Mahindra's Power Scooters Conquer Khardung La

Since their launch in 2009, the Mahindra Rodeo and Mahindra Duro have proved themselves as true city slickers, capable of taking on the toughest urban terrain. Now, these nifty two wheelers have proved their mettle in the mountains as well.

In August 2009, two intrepid journalists from Overdrive magazine, Halley Prabhakar and Kshitij Sharma, decided to ride the Rodeo and the Duro to Khardung La, the world's highest motorable pass.

But would the scooters be up to the challenge?

The answer proved to be a resounding yes as these gearless scooters admirably lived up to expectations, in conditions which are known to prove harsh for humans, much less machines. As Halley and Kshitij ascended further into the mountains, the air got thinner and the road got tougher. Yet, the Rodeo and the Duro valiantly soldiered on, even as their riders suffered from altitude sickness.

From rain and steep inclines uphill to boulders, and rough gravel roads that seemed to go on for miles, the Power Scooters took it all in their stride.

As Halley himself put it "they should have been battered, plastics should have shattered and tyres should have been slashed to ribbons. What actually happened was the scooters looked ready to head back without a moment's pause and it was we who felt battered and shattered."

Source: Mahindra