Jim Gorde

Kawasaki are famous for introducing their new offerings with a bang. Currently going viral on the internet is a teaser video from their Japanese website, which hints at a new bike from their Z-line. Although nothing has been disclosed, we bet that the bike featured in this video might just be one of the upcoming 2014 Z1000, Z800 or Z250 models.

The Japanese marque is pretty secretive when it comes to unveils and launches of new offerings in the global market. Company officials have hinted that the mystery machine will be unveiled on November 5 – two days ahead of EICMA 2013. For now, we, like many other enthusiasts, will have to endure the waiting game.

“Z Sugomi Call of the Wild” – official teaser video:

Picture source: Oliepeil

Suzuki have confirmed that their highly anticipated 1,000cc adventure-touring motorcycle, the V-Strom, is all set for its grand unveil soon. Ever since officials at Suzuki first showcased its concept back at the 2012 INTERMOT, many enthusiasts were eager to get their hands on this masterpiece.

The V-Strom features a radical 90°, 1,037cc V-twin engine producing 99 PS and 103 Nm of torque. There are due changes to the pistons, cylinders, cylinder heads, crankshaft, con-rods, radiator and clutch to aid the 1,037cc superbike-class engine for its new role in performing off-roading duties with ease. Under the skin is also a company-first traction control system on a production motorcycle, along with ABS. What will likely really tickle your touring fancy is the bike’s 25 km/l claim, and new 480 km range on a single tank, with its 19.7 litre capacity.

Although Suzuki officials have not yet revealed any information regarding the pricing of the 2014 V-Strom, the adventurer-tourer is expected to be priced around the $12,500 (Rs 7.8 lakh) mark in the US and £10,000 (Rs 10 lakh) in the UK. We hope Suzuki India gets the V-Strom to our shores soon.

Story: Sayem Syed

John Abraham, Bollywood star and avid biker that he is, was recently handed the keys to an Aprilia RSV4 by parent company Piaggio. The RSV4, which is one of the few production high-performance motorcycles in the world to use a V4 engine, is famous for its 294 victories at the Road Racing World Championship.

John was delighted at finally getting to own what he said was his ‘dream bike’ and expressed his gratitude to Piaggio for handing him a bike so highly sought after in the biking circuit.

Ravi Chopra, Chairman and Managing Director, Piaggio Vehicles Private Limited said that the company was glad to offer John the experience that only a true biker would understand. He expressed the company’s pleasure at John becoming an owner of the RSV4, which had been ‘a revolution on the global motor racing scene’.

Aprilia are the reigning World Superbike Champions, having won the Rider’s and Manufacturer’s world titles in 2012. They also hold the record for the most wins of any European manufacturer in the history of competitive motorcycle racing. They also hold 51 world titles, including 38 in the Road Racing World Championship (20 in the 125cc- and 18 in 250cc-class), 4 in Superbike (Rider and Manufacturer double win in 2010 and 2012) and 9 in Off Road disciplines (7 in Supermoto and 2 in Trial).

Piaggio are on an expansion roll in the country. Apart from their Vespa brand, which already has its fair share of dealerships, the company also has Aprilia and Moto Guzzi. The company recently opened another showroom in Bangalore, Tuono Motors, to add to their presence in the country after Gurgaon and Pune.

Story: Jim Gorde

Japanese motorcycle marque Yamaha have taken the wraps off their new offering for the global market – the 2014 YZF-R1 “Race Blu”. The YZF-R1 is well known to be quite a head-turner with its jaw-dropping looks, that being said, the new “Race Blu” livery is simply stunning. The 2014 R1 had its debut at Silverstone during the British MotoGP and Yamaha officials had claimed that this special livery has been based on the factory Yamaha racing team colours.

And boy! The new YZF-R1 is quite an attractive design with its matte black and shiny blue paint; it’s certainly many an enthusiast new poster-boy. Although on the technical side of things there is no change at all, Yamaha officials are banking heavily on the “Race Blu” livery to sell like hot-cakes on a global scale.

While many would agree that technicians at Yamaha should have changed the new R1 on the technical front as well, we think with Yamaha we would have to play a waiting-game till maybe 2015. Pricing of the 2014 YZF-R1 has not yet been revealed.

Story: Sayem Syed