Dilip Bam Feature Image

Veteran motorcyclist and Motoring Journalist Dilip Bam passes away at the age of 69

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Veteran motorcyclist Dilip Bam passed away on Thursday, October 13, 2016, at the age of 69. A Mechanical Engineering from I.I.T, Bam had a vast motorcycling experience, riding through some of the most difficult terrains across the world. He had been testing two-wheelers for over 26 years and was one of the most followed auto writers in the country during his peak.

Bam began his career with Car & Bike International magazine in June 1987 where he worked as the Road Test Editor till 1993. He then moved on to Auto India magazine. He also tested two-wheelers for Indian Auto Journal, Bike2Car magazine &  Motorindia magazine. Apart from working for magazines, he also wrote regular two-wheeler columns for Times of India, Indian Express and Eenadu (Telugu) as well as Marathi newspapers such as Aikya and Pudhari.

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Born on January 4, 1947 Bam was a qualified Mechanical Engineer who worked at Kirloskar Oil Engines Ltd. (from 1968) where he gained immense knowledge on diesel engines. He also pursued MBA from XLRI Jamshedpur. Apart from writing about motorcycles, Bam also taught in various MBA institutes in Pune, India such as Symbiosis, BIMM, ICFAI, IMDR and several others. He was also a professor at BITS Pilani from 1987 to 1996.

Dilip Bam is also famous for the Rs 100 crore notice he received from Hero Motors. The October 1997 issue of Auto India magazine carried a road test by Bam, of a bike named Hero Winner, under the title of “WINSOME LOSE SOME”. Bam lambasted the said two-wheeler on several counts. In his road test report, he used language which the manufacture considered as defamatory and damaging for its product, and sent the journalist a legal notice claiming damages amounting to INR 100 crore. Bam, however, didn’t budge from his position, and the lawsuit was eventually withdrawn bolstering his image as a bold and fearless automotive journalist for the industry and the audience alike.

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Bam, a serious adventure enthusiast, had ridden across the Sahara Desert on a non-geared scooter, a Kinetic Honda. He was the first man to achieve the feat. Bam had also completed the Kashmir to Kanyakumari ride on three occasions.

Our deepest sympathies are with his family and friends. His sad demise is a loss for the Indian motoring journalism and he’s left a void which would be hard to fill. May his soul rest in peace.

Read all about his achievements on his personal blog, DilipBam.com.

Images sourced from his official blog

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