe everyone.

Q1: What according to you are the 5 most important qualities that a proficient motorcyclist should possess?


1. Being Respectful (of safety and traffic rules)-
A motorcyclist must take all the safety precautions both for self and others. Also respect for road traffic rules is a must. Most bikes have a better power to weight ratio than average cars (in case of the Japanese and Italian bikes, it is always true even when compared to the like of top end Mercedes and BMW cars etc.) All the power commands respect without which a very bad situation may arise. It is like they say, with great power comes great responsibility!

2. Presence of mind and concentration (Ability to concentrate and react quickly)-
Very important to control and maneuver a dynamic machine which needs to be balanced all the time (unlike a car). Most of the actions involving riding a bike require the rider to be one with his machine and constantly be aware of the conditions around. When presented with a situation, the evasive action has to be quick and accurate.

3. Spider sense-
This is a must have for riding conditions like India. It pays to be ever vigilant and anticipate trouble. It may be the difference between life and death. Like going through the fast lane of a highway, one should be aware and ready for a possibility of the sudden presence of obstacles (cow, cow dung! etc.) or the driver / rider ahead making an unindicted turn, lane jumping, sudden braking.

4. Calmness (Cool headedness and control)-
Now this one might be rare to find both in India and Italy  But a bike rider requires this one. The ability to be in control of self and not over-react at situations. A motorcyclist occupies lesser space on road and is less noticeable than a SUV. A motorcyclist must understand this and keep aggression in check for example while dealing with a truck driver who refuses to be overtaken while being honked at. Rash driving is to be avoided at all cost.

5. Being aware (Knowing the limits of self and the machine)-
A Good motorcyclist knows the limits of himself and his machine. He would know when is the time to just halt the long ride and take a break or when to slow down a gear. It is a good quality to have when negotiating the twisty bends too. Too much lean and there will a tank-slapper. Being aware of the limits of capability of the motorcycle is also important. For example, trying to overtake a car going at 90+ KMPH on a single lane highway when you are riding a Splendor is suicidal!


Q2: Suppose, you are given a motorcycle you are totally unfamiliar with to ride. Briefly explain how you will familiarize yourself with it and start riding it.Q4: What all would you like to know and learn during your visit to the Ducati factory?

Ducati is not a biker manufacturing company, for me it is a culture which evolved through passion for excellence. It will be a one day experience to get immersed in the culture!
Would like to know the history of the company and their vision going forward. Being and engineering graduate it will be a delight to see the design process, engine and transmission manufacturing process, the assembly and finishing process of the street-going models. Would want to see how they develop aerodynamic shapes for the fairing etc.
Am very eager to know how do they make the bike fast and their special fabrication processes, use of carbon fiber and famous 3 cylinder configuration for the MotoGP bike. Last but not the least Dyno testing (if they have it there) !


Q5: Italy is known both for talent and rashness in motorcycling. How do the two relate in your opinion? Does talent give the rider a right to be rash because he will be skilled enough to mostly get away with it?

Q1: What according to you are the 5 most important qualities that a proficient motorcyclist should possess?
1) One should have spirit of mo-biking.
2) Abyss Concentration & should think of only two things.... road ahead & sane riding
3) Technical Know-how is very important but not a pre-requisite to be a pro biker.
4) Comfortable in riding on any roads (hilly/plain/wet etc) and at any temperature let it be + 0r - degree
5) Last but not least he should have sense of safety while driving (should possess proper riding gears) do not rash to make someone else fall, securing bike as well.

Q2: Suppose, you are given a motorcycle you are totally unfamiliar with to ride. Briefly explain how you will familiarize yourself with it and start riding it.

According to me safe riding is:-
1) Riding with proper riding gears
2) Concentration while riding
3) Extra careful (either u will hit someone or someone else may hit to pull you down)
4) If touring every pre-requisites should be handy (Road map/ petrol bottle/cash etc)
5) Always pull our parking lights on and use dippers in night

Q4: What all would you like to know and learn during your visit to the Ducati factory?

Following I would love to know:-
1) History /founder of Ducati.. Precisely what made the founder to build Ducati a mo-bike brand & why not they involved into any FMCG or Software products
2) What technologies are involved additionally, which we Indian bikes fails to produce e.g. what engineering is done to produce such a immense 155 HP from 1099 CC bike, is there any change in process of assembly /tuning/ mounting/ pistons/caliper etc.
3) Does Ducati have plans to Face-off with Harley on roads (touring machine-Thumper segment)
4) Ducati has launched its showroom in India to expand his market. But Ducati wish or see any future plan to establish manufacturing unit in India so as to cut the cost & reach in between the peoples.
5) Would love to know if Rossi takes on Ducati which bike he would prefer or generally picks.

Q5: Italy is known both for talent and rashness in motorcycling. How do the two relate in your opinion? Does talent give the rider a right to be rash because he will be skilled enough to mostly get away with it?

Skilled rider's are like a coin which has two sides, he may drive rash & cut the corner easily as he has boost up his confidence in doing so , on the other side he would drive sanely & safely as he know he need to pose or show-off, as if one has talent & power its need to show off.. it's but natural, one can feel it (its better safe then getting name prefixed with 'Late' )
It may contradict to my above point but i should mention that it may be because of other reason too i.e. price factor. I mean if a person is skilled rider and has bike costing 15 lac-20 lac he will never ever drive insane, but if the same rider has bike worth 50000K -300000 lac, you may find him in every road cutting corners driving rash in thousands of people & vehicle.
But still a skilled driver has not a RIGHT to drive rash because he may simply get away but with more power and talent more responsibility comes and one should respect it.

Q1: What according to you are the 5 most important qualities that a proficient motorcyclist should possess?

1) Keen observation of all the other vehicles in the vicinity.
2) Wearing proper safety gear at all times.
3) Utmost patience while riding on any kind of road.
4) Compulsorily follow all the traffic rules & regulations.
5) Value yours as well as others life while riding.

Q2: Suppose, you are given a motorcycle you are totally unfamiliar with to ride. Briefly explain how you will familiarize yourself with it and start riding it.

At first, i will make sure i have a clear road or track to try out the unfamiliar bike. Understand the gear shift. Try out the throttle response very gently in idling. Engage the clutch and shift into first gear and slowly accelerate (not flicking the right wrist in all that rushing adrenaline). Try out the rear and front brake respectively. Shift through a few gears for some time. Ride for a while in the same manner, feel comfortable and gain confidence over the machine. Always wear a Helmet. This is exactly how i tried my friends '09 CBR 600 RR almost an year ago.



Riding a bike in India, is a necessity as well as a hazard. The plan is to always stay focused, look out for every aspect and tiny details on the road while riding. Respect pedestrians and every other vehicle. Life does not give a second chance to everyone.

Q4: What all would you like to know and learn during your visit to the Ducati factory?

Visiting the Ducati factory would be a once in a lifetime opportunity. I would really love to see the atmosphere inside the workshop. Witnessing the birth of the red & black Monster would be a rare sight for my eyes. Hearing the super machine engines fire up for the first time like the heavenly roar of God's, sounds so very exciting. It will definitely be a pleasure to know how the factory operates, its rules and ethics.

Q5: Italy is known both for talent and rashness in motorcycling. How do the two relate in your opinion? Does talent give the rider a right to be rash because he will be skilled enough to mostly get away with it?

Italy, the birth country of the living legend Valentino "46" Rossi is surely known for both talent and rashness in the motorcycling world. Although talent and rashness do not go together in the same boat all the time, it definitely becomes a powerful aspect when luck factor joins in. I still personally believe that rash motorcycle riding should be avoided at all times other than professional track racing.

Even a talented rider in my opinion has no right to ride rash because he endangers his own as well as others life while doing that. I am completely against rash and unsafe motorcycle riding. Always wear a Helmet and ride safe.