Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Friday, April 23, 2010

BIKES INDIA MODIFIED


Buying power of the Indians has increased manifold in the last decade or two, pushing bike manufacturers to launch new products as unprecedented pace. Bike enthusiasts, who have enough currency in their pockets, go for their fancied products, while those who have enough time and patience, but not money, try to get their bikes modified to make them look or perform like models of their choice.Imitation of Super-bikesAs a matter of fact, most modified bikes are imitations of super-bikes. It is the psyche of every young to draw attention of the people, while riding super-bikes. However, with their price spanning several lakhs, it is not possible for every young to buy them. So they go for another option. They get a cheaper bike modified into a super-bike. Influences from entertainment industry and motor sports also play a role in fuelling the modifying tendency. Types of ModificationsBikes could be modified in two ways: Performance wise or Looks wise. You could go for the both too. Looks modification could give you the satisfaction of riding a super bike. However, performance modification in no way guarantees that your bike would not perform like the bike of your dreams. Modification KitsToday, modification kits are available for each and every part of bikes. You can get body parts altered or replaced with new moulded ones. If you are creative enough, you could think out your own design and ask companies to execute your ideas on your bike. Most body works are done using fiberglass reinforced plastic which offers one the quality of parts, perfect finish and a glazing surface. Looks-oriented modification kits include clip on handlebars, stylish graphics and stickers, mag-alloy wheels, rear view mirrors, tuned exhaust silencer, specially designed seats etc. You could also get fitted modified mudguards or petrol tanks on your bikes. Most bike enthusiasts go for common modifications like removing the saree guard, rear view mirrors, changing the handle bar, increasing the size of the rear tyre, using alloy wheels and changing shock absorbers etc. Some go for an entire body alteration while retaining the engine. Some get the sound modified. A diffuser gives the base sound of a Harley Davidson while chambers endow the effect of dirt bikes and race bikes. An exhaust gives the effect of a powerful bike.Who to ApproachWe would advise you to approach any experienced bike modifier rather than a simple mechanic. It is a job to be done by specialists. So you better leave it to a specialist. Do proper consideration before deciding on a modifier.Effects of ModificationsYou must keep in mind that modification does not change a cheaper bike to super bike. It just fakes the physical appearance. So even if you get a bike resemble a highly superior bike, you must be aware of the limitations of the basic model. Performance modifications do increase the efficiency of the bike, to a limited extent. Body modification usually decreases mileage and performance, for the basic engine is not toned to those accoutrements.Word of CautionWhenever you go for getting your machine remodeled, its market value decreases. Bike manufacturers too give the warning that even minute alterations on the bike affect its performance.Bike Modifiers in DelhiHere is a list of bike modifiers in Delhi. However, you should keep in mind that the list is neither complete nor recommended by us. It is a random list just to help you if that is what you are searching for.
Ultimate Bike, 41, Ashoka Park, Main Rohtak Road, Bank of Baroda Building (Rampura), New Delhi-110035
Kaulson Overseas Pvt. Ltd., 7/58, South Patel Nagar, New Delhi - 110 001
DC Design, Okhla
Lalli Singh’s, near the Karol Bagh post office
Modvike, Kirti Nagar
Saboo Senny Bike Care, Kalkaji
Western Fabrications Works, Mayapuri
Nanna Motors, Wazirabad

BIKES INDIA MODIFIED

Boys will be boys, and at any given day they will swoon over a bike. And now bike lovers are getting their mean machines modified to match their dream machines – Hayabusa, Yamaha R1, Honda CBR and Harley Davidson.Sumesh Suri, consultant with an American Company owns an Enfield, which he got modified. He has given it a ‘chopper’ look. It is called chopper because the frame of the bike was chopped into half and then extended by 18 inches. Suri spent around Rs 70,000 to give his bike a personal touch. Atul Rahi, CEO of Metal Leopard is a bike modifier – someone who can breathe life into your dream machine. He says, “The bikes in question are often new and sometimes straight out of the showrooms. The charges for modification are anything between Rs Rs 50,000 and Rs 85,000. People also come with their own designs.”
Modifications are of two kinds, partial or complete. In partial modification, only certain parts are changed. For instance, increasing the wheelbase means increased grip on the road but that decreases the average of the bike. In full modification, the bike is totally transformed into the replica of the bike the customer wants to have.The bikes they get for modification are generally Enfield, Yamaha Enticer, Avenger, Eliminator, Pulsar, Karizma, Fiero. But who are these bikers? It is the 25-30 lot, and they generally want to modify the alloy wheel, side view mirror, tyres and shockers.
Amanpreet Ahluwalia, general manager Speedbug, a car modification workshop says, “People generally come to us when the bike is little old and they want to give it a new look.” He says, “They want us to change the border tyre, ferrings, put disc brakes, tank cover, have mono-shock and racing handles. And for this, people are ready to shell out anywhere from Rs 25,000 to Rs 30,000 on the modification of their bikes.”
Suri’s bike was also displayed in the auto-expo last year. He says, “I don’t care about the average of the bike because when I can spend so much on the bike means that I am concerned about its look.” The average of the bike certainly comes down but this is not something bike lovers are bothered about. After all, good things come at a price.