Superlative content, as always, continues to be a big part of the two day motorcycle extravaganza. The Vintage & Classic Bike Display promises to take onlookers down memory lane with a history lesson written in steel and chrome. For the first time ever at IBW, illustrious British marques will rub their handlebars with iconic Japanese two-strokes and classics from yore. From poppet valves and ports to pushrods and overhead cams, expect to be enthralled with this eclectic assortment of machines.
The Mod Bike Display will feature motorcycles that push the boundaries when it comes to customisation and bespoke engineering. This assortment of motorcycles have descended in to IBW from all over country, and have been built by professionals and home builders alike. CNC-aided machining will co-exist with hand beaten sheet metal work. Motorcycle genres will blur, and bobbers to drag race-spec bikes, with everything in between, will vie for your attention here.
With bikes, one is never enough. The Collector’s Corner will feature the collections of a few enthusiasts who have been seriously bitten by the motorcycle bug. One has a penchant for cruisers, while the other has a soft spot for Adventure and off-road motorcycles. Both love the freedom only a motorbike can provide. Be sure to be ready to catch your jaw as it drops at the sight of these motorbikes.
Some of India’s best up and coming stunters will attempt to defy physics with their motorcycles at the Stunt Show. Those looking to head indoors and kick back over a movie can head to the Film Festival where four fantastic biking films will be screened. At Big Trip Virtual – Powered by Petronas Sprinta, Sandra and Fiona, the two intrepid travellers currently riding their Adventure bikes across the world, have recorded an insightful video on their sojourns. World-renowned custom motorcycle builder, the one and only Maxwell Hazan, will speak to us in a video that has been shot just for India Bike Week 2021.
The Howling Dog Bar will live up to its name with loud peals of laughter as auto journo – and funny man – Tushar Burman will let the crowd in on the quirks of the Indian biker. If you have been living under a rock and in a lockdown without the internet somewhere, you already know the professor which he is nicknamed as because of the profused gyan you get from the man. Trust us, this is something you should not miss.
The Moto-Art Collective – Powered by Axor will have ace photographer Ishaan Bhataiya displaying some of his favourite clicks from Dakkar and elsewhere, while Pushkar Patil from Broken Asphalt will be showcasing some of his best work here as well. Veeraj Patil, from VP Designs, will be giving us the lowdown into the art of airbrushing and some of his previous work would be up for all to see.
Big Trip Sit Down Sessions – Powered by Petronas Sprinta will have curated interactions from the likes of @bulubiker, @Valmakry, along with Aditya Kumar, @motobiketrails and others of their like who will also be coming in. Vir Nakai, Vijay Parmar and Ankush Gulati will be introducing ‘The High Road’ – a film about riding the first Harley-Davidsons at an altitude of 18,603 feet in the Himalayas. The film will be screened thereafter. Award-winning motorcycle documentary maker, and ardent motorcyclist, none other than the late Gaurav Jani, will be given tribute by some of his closest friends from the 60kph club.
Meanwhile, the Jameson Lounge will be the epicentre for the congregation of the clubs that will ride into the venue from all across the country. For these bikers that flock together, various exclusive events will be held, some which include the King and Queen of Clubs, a Moto-fashion competition, various games of strength, beard competitions, foosball and an Open Mic session where members of the biking brotherhood will trade stories of motorcycles and the road.
Meanwhile on the Main Stage, MIDIval Punditz, DJ Ishani and DJ Gurbax will be spinning magic with their music to keep the tempo at full revs. After the music quietens down on the Main Stage at the end of each of the two days, the party will continue around the Red Bull event car which will host the After Hours session with DJ Sam.
Visitors to ‘India Bike Week 2021 – The Special Edition’ will be amongst the first in the country to lay their eyes on the new motorcycles that will be launched at the event. Harley-Davidson will be pulling the covers off the new Sportster S, while Honda will be unveiling two sizzling models which will add to an already rich product-mix of their BigWing portfolio. These bikes are significant launches for each of their respective manufacturers and IBW is a great opportunity to get up, close and personal with these machines before everyone else!
Kawasaki – with its Z650RS – will be making their presence felt too. Other big brands that will be part of IBW 2021 include Hero, KOGO, Petronas, Budweiser, Jameson, Axor and Ishq FM. Besides the resounding music and superb vibes emanating from the main stage, be sure to catch the Honour Roll – Powered by Petronas Sprinta, where Ashish Raorane will be felicitated for his exemplary performance at Dakar as a privateer. Ashish has proven that the legendary Dakar is not just for the factory riders alone.
The EVO Biker’s Mart boasts of 60 stalls which will have an extensive array of the finest gear and accessory brands like Rynox, Senna, Dirtsack, Autologue, BMC Air filters and the like present. This makes it just the place for avid motorcyclists to touch, feel and purchase goodies for their bikes and themselves alike.
Delectable food and refreshing beverages abound at every IBW and this year, it isn’t any different. Throttle Shottle will literally roll down to Aamby Valley and set shop out of a van at Café Vibe. There aren’t too many things that are more joyous than talking about motorcycles with your friends over a cup of tea – apart from riding itself – and the Chai Bar is just the place to do this at.
Make sure you get all the energy that you can summon to the X-Track and X-Drag. Here, you can either attempt to conquer whatever nature throws at you on an off-road track, or shoot down the straightaway in a drag race against the clock; suitably armed with either the capable Hero Xpulse 200 or the striking Hero Xtreme 160R respectively.
Keeping the COVID-19 sensitivities and protocols in mind, entry into ‘India Bike Week 2021 – The Special Edition’ will only be given to those visitors who have proof of complete vaccination, or have had at least one jab and can produce a negative RTPCR test report that is no older than 48 hours. Masks will have to be worn within the venue at all times.
Martin da Costa, Co-Festival Director IBW, said, “It’s just such a relief to get back on our bikes to ride down to IBW. I’m excited about meeting old friends again, seeing the best motorbikes in India today, and just so looking forward to sharing Aamby Valley with the amazing Valley Run event. It’s a dream weekend. Absolutely unmissable if you have even the slightest interest in bikes, performance cars and a brilliant day out !”
