With an aim to break the notion that fast bikes are meant for racing and stunts, 'R15 Riders Club' is setting a benchmark when it comes to safe riding. Launched in 2014 by Vikram Sathyanarayana and Kaushal P K, this club was born out of sheer passion for long group rides. As of now, it is a 250 plus member group with 150 active members, who are a part of all the rides the club arranges.
"The idea behind choosing R15 bikes exclusively was to maintain the unity in speed while riding in a group. Having different types of bikes can be troublesome in terms of variation in the power of the machine. For us, it is not about showing off or racing; all that matters is that we enjoy the ride and learn something from it. We don't compromise with safety," says Kaushal.
Though the club originally started out of Bengaluru, it has opened new chapters (branches) in Hyderabad and Chandigarh. No matter the place, the riders lay equal emphasis on safety. They say bikes can be dangerous machines if taken for granted and there is no room for careless mistakes on the road. Safety instructions are always given at the start of a ride and have to be followed throughout. "Our motto is to promote safety while riding, where there is only place for pleasant memories.
Even while going for rides, we make sure to have a safe speed limit for everyone which has to be followed. We emphasise on using indicators and hand signals while changing routes or taking a deviation. This is to make the rider behind and in front of us aware of the situation. While riding on the highway, we don't cross a speed of 150 kph and always ride in a line and maintain a safe distance," says Kempa Anand, an active member of the club. Sanjay N M adds, "We have seen the members strictly following road rules after joining the club, especially in the city, which is an encouraging sight. People generally have a notion that if a group of riders gear up, they are up to something. We are here to break that cliché."
So what are the safety measures they follow? "The one thing that we follow is the discipline ride — moving in an order is the foremost thing. And wearing complete riding gear is a must. We don't entertain half helmets, so it is compulsory to have a full-faced certified helmet, riding jackets with elbow, chest, back, shoulders and arm pads, knee guard and boots. When a rider enrols with the club, we check for the validation of documents like driving licence and insurance. We also observe over a few rides whether they have an inner passion for riding or are more inclined towards stunts and racing," says Vikram Sathyanarayana.
They have a few women riders as well who join them for some of the rides. The club meets every second Sunday of a month for rides and covers places that are within a radius of 250 km in and around the city. "There are times when we go for a 2 or 3-day ride as well, whenever we all get a longer holiday. However, since all of us are either college students or professionals, we don't usually get that kind of time. For one day rides, we have gone to Shivanasamudra, Lepakshi, Yelagiri, Yercaud, Hassan, Krishnagiri and Avalabetta to name a few. We are planning for a ride to the north but time is a big constraint," says Chaloba Patil, another active rider.
"One of my best experiences with the club was the early morning ride to
Shettihalli. There were 19 of us and the best part was the formation and the coordination we had on the highways. As I am a history lover, visiting places like the Rosemary church always leaves a deep impact on me," shares Rahil Sardar.
Surupasree Sarmmah
(The club can be contacted at 9880801840 )
![]( "high spirited (From left) Chaloba Patil, Vikram Sathyanarayana, Rahil Sardar, Kempa Anand and Sanjay N M. DH PHOTO BY S K DINESH")
With an aim to break the notion that fast bikes are meant for racing and stunts, 'R15 Riders Club’ is setting a benchmark when it comes to safe riding. Launched in 2014 by Vikram Sathyanarayana and Kaushal P K, this club was born out of sheer passion for long group rides. As of now, it is a 250 plus member group with 150 active members, who are a part of all the rides the club arranges.
"The idea behind choosing R15 bikes exclusively was to maintain the unity in speed while riding in a group. Having different types of bikes can be troublesome in terms of variation in the power of the machine. For us, it is not about showing off or racing; all that matters is that we enjoy the ride and learn something from it. We don’t compromise with safety,” says Kaushal.
Though the club originally started out of Bengaluru, it has opened new chapters (branches) in Hyderabad and Chandigarh. No matter the place, the riders lay equal emphasis on safety. They say bikes can be dangerous machines if taken for granted and there is no room for careless mistakes on the road. Safety instructions are always given at the start of a ride and have to be followed throughout. "Our motto is to promote safety while riding, where there is only place for pleasant memories.
Even while going for rides, we make sure to have a safe speed limit for everyone which has to be followed. We emphasise on using indicators and hand signals while changing routes or taking a deviation. This is to make the rider behind and in front of us aware of the situation. While riding on the highway, we don’t cross a speed of 150 kph and always ride in a line and maintain a safe distance,” says Kempa Anand, an active member of the club. Sanjay N M adds, "We have seen the members strictly following road rules after joining the club, especially in the city, which is an encouraging sight. People generally have a notion that if a group of riders gear up, they are up to something. We are here to break that cliche.”
So what are the safety measures they follow? "The one thing that we follow is the discipline ride — moving in an order is the foremost thing. And wearing complete riding gear is a must. We don’t entertain half helmets, so it is compulsory to have a full-faced certified helmet, riding jackets with elbow, chest, back, shoulders and arm pads, knee guard and boots. When a rider enrols with the club, we check for the validation of documents like driving licence and insurance. We also observe over a few rides whether they have an inner passion for riding or are more inclined towards stunts and racing,” says Vikram Sathyanarayana.
They have a few women riders as well who join them for some of the rides. The club meets every second Sunday of a month for rides and covers places that are within a radius of 250 km in and around the city. "There are times when we go for a 2 or 3-day ride as well, whenever we all get a longer holiday. However, since all of us are either college students or professionals, we don’t usually get that kind of time. For one day rides, we have gone to Shivanasamudra, Lepakshi, Yelagiri, Yercaud, Hassan, Krishnagiri and Avalabetta to name a few. We are planning for a ride to the north but time is a big constraint,” says Chaloba Patil, another active rider.
"One of my best experiences with the club was the early morning ride to
Shettihalli. There were 19 of us and the best part was the formation and the coordination we had on the highways. As I am a history lover, visiting places like the Rosemary church always leaves a deep impact on me,” shares Rahil Sardar.
Surupasree Sarmmah
(The club can be contacted at 9880801840 )
"The idea behind choosing R15 bikes exclusively was to maintain the unity in speed while riding in a group. Having different types of bikes can be troublesome in terms of variation in the power of the machine. For us, it is not about showing off or racing; all that matters is that we enjoy the ride and learn something from it. We don't compromise with safety," says Kaushal.
Though the club originally started out of Bengaluru, it has opened new chapters (branches) in Hyderabad and Chandigarh. No matter the place, the riders lay equal emphasis on safety. They say bikes can be dangerous machines if taken for granted and there is no room for careless mistakes on the road. Safety instructions are always given at the start of a ride and have to be followed throughout. "Our motto is to promote safety while riding, where there is only place for pleasant memories.
Even while going for rides, we make sure to have a safe speed limit for everyone which has to be followed. We emphasise on using indicators and hand signals while changing routes or taking a deviation. This is to make the rider behind and in front of us aware of the situation. While riding on the highway, we don't cross a speed of 150 kph and always ride in a line and maintain a safe distance," says Kempa Anand, an active member of the club. Sanjay N M adds, "We have seen the members strictly following road rules after joining the club, especially in the city, which is an encouraging sight. People generally have a notion that if a group of riders gear up, they are up to something. We are here to break that cliché."
So what are the safety measures they follow? "The one thing that we follow is the discipline ride — moving in an order is the foremost thing. And wearing complete riding gear is a must. We don't entertain half helmets, so it is compulsory to have a full-faced certified helmet, riding jackets with elbow, chest, back, shoulders and arm pads, knee guard and boots. When a rider enrols with the club, we check for the validation of documents like driving licence and insurance. We also observe over a few rides whether they have an inner passion for riding or are more inclined towards stunts and racing," says Vikram Sathyanarayana.
They have a few women riders as well who join them for some of the rides. The club meets every second Sunday of a month for rides and covers places that are within a radius of 250 km in and around the city. "There are times when we go for a 2 or 3-day ride as well, whenever we all get a longer holiday. However, since all of us are either college students or professionals, we don't usually get that kind of time. For one day rides, we have gone to Shivanasamudra, Lepakshi, Yelagiri, Yercaud, Hassan, Krishnagiri and Avalabetta to name a few. We are planning for a ride to the north but time is a big constraint," says Chaloba Patil, another active rider.
"One of my best experiences with the club was the early morning ride to
Shettihalli. There were 19 of us and the best part was the formation and the coordination we had on the highways. As I am a history lover, visiting places like the Rosemary church always leaves a deep impact on me," shares Rahil Sardar.
Surupasree Sarmmah
(The club can be contacted at 9880801840 )
With an aim to break the notion that fast bikes are meant for racing and stunts, 'R15 Riders Club’ is setting a benchmark when it comes to safe riding. Launched in 2014 by Vikram Sathyanarayana and Kaushal P K, this club was born out of sheer passion for long group rides. As of now, it is a 250 plus member group with 150 active members, who are a part of all the rides the club arranges. "The idea behind choosing R15 bikes exclusively was to maintain the unity in speed while riding in a group. Having different types of bikes can be troublesome in terms of variation in the power of the machine. For us, it is not about showing off or racing; all that matters is that we enjoy the ride and learn something from it. We don’t compromise with safety,” says Kaushal.
Though the club originally started out of Bengaluru, it has opened new chapters (branches) in Hyderabad and Chandigarh. No matter the place, the riders lay equal emphasis on safety. They say bikes can be dangerous machines if taken for granted and there is no room for careless mistakes on the road. Safety instructions are always given at the start of a ride and have to be followed throughout. "Our motto is to promote safety while riding, where there is only place for pleasant memories.
Even while going for rides, we make sure to have a safe speed limit for everyone which has to be followed. We emphasise on using indicators and hand signals while changing routes or taking a deviation. This is to make the rider behind and in front of us aware of the situation. While riding on the highway, we don’t cross a speed of 150 kph and always ride in a line and maintain a safe distance,” says Kempa Anand, an active member of the club. Sanjay N M adds, "We have seen the members strictly following road rules after joining the club, especially in the city, which is an encouraging sight. People generally have a notion that if a group of riders gear up, they are up to something. We are here to break that cliche.”
So what are the safety measures they follow? "The one thing that we follow is the discipline ride — moving in an order is the foremost thing. And wearing complete riding gear is a must. We don’t entertain half helmets, so it is compulsory to have a full-faced certified helmet, riding jackets with elbow, chest, back, shoulders and arm pads, knee guard and boots. When a rider enrols with the club, we check for the validation of documents like driving licence and insurance. We also observe over a few rides whether they have an inner passion for riding or are more inclined towards stunts and racing,” says Vikram Sathyanarayana.
They have a few women riders as well who join them for some of the rides. The club meets every second Sunday of a month for rides and covers places that are within a radius of 250 km in and around the city. "There are times when we go for a 2 or 3-day ride as well, whenever we all get a longer holiday. However, since all of us are either college students or professionals, we don’t usually get that kind of time. For one day rides, we have gone to Shivanasamudra, Lepakshi, Yelagiri, Yercaud, Hassan, Krishnagiri and Avalabetta to name a few. We are planning for a ride to the north but time is a big constraint,” says Chaloba Patil, another active rider.
"One of my best experiences with the club was the early morning ride to
Shettihalli. There were 19 of us and the best part was the formation and the coordination we had on the highways. As I am a history lover, visiting places like the Rosemary church always leaves a deep impact on me,” shares Rahil Sardar.
Surupasree Sarmmah
(The club can be contacted at 9880801840 )