2019 Kawasaki Ninja H2R; Price: Rs75 lakhFew things remind us that we’re already in the future we’ve so ambitiously visualised. Among them are superbikes. The frequency of superbike spotting is higher, and with new advances and sustainable measures to make them smarter, we can only expect the trend to pick up going ahead.
If you’re in the market to pick a superbike that suits your need, there are some key factors you would need to tick off your list. Style, for one, is the most important factor. While your bike will give you an unmatched experience, it also brings immense viewing delight to the onlookers. Next, is performance. While city-dwellers do not get to stretch the legs of their superbikes too often, if you are going in for one, let it be one that can pick up and fly away, with the slightest effort. And finally, you’ll need a bike that can be taken care of without having to worry about acquiring parts, when things go awry. We’ve handpicked our choicest favorites that you could lay your hands on.
Also read: Brough Superior, Indian Motorcycle, Triumph, Jawa: You won't stop drooling over these beauties
2019 Kawasaki Ninja H2R
The Ninja's name comes on top every time you think of a city-ready superbike. Kawasaki has launched the Ninja H2R in India with its incredible connectivity and accessibility features that make it a futuristic dream. The bike connects to your smartphone via the Rideology app, giving you an integrated view of their riding data and telephone features. It retains the 998cc in-line 4-cylinder supercharged engine, producing 325bhp at 14,000rpm with a 6-speed transmission. Even with everything nearly unchanged, it is 22kg lighter than the H2 Carbon, making it a lot more agile than its siblings.
BMW S1000 RR; Price: Rs18.5 lakhBMW S1000 RR
Talk of good looks, and the BMW S1000RR wins the pageant hands down. Contributing to this are the symmetric LED headlights that seem to be a correction of the erstwhile design. The German makers have ensured that they could keep things as digital as is possible. As a result, there’s a large TFT display that has just about everything within one bezel. While the looks and tech are impressive, the real deal lies in the 1000cc 4- cylinder engine that pumps 203.8bhp at 13,500rpm with a torque of 83.3 lb-ft at 10,500rpm. The S1000 RR can take you from 0 to 96.5kmph in 3 seconds.
Triumph Steel Triple; Price: Rs9 lakhTriumph Steel Triple
Displacing its predecessor from 2017, the Triumph Steel Triple rolls in with all things Triumph. It now runs on a responsive engine and is lighter with a dynamism that would surprise you on a test-ride. It is aggressively styled and looks like a panther that has just sprung out of its ambush. The 765cc engine offers 79Nm peak torque and 5 riding modes that are optimised to match your expectations across various scenarios. If the swiftness of the bike doesn’t turn heads, then the deep roar will surely do the trick. Triumph spoils with over 50 custom accessories that are up for grabs.
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Ducati Diavel 12; Price: Rs19 lakhDucati Diavel 12
The company claims that the Diavel 1260 is here to rob the scene, and that may not be a tall claim. Like all Ducatis, it is built for a great ride. It employs the 159hp Testastretta DVT 1262 engine. The bike gives you more room to express yourself with three Riding Modes and three Power Modes. It’s the kind of cruiser you need with you, especially when you’re conquering tricky curves and incredible straights. It balances its muscular and slender personalities wonderfully. The design is an ergonomics masterclass with a higher handlebar, lower seat, and central footpegs for all those endurance runs.
Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade; Price: Rs18 lakhHonda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade
Honda’s CBR range has consistently captivated the imagination of bike-lovers for years. It’s mostly the kind of superbike you just go for, without having to ask opinions about how good it is. The CBR1000RR-R Fireblade is a powerhouse with a 1000cc DOHC inline four-cylinder engine that rates at 215hp at 14,500rpm and 83 lb-ft torque at 12,500rpm. It can touch speeds of just under 300kmph, making it one of the quickest superbikes you can lay your hands on. The digital TFT display takes care of all the information and monitoring needs you may have when you’re cutting through the air at these insane speeds.
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Yamaha YZF R1; Price: Rs19.8 lakhYamaha YZF R1
When you hear about the YZF R1 getting an uplift, the excitement of the news is difficult to contain. With 197bhp and 113.3Nm torque at 11,500rpm, the 4-cylinder engine delivers in ways you would only expect from this rich lineage of superbikes. Yamaha has paid special attention to ensure that the emissions of the YZF R1 are more environmentally responsible. The design has been touched up too, with a new matte-finished mud-guard, tail unit flanks, and a revised front fairing that improves the aero-efficiency by 5 per cent.
