We all have a soft corner for big and expensive motorcycles. It is not only about the bragging rights but also about the build, the performance and the technology that they bring to the table. The new motorcycles are smarter than ever, safer so to say and indeed faster be it on or off the tarmac. So here is a list of motorcycles to look out for if you are planning to get yourself something special.
Ducati 939 Hyperstrada & 939 Hypermotard
The Hyperstrada and the Hypermotard have always been twins. While the Hypermotard is a street-focussed supermoto motorcycle, the Hyperstrada is more of an enduro tourer built on the same platform. The 939s will replace the current 821s with their Euro 4-compliant engines.
MV Agusta Brutale 800
MV Agustas are exotic motorcycles built to enliven the senses with their beauty and performance rather than lap times. The Brutale 800, the smaller of the two MV Agusta streetfighters, is set for its India debut this year. The middle-weight naked rocket is devoid of electronics and to own one you will probably have to shell out an arm and a half.
Ducati Supersport
The Ducati 959 Panigale has been a great success for Ducati in India as their entry-level sport bike. With buyers warming up to the brand again, the Italian motorcycle maker is set to launch another sport bike – the Ducati Supersport. The Supersport will not be as focussed as the Panigale and will be easier to deal with for daily chores and will be powered by the new 937cc L-twin.
Ducati Multistrada 950
The Ducati Multistrada is the flagship amongst cross-country tourers across the globe with its dynamic capabilities, electronics and features list. It also has a price to match that features list, and hence Ducati is building a smaller Multistrada with their newly developed 937cc Euro 4-compliant engine. The features list might not be as comprehensive, but the capabilities will not be compromised at all.
Honda Africa Twin
Adventure motorcycles are the new flavour in global motorcycling and Honda’s Africa Twin has had our hearts racing already. As per the latest news, the Africa Twin is slated for a mid-2017 debut and we hope we get it in both the manual and the dual-clutch automatic forms. We will not be surprised if its pricing surpasses all our expectations.
Special mention: Aprilia Shiver
The middleweight naked motorcycle segment in India is growing and the next one to join the fray is the Aprilia Shiver 750. The all-new 749cc V-twin develops 94bhp of power and will compete with the Kawasaki Z800, the Triumph Street Triple, the Ducati Monster 821 and the Yamaha MT09. We think Aprilia might price it aggressively, closer to the Kawasaki than others.
Special mention: BMW 310 range
BMW has partnered with TVS, the Indian motorcycle maker, to develop a new single-cylinder range of motorcycles. However, what the G310 R does is make it sustainable for BMW Motorrad to sell its premium range of motorcycles in the Indian market. Expect the range to be CBU imports when the G310 R launches, and gradually move to CKD for the popular models.
