Mahi drives Ranchi youth to go for imported bikes

Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s passion for motorbikes and his unmatched collection of imported bikes ranging from Harley Davidson to Ducati seems to have fuelled a new craze of imported bikes among youngsters of the city. However, not everyone can afford to buy the costly bikes so, a new trend of modifying bikes is in vogue among the youths.

To get a new trendy look a number of youngsters are coming out to get their motorbikes modified by professionals.  There are different phases and types of modification. With super cool graphics, changing tail lamps, adjusting silencers, installing lED lights and colourful number plates one can have a total turnover of the bikes.

A number of service centres are specialized in modification of bikes at Karbala Chowk, lalpur, Plaza Chowk and other locations. Mukhtar, owner of New Auto life, which deals in bikes accessories and modification, said that everyday five to six youngsters come to modify their bikes. “They ask us to make their bike to look like Dhoni’s new bike,” he said.

The cost of modification of bikes depends on the parts which have been modified. Changing silencers can cost between Rs 800 and Rs 4000, whereas changing headlights can cost up to 2500.  Replacement of graphics and pasting stickers can go up to Rs 5000. The complete overhauling of bike ranges from Rs 35,000 to 90,000, he informed.

“The option of modification is easy to take up as it costs less in comparison to original international version or any sports bikes. And riding a bike with a international look thrills me,” said Abhijeet , a student of Doranda College.Another 21-year old youth opined, “I got inspired from Hollywood movies.  So, I modified my bike to have a look identical to that. Moreover, modified bikes give a good mileage than the original version of the bike.”