2013 India Bike Week- Bikes, Bikers, Fun and Goa

The Indian biking scene is experiencing some major changes, from the entry of some iconic brands to the launch of some of the best bikes; to summarize, it is getting better and better with every passing day. To add more to it, the first edition of 'India Bike Week' also commenced at the most exotic holiday destination Goa recently. Harey-Davidson was the sponsor of the event, which invited all Harley owners to the event and conducted first H.O.G (Harley Owners Group) rally in India just before the event to celebrate its 110th anniversary celebration. The IBW, an event famous among the bike lovers across the globe, has finally arrived to India. It was a two-day weekend event, which was packed with much fun and frolic. It started on 2nd of February 2013 with thousands of bikers and ended on 3rd after immersing the whole of Goa in its uproar .

It was not only the first IBW but also the first full-fledged event of the country dedicated to the bikes and bikers. The event was open for all existing brands and for the bikers from every part of the country. The famous Vagator beach of Goa witnessed the success and enthusiasm of bike lovers, where this entire festival was set up.

We are here trying to sum up this fantastic event in this article for you guys, we are going to provide you all the major happenings of the event, have a look.

Shows Toppers

H.O.G rally turned this festival more like a Harley meet; however, there were more eye-appealing bikes. A dedicated slot was booked exclusively for the Indian major Royal Enfield, which attracted a large number of visitors. The coolest was the vintage bikes exhibition, which featured some time-honoured bikes. Polaris ATVs also attracted a number of visitors with their excitement-on-track activities, which was set up especially for these rigid machines. USP of the show was the custom zone, which was reserved especially for the display of personalised motorcycles; it also gave a platform to our home-grown custom bike makers.

Amidst the huge crowds of bikes that had assembled at the IBW this weekend, each one was the feast for eyes. Be it the Y2K Turbine Superbike, the three-wheeled Harley-Davidson Trike, Triumph Tiger 1050, KTM 990 Adventure or RR 700 Prostreet, every bike was a visual treat for eyes. We clicked some of the best for you guys, check out the flickr gallery.

Biker Build-off

One of the most amazing event at 2013 IBW was the Biker Build-off, which was an competition in between the three best custom bike makers of the country. The show attracted each and every individual to the venue and the space failed to entice the crowed. In a neck-to-neck competition, the dynamic Rajputana Custom Motorcycles squad won the Biker Build-off, beating the two other participating groups, the Transfigure Custom House and the Dreamriders Vehicles.

Pimp My Ride

Along with the Biker Build-off platforms, there was another modification stand. While at the Biker Build-off, there were professional custom bike makers, the 'Pimp My Ride' was for those riders who wanted to add some tailor-made choices to their rides and helmets. Bikers had it all there, whether it was a trendy paint job or a patchwork, this custom shop had it all for them.

Stunts Zone

Stunt Zone is a very necessary element of any biking event, giving it a status of 'THE Stunt Zone'; IBW also had one. The Stunt Zone was the special attraction of the bike show, and it was one of the most attracting highlights of the 2013 India Bike. Mattie Griffin, the famous stunt biker performed some breathtaking clean stunts, while the Indian riders also performed some really electrifying stunts. What was adding more to this Stunt Zone was a special dirt track, which was put up at the other end of the venue exclusively for dirt biking enthusiasts.

Adrenaline Rush and Music in the Air

While the bikes treated eyes, IBW also had a lot for the ears, 26 live bands and DJs from across the planet gathered at IBW. These bands were performing on the three stages erected solely for holding concerts. These concerts added the much needed fun and entertainment element to the event, the music bind the whole event in a rhythmic manner. The key bands included the Gentlemen’s Dub Club, Anish Sood, the Pentagram, the Dualist Inquiry, the Sky Rabbit, the Reggae Rajahs, the Oxygen, the Nucleya, the Bay Beat Collective, the Bombay Bassment and many more.

Honour Roll Formed

There was a special activity, Honour Roll, to honour some veterans of Indian biking. Honoured in this unique event were three of the most celebrated Indian bikers of all times – Ashish Moudghil, Deepa Malik and Bullet Bose, these three has spent most of their lives on and around the bikes and known for love their bikes.

Image Courtesy: Kunal Kelkar