Salman’s Ride
I recently saw Salman Khan’s latest video and was wondering what the black and yellow bike was that he was riding in it. Can you tell me which motorcycle it is? I could not find any details about it.
Shivprasad, via social media Hello, Shivprasad,
We looked into it and the bike Salman Khan is seen astride in the video is a Triumph Bonneville T100. Given the number of fans the two major actors have, fans who are so strongly influenced by them, it would have been great to see Khan and his pillion, Jacqueline Fernandez, wearing a helmet during the riding scenes to promote rider safety. Coming back to the bike, the T100 is the mid-range model from the British brand’s retro-styled line-up. The one in the video is the old 865-cc air-cooled T100 that was discontinued in 2015. That iconic rounded headlamp, sculpted tank, old-school design motif, peashooter exhausts, and spoked wheels are all part of its signature aesthetic. The engine powering the current gen T100 is a 900-cc liquid-cooled parallel twin that puts out 55 hp and 80 Nm of torque and comes mated to a five-speed gearbox. Prices for the T100 start at Rs 8.87 lakh (ex-showroom).
Is Ordering Bikes Online Risky?
My plan to buy a bike was put on hold following the outbreak of the pandemic and the resultant lockdown. My parents do not want me to take the risk of visiting the showroom in person. I told them that we can also book my new bike online now and that it is safe. However, my dad says we cannot risk that because we might end up getting a faulty bike. Is this true? Is there anything I can do to ensure a good bike in this situation? I really want to start riding my Royal Enfield Interceptor 650. Please advise me.
Rahul M, by e-mail Hello, Rahul,
Two-wheeler showrooms that have been reopened are being cautious and are going to great lengths to ensure safety of their patrons. However, if your parents are not comfortable with the idea of visiting a showroom, you may see the logic in that as well. As for the risk of getting a melon when booking online, all the major manufacturers offer a warranty on their products and conduct thorough checks on every bike before it leaves the factory for the dealership. A second round of checks, called “pre-delivery inspection (PDI)”, is conducted at the showrooms as well, so you shouldn’t worry about that, especially considering a reputed brand like Royal Enfield. However, again it depends on your parents’ comfort level with ordering online. If your father wishes to personally vet the bike before delivery, it wouldn’t do too much harm to wait a little longer, would it? When you do eventually get the bike, make sure you ride safely and always wear proper riding gear.