Bikes of 2015: 1,000cc and above

Benelli TNT 1130R

Expected Launch Date: January 2015

Estimated Price: Rs 14-15.00 lakh

DSK recently announced that they will be bringing the Italian brand Benelli to our shores soon. Out of the five bikes that are headed our way, the DSK-Benelli TNT 1130R has to be the most visually striking motorcycle from its portfolio. And it has to be, as the TNT 1130R will be the flagship offering from DSK-Benelli and instead of bringing the standard TNT 1130, they have decided to launch the TNT 1130R with a more powerful motor sitting beneath its muscular body. Powering the DSK-Benelli TNT 1130R is the same 1,131cc, liquid-cooled motor as seen on the standard TNT 1130. But the in-line-three cylinder mill in the TNT 1130R churns out 159PS at 10,200rpm and peak torque rating of 120Nm at 8,400rpm. This translates into a hike of over 30PS and 10Nm of torque over the stock bike. Power is transmitted to the rear-wheel via a 6-speed gear box whereas slipper clutch is standard. In terms of numbers the DSK-Benelli TNT 1130R does have an advantage over its arch rival, the Kawasaki Z1000 and the Triumph Speed Triple also at 202kg it’s significantly lighter also. 

KTM 1050 Adventure

Expected Launch Date: Mid 2015

Estimated Price: Rs 14-16.00 lakh

At the KTM  RC 390 and RC 200 launch in India a few months back, KTM chief, Stefan Pierer, had announced that they are working on a no-nonsense adventure bike that will be launched in India soon. True to his word, KTM unveiled the 1050 Adventure at the 2014 EICMA motorcycle show in Mila, Italy. The 1050 Adventure will be the first litre-class offering from KTM in the Indian two-wheeler market. Powering the bike is a 1,050cc V-twin motor churning out 96PS of peak power. Though, the KTM 1050 Adventure is an entry-level offering, KTM have been generous on the motorcycle as it features goodies such as ride-by-wire throttle, three ride modes (Sport, Street, Rain), traction control, a slipper clutch and ABS. Other novel feature on the KTM 1050 Adventure is the fact the windscreen, handlebars, and foot pegs are all adjustable.

Kawasaki Versys 1000

Expected Launch Date: January 2015

Estimated Price: 12-13.00 lakh

Kawasaki India will complete its litre-class line up in the Indian two-wheeler by launching the Kawasaki Versys 1000 as it already has the Ninja ZX-10R, Z1000 and Ninja 1000 on sale currently. The model coming to our shores is the recently face lifted 2015 version that made its debut at the 2014 INTERMOT motorcycle show in Cologne, Germany. The styling of the Kawasaki Versys 1000 is in akin to modern adventure motorcycles with a half fairing and large windscreen (adjustable). The 2015 Kawasaki Versys 1000 will be the first Versys offering in the Indian two-wheeler market after the Ninja and Z series. Powering the Kawasaki Versys 1000 is a 1,043cc liquid-cooled, inline-four motor churning out 121PS of max power and 102Nm of peak torque. The powerplant is mated to a six-speed gearbox. The Kawasaki Versys 1000 will be loaded with electronic goodies like, traction control, and two levels of power delivery. The Kawasaki Versys 1000 will be pitched against the likes of the Suzuki V-Strom and Triumph Tiger 800 XC in our two-wheeler market. 

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Kawasaki Ninja H2

Expected Launch Date: March 2015

Estimated Price: 27.00 lakh

Possibly the most important motorcycle to be launched in 2014, what makes the Kawasaki Ninja H2 is the supercharged powerplant. The Kawasaki H2 is a road-spec motorcycle and is powered by a 998cc, liquid-cooled, supercharged inline-four motor producing 200PS at 11,000rpm and peak torque of 113.5Nm at 10,500rpm. The Kawasaki H2 will be offered with an option of Ram Air that hikes the power output to 210PS. The Kawasaki Ninja H2 is also the only supercharged production motorcycle on sale currently globally. It is the first Kawasaki offering to employ steel trellis frame and single-sided swingarm. The bike tips the scale at 238kg which is on the heavier side and has a power-to-weight ratio of 0.89PS/kg. The Kawasaki Ninja H2 will be pitched against the BMW S1000RR and the upcoming Ducati 1199 Panigale in the Indian superbike market and it will be the most expensive offering from Kawasaki India. Only five units have been allotted to the Indian market though with a possibility of more units being offered in the near future.

2015 Yamaha R1

Expected Launch Date: Mid 2015

Estimated Price: 22-25.00 lakh

The 2015 Yamaha R1 has to be among the most important bikes to be unveiled in 2014 as it hadn’t received an update for a long period of time. The biggest talking point is the new crossplane motor that has been christened CP4 by Yamaha and it churns out 200PS of peak power. This means that the 2015 Yamaha R1 is almost 19PS more powerful than its predecessor. The overall design of the 2015 Yamaha R1 is more compact and petite compared to the older bike with the rear section being specially tapered down. Yamaha claims the fairing design has been influenced from the M1 MotoGP machine and from the front it seems to have a headlight less appearance. The 2015 Yamaha  R1 has been loaded with electronic aids like traction control, slide control, launch control, wheel-lift control, and anti-locking brakes. The new R1 tips the scale at 199kg (wet weight) which is 8kg lighter than the older bike. This means that the 2015 Yamaha R1 has a power-to-weight ratio of over 1:1 and among the best with respect to its rivals. 

Suzuki GSX-S1000

Expected Launch Date: Late 2015

Estimated Price: 13-14.00 lakh

With other Japanese manufacturers being present in the litre-class naked bike segment, it was evitable that Suzuki too would soon launch its offering. And it did so by launching the Suzuki GSX-S1000 at 2014 INTERMOT. The new motorcycle is the streetbike version of the Suzuki GSX-R1000 superbike. Styling of the Suzuki GSX-S1000 is in sync with modern streetbikes with a mass forward design language. The bike sports a sharp and compact headlamp, whereas the fuel tank has neatly crafted creases with the edgy looking tank shrouds, while the rear of the bike tapers down pleasingly with a petite LED tail lamp and stubby muffler. The overall design of the bike is sporty and aggressive which should appeal to naked bike aficionados. Suzuki hasn’t divulged any information regarding the bike’s specifications and other details. But it is expected that the new Suzuki GSX-S1000 will be powered by the same in-line-four cylinder, liquid-cooled motor as found on its faired sibling churning out around 185PS of peak power. At this power output, the new Suzuki GSX-S1000 will be among the most powerful production streetbikes in the world. It also features a three-way selectable traction control system and ABS.

2015 BMW S1000RR

Expected Launch Date: Mid 2015

Estimated Price: 28-30.00 lakh

Widely regarded as the best litre-class performance motorcycle on sale globally, the BMW S1000RR was finally given an update. The styling of the new S1000RR has been tweaked with respect to the older bike. Design highlights include the repositioned and restyled asymmetric headlight while the vents and the fairing have been reworked. The tail section also has been reworked and it sports a larger exhaust muffler than its predecessor. Powering the 2015 BMW S1000RR is the same in-line-four cylinder, 998cc powerplant as seen on its predecessor which has been tweaked to churn out 200PS which is a hike of 6PS over the older bike and peak torque stands at 113Nm. BMW engineers have also tweaked the chassis of the 2015 S1000RR as the bike has been equipped with a lighter frame structure offering an optimised blend of rigidity and flexibility. The new bike is also lighter by 4kg in comparison to its predecessor. The wheelbase, steering head angle and chassis geometry has been reworked to improve the handling dynamics of the new offering. The 2015 BMW S1000RR can also be fitted with an improved version of the electronically controlled Dynamic Damping Control (DDC) suspension system as seen on the flagship HP4. 

BMW S1000XR

Expected Launch Date: Mid 2015

Estimated Price: 25-28.00 lakh

Apart from launching the updated BMW S1000RR, the German two-wheeler giant also expanded its litre class by launching the BMW S1000XR. The new motorcycle is an adventure sport motorcycle based on the S1000R roadster and employs the powerplant from the supersports offering. Powering the bike is an in-line-four motor pumping out 161PS at 11,000rpm and peak torque rating of 112Nm at 9,250rpm. The bike has been equipped with two riding modes (Rain & Road), along with Automatic Stability Control (ASC), Dynamic Traction Control (DTC) and ABS. Optional additions on the BMW S1000XR include Electronic Suspension Adjustment (ESA) and ABS Pro with a cornering ABS feature, from Continental. The BMW S1000XR will compete against the Ducati Multistrada. 

Ducati 1299 Panigale

Expected Launch Date: Late 2015

Estimated Price: 34.00 lakh

A rogue distributor in the Indian two-wheeler market meant that the Ducati Panigale never made its way to our shores. Gladly things will change in 2015, as Ducati now under the ownership of Audi will be officially re-launched in our market in 2015. The Ducati India line up will be spearheaded by the new Ducati 1299 Panigale. The bike gets a larger engine which makes a claimed 207PS at 10,500rpm and 144Nm at 8,750rpm. Like the name suggests, the engine on the new 1299 Panigale gets a displacement increase to 1285cc from the earlier 1198cc displacement via a larger bore size. But this engine will only be available on the Ducati 1299 Panigale and Ducati 1299 Panigale S trim models. The Ducati 1299 Panigale R will remain at the original 1198cc displacement, in order to comply with world superbike regulations.

The three variants come equipped with cornering ABS, thanks to the inertial measurement unit and will also have the Ducati Quick Shift (DQS) system. All three models will also have revised chassis geometry, with the steering head angle set at 24 degrees while the fork pivot is 4mm lower. It will compete against the 2015 BMW S1000RR and the Kawasaki Ninja H2 in our market. 

Ducati Monster 1200S

Expected Launch Date: Late 2015

Estimated Price: Rs 30.00 lakh

Among the most popular motorcycles on sale in the global market, the Ducati Monster has been tweaked with a change in heart and revised styling. The new 1200 S might sport new styling but its silhouette remains unmistakably Monster-ish; as has been the case with all Monsters even before the 1200 S. The trademark trellis frame is still present albeit in a more compact dimension and sits sandwiched between the chunky radiator and tank. Talking about numbers, the 1198cc, liquid-cooled engine pumps out 147PS of power and 124Nm of torque, which is 47PS and 21Nm more compared to the bike’s predecessor, the 1100 Evo. To keep all this power in check, the 1200 S comes with Ducati Traction Control system which eight levels to interference to choose from. It has three Riding Modes - Sport, Touring and Urban - but it can be individually customised and saved according to rider preference as well. 

2015 Aprilia RSV4

Expected Launch Date: Mid 2015

Estimated Price: 22.00 lakh

The new motorcycle is the facelift to the 2014 machine and has been given cosmetic and mechanical updates to compete with the new generation of litre-class superbikes that were unveiled at the 2014 EICMA motorcycle show. In terms of design the 2015 Aprilia RSV4 RR looks similar to its predecessor but the Italian manufacturer claims that the front portion of the bike has been redesigned from the ground up. The front fairing has been aerodynamically honed to offer better wind protection whereas LED lights make their appearance felt on the headlamp and turn indicators. Powering the 2015 Aprilia RSV4 RR is the 999cc, V4 motor as seen on the older bike, but the powerplant has been tuned to extract 202PS and peak torque rating of 115Nm at 10,500rpm. The new mill generates a healthy 16PS more than its predecessor.

Indian Roadmaster

Expected Launch Date: Mid 2015

Estimated Price: Rs 35-38.00 lakh

The Roadmaster is a new touring motorcycle from American motorcycle company Indian and it's a fully loaded luxury tourer with features like ABS, heated seats, cruise control, keyless ignition and many more. The Roadmaster again draws on the firm’s heritage – the original Roadmaster was in production from 1947-53 and the company hopes to revive the popularity of that motorcycle with the 2015 model. It is a fully loaded motorcycle, with top of the line features that makes it stand out in the luxury touring segment. On offer are plush, genuine leather seats, adjustable floorboards for passenger legroom comfort, a push-button adjustable windshield, keyless ignition and weatherproof luggage carrying capacity of 143 litres, with remote locking for all three bags. Powering the Roadmaster is a 49-degree 1811cc v-twin mated to a six-speed overdrive gearbox. The Thunder Stroke III engine produces 138.9Nm of torque and is the same engine which powers the Chieftain. And there are still more premium features which come as standard equipment on the Roadmaster – ABS, electronic cruise control, heated grips and seats, tyre pressure monitoring system, triple power ports, Pathfinder LED lighting, infotainment system offering communication, navigation and telephone as well as Bluetooth connectivity.