The experience of riding your favourite bike, taking it wherever you want, whenever you want is unmatched. Gushing wind in your hair and hearing the roar of your bike, just riding carelessly. This is the feeling behind a person's elaborate and lavish collection of bikes from around the world. These bikes take them into a world where no rules apply and they can be free. Some motorcycle collectors also collect bikes for the love of these powerful machines and the kick of an adventure. Here are some of the Indian motorcycle collectors' garages you must visit if you're a bike lover:
Ramkumar Giri is a hotelier famous for his luxury bike collection which is said to be the largest bike collection in India. Giri fell in love with the bikes as a child developed bike riding as hobby. He started riding in 1980 and went on to win the Bullet Novice National Championship in 1982. His collection includes a diverse mix of bikes- classics for the 1940 to the latest superbikes. His personal favourite is the Triumph Thunderbird 650 cc twin, 1963 model. One of his most priced additions to his garage is the Matchless 1956 model. Ramkumar Giri's garage is one of the motorcycle collectors' garages you must visit if you ever make a trip to Coimbatore.
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A retired bank employee, bike collector and restorer, Mangat Swaminathan is a bike lover who spends his days collecting bikes and restoring old British bikes in Kerela. Swami owned 18 classic bikes himself but later sold eight due to lack of space in his house. However, each bike he has restored, including a Shamrock green 1960 BSA CB33 and a 1956 AJS Model 16MS, has been photographed and collected in an album. He doesn't believe in commercialising his work as it gives him happiness to restore these bikes.
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Punekar Vini Kenjale owns a collection of more than 500 two-wheelers including classic bikes, scooters and mopeds. He is one of the biggest motorcycle collectors in India who began collecting classic two wheelers as a hobby around 40 years back. Since then, he has added bikes like the Bajaj Chetak in his collection that are no longer available anywhere in the market. He also has rare bikes like the Kinetic Honda, 1940 Matchless, Lambretta 59 in his collection. With his elaborate collection that even includes cycles, Vinit is an inspiration for rookie motorcycle collectors around the world who want to follow their passion for bike collection.
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Anil Shet is an avid biker, adventure sports lover and one of India's top motorcycle collectors. He owns a wide range of modern and vintage bikes. He also owns jeeps and off-roading bicycles in his collection.
Motorcycle collectors all over the world take pride in their collection and the effort they put in to maintain their bikes. Although it's not an easy task it sure is rewarding and inspiring.
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