Supersize me

LET'S TORQUE

Given the way the Indian motorcycle market is today, most motorcycles are inherently fuel efficient, and consumption differences between a 100cc, a 125cc and a 150cc motorcycle all humming a steady 50 kph tune aren't really that great.

However, when you open the throttle to get to 70 kph to overtake, there is a huge difference in the way the three respond. Similarly, there are significant braking advantages.

The thing about fast bikes is that you need not actually ride them faster to enjoy them. But even going slowly "" since they are faster by design "" you get the benefits of better brakes, suspension and chassis. All of which are geared to controlling the motorcycle at much higher speeds.

Faster bikes are safer bikes. It sounds counterintuitive, but let me put it this way. Any current day Ferrari will do nearly 300 kph, while a modern Toyota Camry (for instance) will manage only 215 kph or so.

But when braking from 60 kph (street speeds), the Ferrari will stop way, way quicker than the family car because its brakes, tyres and chassis were all designed to rein in the car from 300 kph.

In a similar manner, a Hero Honda Karizma, Bajaj Pulsar or TVS Apache class motorcycle will usually outperform the 125ccs (like the Honda Shine, Bajaj Discover or Yamaha Gladiator), which in turn, will leave the 100cc (Bajaj CT100, Hero Honda CD-Dawn, etc) motorcycles behind.

The differences become even more obvious if you're carrying your wife on the pillion seat. You will always be better off on a bigger motorcycle. Upgrade. Finally, bigger bikes are also a hell of a lot more fun to ride.

shubhabrata@business-standard.com