In our monthly series on consumer products, we feature some of the latest high-end cruiser and sports bikes to take the Indian market by storm. Compiled by Vikram Chaudhary and Abhishek Chakraborty
CRUISERS
Indian Chieftain
Available in three shades?thunder black, Indian motorcycle red and springfield blue?it comes with a ?Thunder Stroke 111? engine and has a weight of 370 kg. The entertainment system includes radio, Bluetooth and a USB connection in a secure and waterproof housing on the right fairing. It will also power your player or iPhone and there is an extra 12V plug on the left of the instrument panel for a GPS or CB.
Price: Rs 33 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi)
We like: A really big motorcycle, makes most Harleys look small.
We don?t: Again, too monstrous for Indian roads, too pricey.
Opinion: Fairing and saddlebags mean loads of convenience.
A true cruiser.
Harley-Davidson Street 750
Coming with a liquid-cooled, revolution XV-twin engine, this is the latest entry in the Harley series. It is 2,225 mm in length and has a weight of 222 kg in running order. It is part of the Dark Custom motorcycle range and has been specifically made for young riders in developing markets like India.
Price: R4.1 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi)
We like: A lightweight Harley, can be easily manoeuvred on narrow streets.
We don?t: Doesn?t sound like a Harley, nor has the road presence of one.
Opinion: A pocket-friendly, pocket-sized Harley, has a powerful engine.
Harley-Davidson Fat Boy
With an air-cooled, twin-cam 103B engine, it has a wheel base of 1,635 mm and weighs 330 kg. One of the highest-sold Harley bikes globally, it comes with LED indicator lights, six-speed gearbox, indicator lights, etc.
Price: R14.84 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi)
We like: Almost everything, from looks to the riding position.
We don?t: Almost nothing, just that it?s costlier than a Toyota Corolla.
Opinion: The original fat custom icon with a burly style. Arnold Schwarzenegger immortalised it.
Suzuki Intruder M1800R
The Intruder M1800R?s performance begins with its 1,783 cc, fuel-injected V-twin engine. Like Suzuki?s sports bikes, it balances extraordinary performance with crisp handling, thanks to a technically-advanced chassis and suspension, matched by world-class brakes.
Price: R15.95 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi)
We like: Monstrous looks, cruiser styling, impeccable power and handling.
We don?t: Pricey, too big for Indian roads.
Opinion: Among the world?s most modern cruisers, and very refined.
Hyosung ST7
With an engine displacement of 678 cc and a horsepower of 62.50, it reaches a maximum speed of 180 kmph. It has a fuel capacity of 17 litres and a length of 2,470 mm.
Price: R5.79 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi)
We like: Looks good, performs better, a comfortable cruiser.
We don?t: At the price, runs into Harley-Davidson Street 750.
Opinion: Performance of a sports bike, comfort of a cruiser.
Triumph Rocket III Roadster
The 2.3-litre, three-cylinder engine is designed to be an arm-wrenching thrill to ride, yet easy and non-intimidating, too, despite its thunderous roar. Its sweet-handling chassis, rigid frame and sophisticated suspension make handling it a lot easier.
Price: R21.02 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi)
We like: Its 2.3-litre, three-cylinder engine that has limitless torque.
We don?t: Consumes too much fuel, is heftily priced.
Opinion: The world?s biggest-production motorcycle engine, need we say more?
Indian Chief Classic
Coming with a ?Thunder Stroke? engine, it is a high-performance bike with 2,600 rpm. It has a length of 2,630 mm and is available in three colours?thunder black, Indian motorcycle red and springfield blue.
Price: R26.5 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi)
We like: V-twin engine, quick-release windscreen, ability to cruise endlessly.
We don?t: Too big for Indian roads, and too pricey.
Opinion: A Harley competitor, comes with loads of exclusivity.
SPORTS BIKES
Honda CB1000R
It has a lightweight and powerful 998 cc liquid-cooled, fuel-injector inline-four engine along with a fully adjustable 43 mm inverted front fork. It also has a monoshock rear suspension with adjustable Honda multi-action system damper.
Price: R11.82 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi)
We like: Handles like a small bike, powerful enough to beat the big ones.
We don?t: Doesn?t immediately come across as a big bike.
Opinion: Aggressive, edgy, yet perfectly composed. Tears up twisty terrains with ease.
Honda CBR Fireblade
Coming with fuel injection settings for the 999 cc inline-four engine, it is smoother and easier to use, particularly at smaller throttle openings. It also uses a multi-function LCD instrument panel with lap timer, gear position indicator, plus tachometer with four modes of display.
Price: R15.21 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi)
We like: Brings to life searing performance and omniscient control.
We don?t: Low ground clearance, scrapes tall speed-breakers.
Opinion: Tempered in the fires of world superbike and endurance competitions.
Yamaha R1
With four consecutive superbike championships and packed with MotoGP technology, it is one of the most advanced open-class sports bikes. Its crossplane crankshaft results in smooth power delivery and high torque.
Price: R17.66 lakh
(ex-showroom, Delhi)
We like: Inspired by the Yamaha M1 MotoGP racing bike.
We don?t: Nothing really, the R1 is a legendary motorcycle.
Opinion: Technologically superior to many other bikes in its segment.
Kawasaki Ninja 650
It comes with a four-stroke, DDHC 8-valve, parallel-twin (BSIII) engine and has a displacement of 649 cc, with a maximum power of 72.1 PS @ 8500 RPM. The muffler located under the engine lowers the Ninja 650?s centre of gravity and contributes to the bike?s highly-focused appearance.
Price: R4.92 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi)
We like: Stunning looks, good performance, sensible price.
We don?t: Comes in just one shade.
Opinion: A sports bike you can ride to office daily.
Hyosung GT650R
Available in four variants?black, red, maroon and grey?the race-bred GT650R, with its large fairing and sporty bearing, is a middleweight offering.
Price: R4.79 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi)
We like: One of the best sports bikes in
its segment.
We don?t: Isn?t as refined or polished as Japanese bikes.
Opinion: A good sports bike experience without breaking the bank.
Kawasaki Ninja 1000
Coming with a displacement of 1,043 cc, it has a four-stroke, liquid-cooled, DOHC, four valves per cylinder and inline-four engine. Available in two shades?candy lime green and candy cascade blue?its separate, raised handlebars contribute to the sporty, comfortable riding position.
Price: R12.45 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi)
We like: Again, amazing looks, stable
ride quality.
We don?t: The beauty comes at a price.
Opinion: A sports bike that is a good, long-distance cruiser.
Suzuki Hayabusa
The Hayabusa features the unique Suzuki Drive Mode Selector system, which allows the rider to select one of three engine control maps. It comes with a 1,340 cc four-stroke, four-cylinder, liquid-cooled, DOHC engine and is available in three colours?pearl vigour blue/pearl glacier white, metallic thunder gray/grass sparkle black and pearl mira red/pearl glacier white.
Price: R15.95 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi)
We like: Easily the baap of all sports bikes.
We don?t: Too intimidating for an average rider.
Opinion: The world?s fastest-production motorcycle, it doesn?t get bigger than this.
