Chennai: Have you ever seen a woman on a motorcycle leading hundreds of male bikers on a long ride? Or, have you ever seen the same woman taming a 182-kg motorbike, capable of touching speeds in excess of 150 kmph, like a pro? I bet the chances are close to zero.
But meet Raveena Luthra (27), Chennai’s first woman to own Bajaj’s flagship motorcycle, Dominar 400. She has also turned out to be the firm’s first woman Ride Programme Executive (RPE) as well, the position which was dominated by men since its inception.
Raveena, a resident of Medavakkam, spoke to News Today about what drove her to this life-time achievement.
Excerpts:
Q: At a time when women in general shy away from motorcycles, how did you get interested in them?
A: My father Surinder Singh (58), who is a fire extinguisher trader, bought a brand new Yamaha RX 135 in 1995. The legendary motorcycle immediately grabbed my attention. As a kid, I loved the way it sounded and slowly developed a passion for motorcycles.
Q: Let’s know about your childhood and your learning to ride a motorcycle?
A: My father is originally from Karnal and mom Sunita Luthra (54) is from Varanasi, settled in Chennai. As I was born and brought up in the city, I am more of a Chennaiite now. In 2006, when I was pursuing class 11 at Vidyodaya Matriculation Academy Girls School, T Nagar, my father taught to me to ride his RX 135 helping me experience a motorcycle for the first time in life. But, the ride was short-lived, as during class 12, I was more into studies.
After completing schooling, my parents enrolled me in B.Com Computer Science in Anna Adarsh College for Women, Anna Nagar. It was during this time my stint with motorcycles became prominent. My friend Starvin Shane Peter revived my riding skills with his TVS Apache RTR 160. So, from 2008 onwards, I became a full-fledged bikerni.
Q: How did Dominar come into your life?
A: Though I learnt riding a motorcycle, I settled with a Honda Activa scooter for many years. But, when Yamaha updated its FZ series a few years back, I couldn’t miss them out and booked FZ V2 in August 2014 becoming the first woman in my clan to own a motorcycle. I enjoyed it to the core, sharpening my skills further. But, in 2017, I decided to give up the motorbike to move on to a bigger one with Bajaj launching its first sport tourer Dominar 400 in 2016.
By February 2017, I sold my FZ and started practising in my friend’s Royal Enfield Desert Storm 500 while also closely monitoring the reception of the Dominar. As it turned out to be the best launch of the country, I finally booked the bike in July that year.
Q: It seems you are now Bajaj’s first woman RPE?
A: After completing college, I worked as a human resource professional for seven years, including three years in the Nungambakkam-based RV Matrix Software Technologies Pvt Ltd. After getting the Dominar, I participated in all of the firm’s group rides through its official city club, Madras Dominar Riders. Seeing my enthusiasm, many of Bajaj’s officials got to know about me.
Around a couple of months ago, I came to know that the post of Chennai’s RPE was vacant. Initially, I didn’t have much hope but still applied. There were two rounds of interview and, to my surprise, I cleared both and became Bajaj Auto Ltd’s first woman RPE.
So far, I have successfully completed a major event named Stampede, leading hundreds of male bikers on a company-given Pulsar RS 200. It was a day to cherish in my life as I was proud to head a male-dominated area. I also recently completed many solo awareness rides on my Dominar which has now crossed 20,000 km.
Q: Why don’t we see more women like you on the road?
A: I would blame their mentality and, most importantly, society in the past. Many women still stick to boundaries. They are afraid to ride or feel bad when criticised. But times have changed and women riders are being accepted with laurels by the present society.
When I drive the Dominar, I get a lot of attention on the road and passers-by treat me like a celebrity. People also take selfies with me in awe. Also, I get full support from my parents which is another major driving force. My sisters, Kunjan and Amrita, after seeing me ride the Dominar, have also shown interest in long rides now.
Q: With racing academies for women on the rise in the city, are there any plans for you to start a racing career?
A: I do like racing and have also raced my Dominar a couple of times which are available on YouTube. But, at least for now, racing isn’t my cup of tea. I want to explore the unexplored places of India on my Dominar just like the expeditions taken up by men. Also, my next set of actions will be taking up more responsibility in the brand and organising many rides and social initiatives joining hands with fellow Dominar-owners.
Call to greet Raveena at 7358346799.
CHECK OUT STRE:
While there are many women motorcycle riding groups in the country, Royal Enfield was the first to introduce a company-owned women riding group named She Travels on a Royal Enfield (STRE) in January 2015. It has been actively involved in encouraging women riders. Hema Choudhary, who has more than a decade of experience riding motorcycles, heads the department. She has also travelled across the length and breadth of the country.
BIKERNI:
Bikerni, founded in 2011, is an all-woman group of riders. It’s also the first such association in India. In 2013, the group organised the largest all-woman motorcycle expedition from Delhi to Khardung-La in Ladakh. The route included the highest motorable road in the world and won them a mention in the Limca Book of Records in 2013.
WHAT IS RPE?
A Ride Programme Executive in Bajaj Auto Ltd plans new long-ride expeditions for Bajaj motorcycle-owners and guide them to new destinations on weekends and holidays. S/he will also unite all of them in an official social club and organise volunteering activities for social causes. S/he will initiate bike-owners on the finer points of the vehicle.