Indian bikes gave tough competition to high-performance machines negotiating the tough terrain at the Desert Storm rally

A 135 cc local-made bike versus a 500 cc KTM or Honda?

Made in India: Participants riding Indian bikes at the Desert Storm rally Pics/Shashank Shekhar

Looks like no competition at all. But, the ground reality proved a far cry from the performance analysis on the paper.

A non-modified 135 cc Yamaha bike beat a 500 cc KTM, Honda and Polaris. That too, while negotiating one of the toughest terrains at the recently-concluded Desert Storm rally in Rajasthan.

Mohanlal Sharma, won the race on his non-modified bike ahead of some of the meanest machines that were specially imported for one of the country's toughest motor-sport events.

"I participate in all major rallies of India. This time I was surprised to see high- performance bikes specially Polaris at the Desert Storm rally. After the first stage, I realized the rally is not about only engine power but navigation skills."

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