Bhopal, home to a two-time national champion in bike racing and nine participants of the popular biking reality show MTV Stuntmania, boasts of around a dozen superbikes.
The mean machines come in the price range of Rs.7 lakh-20 lakh, with brands like Suzuki, Honda and Yamaha starting to offer their latest models in the country.
Former Indian cricket captain and Lok Sabha member Mohammed Azharuddin's son Mohammed Ayazuddin, who was critically injured in a motorbike accident five days ago, passed away at a hospital here Friday.
The 19-year-old died at 11.51 a.m. due to hypoxic encephalopathy, said a statement from Apollo Hospital, where the youngster battled for life since Sunday.
The budding cricketer was critically injured in the super bike crash at Puppalaguda on Outer Ring Road of Hyderabad Sep 11. Ayazuddin's cousin Ajmal-ur-Rahman (16), who was pillion riding with him, died a couple of hours after they were taken to the hospital.
The high-end sports bike skidded off the road when Ayazuddin was riding it at a high speed, according to police.
Ayazuddin's mother Naureen, Azharuddin, his second wife Sangeeta Bijlani and other close relatives were at the hospital when the end came.
A pall of gloom descended on Azharuddin's house in Banjara Hills, where the body was later shifted. The burial is scheduled to take place in the evening.
Ayazuddin was the youngest of the two sons of Azharuddin from his first wife Naureen, whom he divorced to marry former actress Sangeeta Bijlani.
Doctors at Apollo Hospital said Ayazuddin was in critical condition and was put on a ventilator ever since he was shifted to the hospital. They said he was brought with cardiac arrest and sustained injuries to kidneys.But bikers say riding a superbike comes with its own set of challenges.
"While riding a superbike, one has to be careful as it can reach 100 kmph within seconds. But, then, that is the joy of riding them. Yes, initially, it needs training from professionals and one should wear the complete riding gear," Nura Khan, who has been riding superbikes for the past five years and is the proud owner of a Suzuki Hayabusa, said.
The 30-year-old's Hayabusa GSX 1300 R is more powerful than the GXS 1000 R which Azharuddin's son Mohammed Ayazuddin, 19, and his cousin Ajmal-ur-Rahman, 16, were riding in Hyderabad last week.
While Rahman, who was riding pillion, died on the spot when the bide skidded due to high speed, Ayazuddin died after battling for life for five days.
Khan said one has to be extra careful with superbikes due to the potent mix of speed and power.
"I ride the Hayabusa in the city during night hours and on highways. Otherwise, the crowds and condition of city roads are not conducive for such bikes," he said.
Zeeshan Khan, who was among the top five participants in this year's edition of MTV Stuntmania, said: "When I heard about Azharuddin's son's accident, I knew it was the rider's fault. A bike is a machine and it moves the way you want it to."
"I love my superbike and bike riding. If I am outside home, I miss my bike and when I return, even before meeting my family, I take my bike for a spin," said the 20-year-old, who owns a Honda CBR 600.
Another biker, Lucky, said motorcycle accidents involving youngsters only show the parents' carelessness, who hand out the powerful machines to inexperienced riders without thinking of the consequences.
Two-time national champion Muzaffar Ali, who started his career as a mechanic assembling bikes and taking part in races, said he is now looking to feature in the international circuit.
Bhopal's bikers are, in fact, gung-ho about the future.
Automobile engineer Nabeel Bari said: "Bike riding is not going to lessen in Bhopal. In fact, it will increase in the near future as motor sports is going to get a more prominent place in the Indian sports arena."
And he has two important tips for superbike-enthusiasts.
"While riding superbikes, two things should be taken care of. One, its throttle, because of high BHP (brake horsepower), can pick amazing speed. And, second, the handle of superbikes is longer than other bikes; so while turning, one has to be more cautious," Bari said.
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