India’s 5 Evergreen Motorcycles That Continue to Inspire Riders Across Generations

Some bikes aren’t just bikes. They’re memories. They’re stories passed down over cups of chai and biscuit packets. They’re the reason your dad still tears up when he hears a certain engine note or why your uncle in Kanpur still refers to his Bullet as “meri jaan.”

While today’s bikes are all about fancy screens, Bluetooth, and riding modes, there was a time when motorcycles had character. Soul. They weren’t just machines — they were family. So here’s a heartfelt tribute to five evergreen Indian motorcycles that continue to live rent-free in the hearts of Indian riders, especially the legendary clan of dads and uncles.

Let’s start with the king — 
 

1. Royal Enfield Bullet 350 - You don’t ride a Bullet. You become one with it. That slow, rhythmic thump-thump-thump sound was once the national anthem of every Indian highway. Our fathers didn’t care about speed — they wanted presence. And the Bullet delivered that like nothing else. Whether it was a solo ride to Ladakh or a wedding procession in Patiala, the Bullet was always the hero. Even today, the new-generation Royal Enfields keep the legacy alive. Because honestly, can you ever outgrow a Bullet? Not in this lifetime.

    

2. Bajaj Chetak - Yes, it’s a scooter. But if you grew up in an Indian middle-class home in the '80s or '90s, you’ve probably sat sandwiched between your sibling and mom on the back of a Chetak, while your dad masterfully balanced it with three times the recommended load. It wasn’t just a scooter. It was a family member — reliable, robust, and always ready. From carrying schoolbags to hauling groceries to giving surprise lift offers to neighbors, the Chetak was the heartbeat of the average Indian household. Even now, when Bajaj reintroduced it as an electric scooter, it wasn’t just a launch — it was a love letter to an entire generation.

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1. Yamaha RX100 — the bike that every college-going guy dreamed of. If the Bullet was your dad’s dream, the RX100 was your mama ke cousin ka cool bike. This was the machine that made boys feel like rock stars. Light, loud, and lightning-fast, the RX100 was pure adrenaline in a tiny package. It didn’t just ride — it screamed. And if your chacha had one back in the day, he definitely showed up late to functions just to make a louder entrance. Today, collectors pay top money for well-maintained RX100s, and rightfully so. It wasn’t just a motorcycle — it was a rite of passage.

    

2. Hero Honda CD100 - There was a time when Indian dads didn’t ask “Kitna deti hai?” — they demanded it. Enter the CD100. With its legendary fuel efficiency and never-say-die attitude, this bike was the most trusted sidekick of the working man. It wasn’t flashy. It didn’t flirt. It just showed up every single day, without a fuss. It was the motorcycle version of your dad waking up at 6 AM sharp, ironing his clothes, and packing lunch for everyone — dependable, modest, and the real MVP.

    

3. TVS Suzuki Shogun - This one was short-lived, but loud enough to never be forgotten. The Shogun was bold, brash, and a little too fast for Indian roads back then. It had a cult following of young rebels who weren’t afraid to wake up the whole neighborhood every time they kicked it to life. Sure, it didn’t last long — emission norms and practicality caught up. But much like that one cool uncle who used to wear leather jackets and Ray-Bans in the '90s, the Shogun lives on in stories. Loud stories.

    

In the end, these machines didn’t just take people from point A to B. They took us through life — through weddings, first jobs, heartbreaks, and everything in between. They carried our dreams, our families, and sometimes, more than a few crates of mangoes from the village. Even now, when a modern rider spots a well-kept Bullet or hears an RX100 roar past, there’s a smile — not just for the machine, but for the memories.