Aug 07, 2009 10:43 PM
12946 Views
In the summer of 1998, when I was in class 7, my dad was talking about buying a new bike.After riding the faithful workhorse Suzuki Ax-100R for 12 years, my dad had decided to go for a 4-stroker.At that time there were not too many options available.4-stroker meant Hero Honda.we could have called it the Golden age of HH. On my School Bus that day, while looking out of the window I saw this Maroon color Bike.Huge(at that time)stature.and when the guy zipped past me.WHAT AN EXHAUST NOTE!.That day when I reached home, I ran to my dad and said, "Dad u got to take a look at this bike.he was like "what?.Bajaj?.no."and he thought for a moment and he said "ok.lets check it out tomorrow".at that time KB 4-s champion had already made a little success.So my dad thought it might not be all that bad an idea to check it out.
Next day in the evening we headed to Susee Bajaj in Katpadi road in my hometown Vellore.Outside there was a huge Poster of Caliber, and the catch phrase was "THE UNSHAKABLE".He took it for a test ride.meanwhile I was checking out the Showroom.he came back with a BIG SMILE.a man riding a puny 2-stroke for 12 years(i didn't mention, my dad was a university Weight lifting champion in his prime, he is 5'10' tall and was 100 kgs back then).and to ride a tall bike with so much of legroom and a tall handle.wow he was going nuts.He got down the bike and said, "I think they made this Bike for me".
Next day, spot cash.bike was in our hands.we both roamed the town the whole night on our new bike.(My Dad and I had a very close bond.he used to take me out wherever he went.and since I was the only child, I was given a lot of pampering).
The headlights.damn, they were powerful.We used to make a lot of small trips around to Palamathi hills and Amirthi forest very often.and by that time I had learnt to ride on my Suzuki.so finally after I earned the trust of my dad with my riding skills, I got my hand on The Caliber.i was 13.went to Basketball court in the evening as usual.all my Friends out there turned around after hearing the exhaust note!.they were like "Macha, awesome da!".I took them all for a ride.wow those were the days!.
A year after that HH CBZ was launched.everyone started talking about CBZ and its deadly AD campaigns and its skyrocketing Price.Caliber soon became just another bike.but who cares.it still roars like a lions.I've done a lot of memorable rides on that bike.I used my Caliber for the 1st yr of my college till I bought my Apache.
My Dad still rides our Caliber to Office. Its truely THE UNSHAKABLE!.
