Biking in India is transforming fast. The nation’s most enthusiastic riders have caught the ADV bug and are blessed with an incredibly diverse geography to explore. Kartik Gilatar, a 25-year-old, Mumbai-based photographer and owner of media agency Inline 3 Media, is representative of the transformation.
Kartik Gilatar, a 25-year-old, Mumbai-based photographer and owner of media agency Inline 3 Media, is representative of Indian biking’s transformation. We asked him for insight on the changes motorcycling is undergoing in his home country.
KRIEGA Please start by telling us how you got into bikes.
Kartik Gilatar As the first in my family who can ride a motorcycle, my motorcycling story is less of a grand tale and more of a late-night YouTube rabbit hole. I was 16 and watching a video featuring Indian comic and actor Vir Das exploring the Himalayas and Ladakh. At the end of the video, he showed the motorcycle he was riding, a Royal Enfield. I was curious how a motorcycle could handle such terrain. I typed ‘Royal Enfield’ into YouTube and saw a video titled ‘Royal Enfield Desert Storm’. I found the name quite cheesy, but clicked on it, watched the first video, and from that day on I have been in love with motorcycling and my own Desert Storm [Kartik on his Enfield below].
And what about your entry into photography?
I started exploring on my Royal Enfield, taking photos with my phone, documenting my journeys, and I loved the process. One day, my brother-in-law left his Canon DSLR at my place. I asked a friend who was into photography to teach me the basics of using it, and began taking it on my explorations. I fell in love not only with riding and exploring, but also with capturing the people and the very essence of motorcycle exploration.
How has motorcycling changed in India since you were a boy?
Not just since I was a boy, but also over the last four to five years. People in India have realised that a motorcycle is more than just a mode of transportation. Thanks to social media and the internet, people are becoming aware of the spirit of adventure and are venturing out to explore different places. This awareness has made them realize that the two-wheeled vehicle they used for daily commutes can also be used for adventures, whether that’s climbing the highest road in the world or enjoying a beer on a beach in Goa.
What are the main circumstances causing this change?
I do feel that people are getting richer in this country and using their wealth for leisure activities. This is combined with the rise in social media influencers promoting travel and exploration. Royal Enfield has played a significant role in [making people go] exploring the mountains and other remote areas in this country.
The Royal Enfield Bullet has always been synonymous with Ladakh, the Himalayas, and exploration. While other brands in India focused on commuting, Royal Enfield catered to those who wanted to go beyond their daily commute and explore the world. Royal Enfield’s growth and influence has been crucial in the evolution of motorcycling in India, providing people with good, affordable, and reliable motorcycles that can be ridden anywhere in the country, allowing even ordinary individuals to venture out and wander on a motorcycle.
[Royal Enfield’s growth is astonishing. In 2009 they were producing fewer than 35,000 bikes per year. In 2023 they made over 850,000].
Above is a photo of you on the new Himalayan. Did the original Himalayan change how people regard motorcycles in India?
Yes, but there were a lot of mixed emotions at the time, and there are still mixed feelings about the new Himalayan as well. It definitely opened doors for the adventure motorcycle scene in India, but it had its fair share of issues, causing the mixed feelings. Over time RE improved it, and it turned into a solid entry-level adventure bike. By then, there were other options in the market like the Hero Xpulse 200, and KTM Adventure 250 and 390, so people had more to compare it with, and the Himalayan 411 started to feel a bit lacking. Like most Royal Enfield models in India, there’s always that group that loves it, and then there’s the group that’s just not into it.
The kind of people commuting on very tough trails with their whole family on a motorcycle really don’t care about the Himalayan. For them, their trusty old Hero Honda commuting motorcycle is more than enough because it offers great mileage, is much cheaper than the Himalayan, and serves their daily commuting needs well. In places where families commute on a single motorcycle, the Himalayan is more of a status symbol than a practical everyday commuter.
Is the Bullet still the bike to have among much of the population?
There is a documentary called Chasing the Bullet in which Delhi custom motorcycle builder Bobby Singh says, ‘People buy the new Royal Enfield because of the old Royal Enfield.’ I think that encapsulates how Royal Enfield is perceived in India. The legacy of the older Bullet paved the way for everything else. It started the whole era of exploring the Himalayas and every corner of the nation. This helped Enfield sell more of the new generation Bullet, which slowly gave rise to the Himalayan. Before we knew it, the adventure motorcycle genre in India started booming.
What’s your favourite route, road or region to explore?
The Himalayas. My relationship with the area has always been mystical, and I think this drives my need to go out there and explore these mountain ranges, even if I’ve been there a thousand times. The terrain you come across up, whether it’s freshly laid tarmac, gravel, sand, extreme off-road, or bone-chilling water crossings, means you can never get enough of the Himalayas on a motorcycle.
We see you and the guys you ride with wearing high-end equipment and clothing from Kriega, Klim, Leatt and others. Average wages are lower in India compared to most of Kriega’s strong markets, so what kind of decisions are bikers making when they buy this gear?
Most of the riders [you’re referring to] are high earners. In my experience, the people who usually go for premium equipment are seasoned riders who understand that it is more of an investment than a regular purchase. The ones who are just starting are youngsters, mostly in high school and college, who have the passion and energy for motorcycling, but have yet to understand the importance of investing in good equipment. That comes with experience and saddle time.
Can you put the investment an Indian rider makes into say, a Trail18, into context?
It would be a month’s wage or at least 80% of the month’s salary for a 21-, 22-year-old guy working as an intern, right after college, in a really good corporate company in a big city like Mumbai or Delhi. But as I mentioned earlier, the desire to buy equipment like Kriega comes with experience and saddle time which is not usually possessed by the early-20s guys starting their motorcycling journey.
Kriega has a really strong cult following in India, can you explain why?
Once again, it's the rise of the internet and social media. People are not only getting into motorcycling but also looking up to legends like Chris Birch, Pol Tarres, and Indian motorcyclists who have gained considerable fame. We often see these riders wearing and using Kriega.
Personally, I look up to motorcyclists like Harsh Man Rai [above], Vir Nakai, Varad More, Vijay Parmar, and my favourite Gorm Moto, all of whom I’ve seen using Kriega gear. That inspired me to go get one. All of this, combined with the fact that people are starting to take the sport seriously, leads to more sensible purchasing decisions. Riders now look for gear that not only elevates their riding experience but also offers long-term value. Whether it's investing in quality boots, like Tech10s, or a Kriega backpack, it's a mix of being inspired by the riders we admire and making smart choices that enhance our motorcycling journey.
How do you see the progression of motorcycling, as an enthusiast’s pastime, in India?
The concept of going to a track and spending time riding around it to get better is slowly and steadily growing in India. I see this increasing a lot, not just on race tracks but also on off-road tracks.
There is an upsurge in adventure motorcycling in India right now, doing it purely for fun, and investing time in exploring, gaining track knowledge, registering for courses, and putting in the effort to improve. People dedicate their weekends to it because they love it and the sport.
Do you see any trends or threats to motorcycling in India, or just increased growth?
I see a mix of both. People are supportive, and number of communities are being built with the goal of riding together, supporting fellow riders, and keeping the ‘biking brotherhood’ spirit alive. The motorsport side of it is getting the recognition it deserves, with athletes emerging from different parts of this country. However, with the rise of motorcycling as a hobby, an escape, and a mode of exploration, the desire to grab a piece of this trend and the fame that comes with it has led some motorcyclists, especially youngsters who are just starting out, to be blinded by the trend and the fame, ignoring safety. The masses are not provided with the necessary information for safety and a basic understanding of the sport but are fed only the entertainment and glittery side of it.
Those who have fame and a large following can use their voice and channels to spread the crucial information needed by upcoming riders.
What next for you?
Professionally, I am gearing up for another shoot down south in India. From a bucket list adventure perspective, I would love to take a break from my professional shoots and go out there to explore on my Royal Enfield Classic 500. I want to hit the highway and keep riding without any specific goals, just spending quality time with my motorcycle and doing what I love: exploring.
Follow Kartik on Instagram at @iikartikii
Photos: Kartik Gilatar/Kriega