All you need to know about the Suzuki Gixxer SF race bike and the Gixxer Cup
August 2015
This month we celebrate the 10th anniversary of Bike India with an action packed issue that sees us circumnavigating the Golden Quadrilateral – an epic 6,000 km ride on the Triumph Speed Triple and Street Triple motorcycles. We also conquer 10 Himalayan high altitude passes that we believe should feature on every die-hard motorcycle tourer’s bucket list with the Suzuki Gixxer SF. But capping them all off is our never-before-attempted (or accomplished) feat of covering 10,000 km on Indian highways in just 10 days with the Benelli TnT 600GT.Pick up your copy of the latest 10th anniversary issue of Bike India from a news stand near you to enjoy an action packed month of reading, or subscribe to Bike India magazine for your monthly dose of two-wheeled motoring mantra.TO SUBSCRIBE
Exclusive Video Review: Bike India rides the Ducati Panigale R
Bike India was one of only eight automotive media organisations from around the world, and the only Indian one to be invited by Ducati to ride the fearsome Panigale R at the legendary Imola race track. You can watch our Editor, Aspi Bhathena’s take on the Panigale R right here [Read more…]
July 2015
THE RIGHT LINE
THE MOTORCYCLE MARKET WITNESSED A DE-GROWTH of three per cent in May 2015, and, to make matters worse, the meteorological department has forecast a below-normal monsoon; in fact, a drought-like situation. This will not augur well for the sales of new motorcycles since most manufacturers are looking towards the rural areas for growth rather than the urban market.
The traffic situation has become a serious problem in India — it is worse than the Wild West. No one gives a damn about traffic rules and if someone tries to correct them, they become aggressive and belligerent. It is high time the police took decisive action against such offenders. Some manufacturers like HMSI are making an effort to educate people about traffic rules by setting up traffic safety parks where everyone from children to adults are taught traffic rules.
The Indian National Motorcycle Racing Championship has got under way with record entries in the new group ‘C’ class, and this year there will be a Gixxer Cup one-make series along with the Honda, TVS and Yamaha one-make series.
There are a couple of issues in the Indian motorcycle racing championships, the first of which is the lack of cross-manufacturer racing in the national championship. Manufacturers do not want to lose, so they stick to one-make series. The second issue is that the organisers are reluctant to introduce championship for 12- and 14-year-olds, for that is where the young talent lies, not among the 18-year-old and above since their ‘sell by’ date is over.
It’s a shame that we do not have a single rider representing India in the Dorna Honda Asia Talent Series. Countries like Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia have three to four riders taking part in it. It is high time the FMSCI, manufacturers and the organisers of these championships rectified this lacuna. Having raced myself, it is very sad to see the standard of racing in the country even with so many manufacturers involved in racing today.
ASPI BHATHENA EDITOR
Friction gains Traction
A web series for auto enthusiasts
Pune based content creators Cycling Octopus are floating a web video series named Friction for automotive enthusiasts. The eight part series is available on the Cycling Octopus YouTube channel and each episode features an automotive personality and their work.
The creative team at Cycling Octopus started working on the concept more than a year ago along with a few automotive enthusiasts from the city with the aim of sharing and celebrating the rich heritage and history of Pune ‘road culture’ as they describe it. Friction was launched on 10th May 2015 in association with Let’s Make Better Productions and released one episode every week thereafter.
The videos are well-made and come across as a sincere effort to inspire people to follow their passion. So the next time you are online, search for Cycling Octopus on YouTube to enjoy the Friction series.
Guy Martin and Triumph target land-speed record
Can Triumph break the land-speed record using not one, but two turbocharged Rocket III engines? [Read more…]
BMW R 1200 GS TripleBlack revealed
BMW Motorrad have announced a series of updates to their range for the next model year, and have also announced the hot, new R 1200 GS TripleBlack Edition.
The TripleBlack version of the R 1200 GS – arguably the most popular all-purpose tourer globally was created in response to customer requests for an all-black colour theme. With its mostly black paint finish, the TripleBlack exudes a meaner, more aggressive character, and, to some extent, even looks leaner; though we all know how big it really is!
The areas which receive the Black treatment are the central fuel tank cover, fuel tank side-panels and front mudguard, which are finished in Black Storm Metallic. Together with black anodised forks, they give the legendary travel enduro bike a more masculine touch. Further accentuations come from the front and rear frame in Agate Grey, which is in combination with the engine, gearbox and swing-arm. The TripleBlack also gets the cross-spoke wheels with black gloss rims from the bigger R 1200 GS Adventure, which were previously available only as special equipment. A new black-grey seat with striking ‘GS’ (Gelände-Straße) designation rounds off the styling changes for the new R 1200 GS TripleBlack.
The engine is the same 1,170-cc Boxer-twin motor with 125 PS at 7,750 and 125 Nm at 6,500 RPM, more than ample for this 240-kg enduro/touring motorcycle. Dynamic changes for 2016, which span across the model range, include ABS Pro, which is now banking-optimised for greater stability in the bends. The Dynamic Brake Light also makes an appearance in EU markets, giving road users a quicker, faster-decipherable alert under panic braking with its fast-flashing function.
We wish to see the TripleBlack launched in India as well. For now, the R 1200 GS is available from Rs 18.60 lakh, while the larger Adventure is available for Rs 20.75 lakh, both ex-showroom.
Story: Jim Gorde
Benelli sales cross 100 in three months
DSK Benelli opened up their Bengaluru outlet recently, and, given the massive superbike enthusiasm in the south, the company has accomplished record sales figures of 100 bikes in a span of just three months.
The company celebrated this benchmark by organising a ride wherein all the 100 DSK Benelli owners participated. The ride was conducted between Bengaluru and Kolar.
Commenting on the occasion, Shirish Kulkarni, Chairman, DSK Motowheels said, “Bengaluru, in recent times, has emerged as a city with a particular fondness for motorsports. Since the launch of our exclusive showroom for DSK Benelli superbikes, we have received an overwhelming positive response. The remarkable feat of achieving 100 superbike sales in three months in Bengaluru alone, not only highlights the brand value and customer patronage of DSK Benelli, but also demonstrates the growing market for superbikes in India.”
Benelli have five models on sale in India: the TnT 300, 600i, 600 GT, 899 and 1130, with the TreK Amazonas also expected to arrive shortly.
Ready to Race
The fully faired sport motorcycle trend is a relatively recent phenomenon. Yamaha were the first to deliver a purpose-built small-capacity sport bike in the form of the R15 a few years ago and then Honda gave us the CBR 250R and then 150. However, KTM have probably given us the first set of bikes that are genuine sport bikes that make no pretension to wanting to be put to commuter use. Here’s our take on the RC 390 and the 200
Apex Racing announce team line-up for 2015
Apex Racing of Bengaluru have announced their team line-up for the Indian National Championship season of 2015. [Read more…]
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