Pune to host mega superbike congregation

25/11/2015

PUNE : The fifth edition of India Superbike Festival (ISF), one of the largest superbike gatherings, is set to take place at Amanora Park Town on December 5 and 6. A brainchild of city-based biker Amol Talpade, ISF began in 2012 with 200 bikes, progressing to nearly 3,000 bikes this year.

As it only allows bikes of 600 cc and above, the festival attracts bike lovers from different parts of the world. In its first edition, it had pulled a crowd of one lakh people; in 2013, the number of bikes increased by 300 and the number of visitors by one lakh. Last year, five lakh people gathered to see 900 bikes, Talpade said.

As many as 20 biking groups from India are going to participate in the festival and 15 of them are from Maharashtra alone. “India’s first superbike club was started in Delhi, followed by one in Pune. Today, the city has nearly 12 different biker groups and has become the capital of premium bikes in India,” Talpade further said.

 “This year, ISF will display the bikes of renowned manufacturers like Suzuki, Triumph, Indian Motorcycles, Harley Davidson, Benelli, Hyosung, Aprillia, Motoguzzi, Vespa, TVS and Mahindra. In addition, there will also be brands like Cafe Racer, Adventure Moto, Biking Superstore and Atmosphere India. There are many bikers who spend 20 lakh on a bike and another 20 lakh on accessories. So we’re emphasizing on that aspect as well,” Talpade added.

Competitions like the best accessorised motorcycle, king of burnouts, loudest motorcycle in different categories such as 600 cc to 800 cc, 800 cc to 1000 cc and more than 1000cc will also be held at the venue. “The response to the festival is immense from Tamil Nadu to Punjab and from Gujarat to West Bengal. We even have participants from UK and Dubai,” Talpade said. There will also be a vintage bikes arena where over 100 classic bikes will be exhibited. Until 2014, ISF was being held inside the town centre. However, due to the expansions, it has been shifted to Amanora Park Town.

Asked about RTO’s recent directives to fine bikers who contribute to noise pollution, Talpade said that neither ISF nor the participating members promote noise pollution and they’re limited to only competitions at the arena. “Also, evidence shows that due to the sound of super bikes, there are less accidents as people get aware about the bike’s presence when it is far. This is also a good opportunity to make bike lovers aware about safety precautions taken by professional stunt groups,” Talpade added.