Five unforgettable Indian Motorcycles and five forgettable Indian bikes.

No reviews or road tests will ever do justice to these.

Five Unforgettable Indian Bikes.

5.  Suzuki Shogun/Shaolin: TVS-Suzuki could've survived and made another Kawasaki-Bajaj or Hero Honda with these awesome bikes. The shogun had the potential to dethrone Rx100 but poor marketing and manufacturing led to the sad demise of this bike. Shaolin was a successive dud just like Rx135 and its cousins.

4. Rajdoot: Jaandar savari, Shandaar savari. Rajdoot motorcycles were based on German DKW (AUDI today). The motorcycles still do duty in the villages today signifying Escorts build quality and German engineering. The GTS Bobby shot to instant but short fame with the movie 'Bobby'.

3. Yamaha RX100 would have ranked second if the 135, tiger and 135 5-speed were any good at carrying the success of the Rx-100. Even faired version Rxz and Rx-z were big failures. But the fact remains that RX series were one of the most fun to drive bikes in India.

2. Yezdi motorcycles went by the motto 'forever bike, forever value'.  A tapering seat, twin exhausts, left legged gearbox and kick starter and retro Czech designs are remnants of the history of Soviets Greats. The 350cc Jawa Yezdi is rare just like the Yezdi Roadking. For more information the website is still up even after a decade of the extinction of this brand. www.yezdi.com

1. It will be a serious crime to not rank this bike first. The Yamaha RD350 is rare and prices have sky rocketed. First seen on the silver screen in the super hit movie 'Hero' the bike became an instant cult status. 350cc twin cylinder engine with six speed gearbox was an Indian first. See a Yamaha RD350 on Sale? Buy it right away.

Five Forgettable Indian Bikes.

5.  Kinetic GF125: Kinetic's official foray into motorcycles was a disaster. The GF125 was a gem of a bike but Kinetic never got the opportunity. GF125 has driven itself off into oblivion.

4. LML Graptor: Italian Design and a powerful engine were a perfect recipe for success. LML though wasn't exactly known for its motorcycles. Sales were dud for the Graptor and the successive Beamer. 

3. Enfield Taurus Diesel: The cult Motorcycle maker had tried to cash in on the torque characteristics of diesels. Never really did catch up with the masses. The vibrations and unreliability only helped seal its fate.

2. Bajaj KB100/125/RTZ/SX Enduro- Bajaj also wanted the success of Yamaha and came out with its version of a two stroke stonker. The KB series did well initially but 2-stroke was at the dying end. A pimped motorcycle in the form of SX Enduro was a master plan for success that was a half hearted attempt. But Kudos to Bajaj for bringing the SX Enduro decades before Hero Moto Corp Impulse.

1. Suzuki Fiero: Even TVS and Suzuki never knew this bike existed in their portfolio. Launched to compete with CBZ heads on a lack of fifth cog and relaxed performance killed what was an otherwise awesome bike. Fiero FX styling was mind blowing back in the day but already dead before its birth.