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Not very surprising to be honest. Ducati has always had a lower capacity sportsbike in their line-up along with the flagship. The motorcycle seen in the picture above can be the scaled down Ducati sportsbike of the current generation.

Rumours of an 899 Panigale have been around for some time now and with the Milan motorcycle show (EICMA) just a couple of months away, the possibility can’t be denied.

It is evident that the design of the bike is based on the 1199 Panigale. It may be powered by the rumoured 899cc version of the Panigale’s 1198cc Superquadro engine or an upgraded and strengthened version of the 849.4cc engine powering the 848 Evo as the bike looks frameless like the 1199 Panigale. If so, it will have a power output of about 150 PS, with peak torque of over 100 Nm.

However, there are significant differences, like the two-sided swingarm instead of the trademark Ducati single-sided one. It may also feature lower spec brakes, suspension while omission of LED lights and some of the electronics can’t be ruled out.

We shall find out in two months when Ducati presents their model year 2014 at EICMA. Follow Bike India for more news about the show.

Story: Piyush Sonsale

If you thought Harley-Davidson trimming its model line recently was a bit absurd, this is why. Project Rushmore isn’t about one or two new motorcycles, it’s the start of an all-new journey!

At a recent dealer meet in Denver, Colorado, Harley-Davidson announced Project Rushmore, a new direction so to speak, which is a product development effort to deliver a range of innovative, customer-focused enhancements to the touring range. The changes that will come about will result in improved power and braking performance, enhanced rider ergonomics and dramatic styling updates.

The new models under the project include eight new Harley-Davidson models for 2014, including the Road King, Street Glide, Street Glide Special, Electra Glide Ultra Classic, Ultra Limited, Tri Glide Ultra, CVO Ultra Limited and CVO Road King. The resulting gains from Project Rushmore improve not just performance, but also allow for better control and feel, while upping the style quotient. Project Rushmore bikes pass faster, stop quicker and see farther at night, thus inspiring rider confidence. Each model features the new Twin-Cooled, High-Output, Twin-Cam 103, or the High-Output, Twin-Cam 103 powertrains, Reflex Linked Brakes with ABS and Daymaker LED and dual halogen lighting.

Updated aerodynamics and ergonomics together improve comfort. The new Batwing fairing with split-stream venting reduces head buffeting by 20 percent. The ride for passengers is also highly improved with wider and deeper seats together with new back and arm rests. The form and the function of many components are improved. A reshaped Tour-Pak and saddlebags with easy-to-use one-touch latches, sleeker fenders, lighter aluminium wheels and more intuitive hand control switches make their presence felt. On the infotainment front, new Boom!-Box infotainment systems with colour-screen feature the first original-equipment voice recognition and touchscreen for music, GPS navigation and phone in motorcycling, with quality audio, Bluetooth connectivity, text-to-speech technology, plus support for intercom and CB communications in a single module.

The Dyna range meanwhile has received an upgrade from the 96 cubic-inch (1,584cc) motor to the larger 103 cubic-inch (1,690cc) one found in the Softail and Touring lines. The Street Bob, Super Glide Custom and Fat Bob will thus, soon arrive with bigger hearts, bringing more power and torque. Harley-Davidson will also offer the Sportster range with the Security Package option which brings in anti-lock brakes and the smart keyless security system.

We expect all these upgrades and the new range of Project Rushmore Touring models to make their way to India next year. Stay tuned for updates and reviews of these new big H-Ds.

Story: Jim Gorde

If you remember, about three years ago, Japan’s Kawasaki Heavy Industries founded the India Kawasaki Motors Pvt. Ltd. (IKM), the Indian subsidiary for their motorcycle business. Over the years the Japanese company with partners Bajaj Auto have launched some amazing piece of machinery in our country in the shape of the Ninja 250R, 650R and more recently the Ninja 300, which are sold from the latter’s Pro-Biking showrooms.

But the twist in the story is that now IKM is setting up individual showrooms in key motorcycle markets of our country, beginning from our very own Pune. The work at the Pune dealership is in full swing and would commence operations soon, to cash on the festive season. The first two models to be offered from the Kawasaki showroom would be the landmark model Ninja ZX-14R and the popular litre-class Ninja ZX-10R brought in as CBU (Completely Built Up) units.

Many enthusiasts from the Indian motorcycle fraternity have been waiting with bated breath for the ZX-14R. Powered by a 1441-cc motor capable of over 200 PS, this large and comfortable supersport comes equipped with Kawasaki ‘s acclaimed ram-air system that has a unique design to channelise air towards the engine. The company’s website claims it to be ‘the world’s fastest and most powerful production bike’. Need we say more?

While the Ninja ZX-10R is comes with the race winning Kawasaki superbike DNA, powered by a sweet 998cc, inline-four engine that also churns out close to 200 PS offering smooth yet stunning performance. With its sharp handling it can truly give European bikes a run for the money.

According to people close to the project, Kawasaki would be launching the bikes in the month of September, with the Ninja ZX-10R priced around Rs 15 lakh, while the Ninja ZX-14R would set you back by about Rs 17 lakh (ex-showroom).

Story: Sarmad Kadiri