These superbikes set the Indian roads on fire in 2014
Performance sport motorcycles have a very limited space in the Indian auto industry. However, we saw 7 major superbikes of the category launched in India in 2014. The category is further divided into super sport, naked sport and adventure sport, based on the style and performance of the machine. Let's take a brief look of all these sport bikes launched in 2014.
BMW S1000R
Photograph: Courtesy, BMW Motorrad
BMW launched its popular naked sport superbike - -- S1000R in India via CBU route in the month of May 2014. Where most of the litre-class machines in the respective category have been priced between Rs 10-15 lakh, the BMW S1000R entered the market with a price tag of Rs 22.83 lakh (ex-showroom, Mumbai).
Based on the S1000RR, the bike houses the same 4-stroke, liquid-cooled, inline-four engine displacing 999cc. Being a streetfighter, it has been tuned to deliver 160bhp of maximum power at 11,000rpm along with a peak torque of 112Nm at 9,250rpm.
There are many advance features that comes standard with the bike like fully adjustable suspension set-up, race ABS, Dynamic Traction Control (DTC), automatic stability control (ASC) and dual riding modes - -- road and rain. The company is also offering dynamic damping control (DDC) system as an optional equipment for better damping and stability.
BMW R nineT
Photograph: Courtesy, BMW Motorrad
The retro style roadster -- BMW R nineT entered the Indian market in July 2014 with a price tag of Rs 23.5 lakh (ex-showroom, Mumbai). There are lots of special feature in the bike, but the most important is its iconic Boxer motor.
The 1,170cc air/oil-cooled, boxer-twin engine churns out 108.5bhp of maximum power and a top torque of 119Nm, making the bike capable for a top speed over 200kmph.
Another interesting feature of the bike is its customisable design, which gives different types of custom options like seat and exhaust. It also gets all the advanced features including adjustable suspension set-up, steering damper, ABS and more.
Suzuki V-Strom 1000 ABS
Photograph: Courtesy, Suzuki Motor Corporation
Suzuki launched the V-Strom in the Indian market during the 2014 Auto Expo in February at Rs 14.5 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). The litre class adventure motorcycle comes with an on/off road compatible design with all the required features.
It houses a 1,037cc, 4-Stroke, liquid-cooled, DOHC, 90 degree V-twin engine, which churns out 99.2hp of peak power at 8,000rpm and 103Nm of maximum torque at just 4,000rpm.
The motor comes mated to a 6-speed constant mesh gearbox via a slipper clutch for super smooth shifting. It is available in two colours -- Candy Daring Red (YYG) and Pearl Glacier White (YWW).
Triumph Daytona 675R
Photograph: Courtesy, Triumph Motorcycles
Triumph Daytona 675R launched in India at the 2014 Auto Expo in February 2014. It is an advanced version of the Daytona 675, which is already available in India.
The bike uses the same 675cc inline triple cylinder engine, but has been tuned to deliver a raw power of 128PS at 12,500rpm and a maximum torque of 74Nm at 11,900rpm.
The bike has fully adjustable KYB suspension set-up with low -- and high-speed compression damping adjustment. It also gets a highly responsive braking system by Brembo and super sticky Pirelli SuperCorsa tyres.
The Daytona 675R comes with a price tag of Rs 10.15 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).
Kawasaki Z800
Photograph: Courtesy, Kawasaki Motors
In January, Kawasaki launched the much-anticipated, mid-weight superbike Z800 in India at Rs 8.05 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). Coming from the Kawasaki's wild 'Z' family, the streetfighter machine has a very brutal and aggressive appearance.
Powered by an 806cc, 4-stroke, liquid cooled, inline-four motor, the bike delivers best-in-class performance of 111bhp at 10,200rpm.
Peak torque of the engine is 83Nm coming at 8,000rpm and the bike is capable to achieve a top speed over 233kmph.
It comes with adjustable 41mm inverted front forks and rear gas-charged single shock with piggyback reservoir, 310mm dual front and 250mm single rear disc brakes, 120/70 section front and 180/55 section rear tyres.
Kawasaki ER-6n
Photograph: Courtesy, Kawasaki Motors
Kawasaki ER-6n naked sport motorcycle arrived in India in October with a very reasonable price tag of Rs 4.78 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). Basically it is a naked sport version of the Ninja 650, which is already available in the Indian market.
Apart from the front fairing, it shares all the body work along with the engineering elements with its faired sibling. The engine that propels the bike is a 649cc, 4-stroke, liquid-cooled, DOHC 8V, parallel-twin motor, delivering 71bhp of top power at 8,500rpm and a peak torque of 64Nm at 7,000rpm.
Kawasaki Versys 1000 ABS
Photograph: Courtesy, Kawasaki Motors
Kawasaki brought the Versys 1000 in India in the month of November and priced it at Rs 12.9 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). Packed with a four-stroke, liquid-cooled, inline-four engine displacing 1,043cc, the bike delivers 118.4bhp @9,000rpm and 102Nm @ 7,500rpm.
The bike gets a semi-faired styling with split style headlights and an adjustable wind visor. It has some advanced features like 3-mode KTRC (Kawasaki TRaction Control) while ABS comes as standard with the latest model.
