Riders on the Storm: meet the Harley Davidson clan

Riders on the Storm: meet the Harley Davidson clan

MUNISH DHIMAN  29th Dec 2012

[L to R]: Saurabh Jaiswal, Manpreet Singh, and Vishesh Chaudhary pose with their Harley bikes. | PHOTO: TS Bedi ow many of us dreamed of being a Hells Angels rider, astride a Harley and storming the streets? Quite a few, the guess would go. Harley continues to enjoy the same rage and craze among its patrons across the globe even after scoring 110 years. The brand is a legacy that has been patronized across the world. It is no longer just an American bike, and has made its way around the globe. There is a production unit in India which caters to a sizeable demand. We zeroed in on some of the proud owners of this sleek machine in Chandigarh to know what they have to say. Vishesh Chaudhary, a manager at Bharti Infratel, owns an Iron 883. He is so possessive about his bike that he can never afford to part with even for a while, be it driving to office or going round town. He says, "To call it a meagre machine is an understatement. Anyone who has ever owned or hitch-hiked a Harley will vouch for it. To me, every second spent riding is so soothing that the ride itself becomes synonymous with freedom. In one word, riding a Harley is liberating." Kshitij (name changed), a Harley official asserts, "Punjab is definitely a big potential market as far as business is concerned. But the amazing part is that people actually travel from places like Himachal, Amritsar, and even J&K to get a glimpse of this machine. Owners are so connected with their bikes that they don't even let anybody say something about Harley; it is not just a bike, it is a spirit of bonhomie." This companionship and sense of belonging stems from the very first ride. The shiver of a 1200 cc engine tunes you up with the machine and the sound of a gun barrel shot with each changing gear levels up the adrenaline. Manpreet Singh, a multi-media specialist, who owns a Harley 48, says, "For me, the journey from a crazy fan to a Harley owner is indeed a dream come true. A few revs from the 1200 cc motor and the screaming eagle exhausts turn a stress buster from the 9 to 5 working routine. I feel great while riding the sporty beast, termed as the urban brawler. An awesome perk of owning a Harley is, the enrolment in the HOG (Harley owners group), where one can join group rides, and of course, the occasional official Harley Davidson rides. Before Harley, the weekends have never been so exciting!" For Saurabh Jaiswal, owner of TIME, a coaching portal, owning a Harley Sportster Superlow is a matter of pride. He says, "My bike reflects my persona. It affords a smooth ride even in certain godforsaken hilly heartlands. To be a HoG member is a matter of pride, as it entitles you a biker of the world. My bike complements me in a unique way. Though my teaching career makes me formal, my other half – the rebellious self finds expression in my bike." Anything and everything that are prized and cherished come with a formidable price tag, and this mean machine, that weights heavy on the pocket, is definitely worth its price! http://www.sunday-guardian.com/young-restless/riders-on-the-storm-meet-the-harley-davidson-clan