Photographs By Govind Gadekar
When the seniors at Motoring tasked me with exploring a story for our Mod Special issue, my mind immediately gravitated toward my friend Souvik Basu. In the world of modifications, where creativity meets craftsmanship, few embody the spirit of mod culture as he does. I couldn’t help but feel excited, knowing that his journey would not only be captivating but also a masterclass in how far one can take their passion for mods.
When it comes to automobiles, most folks treat them like utilitarian tools — something to get them from point A to point B. And then there are people like Souvik, for whom automobiles represent not just transportation but the ultimate expression of self-discovery. This is the tale of a delightful lunatic who not only mods his rides to the point of absurdity but also spends a small fortune on upgrades that far exceed the vehicle’s value, all while proudly parading them as his daily drivers. Who needs practicality when you can have sheer madness on wheels?
The Honda Jazz and the Royal Enfield Himalayan are only the latest in Souvik’s extensive lineup of modded vehicles. His journey began over a decade ago with a Honda Unicorn Dazzler, a bike he transformed from a 150cc commuter into a 185cc speed machine with parts sourced internationally. Since then, he’s owned and modified eight motorcycles, each representing a different phase of his life. From a KTM 200 Duke that he painted a Dragon Knight theme on, to the Kawasaki Ninja 250R with a free-flow exhaust, Souvik’s bikes have always been an extension of his evolving passion.
When it came to four-wheelers, his passion for modifications showed in his first to a Mahindra MM550 and later to a Force Gurkha — both of which he turned into off-roading powerhouses ready for any terrain. Each vehicle is decked out with custom-designed and precisely machined parts, from reinforced suspension systems and rugged all-terrain tyres to snorkels and winches for those extra-challenging stretches.
Performance upgrades, like beefed-up engines and high-performance exhausts, give them the power and growl to match their looks, and together, these details make his rides impossible to ignore. Whether he’s heading out for a quick bread run or taking his spaniel, Skylar, for a leisurely night stroll, his modded machines attract plenty of admiring (and sometimes envious) glances.
Souvik’s Himalayan is not your run-of-the-mill adventure bike; it’s a well-honed machine designed to tackle any terrain with grace and agility. One of the key areas of focus for him has been reducing unsprung mass, and he’s gone to great lengths to shed weight without sacrificing performance. By swapping out the stock wheels for lightweight aluminium rims and aluminium sprockets, he’s created a setup that not only improves handling but also enhances acceleration. The transition from a 525 to a 520 pitch is a small detail that pays off big time in the riding experience, allowing the Himalayan to twist and turn with a newfound liveliness. With YSS shocks installed, it adds a flair of handling, delivering a ride that’s as thrilling as it is comfortable.
The heart of Souvik’s mods lies in a big-bore kit paired with a 34-mm throttle body, which together transform the Himalayan into a powerhouse. The K&N air filter complements this setup beautifully, allowing for a seamless mix of air and fuel. With a ported cylinder head featuring big valves, the bike can breathe more easily, ensuring that it doesn’t just run — it roars. Adding to this symphony of performance is a stage 2 high-lift camshaft and the dynamic duo of a FuelX Pro paired with an NMW Racing ECU, elevating both horsepower and torque by around 35 per cent. It’s a transformation that turns the Himalayan into a beast.
But Souvik understands that power means nothing without control, and he’s been meticulous about upgrading the braking and handling systems. He has added a combo of EBC and Brembo sintered pads to the Himalayan.
Brake pads, paired with an RCB S1 radial master cylinder up front — this setup gives him the stopping power to match the newfound speed. The YSS adjustable rear shocks and fork preloaders create a stiffer suspension, providing exceptional feedback through the handlebars. When Souvik leans into a turn, he can feel every nuance of the road, allowing him to ride with confidence.
Switching gears to Souvik’s Honda Jazz, this little hatchback is a stealthy warrior in the world of performance cars, and it’s all about keeping rivals on their toes. His goal was clear — build a sleeper that can embarrass the competition at any stoplight. The strategy kicks off with a lightweight flywheel, which sheds 2.4 kg compared to the stock unit, allowing the engine to rev more quickly. Coupled with Exedy organic clutch plates and a Hybrid Racing short shifter, this Jazz is now built to put that power down effectively. Shifts come faster than ever as every ‘room,’ keeping the engine in its sweet spot.
The performance enhancements don’t stop here. He has installed a custom cold-air intake with a BMC DIA cold air intake, which works hand in hand with a custom cat-back exhaust to amplify the exhaust note and boost horsepower. The Jazz is currently running a Quantum Red custom map that yields a realistic power increase of around 20 per cent. This setup offers smooth and usable power throughout the rev range — perfect for daily drive use, as he intends.
Lightweight alloy wheels shod with Yokohama tyres offer a firm grip on the road, while the Tein Flex Z suspension system takes handling to an entirely new level. He’s also upgraded the braking system with Project MU steel braided lines, Brembo slotted rotors, and DBA Extreme brake pads up front, ensuring that when he hits the brakes, the car stops on a dime. Dixel Racing brake shoes at the rear round out this impressive setup, making sure the Jazz can come to a halt as quickly as it can go.
With a planned final drive upgrade in the works, the anticipation is palpable. Souvik has tuned the Jazz for maximum performance while keeping it true to its sleeper roots. The combination of acceleration, braking, and handling means this car is not just about quick sprints; it’s about creating a driving experience that thrills and astonishes at every turn.
All the modifications on the Jazz have been meticulously planned, making it a clever little marvel of engineering. Souvik has his sights set on dropping in the 1.5-litre i-VTEC, called the L15, from the Honda City. The brilliance of his strategy lies in the fact that all these mods can seamlessly adapt to the new engine, setting the stage for a thrilling boost in performance. This means that when the time comes to unleash the L15, the Jazz will not just be fast; it will rocket past the unsuspecting.
As the saying goes, ‘A modder’s best friend is his mechanic’, and Souvik couldn’t agree more. He gives a well-deserved shoutout to the dynamic duo of Junaid at Mo-Bike Autocare and Altaf at Indian Automobiles, his go-to guys for all things mechanical. These talented mechanics don’t just turn Souvik’s wild automotive dreams into reality; they’re also always on speed dial, ready to swoop in whenever one of his beloved machines decides to throw a tantrum. With their expertise at his disposal, Souvik can focus on the open road ahead rather than worrying about unexpected breakdowns, leaving him free to ponder life’s greatest mysteries — like why the Gujarat RTO has an eye on him.
To Souvik, modding isn’t just a hobby; it’s a lifestyle. He sees every vehicle as a blank canvas, an opportunity to express his creativity and engineering prowess. And while some might call him crazy for daily-driving these heavily modded machines, he wouldn’t have it any other way. For him, there’s no such thing as a ‘boring commute’. Every drive, every ride is a chance to experience the thrill of a machine that’s been built, not bought.
Of course, living with such heavily modified vehicles isn’t all sunshine and roses. The Jazz’s lowered suspension can be punishing on rough roads, and the Himalayan’s rugged tyres can be noisy and a bit unwieldy in tight city spaces. But Souvik embraces these quirks. He doesn’t see them as drawbacks; he sees them as character traits that make his vehicles unique. And let’s not forget the tricky conversations at home whenever a new batch of mod parts arrives, essentially involving long explanations along the lines of ‘It’s not what it looks like!’
In a world where people often view their cars and bikes as mere tools, Souvik’s approach is refreshingly different. To him, every commute, every trip to the store, and every late-night joyride is an adventure, a chance to revel in the thrill of a vehicle that’s truly his own. In the end, Souvik’s story is about the refusal to settle for the ordinary. So, the next time you see a modded vehicle, whether it’s rolling on the road or broken down by the side, give them a nod of respect. You’re looking at someone who’s chosen to turn away from a mundane life towards thrill. Truly, he’s a guy deserving of the title — MadMotoMods!
