After waiting for a long five year period after I left my Doberman in Pune, I got a Bajaj Pulsar 150 in 2003.
Actually I have the greatest sentimental attachment to this particular bike I have. The reason is my wife, Megs. On the first anniversary of our marriage she decided to gift me with the down payment for the bike. The miserly me was very happy at the prospect of having a good bike at 75% the cost!
Anyways, I think its one of the coolest bike ever. I used to ride it to work everyday. Everyone wondered why. Shouldn’t I be traveling by a car (couldn’t afford one then!) or a train (hmmm.. isn’t this more dangerous?). But I think it was ok. My wife didn’t think so. I guess she didn’t like to give me those back massages every Sunday.
But I think it was cool. I made it to work at Worli every morning in 45 mins. And back home in one hour. Zero stress. Isn’t that a tremendous boon in Mumbai? And I LOVED it. I used to just look at the bored faces of all the guys driving back home at the signals (I am one of them now!!). On bad days poor motorists had to wait for the signals to turn green at least eight times at the Mahim Church junction on Cadell road, don’t know the situation now, though. I never took more than one signal stop. I was a staunch believer of the Leftist Movement (stick to the left of the road, there is always enough space for the bike to pass!!!). And then, I used to derive this sadistic pleasure in giving them a wry smile as if I understand their plight.
My bike really peaked when it hit the Western Express Highway frequently touching top speeds of 90 kms. The condition of the roads and the trafific ensured that this did not last for more than 5 seconds at best. Anyways the ride was a great pleasure in all seasons even during the lashing rains of Mumbai.
The only traumas that we (that’s me and my bike) were subjected to are the rickshaws and taxis. But that’s another story.
I have been a bike guy ever since I know it. And I guess I will be so till the end. I drive a car to work now, but the bike still stays with me! Remember what I said earlier, the bike will always be my first love!!
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