RESULTS

       The results of the survey were plain depressing to say the least. They fluctuated between discouraging and very discouraging. The results were not worthy of being shared with readers but to be very frank, I have nothing else to tell you. So here goes: -

Out of the 80 girls quizzed as many as 5 had no idea 'what the Bullet looked like'. What a depressing state of affairs.

Only 25% of those questioned thought of Bullet owners or Bulleteers in my lingo as normal guys. The views of others ranged from 'irresponsible hooligans' to 'adventurous' (read, irresponsible hooligans). Actually three girls thought of Bulleteers as 'a bit special but in a positive way' and I am trying to find those girls.

32% of the respondents would ride pillion on any other bike other than Bullet, 48% had no choice, 8% preferred not to be seen on a bike. Thus only 12% of the respondents wanted to ride pillion on a Bullet. There go my chances of wooing any girl.

The most important question regarding the relationship aspects (Q.No.3) threw up some really discouraging answers. For once there were 10% girls who believed that Bulleteers were serious people who believed in long-term relationships. To out-match them were an overwhelming 78% who found Bulleteers to be fit only for short-term relationships. Even depressing was the response from the remaining 12% who found Bulleteers to be unfit for any relationships. I don't think that I will get another date in my life after becoming a Bulleteer.

Not all was lost though as 90% respondents thought that being seen in the company of a Bulleteer will not tarnish their image. There was a single girl who thought that it will 'actually enhance her image'. Where are you now, my dear?

Dads are the biggest hurdles in a smooth love story and 65% girls believed that their dads would not approve of their choice of a Bulleteer. There were some pops who hated bikers altogether. Close to 25% girls had the feeling that their father would approve of their choice of a Bulleteer. There's still hope in this world!

Better still the image of the 'Hulk' was better than expected. 65% girls rated it as powerful, dependable and solid. Rest rated it as crude (Dumb bimbos!) and a sheer waste of money.

However 60% of the girls did not want their husband to become a Bulleteer. One even threatened to divorce her husband if he becomes a Bulleteer. So even though I may get a girl after becoming a Bulleteer there's a fair chance that my wife will not allow me to retain the company of the 'Hulk'.

Ironically there was an exact 50-50 split when it came to girls riding the bike on their own. Guess, Enfield motors should seriously start targeting the females as a potential market segment.

In studying these results one thing should be kept in mind that these girls belong to some of the best B-schools of the country and can be assumed to be having an open mindset.
So if these girls have given such discouraging answers then what can be expected from the rest of the country? Royal Enfield Motors sure has a long time to go before it can change the Bullet into a 'come take your girlfriend for a ride bike'.


FINALLY :-

       "What happened man?" asked my 'alter ego' with a hint of sarcasm in his voice? "Nothing short of disaster," I sighed. "The girls just plain hate the bike. They don't care if the engine pumps out 18 horses. For them it is a crude bike. They think their dads are going to be mad if they marry a Bulleteer. They think of the Bullet as solid and dependable but don't want to trust a Bulleteer for a relationship. I am literally devastated."

       "What was your girl's response to the questionnaire?" asked my 'alter ego'. "Her response was the worst of all. She doesn't want to ride a Bullet, doesn't want her husband to be a Bulleteer and worse of all her dad hates all bikers. To top it all she actually found the questionnaire to be quite ridiculous," I wailed. "So what are you going to choose? The girl or the 'Hulk', who wins?" mocked my 'alter ego' in anticipation. So who wins…
     The choice this time was pretty simple and I took the decision like a man.
       
"To hell with the girl; bring home the Hulk," I thought to myself as the Enfield showroom owner handed over the keys to my new Bullet. What happened to the 'alter ego' of mine you may ask? Well he committed suicide for want of the girl and as for the girl herself; well that's another story….