Celebrated as the fastest motorcycles, the Suzuki Hayabusa GSX1300R is a top end performance bike capable of reaching speeds in excess of 190 mph winning its reputation as a power house. The New Suzuki Hayabusa is an extremely popular motorcycle within the community of sports bike possessing the top end power for straight line performance and it corners superbly well despite the weight and the overall length. The 2009 Hayabusa 1300R features a twin-spar cast aluminum alloy frame to generate optimum strength, balance and superb handling. The swingarm is constructed from three cast aluminum sections and the reduced welds providing a clean look. Inverted front forks are fully adjustable for compression, rebound damping and spring preload. A standard steering damper provides maximum stability. The rear shock absorber features three-way adjustability defining excellent damping characteristics.
After the successful launch of Hayabusa and Intruder in the super-bike category, Suzuki is planning to add another feather to its cap. It is likely to launch another third super bike in India called GSX R 1000 also known as Gixxer. The bike will be imported as CBU's (Completely Built Units) spurred by the success of Hayabusa and Intruder. It is expected to face the heat of tough competition from Honda CBR 1000RR and CB1000R. The GSX R 1000 is loaded with fuel injection system, six speed gear box and liquid cooled engine. It also features switchable ECU maps through which the rider can opt for the full power ride or low performance ride depending on the tarmac conditions.
After seeing enough of show by Yamaha YZF-R1 and Suzuki Hayabusa, Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India Private Limited (HMSI) launches its super power bike Honda CBR1000RR christened as Fireblade to pit against its adversaries. The Honda CBR1000RR is the latest edition designed by a team of engineers from Honda and poses tough competition in the superbike segment. Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade is a MotoGP race replica taking cues from Honda's top-end racing bikes. It borrows many technologies found in the Honda CBR600RR but has been added with the reworked chassis and exhaust system, improved front and rear suspension and a lighter swingarm.
The Royal Enfield products normally show the personality of the owner with the established cult among the bullet riders. The Bullet Standard -350 is another product that really strengthens the fame and fidelity among the votaries of this manufacturer. The sound of the bike has the magnetic characteristic and this brings in a prominent figure among the two-wheelers in India. STD- 350 has the commanding thumping sound which no other bike can match in this region. The chopper sound of STD and its burly look hold the die-hards breathless. It has a long wheelbase and the bigger tyres offer a safe and secure journey making it a model for the long distance travel. The STD-350 comes with several features such as all cast-iron engine, full mudguards and traditional foot gear design with correct gear shift and a neutral finder to make the shifting to neutral easier.
Apache RTR 160 (Racing Throttle Response) is a machine with 15.2 bhp engine and it comes with a slew of first-time features showing its high performance enhanced by the TVS racing technology. This bike really shows the aggression to pit against its rivals. The attractions of Apache RTR-160 cc are the handling ability, ride quality, seating position, adjustable handle bars and the longer wheelbase. The previous flaws of the Apache 150 have been ironed out. The New Apachi RTR 160cc is available in two variants - kick start and self start.
The current version of the CBZ Xtreme engine powered by a 150cc engine, delivers a maximum power of 14ps @ 8500 rpm which is comparable to other bikes in its class. It outputs a torque of 12.80Nm @ 6500rpm. It also comes with an air cooled, 4 stroke SOHC engine. This well made bike firms up the hallmarks of Hero Honda—engine refinement, slick-shifting smooth gearbox, top-of-the-class vibration isolation, low engine noise and quality components. CBZ -Xtreme is Hero Honda's second brand new product in the 150cc segment after the Achiever. It is available in two variants of kick-start and self-start. Both the variants come with alloy wheel and disc brakes as standard fitment.
With its stunning looks, Hero Honda Hunk from the Hero Honda Motors Ltd. (HHML) stable is an excellent bike in the 150cc segment. Hunk has a 149.2cc air-cooled OHC engine with a 5-speed gearbox. The engine specifications, power and torque are similar to those the CBZ Xtreme. Hero Honda Hunk is equipped with AMI (Advanced Microprocessor Ignition) system, which varies the ignition timing based on engine speed and throttle position. This offers the rider a crisp throttle response, superior ride quality and the thrill of biking. Hunk is available in two variants - kick-start and self-start.
The Hero Honda Achiever has refurbished itself with the new incarnation of 2007 model making improvements over its 2006 model. The conspicuous differences between the two models are the new graphics and the black alloy wheels among several others. Honda Achiever is meant for the premium consumer sector and it is in harmony with power, price, looks and the performance. It is, no doubt, a good looking 150cc bike. It comes with two variants, kick-start and self-start and has twin rear shocks and sporty air-scoops in the front below the fuel tank. The high capacity tank renders the bike familiar with the rural road as petrol pumps are rare at the countryside.
It appears that 'the winners do not do different things; they do things differently' and so does the Hero Honda adopting its fuel injection technology for the first time outside Japan to the new model of Glamour christened as Glamour FI. The bike comes in two versions of kick-start-drum brake and self-start-disc brake. This programmed fuel injection (PGM-FI) bike is fuel friendly and environment friendly. The Glamour FI has a more refined design and the engine is integrated with a black color treatment and a unique FI logo. However, the Glamour FI is not expected to be a great success because of one main reason that Glamour FI needs unleaded fuel, which is not available in all parts of India. But Honda is planning to fit PGM-FI on most of its bike across the world by the end of 2010 to cut down on emissions.
The new Bajaj Avenger 200 DTSi offers a good cruising experience with its low-slung rider seat, phenomenal brake system, advanced engine and gear box. The 5-speed gearbox and a neat oil-cooler ensure lowered temperatures. The new version of Bajaj is modeled along conventional lines with the purpose to lend a near-classic appeal with its glitz-quotient. Its distinct features include a lowered center of gravity above the splayed-out front forks and spoke wheels typical of cruiser bikes, while the innovation continues with the big windscreen, protecting rider against harsh wind blow when travelling at higher speeds. The easy readability of the speedometer unit housed in a single chrome case empowers the rider the best long trip.
Bajaj Auto exhibited the old Pulsar 220 DTS Fi at the Auto Expo 2006 with great pomp and flourish. However, they went ahead quietly with the Bajaj Pulsar 200 despite their earlier promise of producing the 220 first. With no endorsements, Pulsar 200cc was suddenly displayed at Bajaj showrooms across the country. The 200cc bike comes with Bajaj's stock engine bored to 198.8 cc. Power output is at 18.01 PS at 8000 rpm and the short stroke of 56mm in addition to a good exhaustive system. As far as actual performance is concerned, the bike is not blazingly fast with a top speed of only around 126 kmph, but then this bike goes from standstill to 60km in less than six seconds. The joy of the pulsar 200 is not the top speed or the 0-60 acceleration, but cruising on the highway at around 100 kmph, knowing that a slight flick of the wrist will push this bike even faster. The oil-cooled engine indicates the engine stays refined and this relatively large engine is pretty fuel efficient too, giving a mileage of about 45 km for a litre of 93 octane petrol. Now here is a bike that has got horsepower and great performance, but what disappoints about the 200cc is the handling. This bike rides well in the city, handling most of the rigours of traffic, but on twisty highways, the rear suspension tires out.
The Bajaj XCD 125 DTS-Si has set a benchmark in an effort to become one of the best selling bikes in the 125cc segment. Since its launch in 2007, it seems to have overtaken all the 125cc bikes. Around 40% of the motorcycle market is constituted by the 125cc segment and XCD alone contributes 13%. Mr. Amit Nandi, General Manager, Bajaj Auto said, "60% of Bajaj XCD 125 DTS-Si customers were erstwhile 100 cc customers who felt compelled to choose the XCD 125 over other 100cc products due to its obvious superiority on performance, features and fuel economy on the one hand and the sporty, youthful image of the Bajaj Brand on the other". The XCD was introduced as an extended version of 100cc bikes with improved power and features. It comes in two options of electric start and kick start.
Yamaha has launched 150cc YZF R15, which has a profusion of magnetic power with its advanced racing technology designed to give the best performance. The new Yamaha YZF-R15 is designed in such a way so as to give best performance and better mileage, apart from the look of the sport bike. There have been complaints about the tyres being small. But the bike has good grip on the road, especially during rains. So far so good save the small tyres, a matter which is more concerned with the bike buffs.
The upcoming bike of Yamaha, YZF-R125 is the scaled down version of YZF-R1 coupled with some of the inspired features from its bigger brother YZF-R6. The bike is the best seller in UK in the sports bike category. Now it has successfully filled the gap in the range of 125cc sport motorcycle so that it can compete with its rivals such as Honda's CBR125R and Aprilia RS125. This bike is designed by the same engineers of R1 and R6 super bikes. The 2009 Yamaha YZF-R125 is charged with the race spirit and power. Worn in the seductive paint and colors enhanced by the rich graphics, it is definitely a cut above the rest in its categories with the aggressive look and styling cribbed from R1 and R6. When Yamaha YZF-R125 is expected to launch in 2009, we will have to wait some more time only to see when it hits the Indian market.
The well acclaimed new generation motorcycle from Yamaha, YZF-R1 is equipped with an all-new 988cc inline four-cylinder engine with a crossplane crankshaft that runs with an uneven firing interval of 270º - 180º - 90º - 180º. This innovative new design ensures superb throttle linearity to give an amazing experience to the rider. The new engine feels and sounds smoother than previous models and emits an unforgettable growl from the exhaust. This MotoGP-inspired engine is no doubt the most technologically advanced power house ever seen on a Yamaha supersport bike. The all-new Deltabox chassis ensures a balance with ultimate feel and controllability. Now it has got a refurbished look with all the avant-garde welcome features to attract the bike enthusiasts.
