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MOTHER OF ALL ASIAN BIKE

FESTIVALS

Phuket Bike Week is the biggest motorcycling festival in Asia, and we were there recently to witness South-East Asia’s love for bikes

STORY: RAVI CHANDNANI PHOTOGRAPHY: RYAN LEE & NAVROZE CONTRACTOR

MOUNTAINS TO THE NORTH, SUN-KISSED BEACHES to the south and beautiful people all around are not the only attributes that make Thailand amazing. This neighbouring

country of ours also boasts of a motorcycling culture that is very strong, although we Indians never really knew about it. The Thai people love motorcycles and the biking brotherhood there is probably bigger and better than what we have here in India. They also have multiple biking events, including festivals and weeks dedicated to the wonderful two-wheeled machines. We were there this year to attend the biggest bike week in Asia, known as Phuket Bike Week.

Our very own India Bike Week is just three years old. However, the Phuket Bike Week (or PBW) turned 21 this year. That clearly shows how passionate the Thais are about motorcycling. Phuket is a major tourist destination in Thailand and millions of tourists from all over the world visit this island town. When Ryan and I stepped out of the Phuket International Airport, all we saw were hordes of bikers headed to the hottest party in

All sorts of two-wheeled machines showed up at PBW

FEATURE PHUKET BIKE WEEK 2015 PHUKET BIKE WEEK 2015

www.bikeindia.in82 JUNE 2015 www.bikeindia.in 83JUNE 2015

town: PBW. Every year bikers from all over south-east Asia ride for thousands of kilometres to Phuket just to have a rocking great time at this mega biking event and this year Bike India was invited as well.

I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw a group of Harley-Davidson riders followed by KTM riders ahead of a group of riders on big Japanese sports bikes riding together through the town to get to Patong beach where the event was being held. Every head on the street turned, eyeballs with an unmistakable gleam in them were riveted on the riders, and all this simply made the whole atmosphere electric.

I was curious to find out more about these riders, so I caught up with them at the venue and discovered that they had been riding for the past few days to reach Phuket. There were Malaysians, Indonesians, Singaporeans and even riders from the Middle East. Riders of different nationalities, all sharing one common bond: motorcycles.

Initially I had expected PBW to be very similar to our own IBW. However, when I checked in at the venue, I discovered that they celebrate a bike week in a very different way. The party starts in the evening after sunset, when there is a cool breeze and the general atmosphere balmy. Bikers anywhere love to make their entry with a bang and PBW is no exception to this. As the riders

rolled into the venue, our ears were treated to loud engines that were being red-lined so the riders could announce their arrival. Bikes ranging from small Honda MSX125s to track machines like the BMW S 1000 RR and Honda CBR kept rolling into the venue, entertaining the crowd with the rhythmic music of single, twin, triple and in-line four motors.

There were groups from all over South-East Asia with most of their members. But the group that made the biggest impact was Sepang Riders. This Malaysian group, supported by their government and the Sepang International Circuit, had an open stall where a slew of Honda CBR1000RRs, Kawasaki ZX-10Rs, Ducati Panigales, and Suzuki GSX-R1000s were displayed in MotoGP and WSBK liveries to promote these events at Sepang. I also won a T-shirt here.

Ridethailand.com, our friends from Thailand, also had a massive stall right in the middle of the venue. This was my favourite stall because they had the best set of wheels (all customised Harley-Davidson motorcycles) and also some of the most

beautiful Thai ladies. Ridethailand.com was also the biggest entity at the PBW because Wittaya Sumon Singkalah, or simply Sumon, editor of Ride Thailand magazine, is the man who has been involved in PBW right from its inception and now he is the principal man behind the action. He is really a great person and a dear friend and the amount of work he puts into this event is simply unbelievable. But behind every great biker there is a lady and in Sumon’s case that lady happens to be his better half, who is also a member of the organising committee and helps him out with the event. This great couple welcomed us with open arms and warmth in their heart and we really appreciate that and can’t thank them enough for their extraordinary hospitality.

Apart from Sepang Riders and Ride Thailand, there were many other stalls selling merchandise and riding gear. However, the true essence of PBW was witnessed in the presence of thousands of bikers from around the world. These riders were enjoying being at PBW and we could see that for ourselves as they swayed to the soul-stirring music played by bands from the SEA

Three-wheels are also welcomed at PBW

Japanese bikes dominated Sepang Riders stall

Retro metal was present in abundance

H-D bikes were present in massive numbers, including many trikes

It may look like a race machine however, this was just a replica

Now this is a contraption that would be an instant hit in India

Surf’s up, a biker displaying his affection for waves and bikes

He can’t walk but his enthusiasm for bikes was great

Sepang Riders, a Malaysian riding group, was quite

popular with the crowds

That’s the RideThailand stall adorned with beautiful custom H-D bikes



DELICIOUS DELIGHTS AT PBW 2015

We bikers crave a good meal when we are on the road, and at PBW we were treated to some of the best street food in the world. And yes, there were also merchandise stores for those

who wished to indulge in some biker style retail therapy region. They were playing English songs, but I found myself enthralled more by the Malaysian, Thai and Indonesian songs. All the participating bands were great and my favourite was Backyard Band from Malaysia; they simply put their distinctive stamp on the evening.

On the last day of the first half of PBW, Bike India was felicitated at the venue. We felt highly honoured by this gesture and would like to thank Sumon for giving us the privilege to share the stage at this biggest motorcycle festival in Asia.

Apart from music, felicitation and amazing food, PBW also hosted a few more events such as tattoo contests, pretty bike contests and my favourite, Miss Phuket Bike Week. But the thing that really moved me was the whole atmosphere at

this event. There was a commercial side to the whole event where people were selling merchandise and riding gear, but that apart, I realised that this is how we bikers love to spend our weekends. There is no entry fee and everyone is welcome to enjoy the great atmosphere. Sub-events are open for spectators to watch and enjoy. But biking brotherhood and spirit of camaraderie are the highlight of the show. The PBW is all about meeting like-minded bikers and having a ball without worrying about anything. I have to say that the atmosphere at PBW is such that you get a sense of belonging. It is a place where bikers from all over the world come together just to ride and have a great time, thus clearly depicting the true nature of motorcycling.

Backyard Band from Malaysia played some rocking music on the closing night

Sumon (extreme right) felicitated BI on behalf of PBW for our contribution to biking

Now that is what would scare the bejeesus out of anybody if you saw

it in your rear-view mirror

One of the many H-D customs on display at

the Ride Thailand stall



While we were at the Phuket Bike Week 2015, we managed to get our hands on Honda’s little wonder, called the MSX 125. So does this rocket take off? Read on to find out

STORY & PHOTOGRAPHY: RYAN LEE

The gorgeous and stylish Chung Da Si Pong won

two awards - Miss Popular Award (winning the hearts of the crowd) and the First

Runner-up

The beautiful Rujira Nasawasd won the Social

Award for stealing the limelight on the Social

Media platform

Ms Suri was crowned the Queen of Phuket Bike Week

The cute Sirinapa Phabtaja was the

second Runner-up

THE SHOW STOPPING MISS

PHUKET BIKE WEEK 2015

PINT-SIZED POCKET-ROCKET

PHUKET BIKE WEEK (PBW), probably the biggest bike week in Asia, got me all excited from the moment I

booked my ticket to Thailand. I was on my way to the hotel from the Phuket airport and saw these little motorcycles zoom past my cab. I thought to myself, “Those look fun,” and I wanted to get on one of these little wonders. So I got to my hotel, dumped my bags and ran out to scout for a place that rented bikes. Our friend from Ridethailand.com, Sumon, put me in touch with one of the rental bike shops and I went to check them out.

I reached the shop and saw a number of bikes for rent, including a Ducati 899 Panigale, a Yamaha R1 and more, but parked right between these big bikes covered in Red Bull livery was a Honda MSX 125. Having paid 500 baht by way of rent and having left my passport as insurance, I left the shop astride this tiny tot that had aroused so much curiosity.

My visit to the shop and observations while out on the road revealed an interesting fact – a majority of the bike-owners in Thailand have some sort of personal customisation done. Unlike in India, in Thailand virtually no one rides a stock bike. Naturally, the MSX that I rented was also heavily customised. Apart from the livery, there were after-market exhaust, wheels, handlebar, bar-end mirrors and braided brake lines, signs that the owner liked to tinker. All of these added a personal touch to the styling of the bike. The MSX has a vividly muscular look to it while the projector headlamps make for some added fierceness.

Brimming with excitement at finally nabbing a pair of wheels, I rode straight for the grand opening of the 21st PBW 2015. Amid all the big bikes (some much bigger) like the Harleys, BMWs, Ducatis, Kawasakis, this little wonder surprised me because it was making heads turn. Although, to be fair, it wasn’t just the tiny bike, but also the six-foot, big-build guy riding it. Frankly, I looked as if I was riding a child’s tricycle. With all eyes on me, all I could think of at that moment was that iconic line from the movie ‘Madagascar’ where the oh-so-epic penguins say, “Just smile and wave boys.”

With adrenaline coursing through my veins after having stolen some of the limelight on the opening day, I decided to go out and really dig into the bike and see what it was made of. Early next morning I saddled up and headed for the outskirts of the city. The cool breeze and smooth roads of Phuket were perfect for a morning ride. Honda’s pocket-rocket no doubt has a muscular aura about its design, but that is not what’s special about this bike. What’s special is the way it goes. The 124.9-cc, fuel-injected, four-stroke engine makes 9.7 PS and 10.9 Nm of peak torque, so you can see there are plenty of Indian machines with as much or even more. But the big difference is in the weight. The little Honda is about 20 kilos lighter than any 125-cc Indian motorcycle, which meant a better power-to-weight ratio, resulting in brisk acceleration.

On the straight stretch, as soon as I opened the throttle, the bike leapt forward and quickly got up

to speed. I was able to cruise comfortably between 90 and 100 km/h. The throttle responded well and I was amazed by the power this little bike had, because despite the fact that a heavily built guy like me was astride it, the bike did not feel sluggish, and just like any other Honda engine, the MSX felt refined and smooth.

On the twisty roads I was slightly apprehensive at first about throwing it into the corners, because I wasn’t sure if it could take my weight. However, after going through a few corners, I felt the bike was sure-footed which gave me a lot more confidence to push it harder. So over the next few corners I started taking more liberties round the bends, and the bike sat right in the pocket. After a decent hour-and-a-half of riding I made my way back to the city. By this time, riders had started pouring in for the second day of the PBW and the roads were packed. The MSX is very easy to ride in the city. Because the bike is small and light, it is easy to manoeuvre through gaps and then zoom off.

A long day at the festival along with all that riding had left me quite winded by the end of the day, and as I sat down to enjoy a much-needed cup of cold coffee, I looked out at the MSX in the hotel parking lot and thought to myself – this bike is perfect for India. It is light, has enough power for city use, and has a whole load of tech that its would-be Indian competitors don’t.

But if you want to have some serious fun riding around the city, the MSX 125 is nimble yet powerful, it is just the bike you need. Are you listening, Honda?



Beauty, serenity, love, warmth and everything in between best describe Thailand. We visited this great country recently to enjoy the

lovely island of Phuket and its love for motorcyclingSTORY: RAVI CHANDNANI PHOTOGRAPHY: RAVI CHANDNANI AND TOURIST AUTHORITY OF THAILAND

‘AMAZING THAILAND’. Whoever came up with that tag-line was certainly thinking about the

abundance of beauty and serenity the country has to offer. Thailand is a vibrant country with so much to offer that you will be spoilt for choice. Recently we had the opportunity to discover the vividness of Thailand in a very biker-friendly way. We headed to Phuket for the 21st Phuket Bike Week with the Tourism Authority of Thailand, India, to witness the warmth and hospitality of the Thai people and also to see their love for the two-wheeled machines.

We arrived in Phuket on a pleasant morning with the sun shining bright and the cool sea

breeze gently welcoming us into the beach town of Patong. This place has a sizzling vibe about it and the atmosphere was so electric, even during the daytime, that it felt that we had just arrived at a party. The number of foreigners (or, as the Thais say, farang tourist) was simply unbelievable. The most beautiful thing about this place was the warmth in the hearts of local people. We Indians pride ourselves on our hospitality, but I can tell you that the Thai people are just as welcoming as us.

On the first day of our visit we witnessed the craze of rent-a-ride culture that dominates the beaches and adjoining roads of Phuket. There are hordes of scooters, step-throughs and

motorcycles lined up on the side of the road, all available for hire — simply pick one up and you can zip across the island cherishing the beautiful surroundings. The roads are full of these hired two-wheelers and you can easily spot one thanks to the red number-plates.

And it is quite affordable too. A small scooter can be hired for as low as 300 Thai Baht for a day, which translates into Rs 600. Amazing, isn’t it? You can also hire bigger scooters or motorcycles at a higher price, but the best way to discover the island is to hire a small bike and have a good time.

I certainly had the best first day in Phuket when I went to see the sunset from the sunset point. This is a place where your eyes are treated to a sunset

heavy rain and I had to spend the entire afternoon and evening indoors.

However, as the sun rose the next day, it was time for island hopping. Our first destination was the Ao Phang-nga National Park in the Andaman Sea. It is also the setting where the famous James Bond film, ‘The Man With the Golden Gun’, was shot. And it won’t be wrong to say that it looked just like in the film. After visiting the famous James Bond Island, we headed to a secluded private island run by a high-end resort for lunch and sitting by the beach munching excellent local seafood was, as my colleague Harket would say, “Epic”. After a long and tiring day at the sea I was finally back to shore for some shut-eye at the Graceland Resort and Spa in Patong, Phuket.

The next morning I woke up to happy shouts and cheers of the locals who were playing with water just outside my hotel near the beach. It was time for Songkran, the Thai New Year. It is crazy to witness that the whole town was out on the streets playing with water and there was literally no one who wasn’t wet. The electric atmosphere was

simply amazing. Ryan and I also joined the locals and the tourists to enjoy the festival of Songkran. We had an amazing time celebrating a festival that so closely resembles our very own Holi.

While I was busy having a rollicking time at the Flying Hanuman and visiting spas and islands, the Phuket Bike Week Party continued. It was amazing to witness the biking brotherhood and camaraderie among the riders from Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Laos, Vietnam and even a Harley-Davidson rider from India.

Thailand is an amazing place, there is no doubt about that, and the amount of fun a person can have in Phuket is stupendous. The warmth of the Thai people and their hospitality is world-class and the way they welcome you with open arms and a big smile on their beautiful faces makes you fall in love with them.

We would like to thank the Tourism Authority of Thailand, India, for giving us this opportunity to discover the love and joy that Phuket and Thailand in general has to offer and we can’t wait to get back to Phuket. Kòp Kun Mâak, Thailand.

ENCHANTING THAILAND

that will be imprinted in your mind for a long time.After feeling blissful and serene witnessing the

sun disappear into the horizon, we quickly headed to a classy restaurant on the Pier for a sumptuous seafood dinner. Thai food is also one of the must-do things on an individual’s list of things to do in Thailand because it’s fresh, healthy and it tastes divine.

A new morning brought with itself a surprise I can never forget. The plan was to enjoy a day at the spa after experiencing something they called the Flying Hanuman Experience. Initially, I thought of it to be a show describing the greatness of Hanuman from the Ramanaya, but when we arrived at this place, which was in the middle of the jungle next to a mountain, my mind went completely clueless.

As we walked up to the welcome area my doubts were cleared and I was the happiest of the bunch. We were in the jungle for Zip-lining. An adventure activity that lets you swing from one tree to another just like a monkey or, in this case, Lord Hanuman himself. I was slightly sceptical at first about doing it because it involved half a kilometre trek up the small mountain. But once I reached the top, I was fully prepared for this adrenaline-pumping activity. I was going from one tree to another just like a monkey and, honestly, there could not have been anything better than this to start the day.

A good two-and-a-half hours later it was time to bid adieu to the jungle and mountain and head to the spa for some soothing and relaxing traditional Thai massage. People who may have wired ideas about Thai massage can stop thinking because the massage at the spa was therapeutic. The Thai people know a thing or two about massage; they are very good at it.

After a day of jungle adventures where I was literally flying like a Hanuman to relaxation and rejuvenation at the spa, I understood that Thailand has much more to offer than just Bangkok and Pattaya.

The next day was, in fact, a free day when I could mingle with the local people and savour some really delicious street food. Unfortunately, the day was cut short because of

Enchanting sunsets are a must-see highlight when in Phuket

Zip-lining at the Flying Hanuman in Phuket

ENCHANTING THAILAND ENCHANTING THAILANDFEATURE


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