Shaheb Bhattacherjee and Sonika Chauhan test-ride the latest motorcycles from Triumph Motorcycles, the 112-year-old British brand that came to India in 2013 (the city showroom is at 113G Maheshwartola Road; near Topsia-Tangra crossing). The Tolly actor, who’s “more into cruiser motorcycles”, rode the “roadster” Street Triple, while Sonika, a model-cum-anchor, rode a Bonneville, a Triumph classic. “I wanted to exchange the Bonneville with Shaheb’s Street Triple, but I’m glad he didn’t give it to me! The Bonnie ride position is comfortable because the seats are low enough for you to be able to get both feet flat on the ground. Specially for girls like me who like to ride, you have to be in complete control of the machine and should be able to start, stop and park easily. I’ve never ever been on a 865cc bike! The Bonnie, for me, was an experience. The ride was comfortable and gear shifts were absolutely effortless. I didn’t really hit its highest speeds but I barely felt bumps and bad roads, which means it definitely has a stiff suspension,” said Sonika. Picture: Rashbehari Das

Bikes are...
Shaheb: Sex on wheels!
Sonika: Adrenaline machines.

My first bike...
Shaheb: Was a CBZ that I shared with my friend. It was the coolest womanising thing I did back when I just got out of school.
Sonika: Never owned one but the first bike I rode was a Hero Honda Splendor.

My first bike ride...
Shaheb: Was on a Hero Splendor. That’s the bike I learnt to ride on. 
Sonika: Can’t remember... must’ve been when I was really young because I just needed an excuse to sit on anyone’s bike! 

Bikes vs cars...
Shaheb: Bikes are like beautiful women every man secretly admires. They are a teenager’s best chance for a date, best ride for someone with a new job and also a mean machine for a bike lover. Cars are much more of a safe, luxury vehicle. It has nothing to do with the sweat, dust and wind that makes a rugged biker. I prefer cars in Calcutta because I think it is safer if you consider the roads and reckless driving here. 
Sonika: I love automobiles in any form but if I really have to choose, then it’s cars. 

My dream bike...
Shaheb: A Triumph Thunderbird Storm or a Harley-Davidson Fat Boy. I also dream of owning a custom-made chopper some day, made by Orange County Choppers. 
Sonika: A blue MV Agusta F4 1000R bike. 

You want to ride pillion with...
Shaheb: Robert Craig Knievel (also known as Evel Knievel)... if I’m brave enough.
Sonika: Definitely Valentino Rossi.

If you were riding a bike, who would you want as a passenger?
Shaheb: Sonika Chauhan. Period.
Sonika: I would definitely want Shaheb as pillion because it’s the only time I would take him for a ride!

A bike trail you’d love to go on...
Shaheb: The West Coast of South Island in New Zealand. It’s the land that forms the lush backdrop in Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Exceptional visuals, an untouched seaside and a glimpse of the towering Southern Alps.
Sonika: Manali to Ladakh and Kashmir. 

Fave biking gear...
Shaheb: I believe wearing safety gear is a must while riding. A good, hardy and aerodynamically correct helmet is a must.
Sonika: Helmet because it’s the most important thing but I’m a complete sucker for biker jackets. 

Ultimate biking dream...
Shaheb: To ride through Ireland meeting people, drinking and eating. Riding along the narrow roads that snake through verdant vistas and the view of the lakes below is the stuff of fairy tales.
Sonika: To ride on the Dutch track at the MotoGP.