10 bikes we need in India
1. Norton Commando 961: Cafe racer bikes are still a rarity in India. But with the rise of motorcycle sales and popularity, hi-end bikes are finding many takers. Norton Commando 961 is exactly the bike which is not meant for the takers of Yamaha R1 and Honda CBR. Norton Commando 961 is more of a grown up and efficient competitor of Royal enfield bikes.
The bike looks like nothing on the market at the moment. While the Ducati Streetmonster looks a thousand bucks, the Norton has the charisma of a retro bike that is less archaic than the enfield and demands respect. The Norton F1 engine is a 961cc machine capable of 80 bhp and instead of being high tech, the engine boasts of the British spirit which makes driving cafe racers extremely fun.
Many might argue that the brand is not as well known as a Ducati for the same price, but all it will take is a drive on this Commando.
2. KTM 300XC: The last 2-strok motorcycle we got to enjoy in India was the Yamaha RX-Z. The bikes were sold in extremely low numbers and dealers did not even put the vehicles through proper PDI (pre delivery Inspection). But KTM along with ATK/Maico are the only major remaining 2-stroke motorcycle makers of capacities bigger than 250cc. KTM now owned majorly by Bajaj Auto is all ready to enter India with their Duke 200 model in the next 48 hours. This also opens opportunities to get to buy the KTM 300XC in India. The success of Hero's Impulse motorcycle is already proof that Enduro bikes are the in thing. 1-cylinder 2-stroke engine, water-cooled engine is so light, the bikes total weight comes to only 104kgs/ 229lbs.
A major drawback faced by this motorcycle would be the image of 2-strokes as gas sippers. Also the low capacity engines of 2-stroke machines may be found lacking on paper compared to its capability and Just like SUV's, this KTM is not going to see any endurance drives.
3. Moto Guzzi Griso: Unconventional is the in thing in India. Hence we need Moto Guzzi. The Griso stands out in the crowd of mass produced motorcycles and that is its primary USP. The huge cylinders coming out on either sides reminds one of a BMW boxer engines but Moto Guzzi is as Italian as it can get. We also need the bike because we only have the conventional Japanese trodding our streets and we have every right to style in a democratic economy.
The bike feels great between the legs thanks to the wide engine and fuel tank design providing a stance that is midway between a cruiser and a street biker.
4. Cagiva Mito 525: To be successful, a motorcycle needs three things. Rocket pace, good looks and heritage. Enter The Cagiva Mito. This bike is powered by a 125cc 2-stroke powerplant that makes 37bhp enough to put many basic 4-sroke 250cc bikes to shame with a whooping power to weight ratio of 287 bhp per tonne. For the laymen, imagine a sleepy TVS Victor beating the hell out of a Kawasaki Ninja 250cc before yawning. The smaller capacity engine also makes it cheaper to buy without compromising on the performance. And above all, The Mito 525 needs to be bought for the sheer 2-stroke wail emanating from that small exhaust.
5. Ural ST: We Indians Loved the Jawa. We still love the Yezdis. So we need the Ural ST. Yezdi/ Jawa's were sold as the 'forever bike, forever value' product. IMZ-Ural from Russia is precisely that. Apart from the URAL ST solo, all other motorcycles come with a powered sidecar making them 2wd. And, thr Russian army still uses which makes them invincible. The Soviet look and the reliability are the major selling points for this bike which can scare a herd of 20 splendors without a drop of sweat. Custom design option is a plus. The 745cc engine makes 40 horses which is only enough to humiliate a Royal Enfield.
6. Moto Morini Corsaro Veloce: The 'I am friend with E.T.' name is enough to buy this bike before you actually look at the Sexy Italian design. The comapny has recently risen from bankruptcy (is the company logo a phoenix??) but the bikes are still fun to drive like anything Italian. Next time any superbike teenie tries to mess around with you on your streetbike, let the 1200cc v-twin engine with 117bhp on tap do the talking. That's the thing about Italian motorcycles. The suit makes you look smooth even when your paws are ready to scratch.
7. Husqvarna WR300 2-stroke- Along with KTM, BMW has also kept 2-stroke development on fire. The hopes remain that one day people will stop worrying about Fuel Efficiency and refinement and give in to the urge for the rawness of the 2-strokes. This is also displayed in the designs of the now BMW owned Husqvarna WR300 2-stroke motorcycles. For years the big 500cc bikes always find a second place against this monster killer.
8. Husqvarna Nuda 900: The Swedes are the underdogs in the world of Automobiles which is evident from the fact that some of the best cars have come from the house of Volvo and Saab and some of the best bikes have come from the world of Husqvarna. Now owned by BMW, Husqvarna's designs still retains their quirky traits which is evident from the Husqvarna Nuda 900 streetbike. Never before have I heard a punchline as absurd as 'Mistreat the street' but it definitely works. This is also probably the first bike fused with 100% BMW technology and 100% Husqvarna performance as proudly advertised by the company.
9. Motoczysz E1PC: Electric motorcycles are the future since US will be left with oil but nobody to buy at their atrociously high rates. Realizing this An American company with backing from Bajaj Auto has made Electric bikes sporty and fun. The Motoczysz E1pC was the first bike to win Isle of Man TT championship in 99 years hailing from the land of Americas. With a 330V 12.5kwh battery and a complete carbon fiber structure this bike has a lot going in its favour. The C1 prototype has an engine with perfect balance and does not need a balance shaft. Some of the patented innovations include a slipper clutch with twin clutches, a unique front suspension, and many others.
10.Indian Bomber: Before there was a Honda, Vespa or Harley-Davidson, the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer was a company named 'Indian' which is now more than 112 years old. The company had saw bad times during the world wars and after bankruptcy some companies also imported various Enfield models from UK to be re-badged as Indian . Now owned by Polaris Owned Victory Motorcycles, Indian is still unique in the way its engines are specced and its body shells armed.
The bike looks like nothing on the market at the moment. While the Ducati Streetmonster looks a thousand bucks, the Norton has the charisma of a retro bike that is less archaic than the enfield and demands respect. The Norton F1 engine is a 961cc machine capable of 80 bhp and instead of being high tech, the engine boasts of the British spirit which makes driving cafe racers extremely fun.
Many might argue that the brand is not as well known as a Ducati for the same price, but all it will take is a drive on this Commando.
2. KTM 300XC: The last 2-strok motorcycle we got to enjoy in India was the Yamaha RX-Z. The bikes were sold in extremely low numbers and dealers did not even put the vehicles through proper PDI (pre delivery Inspection). But KTM along with ATK/Maico are the only major remaining 2-stroke motorcycle makers of capacities bigger than 250cc. KTM now owned majorly by Bajaj Auto is all ready to enter India with their Duke 200 model in the next 48 hours. This also opens opportunities to get to buy the KTM 300XC in India. The success of Hero's Impulse motorcycle is already proof that Enduro bikes are the in thing. 1-cylinder 2-stroke engine, water-cooled engine is so light, the bikes total weight comes to only 104kgs/ 229lbs.
A major drawback faced by this motorcycle would be the image of 2-strokes as gas sippers. Also the low capacity engines of 2-stroke machines may be found lacking on paper compared to its capability and Just like SUV's, this KTM is not going to see any endurance drives.
3. Moto Guzzi Griso: Unconventional is the in thing in India. Hence we need Moto Guzzi. The Griso stands out in the crowd of mass produced motorcycles and that is its primary USP. The huge cylinders coming out on either sides reminds one of a BMW boxer engines but Moto Guzzi is as Italian as it can get. We also need the bike because we only have the conventional Japanese trodding our streets and we have every right to style in a democratic economy.
The bike feels great between the legs thanks to the wide engine and fuel tank design providing a stance that is midway between a cruiser and a street biker.
4. Cagiva Mito 525: To be successful, a motorcycle needs three things. Rocket pace, good looks and heritage. Enter The Cagiva Mito. This bike is powered by a 125cc 2-stroke powerplant that makes 37bhp enough to put many basic 4-sroke 250cc bikes to shame with a whooping power to weight ratio of 287 bhp per tonne. For the laymen, imagine a sleepy TVS Victor beating the hell out of a Kawasaki Ninja 250cc before yawning. The smaller capacity engine also makes it cheaper to buy without compromising on the performance. And above all, The Mito 525 needs to be bought for the sheer 2-stroke wail emanating from that small exhaust.
5. Ural ST: We Indians Loved the Jawa. We still love the Yezdis. So we need the Ural ST. Yezdi/ Jawa's were sold as the 'forever bike, forever value' product. IMZ-Ural from Russia is precisely that. Apart from the URAL ST solo, all other motorcycles come with a powered sidecar making them 2wd. And, thr Russian army still uses which makes them invincible. The Soviet look and the reliability are the major selling points for this bike which can scare a herd of 20 splendors without a drop of sweat. Custom design option is a plus. The 745cc engine makes 40 horses which is only enough to humiliate a Royal Enfield.
6. Moto Morini Corsaro Veloce: The 'I am friend with E.T.' name is enough to buy this bike before you actually look at the Sexy Italian design. The comapny has recently risen from bankruptcy (is the company logo a phoenix??) but the bikes are still fun to drive like anything Italian. Next time any superbike teenie tries to mess around with you on your streetbike, let the 1200cc v-twin engine with 117bhp on tap do the talking. That's the thing about Italian motorcycles. The suit makes you look smooth even when your paws are ready to scratch.
7. Husqvarna WR300 2-stroke- Along with KTM, BMW has also kept 2-stroke development on fire. The hopes remain that one day people will stop worrying about Fuel Efficiency and refinement and give in to the urge for the rawness of the 2-strokes. This is also displayed in the designs of the now BMW owned Husqvarna WR300 2-stroke motorcycles. For years the big 500cc bikes always find a second place against this monster killer.
8. Husqvarna Nuda 900: The Swedes are the underdogs in the world of Automobiles which is evident from the fact that some of the best cars have come from the house of Volvo and Saab and some of the best bikes have come from the world of Husqvarna. Now owned by BMW, Husqvarna's designs still retains their quirky traits which is evident from the Husqvarna Nuda 900 streetbike. Never before have I heard a punchline as absurd as 'Mistreat the street' but it definitely works. This is also probably the first bike fused with 100% BMW technology and 100% Husqvarna performance as proudly advertised by the company.
9. Motoczysz E1PC: Electric motorcycles are the future since US will be left with oil but nobody to buy at their atrociously high rates. Realizing this An American company with backing from Bajaj Auto has made Electric bikes sporty and fun. The Motoczysz E1pC was the first bike to win Isle of Man TT championship in 99 years hailing from the land of Americas. With a 330V 12.5kwh battery and a complete carbon fiber structure this bike has a lot going in its favour. The C1 prototype has an engine with perfect balance and does not need a balance shaft. Some of the patented innovations include a slipper clutch with twin clutches, a unique front suspension, and many others.
10.Indian Bomber: Before there was a Honda, Vespa or Harley-Davidson, the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer was a company named 'Indian' which is now more than 112 years old. The company had saw bad times during the world wars and after bankruptcy some companies also imported various Enfield models from UK to be re-badged as Indian . Now owned by Polaris Owned Victory Motorcycles, Indian is still unique in the way its engines are specced and its body shells armed.
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