Kawi2strokes.com Forum

Totally NTR, but I have just had a trip to India - Calcutta, Darjeeling and the Himalaya regions, and the Holy City of Varanasi. No triples over there, but a zillion bikes, mostly around 150cc's. Rode on a Yak, high up in the mountains, felt a bit like a '68 Sportster I rode many years ago. But an amazing perspective on life, and the things we take for granted. And you cannot tell anyone about the traffic, just amazing. Incredible experience all round, good to be home and walking the dog along the beach, saying Hi to just one or two other people!

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"One day, your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it's worth watching." : anon.

I was in New Delhi for a month in the mid 80's on a job.
They had their version of the fourth of July and something like 100 people died from poising from home made alcohol.
The handmade fireworks were super dangerous as the rockets would go anywhere but straight up.
We got really sick and not due to food, water, uncooked vegetables, etc.
Turns out the locals were burning "fecal material" one day

OTOH, it was a great experience; the cobras that came up out of the baskets for the tourists looked really old and feeble though.

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There are only two types of motor sport racing:
Nitro and everything else
(Sometimes referred to as fast and slow)

Dad was in Calcutta briefly during WWII. He told me that it was normal to dry that material by smearing it on the outside walls of houses. Then it's scraped off to use for fuel for the cooking fire each day. I believe that's still commonly done.

Rod, sounds like you had a great trip. Glad you're back safely.

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If it surges, that's normal, upshift.

International Travel is great glad you were able to experience it everyone should be able to see what other people live like around the world

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This is true. Where I grew up the hills were so steep and long, when your ball rolled down the hill you just said "screw it"...

Contrary to popular belief, I didn't get sick while I was away, in fact my health improved dramatically - smaller meals of fresh fruit and vegetables, less meat and a lot less alcohol. We eat well here, hey, I do the cooking, but we have too much of a good thing! It was a good lesson. Particularly liked the Northern Indian/ Nepalese/ Tibetan People and food. The Indian bike Manufacturer is Bajaj - A 5-person 135/150cc all-purpose bike will set you back about $800. There are still a lot of Enfields around, too! All in all, a great experience! Vietnam next - the Govt nearly gave me a free ticket to Vietnam in the late sixties, Think about that one!!

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"One day, your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it's worth watching." : anon.

you'ven't seen any Rajdoot 3509 which is a Yamaha RD 350 air cooled from the 70s built in India?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rajdoot_350

I did see 1 or 2 2-strokes, J.P. but I could only imagine the pollution they would have caused, due to the traffic density. 99.9% of the bikes were Bajaj 135/150's, the rest Enfields!

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"One day, your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it's worth watching." : anon.

One of my best friends, Jeremy (Jai, the name he goes by over there) lives in Varanasi.

He started a "Walking Tour" company a few years ago that is doing well.
http://varanasiwalks.com/

It's been a few years, but I've had a few bikes sent over from India. He's invited me over to ride into the Himalayas on old Enfields, but well.... life and all that.

about 50 of my FB friends are all from various parts of India. THey have several RD350 clubs.

The Rajdoot 350 was a cop bike at one point.

I have a Bangalore RD350 club Tshirt they sent me, plus a sweatshirt. Nice guys. They drive down from San Jose to Fresno to get parts from me when I gather them up for them

Rod am not surprised you don't see one. My office partner (73 Z1 owner) went to India this summer. He didn't see one and rent a Bajaj.
Madkaw, nice to see 2 stroke community is everywhere