A REAL Indian Bike. Review on Rajdoot Standard

(Sorry, same review as above, but with mileage range noted below):

Ah, the (illustrious) Rajdoot (please hear me out here):

I know these are not considered stylish and are now a rare sight in places like Bangalore (where I've stayed for some time) and probably many other cities, being mostly forgotten or ridiculed by the younger generation, as well. Patna would be one notable exception, still being full of them. Whatever the case, in a day of often ''characterless'' and nondistinct new econo-bikes, one cannot accuse the Rajdoot Standard of lacking character, considering:

1. Earles-type swingarm front suspension (which incidentally BMW’s road bikes exclusively used up until the late 60’s or early 70’s, also certain famous European motocross bikes, and which is virtually indestructable).

   
   




2. The all-black paint scheme (''any color as long as it's black'' - like Ford's Model T),

   
   




3. The round, very smoothly contoured and integrated cylinder / head / engine cases

   
   




4. The weird metal side body panels and real metal scripted logos.

   
   

The bike has a very solid, Bullet-like feel on the road - stable and heavy (but reassuring) steering. So even on smooth city roads and highways, it can be a pleasure to ride. But I refer you to rural India. There, there have traditionally been few if any spares or mechanics, terrible road conditions, a need to operate reliably under extreme conditions (mud, heat, dust, crater-sized potholes, a need to carry up to several adults and/or very heavy loads, etc, etc) and thus a need for absolute strength absolute durability, and the ability to keep moving on (even when totally unmaintained). I’ve lived in rural areas in both North and South India, and have not seen locals in those areas riding Bullets very often. But Escorts was still selling as many as 50,000 Rajdoots there every year, even up until 2005. Great for adventure biking - for getting back into the more remote places of the subcontinent, where the people / cultures / sights are really the most interesting. The basic stuff on these is so simple that anyone can fix it, even the barely technical person or the worst pseudo mechanic. On a ‘doot, if the engine is basically tight and you have extra cables, a spare set of points and a condenser (if a non-electronic model), a spark plug, maybe a spare wheel bearing and a master link for the chain (just in case), really nothing is going to stop you. Compared with the Bullet (again, undoubtedly a good, solid bike), the ‘doots have less troublesome gearboxes / clutches, are a lighter and easier to handle (while having just as strong of a frame and suspension), and in terms of the engine, they have no valvesprings / pushrods / lifters / camshafts / camchains / tensioners / internal gearbox chains & sprockets / valves / rocker arms / timing chains, timing advance mechanism (to name the most obvious) to go bad on a long trip. In other words, the serious stuff that people normally can’t carry as spares - and that remote mechanics don't stock - and that can really hold you up if broken out in the middle of nowhere - doesn’t even EXIST on the Rajdoot. No battery, either, which on the std. Bullet can shut you down. In my case, of course, I can fix everything myself and have a good, compact tool kit.

Incidentally, these bikes were originally built in Poland as the WFM (Warsaw Motorcycle Factory, roughly translated). Eastern Europe was (and is) a rough place in many ways, and perhaps their designs (including the impressive Jawa) reflect the emphasis the designers put on ultimate strength and reliability with low maintenance.

To conclude, this is a fantastic bike, still a worthy machine on (or off) the road despite the age of the design. Phased out as of 2005 due to new emissions norms, they can still run relatively cleanly when tuned / maintained right and when the proper low-smoke oil ratio is mixed in the fuel - in that case, there should be basically no visible smoke at all. I believe that the most recent models also had catalytic convertors installed, as Escorts/ Yamaha's RX-135 did. It would be the ecologically mindful thing to refit older models with the newer silencer / convertor.

• If you're looking to build your personal image on your ability to buy and ride the newest styling fad, look elsewhere. And let your plastic crack and your tacky graphic decals peel off after a few years. You will be kicked down several notches by newer styles by the time you have your machine paid off.

  
  




• If you need to get 80kpl, look elsewhere. But watch out for those urban potholes, which can swallow you and your machine both.

  
  




• If you want to ride a more practical but still unique Indian ''legend'' (vs. the Bullet or Yezdi), do consider the Rajdoot.

  
  

I've noticed that most of the popular newer Indian bikes that today's generation are lusting over (like the Fiero, Pulsar, Unicorn, whatever). are sturdy mid-weight machines of 150+ cc's, with good power, reasonable economy, comfort, etc. Hmmm... sounds a lot like the Rajdoot! But the 'doot only cost around Rs25,000 brand new in 2003. Less than half of what any of the others will set you back. And long after those machines are sitting on the junkpile, your illustrious Rajdoot will still be pushing on. Think about it.

I give it four stars, rather than five, only because I know it's not the perfect bike for everyone. Within it's realm, though, (and even some distance outside it!) it indeed rules.

Regards,

Pratap Jones