The 2022 India Bike Week (IBW) is an annual occasion that brings collectively motorbike lovers from throughout India and the world. This 12 months the occasion was again in Goa, the immensely widespread vacationer vacation spot identified for its lovely seashores and vibrant nightlife. The occasion featured varied actions and sights.

Story: Kurt Morris
Images: Apurva Ambep

One of many highlights of this 12 months’s IBW was the worldwide motorbike rally, which noticed riders from everywhere in the world come collectively to take part in a gruelling cross-country race. The rally took riders via a few of India’s most scenic and difficult routes, offering a real check of their endurance and driving expertise.

With this 12 months’s particular sights, which included 5 distinct tracks, Wheelie Coaching, Biker’s Mart (Indoor and Outside Expo), Large Journey classes, Ladakh Tent, the Membership Village, Jameson Join Howling Canine Bar, and others, IBW 2022 offered some out-of-this-world experiences. An enthralling journey voyage that started with a journey to Goa and culminated in numerous thrilling actions, beginning with the Trip to IBW.

Along with the rally, the occasion additionally options numerous different thrilling actions, together with stunt exhibits, dwell music performances, and exhibitions of the newest bikes and equipment. The stunt exhibits, particularly, are a significant attraction on the IBW, with skilled stunt riders performing a spread of death-defying feats on their bikes. This time across the exhibits had some nice alternatives for guests to see the newest bikes in motion and witness the unbelievable talent and bravado of the riders.

One other vital side was the exhibition of the newest bikes and equipment. Lots of the world’s main motorbike producers and accent firms had been current, showcasing their new merchandise on the occasion, giving guests an opportunity to see and study concerning the newest improvements on this planet of motorcycling.

5 separate race tracks and varied totally different classes of the competitors had been slated for IBW 2022. A time trial competitors known as the Hill Climb, was held in collaboration with CEAT. IBW additionally held a flat-track occasion and a mud run competitors. Moreover, there was the “Grime Sprint” occasion, which was true filth racing, and the “Journey Stream Observe,” an impediment course made only for ADVs. There have been different observe classes accessible to enroll in people who needed to choose up a couple of new skills.

Nelly from ProDirt Journey Motofarm, and FMAE Motopark skilled friends on the Journey Observe, Stream Observe, and Grime Sprint for motocross and filth followers. Vishakh from BAR Academy led hour-long Enduro classes to grasp the hill course.

The exhibition was an important alternative to take a look at new bikes and equipment, in addition to to fulfill and work together with different lovers from world wide. Additionally one of many standout customized bikes was the twin 411-cc single-cylinder engines that powers the 822 Himalayan motorbike showcased. The bike is the primary and solely 822-cc parallel-twin Himalayan on this planet, and it was created by Autologue Design and Auto Engine. It’s acknowledged to provide 45 horsepower and a peak torque of 55 Nm. The 822 Himalayan motorbike’s value has not been disclosed by the enterprise, nonetheless, it’s in all probability round Rs 12 lakh. This customised Royal Enfield Himalayan 822 makes use of the 650 twins’ radiator. The engine will get a brand new crankcase and camshaft, say the bespoke builders.

The Rodcast Tent, Beer Backyard, Jameson Black Barrel Bar, Vinyl Assortment, Singer-Songwriters, and Group Open Mic Classes might all be discovered within the cosy Ladakh Tent. Shirshendu Banerjee from The Biker Radio Rodcast did a dwell recording broadcast at IBW 2022 for the primary time. Conversations with biker cafes, early motorbike golf equipment, and journey bike journey planners had been held by people and organisations which have contributed to the event of the motorbike subculture in the course of the previous 20 years.

Music lovers loved this 12 months’s performances very a lot. Lagori and Teri Miko are the headliners, adopted by Simple Wanderings, DJ Mojo Jo Jo, DJ Unnayaana, and DJ Uday Benegal for the Ladakh Tent, and DJ Ayesha Pramanik for Jameson Howling Canine Bar. Crimson Bull’s freestyle artists, together with rappers, MCs, BMX stunt riders, and break dancers, additionally carried out at IBW 2022.

In conclusion, the 2022 India Bike Week was an thrilling and memorable occasion for motorbike lovers like us and from world wide. With its thrilling actions, lovely location, and world-class amenities, the occasion gives a singular alternative for riders to come back collectively, share their ardour for motorcycling, and expertise the fun of the journey. Whether or not you’re a seasoned rider or a newcomer to the world of motorcycling, India Bike Week was welcoming and really hospitable.

BMW

When BMW Motorrad India unveiled their new flagship superbike at IBW 2022, it despatched its followers right into a frenzy. Earlier than its market debut, the 2023 BMW S 1000 RR was unveiled in Goa. The brand new mannequin has so much to supply when it comes to engine, chassis, and design upgrades.

A 999-cc, liquid-cooled, four-cylinder engine on the revised bike will now produce 210 hp at 13,750 rpm, whereas the torque output stays the identical at 113 Nm at 11,000 rpm. With a most engine velocity of 14,600 rpm, BMW declare the engine is optimised to offer larger energy and a broader rev vary than earlier than. It nonetheless has a six-speed gearbox with a bidirectional quick-shifter.

Hero MotoCorp

Hero MotoCorp had a particular off-road observe expertise at IBW for his or her prospects. As they returned to the outside, Xpulse homeowners and XClan riders demonstrated some unbelievable off-road abilities within the spirit of “As soon as a HERO, at all times a HERO” at IBW, along with Asad Khan, the champion of the Hero Grime Bike Problem, Sathyaraj from Hero Motorsports displayed some insane filth biking abilities.

We noticed some unbelievable riders and had a way of camaraderie when the riders fell, received again up, disregarded the filth, and resumed driving.

Harley-Davidson

One of many vital bikes to be introduced on the India Bike Week was the Harley-Davidson Nightster. It packs a 975-cc “Revolution Max” V-twin engine that produces 90 horsepower and 95 Nm of peak torque. The bike begins at Rs 14.99 lakh (ex-showroom).

KTM

KTM India displayed the 890 Journey R at IBW. The 890 R has been redesigned for 2023 with new styling and varied technical enhancements. The important thing updates that the KTM 890 Journey R might be receiving for 2023 are an 889-cc parallel-twin motor with 104 horsepower at 8,000 rpm and 100 Nm of most torque at 6,500 rpm. The engine is mated to a six-speed transmission and sits in a metal tube body.

Kawasaki

Kawasaki had the KLX 150BF on present and will introduce it in India. An off-road-capable motorcycle with a lean general design, the KLX 150BF has a one-piece seat, halogen headlight with bulb indicators, and excessive entrance and rear fenders. For added safety, it additionally receives a bash-plate and handlebar guards. Moreover, the exhaust can also be upswept for larger clearance when off-roading.

A 144-cc, single-cylinder, air-cooled, four-stroke engine with an output ranking of 11 hp and 11.3 Nm powers the KLX 150BF. It’s coupled to a five-speed transmission. A entrance petal disc and a rear disc are used for braking, and the bike is fitted with long-travel USD entrance forks and a rear monoshock. It’s geared up with spoked wheels and off-road tyres with block patterns.