Varad More AKA SPEEDY
Opportunity knocks the door on a lazy Sunday for some. Those who aren't that lucky, however, must get out, grab hold of their options or seek them through hardships. Here's the story of one such auto journalist who has walked that extra mile and paved his road through a passion-driven approach towards motorcycling.
● Tell us about your journey in automobile journalism?
My journey with two-wheelers started in my early twenties when I bagged the job of a junior staff writer at Bike India magazine. Apart from serving as a content creator, I was also assigned tasks such as inviting people to motorsport events, which eventually helped me connect with editors of different magazines and kick-start my journey as an auto journalist. After almost 15 years in the industry, I still believe that my job is to amplify the appeal associated with motorcycles and scooters. That I haven't regretted a single day at work is irrefutable proof to my belief. I had the privilege to work with some of the pioneers of the era where magazines were the mainstay of motoring journalism. From there, to the current scenario when we compete against the clock to upload the first story online, I've experienced and witnessed the industry change over the years. Undoubtedly, it has been one hell of a journey for me!
● As an automobile journalist and an influencer, what are your responsibilities?
As a responsible automobile journalist, it is clear that our thoughts about a vehicle create a considerable impact on our audience. The context should be set right before you compare two products. One shouldn’t compare two products without duly considering what purpose they are to serve. An automobile journalist’s job is not just to showcase a particular car or bike to the audience, but also to educate the audience about its use case and enlighten them about the lifestyle best suited for it. Only then can one understand what best fits their needs. If there are any repercussions associated with the purchase of a vehicle, the buyer should be made aware of the same. Apart from this, our responsibilities also extend towards society, which includes making people aware of road safety and also promoting the use of safety gear.
• Apart from motorcycles and machines, what is it that makes you do this?I have ridden motorcycles which could do nothing more than 60 kmph on the highways, and I've ridden machines at blinding speeds. For me, it is the 'movement' that keeps me going. The urge to keep moving / travelling keeps me on my toes all the time. My great grand ancestors were nomads / shepherds, and I guess some of their qualities have trickled down the family tree. I think it’s my roots which make me want to be always on the move. It doesn’t matter if I have to ride to Goa on a 100cc motorcycle, for I'll still be happy as long as it serves a purpose, spreads a message, and moves me.
● What do you prefer - Track days or Touring?
For me, riding is a 360-degree universe. Like I said, whatever moves me is the best for me. I love riding two-wheelers irrespective of their class, hierarchy and the cubic capacity of their engines. It also doesn't matter to me where I ride them. In the past couple of years, I have participated in a variety of motorcycling events - from track days to riding through the Himalayas, and I have enjoyed each one of them.
● What are your most valued memories around motorcycles?
From my first assignment at the first job to the memories from the Isle of Man TT tour to riding through Ladakh several times - my most valued memories are quite varied. One of my best memories, though has to be riding in the Himalayas astride the TVS Apache. It was a different experience altogether because I was looking forward to riding a lightweight motorcycle on those high-altitude roads, and it added a different perspective to riding in the Himalayas. Apart from that, the northeast ride on the TVS NTORQ was an astonishing 15-day journey which took us to some breathtaking locations, and it still has its place marked in my heart!
● Although you've ridden all over the world, what is your dream destination?
One of the locations which I would love to go to is the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Also, places such as Australia and New Zealand fascinate me. I also look forward to riding in Japan, to understand their unique motorcycling culture and the technological advancements made there which have contributed to motorcycling around the world.
● What's your advice to the upcoming generation who happen to be auto enthusiasts and also plan to pursue automobile journalism as a full-time career?
For the younger generation, my advice is that in addition to attaining proper knowledge and understanding of a two-wheeler, it's equally important to portray it in a presentable manner. Times are changing, and investing time in a presentation is as important as researching the content itself. How you convey your thoughts to the audience and how easily you could make it for them to understand, matters a lot. When I started in 2006, online content was limited, and all such information was only available in magazines.
Now, in the age of the Internet, there are thousands of pages with the information one seeks. Still, ultimately, when it comes to making a purchase decision, people want their information from an authoritative source. The best advice I can share is that don't try to be Wikipedia and don’t focus only on the news. The newer generation is more like Reddit instead of being Quora or Wikipedia. It ultimately depends on how you present your story differently. How you add humour to it or how you showcase a scenario differently from others. Also, the most valued advice will be to be open and be accessible on a variety of platforms. Being approachable to everyone also ensures your global reach. Be very clear and balanced about your views. Every two-wheeler tends to have issues, but don't make it a demeaning argument. Be opinionated but have a strong basis for your opinions.