For generations, motorcycles have been nothing more than an economical way to commute in large Indian cities. However, an emerging new culture is transforming bikes from just utilitarian vehicles to the lifestyle vehicles we know them to be in North America. Nothing illustrates this more than a brand-new motorcycle garage located in Mumbai.
The business, dubbed Garage 52, is a place for local bikers to assemble for whatever reason seems good at the time. The garage is primarily focused on providing space for bikers to repair their machines, including offering a number of motorcycle lifts and an experienced crew on hand to give bikers as much guidance as they need. The crew can help with electrical wiring, frame modifications, welding and engine repair.
Garage 52 is also a great place to just hang out and talk bikes. It is not uncommon to see dozens of bikers there at any given time without having any need of the repair facilities. And when nothing is being fixed, bikers routinely sit around and talk about their favorite motorcycles, legends of the motorcycle culture and what they would build if they could custom design their own motorcycle. Of course, there are plenty of old 'war stories' to be told as well.
The business is a joint effort between three other garages in Mumbai. However, it will be about more than just motorcycles as machines. On weekends, garage owners hope the business is also home to some great art and music with the biker flair, of course. They would love to have customers come in for a cup of coffee and a great concert or art/photography exhibition. That little extra aspect of culture is one of the things that make the Indian motorcycle garage unique. However, they are not so completely different from what we do here in North America.
Summer Biker Rallies
We do not have many garages doing double duty as art galleries here in the States. Nevertheless, that does not mean we don't mix the two. Go to any summer biker rally and you're sure to find tattoo artists, custom bike artists, and even traditional artists selling paintings and lithographs involving all things biker. And of course, we love our music too.
No biker rally would be complete without a line-up of bands playing everything from good old rock 'n roll to blues to country. We sit around with a cold drink to enjoy some great music and good company. It's part of the biker lifestyle.
It will be fascinating to see how the culture develops in India over the next couple of years. Being that their standard of living is not as robust as ours is it's likely it will take some time. Having said that, we know once the biker bug bites, biker fever is just around the corner. We suspect there will be more and more bikers becoming part of the new Indian culture. The days of basic commuter bikes are fading in India, to be replaced by machines built for the great biker lifestyle.
