Continued: TEN game changing bikes of 2016

Here are 5 more game-changing two wheelers of 2016.

First Start-Stop tech equipped motorcycle

Hero Splendor iSmart

The Splendor iSmart is the first motorcycle developed by Hero at its new technical centre at Jaipur. The motorcycle comes with segment first i3S technology, which stands for Idle Start-Stop System. The commuter motorcycle takes the inspiration from the fuel-saving, start-stop systems in cars.

The i3S technology automatically switches off the engine when the motorcycle stays idle in the neutral gear for more than 5 seconds. The engine starts again as soon as the clutch is engaged. The system helps the 110 cc bike to return a phenomenal fuel efficiency of 68 km/l. The Splendor iSmart also became the first budget motorcycle in India to come with AHO or Always Headlamp On system.

First Motocross bike

Kawasaki KX100

Kawasaki has kick-started the motocross segment in India with the launch of KX100 and KX250 recently. Even though both were launched on the same day, the KX100 is the cheapest offering, hence, we will talk about it here. The CBU motocross motorcycle is not road legal in India and cannot be registered from the RTO.

The KX100 is a small motorcycle for the novice riders and comes powered by a 99cc liquid-cooled, two-stroke, single-cylinder engine. The motorcycle just weighs 77 kg and comes with world-class suspension with 275 mm of travel. The motorcycle comes with a hefty price tag of Rs. 4.68 lakh.

First supercharged motorcycle

Kawasaki Ninja H2

The Kawasaki H2 is the first supercharged motorcycle in India. The H2 is the most powerful litre-class motorcycle that generates a maximum of 197 BHP and 134 Nm of maximum torque. The Ninja H2 comes with a price tag of Rs. 29.1 lakh.

Futuristic Console

2017 Indian Chieftain

Indian Motorcycles updated their 2017 model of Chieftain with the Ride Command feature. The all-new technology gets a 7-inch touch-sensitive screen that can be operated with the gloves on. The infotainment system is very similar to the ones we see in high-end cars and it can get connected to a smartphone, has navigation, can play music, etc. The Chieftain has started an era of huge LCD screens on the motorcycles, and was followed by Harley-Davidson Road Glide, which also features a similar screen. In future, motorcycles like 390 Duke will feature similar technology.

First truly ‘expensive’ scooter

Piaggio Vespa 946 EA

Even though the tag of the most expensive scooter in India goes to the maxi scooter, Aprilia SRV 850, the Vespa 946 is in a league of its own. The Italian scooter designed by the legendary fashion guru, Emporio Armani, was launched in India at Rs. 12.04 lakh, ex-showroom, Pune.

Celebrating the 130th birthday of Emporio Armani, the scooter comes with a unique shade of body-colour that changes hues with light. The scooter comes with full LED headlamps, LCD instrument panel, disc brakes at both the wheels, ABS and more. Powering the scooter is a 125cc single-cylinder engine putting out 11.3 BHP – 10.3 Nm.