Talk with an Indian Biker community owner

Bikes are attracting males from decades, it’s the one of the most popular gadget man love to have, there are no less bike crazy guys in India and bhupesh is the one among them but did something different than others. He is crazy about bikes and saw the place empty for an Indian bikers on orkut, he grab the thing and made a community Indian bikers, the community is having more than 18000 bike’s enthusiasts.

Bhupesh got invited to talk with us on Orkut’s Hall of Fame and luckily he accepted. all thanks to him.

Zazo: Bhupesh is a software professional but bikes is the other thing which fascinated him for long since he was active in xbhp.com and then decided to make a community of his own to unite all Indian bikers under one umbrella, we will know more about his community "Indian Bikers" and his life and carrier.
Welcome Bhupesh to Orkut's Hall of Fame...
How Indian Bikers doing?

Bhupesh: Indian Bikers' is doing good. Starting off in 2005, we are now a 18,500+ member community. Lots of active members and discussions have made 'Indian Bikers' what it is today. And the good part is that all these discussions are relevant, bike-centric talks rather than your lets-start-this-game type discussions. Kudos! to the true Indian bikers.

Zazo: How it all started? tell me something about your background..lil bit more than i know.

Bhupesh: Well, there is lot of existing forums for bikers in India - xbhp, bike nomads and other innumerable mailing groups - that I have been a part of.

So, when I joined orkut, I felt that one should have something similar here too since all the forums that I have talked about are yet to make their mark among the common people. They are popular but still have a very selective target audience. Orkut is a great place to network with similarly minded people and I think 'Indian Bikers' is serving its purpose.

Zazo: Do your community members arrange meet ups or race tournaments as well? Where are most of your members are from?

Bhupesh: Unfortunately or, maybe, fortunately (looking at the recent turn of events related to irresponsible bikers) Indian bikers do not hold offline meets or races (btw, races are usually a banned event).

The activities revolve around helping each other in buying new bikes, getting rid of bike-related issues or giving suggestions regarding modifications and enhancements on bikes. You can have a look at recent activities at http://www.orkut.com/Community.aspx?cmm=1168456

Zazo: Any new plan to develop the community? is there is any other online activities you are involved related to Indian Biker's community?

Bhupesh: We did have a poll recently that was sponsored by Fastrack Watches, with 4 lucky guys winning a brand new Fastrack Neon wrist watch each. Then, people have started using the forum for buying/selling bikes & gears and advertising touring services. But all these things are carried out by the members among themselves. Moderators are not usually involved.

Otherwise, no other activity has been planned yet.

We could have ventured into trips and rides but I guess that those are better left to 'India on Bikes', one of the related community.

Zazo: Which bike do you own bhupesh? Would you like to share any adventures experience?

Bhupesh: Hmmm...... I have a Suzuki Fiero and was actively into trips and get togethers but I guess I'm more of an armchair biker now :) Work has started taking a toll on biking.

Zazo: Are you still active in xbhp.com? any other social networking site you are active in?

Bhupesh: Not really an active member of xbhp now. Just some passive reading from my side.

Apart from orkut, sites likes facebook, myspace and linkedin are great to network with people. With such focused sites, I'm sure if orkut can really compete. It has started to appear as a jack of all trades and master of none.

Zazo: In your profile you wrote some points, which says "things to do before I die" are you serious about it? it shows that you are adventurous , any comments?

Bhupesh: Yeah! I am pretty serious about them. I know that some of them sound too ambitious but then what's life without impossibilities :) I'm sure that everyone is adventurous inside, and it's just that the social pressures and duties takes over them and makes a person subtle and calm. Isn't it so?

Zazo: Right! Bhupesh tell us what other communities you own or active on orkut other than Indian Bikers Community?

Bhupesh: Apart from 'Indian Bikers', some of the other communities that I frequently visit are 'Indian Amateur Writers', 'Great Indian Rock', 'Rock Lovers India' and 'Warren kicks ass'. They keep on changing according to the mood and taste :D
And, no. I do not own any other community.

Zazo: Your dream bike or dream car?

Bhupesh: It has to be the Yamaha YZF-R1 or the Harley-Davidson VRSCD Night Rod.
I know that the two are at the opposite ends of a spectrum but they are the best when it comes to the respective classes.

Talking about cars, Cooper S (Turbocharged, 1.6 liter) can do the talking on my behalf :)

Zazo: Bhupesh thanks for talking and giving your precious time to Orkut's Hall of Fame, its a pleasure to have a person like you in this community.
Thanks a lot!

Bhupesh: The pleasure is mine