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Born to Ride
Motorbike enthusiast wants more Asians hitting Yorkshire streets
Now it's not everyday you see a Sikh biker on our streets but that may be about to change. So all you motorbike enthusiasts out there, you better get yourself ready as Gurminder Singh Sagoo wants you to ride with him.

Sikh motorcyclist Gurminder started riding just three years ago but longed for a motorcycle all his life.

"I eventually plucked up the courage and in 2006 I did my CBT. This is the Compulsory Basic Training which enabled me to go out and purchase my first 125cc motorbike. I would encourage anyone starting out to do this route. You can do what's called a direct access course which enables you to go out and purchase any size bike you wish (providing you are over 21).

The 37 year old admits he had a few concerns; one in particular was how exposed he first felt going onto the motorway. Despite this, Gruminder was still not but off and in fact begin to upgrade his bike.

"After 6 months I completed my main test and then purchased a Yamaha R6. A great 600cc sports bike which was a world away from riding my wobbly 125. This was a real bike which got a lot of respect. Having owned this bike for 2 years I hankered after a 1000cc super sports bike and always wanted a Yamaha R.

"This year I was lucky enough to be able to get my hands on the one you see in the photos. The performance figures are outstanding, but more importantly it looks great!"
As the creator of 'Singh Biker Club', it's Gurminder's job to convince others to join him on his journeys.

"The feeling of freedom is second to none. I am also keen on raising the profile of biking amongst Asians and particularly my own Sikh community, hence the establishment of the Singh Biker Club. Having made contact with a number of state side Sikh Biker Clubs such as the Shere Panjab Motorcycle Club, I was keen to get together the UK's finest Sikh Bikers. The Group has 40 members and I am looking to grow this. We support events such as the SACA Annual Charity Bike Ride from Birmingham to London and some of the London bikers meet regularly for Ride Outs as do some of us chaps up here in Yorkshire."

In the 1980's, Sikhs were exempt from wearing crash helmets when riding bikes. However, these days it is far too dangerous to be without a crash helmet but it is disappointing that there is a lack of Sikh bikers after all the campaigning that went on to make them exempt from wearing a helmet.

It seems a shame that biking amongst our community in this country seems to be non existent. My aim is to reintroduce biking as a great leisure activity and if ridden with the right group it is also safe. Looking in from the outside, the whole biking scene can look intimidating however this couldn't be further from the truth, once you start riding it's like getting an automatic pass to a fantastic club. Going for ride outs you will find yourself talking to and meeting complete strangers, nodding at passing bikers."

f you would like to ride out with Gurminder then simply search for 'Singh Biker Club' on Facebook.

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