Description
Before 2001, the question every manufacturer asked was kitna deti hai. Fuel economy was the only scoreboard. Performance was considered taboo. The enthusiast was an afterthought. Then Bajaj launched the Pulsar 150 and 180 on 24 November 2001 — and the entire Indian two-wheeler industry changed direction in a single day.
In this Gone But Not Forgotten video, evo India takes you through the motorcycles and scooters that defined Indian two-wheeling between 2000 and 2005. The Bajaj Pulsar that democratised performance — 14.7bhp, a front disc brake as standard and a 'Definitely Male' campaign that made every college kid beg their parents for one. The Kawasaki Bajaj Eliminator that brought proper cruiser ergonomics to India for the first time — low-slung seat, forward-set footpegs, a Brembo-designed disc and a 14-litre tank that could comfortably cover 600km. The Honda Activa that bettered the Kinetic Honda in every tangible way and now has 35 million units on the road.
The Hero Honda Karizma that made the Indian enthusiast forget to ask about fuel economy — 223cc, 17bhp, a fairing shaped like the Hero Honda H and an endurance record of 2,525km in 24 hours set in September 2003 that stood for nearly 20 years. The Honda Dio that took the Activa's engine, put it in a bikini instead of a sensible gown and made it 12kg lighter. The Honda Eterno that was a genius idea that arrived too late to a party the Activa had already ended. And the Honda Unicorn — the first Indian motorcycle with a monoshock, a fit and finish level that had never been seen on an Indian bike before, and a five-star rating from Overdrive that nobody argued with.
2000 to 2005 is where everything you see on Indian roads today traces its roots. The Pulsar brand. The Activa phenomenon. The premium commuter segment. All of it started here.
Part 2 covers 2005 to 2010. Let us know in the comments which bikes you want to see featured next.
Gone But Not Forgotten drops every second and fourth Thursday. Subscribe so you never miss one.
0:00 Introduction
2:10 Bajaj Pulsar
8:23 Honda Activa
12:00 Kawasaki Bajaj Eliminator
15:55 Honda Dio
18:37 Hero Honda Karizma
24:25 Honda Eterno
26.54 Honda Unicorn
34:05 The era of 2000s
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