Bike India - January 2017

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THE RIGHT LINE
Something Attempted,
Something Done Bike India Magazine, 401B, Gandhi Empire, 5th Floor,
2 Serene Estate, Kondhwa Road, Pune 411 040. India
Tel: +91-20-26830465 Email us at: bikeindia@nextgenpublishing.net
THIS IS MY 10TH YEAR AS THE EDITOR OF BIKE INDIA AND I
have a very special treat for you. Everybody tests bikes and reviews them but Editor Aspi Bhathena
Executive Editor Sarmad Kadiri
we are different: we test a bike and, in case there is problem, we just dont Copy Editor Deepak Upadhye
point it out; we also help the concerned manufacturer solve it. Editor At Large Navroze Contractor
MotoGP Editor Mat Oxley
The first case in point for Bike India was the Honda Shine. When I tested International Contributors Roland Brown, Glynn Kerr
Principal Correspondent Jim Gorde
the bike, I found it to be under-geared. As a result of this the bike would be Senior Correspondents Ravi Chandnani, Harket Suchde,
prone to vibrations once the speedometer needle crossed 65-70 km/h. Fitting Correspondents Anosh Khumbatta, Joshua Varghese
Contributor Piyush Sonsale
a gearbox sprocket one tooth bigger solved the problem and also improved Art Director Ramnath Chodankar
the motorcycles performance and fuel efficiency. The second project was the Head Design & Production Ravi Parmar
Designers Santosh Wadhai, Sandeep Naik
Yamaha Gladiator with a mono-shock suspension. Head Colour Correction & Quality Control Deepak Narkar
Senior Photographer Sanjay Raikar
When Bajaj launched the Pulsar AS 200, it was the NS 200 with a half Sta Photographer Aditya Dhiwar
fairing and a different rear mudguard. When I asked Eric Vas why the bike Videographer Crystelle Nunes
Contributing Photographers DPPI
did not have a long-travel suspension and different wheels, he asked me if I Production Supervisor Dinesh Bhajnik
was ready to undertake the change to improve the AS 200. It would have been Administration Executive Roshni Bulsara
very easy to put long-travel front forks and rear suspension but the idea was Publisher Marzban Jasoomani
to modify the existing forks and rear mono shock for the extra travel and that Marketing Head Oce
NEXT GEN PUBLISHING PVT. LTD. 2nd Floor, C Wing, Trade World,
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8 Bike India January 2017 www.bikeindia.in

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CONTENTS
Volume 12 | Issue 06 | JANUARY 2017
70
FIRST RIDE
Custom H-D Street 750 Racer
Bike India Ed Aspi Bhathena pays homage
to racing legend Calvin Rayborn II with a
recreated V-twin track-tool
18 FEATURES
46 28 IMOTY 2017 Jury Round
Honouring the most outstanding motorcycle
launched in the past year
68 Interview: Vikram Pawah

Tte--tte with Harley-Davidson India boss
REGULARS 78 BI Awards 2017: Contenders

Your chance to pick the winner and, in the
8 EDITORIAL
process, win some Bike India goodies too
10 YOU
14 LETTERS 80 Monkey Run
16 TECHNOMAIL Facing seemingly insurmountable obstacles
18 IGNITION on easily mountable monkey bikes
32 DID YOU KNOW? 86 Merida Big Nine 600
34 NEW PRODUCTS Getting down with the purpose-built downhill
36 BOSCH TECHNO BIBLE mountain bike
38 DESIGN TRENDS
124
126
BI GARAGE
BI GBU 80 90 The Proposal Ride
Getting high up there to take it to the
next level
FIRST RIDES 92 Royal Eneld Unroad Kerala
46 Ducati Monster 1200 S Tackling the deep, dark un-roads of Kerala on
Unmistakable naked style icon reborn the Royal Eneld Himalayan
55 Harley-Davidson MY2017 96 Interview: Cristiano Silei
Astride the new Road Glide Special, plus the Dainese CEO discusses safety on and o bikes
Roadster and ABS-equipped Street 750
99 Motul: A History
SPORT Delving into the story of one of the oldest
lubricant suppliers in motor racing
116 MotoGP: Marc Marquezs road to success
106 Interview: Romain Grabowski
122 JK Tyre Superbike Races: BIC How Motul keeps MotoGP running smoothly

LETTERS EMAIL
bikeindia@nextgenpublishing.net
FACEBOOK
/bikeindia
TWITTER
@bikeindia
GET
IN
TOUCH
STAR
LETTER
BI: Friend, Philosopher and Guide
Send in your
the Yamaha RD350 belonging to a Now I have to keep borrowing the
very close friend of mine and I took RD350 from my friend and I plan to gift
my daughter for a ride. After a few her one of her own. Im proud that Im Letters
kilometres something suddenly the father of a biker-in-the-making and
triggered her to ask me to increase the hope that one day she makes a name
speed, whereupon I turned towards for herself in the biking world. I thank Photos
a stretch without any traffic. She you also for igniting the love for bikes in
shouted, urging me to ride even faster, her and hope that in the coming years
which I didnt and explained to her that she gets featured in your magazine as Ideas
it was not safe to ride so fast. one of Indias most skilled bikers.
When I asked her what made her Thank you, Bike India, for being our
urge me to ride fast, she simply said, friend, philosopher and guide for the POST
Hope this letter finds my BI family in Sheer power and that sound of the past 11 years. Bike India,
the pink of their health and happy. RD. I want to listen to it more and Rahul Mehrotra, Allahabad Next Gen
Here is an interesting story I would more. From that day, she has become Automotive,
like to share with everyone about totally RDfied. She has recorded the Dear Rahul, 401B, Gandhi
my 10-year-old daughter, Ishaanvee. sound of the RD350 in my mobile We are glad that young Ishaanvee Empire,
She has been in love with Bike India phone and listens to it as if to a lullaby. is such a big fan of bikes, Bike India, 5th Floor, 2
since the age of two (about which I She swears by the RD (we just have to and the RD350. As passionate bikers Serene Estate,
had written you a letter which was say, RD ki kasam, and she is ready ourselves, we can easily relate to Kondhwa
published in the October 2008 issue of to do anything), compares every bike her adoration for the RD. Long may Road,
the magazine) and has a great liking for with the RD, and even used to call me it continue. We are also happy to see Pune - 411 040
bikes. A few months ago, I borrowed RD Papa. that she has a helmet of her own.
` 100
BY FAR!
MAGAZIN E,
1 TWO WHEELER
INDIAS NO.
Passionate about plated except the axles. I have used a four- IN
inch headlight with a yellow lens for a retro

WWW.BIKEINDIA.
WE BUILD A
Customising Bikes
JANUARY 2017
ISSUE 006 2017 issue
VOLUME 12 with January
16-page supplement
L
CIA rmance
SPE& Perfo E REP
RACTransf LICA
orming H-Ds
ic
Class
E
PAG
a racer
look. The battery is relocated under the

Street 750 into
16- OKLET
BO
I have a passion for customising

motorcycles. I have customised a Suzuki tail cowling. The seat is shaped by hand
Shogun into a caf racer. Most of it was from waterproof foam to give a low profile LAUNCHED
Bajaj Dominar
400:
The biggest, baddest
Bajaj ever
hand-fabricated, designed and assembled and comfort. All the designing, cutting PUBLISHING
RIDDEN: DUCATI
FEATURES: HISTORY
MONSTER 1200
OF MOTUL ROYAL
S HARLEY-DA
VIDSON 2017
ENFIELD UNROAD
LINE-UP
MONKEY RUN
IMOTY 2017
and shaping was done by me, except for

185C
C M Y K PANTONE
in my room. The chassis is stock but

modified slightly to suit the body style. No machining and welding.
major modification to the Suzuki Shogun Puneeth, Bengaluru
NOTE
engine, though. The bike has disc brakes Dear Readers,
for both the front and rear wheels from Dear Puneeth, Thank you for the
the Apache RTR. There is a custom-made We are impressed by the amount of large number of
letters! However,
rear wheel hub with H30 alloy aluminium work you have put in. You have definitely we request you
to accommodate the rear disc. The front transformed that commuter completely to send them in
into a caf racer. Keep up the good work! a proper format.
inverted fork is imported which I picked Firstly, please ensure
up from a used parts seller. The tail-lamp that your letters are
part of the e-mail
is machined and hand-finished from solid itself, and not an
transparent acrylic with LED strips. Both attachment. Only
pictures, wherever
the speedometer and tachometer housings necessary, may be
are custom-made from a Teflon rod. The sent as attachments.
Secondly, please
Young Talent handlebars are made of high-grade H30 mention the subject
Please find enclosed the image of a aluminium. The whole tank and seat in the subject line.
assembly is integrated into a single piece For example, if
bike designed by my son. He is in standard your letter is for the
XII and is ardently passionate about bike and is mounted with only two bolts. Letters column,
design. Please publish the image in the next All bolts used are Allen key and chrome- please mention
LETTERS in the
issue of Bike India as he is a regular reader of subject line. If it is
your magazine. a technical query
to be answered by
Virender Kumar, father of Rahul Sharma us, please mention
TECHNO MAIL and
so on. Otherwise
Hello, Virender, your mail could
We are happy to publish Rahuls work land up in the spam
bin. This will ensure
here. He definitely has talent and, we that your letters
hope, seeing his work published in his and queries are
favourite magazine will give him further published regularly.
Editor
encouragement.

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TECHNOMAIL
EMAIL TWITTER FACEBOOK POST Bike India, Next Gen Automotive, 401B, Gandhi Empire,
bikeindia@nextgenpublishing.net @bikeindia facebook.com/bikeindia 5th Floor, 2 Serene Estate, Kondhwa Road, Pune - 411 040.
` 100
BY FAR!
MAGAZIN E,
1 TWO WHEELER
INDIAS NO.
No, Yamaha have not started smoother. So far as maintenance is WWW.BIKEINDIA.

IN
WE BUILD A
producing any spare parts for the RD 350 concerned, the carburetted bike will be
JANUARY 2017
ISSUE 006 2017 issue
VOLUME 12 with January
16-page supplement
L
CIA ce
SPE& Performan E REP
RACTransf LICA
orming H-Ds
ic
Class
E
PAG
a racer
Street 750 into
16- OKLET
BO
nor will they, so far as we know, in the easier to maintain. The FI needs more
near future. There are a number of CDI attention in terms of maintenance but it
kits available in the market. We suggest is also more fuel-efficient than the
LAUNCHED
400:
Bajaj Dominar
The biggest, baddest
Bajaj ever
that you go for a 12V RX135 ignition carburetted version. PUBLISHING

RIDDEN: DUCATI
FEATURES: HISTORY
MONSTER 1200
OF MOTUL ROYAL
S HARLEY-DA
VIDSON 2017
ENFIELD UNROAD
LINE-UP
MONKEY RUN
IMOTY 2017
system that would fit your bike well. As

185C
C M Y K PANTONE
for fitting disc brakes on your RD 350, New Tyres

you will have to weld the lugs on to the I am a regular reader of your magazine
Sluggish in Ducal front forks for calliper mounting. Then because it helps me find answers to bike-
Comparison you will need to replace the front wheel related questions. I own a Royal Enfield
TIPS
I have a question regarding my Bajaj Pulsar with one that has mounting points for Electra (2008 model). I have already
200NS. My bike has done 20,000 km, but I the rotors. You may consider the disc replaced the rear tyre with the one which
am not really happy with its acceleration. I brake assembly from the Pulsar or comes with the Classic, that is, 18 110/90,
want my bike to have the same acceleration Yamaha FZ. Have the whole thing done and for that to be possible I have already
as the KTM 200 Duke. Please suggest to me by a competent mechanic or else there made the required changes to the
how it may be done. are chances that the whole modification swingarm. Now I wish to change the rear Maintaining
Diwan Zorawar, via e-mail job might just backfire tyre since I have already done about 50,000 the tyres of
km. A tyre dealer suggested the CEAT your bike is
The main reason why the bike feels Carburetted v Fuel-injected VERTIGO RAGE 18 120/80, which is essential as
sluggish as compared to the KTM is that I have a query regarding Royal Enfields basically a tubeless tyre, but with tuff-up badly main-
the Pulsar 200NS is heavier than the 500-cc motorcycles. Royal Enfield, the retro tube as I have a spoke rim. I want to know if, tained tyres
Duke. Besides, it has taller gearing and is bike manufacturers, sell their 500-cc bikes as the aspect ratio changes in the can cause
slightly less powerful. To make your bike in carburetted as well as fuel-injected aforementioned tyre, it will affect handling, accidents that
go as fast as the Duke, you would need versions in the guise of the STD Bullet 500 mileage, chain setting and gear-shift of my can be fatal
to undertake a number of modifications and the Classic 500 and Thunderbird 500 bike. Please advise me.
to reduce weight, improve gearing and respectively. I want to know which of the Adarsh Satyawadi, via e-mail Always fill
increase the power, all of which is not two offers an overall smooth riding air from a
really worth the time and money. experience in terms of top speed, Although it is all right to go up a size proper filling
Instead, you can always consider acceleration and a ride free from vibrations. when it comes to tyres, we wont station to
upgrading to the Duke. In addition, which of these two offers better recommend to you to go in for the specifications
fuel economy? mentioned tyre size because doing so given by the
Binoy Dasgupta, via e-mail will make the tyre buckle which can manufactur-
prove to be bad for the tyre and ers to avoid
Before going into the details we would ultimately for you. We would undesired
recommend that you test-ride both the recommend that you go in for the same handling and
bikes and see for yourself which one is size or a size up only. fuel efficiency
results
Regularly
check the tyre
Spares for the Yamaha tread depth to
RD350 ensure ample
I am an avid reader of your magazine. I traction.
heard recently that Yamaha propose to start Immediately
producing the RD 350s spares. When do replace tyres
you think these will become available in that have
major Indian cities? What is a CDI kit? Which shallow tread
is the most appropriate disc brake and CDI depth as they
kit for the Yamaha RD 350 (1984 model)? are not able to
Where and at what price may I find those in provide opti-
New Delhi? mum traction
Saeed Mirza, via e-mail

IGNITION
All the latest happenings in the world of two-wheelers

HERE TO
DOMINATE?
After almost two years of anticipation and countless sightings of test mules, Bajajs
largest capacity motorcycle, the Dominar 400, is here to slay the 400-cc segment
A
T THE 2014 AUTO EXPO WE HAD a different state of tune. It produces 35 enough for dependable braking duties.
a first glimpse of what is now PS and 35 Nm, which is 8.5 PS less than The styling of the Dominar hasnt
Bajajs flagship motorcycle, in the Duke, but the torque remains the changed drastically from the prototype
the Dominar. At that time the same. It has Bajajs triple-spark setup for that we saw in 2014. It retains its
bike was speculatively called better combustion, fuel-injection and aggressive look with an intimidating
the Pulsar 400. A few weeks before the
the liquid-cooling for smoother operation stance, which will surely become the new
launch, Bajaj announced that the bike and better overall efficiency. The six- style statement for many motorcyclists
would be named Dominar 400, which in speed gearbox gets slipper-clutch for in India. Modern in every bit, the Dominar
Spanish means to dominate. The bike effortless shifting. boasts of some amazing features such as
looks to be on its way to, at least, shake The second impressive bit about the Auto Headlamp On, which is a segment
things up in the 400-cc segment. Dominar is the beam type perimeter first, full LED headlamp and a completely
It has been priced at Rs 1.36 lakh (ex- frame and a new swingarm. This new digital instrument panel.
Delhi) for the standard variant and Rs 1.5 frame has been designed particularly With the Dominar, Bajaj have gone
lakh (ex-Delhi) for the ABS variant. to provide better torsional rigidity above and beyond the norm and the
Apart from its alluring price-tag, the and improved overall strength. This, youthful, fresh and forward-thinking
Dominar has a few other impressive combined with fat 43-mm front forks, philosophy clearly portrayed by the
attributes to entice the enthusiasts. a rear monoshock, sticky MRF radials, Dominar shows that Bajaj are ready for
First among these is its 373-cc, liquid- and a low centre of gravity, should make the new-age biker. We are eagerly waiting
cooled, four-valve, single-cylinder engine for good handling and rideability. Bybre to road-test this new flagship bike from
that comes from KTMs 390 Duke. In brakes with a massive 320-mm front Bajaj, which heralds the beginning of a
the Dominar, though, this engine is in rotor and 230-mm rear rotor seem good new era for the company.
www.bikeindia.in January 2017 Bike India 19

IGNITION All the latest happenings in the world of two-wheelers
Indian Springfield;
Chieftain Dark Horse Launched
POLARIS INDIA HAVE INTRODUCED TWO NEW model powered by the ThunderStroke 111 amount of chrome. It is powered by the same
motorcycles: the Springfield, priced at Rs (1,811-cc) V-twin that produces a peak 74 ThunderStroke 111 V-twin motor producing
31.07 lakh (ex-Gurugram) and the Chieftain PS and 138.9 Nm of torque. The Chieftain the same amount of power and torque. Both
Dark Horse, priced at Rs 31.99 lakh (ex-Delhi). Dark Horse is the hard-bagger from the dark these motorcycles are now available at Indian
The Springfield is the more classic looking side: a blacked-out Chieftain with a minimal Motorcycle dealerships across the country.
Image Copyright: AutoBlogIndia
BSA Back on the Road

in 2019
ONCE A PROMINENT NAME IN THE WORLD OF MOTORCYCLING,
BSA was a brand whose glory seemed to have waned in recent
times. Cheaper competition and a few bad marketing decisions
saw the demise of the brand in 1972. The scenario now, however,
holds promise following the acquisition of this legendary brand by
Mahindra.
Mahindra recently confirmed that they would be launching the
brand worldwide with the first models appearing in the market in
2019. Mahindra also said that they had noticed a lack of motorcycles
in the large capacity single-cylinder market.
Furthermore, Mahindra have confirmed that they own the rights
to the iconic Gold Star caf racer, thus giving rise to the hope of
the return of the first caf racer. The company announced that it
would target the 500 to 700-cc market. They are currently looking at
Yamaha FZ 25 Coming Soon establishing a manufacturing plant in the United Kingdom.
WITH THE ENTRY-LEVEL PERFORMANCE BIKE SEGMENT FINALLY

blossoming, we have seen many quarter-litre offerings make it to the market
in recent times. This year we witnessed Yamahas entry into this segment in
the form of the YZF R3. We are still waiting for the Japanese firm to introduce
a naked street bike of a similar capacity. Now we have access to spy shots of
a camouflaged motorcycle in Delhi that seems to share several features with
the Fazer 250 that is currently sold in the Brazilian market.
The Brazilian Fazer 250 is powered by a 249-cc single-cylinder, fuel-
injected engine that develops 20.7 PS of maximum power and 20.4 Nm
of peak torque. The bike features disc brakes at both ends, a diamond-
type frame and a street-biased upright riding position. The sighting of this
camouflaged bike in Delhi clearly hints at a 2017 launch. Lets wait and
watch what happens.

Bajaj Pulsar NS 150
on the Anvil
Bajaj Auto are all set to launch yet another SOHC, four-valve, single-cylinder, air-
Pulsar, called the NS 150, a model that cooled engine displaces 149.5 cc,
the company exports to various countries producing 17 PS and 13 Nm. The styling of
overseas. The company recently released the NS 150 is similar to that of the NS 200
a teaser video of the NS 150, hinting at its with just a few changes such as a smaller
Bajaj V 12 imminent launch.

The NS 150 is the younger sibling of
240-mm front disc brake and a 130-mm
drum rear brake. Bajaj will
Launched
the NS 200 and features the launch the bike soon and
same perimeter frame and we expect it to be sold
suspension. However, the alongside the standard
BAJAJ AUTO, THE PUNE-BASED MOTORCYCLE NS 150 uses a completely Pulsar 150 although with
makers, have launched yet another V series bike, different engine. This a higher price-tag.
called the V 12. Belying its moniker, this new
motorcycle is not powered by a V12 engine but
a rather humble 125-cc single-cylinder engine
that produces 11 PS and 11 Nm. Styling is exactly
the same as the V15 and, yes, the V 12 also has
metal from INS Vikrant. Priced at Rs 56,200 (ex-
showroom, Delhi), the V 12 is now on sale across
Bajaj dealerships in the country.
Ducati Owners Club Support

for Cancer Awareness
THE SELF V SURVIVOR STORIES IS A UNIQUE PLATFORM THAT ALLOWS CANCER SURVIVORS TO
celebrate the spirit of overcoming cancer through a self-video of 60 seconds in which they share
the story of their struggle and conquest over cancer. These stories become an encouragement for
Bajaj Update those patients fighting cancer to break the stigma attached to the disease. For the third edition
of the Self V Survivor Stories, Ducati Owners Club, Bengaluru, along with VST Ducati handed
the Pulsar
over the keys to a Ducati Scrambler to the Pink Hope Cancer Patient Support Group, which will be
awarded to the first prize winner of Self V Survivor Stories 2016.
Range
BAJAJ AUTO HAVE SILENTLY UPDATED
their Pulsar range, making the
motorcycles BSIV-compliant. The single-
cylinder engines of all the bikes in the
Pulsar range, right from the 135 LS to
220 F, have received this update along
with new cosmetic upgrades, which
Bajaj call the Laser Edge collection.
Under this new collection the bikes get
new graphics, revised exhaust design,
improved seat cushioning, revamped
instrument cluster and new dual-tone
colours. The Pulsar 180 DTS-i also
receives a standard rear disc brake.

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IGNITION All the latest happenings in the world of two-wheelers
Big Dog Motorcycles Enter India

AMERICAN CUSTOM BIKE BUILDERS, BIG DOG MOTORCYCLES, HAVE JUST 1,807-cc, 45-degree, V-twin from S&S. The options available for
announced their entry into the Indian market with the captivating K-9 customisation are endless; thus making it almost impossible for two
chopper. They offer their customers the chance to own a fully street-legal bikes to look the same.
chopper, custom-made to suit their tastes. The American brand also This luxury could be yours if your pockets are deep enough to shell out
promises that no two motorcycles will be the same because each bike will Rs 59 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) plus tax. The current bike is the product
be made to the customers specifications. The K9 Red 111 chopper is the of 22 years of expertise, featuring a top-of-the-line electronics system, a
model that is currently available in India and it is a one of one chopper. robust Jims six-speed transmission and the most powerful engine they
These choppers draw their power from a massive Superslider have ever put in a chopper.
Kawasaki W800 Within Our Reach?

Three years ago we averred that the Indian replaced some of our favourites with better and that makes 48 PS at 6,500 rpm and 60 Nm at a
retro motorcycle market deserved its fair share meaner machines, so the W800s entry looks like lowly 2,500 rpm, weight will be the last thing to
from the Japanese. Now it is possible for the a very promising prospect. weigh on your mind. It is mated to a five-speed
enthusiastic Indian rider to make that a reality. At 217 kilograms, it is not exactly the ballerina transmission; a match made in heaven.
Kawasaki now have the W800 on display at select of motorcycles but it does not compromise We expect Kawasaki to price the bike about Rs
showrooms across the country. The Kawasaki on grace. In any case, when considered in 68 lakh (ex-showroom) when they finally launch
dealership at Koregaon Park in Pune has a fine conjunction with a 773-cc parallel-twin motor it in India.
specimen on display.
Lets hasten to add that the motorcycle
is currently there only for display. Kawasaki
propose to garner feedback from the Indian
riders and then decide the fate of this motorcycle
for the Indian market. So we are looking forward
to a tentative release with enough positive
feedback.
The current line-up for 2017 has already

FEATURE IMOTY 2017
IMOTY 2017
This year the respected jury of the Indian Motorcycle Of
the best motorcycle out of the deserving
STORY: SARMAD KADIRI

Jury Round
The Year (IMOTY) 2017 had the uphill task of picking
lot launched in India in the past year
PHOTOGRAPHY: SANJAY RAIKAR

FEATURE IMOTY 2017
The jury constituted Indias leading

motoring journalists, including Rahul
Ghosh of Auto Today, Jared Solomon
and Arup Das of AutoX, Sirish
Chandran and Aninda Sardar of evo
India, Pablo Chaterji of Mans World
India, Kartik Ware and Ruman
Devmane of Motoring, Shubhabrata
Marmar and Rishaad Mody of
Overdrive, and Debabrata Sarkar and
Christopher Chaves of Top Gear India,
along with Bike Indias own Aspi
Bhathena and Sarmad Kadiri.
The winner of the IMOTY 2017 will
be announced at a grand event to be
held on 20 December 2016.
The IMOTY 2017 jury

busy putting pen to paper
T
and allocating points
HE INDIAN
Motorcycle of the Year
(IMOTY), led by the
countrys leading
automobile magazines
along with JK Tyre, is
undoubtedly the most
prestigious award in
the Indian motorcycle
industry. The jury comprised Aspi
Bhathena, Editor, Bike India, and
Chairman, IMOTY 2017, along with
renowned journalists and motorcycle
critics from across India.
JK Tyre have been associated with
this coveted award and have been
supporting the proceedings since its
inception nine years ago. Over the
years, IMOTY has established itself as
the countrys most credible and coveted
award for two-wheelers. The aim of this Tallying the points:
annual award is to recognise and Everyone is eager to
applaud motorcycle manufacturers who know the winner
have excelled in terms of design,
innovation, and R&D over the Enfield Himalayan, TVS Victor, TVS
foregoing 12 months. Apache RTR 200 4V, UM Renegade
Only mass-produced motorcycles Commando and Sports S, and Yamaha
can qualify for IMOTY 2017. Saluto RX.
Furthermore, they would have to have The hand-picked dozen went
been launched between 1 December through the IMOTY acid test by the
2015 and 30 November 2016. This years respected jury at Lonavala on 7
final shortlist of contenders vying for the December 2016. These motorcycles
top honour included the Bajaj V 15, were judged on various parameters such
DSK Benelli TnT 25, Hero Splendor as styling, value for money, technical
iSmart 110, Hero Achiever 150, Honda innovation, build quality, fuel economy, Bike India Editor, Aspi Bhathena
Navi, Honda CB Hornet 160R, performance, practicality, and suitability signs the coveted IMOTY 2017
Kawasaki Versys 650 ABS, Royal for Indian riding conditions. certificate

Did You Ducati
Know?
This month we delve into the
history of one of the most iconic
motorcycle brands in the world
COMPILED BY: PIYUSH SONSALE
The Ducati family had been running

a successful business of manufacturing
radio and electrical components since the
year 1926 in Bologna, Italy.
In 1946 they diversified into production

of the popular Cucciolo (puppy) engine for
motorised bicycles under a licence from Ducati Cucciolo
the developers. By 1949, the company
even had its own motorised bicycle, called Superbike Championship in the 1990s,
the Ducati Cucciolo, which marked their Ducati entered MotoGP in 2003 and, just
entry into motorcycle production. three years later, Casey Stoner won their
first title in the most elite motorcycle
Ducatis motorised bicycles quickly racing series in the world. To celebrate
evolved into proper motorcycles with the success, Ducati launched a road-
larger engines and purpose-built frames, legal version of their MotoGP bike, the
suspension and other parts. The rapid Desmosedici RR.
growth of the motorcycle division
prompted the formation of a separate Ducati changed hands again in 2005
motorcycle company, named Ducati 1950s but the most high-profile acquisition Ducati 916 after Italys Investindustrial had bought
Meccanica. of the brand came in 1983 when the Italian over TGPs stake in the company, thus
motorcycle conglomerate, Cagiva Group, bringing the brand back home. In 2011,
In 1956 Ducatis talented R&D engineer, bought over Ducati. Ducati achieved their the company was up for sale again and this
Fabio Taglioni, developed the companys exotic status under the leadership of the time it was bought over by the Volkswagen
own desmodromic valve system, a Castiglioni family that owned the Cagiva Group through their Italian subsidiary,
technology synonymous with brand Group. Their keen interest in design and Lamborghini, thus retaining the namesake
Ducati even today. The Desmo powered technology resulted in iconic motorcycles Italian ownership.
Ducati race bikes were successful in the such as the Ducati Monster and the 916.
125-cc world championship and got Since then, Ducati have updated
international attention after racing legend However, the flamboyance of the their product portfolio with cutting-edge
Mike Hailwood raced one at the Isle of Man Castiglionis wasnt enough for Ducatis technology and brilliant designs. Ducati
TT in 1958. financial success. The company was currently have six distinct lines of bikes
in trouble by mid 1990s and was and are celebrating the 90th anniversary
Ducati made several significant strides subsequently offloaded by Cagiva to the of the brand this year.
in the 1960s despite a slump in motorcycle American Texas Pacific Group (TGP) in
sales. The iconic Scrambler line of bikes 1996. Three years later, TGP went public Ducati
was launched in 1962. The 1964 Apollo with Ducati by listing it on New York and Desmosedici RR
project, although powered by a V4 engine, Milan stock exchanges.
was the inspiration for Ducatis signature
90-degree V-twin engines, popularly Ducati attained stability as a public
known as the L-twin. The 250-cc Mach1 company and became a global motorcycle
became the fastest quarter-litre bike in and lifestyle company while still retaining
the world in 1965. The desmodromic its exotic edge. On the competition front,
valve system was incorporated into Ducati after a decade of dominance in the World
production bikes a year later and, in 1969, Ducati
Ducati expanded their production facility Scrambler icon
in Bolognas industrial district, Borgo
Panigale.
The 1970s were dedicated to racing

success since many motorcycles were
launched to celebrate Ducatis track Ducati
achievements. The company had been Panigale R
through three different owners since the

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BOSCH TECHNO BIBLE
FUEL FILTER
The fuel filter is a simple device in the fuel
system of a motorcycle installed at the
very beginning of the fuel system between
the tank and the fuel pump, before the
fuel reaches the carburettor or the fuel
injection system. It prevents impurities
in the fuel from reaching and possibly
clogging and damaging the carburettor jets
or fuel injectors. Depending on the quality
of fuel used, the fuel filter will have to be
periodically replaced; typically identified
when there is a noticeable loss of power
and inadequate throttle response.
CARBURETTOR
It is a device that blends air and fuel to feed to an internal
combustion engine. The carburettor is primarily gravity-fed,
but there are instances of fuel-pumps being employed for
fuel delivery to the carburettor at low pressure. The optimal
air-fuel mixture is 14 parts air to one part fuel, also called
the stoichiometric ratio. Furthermore, as a bike moves to a
higher altitude, its engine will need less fuel to compensate
for the drop in air density. Fuel injection systems controlled
by the ECU meter the fuel dynamically, while carburettors will
CATALYTIC CONVERTER
need to be adjusted manually.
An exhaust pipe does more than simply divert the waste gases from
combustion away from the engine. It must also treat them to ensure no
harmful toxins flow out and into the air that we breathe. An important
device for vehicle emission control, the catalytic converter (cat-con) uses
a catalyst to eliminate the release of toxic gases into the air from the
vehicles exhaust stream. In bikes, it is a honeycomb metal structure that
incorporates precious metals like palladium, rhodium, or platinum into
its surface. These metals convert poisonous carbon monoxide (CO) and
unburned hydrocarbons (HC) found in exhaust gases into non-toxic carbon
dioxide (CO2) and water vapour.
FREE-FLOW EXHAUST
However tempting it may seem, a free-flow exhaust system is not road-legal
with track-only use allowing for specially-tuned unrestricted passage of the
exhaust stream

BOSCH
BOX
WIDE-BAND LAMBDA SENSOR
The wide-band lambda sensor, also known as a wide-
band oxygen sensor, is a planar ZrO2 dual cell limiting
current sensor with an integrated heater. It is used to
measure the oxygen content and the -value of exhaust
gases. The output signal is an analogue voltage, which
depends linearly on the oxygen concentration of the
exhaust gas and will be converted into the normalised
air-fuel ratio. The measurement range is = 0.7
(= ambient air with 21 per cent oxygen). Unlike the
switching type Lambda sensor, the wide-band lambda
sensor provides an exact value of which aids finer fuel
control and on-board diagnostics.
MUFFLER
The exhaust gases from an engine, even through an exhaust pipe, can be tremendously loud
and, therefore, they have to be muffled to meet sound emission regulation so as not to disturb
public goings-on. The muffler helps do just that. The actual exhaust end-can is not just one long
cylinder; it consists of several chambers, each having its own share of sound-deadening material
through which the exhaust air stream passes after going through the catalytic converter.
EXHAUST GAS RECIRCULATION (EGR)

EGR is a technique employed to reduce the emission of nitrogen oxide (NOx) in engines.
It works by re-circulating some of the engines exhaust gas back to the cylinder. This
helps dilute the oxygen in the incoming air stream and provide gases inert to combustion
that act as absorbents of combustion heat to reduce peak in-cylinder temperatures. NOx
is thus produced in a very narrow band of high cylinder temperatures and pressures.
OCTANE NUMBER
The octane rating or Research Octane Number (RON) informs
about the quality of fuel and the amount of compression it can
withstand before igniting or detonating. Petrol engines are
spark-ignited and, therefore, require the air and fuel mixture to
be compressed before ignition. Higher-compression engines
require higher octane fuel to allow for better combustion.
Not only does it release more heat and power, it also leads
to reduced unwanted exhaust emissions due to a cleaner
burn. The standard octane rating today is 91RON, with more
premium quality higher-octane fuel available at select fuel
stations.

FEATURE DESIGN TRENDS
The BMW stand

had almost the
whole spectrum of
motorcycles covered
SCRAMBLED CAFS
Design guru Glynn Kerr recounts his visit to this years EICMA in Milan
ALL IMAGES COPYRIGHT: GLYNN KERR
I
F YOU WANTED various inventions, or an insight into the trends of super-complex versus back-to-
a synopsis of the latest equally ingenious mind of M C Esher at basics were evident across the stand.
trends in the motorcycle the Palazzo Reale. But with only two days Its been a persistent hobby-horse of
market, then a few in the city, and Europes largest mine that if BMW stopped doing the
minutes on BMWs motorcycle show to cover, business odd stuff funny front ends and
stand at this years trumped pleasure (quite literally, day one asymmetric features, etc and just built
EICMA would have being US election day), and the huge good, honest motorcycles again, they
pretty much covered it. halls of the RHO Fierra were diligently would be rewarded by higher sales
You could have then left scoured, booth by booth. figures. That has certainly been the case
the show fully informed, It was largely futile, though. From with the R nineT, which has been a
and spent the remaining scooters, electric or not, to huge six- runaway success. Last years Scrambler
time being enlightened by two excellent cylinder monoliths, and virtually version expanded the range, while
exhibitions in downtown Milan: the everything in between, BMW had it all downgrading some of the components,
World of Leonardo da Vinci at the Piazza covered in their own microcosm. The two swapping upside-down forks and radial
della Scala, with working models of his prominent and diametrically opposed brake callipers for cheaper regular units,

1 Pared-to-the-bone
R nineT Pure is BMWs
answer to Triumphs
Bonneville Street
Twin
2 BMW Design
Director Edgar
Heinrich with the
R nineT Racer
3 Despite the name,

1 Brixton Motorcycles
has no British
connection
3
2 4 Brixtons graphics
and exhaust wrap
could have been
executed more
professionally
5 Triumphs Bobber
was a different slant
on the throwback
theme the vertical
twin helped give it
authenticity
very strong new directions that were

If it sounds like the evident across the EICMA: scramblers 4
majority of new stuff

and caf racers. Dozens of them. They
were around last year, too, but not in such
in Milan was tapping huge numbers. One year on, it seems
virtually every Chinese company has
into old markets, caught on, realising that both styles can
generate a strong identity despite some
that pretty much pretty basic hardware underneath. The
quality of execution varied considerably,
sums it up along with some newcomers touting
some dubious British-sounding names.
Brixton Motorcycles was one that piqued
my curiosity, although not because of the
for example. This year saw the slogan: The new cult brand is here! Ln, Brixton, London SW9 8SE, UK, 6 Hartford Somoto
introduction of the even more frugal R Cults usually create trends, not follow although the name is Brixton Motorbikes, clearly had its
nineT Pure, and the R nineT Racer, them, and they definitely dont proclaim not Motorcycles, and its just a repair sights on the Enfield
which completed the circle back to themselves in advance. shop not associated with the Continental GT
Roland Sands Concept Ninety from A Google search for the company manufacturer. Despite the pseudo-Brit right down to the
2013. The final model in the series is the brings up an address at 320, Coldharbour image, it turns out the new models are colouring
Urban GS, which harks back to BMWs
very first on/off adventure bike, the 1980
R 80 G/S. That bike has developed 5 6
something of a cult status of late, which is
not something I can altogether relate to.
I bought one new from the factory in
1983, and bits fell off it on a regular basis,
so my own recollection is slightly less
rose-tinted. Still, it is a logical addition to
the range, as design director Edgar
Heinrich admitted. To us, its a no-
brainer, he told me at the show, but
everyone loves it.
The R nineT offshoots highlight two

1 4
1 Hartford Somoto
had several variations
on the caf racer
theme
2 Mondial was back,

and with yet more
scramblers
3 Italjets scrambler
left a lot to be desired
2
4 Modified
Kawasaki Vulcans
made surprisingly
convincing Z900 look- 5
alikes
5 Many
manufacturers
displayed their
older models to help
authenticate the new
ones
3 6 Interesting
Yamaha Tracer-based
scrambler on Puigs
stand
7 Moto Morini was

also in on the act
6
actually marketed by the Austria-based Driving these kinds of motorcycle to

KSR Group GmbH, which is also a tap the charming of motorcycle traditional
European distributor for CFMoto, Royal culture and driving fun of era of
Enfield and Benelli. It also produces personalized.
Kiska (KTM) designed motorcycles and Hmm. Still, the marketing ploy makes
scooters under its own name, although sense, even if the English doesnt. The
theres no mention where theyre actually best scramblers and caf racers are
manufactured. The Brixton engines, stripped and modified bikes from the
were told, are powered by Japanese- 1960s and 70s, so the very basic
developed 125-cc air-cooled engine, commuters manufactured in the
although not where theyre actually built. developing markets are ripe for these 7
My guess is neither Japan nor Austria. applications. Suddenly, your low-tech
The opening pitch on the sales brochure basic transport becomes a desirable
is curious too: image-maker, and with double the sticker
No two Brixton Motorcycles are the price. Low handlebars and a bum-stop
same. turn it into a caf racer, while knobby
Okay, they are when they come off the tyres and a high-mounted silencer get you
production line. an instant scrambler. Just to confuse the
At this point, in fact, theyre identical. issue, there were a few caf racers with
But then at least this British impostor knobby tyres, which had clearly lost
bothered to get its English right, unlike something in translation. Maybe, the
another newcomer tapping into the same builder thought that fusing elements of
scene, Hartford Somoto, which proudly both directions would make it twice as
announces: good. Either way, I wonder how many

The success
of BMWs GS range
has prompted
another theme
that many
manufacturers are
eager to tap into
Models draped
over bikes. How is
this still a thing?

throwback models this market can take If it sounds like the majority of new shes probably taken.
before its saturated. stuff in Milan was tapping into old Which brings me to my closing point.
Triumphs Bobber was more markets, that pretty much sums it up. Enough with the models already. Decades
convincing. Having covered its own There were a few newer designs, but after the sexual revolution, its just plain
scrambler and caf racer directions well nothing that really struck out in a new embarrassing to see scantily-clad women Some Ducati
ahead of the crowd, the Bobber was a direction. Even BMWs VISION with bored expressions draped over Sport Classic
logical development of the same NEXT 100 study was notable for its motorcycles all day long. And, man, do overtones on yet
argument classic style, back to basics, absence. Most designers I spoke to were they get irritable if you ask them to get off another Chinese-
and no plastic in sight. The fact that the under-whelmed by the bikes on display, the bike so you can take a decent photo of built neo-retro:
bobber (small b) is rightfully an and generally gloomy about the whole it. This from experience. the Orcal Astor
American invention didnt seem to create western motorcycle market. Everything
any schizophrenia with the British was either looking backwards, or just a
personality, and theres a direct continuation of what we already had.
connection with models like Triumphs And that doesnt bode well for the
glorious 1938 Speed Twin if anyone wants motorcycle industrys sales projections.
to make an issue of it. In profile, at least. There are an awful lot of manufacturers
The width of the new Bobber owes its all trying to appeal to the same
parentage entirely to US-derived customers, and there can only be so
machinery. Triumph clearly have Harleys many winners in a market thats not
Iron 883 in their sights, but the vertical expanding. The atmosphere on the
twin gives it enough individuality and stands seemed to reflect that. See
British heritage to come across as anything you liked? I asked. Well, the
authentic. girl on the Ducati stand was hot, but
1 One of the better
1 designs, Benellis 4
scrambler was shown
last year, although
word is the Italian
factory is closing
2 Half-hearted caf
racer from Keeway,
which usually has
more inspired
offerings
3 SWM have also

jumped on the
2 bandwagon, and 5
featured some nice
details although
the Silver Vase title
had lost something in
translation
4 Knobby tyres and

fork gaiters is all it
takes to turn the Orcal
Astor into the Sirio
scrambler
5 Four-cylinder bikes
3 from the 1970s are 6
ripe for the caf racer
treatment
6 Alarmingly, even
BMWs K100 flying
brick works as a
scrambler well,
sort of

DUCATI MONSTER 1200 S ........................................................................... 46
HARLEY-DAVIDSON 2017 BIKES ............................................................... 55

FIRST RIDE

TREADING that
FINE LINE

FIRST RIDE
DUCATI MON
STER 1200S
2017
If the look ha
s remained co
over the years nsistent, the M
, and takes an onster charac
other twist wit ter has varied
h this updated
STORY: ROL
AND BROW
N PHOTOG 1200S.
RAPHY : M IL A G R O

D UCATIS PRE-
ride briefing on the
revamped-for-2017
Monster 1200S
began with a
question: how many
bikes can you
recognise without
reading their name on the
fuel tank? The Monster is
undoubtedly in that select group. Even
detuning the Diavels 162 PS engine to
135 PS (145 PS in the 1200S) and aiming
to boost comfort as much as speed.
With this 2017 update the Monster is
still not going all-out for performance,
but its heading that way (despite this
years arrival of the racy 1200R). The
1,198-cc eight-valve engine is tuned,
with larger throttle bodies and higher
compression ratio, to give a maximum of
150 PS for both standard and S versions
place of the old models much-criticised
combined footrest support.
As before, there are both standard and
S versions of the 1200 (plus the 1200R),
now sharing the same uprated
powerplant. The 1200S, as ridden at the
launch, differs with its hlins (instead of
Kayaba/Sachs) suspension, uprated
front brake (Brembo M50 rather than
M4.32 radial Monobloc callipers, and
330- instead of 320-mm discs), and
in this models unique Liquid Concrete still not quite matching those rivals, lighter wheels, as well as carbon-fibre
Grey paintwork, rather than the but significantly closer. And the front mudguard, daytime running lights,
traditional red alternative, theres surely Monster joins its racy Panigale siblings LED indicators, and standard-fitment
hardly a motorcyclist alive who wouldnt with a more sophisticated IMU (Inertial DQS quick-shifter.
instantly identify this bike as a Measurement Unit)-based electronic In either version the Monster is still a
descendant of the M900 that began the system, incorporating wheelie control classy looking bike, matching its
line in 1993. and cornering ABS. familiar curving lines slightly
But if the look has remained The chassis is sharpened, too. A new, slimmer, due to the fuel tank shrinking
consistent, the Monster character has single-sided swing-arm shortens the by a litre to hold 16.5 litres with a
varied over the years, and takes another wheelbase by 26 millimetres and raises high-quality finish. That Liquid
twist with this updated 1200S. Three the rear end slightly, steepening the rake Concrete Grey paint, which comes with
years ago, when replacing the air-cooled and reducing trail while also increasing the S model only (both versions are
Monster 1100 EVO with the the adjustable seats height by 10 mm. available in red), looks thick enough to
Testastretta-powered 1200, Ducati opted The wide, slightly raised one-piece build a house on. Neat touches include
not to join the super-naked power war handlebar remains unchanged, as does the ski-boot-binding style catch that
with Aprilias Tuono, BMWs S 1000 R the footrest position, but the pillion pegs secures the front of the fuel tank, which
and KTMs 1290 Super Duke R; instead now get their own removable bracket in mimics that of the old M900.

FIRST RIDE
1 2 3
The Monsters only incongruous there are three riding modes, selectable
feature is the ugly network of thick black via buttons on the left bar. The uprated
coolant hoses that meander across the motor generates more than 100 Nm of
left side of its engine, looking as though torque all the way from 3,000 to 10,000
theyve been taken from the back of a rpm, and delivers it superbly smoothly 4
washing machine then jubilee-clipped in via a well-metred injection system.
place. Ducati successfully cleaned up The Monster hasnt joined the
the XDiavels Testastretta motors left Multistrada and XDiavel in adopting
side by relocating the water pump, and DVT variable valve timing, but its low-
the Monster deserves a similar upgrade. rev throttle response was so clean that I
Not that I was worrying about that as didnt find that a drawback. The softer
I threw a leg over the 1200Ss subtly Urban (which cuts max output to 100
redesigned seat, turned the key (no PS) and Touring helpfully tame response
Diavel-style keyless ignition yet) to for town or slippery surfaces. As before,
illuminate the revised, colourful TFT each mode triggers its own view on the
display, and slid the starter switch colourful instrument panel (Urban mode
towards me to bring the desmo motor to showing speed most prominently, for
life with a restrained V-twin thrap from example, while Sport mode highlights 1 Revised TFT digital information
its reworked, Euro 4-compliant exhaust rpm), as well as its own settings for ABS, display looks sharp
system. Inevitably, the Monster has lost traction control and the new wheelie 2 Still sounds like a big V-twin;
a little of its voice, but it still sounds control. now puts out 150 PS/126 Nm
instantly like a big V-twin. The fact that these settings are 3 Daytime lights and carbon-fibre
And it still very much behaves like programmable meant, for example, that mudguard added; Pirelli Diablo
one, too, managing to tread that fine line I could turn off the wheelie control in Rosso III rubber arrives
between character and refinement as Sport mode, while keeping it in the 4 hlins suspension units
skilfully as its predecessor. As before, others not that unplanned wheelies standard on 1200S

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SPEC TALK
Ducati Monster 1200 [1200S]
Price: Rs 20 lakh [25 lakh] (estimated)
ENGINE
Configuration: Liquid-cooled 90 V-twin
Valve-train: DOHC, eight valves
Displacement: 1,198 cc
Bore x Stroke: 106 x 67.9 mm
Compression ratio: 13:1
Fuelling: Electronic injection system, 56-mm throttle bodies
Maximum Power: 150 PS at 9,250 rpm
Maximum Torque: 126 Nm at 7,750 rpm
Clutch: Wet, multi-plate, slipper
Transmission: Six-speed, chain final drive
CHASSIS
Type: Trellis frame
Front suspension: 43-mm inverted telescopic Kayaba [48mm
hlins], 130-mm travel, adjustments for preload, compression
and rebound damping
Rear suspension: One Sachs damper, 149-mm wheel travel,
adjustments for preload and rebound damping [hlins damper,
adjustments for preload, compression and rebound damping]
Front brake: Two, four-piston Brembo radial Monobloc callipers,
320-mm [330-mm] discs with ABS
Rear brake: Twin-piston Brembo calliper, 245-mm disc with ABS
Front wheel: 3.50 x 17 inch; cast aluminium
Rear wheel: 6.00 x 17 inch; cast aluminium
Front tyre: 120/70 ZR17 Pirelli Diablo Rosso III
Rear tyre: 190/55 ZR17 Pirelli Diablo Rosso III
Rake/trail: 23.3/86.5 mm
Wheelbase: 1,485 mm
Seat height: 795-820 mm
Tank capacity: 16.5 litres
Weight: 209 kg [211 kg] wet (tank 90 per cent full)
Theres surely hardly a

motorcyclist alive who wouldnt
instantly identify this bike as
a descendant of the M900 that
began the line in 1993

FIRST RIDE
4 Inevitable Euro 4-compliant
end-cans are standard kit
3 Chiselled tank has a drop in
capacity to 16.5 litres
2 Ducati QuickShifter makes an
appearance
1 LED turn-indicators look neat,
as does the swoopy tail
1 2 3
were ever a problem. The Monster was 1200 and 1299 Panigale do. Ducati say
great for firing between hairpins in the they cant justify the extra cost on the
Alpine foothills north of Monte Carlo. Monster. Shame, although the S-bikes
And its DQS quick-shifter, standard conventional hlins units, forks
fitment on the 1200S, was a big asset softened slightly from standard following km if youre not.
here, cutting in to allow easy clutch-less input from Ducatis test riders, did a fine Pirellis latest Diablo Rosso III tyres
shifts in both directions, without a job on some challenging surfaces. did a decent job, on cold, often damp,
missed change all day. The 1200S certainly dispatched the roads occasionally writhing with thick
The Ducati stormed out of the turns never-ending hairpins with ease, staying black snakes of slippery over-banding.
at a predictably fierce rate, the taut and under control even when I was And although I didnt summon the
Testastretta lump staying smooth even braking very hard with those ferociously courage to test the new, standard-fit (on
up near its 10,500-rpm limit. The bike powerful M50s, then flicking it into the both models) cornering ABS by
felt fast without approaching a top speed turn with the gentlest of nudges on the grabbing a handful of front brake mid-
that, neck muscles willing, must be near wide handlebar. The Ducati felt turn, Boschs system added an invisible
250 km/h. On a cold day I was glad that superbly well balanced; its turning circle level of safety that might prove
the twisty launch route kept speeds was pretty tight. Ride quality was good, invaluable.
down and meant that the Monsters lack although my wrists were aching slightly One thing that cant be hidden is the
of even a fly-screen wasnt an issue. On a by the end of the day due to all the rising price. The 1200S is up there with
faster route I might have been having braking. the Tuono and Super Duke R, though
disloyal thoughts about more protective At the other end, the shock soaked up the standard model costs considerably
rivals such as the Tuono, not to mention bumps with typical hlins efficiency less. If the standard Monster still seems
this Ducatis bikini-faired forebear, the and control, though a semi-active expensive, bear in mind that its packed
Monster S4, which began the familys systems instant fine-tuning ability with electronic features and makes more
liquid-cooled line in 2001. would still have been worthwhile. The than twice as much power as that 73-PS
One thing that even the hlins- Monster should remain comfortable original M900. The Monster has
equipped 1200S doesnt do following enough to drain a tank of gas in one hit, evolved a long way. And in its style,
this update is adjust its suspension with especially as the tanks reduced capacity attitude and entertaining V-twin
riding mode, via a semi-active system, as drops realistic range to about 250 km if character, it really hasnt changed much
the posher versions of the Multistrada youre riding fairly gently, or nearer 200 at all.

Coming Soon!
Recognising the brightest and best
in the Indian automotive industry
Entry by invitation only

H-D MODEL-YEAR 2017 RIDE
The
Are Coming
The Bar and Shield bad boys of the
motorcycling world are here in their model-year
2017 versions, and we had a go at each and
every single one of them on a ride from Delhi to
Rajasthan and back. Here is whats in store for
all you aspiring hog riders in the year 2017
STORY: HARKET SUCHDE
PHOTOGRAPHY: HARLEY-DAVIDSON INDIA

Sporty Scrapper: Roadster
FIRST RIDE
HE BRAND-NEW, NEVER tank and old-school two-up seat which

-seen-before addition to the Harley- adds to that rugged, minimalist charm
Davidson India line-up is the new and brings it to the fore. A charm that is
Roadster. At first glance, it looks as if amplified by a thick black racing stripe
the Forty-Eight grew up, chopped off which is outlined in fine bright red atop
those wild locks, tucked its shirt in, and the tank, and is especially attractive on
got a job. On closer examination you the all-black bike I rode.
realise that the shirt may be tucked in Both the blacked-out 1,200-cc
but the leather jacket is still flung over a Evolution engine and dual side exhaust
shoulder, and there may now be a job are essentially the same as the one on
but it aint your average nine-to-fiver. the Forty-Eight; the mirrors, though,
Instead, it is probably a wickedly cool are not caf racer style, which is another
one like the lead guitarist of a rock and sign of how this one has a bit of a no-
roll band, or a road tester at Bike India. nonsense attitude about it. It is even
What Im trying to say is that it might 40 millimetres higher off the ground
not have the same extreme edginess as with a 150-mm ride height, handy on
the Forty-Eight (which is still one of my our uniquely contoured Indian roads.
favourite H-Ds out there) but it hasnt The stance of the Roadster has been
turned dull or boring either; just made that much more aggressive-
dropped down from completely bonkers looking with the combination of 19-
to living-on-the-edge. The name inch wheels up front and 18-inchers at
Roadster belies a certain sporty quality the back. They are wrapped in 120/70
and, taking it all in, it sure does look the and 150/70 Dunlop kicks respectively,
part. That little headlamp, low-slung and the five-spoke cast aluminium
bars, and sawed-off fenders all give it a design ties it all in.
wicked, street-racer vibe. Out goes the Swing a leg over and on to that retro
little peanut tank, in comes a chiselled seat and you find that it is comfortable
12.5-litre (Walnut? Cashew nut? enough, and that the forward-set, low-
Coconu yeah, Im going to stop now) slung handlebar, along with the mid-set
Gearcheck
Rider: Harket Suchde
Helmet: Shiro R-15
Jacket: Leiidor Grandstand
Gloves: Zeus Highway Rider
Boots: XPD X-Ultra
Riding Gear Partner

Wrangler Sun Shield

FIRST RIDE
pegs, which are slightly high-placed, issue, even if you crouch down flat on
results in a natural seating position that the tank. The bike has enough vibes
is on the aggressive side. If you want to and shakes to identify it as a true-blue
move the bike using calf (muscle) Harley, but the rubber mounts have
power rather than horsepower, you will enough absorb-ability not to have it get
end up with sore shins thanks to the out of hand.
placement of the pegs, at least the first The Roadster is a fun bike to corner,
few times you try it. too; it is a little heavy so getting into a
The switchgear is pretty sorted, lean and out do require a bit of physical
although I still need a little time to get effort, but the weight is manageable
used to Harleys signature one-on- enough, and you can get some good (in
each-side indicator setup. The key slot cruiser terms) lean action before the
for the ignition is located on the side, pegs begin to scrape. The 43-mm USD The single-pod info cluster is old-school cool
below the tank in typical cruiser fashion forks arent something you see on an
a location that divides opinion, but H-D Sportster every day, and work
isnt a big deal to me. The part digital, pretty well with the twin shocks with
part analogue, small, circular dual-rate spring setup in the rear. Both
information pod is minimal and retro- in corners and when dealing with
chic, but takes a bit of squinting to patchy tarmac, the rider is kept pretty
decipher when the sun is on your back. comfortable, and you can even adjust
Fire up the air-cooled 1,200-cc and fine-tune the preload further as per
V-twin and it purrs and growls individual requirements at the rear.
delightfully. Youll notice that the The stopping power on the Roadster
gearbox is a bit loud, with the bike is provided by twin-discs up front
slotting into first (and all subsequent another thing you dont see often on
gears) with an audible clunk. The H-Ds sportster line-up a single at
sound belies the smoothness, though, the rear and ABS, which, of course, is The beefy tank with pin-striping is a stand-out
because despite the noise, the gears slot now standard across the range. There is
in quite seamlessly. You dont need to good urgency and stability under hard
hammer through the five-speed braking, so no complaints there.
gearbox on the open highway, thanks Cost-wise you are looking at a price
to the engines cruiser-like setup. The of Rs 9.7 lakh, ex-showroom, Delhi.
78 Nm of torque kicks in pretty low on The Roadster was quite a blast to ride
the rev range and peaks at 4,250 rpm. then, and makes perfect sense for
In fifth, you can cruise comfortably those who want that cool sporty feel
until 140 km/h, and while the bike is and aggressive attitude that you get
capable of more, the lack of wind from the Forty-Eight, minus all the
protection starts causing a bit of an extra quirkiness.
Double-barrel exhaust adds a little drama and a lot of growls
The 1200-cc V-twin packs a punch

FIRST RIDE
Bat Outta Hell: Street Glide Special

THE STREET GLIDE SPECIAL IS including Reflex-linked Brembo brakes with youll build up your guns in no time.
one of the big bad tourers from H-D the Ed ABS, a 6.5-inch full-colour touchscreen, USB The higher capacity engine has also led to an
wrote so extensively about in the November port, the Boom! Box 5.2-inch dual speaker increase in torque with the new 2017 Street
2016 issue of Bike India. In fact, to see evidence sound system and more. The toys are great, and Glide Special producing 150 Nm at 3,250 rpm,
of this particular model, you dont need to look work pretty well, and I especially liked the as opposed to the 2016 model which churned
further than the magazines cover for that sound system which can be heard even at early out 138 Nm. The clutch lever feels a little too far
month. So I wont dwell for too long on this or triple-digit speeds. from the grip, and even though that isnt too
the other two tourers. What I will say is that I I can also vouch for the evident much of an issue when cruising on the highway,
rode both the 2016 version of the Special and improvement in the engine and ride. The in the aforementioned city streets it can be a bit
the 2017 one at one point or another during this Street Glide Special hasnt lost that innate bothersome. The ride quality on the Street
ride and the differences are quite evident. The Americana; it is still loud and proud and Glide Special has improved, too; it doesnt
new Milwaukee-Eight 107 is a 1,745-cc plant makes its presence felt, only now with lesser bottom out as easily as it used to before and the
and has been revamped for better performance gruffness and quicker throttle response. Twist whole thing is a little more plush.
and further refinement. It also gets a changed the throttle and the bike feels less constrained The bike still generates vibrations when
suspension setup, with a new dual bending and more urgent. The heat management has holding high speeds, and while they are
valve front suspension and emulsion rear shock greatly improved, too. Earlier, your legs would reduced from the predecessor, they could still
in place. get cooked when crawling within city limits, do with a little more reduction in my opinion.
The Street Glide Special I rode was dressed but that doesnt happen any more, even in the The one thing that slightly marred the otherwise
in a svelte matte black. Which, when married to afternoon heat of Rajasthan. What will cause a excellent experience of riding the Street Glide
the flared-out front fairing, makes it look like it bit of bother in small, crowded city streets, Special was the buffeting experienced at high
was designed by Batman to get away from the however, is having to pull the wide handlebars speeds, which is still present and evident.
rigours of the daily crime fighting life and enjoy this way and that to wriggle out of traffic, Priced starting at Rs 31.25 lakh (ex-Delhi),
a nice coastal tour of the places near Gotham. It which does require a certain amount of the Street Glide Special is quintessential
also has the latest gadgets thrown in to make the physical effort on your part, thanks, in part, to touring cool, and comes with bags of heritage
tenuous link with the Dark Knight more legit, the bar-mounted fairing. On the plus side, and technology.

FIRST RIDE
Glidin on a Highway: Road Glide Special
ONE OF THE STAPLES OF H-DS presence, and the seat is sculpted for maximum helps keep the vibes under control, and the six-
touring range abroad, the iconic Road Glide comfort. Like the Street Glide, this one brings speed gearbox shares the same characteristics as
makes its way to Indian shores for the first time the Boom! as well, equipped as it is with 5.25- the one in the Street Glide. The suspension
ever. And it does so in this, the Special guise. inch speakers and a 6.5-inch touchscreen setup consisting of new Showa forks and a pre-
Those iconic twin-pod headlamps and that infotainment. load adjustable setup at the rear allows the Road
sharp shark-nose fairing, mounted on the frame I have always been a big fan of footboards on Glide to live up to the Glide bit of its moniker
in this case, have been a fundamental part of the touring bikes, and everything from the size of when out on the flat top, even when it is
H-D stable, and finally join the touring line-up the boards to their position in relation to the seat interrupted by rumble strips and speed-
here in India. Looks-wise, the Road Glide and the handlebars makes for a laid-back, breakers. The Road Glide handles a little better
Special will definitely cause debate, but love it relaxed posture. The engine idles at 850 rpm than you would think, and while agility isnt its
or hate, you just cannot ignore it. and you dont need to climb much higher on the forte, it wont lose too much ground on the
To me, it looks in-your-face, stylish and rev range before you feel it punching you in the twisties either. The braking is also pretty
conspicuous exactly what you expect from a gut (in a good way). And what a punch it is, the satisfactory, with the lever requiring a bit of a
big touring Harley. While the Road Glide Road Glide Special produces 150 Nm of twist at tug, but rewards you with oodles of composure
retains its iconic visual cues from its 3,250 rpm. Wind blast is a bit of an issue here as and instant stopping power for your effort.
predecessors, the aforementioned shark-nose well, though, and the noise and the knocking of The Road Glide Special carries a sticker
now houses bright Daymaker LEDs, the bike is your helmet from side to side can only be beginning from Rs 32.81 lakh, and I for one am
powered by the resplendent-in-chrome brand- avoided if you duck behind the windscreen. quite glad that this legend of H-Ds touring
new Milwaukee-Eight 107 engine, and has a Not a good look when astride a big bike range has finally graced our shores: a feeling that
new suspension setup as well. The 19 alloy carrying the bar and shield for sure. was amplified after covering a good few
wheels add to the Road Glides expansive On the plus side, a new counter-balancer kilometres astride it.

FIRST RIDE
The King Gains Power: Road King

THE MOST ECONOMICAL OF two-tone paint job on the bike I rode popped cruise control like the more premium members
Harley-Davidsons touring line-up in India, as well, and even the classic tail-lamps and of H-Ds touring range sport. The King is a bit
the Road King has enthralled tour enthusiasts 10-spoke cast aluminium Impeller wheels (17 more of a handler than the Street and Road
the world over, including right here in India, up front and 16s in the back) add to the Kings Glides, bringing a tad more agility to the
for a while now. A stripped-down tourer with dominant stance. The tank-mounted gauge is highway thanks to its unladen handle (as
stylistic cues evocative of traditional highway another quintessential element synonymous opposed to the Street Glide Special) and close
cruising machines, the Road King has an with the King, and the analogue speedo, and to 10 kg less of overall kerb weight (when
undeniable presence. In its 2017 guise, the digital rev counter, odo, and gear indicator are compared to the Road Glide). Again, Ive
Road King gets the more powerful 107 all packed into this one display. When you already alluded to the qualities of the new ride
Milwaukee-Eight and a fresh suspension setup climb into the saddle, you notice the seat setup, and it does tackle the kinks in the road
a dual bending valve front suspension and height of just over 700 mm (705 to be precise) with a lot less banging and scraping on the
emulsion rear shock, similar to the setup on the allows you to plant both feet on the tarmac King as well. The Reflex-linked ABS brakes
rest of the updated touring range. without too much struggle, at least it wasnt for are correct and present, bringing a lot of
There isnt much to talk about visually, not-quite-six-foot-tall me. stopping power to the Road King party.
because the Road King still looks pretty Ive already written about the performance To conclude, If I had to pick one from
similar to its predecessor. Those trademark aspect of the 150 Nm producing 107 silken H-Ds touring line-up, Id personally go for
Hiawatha headlamps nested in a streamlined and sublime as it is, however, twist the throttle the King. It may not have all the toys that its
chrome casing are so iconic; only now they on the Road King and the assertion that the touring siblings possess but, to me, the ride is
come with dual halogen bulbs. The big engine is very much a case of an iron fist in a a more raw and visceral one, and I just feel a
windscreen sitting just behind the headlamp velvet glove is underscored. The seat provides little more present on the King. More than
unit is indigenous with the King, too; however enough support to keep you from squirming any of that, though, it is priced starting at
it can be easily shed if you want to give your on longer hauls, and the riding posture makes Rs 26.49 lakh, making it the cheapest of all of
bike a more mean and naked look. There is you feel like a King of the Road for sure. The H-Ds tour spec bikes, the most compelling
chrome to be found in abundance, making the windscreen offers a lot of protection against argument working in its favour from my
King positively shine in sunlight, and the new headwinds and the Road King comes with penny-pinching perspective.

FIRST RIDE
Braking Ground: Street 750
I HAVE ALWAYS BELIEVED THAT brand-new, two-tone paint job which appears ABS which has given the Street 750 some
the Street 750 is the most dynamic bike in the on the tank and the tail of the bike. It looks stopping muscle to match its other attributes. I
Harley-Davidson line-up. Small, quick, pretty great, too, although personally I still had the opportunity to test the brakes on NH
amazingly agile for a cruiser, and as at home on prefer the clean single-colour styling of the 48 thanks to errant animals and people who ran
city streets as on open highways, the Street is previous model, so I was glad to see that it has across the highway. The result is a staggering
quite the bike indeed. If it had one drawback, it been retained as an option. Another change improvement. The Street 750 stays on course
was the braking power, which was an obvious incorporated into the looks department is the under hard braking and invites its rider to push
sore spot on an otherwise brilliant package. addition of the new, and sizeable Harley- harder, safe in the knowledge that it can quickly
H-D are seeking to rectify this deficiency with Davidson running along the tank in text as shed speed if the situation demands it. The
the 2017 Street 750 which now comes with ABS opposed to the original emblem which was brakes feel urgent when pumped hard and
(making ABS standard across the line-up in the just a small representation of the bar and show enough progression to allow for varied
process). Have they succeeded? I was itching shield. The engine, transmission, suspension, braking scenarios.
to find out as soon as I saw that the new 750 and pretty much everything else is exactly the The Street 750 is now priced at Rs 4.91 lakh,
was part of the fleet for this ride. same as before, with Harley-Davidson ex-showroom. With the inclusion of ABS, at
Before I go there, though, lets talk about sticking to the tried and tested if it aint broke, that price point the Street 750 is still great value
the aesthetic qualities of the smallest bike on dont fix it approach. for money, and now an even more complete
the H-D roster. The 2017 Street 750 gets a As I mentioned earlier, the big change is the motorcycle than it ever was before.

INTERVIEW VIKRAM PAWAH
We are here
to sell lifetime
experiences
We had a chat with Harley-
Davidson Indias Managing
Director Vikram Pawah at the
H-D model-year 2017 ride.
Here are the excerpts
INTERVIEWED BY HARKET SUCHDE
Bike India (BI): Whats new with the refined but it still retains the feel and the sound impact on the Indian market and your presence in
Milwaukee-Eight engines? of a typical Harley-Davidson. Im sure you can the Indian market?
Vikram Pawah (VP): The basic concept of the certainly see the difference between the old VP: If I look at the touring line-up particularly,
2017 launch of these engines is about more engine and the new one. Its not just an we are the leaders in the touring line-up in
power and more comfort for the riders. Basically, improvement; its a drastically different unit that India. With so many leisure riders coming into
that is what we are aiming at. If you look at this gives you more power. You can also feel the the fold in the last six to seven years, we feel that
engine, the Milwaukee Eight is a ground-up change in the vibration and the noise and even people are looking at options to get on to bigger
engine. It has been built based on the feedback the heat management and the way thats bikes now and with this extended line-up of
that we got from our core riders across the being controlled. four bikes available at different price points we
world. This a great step forward in the touring feel that people will really get excited about
line-up that we have. The engine is much more BI: So how do you see the new engine having an getting into touring.

BI: So why only the touring bikes? Why not new providing you the motorcycle that you can do
engines for the whole line-up? leisure riding on; it also provides the entire
VP: Each line-up has got a change. If you gamut of merchandising helmets, jackets,
look at it, we have a completely refreshed line- the boots that go with it, even the casual wear
up for 2017. When you look at our Sportster that you wear outside and declare to the world
range, which is quite popular in India, weve that you are associated with Harley-Davidson
just launched the new Roadster, which is a as a brand.
1,200-cc bike. It is kind of a blend of three
genres of motorcycling. Its got the kind of BI: Lets talk about Harley-Davidsons Passport
retro feel when you look at the styling of the to Freedom campaign. What is it all about?
bike with the dual tone colours, the stitching VP: As market leaders, first of all its our job
on the seats, the chopped off fenders, and to grow the market of leisure motorcycling and
things like that. And its got a little bit of get more riders on to bikes for leisure and not
racing feel to it with the racing that used be in just for commuting. We normally come across
the 1950s and 60s when Harley-Davidson three hurdles when anybody is thinking about
became really popular with the grey airbox, if riding. First of all, can I ride a big bike?
you look at that. So we feel that we have been Secondly, where do I ride a big bike? And the
able to give people more options in that third one is can I afford one? The Passport to
Sportster range in India. The Street [750], Freedom addresses the first one. It gives you
which is our most popular bike in India, the confidence about how a big bike behaves,
comes with ABS now, along with a new tank- what are the dos and donts about big bikes.
badge, and a lot of improvements in terms of Luckily, in India we dont need to teach
better management of wiring. I think its great people how to ride a bike because we all grew
improvement across the line-up for our up riding. We dont have to actually tell
customers in 2017. anybody how to change gears or how to use
the clutch. But, yes, what we do teach them is
BI: How important is merchandise to H-Ds for a bigger bike; those nuances that you need
ethos or business model in India? Because it seems to adopt. We have done 16 sessions across the
that people who buy an H-D also tend to buy the country with 600 people attending. And these
brands gear and accessories, and sometimes even are free of cost sessions, because we believe
people who dont own an H-D bike still tend to this is something we need to do as leaders.
sport the merchandise.
VP: Yes, people who even dont own a BI: Whats the big plan for the fifth year of the
Harley-Davidson love to wear the brand and Indian H.O.G Rally?
show it on their sleeve, so to say. So, yeah, that VP: We will surely let you know shortly what
is normally our first connection with any that big bang is going to be. Whatever we do
customer. We feel thats how people get will be big, will be in the Harley-Davidson
associated with the brand. They might buy a lifestyle imagery but will be driven by
T-shirt or a cap and then they start working customers in the end. Our community has
towards their aspiration to own a Harley- grown to over 7,000+ H.O.G members, so we
Davidson bike. So it is an integral part of our expect a really big turnout this time.
business; it is not what we call a separate
vertical. A lot of companies do talk about these BI: You have always been at the forefront, reach-
businesses as separate verticals. We always say wise, in the premium segment but other brands
that we are not here to sell a product; we are are beginning to catch up as well. Do you plan to
here to sell lifetime change your approach or more of the same?
experiences. And when youre talking about VP: For us expanding our network is not
lifetime experiences, it doesnt just end with about just number of showrooms; its never
been that. We dont decide which town we
want to get into based on population or GDP
or whatever those demographic parameters are.
As market leaders, first of all its our job to For us, its about how many Harley owners
there are in that city. So whenever it reaches
grow the market of leisure motorcycling and that threshold, we enter that market. We
recently opened a first dealership in the north-
get more riders on to bikes for leisure and east in Guwahati, where we already had 100
riders in and around the area which is
not just for commuting

phenomenal. We are already up to 23 dealers in
21 cities and well continue to expand to
wherever our customers are going to be.

COVER STORY BI CUSTOM STREET 750 RACER
Project
Harley-Davidson
Street 750
There is hardly an editor in the field of the Indian automotive media who has
the ability, experience, and know-how to modify a motorcycle on his own.
Nay, there is hardly anyone with the ability to tinker with a bike even to set
a minor mechanical glitch right, blackening his hands in the process. Bike
India Editor Aspi Bhathena stands alone in that respect. Here is the story
of how he modified the Harley-Davidson Street 750 into a racer
STORY: ASPI BHATHENA PHOTOGRAPHY: SANJAY RAIKAR

T
HE FIRST TIME I Street 750 first it was going to be a caf forks but I wanted to give the bike a
rode the Harley- racer. Later I thought lets go the whole retro look from the 1970s; that is why I
Davidson Street 750, I hog and make a race replica of the used conventional front forks. The
was very impressed by XRTT raced by Calvin Rayborn. This original front wheel was replaced with a
the bikes easy-to-ride Street 750 has been built as a tribute to 17-inch one. I wanted to fit 18-inch
character, performance one of the greatest Harley-Davidson wheels but decided not to in view of the
and handling. At that riders of all time: Calvin Rayborn. fact that today the choice of tyres in the
time I made a mental note The engine, chassis, swingarm and 17-inch wheel size is much better than in
that this motorcycle had the rear shock-absorbers are from the stock the 18-inch size.
potential to be transformed into a Street 750. Starting from the front, the One of the most difficult parts of this
very capable caf racer. Therefore, it standard front forks were replaced with modification was the plumbing of the
followed naturally that at the beginning larger 42-mm ones and the steering two-into-one exhaust system. The pipe
of the year I asked Pallavi Singh and column was replaced to accommodate bending and fabrication of the stainless
Vikram Pawah of H-D if they would the larger front forks and reduce the rake steel exhaust was done by Shakil Shaikh
give me a Street 750 for the to give the bike a steeper head angle. I of Aashu Engineering, the makers of
customisation I had in mind. The could have used upside down (USD) torquexhausts. The engine is bog
answer was an instant yes and they gave
the bike after India Bike Week.
Now, it is common experience that a
number of people customise motorcycles
and make some very nice-looking bikes,
but more often than not the customised
version comes across as worse to ride
than its standard iteration. I have been
working on motorcycles since the age of
12 and modifying bikes for racing since
the age of 19. For me customisation
doesnt mean just making a motorcycle
look good and different but enhance its
overall performance, be it handling,
engine performance or outright
performance, by weight reduction and
better aerodynamics.
When I undertook the Project H-D

Now one can flick the bike through the esses like a
small supersport motorcycle and one can carry a lot
more speed and lean angle through the corners

2 3
1 New steering column and clip-on

handlebars with the master cylinder
2 Racing seat with minimal padding
3 Sprocket and chain set replaces

the stock belt drive and pulley
Fuel tank adapted

specifically for this
race replica project
New rear wheel with a final

drive by chain instead of the
stock belt drive system
Rear-set foot-pegs
with a new master
cylinder
Standard swingarm Stock engine complemented Wheels, tyres,
gets relocated rear by free-flow K&N air-filter telescopic fork,
shock-absorber mounts and exhaust system with brake rotors and
custom bend-pipes callipers are all new

standard, apart from the new free-flow stock Street 750 is belt-driven as in all like a small supersport motorcycle and
exhaust and K&N air-filter. Harley-Davidson bikes. Here this has one can carry a lot more speed and lean
The rear swingarm is also standard been changed to chain drive. The bike is angle through the corners, even though
but I have changed the rear shock- now shod with MRF radial tyres, 110/70 the higher rear-set foot-rests were
absorber mounts to increase the ride R17 front and 150/60 R17 at the rear. grounding during cornering.
height and the leverage to soften the rear The race fairing was copied from my The straight-line performance of this
suspension and increase the travel. The TZ350. To fit the fairing it had to be modified motorcycle has also improved:
front and rear suspension have been enlarged to accommodate the Street 750. the sprint from naught to 60 km/h has
softened because the bike has shed close When you fit a full fairing, there are a improved by 1.31 seconds and 100 km/h
to 30 kilograms of weight. number of limitations such as clip-on comes up 1.46 seconds quicker than on
To change the riding position from position and lock-to-lock turning of the the stock Street 750. The top speed of
the regular sit up back to a racing clip-on handlebars. the bike has gone up by 15 km/h on the
motorcycle, the petrol tank and standard After a labour of love stretching over same stretch in fifth gear, compared to
seat have been changed to a long tank nine months the bike was ready to be sixth gear in the case of the stock bike,
and a racing seat. The handlebar has put through its paces to see how it before running out of road. The bike
been replaced with clip-ons and the performed. The handling has become now runs a taller gearing and should be
foot-rests have been relocated to a rear- sharper thanks to the steeper head angle, able to attain a much higher top speed
set position. as compared to the standard bike. Now on a longer straight.
The secondary (final) drive on the one can flick the bike through the esses The braking on the Street 750 had

Competition Calvin Rayborn II: The Legend

Trans-Atlantic Match Races
(England) in 1972 that etched
his name among the greatest.
The American fought all odds,
shattering the much better
equipped competition on his
outdated motorcycle, and
that too on unfamiliar British
racetracks, and won three of
the six races.
It was an unfortunate
As one flips through the crash in December 1973
dusty pages of motorcycle during a race in New Zealand
racing of the 1960s and that proved fatal for this
70s, ones bound to be rising star. Rayborns inspiring
mesmerised by the short life as a motorcycle racer
but enigmatic story of garnered huge fan following
Calvin Rayborn II. He was from across the globe. And
a top-class professional much to his fans pleasure
racer who soared to great Rayborn was inducted into
success riding for the the AMA Motorcycle Hall of
been a weak point and that has also been man-hours I had put into this mod job. Harley-Davidson factory Fame in 1999.
addressed by changing the front brake It took me nine months because I racing team. After winning The image of Cal Rayborn
calliper and the master cylinder. The worked during after hours, and on two consecutive Daytona tearing through the
200 in the US, Rayborn went racetrack, riding his iconic
hydraulic leverage on the front brake has weekends and holidays.
ahead to set two motorcycle Number 14 Harley-Davidson
been changed whereby the front brake The most satisfying part of it all is that
land speed records at XRTT, remains imprinted on
lever travels more, giving a soft feel but this bike has been built all by myself and the minds of motor sport
the stopping power is much better than not at some workshop outside. Also the Bonneville, UK. But it was his
stunning performance in the lovers even today.
in the stock bike. fact that the bike not only looks nice, but
Our copy editor asked me how many also performs well.

KNOW THE FAIR MARKET VALUE OF ANY USED VEHICLE
IN 10 SECONDS
Orange Book Value: Taking the Guesswork Out of Used Vehicle Pricing
T
he used vehicle industry in India is
growing at a rapid pace, and many
buyers are looking for good options in
the pre-owned vehicle market instead
of going for new ones. A key reason for this is
that one can buy a used vehicle, which is in a
desirable condition both aesthetically and
mechanically, at a very reasonable price. This
way, one does not have to spend a lot of
money to own ones dream vehicle.
However, the main problem with buying used

vehicles lies in its pricing. Most of the times,
the lack of a benchmark price leads to a lot of
debate and confusion between the two
Sandeep Aggarwal, Founder & CEO, Droom
parties and this mistrust results in the deal
falling through. Buyer and seller remorse are
common by-products of such deals. In order aeroplane. Droom is a technology and data
to bridge this gap and to bring transparency science driven company and we build trust and
in the whole process, Droom, a leading online transparency on pricing of a used vehicle for
automobile marketplace, has launched both buyers and sellers with our innovative and
Orange Book Value (OBV), which is Indias rst disruptive marketplace approach. This way, the
and only algorithmic pricing engine for used whole process of buying or selling a used
vehicles. automobile has become a lot more convenient
for both buyers and sellers. We launched OBV Hyundai i20 2010 ASTA 1.2
OBV suggests fair market value of used as a step towards this commitment to our
vehicles that include cars, motorcycles, users. The app is so convenient that a user can
scooters, bicycles and even planes, covering check the price of any used vehicle within ten
24000+ products from 100+ makes, nearly seconds and can avail the pricing report free of
1000 models and over 4000 variants. Its role cost. 55,000 2010
in the automobile market is that of an Automobile from dealer in Good
independent benchmark for used vehicle Using OBV to determine the value of a vehicle condition is valued at
pricing. OBV has seen over 92 million pricing is very simple. All users have to do is select Rs. 3,10,133 - Rs. 3,29,316
queries since launch, and there is a lot of their purpose (buying/selling), select vehicle Fair Good Very Good Exellent
industry and consumer support for the tool. category, and parameters (make, model, year,
condition, trim, and km driven etc) in order to
Speaking about the vision behind creating get an independent, unbiased and data driven
Orange Book Value, Sandeep Aggarwal, report on the fair value of any vehicle.
Founder and CEO, Droom, said, OBV has
been created with a long-term vision of Orange Book Value is available on
making it the most trusted valuation guide for www.OrangeBookValue.com,
automobiles, be it a cycle, bike, car or even an Android and iOS.
FEATURE BIKE INDIA AWARDS 2017 PREVIEW
You have the power. For us you, the readers,

17 Bike In
d s 20 di come before everything else. So heres a chance
ar a to pick your favourite two-wheeler for the
Aw
Aw
Bike India Readers Choice Award 2017. Not just
Bike India
ards
that, you can also win some amazing prizes.
2 01 7
AWARDS 2017 APRILIA TUONO V4 1100 APRILIA RSV4R FACTORY
AND THE NOMINEES ARE
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DUCATI XDIAVEL H-D 1200 CUSTOM H-D ROAD GLIDE SPECIAL
H-D CVO LIMITED HERO SPLENDOR iSMART 110 HERO ACHIEVER 150
HONDA CB HORNET 160R INDIAN SCOUT SIXTY KAWASAKI VERSYS 650 ABS KAWASAKI NINJA ZX-10R
Dear manufacturers, please ensure that employees and other associated personnel

KAWASAKI NINJA H2R MOTO GUZZI V9 MV AGUSTA BRUTALE
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READERS
CHOICE
AWARDS
MV AGUSTA F3 MV AGUSTA F4 ROYAL ENFIELD HIMALAYAN
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&Win
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oice and WIN.
To vote, e-mail to
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Voting open till
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nounced in the
March 2017 issue
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supplemen 006 JANUA
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DIA.IN
RACEWRE BUILD A
16-PAGE
BOOKLET
EPLICA
Transf
Street orming H-D
750 int
o a rac s
er
SUBSCRIPTIONS
LAUNCH
ED
FOR 12
MONTHS
Bajaj Dom
The bigg inar 400:
est,
Bajaj ever baddest
PUBLISHIN
C MY
K PANT
G
FEATURES
ONE 185C
RIDDEN:
DUCATI
: HISTORY MONSTER
OF MOT 1200 S
UL ROYA HARL
L ENFIELD EY-DAVIDSON
UNROAD 2017 LINE-
MONKEY
RUN
UP
IMOTY
2017
TO BIKE INDIA
refrain from participating in this vote so as to maintain the integrity of this award.

FEATURE THE MONKEY RUN

te en m en we re dr op pe d in th e middle of the Sahara Desert
Four
ld that th ey ha d six da ys to get to a specific
in Morocco and to
alo ng th e At lan tic Co as t 1, 000 kilometres away.
location
e ki cker : th ey ha d to tra ve rs e alien territory and
Th
-cc monkey bikes
battle harsh environment on 49
ST OR Y: HA RK ET SU CH DE
LE SW OR TH
PH OT OG RA PH Y: SO PH IE BO
HE ADVENTURISTS IS A BRISTOL (UK)-BASED ADVENTURE was the most delightfully horrible learning experience Ive ever been a part
tour company that on the face of it is completely bonkers. of. I figured out the basics of riding a motorcycle falling down, getting
Why you ask? Well, their idea of adventure is a tad up, repeat in the first three hours of the Adventurds loaning me the bike.
extreme, like you might-not-make-it-out alive extreme. The two days following the launch were the most relaxing, and after that,
Scary? Yes. Awesome, absolutely! Which brings us stuff hit the proverbial fan. My engines cylinder-head experienced a
perfectly to their latest venture: the Monkey Run. mechanical failure and because Im some sort of engineer, I replaced it prior
Let me quote directly from the press release they sent us to tell you to climbing the road that led to the largest mountain in Morocco. Basically,
what this ride is all about: The Monkey Run took place for the first time I pushed my bike up 100 km of mountain. I have an award, presented to
this April and involved fourteen brave/stupid guinea pigs being led me by Peter, to show for Most Miles Walked from pushing my bike over
blindfolded into the Sahara desert, twelve hours from Marrakech, and told the longest distance. Im kinda proud of that award.
they had to get to a destination on the Atlantic Coast, 1,000 km away, six
days later. The only slight glitch, they had to travel the 1,000 unknown On the best bits of the ride:
kilometres on a monkey bike. There was only one best bit. The best bit of the trip was camping at the
They also had an entertaining turn of phrase to describe the said 49-cc summit of that giant mountain. Dont ask me which mountain it was, I
monkey bikes: If a gigantic all-terrain dual-sport bike is a way of didnt bring a map. All I know is that the mountain was giant and I pushed
announcing to the world that youve got a tiny willy, a monkey bike serves to my bike uphill for 100 km. And dont ask me if that distance is correct, I
remind folk that youre hung like a donkey. was too busy suffering to look at the speedometer. But I digress, the reward
Erm...okay then. Moving on, at least some of these 14 men made it out of camping under the stars and finally breaking out all that damn camping
relatively unscathed and were able to share their thoughts on this ride of a gear I had been lugging around on my under-engineered motorcycle was
lifetime afterwards. Here is what they had to say: bar none the best bit of the trip.
Thomas Schultz On the monkey bikes:

On what he expected from this ride: Imagine youre the parents of a Russian child and you decide to buy them
When I signed up for this adventure, I expected everything to go this disaster-on-wheels as a present because youre in Russia and you never
wrong. And it did. really wanted kids in the first place. Now replace that child with a full grown
adult who is actively trying not to kill themselves but still has the language
On how long it took him to get lost en route: capacity of a four-year-old and decided to do this trip as a good time to
Four kilometres. I lasted four kilometres before I got lost along the western reunite and bond with friends...I dont know. Maybe, dont write that, that
edge of the Sahara. I eschewed any form of compass or map in exchange answer sounds a little crazy. If you want a boring answer, these bikes were ok.
for a bottle-opener and an emergency warm beer. My only regret about
getting lost, I wish the beer had been cold. Would you recommend the adventure to anyone else and, if so,
how would you describe it one line?
On the ride itself: Being a Monkey Bike Pioneer was the best time I never want to have
Considering I had never ridden a motorcycle of any kind before, this trip again, and a trip Ill happily take to my grave.

The Bambu Heroes: lvaro Baleato Varela, replaced the 50-cc. Now, the 70-cc was seized as well, but it wasnt
Alberto Bullejos Martnez worth checking it as it was the last day of the run. So we all agreed to
On whether the ride lived up to their expectations: make it to the finish line in impeccable Bambu Heroes style. Alvaro
I expected fun on a motorcycle while getting lost and a lot of off-road. Did towed Alberto with his monkey bike, while Jules was pushing Albertos
it match it? We made it match taking around 100-km off-road pistes and back with his right foot while riding his monkey for the last 150 km.
paths everyday. Was it good fun? Very. Dangerous? Sometimes while Seven hours later we made it to the finish line with Alvaros bike
riding batshit crazy along the cliffs while trying to kick my mates out of the miraculously still running and Juless foot still pushing.
bikes while they were doing the same with me.
On pre-ride preparations:
On their most memorable moments: I booked the flights and got a cool bandana. Thats pretty much all the
First one is when we rode the bikes up to the highest lake in Morocco planning that I did.
after many, many hours of pushing the bikes to their limits. We actually
had to push them up for hours as they couldnt even manage to pull their On the monkey bikes:
own weight. Once there, we had a swim in that freaking cold glacier The bikes were pretty good fun while riding flat-out downhill some off-
lake and spent the night camping there, right next to the highest peak of road pistes. You could actually make them jump and they were much
the country, Toubkal. more competent in the dirt than I thought. I can assure you that I
Second I would say was the time when we found a dried out riverbed abused my bike as much as I could; including taking it one metre deep
while searching for a good camping spot. The riverbed had holes, hills and into the sea water of the Taghazout beach. Twice. Even then it started
different shapes, so we unloaded the bikes and started motocrossing and (after taking all the water out, obviously, and pushing a lot). But not
jumping those stupid monkey bikes until we got tired. We also learned everybody had that luck.
how to fight from one monkey bike to the other, and we actually improved
the techniques of monkey-bike fighting quite a lot. It is all pretty good fun. Sounds like quite the adventure then, and the organisers say that part two
Third and the most special one is probably when we realised that of The Run is already sold out. They plan on making it a biannual thing,
Albertos bike engine was dead, the last day of the race. We were in the though, and are even plotting another similar Run in an altogether new
middle of nowhere doing the daily off-road section. The day before we location. So keep your eyes peeled to their website www.theadventurists.com
seized Albertos engine, so we found a 70-cc cylinder and piston and if you wish to become a future Monkey Runner.

FEATURE MERIDA BIG NINE 600
We
re
Goi
Off ng
-roa
d
We spend a day with Meridas Big Nine

600, a thoroughly capable mountain bike
STORY: ANOSH KHUMBATTA
PHOTOGRAPHY: ADITYA DHIWAR

or even locked rigid, on the fly via a dial bias; I was able to get up a pretty steep
on the right fork leg, and do a great job slope in the lowest ratio without having
of soaking up sudden bumps while off to stand up on the pedals. The shifter
the beaten path. and derailleur are from Srams NX line
This bicycle has 11 gear ratios to and work well, selecting the desired
choose from, and the first thing I ratio instantly without the chain
noticed about it was the tiny 28-tooth hesitating or skipping over sprockets,
front sprocket a clear indication that while the cable is neatly routed through
this bike was built to dispatch steep the frame. The shifter features what
MERIDA, THE TAIWAN-BASED inclines without fuss. The 11-sprocket Sram call X-Actuation, which is
bicycle manufacturers, have of late been rear cassette gives the Big Nine 600 basically two thumb-triggered levers
taking the Indian market by storm. In gear ratios that start as low as 28/42 and under the right handlebar to shift up or
our October 2016 issue we reviewed go up to 28/11, allowing for most down. Although these offer no
their Crossway Urban 20D which, as requirements but with a clear uphill adjustability for the levers, we really
the name suggests, is built primarily to
attack city streets. This month we got
our hands on the Big Nine 600, one of
the best-sellers in their MTB Hardtail
range, and headed off the beaten path to
see if it was up to the task.
Bathed in shades of blue, the Big
Nine 600 is an attractive bicycle. The
17-inch frame is made of 6061
aluminium, has been shaped using
Meridas proprietary Techno Forming
System, and felt extremely solid as I put
the bicycle through its paces. All the
weld seams are smooth and well-
finished, and at the front of the frame is
a beefy headstock, through which sits
the Manitou Marvel fork with
adjustable telescopic shock-absorbers.
These can be adjusted from soft to hard,

FEATURE MERIDA BIG NINE 600
Srams
X-Actuation
shifter levers
are easily
accessed by the
right thumb
Ride can be
adjusted on-
the-fly via this
handy dial
Tektro Gimini
disc brakes
provide fantastic
stopping power
with a two-
finger squeeze
coloured black and feels a tad wide at

first, but I soon got used to it and the
Need to Know precise control it offers, while the soft
Sram derailleur
does a great
Merida Big Nine 600 rubber grips at the ends helped iron out job of getting
Price: Rs 83,990 (Pune) the vibrations that made it up through the chain to the
Frame Type: Racelite 6061 aluminium alloy the suspension. Stopping is taken care desired sprocket
Drivetrain: Sram derailleur, single-speed of by Tektro Gimini 180-millimetre on the cassette
sprocket (front), eleven-speed cassette hydraulic disc brakes that are actuated
sprockets (rear) by short Tektro Gimini brake levers.
Front suspension: Adjustable telescopic fork Brake bite, feel and feedback are
Rear suspension: Rigid excellent, both on and off road, and a
Brakes: Tektro hydraulic discs, Tektro levers two-finger squeeze is all thats ever
Wheels: Merida Comp CC
needed to rein this bicycle in. The seat
Tyres: Maxxis Ikon 29 x 2.20
and seat post are made by Merida,
while the XC pro alloy clipless pedals
offer excellent grip and seem to be
didnt see the need as the controls felt reasonably lightweight.
ergonomic and well-designed with a The Merida Big Nine 600 weighs
positive click on each shift; it would, 12.21 kilograms, which is a competitive
however, have been nice to have an weight for an MTB, and on the move
indicator up on the handlebar to keep it feels light and extremely
track of the cogs while riding. manoeuvrable, and performed
This bicycle sports standard admirably off road, doing everything
622-millimetre (24.48-inch) rims shod we asked of it very well. Merida has
with 55.88-mm (2.2-inch) wide made provisions to install mounting
unidirectional Maxxis Ikon mountain- points for a rear carrier and also for
bike tyres with an external diameter of mudguards, making this a very
736.6 mm (29 inches). The tyres versatile ride. This bike is a great way
performed well off-road, providing to get off the streets and explore the
surprising amounts of grip on dry dirt, wide open spaces around our cities,
over rocks and through grass. The breathing some fresh air while getting
Merida Expert flat 29-inch handlebar is a healthy dose of exercise.

FEATURE YOUR RIDES
Proposal
Ride Log
I hope I get to travel Who We Are:
the world; and I hope that Ramneek

Singh Toor
I get to do that with you and Swatabdi

Mallick, Kolkata
by my side. Riding:
KTM 200 Duke
M
Y LIFES ASPIRATION of and I decided not to let Miss Mallick suffer and sleepiness would catch up soon and hard.
can be summed up by the the pain. While I rode to Siliguri and reached The moment we took the turn after the last
quotation given above. there in record time, she would reach there by check-post at Geighoon, our headache and
It has been about 5 years train. Late at night I went and fetched her from sleepiness disappeared.
since I have been travelling the railway station. I was excited by the prospect We took in the incredible surroundings as we
the length and breadth of of The Proposal Ride finally getting kick- continued towards the pious Lake. The last 100
our magnificent country started the next day. meters to the Lake is where most bikes give up
and the Gurudongmar About 10 kilometres out of Siliguri we were but my 200 Duke managed it with relative ease.
Lake in North Sikkim is without doubt my surrounded by dark clouds and the drizzle soon We finally reached my favourite place in the
favourite destination. Every time I reached turned into a downpour. After an hour-long delay world; which was now Miss Mallicks favourite
anywhere close to it, the person I missed the owing to a landslide we reached Rangpo to be place as well.
most was my significant other, Miss Mallick. greeted by a sun shining brightly. We had With the beautiful Lake in the background,
Therefore, I had decided a long time ago that if secured the necessary permits for this ride in the board proclaiming the place to be a sarva
there was one place where I would pop the advance and headed straight towards Lachen. dharma sthala (a place worthy of veneration for
question of taking our relationship to the next The most difficult stretch of the road to all the followers of different faiths) and the Duke
level, it would be at G-Top. Gurudongmar is from Lachen to Thangu. We as my witness, I walked up to Miss Mallick, took
The condition of the road from Kolkata to gained altitude at an incredibly fast pace after out the ring, went down on my knee and said,
Siliguri is what the Dakar rally tracks are made Thangu and I knew that nausea, headache The last couple of days have been the time I

want my whole life to be like. If you also want the of making it to the land of the Thunder Dragon. of reaching Gangtok by the end of the day.
same, will you please agree to spend the rest of Within 10 minutes of riding our hopes were However, it was not to be. What we witnessed
your life with me? All that she could manage to drained down the river Teesta as we saw a next was the mother of all landslides; the entire
say was, Yes! ferocious stream of water about to wash away the road had been washed away and one whole side
It was the most magical moment ever! connecting bridge. We waited for about five of the mountain had completely blocked the road
The ride downhill from Gurudongmar was hours but the fury of the stream showed no signs with boulders nearly two storeys high!
filled with a welter of emotions for me. On the of relenting. We were forced to head back and The BRO men were once again working
one hand, I felt happy, satisfied and content; on find help. The nearest large village with ceaselessly to clear the road and help the tourists
the other, AMS was catching up with me and my accommodation was Chungthang but a fresh trek across the landslide. They were all part of a
headache was getting worse with every passing landslide had cut us off from it. Thus we were Sikh regiment. I went to one of the soldiers and
second. At the check-post at Geighoon the stuck in between a landslide and a ferocious explained to him our predicament in Punjabi.
generous Army officers offered us chocolates and stream of water. Although sceptical initially, they did not turn
a drink of corn and water to deal with the AMS. The people of the hills are known for their down my persistent requests in their native
There we watched the video clip of the proposal generosity and we were not disappointed. After language. Soon about half a dozen gabru jawans
and giggled like kids. a few attempts we found a house where the lady of the Sikh regiment came to my Duke, hoisted it
Lachen had transformed dramatically from the of the house gave us a room to spend the night up on their shoulders with their bare hands and
last time I had visited the place a couple of years in. What would otherwise have been disastrous started to trek across the huge landslide. They
ago. On all my previous visits to Lachen the only turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Both of transported the bike across the landslide in a
meals we could get consisted of rice, dal and local us had stayed in many home-stays but spending matter of minutes although those were the most
vegetables. Now Lachen had restaurants, hookah the night in a strangers home was a priceless anxious moments of my life; even a minor slip
bars, Wi-Fi and mobile network connectivity, experience. The kids of the house made us would have resulted in the Duke falling off the
and, most importantly, an ATM. We celebrated forget about all our problems. We played with cliff into the gaping river below. May the
the evening to our hearts content. them, walked to their school playground, sang Almighty grant bliss and well-being to each one
Initially we had planned to visit Bhutan after Nepali songs and even took selfies. At night of those soldiers who achieved the impossible.
Gurudongmar but the rain gods had other plans Miss Mallick helped the lady of the house cook While crossing Mangan we asked the local
for us. A gloomy morning bore it in upon us that vegetables freshly plucked from the backyard people for directions to Gangtok and they
it would be a day of downpour. We crossed while I helped myself to a glass of the confirmed the road ahead to be clear. Within
Chungthang and encountered a number of cars homemade alcoholic brew, Tongba. That night minutes, however, an extremely heavy downpour
coming back with the drivers waving us to go we did not turn off the light with an electric started. Although it was very dangerous to ride in
back. At Toong we came upon a long line of cars switch; we reduced the light by turning the such heavy rain we kept edging forward with one
waiting at the check-post. The torrential rain had knob of an oil lamp. eye on the road ahead for any traffic and the other
resulted in several landslides. We went inside a A clear sky greeted us the next morning and on the mountain above for falling boulders. In a
small eatery to keep ourselves warm but with each we wasted no time in getting back on the road. repetition of previous days events we saw a
passing minute more and more people entered it The monstrous stream of the previous day had strong stream making it impossible to cross it on
and soon there were close to 100 people of all ages now subsided into a trickle. Even though the two wheels, forcing us to head back to Mangan
cramped inside that small eatery. Thankfully, we weather seemed to be favourable, there were to look for shelter. The inhabitants of this area
got the news that the landslide debris had been several landslides due to the previous nights rain. were Lepchas who spoke nothing apart from
cleared. We moved forward slowly with the hope At one such landslide the brave men of the BRO their own mother-tongue, thus making it almost
were working tirelessly to clear the road but it was impossible for us to make them understand our
a time-consuming task. Finally, all the tourists, need for a shelter over the night. An old man who
drivers and local people pitched in and cleared all knew a smattering of Hindi came to our rescue
the debris in a matter of minutes. Mangan was and we found a home to stay.
just a few kilometres away and we were hopeful We could immediately divine that this Lepcha
family was not too well off financially. Yet they
opened their kitchen and their larder to us
without reservations. As a gesture of gratitude I
bought excess supplies of grocery such as rice and
pulses and eggs from the local village store and
we cooked not just for the two of us but for the
whole family as well.
Neither this Lepcha family nor our saviour
lady mentioned earlier was willing to take money
from us. We forced on them whatever we deemed
fit for their generosity.
Finally, Gangtok. A warm bath, a soft bed,
electricity, television, mixed fried rice and cold
beer. I could not help reflecting that these small
things which we consider necessities were
veritable luxuries for both the families that had
offered us shelter in our hour of need. Indeed, life
could not have given us a better lesson about the
things we tend to take for granted.

FEATURE ROYAL ENFIELD UNROAD KERALA
Into
the Unroad
Bikes and bodies took a beating
as we conquered the jungles and hills of Kerala
STORY: ANOSH KHUMBATTA
PHOTOGRAPHY: VIBHOR YADAV/ROYAL ENFIELD

The route up
Phantoms Head cut
through unending
tea plantations
W
HEN I WAS INVITED TO JOIN ROYAL ENFIELD
for the Unroad Kerala 2016 ride during the first week of
December, I expected a leisurely jaunt through some dirt
trails and bits of broken tarmac. I was told that there was some
off-roading involved, but nothing could have prepared me for
what was to come. Realisations hit hard and fast as we plunged into thick jungles,
over mountain ranges and through tea plantations as we explored this beautiful
state, far away from tarmac roads and civilisation.
We came together at the hotel in Kochi, where the group was briefed and I was
handed the keys to a white Royal Enfield Himalayan my companion for the
next three days. That evening the hotel grounds and lobby were peppered with
bikers in Royal Enfield T-shirts milling around, getting to know each other, and
speculating on what was to come. Riders had arrived from all over the country, and
we had 18 bikes present an assortment of Himalayans, Classics and Bullets
ready to take on the trails.
Early the next morning we rolled out of Kochi after breakfast and headed
eastwards. Leading us were Shawn Dsouza and Robinson George from Royal
Enfield, both with extensive trail riding experience all over the country. We stuck
to tar roads for about 75 kilometres before turning off on to a smaller rural road at
Mamalakandam village, after which we hit a dirt trail through some trees. We
passed a couple of small hamlets, after which the trail seemed to dissolve as we
headed into what could only be described as a deep tropical forest. The moist
rocky path was lined with rotting leaves and, with very little sunlight penetrating
the thick canopy above, these formed a slippery mulch that offered close to no
grip. We were also cautioned about wild elephants in the area, and were instructed
to drop our bikes and run if we came face to face with one; thankfully, this was not
necessary. As the path gave way to thick slush, we were faced with another of the
jungles inhabitants leeches. These slippery little bloodsuckers would crawl up
our bikes, and we stopped several times to get them off ourselves and each other as
we ventured deeper into the wilderness. After riding for what seemed like hours

and covering 20 kilometres, our path was blocked by a fallen tree, and we were
forced to backtrack a few kilometres to find an alternative route across a stream.
This detour meant a few more hours to civilisation, and by the time we finally
left the forest behind us, got on to a tar road near the town of Anakulam, and
stopped for lunch it was around 6.00 pm. Exhausted as we were from the days
ride, we quickly ate, fuelled up our bikes and proceeded to climb the foggy ghats
around Munnar as a light drizzle ensued. Our stop for the night would be
Suryanelli, a small town nestled within the Nilgiri mountains in Keralas Idukki
district at an altitude of 1,400 metres above sea level and about 40 kilometres
from Munnar. We finally reached the camp at around 9.00 pm, having covered
176 kilometres since the morning, where a hot dinner was waiting for us before
we collapsed into our tents.
The second day of the ride started with an optional trail; we were to ride up
Phantoms Head, one of the tallest peaks in the region, and the sight of it towering
over the camp gave us butterflies. Most of us found the previous days ride quite
hard, and Shawns claim that the trail up the mountain would make the previous
days experience seem like childs play had us quite intimidated before we even set
off. About a dozen of us set off up towards the peak, criss-crossing through lush
green tea plantations, and doing our best to overcome the rocky gradient that stood
Thick slush slowed between us and the top. I dropped the bike about six times trying to get through
us down as we passed the toughest bits, but each time I went down, I got back on the bike with the
through dense forests
resolve to see this through. Meanwhile, most of our group had turned back,
leaving just five bikes to taste triumph at the summit. The distance from our camp
to the top was only four kilometres, but we had taken almost two hours to get
ourselves and our bikes up there. The views of the mountains around and the
massive Anaerangal Lake below us were breathtaking, and I would have been
happy to spend the day up there; but with a lot of riding ahead of us we made the
treacherous descent back to camp, collected the rest of our group, and headed east.
A lot of the second day was spent on tar roads, and we rode about 90
kilometres through towns and villages before plunging once again into the forest.
After the morning trail, the rocky path through the tall grass and trees did seem
rather tame, and I covered the 15 kilometres to the road on the other side in one
go, only stopping once to help a fallen rider get back on to his bike. We exited the

FEATURE ROYAL ENFIELD UNROAD KERALA
Only five bikes trail as it was getting dark, and it was a fast blast to cover
made it up the the last 35 kilometres to the hotel in Thodupuzha, where
treacherous trail to we would spend the night. We had now covered 317
Phantoms Head
kilometres in two days, but our bodies felt like we had
completed a cross-country rally, and with a day of riding
still to go there was no place for pain and discomfort.
Our departure from Thodupuzha was delayed as one of the bikes had sprung
an oil leak; it was almost noon before the offending oil cooler was changed and
we were ready to leave. Our ride was to conclude in Kochi that evening, and
Thodupuzha to Kochi is barely 60 kilometres westwards by road; however
Royal Enfield had other ideas for us. The plan was to ride 60 kilometres south-
east to Elappara for lunch, before tackling the last trail of this trip; 20 kilometres
through more tea estates and down a mountain range to the plains below. We
headed off the main roads after lunch, found ourselves in a grassy field, and had
a blast slipping and sliding around. From here things again got serious as we
proceeded to descend steep slopes paved only with massive boulders. A few
guys went down here as well, and one was unlucky enough to fracture his hand;
he still pushed himself, gritted his teeth and continued to ride. We exited the
trails at around 7.00 pm and the first sign of civilisation was the town of
Mundakayam, about 100 kilometres from Kochi. Tired as we were, we picked Breathtaking views
the fastest route back to the hotel in Kochi, and didnt stop until we parked the with the Anaerangal
bikes in the hotel parking lot at about 10.00 pm, having ridden 194 kilometres Lake in the distance
on day three. I was almost too spent to eat, so I picked at my food for a while
before heading up to my room to shower and get a good nights sleep before
flying back home the next day.
The three days that I spent in Kerala felt like an intensive workout, but I came
back home with a newfound respect for Enfield riders and learned so much
about off-roading a motorcycling discipline that I had never paid much
attention to. We covered 511 kilometres over the three days, and rode over terrain
that I would not have thought possible just a few days ago.
The next Unroad event will be happening in Goa, and I urge everyone with a
Royal Enfield to go ahead and sign up machines and men may take a beating,
but you will return home with irreplaceable memories and experiences.

We have a
very clear
mission of
focusing on
safety
Having worked for close to 20 years
for Ducati, Cristiano Silei has take
charges as the CEO of Dainese, the premium
riding gear brand. His job is not restricted
just to maintaining the companys growth
but to innovate and quicken the pace a
couple of notches. Bike India caught up with
Silei in Milan to talk about being safe on and
off motorcycles, and the conversation even
touched upon his fellow Italian and
MotoGP legend, Valentino Rossi.
Here are the excerpts
STORY: SARMAD KADIRI
PHOTOGRAPHY: RAVI CHANDNANI

INTERVIEW CRISTIANO SILEI
Bike India (BI): After working at a performance motorcycle analyse data 1,000 times per second and each one of those 1,000 times it
manufacturing firm, how has your first year been at Dainese? determines whether you need to deploy the airbags or not. I mean this is
Cristiano Silei (CS): Good. The best and most important part of more futuristic than most of us are used to, right?
Dainese is our mission: advocating and delivering safety to people, like Our new back protector, for example, is a fantastic product for India. It
us, who have a passion for dynamic sports. And it makes a huge supports the riders back and, at the same time, delivers the maximum
difference when you come from a motorcycle manufacturer where you protection but also with breathability, lightness and flexibility.
produce objects that have inherent danger and now, at Dainese, we have
to do everything to protect people like us who have a passion for BI: There is huge growing community for bikers in India but they have
dynamic sports. limited access to riding gear. Do you propose to introduce a more
It is hard work but at the end of the day if you have contributed even affordable range for growing markets such as India?
a little bit to save someone from getting injured or in some cases even CS: You know, we do produce a significant number of textile products
saving their lives, the feeling is phenomenal. which are ideal for India and we will introduce more such products. But
The great thing is that we have great brands like Dainese and AGV one thing to keep in mind is that we do not compromise on quality or
helmets. Next year Dainese will complete 45 years of producing top- technology. So the products that we produce will never be super-cheap
quality protection gear for motorcycling, skiing, and horseback riding. because you cannot have super-cheap products with the highest quality.
AGV is the most iconic motorcycle brand of helmets and has been around We will strive, though, to bring products to a larger audience and we will
for about 70 years now. do that consistently by working on our cost structure and making sure that
we deliver better products at a more accessible level. And we are
BI: How does the company keep the passion alive even after so many years committed to that.
and yet keep evolving with the technology?
CS: We have a very clear mission of focusing on safety and the way we
Valentino Rossi with the new
do that is by research. We continuously research and study the human AGV Pista GPR MotoGP helmet
body in the most extreme conditions; whether it is 300 km/h on a
racetrack or coming downhill on skis at 150 km/h. You might be
surprised to know that we have also worked with MIT and European
space agencies where we did advanced research by sending humans to
space. Whatever we learned about the human body in those conditions,
we apply it on the development of new safety products. Passion is like
fuel. We have a passion for technology, for innovation and for sports.
This fuels everybody at Dainese to consistently deliver more and work
harder. This is a fantastic element of what we do.
BI: What are your plans for India and Asia?

CS: We are present almost everywhere in Asia, including India.
Personally, I know Asia very well and value our customers over there and
we consistently strive to bring more products more befitting their
conditions for use in different countries. We know that the weather in
certain parts of India can be very different from that in South-East Asia,
like Beijing. So we try to apply our knowledge to our products to fit in
different conditions and markets. Moreover, we try and bring our brands
there at the level that we think all our rivals aspire to reach: which is top
quality in everything that we do.
BI: Can you tell us about your latest airbag-equipped leather racing
suit for the masses?
(CS): Wearable airbags is a Dainese invention. We have been working
on developing the technology for 16 years now. There have been more
than one million kilometres of tests, over 1,200 documented, recorded
and studied already, whether on the racetrack or on an ordinary road.
We constantly strive to develop our products first on the racetrack BI: Finally, coming to Valentino Rossi. India loves the man and many
because it is the most extreme condition but then apply all the lessons to would like to know about the Doctor behind the scene.
everyday riding. CS: We consider Valentino Rossi our chief tester. He is constantly
So at the EICMA 2016 (Milan show) we are presenting products that working with us in developing top-of-the-range products. This year we
are aimed at everyday use sport jackets, sport touring jackets and urban worked together to develop a new version of the AGV Pista GPR, the
jackets so that we are slowly taking the technology progressively to MotoGP helmet, and the new racing suit in Mugello which we presented
everyday use. Our intention is to make it more accessible in the future and in September 2016.
deliver the maximum protection to as many people as we can. There are all sorts of conversations we have with him and that helps
us decide which direction to take. He always has very interesting
BI: So what is the next big development in riding gear? feedback to share with us. One of the things I like to mention is that
CS: Well, the future is in the air, right? (laughs). So the future is now when he wore the new Pista GPR for the first time, he said, The vision
and this is what you are seeing: jackets that can protect you from a front- from inside the helmet is so wide that it is like graduating from television
end crash or a high-side or a low-side with or without tumbling. CPUs to cinema!

` 100
G A ZI N E, B Y FA R !
EE LE R M A
IA S N O . 1 TW O W H
IN D
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WWW.BIKEIND
WE BUILD A
JANUARY 2017
ME 12 ISSUE 006 2017 issue
VOLU January
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BO Street 750 in
LAUNCHED
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STORY OF MO
PUBLISHING FEATURES: HI
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www.zinio.com/bikeindia
FEATURE LUBE LEADERS
Classe Mondiale
From a humble beginning with commitment to quality,
Motul have come a long way to deliver
world-class products
STORY: RAVI CHANDNANI
PHOTOGRAPHY: MOTUL & DPPI

FEATURE LUB LEADERS
A
GLORIOUS Finch, was founded by enterprising company, called Supra Penn.
past, a promising individuals who simply wanted to offer As is well known, things became
present, and a bright the customers the best oils possible. They tough for every industry during the
future is something specialised in high-quality oils and turbulent 1930s and 40s. Once the dust
so utopian as to seem initially they catered to the American settled, the company was back in action
to belong to a film market. Swan and Finch sold oils under and, in 1953, the brand turned 100. To
script. Well, not various brand names, including Motul, celebrate this momentous occasion,
really; because which became quite well-known. Swan and Finch launched a new oil,
Motul, the world Having established themselves as one called Motul Century. It was very special
leaders in lubricants, have proved that of the more prominent oil companies in because it was the first multi-grade oil in
sometimes what sounds utopian can very the US market, Swan and Finch decided the European market.
much become reality. We know about to expand their operations to new Unfortunately, by 1957, Swan and
Motuls present; let us delve into the territories. So the next big step was Finch moved out of the oil business.
illustrious past of this French oil Europe. In 1932 a French national by the The companys future hung in the
company that had a very humble name of Ernst Zaugg conducted balance. Eight years later, a miracle
beginning. negotiations with Swan and Finch for happened when Supra Penn came to
Motul actually traces its inception to distribution rights in France. He soon rescue the Motul brand. Supra Penn
New York in the United States of began distributing the companys decided to invest in the brand and
America. In 1853, a company, Swan and products in Europe through his own bought all the title deeds and patents

related to Motul. After acquiring all the
assets related to Motul, Supra Penn
changed their brand name to the
flagship product that was Motul.
Now that the company was renamed
as Motul, it immediately got down to Motul products
work, developing a new oil which was are used by some
introduced in the market in 1966. Called of the top teams
Century 2100, it was the first semi- in MotoGP
synthetic oil available in the market at that
time. Motul developed this oil to answer
the growing need for better lubricants
that could withstand the growing power
of the internal combustion engines in
automobiles. In fact, Motul were so Motul
confident about the lubricating properties products are
of this oil that they claimed it to be developed on the
suitable for motor racing. track for the road

Right from the time

the company became
French, they were
working closely with
manufacturers and
racing teams for new
product development
and innovation
Motuls world- France. In 1980 they entered key markets diversified when, in 2001, they opened
class products like Germany and Japan, two countries Motul Tech, an industrial division where
are the result of known for their world-class engineering. they make products such as metal
extensive research By 1995 Motul had progressed from working fluids, quenching oils, high-
and real-world
being just a French company to a being a performance lubricants and aluminium
testing
multi-national one. They established high-pressure die-casting products.
subsidiaries all over the world and 50 per AD 2003 was another landmark year
cent of the total turnover was now for Motul when the company released a
coming from outside France. new range of 300V Motorsport
Motul grew at an exponential rate. lubricants made using double Ester
Technology and innovation remained the technology with high-performing
core values at Motul as the company kept friction modifiers that improved the
releasing new products. They also performance of high-revving engines.
Simultaneously, Motul continued to
enlarge their footprint with the
With the new-found confidence in oil acquisition of a majority stake in Baraldi,
innovation, the company continued to an Italian company specialising in
develop more products that were release agents for aluminium die-cast
industry-first. In 1971, Motul launched products. They also entered into a
the Century 300V, the first automotive partnership with a Vietnamese company
engine oil that was completely synthetic. for blending and trading lubricants in
The 300V was also the first automotive the Asia-Pacific region.
engine oil to be designed and produced In 2011 the company announced the
based on the vegetable Ester technology. establishment of a foundation that helps
Motul is today credited to be the first the underprivileged youth in multiple
company in the automotive oil countries to develop their skills. A year
production sector to have developed later Motul introduced the Ester Core
ground-breaking products such as the Technology, an optimal blend of high-
Century 2100, 300V as also for using performance synthetic-base oils with
the Ester technology. innovative additives that offer
Motul rapidly expanded beyond exceptional synergy.

Motuls
Association
with Motor
Sport
T
HEY SAY
advancements in motorcycle
technology have always come from
the racetrack and that is precisely where
Motul have been for a very long period of
time. Right from the time the company Patrick Pons
became French, they were working who raced for
closely with manufacturers and racing Sonauto Yamaha
teams for new product development and was one of the
innovation. The result of that can be seen prominent Motul
in the massive success that the riders and riders on the grid
teams in various forms of motor sport
enjoy. Motorcycle sport has been the
most prominent field for Motul; the Kevin Schwantz gain Motul their first big win in motor As a result of this extensive partnership
company having been actively involved a very talented sport. Motul are also the main lubricant with motorcycle sport the company
in motorcycle racing for close to half a Motul and Suzuki partners for the Isle of Man TT, which is launched new lines of lubricants: the
century now. rider probably the most prestigious motorcycle Motorsport line and the Factory line.
The company saw its first road racing road racing event in the world. These engine oils have become the new
championship when Takazumi An other Since then Motul have been working benchmark in terms of high-performance
Katayama won the 1977 season in the example of closely with many racing teams that have lubricants for use in racing and many of
350-cc class. He was the first Japanese Motuls long- helped the company to push the the top teams in different genres of
rider to win the prestigious time motorsport boundaries and develop innovative motorcycle sport use it to win
championship and also the first rider to involvement products. championships and individual events.

MotoGP goes back to the time when

MotoGP was known as Grand Prix
racing. Today we can see many of the top
bikes on the grid proudly displaying the
brands name on their prototype racers
and also using top products from Motul.
Not only that, the company also
sponsored the Assen, Motegi and
Motul and
Valencia GPs in 2015 and they added one
more round, Argentina, to this list in 2016.
MotoGP
Motul and Dorna, owners of MotoGP,
have signed contracts whereby the
partnership goes beyond just sponsoring
races. The companys association with
MotoGP is quite strong and the result of
this collaboration may be seen in the form
of world-class products that one can buy
for ones motorcycle. Motul have brought
M
the technology developed on the track to
TOGP, THE PINNACLE OF manufacturers and teams for a long time now, road-going motorcycles and we believe
motorcycle racing, is the most challenging providing them with some of the finest high- that the association will result into many
battleground even for motorcycle makers and performance oils that have helped them win races more innovative solutions in the field of
Motul have been partners to some of the top and championships. The brands association with lubricants.
Motul and WSBK

I
N 2015 MOTUL MADE THEIR DBUT IN WSBK BY BECOMING THE TITLE
sponsors for the FIM World Superbike Championship. This meant that many of the teams
involved were now using Motul products, thus creating a level playing field for every team
in terms of lubricants. Motul also signed a five-year contract to be the main sponsor of the
event from 2015 to 2020. The World SBK is a great platform for Motul to showcase the
superiority of their products for the bikes raced in the series are heavily modified road-going
bikes. These racing machines are based on the motorcycles that we can actually buy and
what better way to show the customers how well their products work on machines that you
can own and ride?

Motul in India
B
EING A GLOBAL COMPANY FOR one of the strongest in the Indian lubricant
more than a century, Motul have their industry and together both have dominated the
presence in many parts of the world, Indian market for high-quality lubricants.
including India. Motuls world-class products Apart from being heavyweights in the
are blended and marketed in India by lube Indian lube industry, ALSL is present in a
specialists Atlantic Lubricants and Specialities across the India sub-continent. number of other businesses, for example,
Limited (ALSL). One of the prominent names ALSLs agreement with Motul to be the grease manufacturing, pharmaceuticals and
in the Indian lube industry, ALSL partnered latters technology partner in the Indian sub- bulk drugs.
with Motul back in 2003 when the company continent has seen the company grow ALSL is also involved with the Indian
was looking to expand in the Indian sub- exponentially in the market. Apart from automotive industry where it has established
continent. ALSL has been blending Motul manufacturing and selling Motul products in itself as the preferred lubricant partner with
products using the same high-grade materials India, ALSL also supplies the same premium- motorcycle and car companies. ALSL has
and technology that Motul uses the world over grade products to neighbouring countries like OEM partnerships with motorcycle companies
to maintain high quality and deliver optimum Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Bhutan. like DSK Benelli, DSK Hyosung, KTM,
performance. Its world-class facility in Silvassa, ALSLs reach is wide with presence in a variety Kawasaki, MV Agusta, Suzuki Motorcycles
Dadra and Nagar Haveli, is responsible for of markets within India, from metro cities to India, and car companies like Mercedes-Benz
blending Motul lubricants which are then sold small towns. ALSLs association with Motul is India, Mitsubishi and Bajaj RE.
#MotulSuperfan
A
PART FROM MAKING life in the paddock and hang out with such posts and the person with the best
great engine oils, lubricants, MotoGP stars during a race weekend. To content wins a chance to visit a MotoGP
sponsoring teams and enter all one has to do is post pictures, race and hang out with racing stars. This
championships, Motul also run a unique videos and comments with the hashtag year the competition saw Keyur C Bhagat
contest for the fans, called Motul Superfan #MotulSuperFan on Facebook, Twitter or of India win the competition and visit the
Experience. This competition gives one Instagram and share it with the world. final race of the MotoGP 2016 season in
lucky winner a chance to experience the Motul then goes through thousands of Valencia.

INTERVIEW ROMAIN GRABOWSKI

We have very strong
values that are based
on ingenuity
In conversation with Romain Grabowski,
External Communication Manager, Motul
INTERVIEWED BY: ASPI BHATHENA
Bike India (BI): Motul has been involved with motor sport in BI: Now there are three different MotoGP teams, namely,
a big way for more than half a century now. Please tell us how it Suzuki Yamaha and Aprilia, using Motul oils. Are they using
all started and where it is headed. the same oil?
Romain Grabowski (RG): As you know, Motul is a RG: No, because, as you know, Motul is strong in Japan. We
160-year-old company and we have very strong values that are have our R&D team based in Japan and they are directly
based on ingenuity. We always try to be more ingenious than working with the car and motorcycle manufacturers. All of
our competitors. We were the first to launch the semi- them have specific requests because the engines they use have
synthetic engine oil, called Century 2100 V, in 1968 and three different power characteristics, so they request different oil. Our
years later, in 1971, we launched the Century 300 V, which mission is to come with very specific oils and actually it is very
was the first-ever fully synthetic engine oil in the market. costly to develop oils in such low volumes. There is a big
Now, we had a good and innovative product, but how do demand for manpower for doing work on such a small scale but
we show this to the world? So we went racing in the early this is a part of our ingenious philosophy, so we do it.
1950s. We have archives with text and pictures of our early
racing activities, which was mainly limited to French racing BI: Are you sponsoring any team in World Superbike, World
sponsorships and a few other competitions. After that we also Supersport?
started working with European bike makers and then the RG: Yes, the biggest team we are sponsoring in World
Japanese manufacturers. So that is how we started. Superbike is MV Agusta and we dont only have a racing
As for modern day racing and the future, we are not using relationship with them. We have a global agreement with MV
our current range of products for competitions like MotoGP, Agusta that started 10 months ago. So worldwide, MV Agusta
where prototype motorcycles run. For that Motul have a recommend Motul and in the end the decision was quite easy
dedicated R&D team that works hard to produce limited for us because MV Agusta is a brand with technology, a perfect
amount of experimental oil that is a result of high technology. fit for Motul.
We use that for prototype racing bikes and we learn a lot from
that. We also work with many teams in MotoGP like Suzuki, BI: Will we ever see any motorcycle racing involvement from
Yamaha, Aprilia and so on because MotoGP is also a great Motul in India? Maybe, in the future?
way for worldwide branding. We also have the World RG: We are pushing for it. We use motor sport as an extremely
Superbike Championship which also helps us get more premium display to show our fans the quality we have to offer
visibility. We are also at the Isle of Man Tourist Trophy and motor sport is a perfect way to do it. It is easy to buy
because it is a mystical event. We are also investing a lot in branding and TV time but we dont do that because we want to
other FIM championships. do things for the long term. It means that there will never be a
Motul sponsorship for just a year. Because there is so much that
BI: What grade of oil do Motul use for MotoGP bikes. Is it you discover in the first year itself and then it takes even more
multi-grade or thicker? time to improve. It is in the second or the third year that we get
RG: As I told you, it is experimental oil. We constantly keep the desired outcome. So we always look to long-term
upgrading it. We develop it during the winter and then we keep commitment. We have a 360-degree approach where we work
upgrading it through the season as well. Last year, Suzuki were with everyone involved to deliver more value. We also support
happy with our new product as it helped them gain three teams and this is the way we work. We always want our
horsepower. Just by using the oil. associates to benefit from us.

SUZUKI GSX250R
Finally a quarter-litre Gixxer for the masses!
January 2017
January 2017
January 2017
WWW.BIKEINDIA.IN
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RIDDEN: DUCA RO YA L EN FIELD UNROAD
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URES: HISTOR
:07 PM
26-Dec-16 12:02
PUBLISHING FEAT
1
Zinio File.indd
SPORT
Results, reports and all the news from the racing world
Marc MkII
I paid an expensive
price to learn the
right approach
Marc Marquez won his third MotoGP title with a jaw-dropping display of
speed and consistency. But he insists it was never as easy as it looked
REPORT: MAT OXLEY
PHOTOGRAPHY: DPPI

SPORT MotoGP YOUNG ACHIEVER

M
ARC MARQUEZ IS THE YOUNGEST RIDER TO
win five world titles and also the youngest to win three
premier-class crowns, which puts him a step ahead of the
sports all-time greatest exponents like Valentino Rossi and
Mike Hailwood.
Five world titles and 55 GP wins at just 23 years of age is a mind-boggling
achievement, especially considering that his MotoGP titles have been
achieved while battling with some of the greats, like Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo.
Not only did Marquez win a notoriously tricky championship this year
with all-new unified software, tricky Michelin tyres and a bike that was
slower than the competition he also scored points in all 15 races to Motegi;
a feat unmatched by any other rider across all three classes: MotoGP, Moto2
and Moto3. To be that fast and consistent is literally unique, at least this year.
Few can deny the Spaniards genius to ride his Repsol Honda RC213V at
the giddy limit, lap after lap front tyre squirming on the brakes, rear tyre in
the air, then his knee and elbow on the ground as he drops the bike on to its
side before wrenching it upright and firing it out of the corner like a bullet
from a gun. No one knows what hes done better than his rivals, including his
fellow Motegi podium finishers, Andrea Dovizioso and Maverick Viales.
Big congratulations to Marc because everyone knows the Honda wasnt
the best bike, said Dovizioso. He managed the championship in a perfect
way and his speed was unbelievable. I think this championship is much more
important than his first two MotoGP titles.
Viales agreed. Marc rode a very intelligent championship. He
pushed when the bike and tyres felt right and at places like Misano he
stayed calm and finished fourth, instead of taking big risks to finish on the
podium. Honda started the year struggling a bit but they all did a really
good job. He deserves it.

Marquezs Season in His Own Words

Every year is really hard and every year you do your maximum, but this year
I felt more pressure on myself, which was really difficult to manage through
the season. Okay, you can say I won the title with three races remaining, but,
honestly, this year was really difficult.
I always believed and kept calm. I remember what my [late] grandmother
always said: be careful, but nothing is impossible, just keep pushing. I
dedicate this title to her and I hope she will be very happy.
This year I didnt feel as strong as I had in some previous seasons. Of
course, the other riders made some mistakes, but when I look at the results,
we won more races than anyone else and we were very strong at the circuits
which I like.
This championship is really important because in 2013 and 2014 I didnt
expect to win the title, so I didnt really feel the pressure. This year I cannot
explain the pressure, because, maybe, I didnt understand pressure until now.
This season I really felt it and when you feel the pressure, you can make
mistakes. Sometimes I forgot to enjoy myself because the pressure was too
high. Even some of my team could see that, so sometimes they told me, You
are not the same Marc. You must enjoy yourself!
The team was a big help this year at lunchtime and at dinnertime they
always helped me forget the pressure. So I concentrated on working with my
team and the most important thing is that I forgot about the other riders;
because if you dont do that, its easy to be confused or to lose focus.
The pre-season was the most difficult of my career and the start of the
season was also difficult. We had a feeling that it was all uphill, so we knew
we had to find a way to climb the hill! We worked step by step and we
believed in ourselves. I remember saying to my Honda engineers, I believe
in you and I will change my mentality in the first few races, but in the second
part of the season I will need your help.
I wanted to be patient, so winning
the second and third races of the season
was really important, because when you
are leading the championship you can
approach races in a different way. You
can manage the situation, because
sometimes you can be happy with a
second or third place.
But then I lost the championship
lead at Le Mans because I made a
mistake and crashed. This was the
worst day of the season because
Valentino and Jorge were very strong.
They were a long way ahead of me
and I made a mistake, so I still needed
to learn.
I said, okay, we must keep calm. I
crashed because I was trying to push
harder than what felt right on the bike.
So I decided that for the rest of the
championship I would only push hard
if I felt I could push hard, but that I
wouldnt push if I didnt have the right
feeling with the bike.

One big step was the arrival of

Hondas big wings which were
something Id pushed for, because
This was a tough lesson to learn and I learned from 2015 when I lost the bigger wings reduce the wheelie
problem which affects acceleration
championship. I paid an expensive price to learn the right approach, that
consistency is also very important. So I didnt want to make mistakes like last
year, but, of course, sometimes you must take risks. This year I crashed many
times in practice, just trying to find the limit. Then once you have found the things he did with the tyres, so I began to understand the front tyre and since
limit, its easier to stay on the bike! then Ive tried to use the front tyre in a different way. But it all depends on
After winning in Argentina and Austin I knew it would still be hard where you are because every circuit is different.
because normally Valentino and Jorge dont make mistakes, but it was In the second half of season help arrived, because Honda did a great job,
strange because this year they did and we went into the summer break with especially with the electronics. We improved acceleration and in the end we
quite an advantage. During the break Emilio [Alzamora, his mentor] and I had a competitive bike. One big step was the arrival of Hondas big wings
made a strategy: okay, here you will finish second and there you will maybe which were something Id pushed for, because bigger wings reduce the
only finish fifth. wheelie problem which affects acceleration. When the wings arrived at Brno
I won the flag-to-flag race in Germany and I finished on the podium at we started to go better and better. During the Brno tests we really improved
Brno, but also I was fourth at Silverstone and Misano and fifth at the Red the acceleration.
Bull Ring, so I started to become a little nervous. Thats when Santi At Motegi when I woke up on race morning I felt normal. I got up, had
[Hernandez, his crew chief] and everyone else in the team said, Be calm, you breakfast at the usual time and went to the toilet at the usual time, same as
have a big advantage and soon we go to Aragon. I was waiting for Aragon always. Normally, when you are more nervous, you tend to go to the toilet
and when we got there, we said, this is the weekend to win again. If the team oftener! But I felt calm and relaxed.
and the whole group share your mentality, then everything is easy. Before the start of the race, Santi said please dont go for victory, just be
Towards the end of the championship I again felt more pressure but I also calm! But I felt good on the bike so I pushed. When Valentino was out and
had extra motivation. That combination gave me real focus and concentration there were five or six laps left I thought, okay, I just need to win here and then
from Thursday to Sunday I just focused on the bike and the team. I can finish seventh or eighth in Australia to win the title. But when I saw
Last year if someone pushed me, I made mistakes, so this year when I felt Lorenzo was out, everything become crazy in my head! I lost concentration,
right I pushed right to the limit, so the others would make mistakes. so I took one corner in fourth instead of third, the next in fifth instead of
There were two big changes for this season: Michelin tyres and the fourth, but then I saw Dovi was coming, so I knew I had to keep pushing.
unified software. The tyres were difficult to understand because Michelin When I crossed the line I thought, okay, there will be no championship
were developing all the time, so the problem was that at every race the tyres T-shirts because we didnt expect to win the title at Motegi, but the team
felt a bit different. I started to understand the tyres after the race at Catalunya. believed in me and the T-shirts were ready! The best thing is when you get
For the first time this year I followed Valentino for many laps and I knew he back to pit-lane and you see some of the team crying thats amazing. It all
knows the Michelin tyres very well from some years ago. I saw some of the happened too quick, but the best parties are the ones you dont expect.

SPORT JK TYRE SUPERBIKE RACES
Putting
on a Show
Big bikes at Indias premier racetrack
REPORT: ANOSH KHUMBATTA PHOTOGRAPHY: ASIF ZUBAIRI
IN NOVEMBER, DELHIS BUDDH INTERNATIONAL CIRCUIT CAME

alive for the fourth and final round of the JK Tyre National Racing Championship,
where three classes of car racers battled it out for the last of the years championship
points. To inject some additional excitement into the already high-revving weekend, the
organisers introduced two-race mini championships exclusively for big bikes, in
Supersport 600-cc and Superbike 1,000-cc classes. Some of the countrys top riders
were in attendance, and we saw a 32-bike grid in the Superbike class, and 18 riders on
the Supersport bikes, which in this case were all 675-cc Triumph Daytonas. One race in
each class was held on Saturday, and one in each class was held on Sunday, after which
points were tallied and champions crowned.
Supersport Class
RACE ONE
Saturdays Supersport race saw Delhis Gurvinder Singh, Tamil
Nadus Deepak Ravikumar and Rajasthans Vijay Singh locked
in battle for the duration of the eight-lap race. On the last lap
Gurvinder dug deep and set the fastest lap of the race (2:04.574)
to claim victory, less than a second ahead of Deepak. Vijay
secured the last spot on the podium, with the rest of the pack
about 20 seconds behind.
RACE TWO
On Sunday Deepak Ravikumar seemed to be on fire, getting a Deepak Ravikumar (25) Anand
great start and setting the fastest lap of the race (2:03.901) on the Nagaranjan (23) and Vijay Singh (16)
third. He proceeded to stretch out his lead through the rest of the scramble for position into the first
eight-lapper, and finished a comfortable 8.486 seconds ahead of corner of Saturdays 600-cc race
Vijay Singh in second place. The battle for third place raged on
till the end; however, it was Delhis Kulwant Singh who secured
his spot on the podium by finishing the race just .047 of a second Guruvinder Singh (7) dominated Supersport Class Race One
ahead of the previous days winner, Gurvinder Singh. Saturdays 600-cc race POS. RIDER TIMING
Having collected 12 points for second place on Saturday and 1 Guruvinder Singh 16:44.488
15 points for first place on Sunday, it was Deepak Ravikumar 2 Deepak Ravikumar 16:45.461
who took home the championship trophy, having netted 27 3 Vijay Singh 16:45.506
points for his consistent performance. In second place on the Supersport Class Race Two
points table was Gurvinder Singh, who bagged a perfect 15 POS. RIDER TIMING
points on Saturday, but only nine points for a fourth-place 1 Deepak Ravikumar 16:41.581
finish on Sunday to end up with 24 points, while Vijay Singh 2 Vijay Singh 16:50.067
stood third in the championship with 22 points. 3 Kulwant Singh 16:52.647

Rajni Krishnan (67) takes the
lead into the first corner of
Saturdays 1000-cc race
Superbike Class
RACE ONE
Saturdays 1,000-cc race was dominated
by Delhis Simranjeet Singh, the son of
Gurvinder Singh. He finished the eight-
lapper almost three seconds ahead of
Karnatakas Sandesh P, while Tamil
Nadus Dilip Rogger finished third.
RACE TWO
Simranjeet Singh was at the front for
most of Sundays race, but was passed
by Sandesh with two laps to go, while
behind them Gujarats Aakash Dilip Rogger (3) gets a great
Rajshakha made his move on Dilip start on Sundays 1000-cc race
Rogger for third place. Sandesh used
the clear road ahead of him to set the
fastest lap of the race (2:00.517) and Superbike Class Race One Sandesh leads from Simranjeet
stretch his lead to finish the race 4.269 POS. RIDER TIMING in the 1000-cc class
seconds ahead of Simranjeet. Aakash 1 Simranjeet Singh 16:19.380
finished the race third, just ahead of 2 Sandesh P 16:22.362
Dilip Rogger. 3 Dilip Rogger 16:29.095
Having finished first in one race and Superbike Class Race Two
second in the other, both Sandesh and POS. RIDER TIMING
Simranjeet were tied on the points table 1 Sandesh P 16:13.400
with 27 points each, followed by Dilip 2 Simranjeet Singh 16:17.669
Rogger at 19 points. 3 Aakash Rajshakha 16:27.936

GARAGE
TVS Apache RTR 200 4V
Commendable Refinement
T
VS motorcycles have an refinement level has gone up by leaps
enigmatic charm about them and bounds. Although the suspension
which is really hard to describe. setup is on the softer side for me, at
Their bikes have a special character least there is hardly any nervousness
which makes you grin the moment you in the handling of the bike despite that.
swing your leg over one. Now, I am no There are a number of bumps and
stranger to TVS long-term motorcycles, speed humps on my daily commute
having ridden almost all the RTR series route but the suspension of the 200 4V is
bikes right from the RTR 160 Fi. more than able to absorb everything
However, the latest RTR, 200 4V, is and keeps me from becoming jittery on
something different. The new account of those undulations. I havent
suspension setup, more powerful really had the time to take the Apache
engine, and sleeker styling are all RTR 200 4V out for a long ride but with
commendable. The earlier bikes, that is, the comfort and handling it offers on my
the RTR 160 and 180, were good but the 44-km daily commute, I may rest
new one is even better. assured that it wont disappoint when
I have been riding the 200 4V for quite this figure of 44 km is multiplied tenfold.
some time now and, honestly, I love the More about this bike in our next report.
refinement the bike has on offer. It Until then ride safely.
handles exceptionally well and the Ravi Chandnani
HONDA Navi
City Scrapper
T
he Navi is Hondas two-wheeler with an
identity crisis, but whether you think its a
bike or a scooter, you cant deny its appeal.
Ive been fortunate enough to ride some
extremely exotic bikes here at Bike India but I
dont remember the last time I got so many
heads turning in my direction. People roll up at
signals or if Ive pulled up on the roadside to quiz
me about the bike, and praise its aesthetics. And
why shouldnt they? Especially when the bike is
this quirky, unique and exciting to look at? In
Punes crowded streets of mad motorists, the
Navi is a breath of fresh air.
Weaving in and out of traffic is absurdly easy,
and the bike is pretty comfortable as well. I just
wish the Navi came with a fuel indicator. While
having your bike sputter out and needing to put
the tap into reserve is a workaround in terms of
knowing that a visit to the fuel station is due,
having a needle to tell me that would have made
life a little easier, especially considering that the
Navis tank holds a relatively skimpy 3.8 litres of
go-juice. Thats just a little nit-pick, though,
because my experience on the Navi has been a
rather enjoyable one overall.
Harket Suchde

YAMAHA Ray ZR
SUZUKI Gixxer
Comfort
Love at First Ride Zone
T O
he Suzuki Gixxer was so well I did not have any ne of the latest
launched in 2015. Suzuki problems negotiating those offerings by
had organised a ride at zigzags. The power on tap was Yamaha, the Ray
Lavasa, near Pune, where I was ample to overtake any vehicle in ZR, has joined the Bike
present to shoot the motorcycle front of me. Within the city, too, India fleet a few weeks ago
for our magazine. After the shoot the bike was equally delightful and its a welcome
I happened to take a short spin to ride. Nary a glitch. Once I addition. Incidentally, this
on the bike and I liked it reached the office I decided that is the second moto
instantly. Later that year we I would love to have the Gixxer scooter that I shall be
organised a jury ride for our as my long-term bike. However, riding on a long-term
awards at Lavasa. A whole lot of my colleague Ravi was also in basis. Needless to add, the
new motorcycles launched the queue and he got the bike as variomatic comfort that
during the year were there for his long-term ride. Recently, the scooter brings with it is
the jury ride. One of them was when I heard that the Gixxer something to look forward
the Gixxer. I rode it from Lavasa version II with a rear disc brake to in the ever worsening
back to our office in Pune. Now, was going to join the Bike India city traffic scenario. More
the road from Lavasa to Pune fleet, I was the first to ask the about our experience
has a number of zigzags, editor for it as my long-term astride the Ray ZR as we
twisties, and switchbacks. The bike. Now that I have it, I am add kilometres to its odo
Gixxer was an absolute delight enjoying the rides. in the days to come.
to ride on that road. It behaved Sanjay Raikar Deepak Upadhye

GBU
THE
GOOD BAD THE
UGLY & THE
TWO-WHEELER BUYING GUIDE

SEG ME NT CO LO U R CO D ES BIKES COMPETITION BIKES SCOOTERS ELECTRIC SCOOTERS
FUEL EFFICIENCY
ELECTRIC START
ALLOY WHEELS
ACCELERATION
(Rs, OTR PUNE)
CAPACITY (cc)
PEAK TORQUE
*Ex-showroom
KERB WEIGHT
PEAK POWER
NUMBER OF
(0-60 km/h)
TOP SPEED
FUEL TANK
OVERALL
Nm/RPM
PS/RPM
TESTED
RATING
ENGINE
GEARS
(km/h)
(litres)
(km/l)
PRICE
ABS
(kg)
Bikes
APRILIA www.aprilia.com
MANA
We Say: The only lightweight motorcycle with an automatic transmission.
Also See: No options yet.
Mana 850 GT ABS 16.86 lakh 839.9 76/8000 73/5000 A/7 218 NA NA 16 NA NA NA
CAPONORD
We Say: NA.
Also See: Ducati Multistrada 1200, BMW R 1200 RT
1200 ABS 21.41 lakh 1197 125/8250 114/6800 6 NA NA NA 24 NA NA NA
Rally 24.91 lakh 1197 125/8250 114/6800 6 228 NA NA 24 NA NA NA
TUONO
We Say: NA.
Also See: Honda CB1000R, Triumph Speed Triple, Yamaha FZ1
V4 1100 RR 23.32 lakh 1077 175/11000 120/9000 6 185 NA NA 18.5 NA NA NA
V4 1100 Factory 24.97 lakh 1077 175/11000 120/9000 6 184 NA NA 18.5 NA NA NA
RSV4
We Say: NA.
Also See: BMW S 1000 RR, Ducati Panigale R, Honda CBR 1000RR, Yamaha YZF-R1, Suzuki GSX-R 1000, Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R
RSV4 RR 26.50 lakh 999.6 201/13000 115/10500 6 180 NA NA 18.5 NA NA NA
RSV4 R Factory 29.16 lakh 999.6 201/13000 115/10500 6 180 NA NA 18.5 NA NA NA

APRILIA to BAJAJ AUTO
FUEL EFFICIENCY
ELECTRIC START
ALLOY WHEELS
ACCELERATION
(Rs, OTR PUNE)
CAPACITY (cc)
PEAK TORQUE
*Ex-showroom
KERB WEIGHT
PEAK POWER
NUMBER OF
(0-60 km/h)
TOP SPEED
FUEL TANK
OVERALL
Nm/RPM
PS/RPM
TESTED
RATING
ENGINE
GEARS
(km/h)
(litres)
(km/l)
PRICE
ABS
(kg)
BAJAJ AUTO www.bajajauto.com
CT100
We Say: Affordable and frugal commuter.
Also See: Hero HF Dawn, Honda CD110 Dream, TVS Star City
CT100B 35,512 99.27 8.2/7500 8.05/4500 4 109 NA NA 10.5 NA NA NA
CT100 41,033 99.27 8.2/7500 8.05/4500 4 109 NA NA 10.5 NA NA NA
CT100 (Alloy) 44,305 99.27 8.2/7500 8.05/4500 4 109 NA NA 10.5 NA NA NA
PLATINA
We Say: Reasonably decent looks mated to the CT100s frugal genes.
Also See: Hero Splendor NXG, TVS Star City, Yamaha YBR 110
Platina 100 44,134 102 8.2/7500 8.6/5000 4 107 8.18 91.5 11.5 71.5 NA NA
Platina 100 ES 51,411 102 8.2/7500 8.6/5000 4 108 8.18 91.5 11.5 71.5 May 15
DISCOVER
We Say: Good commuters, Discover 150 has good poke.
Also See: Hero Passion X-Pro, Honda Livo, Shine, TVS Star City+, Victor, Yamaha Saluto
Discover 125 57,964 124.6 11.5/8000 10.8/6000 5 118 5.96 98.45 7.2 68.25 May 14
Discover 150S (Drum) 60,553 144.8 14.5/8500 12.75/6500 5 129 NA NA 10 NA NA NA
Discover 150F (Disc) 68,928 144.8 14.5/8500 12.75/6500 5 130 NA NA 10 NA NA NA
V
We Say: Good alternative to de rigueur premium commuters.
Also See: Honda CB Unicorn, Suzuki GS150R, Yamaha SZ-RR
V15 70,880 149.5 12/7500 13/5500 5 135.5 8.12 100.13 13 62 Jun 16
AVENGER
We Say: Powerful and torquey, great combo of style and value. Pillion seat could be more comfortable.
Also See: No alternatives yet
Street 150 74,617* 149.01 14.54/9000 12.5/6500 5 148 NA NA 14 NA NA NA
Street 220 84,765* 219.9 19.03/8400 17.5/7000 5 150 NA NA 14 NA NA NA
Cruise 220 84,765* 219.9 19.03/8400 17.5/7000 5 155 4.8 118 14 34 Sep 10
PULSAR DTS-i
We Say: Good fusion of performance, efficiency and looks, great value for money.
Also See: Honda CBF Stunner, CB Unicorn 160, Suzuki GS150R, Gixxer, TVS Apache RTR
Pulsar LS 135 DTS-i 60,019* 134.66 13.5/9000 11.4/7500 5 122 5.18 112.1 8 63.75 Jan 10
Pulsar 150 DTS-i 72,211* 149.01 15.06/9000 12.5/6500 5 143 5.4 115 15 55 May 10
Pulsar 180 DTS-i 78,173* 176.8 17.02/8500 14.22/6000 5 147 4.98 117.5 15 51 Jun 09
Pulsar 220F DTS-i 89,350* 219.9 21.05/8500 19.12/7000 5 152 4.7 132.5 15 42.25 Jul 09
PULSAR NS
We Say: Value for money, a modern bike for a lakh of rupees.
Also See: KTM 200 Duke, TVS Apache RTR 200
Pulsar NS 200 1.01 lakh 199.5 23.5/9500 18.3/8000 6 145 3.83 133 12 44.5 Aug 12
PULSAR AS
We Say: Compact and usable street bike with an affordable price-tag.
Also See: Yamaha Fazer
Pulsar AS 150 92,093 149.5 17/9500 13/7500 6 143 NA NA 12 NA NA NA
Pulsar AS 200 1.05 lakh 199.5 23.5/9500 18.3/8000 6 153 3.83 133.2 12 44.5 Aug 15
PULSAR RS
We Say: Good amount of kit at a fair price.
Also See: KTM RC 200, Honda CBR 250R
Pulsar RS 200 1.21 lakh* 199.5 24.5/9750 18.6/8000 6 165 NA NA 13 NA NA NA
Pulsar RS 200 ABS 1.33 lakh* 199.5 24.5/9750 18.6/8000 6 165 NA NA 13 NA NA NA
DOMINAR
We Say: The largest and most powerful Bajaj motorcycle yet.
Also See: KTM 390 Duke
Dominar 400 1.36 lakh* 373.2 35/8000 35/6500 6 182 NA NA 13 NA NA NA
Dominar 400 ABS 1.50 lakh* 373.2 35/8000 35/6500 6 182 NA NA 13 NA NA NA

GBU
FUEL EFFICIENCY
ELECTRIC START
ALLOY WHEELS
ACCELERATION
(Rs, OTR PUNE)
CAPACITY (cc)
PEAK TORQUE
*Ex-showroom
KERB WEIGHT
PEAK POWER
NUMBER OF
(0-60 km/h)
TOP SPEED
FUEL TANK
OVERALL
Nm/RPM
PS/RPM
TESTED
RATING
ENGINE
GEARS
(km/h)
(litres)
(km/l)
PRICE
ABS
(kg)
BMW MOTORRAD www.motorrad-deutschemotoren.in
TOUR
We Say: Among the most powerful and refined touring bikes available today.
Also See: Kawasaki Ninja 1000, Aprilia Caponord 1200, Moto Guzzi Sport, Honda GL1800 Gold Wing
R 1200 RT 22.95 lakh* 1170 110/7750 120/6000 6 263 NA NA 25 NA NA NA
K 1600 GT 27.00 lakh* 1649 160/7750 175/5250 6 332 NA NA 24 NA NA NA
K 1600 GTL 29.65 lakh* 1649 160/7750 175/5250 6 348 NA NA 26.5 NA NA NA
ADVENTURE
We Say: Arguably among the best all-round motorcycles there are.
Also See: Aprilia Dorsoduro, Ducati Multistrada, Triumph Tiger Explorer
S 1000 XR 25.00 lakh* 999 160/11000 112/9250 6 228 NA NA 20 NA NA NA
R 1200 GS 18.60 lakh* 1170 125/7750 125/6500 6 238 NA NA 20 NA NA NA
R 1200 GS Adventure 20.75 lakh* 1170 125/7750 125/6500 6 260 NA NA 30 NA NA NA
ROADSTER
We Say: NA.
Also See: Aprilia Tuono V4R, Benelli TnT 1130, Kawasaki Z1000, Moto Guzzi Griso, Triumph Speed Triple.
R nineT 23.50 lakh* 1170 110/7550 119/6500 6 222 NA NA 18 NA NA NA
R 1200 R 16.65 lakh* 1170 110/7500 119/6000 6 227 NA NA 18 NA NA NA
S 1000 R 22.05 lakh* 999 160/11000 112/9750 6 183 NA NA 17.5 NA NA NA
K 1300 R 19.20 lakh* 1293 175/9250 140/8250 6 243 NA NA 19 NA NA NA
SPORT
We Say: NA.
Also See: Aprilia RSV4, Honda CBR 1000RR, Suzuki GSX-R 1000, Yamaha YZF-R1, Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R, ZX-14R
S 1000 RR 21.10 lakh* 999 199/13500 113/10500 6 204 NA NA 17.5 NA NA NA
K 1300 S 21.95 lakh* 1293 177/9250 140/8250 6 245 NA NA 19 NA NA NA
DSK BENELLI www.dskbenelli.com

TnT 25
We Say: Refined and peppy single-cylinder Benelli motorcycle.
Also See: Honda CBR 250R, KTM 200 Duke
TnT 25 2.04 lakh 249.2 28.16/9800 21.61/8000 6 159 4.85 119.09 17 NA Dec 15
TnT 300
We Say: Extremely well-balanced entry twin-cylinder motorcycle.
Also See: Kawasaki Z250, KTM 390 Duke
TnT 300 3.58 lakh 300 38/11500 26.5/10000 6 196 NA NA 16 NA NA NA
TnT 600
We Say: Rather affordable four-cylinder street and touring machines.
Also See: Triumph Street Triple, Kawasaki ER-6n, Ninja 650R, Hyosung GT650N, GT650R
TnT 600i 6.71 lakh 600 85/11500 54.6/10500 6 231 NA NA 15 NA NA NA
TnT 600 GT 7.03 lakh 600 85/11500 54.6/10500 6 243 NA NA 27 NA NA NA
TORNADO NAKED TRE

We Say: Red-blooded three-pot Italian muscle bikes.
Also See: Ducati Streetfighter, Kawasaki Z800, Z1000, Triumph Speed Triple, Yamaha MT-09, FZ-1
TnT 899 11.16 lakh 898 121/10000 85.6/8000 6 202 NA NA 16 NA NA NA
TnTR 1130 13.82 lakh 1131 137/9500 114.2/7500 6 202 NA NA 16 NA NA NA
DSK HYOSUNG www.dskhyosung.com

GT250R
We Say: 250 V-twin that is dated now.
Also See: Honda CBR 250R, Kawasaki Ninja 300, KTM RC 390
GT 250R 3.50 lakh 249 28/10000 22/8000 5 188 4.02 140 17 NA Jun 12

BMW MOTORRAD to DUCATI
FUEL EFFICIENCY
ELECTRIC START
ALLOY WHEELS
ACCELERATION
(Rs, OTR PUNE)
CAPACITY (cc)
PEAK TORQUE
*Ex-showroom
KERB WEIGHT
PEAK POWER
NUMBER OF
(0-60 km/h)
TOP SPEED
FUEL TANK
OVERALL
Nm/RPM
PS/RPM
TESTED
RATING
ENGINE
GEARS
(km/h)
(litres)
(km/l)
PRICE
ABS
(kg)
GT650R
We Say: A good V-twin sports bike however, a bit costly.
Also See: Kawasaki Ninja 650R, Triumph Street Triple
GT 650R 5.68 lakh 647 74/9000 60.9/7500 6 215 2.61 NA 17 NA Mar 11
AQUILA
We Say: The only 250cc V-twin cruiser in India.
Also See: Royal Enfield Thunderbird 500
GV250 Aquila 3.38 lakh 249 26.5/9500 21.7/7000 6 167 NA NA 14 NA NA NA
AQUILA PRO
We Say: A big improvement over the ST7 and good value for money.
Also See: Harley-Davidson Street 750 and 883 Superlow
GV650 Aquila Pro 6.20 lakh 647 75/9000 62.1/7500 5 240 NA NA 16 NA NA NA
ST7
We Say: A good cruiser but pricey.
Also See: Harley-Davidson Street 750 and 883 SuperLow
ST7 6.99 lakh 678.2 58.5/8000 57.3/7500 5 244 3.09 167 18 NA Apr 10
DUCATI www.ducati.com
SCRAMBLER
We Say: A fun and agile Ducati you can use everyday.
Also See: Hyosung GT650N, Kawasaki Ninja ER-6n, Triumph Street Triple
Icon 7.95 lakh* 803 75/8250 68/5750 6 186 NA NA 13.5 NA NA NA
Classic 9.17 lakh* 803 75/8250 68/5750 6 186 NA NA 13.5 NA NA NA
Full Throttle / Urban Enduro 9.17 lakh* 803 75/8250 68/5750 6 186 NA NA 13.5 NA NA NA
MONSTER
We Say: Light and nimble, a good buy.
Also See: Aprilia Tuono V4R, Benelli TnT, Kawasaki ER-6n, Triumph Street Triple, Speed Triple, Yamaha MT-09, FZ1
821 Dark 9.83 lakh* 821.1 112/9250 89/7750 6 188 NA NA 15 NA NA NA
821 10.60 lakh* 821.1 112/9250 89/7750 6 188 NA NA 15 NA NA NA
1200 21.89 lakh* 1198.4 135/8750 118/7250 6 182 NA NA 16.5 NA NA NA
1200 S 26.79 lakh* 1198.4 135/8750 118/7250 6 182 NA NA 16.5 NA NA NA
1200 R 30.52 lakh* 1198.4 135/8750 118/7250 6 182 NA NA 16.5 NA NA NA
MULTISTRADA
We Say: The motorcycle equivalent of a luxury SUV.
Also See: BMW R 1200 GS, Moto Guzzi Stelvio, Triumph Tiger Explorer
1200 14.95 lakh* 1198.4 160/9500 136/7500 6 232 NA NA 20 NA NA NA
1200 S 17.02 lakh* 1198.4 160/9500 136/7500 6 235 NA NA 20 NA NA NA
1200 S Pikes Peak 20.75 lakh* 1198.4 160/9500 136/7500 6 231 NA NA 20 NA NA NA
1200 Enduro 18.03 lakh* 1198.4 160/9500 136/7500 6 254 NA NA 30 NA NA NA
DIAVEL
We Say: Looks big and heavy, but is light and nimble.
Also See: Harley-Davidson Night Rod Special, Triumph Rocket III, Yamaha VMAX.
Diavel 15.31 lakh* 1198.4 162/9250 130.5/8000 6 239 NA NA 17 NA NA NA
Diavel Carbon 18.76 lakh* 1198.4 162/9250 130.5/8000 6 234 NA NA 17 NA NA NA
xDIAVEL
We Say: Belt drive on a Ducati? This is the one you can call a cruiser.
Also See: Harley-Davidson Night Rod Special, Triumph Rocket III, Yamaha VMAX.
xDiavel 16.41 lakh* 1262 156/9500 128.9/5000 6 247 NA NA 18 NA NA NA
xDiavel S 19.10 lakh* 1262 156/9500 128.9/5000 6 247 NA NA 18 NA NA NA
SBK
We Say: Powerful track-tool with a price-tag to shame executive sedans.
Also See: Triumph Daytona 675R, BMW S 1000 RR, Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R, Ninja H2, Suzuki Hayabusa
959 Panigale 14.44 lakh* 955 157/10500 107.4/9000 6 200 NA NA 17 NA NA NA
1299 Panigale 35.65 lakh* 1285 205/10500 144.6/8750 6 190.5 NA NA 17 NA NA NA
1299 Panigale S 43.94 lakh* 1285 205/10500 144.6/8750 6 190.5 NA NA 17 NA NA NA
Panigale R 50.69 lakh* 1198 205/11500 136.2/10250 6 184 NA NA 17 NA NA NA

GBU
FUEL EFFICIENCY
ELECTRIC START
ALLOY WHEELS
ACCELERATION
(Rs, OTR PUNE)
CAPACITY (cc)
PEAK TORQUE
*Ex-showroom
KERB WEIGHT
PEAK POWER
NUMBER OF
(0-60 km/h)
TOP SPEED
FUEL TANK
OVERALL
Nm/RPM
PS/RPM
TESTED
RATING
ENGINE
GEARS
(km/h)
(litres)
(km/l)
PRICE
ABS
(kg)
FAB REGAL RAPTOR www.regalraptorindia.com
CRUISER
We Say: NA
Also See: Hyosung Aquila GV250, UM Renegade
Cruiser DD350E 2.96 lakh* 320 23.1/8500 22/6500 5 184 NA NA 12.5 NA NA NA
Daytona 3.33 lakh* 320 23.1/8500 22/6500 5 184 NA NA 12.5 NA NA NA
BOBBER
We Say: NA
Also See: Hyosung Aquila GV250, UM Renegade
Bobber 3.22 lakh* 320 23.1/8500 22/6500 5 180 NA NA 14 NA NA NA
HARLEY-DAVIDSON www.harley-davidson.in
STREET
We Say: Brilliant all-rounder, the first affordable cruiser with a Harley-Davidson badge.
XG750 Street 750 4.91 lakh* 749 47.5/NA 59/4000 6 222 3.83 154 13.1 NA Jun 14
SPORTSTER
We Say: Value packed, classic and timeless looking motorycles that proudly boast of their heritage.
Also See: Hyosung Aquila Pro GV650, Hyosung ST7, Suzuki Intruder 800
XL883N Iron 7.99 lakh* 883 52/5750 70/3500 5 256 NA NA 12.5 NA NA NA
XL1200C Custom 9.29 lakh* 1202 NA 96/4250 5 268 NA NA 17 NA NA NA
XL1200X Forty-Eight 9.50 lakh* 1202 NA 96/4250 5 252 NA NA 7.9 NA NA NA
XL1200CX Roadster 9.70 lakh* 1202 NA 96/4000 5 259 NA NA 12.5 NA NA NA
DYNA
We Say: Comfortable, easy to ride and powerful - these no-nonsense cruisers flaunt their H-D branding.
Also See: Honda VT1300CX, Indian Scout
FXDB Street Bob 10.67 lakh* 1585 NA 118/3250 6 304 NA NA 17.8 NA NA NA
FXDF Fat Bob 13.09 lakh* 1585 NA 121/3500 6 321 2.6 NA 18.9 NA NA NA
SOFTAIL
We Say: Authentic and original to Harleys, one of their best-selling lines ever!
Also See: Indian Chief, Suzuki Intruder M1800R, Triumph Thunderbird
FLSTF Fat Boy 16.35 lakh* 1690 NA 125/3500 6 333 NA NA 18.9 NA NA NA
FXSB Breakout (16) 16.70 lakh* 1690 74/5010 130/3000 6 322 NA NA 18.9 NA NA NA
FLSTC Heritage Classic 17.79 lakh* 1690 NA 124/2500 6 347 NA NA 18.9 NA NA NA
V-ROD
We Say: As fun to watch as it is to ride - unlike any other Harley-Davidson motorcycle.
Also See: Ducati Diavel, Suzuki Intruder M1800R, Moto Guzzi 1400 Audace, Yamaha VMAX
VRSCDX Night Rod Special (16) 21.92 lakh* 1247 120/8000 111/7250 5 302 NA NA 18.9 NA NA NA
TOURING
We Say: Long distance touring at its finest - torquey, immensely comfortable and, of course, addictive!
Also See: Indian Chieftain, Moto Guzzi California
FLHR Road King 26.49 lakh* 1745 NA 150/3250 6 379 NA NA 22.7 NA NA NA
FLHXS Street Glide Special 31.25 lakh* 1745 NA 150/3250 6 376 NA NA 22.7 NA NA NA
FLTRS Road Glide Special 32.81 lakh* 1745 NA 150/3250 6 372 NA NA 22.7 NA NA NA
CVO
We Say: Among the most expensive set of two wheels in India.
Also See: BMW K 1600 GT L, Honda GL1800 Gold Wing, Indian Roadmaster
FLHTKSE CVO Limited 50.62 lakh* 1868 NA 165/3250 6 431 NA NA 22.7 NA NA NA

FAB REGAL RAPTOR to HONDA
FUEL EFFICIENCY
ELECTRIC START
ALLOY WHEELS
ACCELERATION
(Rs, OTR PUNE)
CAPACITY (cc)
PEAK TORQUE
*Ex-showroom
KERB WEIGHT
PEAK POWER
NUMBER OF
(0-60 km/h)
TOP SPEED
FUEL TANK
OVERALL
Nm/RPM
PS/RPM
TESTED
RATING
ENGINE
GEARS
(km/h)
(litres)
(km/l)
PRICE
ABS
(kg)
HERO MOTOCORP www.heromotocorp.com
HF
We Say: All the Hero MotoCorp qualities at an affordable price.
Also See: TVS Star, Yamaha Crux, Bajaj Platina
HF Dawn 43,813 97.2 8.36/8000 8.05/5000 4 109 NA NA 10.5 NA NA NA
HF Deluxe 46,425 97.2 8.36/8000 8.05/5000 4 109 9.39 91.11 10.5 68.25 Jan 07
HF Deluxe Eco 50,705 97.2 8.36/8000 8.05/5000 4 112 9.39 91.11 10.5 68.25 NA NA
SPLENDOR
We Say: Perfect commuter if you can do with the looks.
Also See: TVS Star Sport, Honda CD110 Dream, Yamaha YBR 110, Bajaj Platina
Splendor+ 50,080 97.2 8.36/8000 8.05/5000 4 109 NA NA 11 NA NA NA
Splendor Pro 50,745 97.2 8.36/8000 8.05/5000 4 112 NA NA 11 NA NA NA
Splendor Pro Classic 55,337 97.2 8.36/8000 8.05/5000 4 112 NA NA 11 NA NA NA
Splendor iSmart 55,346 97.2 8.36/8000 8.05/5000 4 112 8.0 90 8.7 77 May 14
PASSION
We Say: A Splendor will save you a few grand.
Also See: Yamaha Crux, Bajaj Platina, Mahindra Centuro
Passion Pro 53,136 97.2 8.36/8000 8.05/5000 4 112 NA NA 12.8 NA NA NA
Passion Pro ES 57,303 97.2 8.36/8000 8.05/5000 4 116 NA NA 12.8 NA NA NA
Passion X Pro 60,218 109.1 8.7/7500 9.36/5500 4 116 8.02 95.82 9.5 70 Apr 13
SUPER SPLENDOR
We Say: Splendor hops onto the executive bandwagon.
Also See: Honda Shine, Suzuki SlingShot, TVS Phoenix,
Super Splendor 57,703 124.7 9.12/7000 10.35/4000 4 121 6.99 100.83 13 73.25 Oct 10
GLAMOUR
We Say: The Glamour actually looks much better than the Super Splendor. Worth the extra dough.
Also See: Bajaj Discover 125, TVS Phoenix, Yamaha Saluto
Glamour 60,995 124.7 9.13/7000 10.35/4000 4 125 9.64 94.9 13.6 72.75 Sep 05
Glamour FI 71,416 124.7 9.13/7000 10.35/4000 4 129 8.80 94.9 12 80.75 Aug 06
IGNITOR
We Say: Stunner in a new avatar.
Also See: Honda CB Stunner, Yamaha Saluto
Ignitor 66,330 124.7 11/8000 11/5000 5 129 6.50 100.3 9 62.25 Oct 12
ACHIEVER
We Say: Every bit a Unicorn, except for the ride quality.
Also See: Bajaj Discover 150, Honda CB Unicorn, Yamaha SZ-RR
Achiever i3S 62,800* 149.1 13.6/8000 12.8/5000 5 139 6.25 110.8 12.5 57.5 Dec 05
HUNK
We Say: Stunning looks, efficient engine and good performance.
Also See: Bajaj Pulsar 150, Honda CB Trigger, Suzuki Gixxer, TVS Apache RTR160
Hunk (F/R Disc) 78,743 149.2 14.4/8500 12.8/6500 5 146 5.08 107.16 12.54 51 Dec 07
XTREME
We Say: Pricey but much better than the CBZ and the Achiever. Too skinny at the front.
Also See: Bajaj Pulsar 150, Honda CB Trigger, Suzuki Gixxer, TVS Apache RTR160
Xtreme 75,424 149.2 14.4/8500 12.8/6500 5 145 5.55 110.8 12.4 60.25 Nov 06
Xtreme Sports 83,100 149.2 15.8/8500 13.5/7000 5 145 5.67 109.6 12.4 47.25 Sep 15
HONDA www.honda2wheelersindia.com
NAVI
We Say: An affordable automatic... ...bike?
Also See: Maybe an old Bobby?
NAVI 44,140 109 8/7500 8.83/5500 V 110 10.1 83.4 3.8 51 May 16

GBU
FUEL EFFICIENCY
ELECTRIC START
ALLOY WHEELS
ACCELERATION
(Rs, OTR PUNE)
CAPACITY (cc)
PEAK TORQUE
*Ex-showroom
KERB WEIGHT
PEAK POWER
NUMBER OF
(0-60 km/h)
TOP SPEED
FUEL TANK
OVERALL
Nm/RPM
PS/RPM
TESTED
RATING
ENGINE
GEARS
(km/h)
(litres)
(km/l)
PRICE
ABS
(kg)
CD110 DREAM
We Say: Reliable, refined, bare-bones commuter..
Also See: Bajaj Discover 100M, TVS Star City, Yamaha Saluto RX
CD110 Dream 51,679 109.2 8.36/7500 8.63/5500 4 105 7.82 86 8 72.5 NA NA
CD110 Dream ES 54,608 109.2 8.36/7500 8.63/5500 4 105 7.82 86 8 72.5 Nov 14
DREAM NEO
We Say: One of the most fuel efficient bikes in the country.
Also See: Bajaj Discover 100, TVS Star City, Suzuki Hayate
Dream Neo 53,391 109.2 8.36/7500 8.63/5500 4 105 7.82 96.5 8 72.5 Aug 13
DREAM YUGA
We Say: One of the most fuel efficient bikes in the country.
Also See: Bajaj Discover 100, Suzuki Hayate, TVS Star City, Yamaha Saluto RX
Dream Yuga 56,266 109.2 8.36/7500 8.63/5500 4 108 7.82 96.53 8 72 Aug 12
LIVO
We Say: Good styling and performance always welcome in the commuter segment.
Also See: Suzuki Hayate, TVS Star City, Yamaha Saluto RX
Livo 57,936 109.2 8.36/7500 8.63/5500 4 111 8.16 92.7 8.5 70.25 NA NA
Livo (Disc) 60,454 109.2 8.36/7500 8.63/5500 4 111 8.16 92.7 8.5 70.25 Sep 15
CB SHINE
We Say: Low gearing make it really quick through gears. Top speed could have been better with taller gearing.
Also See: Hero Glamour, TVS Phoenix, Yamaha Saluto
CB 125 Shine 60,254 124.7 10.4/7500 10.7/5500 4 119 7.04 100.4 10.5 78.75 NA NA
CB 125 Shine CBS 65,656 124.7 10.4/7500 10.7/5500 4 119 7.04 100.4 10.5 78.75 May 06
CB 125 Shine SP 64,763 124.7 10.4/7500 10.7/5500 5 121 6.27 105.37 11 NA NA NA
CB 125 Shine SP CBS 69,307 124.7 10.4/7500 10.7/5500 5 121 6.27 105.37 11 NA Jan 16
CB UNICORN
We Say: Among the smoothest mills around. Great ride-handling combo. Available wqith a choice of motors.
Also See: Bajaj Pulsar 150, Suzuki GS150R, TVS Apache RTR160
CB Unicorn 74,561 149.1 13.5/8000 12.8/5500 5 146 6.10 111.3 13 58.92 Dec 06
CB Unicorn 160 78,036 162.7 14.7/8000 14.6/6000 5 135 5.64 116.3 12 55.5 NA NA
CB Unicorn 160 CBS 80,563 162.7 14.7/8000 14.6/6000 5 135 5.64 116.3 12 55.5 Feb 15
CB HORNET 160R
We Say: Desirable name-tag and muscular design make it a perfect all-rounder for the young.
Also See: Suzuki Gixxer, Yamaha FZ-S, Bajaj Pulsar 180
CB Hornet 160R 85,278 162.7 15.88/8500 14.76/6500 5 140 NA NA 12 NA NA NA
CB Hornet 160R CBS 91,245 162.7 15.88/8500 14.76/6500 5 142 5.77 114 12 55 Feb 16
CBR 150R
We Say: Refined engine, great handling and riding position; loses out on bottom-end and mid-range performance.
Also See: Bajaj Pulsar RS 200, Yamaha YZF-R15
CBR 150R 1.30 lakh 149.4 17.8/10500 12.6/8500 6 138 4.86 131 13 38 Jun 12
CBR 250R
We Say: Just the bike for India, a perfect all-rounder for city and highway.
Also See: Hyosung GT250R, KTM RC 200
CBR 250R 1.68 lakh 249.6 26.5/8500 22.9/7000 6 161 3.47 155 13 35.75 NA NA
CBR 250R ABS 1.98 lakh 249.6 26.5/8500 22.9/7000 6 167 3.47 155 13 35.75 Jun 11
CBR 650F
We Say: That 650-cc four-cylinder sport-tourer we were all waiting for.
Also See: Benelli TnT 600, Kawasaki Ninja 650R, Triumph Street Triple
CBR 650F 7.40 lakh* 649 87/11000 62.9/8000 6 211 NA NA 17.3 NA NA NA
CB1000R
We Say: Practical. Both in and out of town.
Also See: Benelli TnT 1130, Ducati Monster, Kawasaki Z1000, Triumph Speed Triple, Suzuki GSX-S1000, Yamaha FZ1
CB1000R 12.74 lakh* 999 125/10000 100/8000 6 217 2.1 NA 17 16 Aug 09

HONDA to KAWASAKI
FUEL EFFICIENCY
ELECTRIC START
ALLOY WHEELS
ACCELERATION
(Rs, OTR PUNE)
CAPACITY (cc)
PEAK TORQUE
*Ex-showroom
KERB WEIGHT
PEAK POWER
NUMBER OF
(0-60 km/h)
TOP SPEED
FUEL TANK
OVERALL
Nm/RPM
PS/RPM
TESTED
RATING
ENGINE
GEARS
(km/h)
(litres)
(km/l)
PRICE
ABS
(kg)
CBR 1000RR
We Say: NA.
Also See: Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R, Suzuki GSX-R 1000, Yamaha YZF-R1
CBR 1000R FireBlade 16.59 lakh* 999.6 181/12250 114/10500 6 200 NA NA 17.5 NA NA NA
GL1800 GOLD WING

We Say: The most iconic grand tourer in the world.
Also See: BMW K 1600 GT L, Harley-Davidson CVO Limited, Indian Roadmaster
Gold Wing Audio Comfort 28.50 lakh* 1832 118/5500 167/4000 5+R 421 NA NA 25 NA NA NA
Gold Wing Airbag 31.50 lakh* 1832 118/5500 167/4000 5+R 423 NA NA 25 NA NA NA
INDIAN www.indianmotorcycle.com/en-in
SCOUT
We Say: Charismatic cruiser with a more urgency than its bigger siblings.
Also See: Harley-Davidson Street Bob, Fat Bob
Scout Sixty 12.96 lakh* 999 78/7300 88.8/5800 5 252 NA NA 12.5 NA NA NA
Scout 13.83 lakh* 1133 101.6/8000 97.7/5900 6 254 NA NA 12.5 NA NA NA
CHIEF
We Say: The first, no-nonsense steps to an iconic motorcycle.
Also See: Harley-Davidson Softail, and Touring, Moto Guzzi California, Triumph Thunderbird
Chief Dark Horse 24.17 lakh* 1811 74.1/5075 138.9/2600 6 357 NA NA 20.8 NA NA NA
Chief Classic 25.21 lakh* 1811 74.1/5075 138.9/2600 6 370 NA NA 20.8 NA NA NA
Chief Vintage 31.15 lakh* 1811 74.1/5075 138.9/2600 6 379 NA NA 20.8 NA NA NA
Springfield 32.10 lakh* 1811 74.1/5075 138.9/2600 6 372 NA NA 20.8 NA NA NA
Chieftain Dark Horse 33.04 lakh* 1811 74.1/5075 138.9/2600 6 385 NA NA 20.8 NA NA NA
Chieftain 35.13 lakh* 1811 74.1/5075 138.9/2600 6 385 NA NA 20.8 NA NA NA
ROADMASTER
We Say: The fully loaded luxury tourer.
Also See: BMW K 1600 GT L, Harley-Davidson Street Glide Special, CVO Limited, Honda GL1800 Gold Wing
Roadmaster 38.28 lakh* 1811 74.1/5075 138.9/2600 6 418 NA NA 20.8 NA NA NA
KAWASAKI www.kawasaki-india.com
Z250
We Say: Quarter-litre twin-cylinder streetbike at a good price.
Also See: Benelli TnT 300, KTM 390 Duke
Z250 3.21 lakh* 249 32/11000 21/10000 6 168 3.7 147 17 NA Jul 15
Z800
We Say: Aggressively styled streetbike at a hard-to-resist price.
Also See: Benelli TnT 899, Triumph Street Triple, Yamaha MT-09
Z800 8.13 lakh* 806 113/10200 83/8000 6 229 NA NA 17 NA NA NA
Z1000
We Say: One of the meanest looking streetbikes you can opt for.
Also See: Aprilia Tuono V4R, Benelli TnT 1130, Honda CB1000R, Suzuki GSX-S1000, Triumph Speed Triple
Z1000 12.87 lakh* 1043 142/10000 111/7300 6 221 NA NA 17 NA NA NA
VERSYS
We Say: A touring Kwacker for all-road use.
Also See: Suzuki V-Strom, Triumph Tiger 800
Versys 650 ABS 7.42 lakh 649 69/8500 64/7500 6 216 NA NA 21 NA NA NA
Versys 1000 ABS 13.28 lakh* 1043 120/9000 102/7500 6 249 NA NA 21 NA NA NA
NINJA 300
We Say: A true performance bike in India.
Also See: KTM RC 390, Yamaha YZF-R3
Ninja 300 4.19 lakh 296 39/11000 27.5/10000 6 172 2.56 160 17 NA May 13

GBU
FUEL EFFICIENCY
ELECTRIC START
ALLOY WHEELS
ACCELERATION
(Rs, OTR PUNE)
CAPACITY (cc)
PEAK TORQUE
*Ex-showroom
KERB WEIGHT
PEAK POWER
NUMBER OF
(0-60 km/h)
TOP SPEED
FUEL TANK
OVERALL
Nm/RPM
PS/RPM
TESTED
RATING
ENGINE
GEARS
(km/h)
(litres)
(km/l)
PRICE
ABS
(kg)
ER-6n
We Say: Versatile street bike.
Also See: Benelli TnT 600i, Triumph Street Triple
ER-6n 5.36 lakh 649 72/8500 64/7000 6 201 NA NA 16 NA NA NA
NINJA 650R
We Say: Most versatile motorcycle.
Also See: Benelli TnT 600, Honda CBR 650F, Hyosung GT650R
Ninja 650R 5.64 lakh 649 72/8500 64/7000 6 209 2.04 NA 16 NA Sep 12
NINJA 1000
We Say: Smooth and comfortable mile-muncher.
Also See: Suzuki GSX-S1000F
Ninja 1000 12.87 lakh* 1043 142/10000 111/7300 6 230 NA NA 19 NA NA NA
NINJA ZX-10R
We Say: One of the most rider-friendly litre-class superbike there is.
Also See: Aprilia RSV4, Honda CBR 1000RR, Suzuki GSX-R 1000, Yamaha YZF-R1
Ninja ZX-10R 16.40 lakh* 998 200/13000 113.5/11500 6 201 2.10 276 17 NA Dec 13
NINJA H2
We Say: The first supercharged big bike on sale in India.
Also See: BMW S 1000 RR, Ducati 1299 Panigale, Suzuki Hayabusa, Yamaha YZF-R1M
Ninja H2 33.30 lakh* 998 s/c 200/11000 133.5/10500 6 238 NA 300 (L) 17 NA NA NA
Ninja H2R^ (^track-only) 69.80 lakh* 998 s/c 326/14000 165/12500 6 216 NA NA 17 NA NA NA
NINJA ZX-14R
We Say: Very refined performance and power delivery for a hyperbike.
Also See: BMW K 1300 R, Ducati 1299 Panigale, Honda VFR 1200F, Suzuki Hayabusa
Ninja ZX-14R 17.90 lakh* 1441 200/10000 158.2/7500 6 268 NA 300 (L) 22 NA NA NA
KTM www.ktm.com/in
DUKE
We Say: A bike which loves to be ridden aggressively and features updated technology.
Also See: Bajaj Pulsar 200 NS, Benelli TnT 300, Kawasaki Z250
200 Duke 1.64 lakh 199.5 25/10000 19.2/8000 6 136 3.73 135 10.5 NA Jan 12
390 Duke 2.26 lakh 373.2 43.5/9000 35/7000 6 150 2.46 162 10.5 NA Sep 13
RC
We Say: A serious track-tool for learner and enthusiast alike.
Also See: Honda CBR 250R, Kawasaki Ninja 300, Yamaha YZF-R3
RC200 1.93 lakh 199.5 25/10000 19.2/8000 6 149 3.68 131 10 NA Apr 15
RC390 2.47 lakh 373.2 43.5/9000 35/7000 6 159 2.72 163 10 NA Apr 15
LML www.lmlworld.com
FREEDOM
We Say: NA
Also See: Mahindra Centuro, TVS Star Sport
LS 55,355 109.2 8.5/7750 8.6/5000 4 119 8.2 98.2 12.5 51 Sep 13
MAHINDRA 2WHEELERS www.mahindra2wheelers.com

CENTURO
We Say: A commuter with many innovative features
Also See: Honda Dream Yuga, Hero Passion, TVS Star City, Bajaj Discover
Centuro Rockstar 50,960 106.7 8.5/7500 8.5/5500 4 126 8.66 93.56 12.7 49 NA NA
Centuro Disc Brake 60,214 106.7 8.5/7500 8.5/5500 4 126 8.66 93.56 12.7 49 NA NA

KAWASAKI to ROYAL ENFIELD
FUEL EFFICIENCY
ELECTRIC START
ALLOY WHEELS
ACCELERATION
(Rs, OTR PUNE)
CAPACITY (cc)
PEAK TORQUE
*Ex-showroom
KERB WEIGHT
PEAK POWER
NUMBER OF
(0-60 km/h)
TOP SPEED
FUEL TANK
OVERALL
Nm/RPM
PS/RPM
TESTED
RATING
ENGINE
GEARS
(km/h)
(litres)
(km/l)
PRICE
ABS
(kg)
MOJO
We Say: A compact sport-touring offering that also works as an everyday bike.
Also See: Bajaj Dominar 400, Honda CBR 250R, Royal Enfield Classic 350
Mojo 1.88 lakh 295 27.2/8000 30/5500 6 165 NA NA 21 NA NA NA
MOTO GUZZI www.motoguzzi.com

V9
We Say: Modern-day old-school recreations Italian style.
Also See: Triumph Bonneville
Roamer 16.83 lakh 853 55/6250 62/3000 6 199 NA NA 15 NA NA NA
Bobber 16.83 lakh 853 55/6250 62/3000 6 199 NA NA 15 NA NA NA
1200
We Say: Immensely fun muscle bike, and a capable tourer (Sport).
Also See: Benelli TnT 1130, BMW R 1200 R, BMW R nineT, Ducati Monster, Triumph Speed Triple
Griso 8V SE 20.56 lakh 1151 110/7500 108/6400 6 222 NA NA 16.7 NA NA NA
CALIFORNIA
We Say: Relaxed but quick long-distance tourer that loves the open road.
Also See: Harley-Davidson Heritage Softail Classic, Street Glide Special, Indian Chief Classic
1400 Audace 26.47 lakh 1380 96/6500 121/3000 6 299 NA NA 20.5 NA NA NA
1400 Eldorado 27.08 lakh 1380 96/6500 120/2750 6 318 NA NA 20.5 NA NA NA
1400 Touring SE 28.20 lakh 1380 96/6500 120/2750 6 337 NA NA 20.5 NA NA NA
MGX-21 FLYING FORTRESS

We Say: Comfortable and modern mile-munching grand tourer.
Also See: Harley-Davidson Street Glide Special, Indian Chieftain
MGX-21 Flying Fortress 27.78 lakh* 1380 96/6500 121/3000 6 341 NA NA 20.5 NA NA NA
MV AGUSTA www.mvagusta.com
BRUTALE
We Say: Motorcycle meets art, both in their raw forms.
Also See: Aprilia Tuono V4 1100, Benelli TnTR 1130, BMW S 1000 R, Ducati Monster, Triumph Speed Triple
Brutale 1090 20.10 lakh* 1078 144/10300 112/8100 6 183 NA NA 23 NA NA NA
Brutale 1090 RR 24.78 lakh* 1078 158/11900 100/10100 6 183 NA NA 23 NA NA NA
F3
We Say: Among the most exotic middle-weight super-sport bikes on sale.
Also See: Ducati 959 Panigale, Triumph Daytona 675R
F3 16.78 lakh* 798 148/13000 88/10600 6 173 NA NA 16.5 NA NA NA
F4
We Say: Probably the most exotic litre-bike today.
Also See: BMW S 1000 RR, Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade, Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R, Suzuki GSX-1000R, Yamaha YZF-R1
F4 26.87 lakh* 998 195/13400 110.8/9600 6 191 NA NA 17 NA NA NA
F4 RR 35.71 lakh* 998 201/13600 111/9600 6 190 NA NA 17 NA NA NA
ROYAL ENFIELD www.royalenfield.com

BULLET
We Say: The subtle Enfield makes a come back with a UCE heart.
Also See: No options, there are no alternatives to a Bullet but a Bullet itself!
Bullet 350 1.24 lakh 346 19.8/5250 28/4000 5 180 NA NA 13.5 NA NA NA
Bullet 500 1.77 lakh 499 26.1/5100 40.9/3800 5 193 NA NA 13.5 NA NA NA

GBU
FUEL EFFICIENCY
ELECTRIC START
ALLOY WHEELS
ACCELERATION
(Rs, OTR PUNE)
CAPACITY (cc)
PEAK TORQUE
*Ex-showroom
KERB WEIGHT
PEAK POWER
NUMBER OF
(0-60 km/h)
TOP SPEED
FUEL TANK
OVERALL
Nm/RPM
PS/RPM
TESTED
RATING
ENGINE
GEARS
(km/h)
(litres)
(km/l)
PRICE
ABS
(kg)
CLASSIC
We Say: Royal Enfield fuses old world charm with modern retro lines.
Also See: There is no other bike like the Classic
Classic 350 1.48 lakh 346 19.8/5250 28/4000 5 187 NA NA 13.5 NA NA NA
Classic 500 1.89 lakh 499 27.5/5250 41.3/4000 5 190 4.75 131 14.5 NA Jan 10
Desert Storm 1.92 lakh 499 27.5/5250 41.3/4000 5 190 4.75 131 14.5 NA NA NA
Classic Chrome 2.01 lakh 499 27.5/5250 41.3/4000 5 190 4.75 131 14.5 NA NA NA
THUNDERBIRD
We Say: Pseudo-cruiser with a focus on touring.
Also See: No alternatives as yet
Thunderbird 350 1.60 lakh 346 19.8/5250 28/4000 5 192 NA NA 20 NA NA NA
Thunderbird 500 2.02 lakh 499 27.5/5250 41.3/4000 5 195 NA NA 20 NA NA NA
HIMALAYAN
We Say: All-new Royal Enfield motorcycle that is a credible adventure-tourer and a genuine all-rounder.
Also See: No alternatives as yet
Himalayan 1.76 lakh 411 24.5/6500 32/4000-4500 5 182 4.70 133.2 15 26 Jul 16
CAF RACER
We Say: Classic British bike which is fun to ride, easy to maintain and affordable too.
Also See: There is no other bike like the Continental GT
Continental GT 2.24 lakh 535 29.1/5100 44/4000 5 184 4.11 143 13.5 NA Dec 13
SUZUKI www.suzukimotorcycle.co.in
HAYATE
We Say: Suzukis answer to the commuter competition.
Also See: Bajaj Discover 100, TVS Star City, Yamaha Cruz
Hayate EP 59,277 113 8.7/7500 9.3/5000 4 107 8.26 94.71 10 68.5 Aug 12
SLINGSHOT
We Say: Stylish commuter equipped with a refined engine.
Also See: Hero Super Splendor, Honda Shine, TVS Phoenix, Yamaha Saluto
SlingShot Plus SEU 59,640 124 8.6/8500 10/6000 5 128 7.65 97 12 59 Oct 10
GS150R
We Say: Well packaged all-rounder from Suzuki.
Also See: Bajaj Pulsar 150, Hero Xtreme, Honda CB Unicorn 160, Yamaha SZ
GS150R 80,818 149.5 14/8500 13.4/6000 6 149 5.46 108 15.5 59.75 Feb 09
GIXXER
We Say: Street sport bike which brings style, handling and efficiency together well.
Also See: Yamaha FZ-S, Honda CB Trigger, Hero Hunk
Gixxer 89,500 155 14.8/8000 14/6000 5 135 5.85 111.45 12 47.75 Oct 14
Gixxer SF 97,800 155 14.8/8000 14/6000 5 139 4.82 116.2 12 47.75 May 15
Gixxer SF-Fi MotoGP Edition 99,600 155 14.8/8000 14/6000 5 139 4.82 116.2 12 47.75 NA NA
BANDIT
We Say: Value for money, versatile and practical.
Also See: Ducati Monster, Honda CB1000R, Triumph Speed Triple, Yamaha FZ1
Bandit 1250SA 10.75 lakh* 1255 98/7500 108/3700 6 254 2.19 250 19 15.25 Jul 10
V-STROM
We Say: Capable, but pricey adventure sports tourer.
Also See: BMW R 1200 GS, Ducati Multistrada, Kawasaki Versys, Triumph Tiger
V-Strom 1000 14.95 lakh* 1037 100/8000 103/4000 6 228 NA NA 20 NA NA NA
GSX-S
We Say: GSX performance now for the street.
Also See: Benelli TnT 1130, Honda CB1000R, Kawasaki Z1000, Ninja 1000, Triumph Speed Triple, Yamaha FZ1
GSX-S1000 15.45 lakh 999 145/10000 106/9500 6 209 NA NA 17 NA NA NA
GSX-S1000F 16.01 lakh 999 145/10000 106/9500 6 214 NA NA 17 NA NA NA

SUZUKI to UM
FUEL EFFICIENCY
ELECTRIC START
ALLOY WHEELS
ACCELERATION
(Rs, OTR PUNE)
CAPACITY (cc)
PEAK TORQUE
*Ex-showroom
KERB WEIGHT
PEAK POWER
NUMBER OF
(0-60 km/h)
TOP SPEED
FUEL TANK
OVERALL
Nm/RPM
PS/RPM
TESTED
RATING
ENGINE
GEARS
(km/h)
(litres)
(km/l)
PRICE
ABS
(kg)
GSX-R
We Say: Carrying on the Gixxer tradition of high performance.
Also See: BMW S 1000 RR, Honda CBR 1000RR, Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R, Yamaha YZF-R1
GSX-R 1000 15.95 lakh* 999 185/12000 116.7/10000 6 203 2.07 NA 17.5 11.80 Jul 10
HAYABUSA
We Say: One of the worlds fastest motorcycles, officially on sale in India.
Also See: BMW S 1000 RR, Ducati 1299 Panigale, Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R
GSX-1300R 14.18 lakh* 1340 197/9500 155/7200 6 266 NA 300 (L) 21 NA NA NA
INTRUDER
We Say: Attention magnet.
Also See: Harley-Davidson Iron 883, Harley-Davidson Breakout, Triumph Thunderbird Storm
M800 10.05 lakh* 805 53/6000 66/3600 5 269 2.91 NA 15.5 NA Jan 12
M1800R 16.05 lakh* 1783 128/6200 160/3200 5 347 2.1 209 19.5 13 Jan 09
TRIUMPH www.triumphmotorcycles.in
BONNEVILLE
We Say: Modern classic trying to re-live the good old days.
Street Twin 8.67 lakh 900 55/5900 80/3230 5 224 NA NA 12 NA NA NA
Bonneville T100 7.78 lakh* 900 55/5900 80/3230 5 213 NA NA 14.5 NA NA NA
Bonneville T120 10.88 lakh 1200 80/6550 105/3100 5 NA NA NA 14.5 NA NA NA
THRUXTON
We Say: Classic caf racer with a twin-cylinder heart for the hard-core enthusiast.
Also See: No alternatives, other than the Royal Enfield Continental GT
ThruxtonR 13.68 lakh 1200 97/6750 112/4950 5 230 NA NA 16 NA NA NA
DAYTONA
We Say: The only world-class non-Japanese entrant in the extremely competitive Supersport arena.
Also See: Ducati 899 Panigale
Daytona 675 12.35 lakh 675 118/12300 70/9900 6 189 NA NA 17.4 NA NA NA
Daytona 675R 13.99 lakh 675 118/12300 70/9900 6 189 NA NA 17.4 NA NA NA
ROADSTER
We Say: Stripped-down racers for the road.
Also See: Benelli TnT 600i, TnT 899, TnT 1130, Ducati Monster, Honda CBR650F, Kawasaki Ninja 650, Suzuki GSX-S1000, Yamaha MT-09
Street Triple 9.12 lakh 675 79/11050 57/8375 6 188 NA NA 17.4 NA NA NA
Speed Triple 13.25 lakh 1050 127/9300 105/7800 6 214 NA NA 17.5 NA NA NA
TIGER
We Say: Versatile and comfortable on-off-roader with a choice of displacements.
Also See: BMW R 1200 GS, Ducati Multistrada, Suzuki V-Strom 1000
800 XR 10.60 lakh* 800 95/9250 79/7850 6 213 NA NA 19 NA NA NA
800 XRx 11.83 lakh* 800 95/9250 79/7850 6 216 NA NA 19 NA NA NA
800 XCx 12.95 lakh* 800 95/9250 79/7850 6 221 NA NA 19 NA NA NA
800 XCA 14.02 lakh* 800 95/9250 79/7850 6 228 NA NA 19 NA NA NA
1200 Explorer XC 18.75 lakh* 1215 137/9300 121/6400 6 267 NA NA 20 NA NA NA
THUNDERBIRD
We Say: The British laid-back cruiser.
Also See: Harley-Davidson Fat Boy, Heritage Softail Classic, Indian Chief, Suzuki Intruder M1800R
Storm 17.62 lakh 1699 98/5200 156/2950 6 339 NA NA 22 NA NA NA
LT 20.45 lakh 1699 94/5408 151/3550 6 349 NA NA 22 NA NA NA
ROCKET III
We Say: The largest capacity series-production motorcycle on the planet.
Also See: Ducati Diavel, Yamaha VMAX
Roadster 26.99 lakh 2294 148/5750 221/2750 5 367 NA NA 24 NA NA NA

GBU
FUEL EFFICIENCY
ELECTRIC START
ALLOY WHEELS
ACCELERATION
(Rs, OTR PUNE)
CAPACITY (cc)
PEAK TORQUE
*Ex-showroom
KERB WEIGHT
PEAK POWER
NUMBER OF
(0-60 km/h)
TOP SPEED
FUEL TANK
OVERALL
Nm/RPM
PS/RPM
TESTED
RATING
ENGINE
GEARS
(km/h)
(litres)
(km/l)
PRICE
ABS
(kg)
TVS www.tvsmotor.co.in
STAR
We Say: Adds style to your commute without being too heavy on the pocket.
Also See: Bajaj Platina, Hero CD Deluxe, Honda Dream Neo
Sport 52,854 99.7 7.4/7500 7.5/5000 4 95 9.5 85 12 63 Apr 07
Star City+ 55,200 109.7 8.4/7000 8.7/5000 4 109 7.68 90.8 10 67 Jul 14
VICTOR
We Say: Familiar name is back, now more powerful than ever.
Also See: Honda Livo, Bajaj Discover, Suzuki Hayate
Victor (Disc) 58,509 109.7 9.6/7500 9.4/6000 4 112 7.01 103.4 8 61 May 16
PHOENIX
We Say: A capable commuter.
Also See: Honda CB Shine, Bajaj Discover 125ST, Yamaha Saluto
Phoenix (Disc) 66,672 124.5 11/8000 10.8/6000 4 116 7.52 96.4 12 63 Nov 12
APACHE RTR
We Say: Great looks, nimble traffic carver with power through the complete rev range.
Also See: Bajaj Pulsar 180, 220, AS 200, Honda Unicorn, Honda Hornet, Suzuki Gixxer, Yamaha FZ-S
RTR160 80,616 159.7 15.4/8500 13.1/6000 5 136 5.04 118.7 16 50 NA NA
RTR180 87,053 177.4 17.3/8500 15.5/6500 5 137 4.64 124 16 45.25 Jul 09
RTR180 ABS 98,900 177.4 17.3/8500 15.5/6500 5 137 4.64 124 16 45.25 NA NA
RTR200 4V Carb 1.00 lakh 197.7 20.5/8500 18.1/7000 5 148 NA NA 12 NA NA NA
RTR200 4V FI 1.17 lakh 197.7 21/8500 18.1/7000 5 148.5 4.13 125.4 12 NA May 16
UM INDIA www.uml.co.in
RENEGADE
We Say: A new wave of cruisers.
Also See: Hyosung Aquila GV250, Royal Enfield Thunderbird 350
Sports S 300 1.49 lakh* 280 24.8/8500 21.8/7000 6 172 NA NA 18 NA NA NA
Commando 300 1.59 lakh* 280 24.8/8500 21.8/7000 6 172 NA NA 18 NA NA NA
YAMAHA www.yamaha-motor-india.com
SALUTO
We Say: Smooth, stylish and refined all-rounder.
Also See: Hero Super Splendor, Honda Shine, Suzuki SlingShot, TVS Phoenix
Saluto RX 53,533 110 7.5/7000 8.5/4500 4 98 NA NA 7.2 NA NA NA
Saluto 125 62,331 125 8.3/7500 10.1/4500 4 112 NA NA 13.6 NA NA NA
Saluto 125 (Disc Brake) 64,215 125 8.3/7500 10.1/4500 4 113 NA NA 13.6 NA NA NA
SZ
We Say: Commuter with a 150cc heart and a 125ccs price tag.
Also See: Hero Achiever, Bajaj Discover 150
SZ-RR 2.0 75,765 149 12.1/7500 12.8/6000 5 134 NA NA 14 55 NA NA
FZ
We Say: Great-looking naked bike; has worked wonders for Yamaha in India.
Also See: Hero Hunk, Honda CB Trigger, TVS Apache RTR160
FZ-16 2.0 FI 84,797 149 13.1/8000 12.8/6000 5 132 NA NA 12 NA NA NA
FZ-S 2.0 FI 93,131 149 13.1/8000 12.8/6000 5 132 NA NA 12 NA NA NA
FAZER
We Say: The FZ with a fairing, little underpowered for serious touring.
Also See: Bajaj Pulsar AS 150, Pulsar 220
Fazer 2.0 FI 98,861 149 13.1/8000 12.8/6000 5 132 NA NA 12 NA NA NA
YZF-R15
We Say: Indian performance biking taken to the next level.
Also See: Honda CBR 150R, KTM RC 200, Bajaj Pulsar RS 200
YZF-R15 S 1.30 lakh 149.8 17/8500 15/7500 6 131 5.12 130.2 12 NA Aug 08
YZF-R15 2.0 1.33 lakh 149.8 17/8500 15/7500 6 136 4.89 130.3 12 NA Dec 11

YAMAHA to HERO
FUEL EFFICIENCY
ELECTRIC START
ALLOY WHEELS
ACCELERATION
(Rs, OTR PUNE)
CAPACITY (cc)
PEAK TORQUE
*Ex-showroom
KERB WEIGHT
PEAK POWER
NUMBER OF
(0-60 km/h)
TOP SPEED
FUEL TANK
OVERALL
Nm/RPM
PS/RPM
TESTED
RATING
ENGINE
GEARS
(km/h)
(litres)
(km/l)
PRICE
ABS
(kg)
YZF-R3
We Say: A credible twin-cylinder supersport motorcycle.
Also See: Benelli TnT 300, Kawasaki Ninja 300, KTM RC 390
YZF-R3 3.69 lakh 321 42/10750 29.6/9000 6 169 NA NA 14 NA NA NA
MT-09
We Say: The roadster motard we were all waiting for.
Also See: Benelli TnT 899, Kawasaki Z800, Triumph Street Triple, Speed Triple
MT-09 ABS 10.20 lakh* 847 115/10000 87.5/8500 6 191 NA NA 14 NA NA NA
FZ1
We Say: The biggest and the baddest FZ there is.
Also See: Aprilia Tuono V4R, Benelli TnT 1130, BMW S 1000 R, Honda CB 1000R, Suzuki Bandit 1250S
FZ1 11.43 lakh* 998 150/11000 106/8000 6 214 NA NA 18 NA NA NA
YZF-R1
We Say: MotoGP derived technology places the new R1 among the best superbikes in the world.
Also See: Aprilia RSV4, BMW S 1000 RR, Honda CBR 1000RR, Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R, Suzuki GSX-R 1000
YZF-R1 22.34 lakh* 998 200/13500 112.4/11500 6 199 NA 300 (L) 17 NA NA NA
YZF-R1M 29.43 lakh* 998 200/13500 112.4/11500 6 200 NA 300 (L) 17 NA NA NA
VMAX
We Say: A 200-PS naked street bike.
Also See: Ducati Diavel, Triumph Rocket III
VMAX 27.35 lakh* 1679 200/9000 166.8/6500 5 310 NA NA 15 NA NA NA
Competition Bikes & Off-road Vehicles

KAWASAKI www.kawasaki-india.com
KLX110
We Say: Non road-legal dirt bike for your kids to start on, finally.
Also See: No options
KLX110 2.65 lakh* 112 7.3/7500 8.0/4500 4 76 NA NA 3.8 NA NA NA
SUZUKA www.suzukaracingmotorcycles.com
SRM250
We Say: NA.
Also See: NA
SRM250 AC 2V 3.40 lakh 223 16.3/7000 17.5/5500 5 115.5 NA 120 6 NA NA NA
SRM250 LC 2V 3.45 lakh 223 16.3/7000 17.5/5500 5 115.5 NA 120 6 NA NA NA
SRM250 4V 3.65 lakh 250 22.4/8500 20/7000 5 116.5 NA 135 6 NA NA NA
ATV
We Say: NA.
Also See: Suzuki Ozark 250
A24 110 1.76 lakh* 110 7.5/NA NA A NA NA 65 NA NA NA NA
A54 125 1.78 lakh* 125 8.1/NA NA A NA NA 65 NA NA NA NA
A64 250 1.93 lakh* 250 17/NA NA A NA NA 80 NA NA NA NA
ATV
We Say: NA.
Also See: Suzuka A64 250
Ozark 250 QuadRunner 5.45 lakh* 246 NA NA 5A 199 NA NA 9.5 NA NA NA
QuadSport Z400 8.45 lakh* 398 NA NA 5 193 NA NA 9.1 NA NA NA

GBU
FUEL EFFICIENCY
ELECTRIC START
ALLOY WHEELS
ACCELERATION
(Rs, OTR PUNE)
CAPACITY (cc)
PEAK TORQUE
*Ex-showroom
KERB WEIGHT
PEAK POWER
NUMBER OF
(0-60 km/h)
TOP SPEED
FUEL TANK
OVERALL
Nm/RPM
PS/RPM
TESTED
RATING
ENGINE
GEARS
(km/h)
(litres)
(km/l)
PRICE
ABS
(kg)
Scooters
APRILIA www.aprilia.com/in_EN
SR 150
We Say: Exciting moto-scooter, and the most affordable Aprilia.
Also See: No options yet
SR 150 75,300 154.4 10.4/6750 11.4/5500 V 122 6.9 102.06 7 NA Nov 16
SRV
We Say: An easy-going, but quick and extremely potent city ride which also loves the highway.
Also See: No options yet
SRV 850 ABS ATC 17.89 lakh 839.3 76/7750 76.4/6000 V 249 NA NA 18.5 NA NA NA
HERO MOTOCORP www.heromotocorp.com

PLEASURE
We Say: Great looks and goodie-loaded, this is the ideal jump for the econo-commuter who wants more.
Also See: Honda Activa, Suzuki Lets, TVS Scooty Zest
Pleasure 50,047 102 6.8/7000 7.8/5000 V 104 12.18 80.9 5 47 Feb 06
MAESTRO EDGE
We Say: New Hero 110-cc scooter wants to have an edge over the competition.
Also See: Honda Dio, TVS Wego, Yamaha Fascino
Maestro Edge LX 57,370 110.9 8.4/8000 8.3/6500 V 109 10.37 88.7 5.3 52 NA NA
Maestro Edge VX 58,466 110.9 8.4/8000 8.3/6500 V 110 10.37 88.7 5.3 52 Jun 12
DUET
We Say: In-house 110-cc premium scooter set to be the new flagship scooter.
Also See: Honda Activa 3G, Suzuki Swish, TVS Jupiter Yamaha Ray Z
Duet 56,058 110.9 8.4/8000 8.3/6500 V 116 10.37 88.7 5.3 52 NA NA
HONDA www.honda2wheelersindia.com
ACTIVA i
We Say: Revised the scooter market and is an improvement over the old Activa.
Also See: Suzuki Lets, TVS Scooty Pep+, Hero Pleasure
Activa-i 51,398 109 8/7500 8.74/5500 V 103 8.49 90 5.3 63.5 Sep 13
ACTIVA 3G
We Say: More power and big improvement overall compared to its smaller-engined sibling.
Also See: Suzuki Access, TVS Wego, Yamaha Ray-Z
Activa 3G 54,798 109 8/7500 8.83/5500 V 108 10.8 89 5.3 53.5 May 09
ACTIVA 125
We Say: More power and big improvement overall compared to its smaller-engined sibling.
Also See: Suzuki Swish, Vespa VXL125, Yamaha Fascino
Activa 125 61,311 125 8.67/6500 10.12/5500 V NA 7.76 92 NA 46.75 NA NA
Activa 125 Deluxe 65,857 125 8.67/6500 10.12/5500 V NA 7.76 92 NA 46.75 Jun 14
DIO
We Say: An Activa with good looks. Pillion foot rest is a pain though.
Also See: Suzuki Lets, TVS Scooty Zest, TVS Jupiter
Dio 53,114 109 8/7500 8.6/5500 V 106 10.49 93 5.3 54.75 Mar 12
AVIATOR
We Say: Positioned for the premium market. Good, but expensive.
Also See: Suzuki Access, TVS Jupiter, Yamaha Fascino
Aviator 56,184 109 8.1/8000 8.8/5500 V 102 10.83 83 6 52 NA NA
Aviator (Disc) 61,847 109 8.1/8000 8.8/5500 V 102 10.83 83 6 52 3 3 5 Dec 09

HONDA to YAMAHA
FUEL EFFICIENCY
ELECTRIC START
ALLOY WHEELS
ACCELERATION
(Rs, OTR PUNE)
CAPACITY (cc)
PEAK TORQUE
*Ex-showroom
KERB WEIGHT
PEAK POWER
NUMBER OF
(0-60 km/h)
TOP SPEED
FUEL TANK
OVERALL
Nm/RPM
PS/RPM
TESTED
RATING
ENGINE
GEARS
(km/h)
(litres)
(km/l)
PRICE
ABS
(kg)
LML www.lmlworld.com
SELECT
We Say: NA
Also See: Suzuki Access, Mahindra Duro, Mahindra Rodeo, Mahindra Flyte
Select 4 (ES) 50,978 149.5 8/5500 13.2/3500 4 123 NA NA 8 NA NA NA
STAR EURO
We Say: NA
Also See: Honda Activa 125, Vespa VXL150
Star Euro 150 (ES, Disc) 57,918* 150.8 9.5/8000 NA CVT 112 NA NA 7 NA NA NA
Star Euro 200 Funky (ES) 61.793* 199.9 9.25/6250 19.9/4000 4 122 NA NA 5.5 NA NA NA
MAHINDRA 2WHEELERS www.mahindra2wheelers.com

GUSTO
We Say: Smart scooter with many practical aspects.
Also See: Honda Activa, Suzuki Lets, TVS Scooty Zest
Gusto DX 47,600* 109.6 8.1/7500 9/5500 CVT NA 14.1 76.4 6 45 NA NA
Gusto VX 51,600* 109.6 8.1/7500 9/5500 CVT NA 14.1 76.4 6 45 Nov 14
GUSTO 125
We Say: More power to go with more gusto.
Also See: Honda Aviator, Suzuki Access, TVS Jupiter
Gusto 125 DX 49,700* 124.6 8.7/7000 10/5500 CVT NA NA NA 6 NA NA NA
Gusto 125 VX 53,700* 124.6 8.7/7000 10/5500 CVT NA NA NA 6 NA NA NA
RODEO
We Say: Flyte gets a style change.
Also See: Honda Aviator, Suzuki Swish
Rodeo UZO125 49,860* 124.6 8.15/7000 9/5500 V 106 NA 87 4.5 NA NA NA
LETS
We Say: A lightweight 110cc automatic Suzuki
Also See: Honda Activa-i, Mahindra Rodeo, TVS Scooty Zest, Yamaha Ray
Lets 60,700 112.8 8.83/7500 9.0/6500 V 98 9.58 92.9 5.2 49.75 Aug 14
SWISH
We Say: The Access gets a sporty look
Also See: Honda Dio, Mahindra Rodeo, Yamaha Fascino
Swish 125 65,600 124 8.7/7000 9.8/5000 V 110 7.77 92.6 6 42.2 May 12
ACCESS
We Say: Effortlessly quick and a nimble handler but priced on the higher side.
Also See: Honda Activa 125, Mahindra Gusto 125
Access 125 65,800 124 8.7/7000 10.2/5000 V 102 9.7 102.12 5.6 43.25 Jun 16
TVS www.tvsmotor.co.in
SCOOTY PEP+
We Say: An engine upgrade makes it even more desirable.
Also See: Honda Activa, Hero Pleasure, Mahindra Gusto
Scooty Pep+ 49,165 87.8 5/6500 5.8/4000 V 95 12.2 74 5 50.67 Nov 05
SCOOTY ZEST
We Say: Venerable badge gets a larger heart and contemporary design.
Also See: Honda Activa i, Suzuki Lets, Yamaha Alpha
Scooty Zest 110 55,843 109.7 8.02/7500 8.8/5500 V 98.5 7.94 90.4 5 51 Dec 14

GBU
FUEL EFFICIENCY
ELECTRIC START
ALLOY WHEELS
ACCELERATION
(Rs, OTR PUNE)
CAPACITY (cc)
PEAK TORQUE
*Ex-showroom
KERB WEIGHT
PEAK POWER
NUMBER OF
(0-60 km/h)
TOP SPEED
FUEL TANK
OVERALL
Nm/RPM
PS/RPM
TESTED
RATING
ENGINE
GEARS
(km/h)
(litres)
(km/l)
PRICE
ABS
(kg)
WEGO
We Say: A good city runabout.
Also See: Honda Activa, Honda Dio, Hero Pleasure
Wego 59,808 109.7 8/7500 8/5500 V 105 10.35 84 5 40 Jan 10
JUPITER
We Say: Good features and comfort for the price.
Also See: Hero Maestro, Honda Dio, Yamaha Fascino
Jupiter 57,289 109.7 8/7500 8/5500 V 108 9.98 88.78 5 43 NA NA
Jupiter ZX 59.351 109.7 8/7500 8/5500 V 108 9.98 88.78 5 43 Nov 13
VESPA www.vespaindia.com
VXL
We Say: If you love retro, buy the Vespa.
Also See: Honda Activa 125, Aviator, Suzuki Access, TVS Jupiter.
VXL 125 89,570 125 10.06/7500 10.6/6000 V 114 9.36 101 6 45.25 Jun 13
VXL 150 97,230 150 11.6/7000 11.5/5500 V 114 NA NA 6 NA NA NA
VXL 150 70th Anniversary 1.08 lakh 150 11.6/7000 11.5/5500 V 114 NA NA 6 NA NA NA
SXL
We Say: Be there or be square? Square is cool.
Also See: Aprilia SR 150, Honda Aviator, TVS Jupiter.
SXL 125 94,500 125 10.06/7500 10.6/6000 V 114 9.36 101 6 45.25 NA NA
SXL 150 1.01 lakh 150 11.6/7000 11.5/5500 V 114 NA NA 6 NA NA NA
946
We Say: The most expensive single on sale.
Also See: No alternatives. If you want more power, walk through the showroom to the Aprilia SRV 850.
946 Emporio Armani 12.05 lakh* 125 11.55/8750 9.6/7750 V NA NA NA 8.5 NA NA NA
YAMAHA www.yamaha-motor-india.com
CYGNUS RAY
We Say: Stylish scooter with a Yamaha badge.
Also See: Honda Dio, Suzuki Lets, TVS Wego
Ray Z 57,696 113 7.1/7500 8.1/5000 V 104 9.48 86.31 5.2 42.5 Nov 12
Ray ZR 60,662 113 7.2/7500 8.1/5000 V 103 9.48 86.31 5.2 42.5 NA NA
Ray ZR (Disc Brake) 63,446 113 7.2/7500 8.1/5000 V 105 9.48 86.31 5.2 42.5 Oct 16
CYGNUS ALPHA
We Say: Practical city runabout with large underseat storage.
Also See: Honda Activa-i, TVS Scooty Zest, Hero Maestro
Alpha 58,198 113 7.2/7500 8.1/5000 V 105 NA NA 5 42.5 Apr 14
Alpha (Disc Brake) 61,784 113 7.2/7500 8.1/5000 V 105 NA NA 5 42.5 NA NA
FASCINO
We Say: The lightest scooter yet from the Yamaha stable.
Also See: Honda Activa 3G, Hero Maestro, Mahindra Gusto, TVS Jupiter,
Fascino 62,541 113 7.1/7500 8.1/5000 V 103 8.64 89.35 5.2 NA Oct 15

GBU
Electric Scooters
ACCELERATION
ACCELERATION
*Ex-showroom
*Ex-showroom
KERB WEIGHT
KERB WEIGHT
WHEELBASE
WHEELBASE
0-20 (KM/H)
0-20 (KM/H)
RANGE Km
RANGE Km
PRICE (Rs)
PRICE (Rs)
VOLTAGE
VOLTAGE
POWER
POWER
(mm)
(mm)
(KG)
(KG)
BSA www.bsamotorsindia.com WAVE DX
Top speed: 25 km/h
STREET RIDER Tested: NA
* ex-showroom, Chennai
Top speed: 25 km/h Wave Dx 35,750* 48V 250W - 105 - 70
Tested: NA Extra Miles 38,500* 48V 250W - 117 - 100
Street Rider 36,600 48V 250W 1260 75 - 70
E-SPRINT
Top speed: 45 km/h
ELECTROTHERM www.yobykes.in Tested: Aug 11
* ex-showroom, Delhi
E-sprint 37,997* 48V 800W - 91 - 65

ELECTRON ER
Top speed: 25 km/h CRUZ
Tested: Aug 11 Top speed: 25 km/h
YO Electron ER 22,200* 48V 250W - 81 NA 65-70 Tested: Aug 11
Cruz 34,750* 48V 250W - 91 - 75
XPLOR
Top speed: 25 km/h ZION
Tested: NA Top speed: 25 km/h
YO Xplor 31,705* 48V 250W - 91 NA 55-60 Tested: NA
Zion 32,990* 48V 250W - 74 - 70
SPARK
Top speed: 45 km/h PHOTON
Tested: Aug 11 Top speed: 45 km/h
YO Spark 34,000* 48V 900W - 114 4.5 60 Tested: NA
Photon 40,750* 48V 1.5kW - 111 - 50
EXL
Top speed: 55 km/h
Tested: Aug 11
LOHIA AUTO www.lohiaauto.com
FAME
YO EXL 37,500* 48V 1kW - 115 NA 55-60
Top speed: 25 km/h
Tested: Aug 11
HERO ELECTRIC www.heroelectric.in Fame 28,999 48V 250W 1270 70 NA 60
MAXI GENIUS
Top speed: 25 km/h Top speed: 25 km/h
Tested: Mar 09 Tested: Aug 11
Maxi 31,750* 48V 250W - 75 - 70 Genius 29,999 48V 250W 1230 89 NA 60
OPTIMA PLUS OMA STAR

Top speed: 25 km/h Top speed: 25 km/h
Tested: Mar 09 Tested: Aug 11
Optima ++ 34,250* 48V 250W - 82 - 70 Oma Star 31,499 48V 250W 1230 89 NA 60
Oma Star DX 36,500 48V 250W 1230 89 NA 60
Bajaj Dominar 400 Harley-Davidson Street 750

NEW THIS MONTH
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Prices start at just Rs 1.36 lakh Yours from Rs 4.91 lakh
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6
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JANEM 1716 TOTAL PAGES 14
20
0056
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T
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LUME 12
VOLU ISS January
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VO lement with
EL ICA
16-page supp
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ass
A D
ic R A
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CIA mance
SPE& Perfor R E P L
H-Ds
Transforming racer ila n heading yo
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bikes from M
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Siz16zl LETg to a Street 750 in
O K
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Bajaj Dominar
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Duke
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PUBLISHING
PUBLISHING
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16
Classic & Performance
Supplement with
NORTON V4
January 2017 issue
SS AND RR
NEXT-LEVEL 1,200
TAKES SHAPE,
AND HOW!
DUCATI
900SS
PUBLISHING
02
Bike India | January 2017 | Published on the 23rd of every previous month
NORTON BREAK 200

Having recovered from the blow dealt by the Nemesis, Norton,
the famous British marque, shows remarkable tenacity and
resilience with the V4 SS and RR, both powered by a 200+PS
engine designed in-house by the Donington Park-based company
WORDS: ROLAND BROWN | PHOTOGRAPHY: NORTON
NORTON V4 RR
03
Published on the 23rd of every previous month | January 2017 | Bike India
NORTON BOSS STUART GARNER hadnt wanted a high-

profile unveiling for his latest project, but that didnt
prevent the flash-guns from popping and the crowds
gathering when the covers came off the V4 SS and RR. The sleek,
fully-faired super-sports bikes packed a 1,200-cc V4 engine beneath
carbon-fibre bodywork and featured high-quality hlins and Brembo
chassis components, plus state-of-the-art electronics, including a
Bosch IMU and a rear-facing camera.
The venue was Motorcycle Live, the annual late-season show in
Birmingham that follows Colognes Intermot and Milans EICMA, and
rarely sees major model launches. But this years visitors saw a pair of
all-new Nortons: the limited-edition V4 SS, clad in bare carbon, and the
slightly less exotic but glitzier, chrome-coated V4 RR (both models will
be available in either finish) that will follow it into production.
Both models are powered by a 200+PS engine of Nortons own design.
The main difference is that while the SS has a hand-welded tubular
aluminium frame and a single-sided swingarm machined from billet
aluminium, the RR has cast frame and swingarm. The bikes will be
assembled by hand at Nortons base at Donington Park, barely 50
kilometres away from the National Exhibition Centre and from the
famous factory at Bracebridge Street, Birmingham, which was the firms
base until the 1960s.
The V4s are the fruition of an ambition to produce a road-going
superbike that Garner has nurtured ever since buying troubled Norton in
2008. The marque is famous for performance and racing. Its history
stretches back, through famous bikes with names like Dominator, Manx
and International, all the way to the Peugeot-engined V-twin that won
the first-ever Isle of Man TT in 1907.
There were glory years in the 1980s and early 90s, too, with rapid
rotary-engined bikes that won the British Superbike championship
and Senior TT, and led to the stylish if flawed F1 street bike. In more
recent times, however, that history had become faded and the
Norton name sullied, most notoriously by the Nemesis. A
futuristic 1,500-cc V8 concept machine with a fanciful
claimed output of 280 PS, it was launched in a blaze of
publicity in 1998 but never came close to production
before being abandoned, leaving numerous
investors out of pocket.
Those dark days seem a long time ago following
the unveiling of the V4, which follows the Nemesis
in having a streamlined shape and high power
output but differs dramatically in every other
respect. This latest V4 is a genuine, meticulously
engineered superbike that Norton have been
developing in partnership with the global
consultancy, Ricardo, and which is on course to enter
production, on schedule, in the second half of 2017.
It was always our ambition to have a modern
performance platform. I first started thinking seriously
about this five years ago, and it will be another three to five
years before its fully ongoing, confirms 47-year-old Garner. Its
difficult at the time to accept that its going to take seven to 10 years
to execute the master plan, but it is and it does.
04
Beautiful triple-clamp is Hand-welded frame, billet swingarm, race exhaust

machined from billet aluminium and carbon wheels set the SS apart from the RR
Beautifully carved seat with the Artistry is present everywhere, The shiny one is the RR with cast frame,
Norton emblem looks amazing even in the rear-sets swingarm and forged wheels
struggled for results and faced criticism for powering its race bike with
the 1,000-cc V4 engine from Aprilias RSV4.
Whichever the model, But recent progress has been impressive, with Australian rider David
Davo Johnson lapping at over 210 km/h this year en route to finishing
the V4 is a visually seventh in the Superbike TT. And with the V4 roadsters release it
becomes clear that going racing with the Italian engine had been part of
and technically Garners long-term plan to create a home-built V4 superbike.
I understand why people were sceptical, saying we put an Italian
remarkable bike that is engine in a British bike and called it a Norton, he says. But there was a
bigger plan, and you can see the fruition of that now weve rolled out an
set to restore Nortons status all-British superbike platform. If wed said thats what we were doing
years ago, everybody would have laughed.
as a manufacturer of high- We wanted to make a road bike with a V4 engine, so we put the Aprilia
engine in the chassis and started to learn chassis geometry. We couldnt
performance motorcycles learn chassis geometry without a reliable engine because we would be
breaking down, so we made the decision to put a trusted engine into the
chassis platform and get to know the chassis. In the last couple of years
weve been putting the whole package together.
Garner hopes to get the 200-strong batch of V4 SS units built before the
You cant run before you walk. We suffered a little bit of that with the end of 2017, but wont commit to exact dates. First we want to destroy a
Commando in 2009 and 2010, when we over-promised and under- few engines, make sure the bikes fully refined. Theres a big electronics
delivered. So we wound it back a little bit and understood a little bit package on there that needs to be calibrated. We want some of the TT
more about what were doing. We said that 100 per cent were doing a lads to be involved. Ive been chatting to Steve Plater this morning about
performance sport bike, but first we need to get the Commando project a test programme, and getting Davo [David Johnson] back over in the
right and get the business on a solid footing and bring it to market. New Year.
If the V4s shape and chromed finish (with the name of sponsor and Thats the mission over the next few months: to get some of the test
watch-maker Bremont) are familiar, thats because the new roadster is riders that developed the chassis and the geometry to perfect the
closely related to the series of Aprilia-powered SG race bikes with which calibration and electronics, and make sure everything blends together.
Norton have competed at the Isle of Man TT since 2012. The team initially Weve given ourselves six months for that but if it needs to stretch a little
05
Norton V4 RR [SS]
Price: 28,000 (Rs 24 lakh)[44,000] (Rs 38 lakh) in the UK
ENGINE
Configuration: Liquid-cooled 72 V4
Valve-train: DOHC, 16 valves
Displacement: 1,200 cc
Bore x Stroke: 82 x 56.8 mm
Compression ratio: 13.6:1
Fuelling: Electronic fuel-injection system, constantly variable inlet tracts
Maximum Power: 200+ PS at 12,500 rpm
Clutch: Wet, multi-plate, slipper
Transmission: Six-speed, with two-way quick-shifter
CHASSIS
Type: Tubular aluminium frame
Front suspension: Inverted telescopic hlins NIX30, adjustments for preload,
compression and rebound damping
Rear suspension: hlins TTXGP damper, adjustments for preload,
compression and rebound damping
Front brake: Two, four-piston Brembo monobloc callipers, 330-mm discs
Rear brake: Twin-piston Brembo calliper, 245-mm disc
Front Wheel: 3.50 x 17 inch; forged aluminium [carbon-fibre]
Rear Wheel: 6.00 x 17 inch; forged aluminium [carbon-fibre]
Rake/trail: Adjustable (23.9 rake standard)
Wheelbase: 1,430 mm
Seat height: Not disclosed
Tank capacity: 18 litres
Weight: 179 kg dry
bit towards the end of 2017, we wont rush at all. When its ready, its private road show to dealers and directors. Its just an easier way for a
ready. Then well build the 200 units of the SS, deliver those and then go small business like us to drive that dealer network.
on to the RR version. We start in the UK, well get Euro 4 markets, then get the bike in the
Remarkably, Garner reports that all 200 units of the SS are sold, States. That will take us to 2018 with US approvals. By the time weve got
despite a price-tag of 44,000 (Rs 38 lakh) that is more than double that Euro 4 and the States, most of the other territories in the world swing
of Ducatis 1299 Panigale S. Many buyers, it seems, are repeat customers. from one of those two, so that pretty much throws a net over global
Like all brands, we get one or two people having a knock at us on the distribution.
forums, but the proof is in the pudding. Were getting a lot of people with Production of the V4 RR will not be capped, although Garner says he
Commandos or Dominators ordering one, and theyre only ordering the will pause orders at 250, to prevent the delayed delivery that annoyed
V4 because theyve had something from the 961 platform and enjoyed some customers following the Commandos launch.
the bike. Now theyre showing the confidence in the brand by buying Meanwhile, Norton will be pressing ahead with the next stages of the
another one, so there cant be too much wrong. plan: firstly removing the fairing to create a super-naked V4, and then
Norton certainly seem to have earned plenty of trust, despite having commencing serious development of the 650-cc parallel twin family,
struggled with some teething problems following the Commando 961s using the same top-end engine architecture, that is also an integral part
introduction in 2009. We know we delivered some of those Commandos of the overall strategy.
too early, and some of those bikes came back under warranty. But we got We put together the V4 on both the faired and the naked basis, so you
our heads down and put it all right, we looked after the customers and can expect to see a really nice motorcycle when its got its clothes off. Its
theyve shown us a bit of goodwill back. Weve had a really positive week on the drawing board but at the minute its some way away because
here, with a lot of owners coming back, having a drink, and filling in an these bikes have been so well received that were busy lads. We need to
order form. let the dust settle, and get the SS and RR into production and up to
Predictably, the majority of early orders for the V4 were from Britain, scratch, and make a great job of that.
but Garner does not expect that to continue. The Commando platform Garner intends to keep Norton relatively small, and wont be trying to
is 80 per cent export. Were at the UK show today so interest is bound to increase production dramatically. Were not volume-driven. Were not
be mainly here, but over the next six or 12 months I imagine it would go trying for 50,000 or 100,000 units a year. If were paying the bills, making a
into a similar pattern of mainly exports. new motorcycle and theres enough money in the tin for the next one,
But that wont mean appearances at major exhibitions worldwide. were happy.
Were doing things slightly differently because were not the size of the As the proud owner departs to have yet another photo taken with the
big manufacturers. Well put the bikes in crates, and in the next month shimmering silver Norton that is the undoubted star of the show, its
Im in Tokyo, Dubai, LA, New York and across Europe, just to do a very clear that he and Norton have a great deal to be happy about.
06
NORTON V4 TECH
Its difficult to argue with Nortons claim that the V4 SS and RR are the
firms SG5 Isle of Man TT racer reborn, complete with the firms own V4
engine in place of the race bikes Aprilia unit. Or with the assertion that
Nortons pair will be the most powerful and technically advanced British
motorcycles ever produced.
With its smoothly curved bodywork and tubular aluminium frame, the
Norton bears a distinct resemblance to the Triumph T595 Daytona, which
announced the Hinckley firms arrival as a serious superbike
manufacturer when it was launched 20 years ago. Triumph seems to
have abandoned sports bikes, despite the success of that triple and its
successors, so old rival Nortons challenge seems particularly well-timed.
Norton CEO Stuart Garner and design chief Simon Skinner considered
a triple, in-line four and even a V5 before settling on the V4 engine layout,
after asking themselves, What would the engineers who designed the
Manx race bikes do now? Even after deciding on a V4, and starting work
on the RSV4-engined race bike with which development would begin, key
decisions remained.
We talked about all sorts of capacities but in the end we decided on
1,200 cc, because physically we can make it small enough to be a nice,
compact motorcycle, and we could make the power that we needed
without doing the sort of engineering development that BMW and the
Japanese have been doing, says Skinner. Peak power output is a
claimed 200-plus PS at 12,500 rpm, with a maximum torque figure of
130 Nm at 10,000 rpm. Whether it was 205 or 210 PS didnt make much
difference, but it had to begin with a two.
NORTONS FAST BIKES

Rem Fowlers TT Winner Model 18 Manx 30M Dominator 88 Dominator 650SS
In 1907, five years after Nortons road-going range The firms 500-cc, The 500-cc Dominator In 1960 Norton introduced
James Pa Norton had was boosted in 1922, when overhead-cam CS1 and Model 7, designed by Bert the slimline Featherbed
begun producing the side-valve Model H International singles were Hopwood and launched in frame, whose narrower
motorcycles, racing success motor was converted to stars on road and racetrack 1949, was a useful parallel dimensions made for a
gave his struggling overhead valve operation, in the 1930s. Success twin rival to Triumphs more manageable bike.
company a boost when Rem producing the Model 18. continued after World War II popular Speed Twin. But Two years later came
Fowlers Peugeot-engined Two years later, Alec with the Manx, which was Nortons challenge moved perhaps the best twin of all:
machine won the twin- Bennet rode an OHV updated in the early 1950s up a gear three years later the 650SS Dominator. Its
cylinder class of the first Isle Norton to victory in the TT, with the smooth-handling, with the introduction of 646-cc, high-compression
of Man TT. A year later, and the firm also won the twin-loop Featherbed the Featherbed-framed engine produced a
Norton began production of sidecar race. But Pa Norton frame. The Manx won Dominator 88, whose competitive 50 PS, and its
single- and twin-cylinder had been diagnosed with countless races worldwide, improved handling and handling justified Nortons
bikes using engines of his bowel cancer, and died the and three world titles reduced weight helped advertising line: The
own construction. following year, aged 56. ridden by Geoff Duke. make it a big success. worlds best road holder.
1 2 3 4 5
07
Norton also decided to use a 72-degree cylinder angle, rather than consultancy, VPRO, which was taken over by Ricardo shortly after the
follow the RSV4s 65 layout. From the engine point of view you want a project had begun. That was a massive bonus because we had access
90 V, because then you have better balance. From the chassis point of to all the Ricardo PLC, a global company, and all its technology and
view you want to narrow the angle, so its a compromise between the information. They havent made an engine for us, its been very much a
two, Skinner says. I think a 72 V looks aesthetically a lot nicer, for collaboration. We sat in their design office and they set in our design
when we put it into a naked bike further down the line. Also, throttle office, and between us we made a motorbike.
management is a little easier with the 72 because you have a bit more Chassis dimensions, and even weights, are the same for both SS and
room between the cylinders. RR models, despite their different frame and swingarm construction.
Skinner is happy to admit that a naked V4 has been considered from Theyre not a million miles apart. The billet swingarm on the SS takes
the inception of the project. We designed the engine to be beautiful. I about 35 hours to make thats where the extra money goes. The RR
didnt want to do a sports bike and take the fairing off; I wanted to do a has a cast frame and swingarm, forged rather than carbon-fibre wheels,
beautiful naked bike and put a fairing on. All the electronics are and just a standard road exhaust [a twin-pipe, under-seat system]. With
packaged within the motorcycle, that was one of the big challenges. We the SS you get carbon wheels and a race exhaust as well.
considered putting the water pump inside the motor, but that The SS also has machined-from-billet triple clamps and footrest
compromised the weight too much so its on the outside but weve assemblies, while the RR makes do with forged aluminium parts. Both
tucked it in as nicely as we could. models get hlins NIX30 forks, TTXGP shock and adjustable steering
The electronics package incorporates almost all the latest damper; and a Brembo brake system featuring 330-mm front discs and
developments, including keyless ignition, data-logging, multiple riding radial monobloc callipers. They also share the under-seat fuel-tank,
modes and two-way quick-shifter, plus adjustable traction-control, which holds 18 litres and is made from Kevlar-reinforced carbon-fibre.
wheelie-control, launch-control and cruise-control. The V4 even treads Norton claim a dry weight of 179 kg for both bikes.
new ground with a full-colour display incorporating a rear-view camera, Whichever the model, the V4 is a visually and technically remarkable
though Skinner admits its legality is yet to be confirmed. From our point bike that is set to restore Nortons status as a manufacturer of high-
of view its much safer: you can see backwards, not the inside of your performance motorcycles for the first time since the old firms ageing
elbows. But the law doesnt necessarily see it like that. Commando 850 was outclassed by Hondas CB750 almost half a
The engine was designed in conjunction with locally based specialist century ago.
588 rotary, Steve Spray F1 rotary Nemesis Dominator SS

A new Norton era began in In 1990, Norton released Nortons darkest hour came British businessman Stuart Garner bought Norton in
1987 with the 588-cc rotary- a road-going rotary sports in 1998, when its Canadian 2008, and revived American engineer Kenny Dreers
engined Classic, after over bike, the F1, which made owners unveiled the new-generation Commando project before launching
15 years of low-budget 95 PS and featured an prototype Nemesis. Its the Commando 961. The roadster inspired a track-only
development. In 1989 when aluminium frame plus British designer Al Melling special, the Domiracer, in 2014, followed a year later
a group of workers, led by high-quality suspension. claimed the 1,500-cc V8 by a street-legal version, the Dominator SS, with
engineer Brian Crighton, Its smooth performance made 280 PS and would be similar caf-racer styling.
built a 135-PS, aluminium- matched that ofJapanese produced in six months
framed rotary racer that 600s but it ran poorly at time, with push-button gear- 9
won two UK National low revs, was prone to change, active suspension
championships, ridden by overheating and was also and perimeter disc brakes.
Steve Spray. Steve Hislops expensive. Few were sold Inevitably, the project was
Senior TT win in 1992 was before production was abandoned without coming
another Norton highlight. abandoned close to reality.
6 7 8
08
Britains take on
09
an American Classic
10
DUCATI 900SS
11
ADULATION
REINFORCED
To the 19-year-old Italian-bike fanatic with
his nose pressed up against the glass, this was
quite simply the most desirable motorcycle in
the world. This is the bike that Roland coveted
intensely as a teenager. The sentiment remains
unaltered notwithstanding the passage of years
WORDS: ROLAND BROWN | PHOTOGRAPHY: JACK BURNICLE
12
THE MOMENT I SAW it, I knew the 900SS had to be mine. The drink and other non-essentials.
silver-and-blue Ducati stood in the window of the specialist The whole idea was absolute madness. But Ducatis 900SS affected
Italian superbike dealer near my parents house, completely people that way back in the 1970s, just as its successor, the 1299
overshadowing every other machine in the showroom with its unique Panigale, doubtless does four decades later. Then as now, for many
blend of aggressive styling and supremely purposeful engineering. To the riders there was nothing to touch the range-topping V-twin sportsters
19-year-old Italian-bike fanatic with his nose pressed up against the blend of looks, character, engine performance and handling ability.
glass, this was quite simply the most desirable motorcycle in the world. Some rival superbikes had more power (though not much more); many
The year was 1979, so the Ducati would have been several years old, provided exciting performance with far greater practicality. But for sheer
but its condition was immaculate and so far as this aspiring superbiker sporting speed and style, the 900SS got my vote every time.
was concerned, the original-model 900SS was the best. This bikes price Like more recent Ducatis, the original 900 Super Sport owed much to
was well below that required for a new Ducati, I had my old Triumph the marques successful racing exploits in this case the prestigious
Bonneville to trade in, plus a drawer full of banknotes hoarded from nine Imola 200 event of 1972, in which the Bologna factorys pilots, Paul
months of labouring work since leaving school. Half an hour later I had Smart and Bruno Spaggiari, scored a famous one-two against a strong
reached a deal with the salesman, agreeing to pay the balance in line-up of works opposition, including Agostini on a 750-cc MV Agusta.
instalments over the months to come. The following year Ducati produced a small batch of 25 road-legal
Sadly, I never did buy that Ducati. I cant remember whether it was my production racers, closely based on the winning bike and originally
age, the fact that I didnt have an official job, or both, but the dealer called the Imola Replica.
wouldnt sell me the bike without a signature to confirm that my parents Such was the overwhelming demand that Ducati quickly built more of
would take over the monthly payments if necessary and my father the 750SS, as the model became known. Like the first replicas, each was
refused to sign. He was right, of course. I was due to start a university fitted with a fibreglass fuel tank and neat half-fairing, and was finished in
course in six months time, and you cant run a bike like Ducatis 900SS on silver with light green frame tubes. The engine was the 748-cc V-twin
a student grant and holiday jobs, even if you are prepared to forgo food, engine from Ducatis 750GT and 750 Sport models, uprated with
13
Open Conti exhaust pipes deliver

an encouragingly deep bark Ducati 900SS (1975)
Price: NA
ENGINE
Configuration: Air-cooled, 90 V-twin
Valve-train: SOHC, desmodromic
eight valves
Displacement: 864 cc
Bore x Stroke: 86 x 74.4mm
Compression ratio: 9.5:1
Fuelling: Twin 40-mm DellOrto
carburettors
Maximum Power: 80 PS at 7,000 rpm
Clutch: Wet, multi-plate
Transmission: Five-speed
CHASSIS
Twin drilled discs with single-piston
Type: Tubular steel frame
callipers and, of course, no ABS
Front suspension: Marzocchi
telescopic, no adjustment
Rear suspension: Twin Marzocchi
shock absorbers, adjustable preload
Front brake: Twin 280-mm
Brembo discs with single-piston
callipers
Rear brake: Single 229-mm
Brembo disc, single-piston callipers
Front Tyre: 3.50 x 18 Pirelli Phantom
Rear Tyre: 120/90 R18 Pirelli Phantom
Rake/trail: Adjustable (23.9 rake
standard)
Wheelbase: 1500 mm
Seat height: 770 mm
Tank capacity: 18 litres
Weight: 188 kg (dry)
desmodromic valve operation, high-compression forged pistons and beautiful proportions. The whole bike is starkly functional, from the clip-
polished engine internals. A total of about 200 were built, several of on bars, racy half-fairing and twin drilled Brembo discs at the front to the
which were raced successfully during 1974. rear-set foot-rests and the storage area (accessed via a zip) in the hump
For 1975 Ducati produced the 900SS, by replacing the smaller engine of its thinly-padded single seat. Theres no electric starter, no indicators,
with a V-twin unit based on that of the existing 860GT model. This used a no unnecessary flab at all. Every component is there for a reason, and
bigger 86-mm bore with the original 74.4-mm stroke, giving a capacity of that reason is speed.
864 cc. Fabio Taglionis V-twin engine format had already become a The 900SS could always be a temperamental beast, and a frustrating
Ducati trademark: air-cooled cylinders set at 90 degrees, with bevel drive morning spent with a scruffy and hard-to-start borrowed example some
to single overhead camshafts. Like the 750SS, the new bike featured years ago had dimmed my teenage adulation. But theres a distinct
desmo valvegear, polished conrods, 40-mm DellOrto carbs and free- knack to starting the SS, and this bike responded every time. After
breathing Conti pipes. Peak power output was 80 PS at 7,000 rpm at the kicking the motor over a couple of times and freeing the clutch you ease
crankshaft, or 69 PS at the rear wheel. the engine over compression on its first cylinder. Then turn ignition and
This Ducati, one of the very first 900SS models, is unusual in that it was petrol on, tickle both huge carbs for what seems like ages, open the
effectively a 750SS fitted with the bigger engine. Its frame is stamped as a ridged Verlicchi throttle a quarter-turn, and kick. The motor invariably
750 component; other parts, including the fairing, instruments, fuel tank fired immediately, with a deep and utterly gorgeous bark through the
and rear brake, are subtly different from those of the majority of 900SS open Contis.
bikes built in 1975. It has been restored to award-winning splendour by This bike emphatically was not built for slow-speed riding, as the
its owner, Andy Graveson, who thinks it is one of the first ever batch of briefest of journeys through town confirmed. Its riding position stretches
900SS models, built using chassis left over when production switched you out over the long tank, with feet high though not particularly
from the 750SS. cramped. The front end absorbed bumps reasonably well but the firmly
Whatever this Ducatis precise origins, theres surely no denying that its suspended rear clanked over potholes hard enough to make me pick my
various components combine to produce a machine of classically way around road blemishes that Id barely have noticed on many bikes.
14
Stark functionality with

no unnecessary flab
The 900SS remained

rock-solid at speeds
that would have had several
of its contemporaries
Evolved 900SS got bigger
weaving all over the road 86-mm bores and made 80
PS; note the right-side shifter
A tall first gear didnt help in town either, although at least the engine asset of all, and even decades later it was easy to see why. On one
was docile even at low speeds, feeling smooth and delightfully torquey 140-km/h curve the SS handlebars began to feel a bit vague, but the
as it sucked loudly through the big unfiltered DellOrtos. And when I rest of the time the bike simply went just where it was pointed. Its
reached the open road the Ducati immediately came into its own. Given combination of light weight, efficient steel-tube frame, long-wheelbase
a simple twist of the throttle it surged towards the horizon, picking up geometry and Marzocchi suspension parts at front and rear made for
speed smoothly and with a seamless power delivery, its exhaust note fairly slow steering and a wonderfully unshakeable cornering feel.
hardening to a crescendo as the revs approached 7,000 rpm, the start of This bikes forks were set up slightly too soft, allowing the fairing to
the red zone, with 1,000 rpm still to come before the absolute rev limit. touch the front mudguard given ultra-hard use of the powerful twin
In 1975 the 900SS came with a right-foot gear-change, and a down-for- cast-iron front Brembos. But the rest of the time the Ducatis chassis
up pattern that meant every change required concentration. Despite worked fine, the forks soaking up bumps effectively and the bike
slight wear in the lever the change was pretty good (later left-foot refusing to be diverted from its line, even when the stiff rear shocks
conversions were regarded as less precise, due to the complicated kicked back over bumps in the road surface. The 18-inch wire-spoked
linkage). The Ducati could be flicked easily through its five-speed box wheels held Pirelli Phantom tyres that looked laughably narrow by
given a helping blip of the throttle with each downchange. Once in top I modern standards, but they gripped well and the Ducati could be
was often tempted to leave it there on fast roads, relying on the V-twins cranked over hard enough to make good use of ground clearance that
torque to send the bike charging out of bends with a machine-gun like was very generous by 1970s standards.
roar from its pipes. All in all, it was a magical experience, riding this lovingly cared-for old
In a straight line the Ducati was capable of about 215 km/h in V-twin. Before I did so, I was a bit worried that even this superb
standard trim; good enough to see off almost all opposition in 75. More example would not live up to expectations; that Id finally have to
importantly for road use, it cruised at 160 km/h with a nonchalant, admit that the original 900SS was nothing like as good as Id believed
long-legged ease. The half-fairing was very effective for fast riding, all those years ago. On the contrary, I came away from this test buzzing
giving a lot of protection provided I crouched down behind the screen. from the Ducatis brilliance and with my adulation reinforced. All of
No doubt the fairing contributed to the Ducatis legendary stability, too. which has led to one big problem. My original desire to buy one has
The 900SS remained rock-solid at speeds that would have had several returned almost as strongly as before and all these years later, a
of its contemporaries weaving all over the road. clean and original 1975-model Ducati 900SS is still one fearsomely
High-speed handling was always regarded as the Ducatis greatest expensive motorbike.
15
RNI NO. MAHENG / 2005 / 15682

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68 Interview: Vikram Pawah

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