Every year, Bike India awards the most outstanding motorcycles launched during the past year with the accolades they deserve. [Read more…]
Suzuki Two-wheelers unveil two new offerings
Suzuki Motorcycle India Limited (SMIL) have updated their product portfolio in India with the launch of two more offerings – the Suzuki Gixxer motorcycle and the Let’s scooter. [Read more…]
Indian Motorcycles enter India
Indian Motorcycle Company, the only real American metal challengers to the iconic Harley-Davidson brand, have finally entered India with their range of Chief motorcycles; comprising three exceptionally detailed models. [Read more…]
Café Racer Extraordinaire: Triumph Thruxton 900
The Café Racer scene has suddenly become a hot topic with the launch of the Royal Enfield Continental GT. While their Café Racer is good and all (it won among the greatest accolade of them all: Indian Motorcycle of the Year), there is only so much you can do with 535cc and 29.1 PS from a big single. Enter Triumph, quite literally, with their range of classic British motorcycles; one of which is the Thruxton 900.
As far as Café Racers go, the Thruxton 900 is as good as it gets. The proverbial ‘ton-up’ speed, or 161 km/h, is easily achievable, and it can cruise around at that speed all day, if necessary. However, that’s not what it’s about. It’s a hardcore classic, quick British racer and it brings the substance to match its style. That substance comes from an 865cc, liquid-cooled parallel-twin engine making 69 PS at 7,400 RPM and 69 Nm at 5,800 RPM. Those numbers effectively spell out effortless acceleration and loads of grunt. With its typical Café Racer riding position, you ride seated back, crouched over the tank with a low set of handlebars – not really the ideal position for everybody or for a long highway ride. Either way, if you have Rs 6.7 lakh plus tax, insurance and what not to spend, you will surely not be disappointed.
The 2014 Thruxton 900 Café Racer is very likely to will be shown along with the rest of the range at the upcoming Auto Expo. Triumph Motorcycles India are working full force, trying hard to get their dealers up and running as soon as possible, while looking at new dealer partners in more cities across the countries. Triumph officially launched their bikes on November 28, with prices starting from Rs 5.7 lakh ex-showroom.
Story: Jim Gorde
Images: Triumph Motorcycles
Indian showcases Custom ‘Big Chief’
The International Motorcycle Show in New York City saw American two-wheeler veterans Indian unveil a completely customised version of their Chief Classic motorbike called the ‘Big Chief Custom’. [Read more…]
Indian Motorcycle Roar In this January
Cult motorcycle brand, Indian, are all set to arrive in India early next year. The big cruiser maker will introduce three variants of its Chief motorcycle on January 22.
For the enthusiast and cruiser loyalist, Indian is the only competitor to the legendary Harley-Davidson brand. Their big cruiser will take on the likes of H-D’s Touring range inch-for-inch and pound-for-pound. The Chief line of motorcycles will see three variants: the Chief Classic, the Chief Vintage, and the Chieftain. All three will be powered by the all-new Thunder Stroke 111 cubic inch engine, which raises the bar for style and the power. The 1,811cc, 49-degree V-Twin motor pumps out an estimated 100 PS and a massive 161 Nm of torque. A 6-speed overdrive transmission sends power through the belt drive setup. The numbers aside, what are your three choices?
The first bike in the lineup, the Chief Classic, will bring all the styling bits which make it quintessentially Indian: the long, sweeping fenders, body work and laced wheels bathed in chrome, genuine leather saddle, and, of course, the signature Indian Chief head front-fender-ornament. You also get a host of modern amenities like keyless ignition, throttle-by-wire, ABS and cruise control.
The second is the Chief Vintage, the soft bagger of the range, which takes styling to a new level. Handcrafted details like the needle-stitched leather seat and a pair of leather fringe saddle-bags; with a quick release mechanism, as well as a big windscreen which has a similar quick-release setup. The Chief Vintage is ‘the ultimate signature bike created by Indian enthusiasts for Indian enthusiasts’, in the words of the company.
The third variant is the Chieftain, which builds upon the heritage of the company while looking into the future. It brings an enveloping touring fairing complete with a power windscreen, faired-in headlamps as well as a USB interface for smartphones and music players. The hard saddle-bags have a quick-release setup with remote locks. Basically, everything you need for a long and enjoyable journey on the road.
The official launch is set towards the end of January and information on pricing and availability will become clear only then. Considering that the range starts from $18,999 (Rs 11.75 lakh approx) in the US, and that the range will be imported entirely as CBU units, we expect pricing to start from about the Rs 20 lakh mark in India, no less.
Story: Jim Gorde
Suzuki announce ‘Dabangg2 Dumdaar, Hayate Shaandar’ contest winners
In their endeavour to promote their products, manufacturers come up with innovative new schemes and contestsintended to catch the fancy of the consumer. [Read more…]
Video: New Ducati Hypermotard by Nicky Hayden feat. Ruben Xaus
To promote their stonking new Hypermotard, Ducati have roped in their MotoGP star Nicky Hayden and the result is truly a stunner. [Read more…]
Video: DC Shoes, Robbie Maddison’s AIR.CRAFT
For car junkies, DC Shoes has the peerless Ken Block whose sideways antics in his Gymkhana videos have racked up millions of hits on YouTube. [Read more…]
Book Review: The Making of a Motorcyclist : A Memoir
Even in this age of e-books and widespread self-publishing, good motorcycling books are few and hard to come by. So it is always a pleasant surprise when sheer serendipity lands in our hands a copy of a page-turner. [Read more…]
