IN PICS: The hottest superbike launches of 2013

Jyotsana Gupta of Bikedekho.com lists out the sexiest superbikes to hit the roads this year.

A lot of flair and flamboyance awaits biking enthusiasts in India this year. While 2012 was mainly about practicality, 2013 is going to be all about passion! While 2012 brought a whole horde of commuters to the country, 2013 is going to introduce some of the most enticing superbikes to the die-hard bikers of the nation.

With smashers like Ducati Panigale R, 2013 Suzuki Hayabusa, Triumph Rocket III, Victory Motorcycle, Kawasaki ZX10R Ninja and ZX14R Ninja on their way to set the Indian roads ablaze, sleepless nights and overpowering thrill are all that is in store for motorbike fanatics this year. So why not take a look at these enthralling beauties that are soon going to redefine the entire concept of biking for all of us.

2013 Suzuki Hayabusa

Suzuki Hayabusa, more popularly known in India as the 'Dhoom Bike', will be seen in a new and even more captivating avatar this year. Expected to be launched in the very first quarter of 2013 as a CBU (completely built unit), the superbike from Japan is likely to fall in a price bracket of Rs 13 lakh (Rs 1.3 million) to Rs 14 lakh (Rs 1.4 million).

The major highlight of this upgraded version is its brand new set of Brembo-made radial disc brakes that offer a much more powerful braking for the speed machine. Accompanying these upgraded discs are newly revised brake pistons that have expanded from 32-30mm to 32-32mm in diameter for an improved braking action.

Courtesy:  

Ducati Panigale R

From the makers of the most exotic superbikes of the world comes the Ducati Panigale R. Expected to hit the road quite soon, this futuristic ride will be arriving in India as a CBU, which explains its exorbitant price tag that is being speculated to sport a figure of at least Rs 30 lakh (Rs 3 million).

Clearly carved out for the exceptionally well-heeled crowd of the country, the most striking feature of the 1199 Panigale R is not its electrifying outfit of carbon fibre but its magnificent power-mill. Capable of pumping out an astounding 195bhp, the 1198cc engine that sits under the hood of Panigale R has been engineered to survive, strive and deliver nothing but pure excellence every time it is cranked to life.

Victory Motorcycle

After Suzuki and Ducati, it is the Victory Motorcycles from USA that will be bringing their cruising superstar to India this year. Standing at the second position among American cruiser brands and known as the biggest rival of the top ranking Harley Davidson, Victory Motorcycles are all set to unleash an entire range of luxury cruiser motorbikes in India some time around mid-2013.

Just like Hayabusa from Japan and Panigale R from Italy, this American ride will also be imported as a CBU to India taking its cost to an extravagant range of Rs 18 lakh (Rs 1.8 million) to Rs 30 lakh (Rs 3 million). Renowned worldwide for their exquisite styling and powered by sturdy V-twin engines, the Victory bikes are bound to make this entire bike show even more glamorous.

Kawasaki ZX10R Ninja

Next in line of superbike launches is the Kawasaki ZX10R Ninja. Likely to be launched towards the end of the year, this particular Ninja will be coming as a CBU to India unlike its various siblings that are imported as CKDs (completely knocked down units) and assembled at the local production sites of Bajaj Auto.

Being a CBU has caused this litre-segment Ninja to be priced somewhere around Rs 12 lakh (Rs 1.2 million) – Rs 14 lakh (Rs 1.4 million). Blessed with a stunning muscular build and adorned with the Ninja-characteristic mean green shade, Kawasaki ZX10R Ninja has already gathered a lot of acclaim from the audiences across the globe.

Kawasaki ZX14R Ninja

Not just the biggest but also the most exotic of all Ninjas to have been created till date, the Kawasaki ZX14R Ninja, is soon going to be seen dashing away on the Indian roads. Rumoured to be placed in a price bracket of Rs 13 lakh (Rs 1.3 million) to Rs 15 lakh (Rs 1.5 million), the latter half of 2013 will be witnessing the grand launch of this stunning ride from Japan.

Crowned as the fastest production motorbike till date, this Kawasaki bike will be pitted against the magnificent 2013 Suzuki Hayabusa. What makes this superbike truly marvellous in its design is that despite being blessed with a pretty massive structure, the ride is unbelievably easy to handle. 

Triumph Rocket III

Sporting an outrageously extravagant price tag of Rs 22 lakh, the scintillating Triumph Rocket III will also be making its debut this year. Designed exclusively for the deep pocketed elite of the country, the Rocket III is all that a passionate biker can ever dream of owning.

Powered by a massive 2,294cc engine, there is no motorbike that scores higher than this gorgeous ride from UK when it comes to the skill of turning heads on a street. Belonging to the clan of the largest motorcycle manufacturer of the United Kingdom, Rocket III will be locking horns with Ducati Diavel and Suzuki Intruder once it steps into the market.