ONE FOR THE ROAD

Yezdi is back again as a modern roadster. Does it retain the rugged, go-anywhere spirit of its ancestors?

- KARAN MATHUR

There's a certain romance in riding out of Mysore - the spiritual home of Yezdi - on the brand's newest machine.

The Roadster is Yezdi's take on the bobber-styled cruiser, with an aim at the fiercely contested 300 – 400cc segment dominated by the laid-back charm of Royal Enfield, the polished refinement of Honda, and the tech-savvy punch of Triumph.

But Yezdi isn't trying to imitate any of them. This machine wears its attitude differently and aims to create its own unique identity. But does that attitude translate into something real on the road? Let's find out.

LOOKS & FEELS GOOD

This is a motorcycle that looks and feels substantial, with a big-bike stance amplified by its chunky tyres - a 100-section front and a 150-section rear. The new colour schemes, like the Shark Skin Blue you see here, give it a modern, almost custom-built presence straight from the factory. If there's one misstep, it's the rear fender - the wide gap between it and the tyre breaks the otherwise taut bobber silhouette. Still, taken as a whole, I prefer the Roadster's styling over rivals like Royal Enfield Goan Classic 350.