 There
was a time when, if we wanted to buy a bike, we had to
first apply for the advance booking and wait for nearly six
months for
the delivery.
There was a time when the choice was simple; need a power
bike, go for Yezdi; need a seedha-saadha scooter,
go for a Bajaj; need a moped, go for the friendly Luna. That's
it. There was a time when we bought a bike, we asked for mileage
and durability. Nothing else really mattered.
Then came the Japanese automobile invasion and the era
of liberalisation. Now ask anybody about a bike and the answer
is quite different. "I want some power in my bike. And
it should look stylish and sleek. Of course, durability
is very important, but who cares for the mileage!" This was
the opinion of a bike sales girl in the recently concluded Auto
Expo- 2000 organised by the Federation of Karnataka
Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI).
Gone are the days of mileage and utility. Today's trendy
generation wants tremendous power and stylish looks. One
look at the exhibits displayed in the Auto Expo made it obvious.
The dazzling display of the Planet Bajaj stall had their 'Eliminator'
model prominently placed on a revolving platform. With an
incredible power of 16bhp output given by its enormous
173cc engine, this hunk of a bike will be a traffic stopper
when it hits the street. Competing closely with it are the Hero
Honda CBZ, Bajaj Pulsar, Suzuki Fiero and Yamaha YBX
with their equally macho looks and aerodynamic body structure.
 At
present, CBZ from Hero Honda seems to be leading the
pack with much higher sales than the rest. Its sleek design
and matching fuel efficiency has attracted the young
yuppie generation. Also, it was the first off the blocks to
enter this competitive market and has naturally taken the initial
lead. But now the entry of Suzuki's 'Fiero' with its
world class front suspension and double cradle frame
has come as a challenge. The Bajaj Auto is not lagging behind
in this 4-stroke power war. Their 150-200 cc Pulsar
has the power to beat other bikes in this sector when it
is released later this year.
Going by the reaction of visitors to the dazzling 'Planet
Bajaj' stall, it is easy to predict who will be the king
of the roads. The Eliminator has that drop dead gorgeous looks
of a Harley Davidson and mileage of an average Indian
bike. With its cool cruiser looks, it will surely win every
serious bike lover's heart. But its exorbitant price and bulky
body might not make it a common man's utility vehicle.
 Scooters
have always been branded as the common man's utility vehicle,
catering to the needs of a milkman and a marketing executive.
But the new series of scooters that are being unleashed on the
roads, will certainly shatter all the myths in our minds. Just
look at the new 'Cagiva' and 'Fusion' that are
being released by Bajaj later this year. These futuristic
looking aerodynamically designed scooters will also have
the power to beat the bikes in their own game.
After all is said and done, we Indians might still stick to
good old tilt and kickstartwalla gaadi!
TVS Suzuki Dealers in city:
The Bharath Automobiles (Agencies) 14,
J.C.Road,
Bangalore- 560002
Tel: 2223 5898
Bridgestone Agencies 615,
Dr. Rajkumar Road,
Prakash Nagar Bangalore- 560021
Tel: 2342 0633
Bajaj Dealers in city:
Jatti Motors Ltd, 73, Millers Road, Bangalore-1
Tel: 2226 4403
Khivraj Motors, 10/2,
Kasturba Road, Bangalore-1
Tel: 2221 4753
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4:14:25 AM 
