CHARACTER CERTIFICATE

Recently, I drove the new Mahindra Bolero, an all-black number that somehow still manages to turn heads and spark conversations. Of course, the bare-basic automobile made me wonder out loud at length about its nature. The seats were terrible, it didn’t go very fast, it didn’t steer all that well at whatever speeds it could muster, and stopping was as much a matter of braking technology as it was of prayers. But I liked it. It had character. It sort of reminded me of the Moto Guzzi V9 Bobber, which once pleasantly surprised me with its lovely nature, even though I was done for by the end of the day. The days spent in the Bolero and on the Bobber confirmed what I've always known — too much character is bad for my back.

- KARTIK WARE @kartikware

But what does it mean, this ‘character’? What does it entail? Are there certain basic elements, some essential building blocks that form character? I think so. Despite the universal appeal of machines, there are some that stand out, machines that seem to have an innate understanding of how to connect with humans. But there are a few stereotypes I'd like to get out of the way first.

Does a machine with character have to be slow? Nope. Does it have to be old? Not at all. Does it have to be fast? Well, it can’t hurt, but no, it’s not a prerequisite. Both my old cast-iron Bullets and my Aerox have character in spades — but of very different kinds, obviously. Being fast isn’t a guarantee, either; there are plenty of new inline-fours that fall short of possessing that extra something.