7 Legendary Bikes Every Indian Bike Lover Misses

There was a time when bikes like the RX100 Karizma were everywhere. People loved their sound and their look. These bikes were not just for travel they made riding fun and felt special. People would proudly show them to friends and still remember them today. But slowly these bikes stopped being made. Some were gone because of new rules and others because people started liking different kinds of bikes. In this article we will talk about 7 famous Indian bikes that once ruled the roads why people loved them why they went away and if they might ever come back.

There wasn’t just one reason. Some of these bikes were stopped because they no longer met pollution rules and Others faded out because people’s preferences changed. And a few were just dropped quietly when sales slowed down. Here’s what really happened:

• There are a few main reasons why those famous bikes are not seen much anymore. First, the government started new rules for pollution. Many old bikes especially the ones with two stroke engines made a lot of smoke and could not meet these rules properly which is why companies had to stop selling them.
• Next over time, people wanted different things in their bikes and scooters. They looked for ease of use or with quieter engines This meant bikes with kick start and loud noise became less popular while new gearless scooters and smoother engines took their place.
• Another reason is that when buyers stopped choosing these older models and their sales dropped a lot. If not enough people are buying a bike the company just cannot keep making it. They focus instead on models that more people want.
• Big bike makers also shifted their focus. They started making new bikes with better engines that save fuel and to look sporty, and are sometimes even fully electric. The older bikes no longer fit into these new plans so they were slowly stopped.
• Lastly, looking after these old bikes became a problem. Spare parts were hard to find and not many mechanics knew how to fix them anymore. When a bike gets too hard to repair people usually just get something newer and easier.

This bike came out in the mid eighties and became super popular. It was fast, 2 stroke engine and could hit 100 km/h, very light, and made a loud sound that everyone recognized. Young people loved it because it made them feel free and cool. It stopped being sold because its engine could not pass the new pollution tests. Yamaha might bring it back with a cleaner engine, but the new one will not have the same sound and feel.

The Hero Honda CBZ was one of India’s first bikes to look and feel sporty with a smooth four stroke engine. It became extremely popular with college students and young adults who wanted something standout and fast. Over the years, newer bikes with better features and fresh designs came to the market. BUT CBZ’s sales went down and the company quietly stopped producing it leaving many fans still missing its unique style and performance.

Bajaj Chetak was a famous scooter that almost every family had in their home . Strong and durable it could carry heavy items making it perfect for daily family use. Its simplicity made repairs easy. But new government pollution rules made its two stroke engine outdated. But then new scooters without gears became easier and more popular so not many people wanted the old Chetak anymore and the company stopped making it now a lot of people still remember it with love

Royal Enfield Machismo 350 was a heavy and stylish bike with a strong deep sound from its engine it was loved by people who wanted something different from the regular . The Bullet has its chrome parts and special look made it stand out but later Royal Enfield started making new models like the Classic 350 with better engines and more people started buying those so the Machismo 350 was stopped but bike lovers still think about it fondly.

TVS Suzuki Shogun was a very bold and quick bike, famous for its loud, aggressive engine sound. It was a dream bike for school and college students who craved speed and excitement. The Shogun’s two stroke engine but produced too much pollution. When the government introduced stricter emissions rules the bike couldn’t continue Also, the partnership between TVS and Suzuki ended so production stopped. Fans still talk about its roar and the fun it gave riders.

Kinetic Honda DX was one of India’s earliest scooters with electric start and no gears which made riding extremely easy. Women, older people, and those not comfortable with gears loved the convenience it offered. Its simple design became a favorite for city travel. But , as time went on, newer and better scooters entered the market with more features. Because other scooters became more popular and pollution rules also changed the Kinetic Honda DX slowly disappeared from the roads

Bajaj Pulsar 220F was a fast and good looking bike that people liked because it gave them speed and style without costing too much. It stood out with its sporty looks and smooth performance has becoming popular among the youth. Once new pollution rules came out the older version’s carbureted engine was banned. Bajaj brought in new versions with cleaner technology but many fans say the original feel and thrill of the earlier Pulsar 220F can never truly be replaced.
These old bikes were not perfect. Some were noisy OR some made too much smoke, and some were heavy. But they had something special that made people feel a real connection. New bikes today are faster and better for the environment but they do not have the same soul or charm. If companies bring back these bikes they will be different because of the new rules and engines. What we have left now are memories and a small hope that if they come back, they still make us feel the same way inside.

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1. Which is the best discontinued Indian bike for collectors?The Yamaha RX100 is the most sought-after by collectors today.
2. Can I convert my old 2-stroke bike to electric?Technically yes, but it requires expert modification and RTO approval.
3. Why are old bikes more powerful than new ones? Older bikes focused more on performance than emissions or mileage.
4. How do I know if my old bike is now banned? Check with your RTO for local rules on registration and pollution norms.