Name: Sunil

Bike: Royal Enfield - Bullet 350

Location: Bangalore, India

Sunil is one of my colleague and one a proud Royal Enfield owner. Royal Enfield is the iconic motorcycle of India. Initially made by English, the production stopped in Britain but continues in India. The Chennai’s factory is still churning out new ones trying to meet a surprisingly high demand for them (it takes more than 6 month to get a brand new one). Unlike other transport Indian symbols (like the Chetak or the Ambassador), the Royal Enfield is still not out of fashion. But according to the connoisseurs, the best Bullet (the most popular model) was made during the 70s-80s. Like the one Sunil has, which is from 1985. His Bullet is simple, rough, respecting the natural class of this bike. He’s also driving it casually, Indian style, sandals, shirt and a simple helmet! 

Sunil was dreaming of owning one since he was a child when he was riding his uncle one sitting on the tank and holding the stearing (like many Indian kids do). Since then, he wanted it badly but had to wait a long time to be able to afford it. He finally found this one in a garage in a bad condition and restored it step by step. He admires the way the bike was engineered, simple and tough.

He’s using the bike mostly for commuting in Bangalore. He also did one trip back to his native place in Kerala once (500 kms).

Name: PA (and Max)

Bike: Vespa PX

Location: Paris 10

Pierre-Alexis (aka PA) is what we can call a real parisian. He quickly understood that living in Paris required to own its own scooter, especially when you have to cross Paris every morning, or if you need to escape from the city (like he did once, to Fontainebleau, with his friend Maxime here on the picture). But for PA, this was more than a convenient way of transportation, it was mainly for the “old mechanic” and the loud sound of the engine that are typical of the PX. If PA had to buy a car, it would be a Citroën 2CV ! He also appreciates the look, the fact that it’s not too shiny and that it doesn’t really attract thieves. 

PA customized its Vespa PX a bit: first, by repainting it from white to green, then by putting a few army stickers. He’s now considering changing its color again, to peacock blue this time. We’re sure he’ll set a new trend again !

Name: Simon

Bike: Motobécane TT

Location: Paris 2

Simon doesn’t know it, but I really chased him on the “Rue Réaumur” to get this pic. I was riding my own bike, going to work when I saw him and his great old Motobécane. I thought it could be a good picture, specially with this morning light. But as we were both riding, it wasn’t possible to speak to him. So I followed him and waited for the first red light. Then I asked him if he was ok for a pic and we pulled on the sideway. It was very kind of him as he was also going to work. From what I remember, he restored this bike with his father but I don’t know much as we didn’t have the time to talk a lot and Simon didn’t answer to my email…

Name: Benjamin

Bike: Vespa PX

Location: Paris 2

Benjamin was a colleague and I noticed his classy parisian style on his black Vespa PX.

When we took this picture, he was actually going to sell his PX as he was about to move from Paris to Amsterdam. He has been riding in Paris for 4 years. He had a Lambrotta before, an other nice classy italian scooter. But he changed because the Lambrotta was really braking badly. He first chose to ride a scooter because he really had enough of taking the metro. He bought a Vespa PX because it’s one of the few scooter to be nice according to him (and we agree!). The furthest he went with the PX? Montmartre! :) Thanks Benjamin and I hope you’re having a great time in Amsterdam.

Name: Simon

Bike: Kawasaki

Location: Paris 2

Simon is the first one I shot for this project. I was walking around Montorgueil in Paris, like a hunter looking for his prey. He was actually the perfect prey I was looking for, so when I saw him arriving and stopping at the red light, I didn’t hesitate a second and asked him if I could take a pic of him.

Of course taking a picture at the red light isn’t the best. Specially if you want to have a little chat to get a bit of a story about Simon and why he’s riding this nice red Kawasaki. So I took his email and asked him later.

Here are the few answers he kindly responded to my questions.

Simon has been riding in Paris for 20 years. To escape the metro. To be free to go where he wants, when he wants. For the thrill, for the fun and to be riding with friends. 

He’s riding on the picture a Kawasaki from 1999 that he bought for his “sweety”. He’s happy and proud to see her riding it.

The furthest he wants with this bike is Malakoff (city in the south of Paris) but with other bikes he went until Arcachon or Marseilles, alone or his “sweety”.

Thanks Simon for having been the first just to say “yes” and for the answers.