Top 7 Bikes of 2014

1.) KTM RC390: Ever since the launch of the two Dukes, the debate for most motorcycle enthusiasts was to go ahead and purchase one of the two or wait for the RC twins to and then finally decide. Well, the RC390 has now come to town and it sure is one helluva offering. At a little less than 150kg it is not just the lightest sports bike in the Indian market, it is also the cheapest. Cutting edge looks, sharp handling dynamics and of course oodles of power makes the RC390 an unbeatable package. Yes, it has an aggressive riding posture which might be a bit too committed for city riding, but that's the price you pay for that extra bit of fun. 

2.) Harley Davisson Street 750: This motorcycle was Harley Davidson’s big step for the Indian market. Launched at the 2014 Auto Expo at a phenomenal price of Rs 4.10 lakh ex-Delhi, the Street 750 made the Harley Brand accessible to a lot of motorcycling enthusiasts. Moreover, with the Street 750 Harley also introduced their first liquid-cooled engine and it sure is impressive. It takes on corners with utmost poise and glides over potholes without sending out a hint to your back. It does have its negatives, like woody brakes and uncomfortable riding posture but that is something you can easily get used to. 

3.) Hero Splendor iSmart: Bringing out technology that we have seen in the higher-end cars to motorcycles is something that Hero MotoCorp managed to do with their i3S technology. Slot the Splendor iSmart into neutral at a red light and the engine goes off, hit the clutch again and it comes back to life. Thanks to this, the Splendor iSmart returns a phenomenal efficiency of nearly 73kmpl. Aside from efficiency, the engine although the same as all the other Splendor models is refined. It's quick and has a comfortable riding posture too. Launched at Rs 47,250 ex-Delhi, the Splendor iSmart then is different from your run of the mill commuter and it sure is worth the money. Now, if only Hero worked as hard on the Xtreme and its Karizma range, it would have been a different ball game altogether. 

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4.) Suzuki Gixxer: One of the most important motorcycles for Suzuki has come in at just the right time. With the Bajaj Pulsar 150 becoming too common and showing its age, the Honda CB Trigger not really making a mark on the sales charts, the timing for the Gixxer to come in couldn't have been better. An absolutely refined engine, comfortable ride and good looks makes the Gixxer a superb all round motorcycle. Suzuki even claims that the Gixxer returns best in class fuel efficiency. All that at a price which is considerably lesser than its competition, and Suzuki suddenly have a bike that can stand for the presidential elections in its class. 

5.) Yamaha FZ-S v2.0: after a long wait, Yamaha finally introduced Fuel Injection in the FZ and the Fazer. And although there is a marginal drop in power, it isn't very apparent. The engine continues to be as smooth as we have known it to be. The FZ-S v2.0 accelerates smoothly and shifts precisely too. Despite minor changes in the looks department, it even looks fresh. Build quality is top notch too. The only thing going against it is the fuel efficiency. Although Yamaha doesn't make any claims with regards to efficiency, our long term (read report) hasn't quite been economical by 150cc standards. That said, the handling and riding dynamics are spot on. Yes, it does come out as an expensive proposition, but that is the extra price you pay for unmatched quality. 

6.) TVS Scooty Zest: the latest and upgraded version of TVS’ best-selling Scooty brand, the Scooty Zest is one fun scooter to ride. At 98kg it ranks among the lightest in the segment making it extremely nimble and easy to ride in the city. Then there is the peppy 110cc engine from the Wego and the Jupiter. It rides well too thanks to the telescopic front forks. There is lots of space to store your stuff too thanks to a best-in-class underseat storage of 19 litres and then some more space under the handle bars. But the highlight of the Scooty Zest is its price, at Rs 42, 300 ex-Delhi it is one of cheapest offerings out there. 

7.) Mahindra Gusto: Mahindra marks its entry in the 110cc scooter segment with the Gusto. Powered by a 110cc motor that Mahindra calls M-TEC, the Gusto does feel a little lethargic and a lot of it is also thanks to its 120kg. That said, it feel refined and is quite vibe free. The ride quality of the Gusto is decent thanks to the telescopic front forks, but the setup at the back is slightly stiff for our liking. In the Gusto, Mahindra has gone on to do something that no other manufacturer has so far. The height adjustable seat is one of the highlights of the scooter making it easy to ride for any member of the family. Thanks to a long list of features, a refined motor and good FE, he Gusto makes quite a strong case for itself.