The Rise and Fall of Scooters in India

Tue, Mar 10, 2009

News


India used to be one of the worlds largest producers and consumers of motorscooters.  Americans remember the Bajaj Chetak, Auto Rickshaw, and various other Apé incarnations.  Today all we’ve got left is the Genuine Stella and access to a bunch of bad resto parts (cables, etc).  How could the India scooter market wither away to a small handful of products in just a couple of decades?  “PROGRESS!” my friend.  Their explosive economic growth has afforded them transportation options more akin to what Americans are driving… cars and masculine motorcycles. 

If you want some more details on this transformation, straight from the source, you should check out Sameer Kumar’s (twitter: battleaxe1973) blog motorcycleistforlife.  Sameer gives his impressions on the scooters available in India today.  I’d like to find out if India’s attitude towards scooters will end up changing with this global, economic “highside” we’re experiencing.

For more on an Indian’s perspective of the rise and fall of the Bajaj brand, check out Rani M. Das’ site Admadzz.  (the source of the leading image)

6 Responses to “The Rise and Fall of Scooters in India”

  1. vespabelle Says:

    I also recommend Dave McCabe’s recent articles In American Scooterist about scootering in India. (which include way dorky pictures of me sitting on a Bajaj Crystal Scooter!)

    Richard Weiderman wrote a series of good articles for American Scooterist as well that are a few years older.

    Reply

  2. Pvino Says:

    That is right…”Proliferation of Progress”…. One should hope and wish for India to have progress and eventually become a stable economy. Unike the U.S., scooters are just a latest flavor but for some a pure economic solution. For the U.S. and many countries alike…scooters and motorcycles may be our only source of alternative transportation and our Worldly salvation.

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  3. Leo Says:

    Masculine motorcycles? I’ve seen pics of Frank Sinatra and John Wayne(whom I don’t particularly care for) on scoots and I always thought that those guys were super macho. Wasn’t the inventor and test subject of the first scoot a man. Doesn’t Prince scoot (and get more action and everyone on this board, probably)? I have a coupla scoots that usually scare the crap out of women when I am in a froggy mood. I’m just trying to understand what is meant be a masculine motorcycle? What criteria does one have meet? A tank between the legs? A certain displacement?

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  4. ScooterScoop Says:

    Vespabelle! Thanks for the info. I wonder if American Scooterist will be made available in PDF form. My last few issues are from 2+ years ago. I was fortunate enough to run into Dave in Indianapolis back in 2007 and he had them with him. OR, I’ll just order them when the VCOA store opens back up.

    Pvino! I do indeed hope for a stable and prosperous future for India although I personally think moving into cars is not an indicator of progress. I understand that America has been a “rich” country for generations and to model the “American lifestyle” as portrayed by TV and Magazines is to have a big house with multiple cars… and you see where that’s gotten us. In a $#!+load of debt.

    In the U.S. (generally speaking), motorbikes have never been taken very seriously as daily commuters or work vehicles… ESPECIALLY scooters. In the 60′s and 70′s were were sold on powerful vehicles. Throughout the last decade we’ve been sold on the “safety” and convenience of SUVs. Those mentalities have made the transition to smaller, more efficient vehicles (like scooters) an uphill struggle (in 3rd gear). I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard the “I won’t ride a scooter, I’ll get killed out there by a Hummer!” argument. It’s a catch 22 and the people who “risk their lives” today are the ones paving the way for more to make that transition in the future. I’m not saying I want everyone on a scooter… I just want to see people transporting themselves in smarter, more efficient and practice ways.

    We (Americans) can learn a lot from countries, like India, that do depend on more efficient transportation options. It could be the very thing that helps us pull out of this financial landslide we’re in.

    Leo! Hehe… I know, I know. Let me explain: By “masculine motorcycles”, I’m simply describing the form and design. If you look at the most popular 2 wheeled options in India right now, they tend to be bikes with a more “masculine” structure… rugged, harder lines and angles… loud, exposed engines… chrome or “masculine” colors (red, black)… Just like what we’ve been riding in America over the last few decades (I’m generalizing a bit here). They’ve moved away from their old scooters, the most popular model (Bajaj Chetak) which is based on an Italian design which is definitely “feminine”… Now, let me clarify. I’m not saying it makes the rider more or less feminine. I’m just saying the beautiful curves, lines, size and overall shape of the “Vespa” design mimic the female figure… Just like a guitar, violin, corvette, coke bottle and countless other beautiful creations.

    Some people, guys and girls, are attracted to motorbikes that look strong and burley and some are attracted to motorbikes that are beautiful and seductive. Sport bikes are somewhere in the middle with a tendency toward masculine (in my opinion).

    Sorta of a complex discussion that could easily be misinterpreted at first glance… and I’m not sure I’ve done any better in explaining what I meant here, but I gave it a shot. I appreciate all good design and I have an attraction to riding smaller, curvier and dare I say feminine looking things.

    Thanks to all of you for bringing up such enticing topics!

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  5. Pvino Says:

    Steve,

    I am all for more efficient vehicles whether they (Prius, Smart, and Scion)etc… and motorbikes.. Heck I was drawn into the 70s with a hand me down Barracuda as my first car and two Vans; now-a-days a Civic is my main transportation vehicle; I don’t see myself getting into any less economical in the future.

    Reply

  6. RickRussellTX Says:

    “beautiful curves, lines, size and overall shape of the “Vespa” design mimic the female figure”

    I guess the question that motorcyclists need to be asking themselves is a simple one, then. Do they want to be seen in public riding a man or a woman?

    *Cough*

    RR

    Reply

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