Experience biking on the ghats of Goa 28 Sep, 2008, 0429 hrs IST,John Sarkar, ET Bureau
The sun was out after a brief stint of rain. The air was salty and beads of perspiration clung on to anxious faces like transparent mosquitoes. We were all a bit sore after the wild party the previous night. I even had a throbbing head, but once I saw them, I couldn't help but grin. They were all parked neatly in a row-red, black and orange. Scores of Yamaha officials were fussing over them like busy ants, applying last minute touches before the ride. And the FZ 16s basked in all the attention, the sunlight glinting devilishly off their chunky tanks. The bike looked anything but a 150cc machine. BMX type handlebars, an unconventional headlight and low profile fat tyres gave it a brutish street fighter look. And honestly, it looked more classy and contemporary than any of the machines available in this country today. Even the beautifully sculpted indicators and tail lamps gave an impression of careful design. They merged seamlessly into the overall geometry unlike the ones that are plonked on to the so-called modern bikes sold to unsuspecting bike enthusiasts today. During the launch Yamaha dubbed it as the Lord of the Streets. And I didn't have to wonder why. My knees were twitching nervously as the other test riders gathered slowly around the bikes. Tsutomu Mabuchi, CEO and MD of India Yamaha Motor, dressed casually in a pair of shorts went around greeting journalists in his customary cheerful fashion. The riders from Yamaha looked quite the part in their blazing red jackets. And there were nervous smiles all around. Finally, after a short briefing our bikes were assigned to us. I got the key to a Lava Red FZ 16 and could already feel my heart thumping. The idea of a ride around Goa was dormant for a long time and I could finally feel the moment drawing near. I looked around as we were being segregated into three groups. It was a show of riding gear all around-riding jackets, gloves, boots and fancy helmets. But I stood out in the crowd in my worn out black t-shirt and faded jeans. What the heck, I thought; it is so hot and muggy, so might as well stop feeling guilty. I thumbed the electric start. But nothing happened. Immediately, a Yamaha official rushed towards me and fiddled around with the starter button. It was a bit stiff but finally he set it right and the grin returned to my face. Finally, we were off. http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/Features/The_Sunday_ET/Experience_bi king_on_the_ghats_of_Goa/articleshow/3535583.cms ~(^^)~ Avelino
