Moods of Mumbai

Suhani Lotlikar,

The Motor Boots Project.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/girl_in_motorboots/

Photography courtesy: https://www.instagram.com/prachijajoophotography/

Moods of Mumbai 
Winter-Wear-Wardrobe

It is that time of the year again, the most awaited ‘Holiday Season.’ Being a resident of Mumbai, I know how rarely that trunk of woolens opens up. The winter here is just a few cold hours at dusk. Also as a biker, there never really comes a chance to put on something cozy unless you plan to travel to a much colder place. So the trick to deal with these varied weather conditions is to layer things up. 

My design school has a centralized air conditioning system which sometimes gets extremely cold unlike the temperature outside. So to adapt with both, I choose to layer using cotton, polyester tops and fashionably formal jackets on most days. The jackets can be slipped into my backpack as and when I leave campus. Another trick is to wear softer wools that won’t make you sweat much. I personally like to pick from French Connection and H&M racks when it comes to textures. Having gotten a white oversized sweater from FCUK, I paired it up with a black pants from Max Fashions on a foggy morning. This was paired up with knee high boots from Raw Hide (could I have any more boots!). I kept it simple with ‘this is how I woke up’ hair and of course, rode down to the bay for a Hot Chocolate. The major detail to look when you buy is the kind of collar. Out of the various options available (V-neck, Round neck,etc.) I like Turtle necks the most. They can be rolled and make my Crane-like neck look shorter. 

Keeping it real for us, even in this humid weather don’t set back from experimenting with the best of looks you can put together and be fabulous as always. Cheers! 

Pillion Pants: To Be Or Not To Be

Suhani Lotlikar,

The Motor Boots Project.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/girl_in_motorboots/

Photography courtesy: https://www.instagram.com/navigating_on_1100/

Pillion Pants

To Be Or Not To Be

“It’s funny to think about owning non-high-waisted pants.” Natalia Dyer (In conversation with Coveteur, Denim week.)

I started curating to ride as a Pillion after I had started riding locally by myself. So to sit behind another rider was nothing less than a lesson to improve my existing skills. Some riders have a better grip of the bar in the city while others can cruise more efficiently on interstate/region paths. The Royal Enfield Classic 500 rider, Hrishikesh Gade (who I ride with as a pillion) has an accurate understanding of cruising through the city traffic. Hence observing his movements has taught me better judgement and weight management. 

Tapola: Unconnected Nirvana!

Set for the 350 kms (one way) ride, along with a pair of saddle bags this weekend I costumed as a second setter. Under my safety gear I had a pair of loosely fitted high-waist denims by Jealous 21 and a half sleeved cotton t-shirt. High waisted denims are the ultimate go-to when playing a pillion because unaware of the grid of the road ahead you may tend to slip consistently. It provided better comfort and of course ease to corner at pin bends.

As we reached our destination at Tapola- Sakha Niwas, the view of Venna lake silenced all the machines thumping in our heads. The much we wanted to express was all lost in the connect we gained with nature. No network led us to look up from the city life we looked along with us only to dive into the Lake and float quietly in its waves. I cant say much, as I brought back only Nirvana!

I experienced what its like to be a pillion with the master rider, my greatest inspirations, Automotive journalist and Moto-blogger Mr. Argho Ajay Mukherji aka ‘Biker Buoy' on the Triumph Bonneville T100. The elongated seat of this classic motorcycle surely provided a surprise but also made the traction experience a task of slide and glide. And here the high waisted did its best. Girls… Seriously get over the discomfort of a low waisted denim while riding, and get along the trend with your squat-lifted butt.

P.S.- Tips for safety

Even if you are a pillion in local, please opt to wear proper and safe helmets because if the two wheeler experiences a fall, both riders are equally hit. 

Stop siting with your legs one sided as a pillion, it is completely unsafe, imbalanced and leads to a greater risk of a fall.

Do not ride triple seated and more. 

THIS IS NOT ABOUT THE MONEY YOU WILL PAY AS FINE, IT IS ABOUT THE PRICE YOU WILL PAY WITH YOUR LIFE.

Off-road underwired

Suhani Lotlikar,

The Motor Boots Project.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/girl_in_motorboots/
Photography courtesy: https://www.instagram.com/navigating_on_1100/

Off-road underwired

The love for lingerie is undeniably increasing among women as a wider range has shifted from the luxury cabinet to the essentials rack. We have now come to realize the importance of finding the right size and brands such as Hunke Moller, Enamor, Jockey provide choice of different styles under the same size chart. Like all other clothes, they have become more comfortable and more flattering, because all one really needs is self-confidence for even the sultriest of styles.
So at the Hunke Moller store outlet at Palladium in Mumbai,  the hostess ‘genuinely’ helped me find the perfect size and fit for my biker girl requirements after going through a lot of options. And yes! I mean a lot. The white, lightly padded and underwired bralette provided perfectly to my requirements.

The weekend route was set and it definitely was going to be an experience like never before. Tungareshwar- one of its kind off-road motorcycling adventure blooming with river streams in the monsoon. I, being the only female rider of IWBC and the only one with an Avenger 220 had altered my understandings of the off-roads through the experiences of my fellow riders. Feeling intimately comfortable with myself on the bike this morning, I entered the route only to discover two heavily flowing streams that were to be crossed. After getting stuck in the second stream, I had to be pushed out of that area as water had entered my exhaust. The climb evoked a sense of connection to nature in me as it kept getting denser both with fog and greenery. Every curve and bend up the hill added to my betterment of skills as a rider.

After the mesmerizing views at the top, I was about to face one of my biggest fear. ‘The descending tracks of mud and gravel!’ The implication of engine-braking and the unrestricted comfort of my delicates provided greatly to my completion of the off-road adventure.

 

P.S 1:- Underwire can be a pain sometimes. In that case you may opt for a cotton bralette or a jockey sports bra as they are designed to provide fully during such movements of the body.

P.S 2:- Find the video of the ride: https://youtu.be/St6zu7Xbimg

Motor Boots 101

Suhani Lotlikar,

The Motor Boots Project.

https://www.instagram.com/girl_in_motorboots/

Motor Boots 101

‘Orange is the new Black,’ being consistently held up by the KTM range, I went on to try the RC 200 myself. So this weekend I took to the wet roads with the tall beauty in one of my favorite boots. The aim was to test if my rain boots adapt to the change of the riding position from a cruiser to a sports.

Being a shoe lover, my heart surely has skipped a beat at the sight of wet shoe tips. Luckily my suede pair has survived my phase of bad decisions. Having learnt my lesson I now stick to a pair of black PVC boots that are taller than ankle length. While riding my cruise, they provide a great grip on the base and their semi-hard exterior helps to shift gears smoothly. Even on the KTM, where my feet were bent downwards the boots didn't slide down and the heel was comfortably locked in. The interior of the boots is covered with a thin fabric that soak water only to quickly drain it into the zig zag valves at the base. 

During the ride on the KTM RC 200, the water splashing from the front tire fell on the ankle lengths of the boot that protected my feet. The most important aspect of selecting a pair of boots is to find the perfect fitting at the sole. If this base (both sole and heel) is smaller or larger, it will cause pain and discomfort making it a distraction. The ankle/calf fitting- if not customized, can be a little lose. In conclusion, give complete priority to the heel, sole and grip of the boots and don't worry, the fabric inside also comes in fancy prints.

Keep riding! Cheers!

PS: I managed to save my perfectly painted toe nails and yes, I did wear the entire riding gear during the trip as safety is highly important! The structure of KTM makes the rider feel extremely exposed to the surrounding unlike my cruise bike that gives me a sense of safety because of the guard, etc. 

White, No White

Suhani Lotlikar,

The Motor Boots Project.

https://www.instagram.com/girl_in_motorboots/

White, No White

From my greatest inspirations, ‘I’d never wear head-to-toe black’.
As loyal as I am to this choice of Anna Wintour, the color that outnumbers all the apparel in my closet is White. It brings out a vibrant look and an overall fresh effect in any season.

So this week I put my whites to a test on the wet roads. While listing down all possibilities of this experiment, I remembered wearing a white cotton top inside an Armor jacket on a ride to Karjat. The armor being made of mesh allowed dust particles to find a way in and also left black stains on the waist and underarm area of the top. And trust me they were horrible! That was a naive choice though.

Well the weekend plan was to meet with my girlfriends at the Cat Cafe Studio in Andheri which is about 18 kms from my place. I got into the classic white top and blue denim look and rode through the unpredictable traffic of Mumbai only to reach my destination after an hour. (Yes, I managed to make it without drowning in the sweat!) For that matter, nothing else could have been a better choice than a White apparel against the shining sun. But the road was still wet and my visor protected me from being mud-slashed. To sum it up, when it comes to riding in white the choice depends majorly on the season but it surely tops the Comfortable Style List.

                          

Disclaimer: If you have a naked bike or any such large tyre vehicle around you, they will provide you with a memorable artwork on your beloved white clothing on wet roads.

Apparel: Crop top by The Cat Cafe Studio, Versova.

Helmet Hair

Suhani Lotlikar,

The Motor Boots Project.

Check out Vaitarna Dam Ride https://www.instagram.com/girl_in_motorboots/

Helmet Hair

Hello Readers,

Firstly, it has been raining cats and dogs in Mumbai and around the city today. The monsoon has officially begun! 

This calls for a session of 'Prep and Rep.' In this segment, we will look at a simple hairdo for my rider chicas (both riders and pillions). The video below is an example that will help you choose a comfortable style to fit into your full/half face helmets and look Fabulous as always. Braids: the true BFF of long hair on motorcycles. Even I twitched my nose a little the first time but believe me they look fantastic, neat and nice.

We all know the truth ladies, you may use Mousse or Hairspray but its not going to last even 20 minutes under that helmet. In hot temperatures like that of my city I recommend you the 'oil and wash' ritual. This will help you maintain the strength of your locks and fight hair loss. If you are unable do this 2 times a week, you may choice once only to bounce to Aloe Vera gel by simply massaging it on your scalp. Let's keep it simple and easy the way we like.

Keep riding! Cheer!

P.S. While riding in rain to destinations where clouds touch the roads, please be extra careful of rash drivers and remember that your machines will react in different ways, both best and worst to water sprayed roads/off-roads.

Let’s Ignite

Suhani Lotlikar,

The Motor Boots Project.

https://www.instagram.com/girl_in_motorboots/

Let’s Ignite

Hello Readers,

Often known as ‘The Biker Girl’ and ‘the Girl with Motor-boots’, I have decided to begin with a blog like none other. This is a place where you can find the real motorcycling fashion advice. I am a 19 year old rider with a Bajaj Avenger 220 Cruise and also play a pillion in the Royal Enfield club called Iron Wheels Bullet Club, Mumbai. As a fashion communicator, I have come to realize that various aspects of riding require to be considered carefully while selecting an outfit for a ride. You may ask, ‘Why this is necessary?’ 

So ladies! Being a female rider, I have experienced certain inconveniences such as adjusting long hair inside a full face helmet, the dullness of the motorcycling color palette and so on. And why should we compromise on the lengths of your passion. We deserve better! To solve many such problems, I will be posting pictures and real life experiences from my rides.  The blog will talk about the kind of hairstyles, apparel, materials, buffs, etc. women can use to perk up the existing pale color palette of motorcycling. This will be safety gear included with a fashionista perspective and not the mechanics of the machine. Not only will there be talks from the 3 digit kilometers but also discussions on local riding. The outcome will be supported by an aesthetic connect with my own motorcycle. Hope you join in the gang girls!

Keep riding! Cheer!