12 New 1000cc Superbikes Launched in India During The First Half Of 2015

Snapshot – The liter class superbike brigade saw a slew of additions over the past six months, with no less than a dozen new motorcycles being launched. From street bikes to cruisers and even a track focused machine, the premium end of the Indian sportsbike market now has more choices than even before. We round up the dozen new offerings that the well heeled Indian biker now has access to.

Yamaha R1

The Yamaha R1 is perhaps the bike that started the superbike segment in India, with its maker launching the machine way back in 2007. Ever since, many generations of the R1 have graced Indian roads, and in April this year, Yamaha Motor India launched a new generation R1, which is a completely re-engineered superbike. Priced at 22.34 lakh rupees, this motorcycle is also the most expensive R1 ever sold in India. Laden with electronics, the new Yamaha R1 uses a 1 liter, inline 4 petrol engine with 197 Bhp and 112 Nm outputs.

Yamaha R1 M

Yamaha is also a front runner in motorsport around the world. This time around, the Japanese motorcycle maker has brought in a track focused version of the 2015 R1, dubbed the R1 M. The track special motorcycle uses the same one liter motor, without a change in the state of tune, but is 7 lakh rupees pricier, at 29.43 lakh rupees. The higher price tag comes in lieu of track-spec suspension and electronics. The motorcycle is aimed at serious enthusiasts whose second home on the weekends is the track.

Kawasaki Ninja H2

One of India’s most powerful hyperbikes, the Kawasaki Ninja H2 is also the only supercharged motorcycle in the country. The first version of this high performance motorcycle has been delivered to Indian cricketer, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who is also a famous connoisseur of high performance machines on two wheels. The Ninja H2, which is priced at 29 lakh rupees, uses a 1 liter inline four cylinder petrol motor with 197 Bhp and 133.5 Nm on tap. The key here is the torque number, which is heavily boosted by the supercharger. This gives the Ninja H2 an edge over competition.

Benelli TNT 1130

Italian sportsbike maker Benelli made its India debut earlier this year, by collaborating with DSK Motowheels. The flagship offering from this brand is the TNT badged 1130cc streetbike. This motorcycle is priced at 12.14 lakh rupees, and is Benelli’s priciest offering yet for the Indian market. The TNT 1130 uses a triple cylinder petrol engine with peak power rated at a considerable 158 Bhp, while peak torque is pegged at a hefty 120 Nm. The motorcycle is a direct competitor of the Triumph Speed Triple

Ducati Multistrada

The Ducati Multistrada is the Italian sportsbike maker’s version of the SUV. The motorcycle sits in the adventure bike segment, and is aimed at those who like to take the path less traveled. The Multistrada is available in 3 variants – 1200, 1200 S Sport and 1200 Touring. 1200 here, represents the capacity of the motorcycle’s L-Twin liquid cooled engine, which puts out 147 Bhp and 119 Nm. The S Sport and Touring variants of the bike feature longer equipment lists. Pricing of the Multistrada starts at 21.90 lakh rupees.

Ducati Diavel

The Diavel is Ducati’s answer to the Harley Davidson V-Rod, which is a power cruiser meant to blaze through roads rather than ambling about town relaxedly. The Diavel amplifies the diabolic instinct of the V-Rod by a few notches, what with its 1,198cc L-Twin petrol motor putting out 159 Bhp and 127 Nm. For a motorcycle that measures just 210 kilograms, this much power and torque puts it at the foremost of power cruisers. The Diavel starts from 22.36 lakh rupees, with the Carbon Fiber heavy Carbon variant selling at 27.41 lakh rupees.

Ducati Streetfighter

Like its name suggests, the Streetfighter is Ducati’s flagship naked sportsbike, and one that borrows its engine from the full faired Evo superbike. The motorcycle is sold with two engine options – 848cc and 1,099cc. The 1.1 liter petrol motor uses a L-Twin layout, and makes 155 Bhp-119 Nm. Priced at 23.83 lakh rupees for the larger engined variant, the Ducati Streetfighter takes on the BMW S1000R, operating in the higher echelons of naked streetbikes. The motorcycle’s smaller engined version is pegged at 22.81 lakh rupees.

Ducati Panigale

The Panigale represents the pinnacle of Ducati’s high performance superbikes. The motorcycle features technology honed directly from the brand’s MotoGP racing program. The motorcycle is sold with two engine options, with 899cc and 1199cc displacements. Both motors are L-Twins with liquid cooling. The smaller engine makes 146 Bhp-99 Nm, while the larger one is much more powerful, with outputs of 170 Bhp-134 Nm. Both sharp looking motorcycles are loaded with electronic gadgetry. Prices for the Panigale 899 start at 16.57 lakh rupees, while the 1199cc version slots in at 21.60 lakh rupees.

Indian Roadmaster

 

The Indian Roadmaster sits at the peak of the American cruiser maker’s global portfolio, and so is the case in India. The Roadmaster is an out-and-out touring machine, the kinds of which challenges the Harley Davidson CVO Limited. The motorcycle weighs a massive 421 kilograms, and comes with a 37 lakh rupee price tag. For this kind of money, you get a bunch of luxuries that include heated seats, heated grips, cruise control and even a stereo system with Bluetooth connectivity. The bike is powered by a 1,800cc V-Twin four stroke petrol motor with 138.9 Nm of peak torque coming at just 3,000 rpm.

Indian Chief Dark Horse

The Indian Chief Dark Horse is another iteration of the Chief range of cruisers that this brand hosts. The Dark Horse, as its name hints at, is a motorcycle that goes big on black colour. The Dark Horse is also one of the more minimal motorcycles that Indian has come up with in a portfolio that screams size and curves. The motorcycle is also the least priced Indian sold in India, with a price tag of 21.99 lakh rupees. The engine of the Dark Horse is a 1.8 liter V-Twin Thunder Stroke unit with a mammoth torque number of 138.9 Nm.

Suzuki GSX-S 1000 & GSX-S 1000 F

The mad Suzuki GSX-R 1000 gets some time in the sanatorium to become a little less intimidating. The Suzuki GSX-S 1000 and the GSX-S 1000F are the results of the rehab spell. The GSX-S 1000 is the naked version while the F appended model features a tall fairing that will help the sport touring lot. Both motorcycles feature a 999cc, inline four cylinder petrol motor with 144 Bhp-106 Nm on tap. The GSX-S 1000 is priced at 12.25 lakh rupees, while the GSX-S 1000F sells at 12.70 lakh rupees.

Kawasaki Versys 1000

The Kawasaki Versys 1000 is another larger adventure touring machine, which uses a liter class sports tourer’s platform, in this case that of the Ninja 1000. The motorcycle uses a 1043cc, four cylinder petrol motor with 120 Bhp and 102 Nm. ABS comes standard, while a 6 speed manual gearbox powers the rear wheel by means of a chain drive. The Versys 1000 is priced at 12.9 lakh rupees and is aimed at those who want a cheaper road going alternate to the likes of the Ducati Multistrada and the Triumph Tiger XRx 800.