Best Bikes in India | No.1 Two Wheeler Magazine
The India Bike Week – a grand culmination of motorcyclists from the country took place at Aamby Valley in Lonavla this year. The even saw thousands coming from various parts of the country to celebrate motorcycles. Hero Motocorp – the country’s largest two-wheeler manufacturer had debuted at the India Bike Week this year.
Disregard the attractive price tag for a moment, because Suzuki have uprated the 150-hp naked bike for 2021. The engine is now Euro 5-compliant, revs an extra 1,000 rpm, and, although quoted peak torque is down, Suzuki assure us the torque curve is smoother and fatter than earlier. There are new electronics, a new dash, an up-and-down quick-shifter as standard, and conventional traction control (TC) with greater refinement. There is a bold new look as well
This is more of a tweak than a complete overhaul and, remember, the roots of this engine date back to the GSX-R1000 K5 from 2005. Capacity, bore and stroke, and compression are the same as before, with new camshafts, camchain, and valve springs, along with a new slipper clutch among the most significant changes. There is also a completely new exhaust (to meet Euro 5 norms) along with smaller and lighter electronically controlled throttle bodies. The 40-millimetre throttle bodies (down from 44 mm) have been designed to give a smoother feeling upon opening.
The end result is an increase from 150 hp at 10,000 rpm to 152 hp at 11,000 — not a huge step. However, the increase in rpm is interesting. Peak torque is down from 108 Nm at 9,500 rpm to 106 Nm at 9,250 rpm, but the all-important torque curve is now smoother, with a noticeable increase in the mid-to-high rpm range.
The Suzuki sounds a little old school and makes a charismatic induction noise much like an older GSX-R1000. I do not mean this to be derogatory, far from it. I have always liked the sound of the in-line four-cylinder; it sounds meaty.
[Read more…]The most sophisticated Tuono with a new Marelli ECU, combined with an all-new five-inch colour TFT dash, allows more innovative rider aids than ever. New looks, a higher revving V4, a new swing-arm, and a new aerodynamic package — it is the best Tuono to date. Having spent a day on track at Misano MotoGP racetrack in Italy, we came back highly impressed by this motorcycle. Here is how and why
You could say Aprilia have a slightly unfair advantage as they smartly fitted an Akrapovic silencer to the test bikes, to simply add to the amusement around Misano. It does sound amazing, even at tick-over. I know from experience that Aprilia’s V4 has always had a distinctive “character” but now, with more revolutions per minute (rpm) to play with (300 rpm more) this has amplified the experience to over-indulgent levels.
Leaving the famous pit-lane at Misano, the new Factory sounds magnificent, the V4 blasting pulsating vibrations off the pit wall. Out on to the track on pre-heated Pirelli slicks (no need to warm them up), the bike is straight into it, accelerating hard to join the swarm of Italian racers already up to race speed.
The noise is lovely, what a voice! This is escorted by the smoothest of quick-shifter changes I have experienced on a road bike. The changes are quick, perfectly matched in rpm; it is as if the peg, selector, and gearbox have been purposely designed for me.
The iconic Vespa badge is 75 years old, with over 19 million Vespas sold worldwide since 1946. Parent company Piaggio are celebrating with special editions of the scooter for the UK market, only available through 2021. The Vespa Primavera and GTS Super Tech models are available in this exclusive trim, with 75th anniversary graphics on the side panel and front mudguard, and a retro yellow paintjob. Accessories include a chrome luggage rack with a bag that is designed to look like a spare wheel mounted behind the pillion.
While these anniversary models have been launched in the UK at £ 4,900 Rs 5.03 lakh) for the Primavera, £ 6,100 (Rs 6.27 lakh) for the GTS Super Tech 125 and £ 6,650 (Rs 6.83 lakh) for the GTS Super Tech 300, we still don’t know if Piaggio India are also planning anniversary versions for the Indian market.
Speculations are that the Harley-Davidson Roadster 300 developed in partnership with Qianjiang Motorcycle of China will make its debut in India as soon as next year under the new Hero MotoCorp and Harley-Davidson partnership.
Motul have entered into a two-year agreement with the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) International Six Days of Enduro (ISDE) to hold lubricant and maintenance exclusivity at the event.
Grand Prix Racing legend Randy Mamola will compete on a custom drag-racing bike based on an Indian Scout Bobber from the Workhorse Speedshop stable.
Super Soco will be selling limited Ducati edition CUX e-scooters. [Read more…]
We were invited to get a taste of the new 2019 Ducati Scrambler 800 line-up in stunning Khao Lak, Thailand. [Read more…]
American cult bike makers Harley-Davidson have surprised the world by announcing that the company is diversifying and looking to enter multiple segments including the 250 to 500-cc segment in the coming decade. [Read more…]
