A decade of romance with Motorcycles

I often hear how my mother used to watch a lot of races on doordarshan(The only channel in the 90's) when I was about to be born. It has also been joked often that I didn't come to life with a slap to my back but by the vibrations of my Grandfather's AJS entering the Clinic's parking.

Jokes apart, it is also true that I am not a professional journalist. I blog on the weekends because it keeps me up to date with the information about bikes and cars. Also, it makes sure I keep things quiet amongst friends who warn often how I might not get that free cup of tea. Neither am I a racer. I have never raced a motorbike or car on the road or circuit (Video games are a completely different matter). But then one doesn't need these qualifications to love the art of motorcycling.




Until the time I was able to ride a cycle, I used to zoom around on a scooter, the one you ride by pushing it ahead with your other leg. I once remember my dad bringing home a Rajdoot from work. It belonged to the person who fixed his faithful Bajaj Chetak. That evening I was on the bike seat all day vrooming the steering left and right. What strengthened the feeling was the fact mentioned by dad that he himself had a similar bike before my grandfather made him sell it after my older sister was born. The Rajdoot was everyday Joe's 2-strok 175cc bike manufactured by Escorts under license from SHL (M11) Poland and not from Yamaha as thought by many.

The only thing stopping me from driving a bike was the legibility. In India, once cannot drive a bike under 18 years of age if it is geared or above 60cc. With the arrival of my 18th birthday, I had already started scouring through automobiles for what would be the perfect bike for me. The Yezdi's and RD350's had died years ago. The Hero Honda's were killing what ever little adrenaline Yamaha was able to infuse with the RX135's and RX-Z's with their onslaught of 90kmpl CD100 bikes. Two of my neighbors had purchased Yamaha's a year before. So it was evident I was looking at the 2-stroke rocket of a RX-Z which then sold for 60,000 Indian Rupees (1200 USD). But my parents were very worried about my safety because of the fellow foolish drivers on the roads. Since I was restricted to 100cc bikes, I bought the motorcycle that had just entered the market. The LML Adreno.

The bike was made by LML under license from Daelim of Korea. The 3 valves per cylinder 100cc single engine was alien tech back in 2002. SO was the Front fixed semi-fairing look.The bike offered 60kmpl which was decent for a heavy 100cc bike. But the best part was even at the max speed of 90kmph, it offered such stability other performance bikes including Hero Honda CBZ would commit suicide for.  That my father was able to drive it comfortably to work and back was reason enough that he started taking it to work regularly. This left me with a big car to drive to college. Now at this moment, most guys and girls would be happy to get an air conditioned car to drive to college everyday. But, not the Boyracer. The narrow street leading to college was always packed and didn't help matters either. No, it was not about reaching college on time either (Not that I ever was on time, mind you. :P). A second bike was the need of the day. The time had come to promote myself from the 100cc motorcycle league. Enter Bajaj Pulsar 180.

The 180 was the fastest motorcycle of the time apart from the Royal Enfield bikes. The RX-Z again did cross my mind but Yamaha's dwindling fortunes and redundant dealer support led me to finalizing Bajaj Pulsar 180 right away. The 'Definitely Male' ad did work wonders. I did try to find a good well kept Yamaha RD 350. Various bikes had a going rate of 25-35K. But with parents restriction on used bikes, The Rajdoot 350 never saw space in my parking garage. Today these bikes have appreciated in value ten times. But pulsar was awesome in performance and handling. With the onset of Bajaj Pulsar I also got to install two KRP End cans on the LML Adreno which made the bike scream and feel twice as fast than it actually was. It was another case that I used to clean the motorbikes every day and wash them every week. The Bajaj in blue was not the usual Red black and silver and stood out in the crowd. The bike also saw wheelies and stoppies at each traffic light. Burnouts and skids were a regular thing too. Upgrading from 100cc to 180cc did no doubt feel great especially since the power had upped from 8.5 to 16.

Further education beckoned. This also raised the question of what would happen to the two bikes if not driven for two years. Sadly I had to see them go. My heart still skips a beat every time I see my Bajaj Pulsar 180 purchased by a pharmacist near my house. After finishing my education when I returned back home, I was already dying to drive a bike. It doesn't look good on profile if you have to borrow a bike to drive your girl around, does it? :D  One evening, I was having an argument with my dad for purchasing a new bike. His valid point was the heavy traffic and the dumb drivers driving them. My good old school friend happened to come to my house the same time. Next day I was the proud owner of a 1968 Yezdi Classic. The best gift I've received to date. The all metal motorcycle was from Czechoslovakia was also my first 2-stroker.

The reverse reline on the seat was a Yezdi trait which made those riding pillion hold the driver close. The Bike was a 250cc two stroke with 16bhp at hand a torque that would shame a Maruti 800. Things improved further when I removed the end pipes (RTO ruled be damned!!). The power improved marginally but the sound improved drastically. One fine night at 2-00 Am when I was entering the place I stayed, the manager was waiting for me especially to tell me to not drive this thing so late since it disturbed others living around. Such was the impact of Yezdi. The bike had to go when further education beckoned again.


Some years later I returned. The need for an upgrade to Yezdi was felt right away. Thanks to the politicians for everything that is wrong in India, the prices have risen highly since the last time I purchased the Bajaj Pulsar 180.  So I did not have many options at hand except the Royal Enfield Bullet 350, Royal Enfield Classic 500, Honda CBR250, KTM Duke 200 and Bajaj pulsar 200.  Ultimately I settled for the Royal Enfield Classic 500 in the exclusive Desert Storm colour. The Motorcycle had a six months waiting period which felt like a decade. Finally, today I am celebrating my decade of romance with motorcycles along with the delivery of 500cc Royal Enfield Classic 500 Desert Storm. Hope the Upgrade keeps going up and petrol prices keep coming down (wishful thinking).

 
PS: I am an avid follower of safety precautions and I purchased my helmet before taking delivery of my first bike. The helmet has been faithful till date and also finished a decade of safety. Here's an appeal to all the motorcycle riders to wear a helmet while driving.

10 bikes we need in India

1. Norton Commando 961: Cafe racer bikes are still a rarity in India. But with the rise of motorcycle sales and popularity, hi-end bikes are finding many takers. Norton Commando 961 is exactly the bike which is not meant for the takers of Yamaha R1 and Honda CBR. Norton Commando 961 is more of a grown up and efficient competitor of Royal enfield bikes.

The bike looks like nothing on the market at the moment. While the Ducati Streetmonster looks a thousand bucks, the Norton has the charisma of a retro bike that is less archaic than the enfield and demands respect. The Norton F1 engine is a 961cc machine capable of 80 bhp and instead of being high tech, the engine boasts of the British spirit which makes driving cafe racers extremely fun.

Many might argue that the brand is not as well known as a Ducati for the same price, but all it will take is a drive on this Commando.


2. KTM 300XC: The last 2-strok motorcycle we got to enjoy in India was the Yamaha RX-Z. The bikes were sold in extremely low numbers and dealers did not even put the vehicles through proper PDI (pre delivery Inspection). But KTM along with ATK/Maico are the only major remaining 2-stroke motorcycle makers of capacities bigger than 250cc. KTM now owned majorly by Bajaj Auto is all ready to enter India with their Duke 200 model in the next 48 hours. This also opens opportunities to get to buy the KTM 300XC in India. The success of Hero's Impulse motorcycle is already proof that Enduro bikes are the in thing.  1-cylinder 2-stroke engine, water-cooled engine is so light, the bikes total weight comes to only 104kgs/ 229lbs.

A major drawback faced by this motorcycle would be the image of 2-strokes as gas sippers. Also the low capacity engines of 2-stroke machines may be found lacking on paper compared to its capability and Just like SUV's, this KTM is not going to see any endurance drives.

3. Moto Guzzi Griso: Unconventional is the in thing in India. Hence we need Moto Guzzi. The Griso stands out in the crowd of mass produced motorcycles and that is its primary USP. The huge cylinders coming out on either sides reminds one of a BMW boxer engines but Moto Guzzi is as Italian as it can get. We also need the bike because we only have the conventional Japanese trodding our streets and we have every right to style in a democratic economy.

The bike feels great between the legs thanks to the wide engine and fuel tank design providing a stance that is midway between a cruiser and a street biker.

4. Cagiva Mito 525: To be successful, a motorcycle needs three things. Rocket pace, good looks and heritage. Enter The Cagiva Mito. This bike is powered by a 125cc 2-stroke powerplant that makes 37bhp enough to put many basic 4-sroke 250cc bikes to shame with a whooping power to weight ratio of  287 bhp per tonne. For the laymen, imagine a sleepy TVS Victor beating the hell out of a Kawasaki Ninja 250cc before yawning. The smaller capacity engine also makes it cheaper to buy without compromising on the performance. And above all, The Mito 525 needs to be bought for the sheer 2-stroke wail emanating from that small exhaust.

5. Ural ST: We Indians Loved the Jawa. We still love the Yezdis. So we need the Ural ST. Yezdi/ Jawa's were sold as the 'forever bike, forever value' product. IMZ-Ural from Russia is precisely that. Apart from the URAL ST solo, all other motorcycles come with a powered sidecar making them 2wd. And, thr Russian army still uses which makes them invincible. The Soviet look and the reliability are the major selling points for this bike which can scare a herd of 20 splendors without a drop of sweat. Custom design option is a plus. The 745cc engine makes 40 horses which is only enough to humiliate a  Royal Enfield.

6. Moto Morini Corsaro Veloce: The 'I am friend with E.T.' name is enough to buy this bike before you actually look at the Sexy Italian design. The comapny has recently risen from bankruptcy (is the company logo a phoenix??) but the bikes are still fun to drive like anything Italian. Next time any superbike teenie tries to mess around with you on your streetbike, let the 1200cc v-twin engine with 117bhp on tap do the talking. That's the thing about Italian motorcycles. The suit makes you look smooth even when your paws are ready to scratch.

7. Husqvarna WR300 2-stroke-  Along with KTM, BMW has also kept 2-stroke development on fire. The hopes remain that one day people will stop worrying about Fuel Efficiency and refinement and give in to the urge for the rawness of the 2-strokes. This is also displayed in the designs of the now BMW owned Husqvarna WR300 2-stroke motorcycles. For years the big 500cc bikes always find a second place against this monster killer.

8. Husqvarna Nuda 900: The Swedes are the underdogs in the world of Automobiles which is evident from the fact that some of the best cars have come from the house of Volvo and Saab and some of the best bikes have come from the world of Husqvarna. Now owned by BMW, Husqvarna's designs still retains their quirky traits which is evident from the Husqvarna Nuda 900 streetbike. Never before have I heard a punchline as absurd as 'Mistreat the street' but it definitely works. This is also probably the first bike fused with 100% BMW technology and 100% Husqvarna performance as proudly advertised by the company.

9. Motoczysz E1PC: Electric motorcycles are the future since US will be left with oil but nobody to buy at their atrociously high rates. Realizing this An American company with backing from Bajaj Auto has made Electric bikes sporty and fun. The Motoczysz E1pC was the first bike to win Isle of Man TT championship in 99 years hailing from the land of Americas. With a 330V 12.5kwh battery and a complete carbon fiber structure this bike has a lot going in its favour. The C1 prototype has an engine with perfect balance and does not need a balance shaft. Some of the patented innovations include a slipper clutch with twin clutches, a unique front suspension, and many others.

10.Indian Bomber: Before there was a Honda, Vespa or Harley-Davidson, the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer was a company named 'Indian' which is now more than 112 years old. The company had saw bad times during the world wars and after bankruptcy some companies also imported various Enfield models from UK to be re-badged as Indian . Now owned by Polaris Owned Victory Motorcycles, Indian is still unique in the way its engines are specced and its body shells armed.

Awesome concept bikes

1. Honda CB750: This 2015 Honda CB 750 is a predecessor to the 1970s-80s CB. The frame and body is a unibody contstruction combining carbon fiber, aluminum, and titanium. The concept is designed independantly from Honda by a talented 'Igor Chak'. This eco-ride is powered with a four-cylinder liquid hydrogen engine and has a six-speed dual-clutch transmission with electronic lurch and traction control. We might see the bike in production albeit with a Honda Petrol engine.

2. Yamaha Tesseract: Displayed at the 2007 Tokyo Auto Show, This bike actually has four wheels excluding it from the list of motorcycles even though its purely one. Recent patent filings indicate that Yamaha may actually intend to build something like this for production. Powered by an electric hybrid liquid-cooled V-twin, the Tesseract promises ample torque and a top speed that will be theoretical everywhere but a racetrack, and when at rest, the machine will remain upright without the need for a stand via a dual arm-lock system.

3. Moto Guzzi De Guisti: Hailing from the Olevano Romano, east of Rome, Italy, Paulo De Giusti has designed some of the most striking Moto Guzzi concept motorcycles that we've ever seen. Inspired by the old Moto Guzzi productions single cylinder bikes’ style, designer Paolo De Giusti has designed three Naked bikes that flaunt their extra good looks and green credentials. Designed to be romantic is the “900 SD Big Mono Naked” that uses diesel/electric engines and comes in the red and the black models. It uses a single cylinder 903 cc with direct injection and turbo diesel engine that makes it ideal for fast riding. This would be placed in a carbon fiber and aluminum frame that uses the motor and fuel tank as stressed members.

4.  Subaru Kickboxer: Subaru knows how the car industry is crowded and the company might be looking into alternatives including two wheelers.Designer Ian McElroy has envisioned a Subaru motorcycle that runs a horizontally-opposed boxer engine, something only few motorcycles currently run.  The Subaru Kickboxer Motorcycle Concept is a street beast with muscles on muscles, thanks to its uniquely set 4 cam, 16 valve engine.  The front and rear wheels feature single-side swingarms, giving the chassis a floating effect from the vehicle’s left side.  The design itself is futuristic, chromed to the nines and appearing like nothing else on the road today.  This Kickboxer looks more like a weapon than a motorcycle. The engine for the layman is sourced from Subaru's WRX series.

5. Kawasaki ZX-10R Vannesson Concept: If it aint raw and green, it ain't a Kawasaki. Imagined and illustrated by Jérôme Vannesson from MotoRevue, the bike is pure motorcycle design nirvana. The Kawasaki ZX-10 impression attached with the tail of a hornet, traces of an RC8 or YZF-M gives the bike an angular racer look that is very eye-catching.

6. KTM Stunt/ Race 125 : With a controlling stake owned by Bajaj Auto, A lot has begun to happen at KTM. The KTM 125 Project is said to be the start of a full series of new small-bore machines targeted at young riders. So far, KTM has introduced prototypes of a naked bike in Stunt and Race versions. KTM continues to expand its street lineup with attractive models for young riders – a smart move for creating life-long customers.

7.  Bimota SB9: The daredevil amongst all companies, Bimota has literally put out concepts on sale from time to time. The Tesi and 500V-due are the prime examples. But since emerging from Bankruptcy the company has not had that wild edge it was once known for. Here comes the SB9 motorcycle. It is ok to scream oohs!! and aahs!! coz Bimota is more of a boutique biker maker than a manufacturer. They source their parts from major bike companies around Europe.

8. Husqvarna Mille 3:  With that takeover by the guys at BMW, Husqvarna has got wings to fly high. This is proven with the Husqvarna Mille 3. The Mille 3 Concept is powered by a fuel-injected 933cc V-3 engine with the cylinders and heads taken from the Husky’s off-road bikes.The steel chassis brings back the classic Husqvarna central "tubone" design, a single-piece tubular form. The double rear beam with aluminium stays is fitted to the outside of the chassis uprights

9. Aprilia FV2 1200: Just like Husqvarna, Aprilia has also increased their level of daring. The Aprilia FV2 1200 is just proof enough. The heart of the FV2 1200 is Aprilia's mighty, 1200 cc, 90° V twin, a power plant that confirms Aprilia's determination to develop high capacity, high technology engines using in-house skills and competence. The minimalist bodywork of the FV2 1200 creates a stunning preponderance of volume towards the front of the bike. The result is a revolutionary, courageous and futuristic look that is destined to form the solid basis for the evolution of Aprilia motorcycle styling.

10 CR&S DUU: The CR&S DUU is a unique model around the world’s motorcycle context. For the first time two motorcyclist excellences are gathered: Italian sporty rolling chassis and design powered by a muscular American big-twin. The American big displacement engine’s attraction, and particularly its muscular torque, doesn’t have any equivalent at all. And for a lot of motorcycles fans, the air cooling system and the pushrod distribution are elements issued from a rich historical past. But it is not a model born only for the huge American open roads. The chassis and its handling performances are much more evolved than what can be thought. These parts have been engineered and designed to warrant a complete riding satisfaction on every kind of  routes, even on fast bends or mountain’s narrow roads. The DUU is an innovative motorcycle, "modular and muscular", with durable materials and components, equipped with a powerful, rugged and reliable engine. 

Special mentions

Moto Guzzi V12

BMW IMME 12

Best motorcycles of all times

1. Kawasaki H2 Mach III and Mach IV (1969-1980): Introduced in 1968, Kawasaki earned repute as the wild driver solely based on these bikes. t was the quickest production motorcycle at the time. When motorcycle journalists expressed disbelief, Kawasaki suggested they take a new H1 to the drag strip. Using a regular production model with only 7 miles on it, Tony Nicosia ran the quarter mile in 12.96 seconds at 100.7 mph (162.1 km/h) for the press to witness. The official figure was 12.4 secs by Mike Wenzel. Updated with more power and better front disc brakes, the H2 Mach IVbecame the undisputed king of the streets, even beating legendary muscle cars of the era such as the Plymouth Hemi Cuda. It was notoriously dangerous, being prone to up-and-over wheelies and speed wobbles. The dangerous handling characteristics arising from its mediocre frame design caused it to be nicknamed the "Widowmaker" by motorcycle enthusiasts of the 1970s.

2. Yamaha RZ/RD 350 (1973-1995): Released following the success enjoyed by the Kawasaki Mach machines, Yamaha launched the Yamaha RD350 (RZ350 in certain markets). The bike had several innovations for the two-stroke machine such as reed valve equipped intake system. The frame of the bike was derived from another Yamaha bike the TZ. Being lower in capacity Yamaha made less power than Kawasaki thus proving a better handler. Some 1979 models also had a larger bored 400cc engine and US dealers are also rumoured to have received 500cc models for a short duration. A liquid cooled model was also launched with the monikers 'LC' which set the Company sales charts on fire. The biked was launched in India under the name 'Rajdoot 350' but cult followers renamed it 'Yamdoot 350' on the lines of Kawasaki 'Widowmaker'.

3.  Honda NSR 500 (1984-2003): Honda was the last of the motorcycle makers to enter the 2-stroke performance segment learning from the drawbacks of the other bike makers. The Honda NSR500 debuted in 1984. The NSR 500 led to Honda winning ten 500cc grand prix races with six in a row from 1994-1999. A 250cc sibling also won six grand prix championships sealing Honda's name in the the racing world at the top. The NSR series was the last of the motorcycles to be retired due to emission restrictions and fuel polictics of the United States. Very few of the 500cc series were available for retail sale and only 250cc models survive.

4. MV Agusta F4 CC(1999-present): It costs an arm and a leg and possibly more to own one of these motorcycles. But the motorcycle that announced the rebirth of MV Agusta is nothing less than a technological and design marvel. Designed by Massimo Tamburini, The F4 is unique with its four pipe undertail exhaust. The engine was derived from the 1990–1992 Ferrari Formula One engine. MV (Cagiva at the time) quickly deviated from the Ferrari design, but they kept one important feature, the radial valves. The F4 engine is unique in the sense that it is the only radial valved motorcycle engine currently in production. With 200 bhp on tap, the bike is not only the most expensive but also the most powerful and most composed to drive on road as well as track. MV Agusts also holds the record for the highest number of limited edition variants. (18 till date). Priced at 100,000 pounds the bike has titanium engine parts.

 5. BMW S1000RR (2009-present)- BMW manufactured 1,000 production models in 2009 to satisfy World Superbike homologation requirements, but expanded production for commercial sale of the bike in 2010. In certain limited edition versions, the bike matches MV Agusta F4CC in performance numbers at a slightly lower price point. The bike has an uneven front fairing design which the German designers say is to facilitate aerodynamics at high speeds. The bike is already a holder of numerous awards and the viral ad for the bike has already crossed a record number on Youtube.

6. Norton Commando (1967-1977)(2006-Present): Winning the 'Machine of the Year' award for five years in a row (1968-1972), Norton was an immidiate rage upon its availability for sale. Based on an older design and engine, it was the surprise hit for the company.  The 750cc engine was borrowed from the Atlas. In 1975, Britain's reducing capital treasuries led to political upheavals leading to bankruptcy of the Original Norton. The company name has since seen many owners in US and the UK finally resting in the hands of Norton Racing UK.  The new machine was built on the basis of the original Commando, with upgraded components and a significantly modified engine.The Commando 961 SS combined traditional Norton cafe racer styling with new technology. This included carbon fibre wheels to reduce weight, a counterbalanced engine, and a chro-moly tubular steel frame.

7.Triumph Bonneville T100 (1959-1983)(1985-1988)(2001-present): The Bonneville from Triumph is one of the oldest surviving motorcycle name in the world. Named after the Bonneville Salt flats used by motorcycle companies for testing and speed record runs, the motorcycle has made a record for itself. The current version, produced since 2001 by the modern successor of the original company, is a completely redesigned and re-engineered evolution of the original design. Since the arrival of the current 'Hinckley Bonneville', produced in Hinckley, the earlier T120 and T140, produced in Meriden, have been referred to as 'Meriden Bonnevilles', to distinguish between the versions.

8. Ducati 999 (1987- Present): Ducati's signature sports bike made humble beginnings in the Ducati 851. The first bike under Cagiva ownership to use Desmodronic head provided this bike with the much needed punch. The 888 saw a bigger engine and electronic fuel injection. The subsequent ducati bikes have won numerous Motorcycle races. Ducati's supersport bike has also won design awards and being displayed regularly at numerous fashion shows.

9. Royal Enfield Interceptor (1960-1970): n 1960, Royal Enfield introduced the first motorcycle bearing the name Interceptor. It had a highly tuned version of the company's biggest engine, the 692cc vertical twin and was only sold in the USA and Canada. The newer 750cc bikes are known for their reliability and torque. The engine cases were beefed up to withstand the increased torque. What sets this engine apart from other contemporary British twins is that the crankshaft was dynamically balanced from the factory which made these bikes one of the smoothest British twin engines ever. The models were sold until the british Subsidiary went bankrupt.

10. Jawa 250/350 (1946-1996)- One of the rare jewels to come from the Russian countries, Jawa's 250cc and 350cc motorcycles were a worldwide success due to their reliability. These were the only models to be produced worldwide under different names even after the companies bankruptcy. Frantisek Janecek began manufacturing Wanderer motorcycles under licence in 1927 in order to diversify the interests of his arms factory. Having bought the tooling for a 500 cc model, in 1929 he rebranded the machine with the name JAWA, derived from the first two letters of the words "Janacek" and "Wanderer". Based on their reliability and capability to run on spirits, the bike was termed 'forever bike, forever value'.

Racing tracks / circuits

1. Nardo Ring: The circuit is located in Nardo, Italy and gains its name from the same.The track length is 12.5kms and is round in shape. The circuit is designed in such a way that the driver can drive at 240kmph (150 mph) while not turning the steering. The Koenigsegg CCR broke the record for the fastest car at Nardo before being beaten by Buggati Veyron  at another circuit.

2. Circuit De Monaco- The most unique race circuit till date the circuit is named after the city. The circuit is laid on the roads of the city. The circuit is mostly used for Formula racing in the month of May. The building and dismantling of the circuit on the city roads takes a total of 9 weeks and is a major source of revenue. The track is also famous for containing both the slowest corner and an extremely fast corner at the same time. The track length is 3.34kms.

3. Indianapolis motor speedway- The circuit is located in Speedway, Indiana, USA. The track is 2.5 miles/ 4.0 kms in length. The circuit is one of the oldest built in 1909 and has a capacity of 400000 making it the largest seating capacity of any racing circuits in the world. Apart from hosting F1 racing for a short duration the track is mostly used for Nascar, Moto GP and Indy car racing events. The starting line is unique in that it is made of bricks.

4. Daytona International Speedway- Daytona circuit is located at Daytona beach Florida and is one of the more beautiful tracks. The circuit is host to Daytona 500 race which is one of the signature races of NASCAR. The track length is identical to Indianapolis at 2.5 miles/ 4.0 kms. The Daytona circuit is also the only circuit to host the F1 power boat racing at the Lake Lloyd situated on the circuit premises itself.

5. Circuit De la Sarthe - Unknown to most people, the Circuit De La Sarthe is located at Le Mans, France. This has led to the circuit being famously called the Le Mans circuit. The circuit is mostly known to host the 24 hours Le Mans GT races. The circuit is one of the longest in the world at 13.6 kms/ 8.46 miles. The Le Mans Motorcycle race and Moto GP motorcycle race are also held here.

6. Silverstone circuit- One of the very few well built tracks located in the UK, the Silverstone circuit is based in Northampshire and Buckingham shire counties of UK. The circuit is 5.9kms / 3.66 miles in length. The circuit has hosted Formula One, Moto GP, WSBK and Le Mans races.

7.Catalunya circuit- The circuit de Catalunya is located in the famed city of Barcelona, Spain. The circuit is 4.65 kms/ 2.87 miles in length. The circuit is responsible for holding the Spanish F1 Grand Prix. The circuit construction was taken place at the same time as construction for Olympic games. Thanks to the extreme testing for R&D that takes place at Catalunya, the circuit is the hot favorite amongst all race car drivers. The circuit has also hosted Moto GP motorcycle races.

8.  Laguna Seca Racing Circuit -is located in California USA. The circuit length is 2.23 miles/  3.6 kms. The name Laguna Seca is Spanish for dry lake. The circuit is so named since it is located on the bed of dried lake. A man made pond has since been added to the venue.The circuit has hosted Can-AM, Trans-AM, American Le Mans, WSBK and Moto GP races. In recent times Mazda has officially sponsored the track renaming it as Laguna Seca Racing Circuit.

9. Sepang International Circuit- Sepang International circuit is located in Sepang, Malaysia, very near to the Kuala Lumpur International Airport. It is very famous Track for Formula1 and Moto GP races. The circuit is 5.54 kms /3.44 miles long. The Sepang circuit is famous for its very beautifully designed stands and boasts of more than 100000 spectator capacity.

10. Nurburgring- Based near the town of Nurburg, The Nurburgring race track is one of the more widely known racing centers. The old track before Nurburgring was termed as 'The Green Hell' and considered the most demanding circuit in the world. The track is one of the longest at 28.26 kms/ 17.56 miles.

11. Gilles Villeneuve-  Gilles Villeneuve  Racing circuit is a race track located in Montreal, Canada. Unlike most American race tracks, The Gilles Villeneuve race track is the most well maintained and prepared for races such as Formula1, Canadian Grand Prix, Nascar and Grand AM series. After being dropped from the F1 list for 2007, the Montreal GP turned out to be the longest race in 2011. It is also the only circuit to be constructed on an Island on river St. Lawrenece. Before the death of Gilles Villeneuve, the circuit was known as Il Notre Dame circuit. The circuit is 4.36 kms / 2.7 miles long.

12. Yas Marina Circuit- The Yas Marina Circuit is located at Abu Dhabi and holds the race for Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Along with Gilles Villeneauve, it is one of the few tracks  to be located on an island. Along with Bahrain International Circuit (The Bahrain International Circuit has been awarded by FIA as the best track to race at for the facilities, design and technology) is the only one of the two race tracks in the Middle East. The circuit is 5.554 km (3.451 mi) long. Abu Dhabi Race track holds the distinction as the only race track to have held a day-night F1 race.

13. Buddh Circuit- The Buddh International circuit is located in Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India. The circuit is 5.141 km (3.194 mi) long. The circuit is has been the most famous for the political corruption and intervention in support of the circuit. The circuit construction has hampered the surrounding areas leading to road jamming, water and electricity problems and pollution. The circuit is a part of the bigger Sports center which is under construction.

14.  Irungattukottai Race Track- Irungattukottai race track is located at Sriperembudur, India. Hence it is also known as Sriperembudur race track. The track is 3.717 km (2.310 mi) long and is the oldest race track in India. It is owned and operated by Madras Motor Sports club.

15. Kari Motor Speedway-The circuit is located near Coimbatore, India. It is 3.2 km (1.4 mi) long. Originally a runway for power gliders, the place was owned by Mr. Karivardhan who was an avid racer on the Indian scene. The racetrack is famous for car and motorcycle testing and various local and sub-continental racing events at held at the venue. JK corporation manufacturing JK branded tyres is a major sponsor of the racing events held at this track.