Vinu SV needs no introduction and this is not the first time we have written about him. He successfully covered the Bun Burner Challenge, covering 2500 kms in less than 36 hours, becoming the first from South India to do so. He left his well paying job at Deloitte to pursue biking as a career. We interview him to find out what drives him towards biking.

Tell us about yourself. Who you are? What you do?
My name is Vinu S V and I am 26. Known in the biking circle as MadMax and I am trying to make a living out of riding a Motorcycle.

When and how did your love for bikes or both start?
I started riding only because of my late brother, Dhruv. He taught me how to ride, took me to the highway for the first time, taught all the tricks in the book. He was very fast, in fact very very fast, yet safe. One of the best I have seen around. RIP my bro.

Which bike do you currently own?
Yamaha YZF-R15

When did you buy your bike?
About 20 months back

What made you buy this particular bike?
I always believed in performance biking that I could afford. Before switching to Yamaha R15, I already owned two HH Karizma’s and at the time R15 seemed like the obvious choice. More over, I love corners and R15 is nothing but a corner craver :)

How many kms have you done? How many do you do everyday?
I have done close to 36,000 kms on the odometer so far.

What do you love the most about your bike?
Difficult to explain one particular aspect but as many would agree, the handling part of R15 stands out. It injects so much confidence in to the rider.

What you don’t like about your bike?
Can not think of anything.

Will you trade your bike for any other vehicle? If yes, which one?
I have my sights set on bigger and better things and I believe I have explored everything this 150 cc mill had to offer. If I have to upgrade then it will surely be a 250 cc.

What is the longest you rode your bike and where?
Longest I have ridden in a day is around 1900 kms during my Bun Burner Record ride (2537 kms in 34 hours and 24 minutes)

What is the fastest speed you have achieved on your bike?
149 kmph on speedo but I am sure that’s a speedo error :)

What mileage does your vehicle give you?
Currently within city I am getting about 27 – 29 kmpl and on highways it gets upto 31 – 33 kmpl.

What is the nastiest thing you have done in your vehicle?
How do you define nasty ?? My current bike has been toyed in the city, hit the highways, been on the race track, put up with loads of stunting, been to the ghats, been part of two mammoth endurance record rides. Pretty much everything that’s there to offer :)

What modifications have you done to your vehicle and what do you plan to do in the future?
I believe in keeping the bike stock mainly due to the reliability factor.

Why is your bike so special to you?
It’s an extension of who I am and its my only tool to realize and make my dreams turn into reality. Of course its damn special :)

Which is your dream bike?
Yamaha R6. Love the high revving nature.

Which bike sold in India is your current favourite?
Yamaha FZ1 is one bike that I would have grabbed straight away if I had the money but to be more realistic I say Kawasaki Ninja 250

Any advice for Motorbeam readers?
Never stop learning, no matter how good you are. We are at the tip of the Ice Berg and keep your motivations simple and always ride safe with protective gears :)

Hi, I am Kedar Bendre and my love for cars and bikes started from my childhood. I was famous in our area to recognize the cars from its headlamps and tail lamps.

I owned lots of vehicles.

1) Hero Honda Splendor which I bought in 2000 used it till 2010 and then sold my bike.
2) When I was using Splendor I bought Hero Honda Hunk when it was launched. It was the from the first few Hero Honda Hunk in Pune, I bought it on 1st January, 2008 used it till March 2011 and then sold it to my friend.
3) In 2009 I bought Honda Dio for my younger brother, he is still using it.
4) In September, 2010 I bought my first 4-wheeler. It was Fiat Grande Punto 1.2 Emotion, silver color. I used the car like crazy. It was great car an handling was top class. As my usage increased I was unable to bare the petrol prices and due to hikes in petrol prices I sold my Punto 1.2 in March 2011 to my colleague.
5) When I sold my 1.2 Punto, I bought Bajaj Discover 125cc for mileage perspective. I am still using it.
6) In July 2011 I bought my second 4-wheeler and which is Punto Punto but this time it is diesel 90HP Emotion Pack.

Hero Honda Hunk – It was the best looking bike in 150cc category. Road grip and handling was superb so I bought that. Used it till 48000 km in 3 years. I achieved top speed of 120kmph on my Hero Honda hunk which was on Pune Mumbai Highway. I was getting 50-55kmpl mileage on this bike. Tried wheelie, burning rubber, 360-degree on my bike.

Fiat Punto 1.2 Emotion and 90HP Diesel – I don’t think I need to write extra about these cars. Handling, looks, value for money factor, Fuel Efficient was the main criteria when I was buying car. I used 1.2 Emotion Punto for 14000kms in just 6 months. Top speed achieved was 145kmph. I was getting FE of 15kmpl in city and on highway achieved 19.2 kmpl mileage. I tried drifting in 1.2 Punto. It was the best experience due to great handling of this car.

Modification on 1.2 Punto

1) Black Color Front grill.
2) Rear spoiler with stop light.
3) Alpine Power Speaker & BASS FX wooden parcel tray.

I bought 90HP Diesel Punto on 27th July 2011 and completed 900 kms in just 5 days. Not yet ripped this car as it is new. Mileage not yet calculated and I am enjoying the new car.

Modification on 90HP Punto

1) Carbon Fiber Rear Spoiler
2) Blaupunkt Speaker in all 4 doors.
3) ABARTH graphics on side profile of the car
4) Mirrors and Break Calipers to be painted in RED Color.
5) White color mud flap with Punto painted in RED Color

Hi, I am Pranav Ovalekar and I am 26 years old. I own a BMW X6, Audi Q7, a modified Ford Fiesta, Skoda Superb, Chervolet Cruze, Hyundai Santa Fe, Mercedes C-Class, Hyundai i20 and Yamaha R1. What I love about my cars is that most of them are rear-wheel drive. The fastest speed achieved by me is about 200 kmph with my AUDI Q7. I have matte finished my Ford Fiesta and have attached 5-ppoke Konig rims. I am a car modifier and started to love cars at the age of 5. The Audi A8L sold in India is my favorite.

Advice – You guys are running an awesome website. I have a suggestion for you is that you can just create a Members Area where everyone can make their MotorBeam account and it would be just some how like Facebook and the members could also send you some articles written by them and so on.

Tell us about yourself. Who you are? What you do?

Hi friends an colleagues, I am Chandranath Sarkar. I am currently living in Bangalore for past 5 years. I am working in Biocon as junior executive in formulation and I am studying MSC BT. I am married happily for past 1 and a half year.

When and how did your love for cars/bikes or both start?

My love for bikes started from my tender age of 5years. Strictly speaking I don’t like cars at all.

Which car/bike do you currently own?

Currently I own a Red Yamaha FZ16. But earlier I have ridden CBZ, LML Energy, Splendor, LML Vespa Select 2 (my dad’s scooter), YBX till now.

When did you buy your car/bike?

I brought my red devil in NOV 2009.

What made you buy this particular car/bike?

If LOOKS can KILL, this bike is definitely worth killing. Every aspect of parts are drooled with muscular effect like a body builder. My 100% choice for this bike is looks and the legendary Yamaha reliability.

How many kms have you done? How many do you do everyday?

I have done its in the pic. Everyday I do almost 42 km

What do you love the most about your car/bike?

The sound that beats as if it is like a piece of my heart. The rear tire and tail piece, it kills me every time I look at it.

What you don’t like about your car/bike?

There is nothing that I don’t like about my FZ.

Will you trade your car/bike for any other vehicle? If yes, which one?

Till now no other bike is there to trade my FZ, but if I do it it will be Yamaha FZ1 or Kawasaki Z1000.

What is the longest you drove/rode your car/bike and where?

My longest ride so far in a day is 287 km to Shivanasamudra.

What is the fastest speed you have achieved on your car/bike?

I have reached 124 kmph on my FZ16 in nice road with helmet, gloves and boots on. Extremely stable but a load of vibration in handlebar. The sound changes to like a roaring lion.

What mileage does your vehicle give you?

It is giving me 41 to 43 kmpl till date.

What is the nastiest thing you have done in your vehicle?

I have stick all the sticker with feviquick, because all of them were stolen once.

What modifications have you done to your vehicle and what do you plan to do in the future?

Till now I have changed the front pilot light and tail light to led and put tank sticker. I am planning to get the Joel FFE (free flow exhaust) for FZ in next month. More will come later for sure.

Why is your car/bike so special to you?

Because it becomes a extension of me, my family.

Which is your dream car/bike?

My dream bike is Z1000, S1000RR, R1, Fireblade, FZ1.

Which car/bike sold in India is your current favourite?

Fireblade and Fz16, but FZ sure needs a upgrade after 3 years.

Any advice for Motorbeam readers?

Yes, please wear atleast helmet while riding and always use your rear view mirror because it is there for your safety. DONOT remove it for making it style statement. Thanks and ride safe.

Tell us about yourself. Who you are? What you do?

Hi friends, I am Ameya Joshi, I live in PUNE, MAHARASHTRA. I am an Engineering 2nd year student in Information Tech branch.

When and how did your love for cars/bikes or both start?

I am in love of cars and bikes since my childhood,i am a regular reader of TOPGEAR and I am very much fond of different technologies and systems used in cars and bikes and how they work.

Which car/bike do you currently own?

I currently own a Hyundai Santro and a pulsar 220 SF and yes we also have a variety of NON GEARS’s like Honda’s DIO and the TVS Scooty PEP, both of them are great machines. While the santro is more NIMBLE but the 220 SF is more aggressive.

When did you buy your car/bike?

The SANTRO was bought by my father in 2006 and bought the 220 SF in september 14 2010 i.e about 8 months ago from now.

What made you buy this particular car/bike?

The Santro was bought as it was the best hatchback car available in the market at that time i.e in 2006 and was affordable whereas on the opposite end the pulsar 220 SF was bought due to my craze for a fast, sturdy and performance machine needless of anything else.

How many kms have you done? How many do you do everyday?

I do almost 30 kms every day on the 220s and the Santro is out once in a week since last year.

What do you love the most about your car/bike?

I love the simplicity and functionality of the Santro and that it is the best car in the world to go from point A to point B without losing money. I like the ferociousness and earth cracking torque of the 220 SF. It looks awesome and feels great.

What you don’t like about your car/bike?

One thing in particular about the 220 S is that the gearbox is a bit hard and it dosent have an FI system even when it deserves to have one and yes at last the projector lamp of the 220F.

Will you trade your car/bike for any other vehicle? If yes, which one?

I will not trade the 220 for some more years to come but I wish to change the Santro if i get a chance.

What is the fastest speed you have achieved on your car/bike?

The fastest i have managed is only 112 kmph till today. Yes!! I know its a shame riding a 220 and doing just 112 but bue to bad roads, traffic and lack of straight road strips. but I am planning to get that top whack of 144 as soon as possible. The bike is extremely stable even a speeds above 100, there are no vibes from the handle bars or the body parts or chassis, etc

What mileage does your vehicle give you?

The 220 SF returns me about 34 – 38 (varying figures). I got 40- 42 in first 2 weeks.
I am not a very patient and mature rider and I agree that I ride aggressively hitting 60 – 75 often in city.

What is the nastiest thing you have done in your vehicle?

Yes i stuck the BAJAJ logo to the bike usind FEVIQUICK glue when it had come off. Nothing else os and the bike is in stock condition.

What modifications have you done to your vehicle and what do you plan to do in the future?

I plan to fit a K&N filter to the bike after 1 year and anything else that may come to my mind at that time.

Why is your car/bike so special to you?

The Pulsar 220 SF is very special to my as it is my first bike and is gifted to me by my dad on my 20th birthday.

Which is your dream car/bike?

My dream CARS are Lamborghini AVENTADOR, Ferrari 458 ITALIA and Rolls Royce Phantom Coupe.

My dream bike is BMW S1000RR and Suzuki HAYABUSA GSX-R 1300.

Which car/bike sold in India is your current favourite?

I like the BMW 5-Series and the Harley Davidson IRON 883

Any advice for Motorbeam readers?

Motorbeam is a great website and has a lots of news and info. I would like Motorbeam readers to be more interactive and share their experiences and thoughts.

Remember, you too can get featured by just answering the simple questions listed here.

I am 29 years old having my own business (I am an importer of medical equipments and supply them to hospitals, it even helps me get quick admissions in hospitals after a crash, LOL). I am a bike fanatic from the day I remember I could balance myself on 2 wheels! The max kilometers I have done in a day is 650kms and I do this quite often as I have a factory in Goa so I take my bike with me there every 2/3 months. Even when I am in Bombay I travel about 90kms daily. I am currently owning a Pulsar 220 Fi which I have modified at home with my very hands. I have painted the bike matte black in colour, drew the design on vinyl (the complete graphic consist of 4 layers). Both the front and rear mudguard have been cut to give it a bit of sportiness, superman tyres 140/17 in the rear, IRC 120/17 in the front, K&N 2070, Renthal gold plated chain, NGK Iridium spark plugs.

I wont trade my bike for anything else but wouldn’t mind goin for a Ninja 250R as an extra bike. I am planning to buy a Suzuki GSX 600R next year. I had a Yamaha TZR 250SE which I sold off because of a bad crash and couldn’t get the spares for it. The fastest I have been on a motorcycle is 180kmph on the speedo of this bike. Infact I used to do approx 140kmph every single day I rode this bike! The nastiest thing I must have done must be a wheelie on a GSX 1000 over 160km on Mumbai roads and believe me I saw the devil himself! I was very scared. Infact that is my dream bike a SUZUKI GSX 1000R. I knew the day I rode this bike for the first time that even if I die on this, I would meet the lord with a huge smile on my face!

Apart from my speeding stories I am a rider who belives in protection and never ride without proper gear. I value other peoples life even if they think I don’t value mine and choose to speed only when I think i can do it safely. It would be a lie if I told u I don’t indulge in roadrace, though I know its stupid and dangerous but I try to avoid it as much as possible.

Update 12/02/2011 – Sonu send us some pictures from his Pune trip.

Tell us about yourself. Who you are? What you do?

I am Sunil Konjaril, a professional automobile designer who has some serious psychological problems as the only things I think about an live about is cars and bikes. I am very passionate about modifying cars and bikes as I think OEM’s are good but I can still make something better out of them. I used to spend my college times all four years in a workshop and worked there, Opening up cars and bikes and got to learn a lot about them.

When and how did your love for cars/bikes or both start?

Cant really comment on that I think I was born with it.

Which car/bike do you currently own?

Cars: Opel Vectra 2.2, Hindustan Motors Contessa 1.8GL, Mercedes W126 500 SEL

Bikes: Hero Honda CBZ

When did you buy your car/bike?

My dad brought me my CBZ in college which I still am very proud of, Rest all the cars I brought them myself. I spent all my earned money on cars and didn’t even save a penny! And I totally don’t regret that!

What made you buy this particular car/bike?

Opel Vectra 2.2 I personally think which other car in that segment provides me with all that technology which even C classes or 3 classes didn’t have at that time!

Contessa- Purely and purely to modify nothing else. I have been working on a full restyled fiberglass body car since last September. Will be soon completed in 2 months .

Mercedes S-Class. 5 litre monster v8, electrical seats , plush luxury need I say more??

How many kms have you done? How many do you do everyday?

Again can’t say exactly. My office is 40 kms up-down everyday so I think I might be doing around 2000kms every month given a few kms here and there

What do you love the most about your car/bike?

Fast, Fast (that’s not a typo), big, luxurious, and make me feel that I should live in them rather than in an apartment.

What you don’t like about your car/bike?

Nothing! I love them If I say anything it will be like I am cheating on them J

Will you trade your car/bike for any other vehicle? If yes, which one?

Nope

What is the longest you drove/rode your car/bike and where?

Car Pune to Kerala

Bike Pune to Mumbai

What is the fastest speed you have achieved on your car/bike?

Car 220 kmph Opel vectra

Bike 110 kmph CBZ

What mileage does your vehicle give you?

Never mattered

What is the nastiest thing you have done in your vehicle?

Think about some other cars, hehe.

What modifications have you done to your vehicle and what do you plan to do in the future?

My pics will do the speaking on that not me.

Why is your car/bike so special to you?

They complete me. I feel naked without them, lol.

Which is your dream car/bike?

Car- Lamborghini Murcielago

Bike- MV Augusta Brutale

Which car/bike sold in India is your current favourite?

Hatch- VW Polo

Entry level sedan – None

Sedans- Chevy Cruze

Luxury sedans- BMW 5-Series

High end – Merc S class

SUV- Toyota Fortuner

High end SUV- BMW X6

Supercars- Lamborghini Murcielago

Bikes- Yamaha FZ160, Yamaha R15

Tell us about yourself. Who you are? What you do?

My name is Harshit. I am a Software engineer and a student as well currently located in Bangalore.

When and how did your love for cars/bikes or both start?

I always had a liking for 2 wheelers though that’s a different thing that I got none till I was done with my college. After completion of first year at college I asked for a bike and I got a car (M800) to learn and practice on that. After 1 year I got a new car Maruti WagonR VXi. I live music and I got some really cool audio system installed in that. Got a complete Xplod system installed with a 4 channel Xplod Amplifier, Double coiled Xplod woofer, xplod speakers and Pioneer tweeters! All in all it is a music machine on the wheel capable enough to rock the roads with slightest twist of volume control!

And when I got job and moved to Bangalore then was the time when I got to materialize my love for bikes (Which otherwise was done using friends bike in Delhi)!

Which car/bike do you currently own?

Car: WagonR Vxi (Delhi)

Bike: P220 DTS-i

When did you buy your car/bike?

Bike: I bought on my own in the month of May, 2010.

Car: My parents bought that for me in 2006.

What made you buy this particular car/bike?

Bike: I always look for power, reliability, and most importantly the light spread. I was to decide between R15 and P220 and chose the latter due to its headlight! For night travel I like ample light on the road and it fulfilled that apart from the raw power and improved reliability.

Car: I test rode cars in that segment before buying and found WagonR to be the best bet for money then.

How many kms have you done? How many do you do everyday?

On my P220 I’ve completed about 1700km in a span of 19 days with a ride to Coorg and other night rides!

What do you love the most about your car/bike?

For my P220 I love the headlight. Its damn good. I rode it in pitch dark Coorg mountains at night and then also I didn’t feel any lack of confidence. Just amazing.

What you don’t like about your car/bike?

Wish it was an Fi!

Will you trade your car/bike for any other vehicle? If yes, which one?

Maybe a bigger ride from Yamaha on the lines of R15 maybe a 200/250cc engine!

What is the longest you drove/rode your car/bike and where?

Rode the bike to Coorg. The total trip was for approx 660km.

What is the fastest speed you have achieved on your car/bike?

On my P220 which rightnow in under run-in period so in the routine max was 80kmph. Recently opened the engine once and achieved 121kmph.

Bike: 136kmph (R15)

Car: 125kmph (My WagonR)

What mileage does your vehicle give you?

Yet to determine the mileage as actual figures would come after the run-in period.

What is the nastiest thing you have done in your vehicle?

Nothing so far.!

What modifications have you done to your vehicle and what do you plan to do in the future?

No modifications so far. Plan to get the following things on my P220:

Rim stripes

R15 RVMs

R15 gear lever

Why is your car/bike so special to you?

It peps up my mood when I am down so just love it!

Which is your dream car/bike?

Car: AudiA4

Bike: Maybe Yamaha R1

Which car/bike sold in India is your current favourite?

Ninja 250R (Though not favorable for my pocket as of now!!)

Tell us about yourself. Who you are? What you do?

Hi friends I am Raj Anand from Nasik, just completed my B.com.

Which car/bike do you currently own?

I currently own a Maruti Suzuki SX4 and Pulsar 220 DTS-i.

When did you buy your car/bike?

I bought my car on 21st Oct 2009 and my bike on 3 rd August 2009 ( on my birthday ).

What do you love the most about your car/bike?

Looks and power.

What you don’t like about your car/bike?

Nothing.

Will you trade your car/bike for any other vehicle? If yes, which one?

Yes, I would love to trade my bike with Ninja 250 R.

What is the longest you drove/rode your car/bike and where?

I have done 600 kms on my bike from Nasik to Ratnagiri.

What is the fastest speed you have achieved on your car/bike?

I have done 180 kmph in my SX4 and 141 kmph on my bike.

What mileage does your vehicle give you?

My car gives an average of 12kmpl and my bike does 38 kms in 1 litre.

Which is your dream car/bike?

My dream car is Honda Civic and my dream bike is with me.

Tell us about yourself. Who you are? What you do?

I am Faisal from Pondicherry. Currently I am doing my BTech (final year).

Which car/bike do you currently own?

Currently I own Pulsar 220 DTS-Fi and Toyota Innova.

When did you buy your car/bike?

I bought my bike when I was doing 10th standard (Note from editor – But the Pulsar 220 came out in 2007 and you must be in 1st year).

What made you buy this particular car/bike?

Because of non-comparable speed and sexy looks.

How many kms have you done? How many do you do everyday?

Till now 25000 kms.

What do you love the most about your car/bike?

I love my bike because when I race with others, it just smashes out the others, cant catch my bike smoke too.

What you don’t like about your car/bike?

Nothing

Will you trade your car/bike for any other vehicle? If yes, which one?

Hmmm I will go for Yamaha R1.

What is the longest you drove/rode your car/bike and where?

Just 400 kms, Karaikal to Chennai.

What is the fastest speed you have achieved on your car/bike?

At the normal throttle, I reach 128kmph.

What mileage does your vehicle give you?

I dont know because I didn’t check that, may be 35 kmpl.

What modifications have you done to your vehicle and what do you plan to do in the future?

Yup, this is the most important question. K&N filter and full fairing.

Which is your dream car/bike?

Dream bike is nothing but Suzuki Hayabusa.

Which car/bike sold in India is your current favourite?

Kawasaki Ninja.

Any advice for Motorbeam readers?

It is a good site for bike/car enthusiast. Its more useful to know the current trend in this automobiles world.