Blue Skies, Open Road & Seven Boys On Superbikes. That's How We Like Our Commuters.

Homegrown Staff

Published:8th Jun, 2021 at 5:54 PM

The streets may be sludgy, the pavements parched and cracked, every day presents a new obstacle course of human dominoes, carts and automotives, yet everyday, over 10 million Mumbaikars take to the streets ready to navigate the same potholes and challenge themselves with the ultimate test of character—the commute.

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There are those who tip-toe around the edges, dreading the sweat and stench of getting to and from their destinations. But there are those that revel in it, finding solace in every bump and near-scrape. The ones who’ve shaved their commute time in half by replacing their car’s horn with the roar of their superbike’s engine.
We found a group, a Secret Seven Superbikers club if you will. Seven young men all making their way in the world in incredibly varied and interesting ways with a common penchant for how their preferred free time should pan out--letting their bikes rip across open road, making the unknown know. Considering they spend their work days dreaming about it we decided to make their play our work for a day. The daytime setting was the sparsest of sparse. Industrial, stripped down warehouses, roads that neither begin nor end, and that oft neglected side of the city that many consider to lie on the wrong (Eastern) side of the tracks. But these young bikers? They’re too far off the beaten track to notice such things because once their engines are oiled and their gloved hands have rolled back on the steering's grip, almost everything but the horse power below them tends to fade away.

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For the Levis 'Commuter' series we’ve just embarked on ourselves, we couldn’t think of a more fitting bunch for feature purposes. Here was a circumstantial family whose trips can be as spontaneous and quick (in comparison) as Mahabaleshwar or as long and undulating as making their way to Nepal. Impeccable riding apparel is key either way and as Reza Kazerooni, one of the boys put it, their needs are simple. "Comfort is everything when you're riding and certain traits in apparel are necessary to add to the experience." With features like stretch denim fabric (with higher back-rise for cover) a reflective 3M™ Scotchlite™ tape on the side seams for visibility at night, a 6th pocket on the right side-seam for secured storage and easy access, plus reinforcements in seat, pockets and belt loop for durability, turns out the Levi’s commuter line checked all the right boxes and then some. Signed, sealed and delivered approval from the Secret Seven themselves.

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And so we set out with a group for whom a commute is far too lacking a word to describe what they feel when they ride out together, for whom the journey means so much more than the destination.
Here’s a little context on each of the "boys and their toys." Their words, not ours.
[Next up—bald badasses on Harleys. No really, we’re determined to make this a thing. Watch this space.]

I. Keki Modi

For Keki, a 29-year-old brand manager for Ferrari by day, a “Superbike is a product that moves the soul, mind and then the body. Everything from the design, power and ergonomics to the natural riding position makes you realise just how versatile its use can be. It doesn’t matter whether you’re using the hyper product to buy a packet of gum or ride for hours on end, dragging your knees through the corners. This emotion cannot be explained, it has to be experienced!”

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Journeys and commutes are one and the same to him. Always enjoyable and never a chore as long as he’s on his superbike, destination holding no bar. Twisty roads are better than straight, new routes better than old.
About that riding apparel, here are the details he likes to see:
“Fit & Flexibility. Water Resistant. Multiple concealed pockets. Durable/Long lasting Ventilation/Breath-ability Light weight Large zipper toggle for easy use with gloves.”

II. Dhawal Makwana

For Dhawal Makwana, a 25-year-old who takes care of sales at BMW Motorrad or BMW Motorcycles, and someone who hasn’t skipped a motorcycle ride a single day since he first got his license, “Superbikes aren’t just motorcycles. They take you from your starting point to your destination but everything that happens in that time is exhilaratingly fast. An emotion best experienced firsthand considering it’s a two-wheeled weapon designed to assault one’s senses.”
The best kind of rides? Any which end in pizza or wheelies and power slides. On a more serious note however, Makwana makes time for long weekend rides out of the city (we’re talking 3,300 kms) at least once a month to get him back to his senses and be able to ‘tolerate the world.’

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About that riding apparel, here are the details he likes to see:
“A perfect fit along with the desired flexibility that one needs on a motorcycle does wonders. Comfortable and appropriately sized pockets which are easily usable with gloves on is another desire. Materials which don't retain dust or water is essential for a motorcyclist because the same jeans are used to attend a meeting and then to meet a friend at a party later on in the evening. Materials which let the skin breathe is a necessity too. Ultimately, jeans are not just a piece of fabric covering your body parts, but a part of your lifestyle and an important expression of your persona.”

III. Malcolm Ilavia

For Malcolm, a 27-year-old Operations manager at Smaaash, "a Super bike is the epitome of pleasure on two wheels, or one. It’s like moving on a bag of steroids. Disrespect will damage you and skill will be respected back. It’s beyond words to express it.” Every ride he goes for releases a sense of freedom and as such, fast, short rides are more his thing.
Unsurprising considering he’s a passionate racer, 200 kms at a time leaves him happy for a couple of days but he admits he still has “a lot more to explore.”

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About that riding apparel, here are the details he likes to see:
“The comfort of a rider is the most important when riding as it affects your focus if you are not comfortable on a motorcycle. I would personally like to have a storage place for my phone, which is water proof (I don't like a lot of water proofing as it restricts air flow). A way to protect my shades and keys from flying off when I ride. The fit needs to be very comfortable and not very snug especially because riding needs a lot of body movements.”

IV. Shuvro Sen

For Shuvro, a 28-year-old partner and director of marketing at Redmelon Design, "Superbikes are a way of life and with great power, comes great responsibility.” Discovering unknown roads is possibly his most preferred way of enjoying the Superbike, while journeya or 'commutes' is what he looks forward to everyday. “It adds the life to my day,” he admits.

About that riding apparel, here are the details he likes to see:
“Material/Texture Fit Colour”

V. Zeean Dastur

For Zeean, a 23-year-old commercial diver, Superbikes are all about the unbeatable sense of "acceleration and freedom." He also adds a little advice for non-riders, "The bike also gives you a lot of confidence to ride harder. If you don't ride you will never understand, so ride one." His favourite kind of trips usually involve "long, twisty roads far away from all the traffic and noise of the city."

About that riding apparel, here are the details he likes to see:
“In terms of apparel the most important element for me is the fit and the comfort. I was really surprised at how comfortable the Levi's commuter jeans were. Even the extra pocket for your keys and phone are a particularly important element.”

VI. Mikhail Merchant

For Mikhail, a 24-year-old upcoming model, Superbikes totally stand a class apart from everything else thanks the "power, speed and thrill to test your limits." His favourite kind of trips? "Long bike rides with my boys and their toys," he laughs.

About that riding apparel, here are the details he likes to see:
“Helmet, Boots, Gloves are must haves and a racing suit for protection. Also, a group of biker girls add to the comfort!”

VII. Reza Kazerooni

For 31-year-old Reza, the National Strategic Alliances and Events Head for Monster India, motorcycles have always been a part and parcel of his childhood. He grew up watching people ride and race, visiting motor shows, reading bike magazines and post owning multiple Indian motorcycles over the past few years he's only just graduated to owning a Superbike. "She holds a lot of value in my life," he concedes."There are moments where I love to ride her around or even just wipe her clean to see that sparkle on her. It’s a special bond we share, which is very difficult to express or share with anyone else."
As far as preferences go, Reza's all about the unknown. "When I get the time, I generally like travelling up to a destination I haven’t been before. I generally pick destinations up in the mountains which are which are not very over populated and commercial."

About that riding apparel, here are the details he likes to see
"Something light, something that fits well (fabric), something with convenient, comfortable and safe pockets which would hold up my basic tools such as wallet, keys etc without spoiling the shape / fit of the jeans."

Photographer : Akshay Tambe

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