Chapter 5: Sticker Happy Delhi Biker

Sticker Happy Delhi Biker at the front desk (Nepal Trip-2009) 

Another factor that distinguishes a Delhi Biker from all other mortal motorcyclists is our fascination with stickers. Not sure if this is a nationwide phenomenon but we seem to excel in the cheapest and quickest form of ‘bike-modification’. Who cares about performance, what matters is how the bike looks!

So we wrap the Pulsar, Discover, Avenger, with more and more stickers until it weighs few kg’s more. Why? “Its my Style” says the one on the fender...the rest is in Punjabi which I don't know. 

But at times I do feel as though I’ve had a full conversation with someone but all I did was read what’s plastered all over their helmet and bike.

Stickers are how I display my motorcycle résumé. As bikers we can’t always be praising ourselves. I mean, once the blog is updated, the album posted, the video uploaded and the t-shirt printed…its only natural to summarize it with a sticker. 
How else would amateur bikers know where we have been and thus give us the due respect? 

While some prefer being pampered in a spa, there are those who spend hours carefully going through hundreds of fonts to match the skulls and wings they selected on their last visit. 
Besides being mildly therapeutic, this process gives the added security that what has gone on your bike was exactly what you wanted. A sense you never get after a visit to your local mechanic or service center.

For many Delhi Bikers 'sticker-ing' is a prequel to getting a tattoo done. Quite often you can spot popular stickers turned into tattoos. They may not be radium but they sure will remind you which bike you ride.

Nowadays the number plate business has taken a hit thanks to the mandatory High-Security-Registration-Plates (HSRP) available only at authorized centers. But is our hole-in-the-wall Sticker-wallah bothered? Not a chance!

"Who are you? Where have you been? What do you?"
Sir, please read the stickers. 

From having just a club name or ‘Dad’s Gift’, bikes are now covered with entire itineraries listed on the tank or toolbox! 9 out of 10 it is the Manali - Leh route.

Its time guys like us with ‘Ladakh 2004’ sticker upgrade to ‘I got LEH’D’

That’s the other thing about Delhi Biker’s…Ladakh!