The Funduro 650

For every Indian rider of my generation, the BMW Funduro 650 and the Yamaha RD 350 were icons—machines that stirred the soul and ignited dreams. I was no different.

My first encounter with the Funduro 650 was almost serendipitous. I still recall the sight of Mr. Vijay Parmar, the founder of Himalayan Motorsports, astride this imposing motorcycle as he returned from a reconnaissance for the Raid De Himalaya. Until then, the largest motorcycles I had seen up close were the RD 350 and the newly launched Honda CBZ. Compared to them, the Funduro looked formidable—tall, purposeful, and yet handled with ease in Mr. Parmar’s capable hands. I longed for a short ride, but the timing wasn’t right; he was loaded with his rally gear and I let the moment pass.

Fate, however, had other plans. My real opportunity came when I visited Mr. S. Garcha at his residence in Chandigarh. There it was—the same striking red Funduro 650, standing tall and proud, untouched by modifications. I could not resist and with due courtesy requested permission for a ride. Mr. Garcha, a legend in Indian motorcycling—motocross rider, adventurer, and a man who had once ridden his Yezdi all the way to Afghanistan in the 1970s—smiled and handed me the keys. “Be careful, it’s heavy,” he advised.

That first ride was unforgettable. Coming from the harsh simplicity of a 99cc two-stroke with rock-hard suspension, the 650cc BMW engine felt like a revelation. The surge of power, the comfort of its ride, and the sheer confidence it inspired made me feel as if I could keep riding it for the rest of my life.

That day, I had truly tasted freedom on two wheels.