Wednesday, May 1, 2013

COMFORT, AFFORDABLE BIKES FO INDIAN WOMEN

By CJ Sheena Shafia in Hyderabad

A lot of women have started riding bikes. Usually, it is light weight scooters that are preferred and recommended for women because of the ease of handling. Most women prefer these scooters because they are without gears and are quite simple to handle. However, a lot of women prefer bikes, but not many can be seen riding one on Indian streets. The major problem that women encounter in riding motorcycles is the social stigma and the sheer scale of the machine.

In our society, it is unusual for a woman to ride a bike. People stare hard when they see a woman riding a bike. 

However, more and more women are coming forward in expressing their interest in bikes openly. A lot of women ride to their workplace, go on biking trips etc. Many people believe that gadgets and machines are men’s area of interest and expertise, but that again seems to be dying out as a clichéd statement now.

No doubt, the size of these machines becomes a hurdle for most women who would like to ride motorcycles. The seat height and the weight of most motorcycles are too much for an average Indian woman to handle. However, the availability of certain lightweight machines has helped these female bike enthusiasts fulfill their desire of riding motorcycles. Even a lot of motorcycle manufacturers are acknowledging the interest that women are taking in bikes and are coming up with products which are lighter in weight and have a lower seat height so that women can ride comfortably. For example, Ducati has come up with a new bike which has a smaller frame and is lighter in weight than its other bikes. 

So if you are a female bike enthusiast, here’s a list of some light weight motorcycles that are currently available in the market. These cost as much as or a little more than the average gearless scooter:

Hero Honda Splendor
This bike measures about 112kg and has a seat height of 775m. The seat slims down towards the centre and provides a comfortable sitting and riding position. This bike is available at a price of Rs 43,000 in India.  Another variant of the Hero Honda Splendor is the Hero Honda Super Splendor which weighs around 121 kg and has a seat height of 177 kg and is also an option worth consideration.

Bajaj Avenger
This cruiser bike can be a delight if you can handle its weight. This bike measures 155 kg in weight and has a comfortable cruising seat height of 710 mm. However, the cost of this bike is slightly towards the higher end. The bike has a starting price of Rs 77,179 in India. So if you are someone who can handle the weight, love cruising and are ready to splurge, this is the bike for you!

TVS Apache RTR 160

This is yet another compact and easy to handle bike. This one has a kerb weight of 136 kg and has a seat height of 790 mm and is ideal for those looking for a great riding experience and easy handling. This bike is available at a starting price of Rs 67, 710. 

Bajaj Pulsar 135 LS
This bike is blessed with good looks and is one of the best looking bikes in the light weight segment. So if you are someone who is looking for some style as well as performance, this is the right bike for you. The bike weighs about 122 kg and has a seat height of 800 mm. This bike is available at a price of Rs 58,900.

So go ahead and take your pick to unleash the biker in you! 

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