The Kawasaki Ninja 300 had a lot riding on it as it was destined to replace what many would agree was the best quarter-litre-class sports bike in the world, the Ninja 250R. The baby Ninja was also among the most highly anticipated launches for 2013. Tooled together with features like a slipper clutch and die-cast aluminium cylinders which till very recently have remained unknown to the Indian two-wheeler enthusiast, the new Kawasaki Ninja 300 is now available at a price of Rs 3.50 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). We give you all the juice on the baby Ninja upgrade for 2013 including a detailed test report after putting it through the paces to help you decide whether the Kawasaki Ninja 300 has truly lived up to the aura of its predecessor, or as you could well imagine even surpassed it

The KTM 390 Duke is undoubtedly the most anticipated performance bike slated for launch this year. With never seen before performance figures like 45PS of power and 35Nm of torque the Indian two-wheeler space is about to get even more explosive than ever before. ZigWheels decodes the inbound 390 Duke exhaustively. Read all about the bigger KTMs nimble handling prowess and be sure to catch some exciting on board footage of the bike as we take it for a spin on the streets of Salzburg, Austria. Watch this space for more updates on the bike closer to the date of launch

The coming year has in store something for everyone. From affordable performers to superbikes, year 2013 promises to be one of the most exciting in the Indian two-wheeler industry. The country would also witness the entry of two iconic brands -- Victory with its high-end motorcycle range and British bike maker Triumph. So, if have been holding back your bike purchase in the hopes of some new launches, the time to break that piggy bank may finally be around the corner

The year 2013 will bring with it some very interesting and exciting motorcycles into the Indian market while also hinting on the fact that the 100cc space will witness more or less very little activity. Next year will see action mainly in the 200cc-400cc affordable performance motorcycle class as well as the middleweight (500cc-800cc) segment which will see entry from bigwigs like Honda, Kawasaki and Triumph Motorcycles. In the Superbike class there will be some new entries as well as worthy upgrades to existing models like the 2013 Hayabusa with ABS making its foray as well as the top off the line Ducati Panigale 1199 R being introduced in India in 2013. All in all, 2013 is going to be a great year to wish all the bikers in the country a very happy new year

Hyosung has two motorcycles lined up for 2013, the first of which will be the GV650 cruiser machine also knowns as the Aquila 650 followed by the 2013 upgraded version of the Hyosung GT650R supersports machine in its latest form. Also in the pipeline is the dynamic new Kawasaki Z800 and select middleweight models from Triumph that include the Tiger 800XC, the Triumph Daytona 675, Triumph Street Trilpe and the iconic Bonneville. Hondas CBR500R, Honda CB500 and Smaller capacity Harley-Davidson are also planned for Indian motorcycling enthusiasts in 2013

Clogged up to the core, the Indian scooter segment seems ready for an upgrade to bigger scooters. While Yamaha has already entered the segment with the Ray, its arch rival Honda is preparing to launch a premium scooter in the Indian market next year. We wont be surprised if the like of Vespa and Yamaha follow suit shortly.

While last year was a slouch with regards to superbike launches in the country with most bike makers focusing on lower segments, this year promises to cheer the deep pocketed buyers as some big machines like the 2013 Suzuki Hayabusa, the Ducati Panigale R, Victory cruiser motorcycles and the Triumph Rocket III prepare for their Indian debut.

The 200cc-400cc segment in the country will witness some intense action next year as there are some very exciting launches lined up for 2013. Ofcourse assuredly the KTM 390 Duke will make its entry and so will the new bigger Pulsar. Also one can expect an all-new Yamaha machine in this class before 2013 year end.

The whole world went gaga when Royal Enfield unveiled the awesome Thunderbird 500 at the Delhi Auto Expo in Jan this year. After all these months of waiting, the big bird is finally out and boy does it pack a punch. ZigWheels brings you all the dope about this ground breaking bike from Royal Enfield. Read on...

Although the recent economic slump in all of Europe has really crunched the general automobile and motorcycle industry, breaking cover are some very interesting new models from many manufacturers that open newer avenues and fresher segments in smaller capacity large volume markets like India, China and Brazil. As the curtain raises from the 2012 Intermot show, ZigWheels brings you all the information from the latest happenings in the world of motorcycles. Stay logged in as we extensively cover the 2012 Intermot Motorcycle Fair

Yamahas decision to enter the scooter segment in India has seen the light of day with the new RAY. Targeted at college students and young working women showing increased affinity to purchasing light weight and highly efficient scooters, the new RAY has been designed and engineered to answer the needs of this growing class of young female customers who want a scooter that is stylishly designed, compact, easy to use and have a fresh new appeal. Great acceleration, easy handling, excellent maneuverability and good fuel efficiency are all part and parcel of this stylish package on two wheels powered by an air-cooled 4-stroke 113cc engine with CVT (Continuous variable transmission) that boasts excellent reliability. Read all about Yamahas newest scooter for the Indian market in our comprehensive web coverage

So as the Vespa brigade makes its return to the Indian shores, ZigWheels brings you an indepth view on one of the most iconic two-wheeler brands in the world and all that it plans for the Indian sub-continent. Dont miss our exclusive coverage on new Vespa scooter which has a comprehensive review, a detailed image gallery as well as a special slideshow of the Italian firms highly advanced and recognizably large manufacturing unit near Pune

They say that you learn everything if only you apply your mind to whatever you may have done in another sphere of activity where your efforts might not have been successful Well, I dont know if the new frameless 1199 Panigale was born out of the chassis rejected by Valentino Rossi last season but as a new age superbike which defines the segment more emphatically that any before it, this is a bike which is now the standard bearer for world superbikes Adil Jal Darukhanawala started off scared riding it but came back beaming - and in one piece - after a day thrashing this glorious piece of engineering art at the Yas Marina F1 circuit. As he says, its good for all but best if real racers only apply

One of the biggest success stories in the Indian two-wheeler industry, over the years the Bajaj Pulsar has continued to become a bigger brand than its maker itself. But if you thought that Bajaj Auto was content with a 50% market share in the premium class of motorcycles, think again. The next generation of the Pulsar is all set to devastate its competition. Welcome the all-new 2012 Pulsar 200NS. Your one stop source for everything you wanted to know about the brand new Pulsar

The highlight at the Ducati stall at the 2012 Delhi Auto Expo was the Monster 795, the companys most affordable model in India. The Italian bike-maker unveiled the Monster 795 at a price of Rs.6.99 lakh but offered a further Rs.1 lakh reduction following the unprecedented response to its naked sports bike. The revised Rs.5.99 lakh price tag will be strictly introductory

Mahindra spurred to action following the lukewarm response to its two-wheelers. At the 2012 Delhi Auto Expo, it showcased scooters and motorcycles at both ends of the spectrum. Keeping shutterbugs busy was Mahindras red and white 250cc MPG30 Moto3 bike. Other motorcycles showcased include the 300cc Mojo prototype and the upgraded Stallio 107cc commuter.Among scooters, Mahindra displayed the new 125cc Duro DZ aside from the Rodeo and Flyte from the existing line-up.

Suzuki Motorcycles expanded its current model line-up comprising GS150R, Access 125 and other two wheelers with the unveiling of two new products - the 110cc Hayate motorcycle and the Swish 125 scooter targeted at the youth. The Hayates pricing is yet to be revealed but the Swish 125 will have a sticker price of Rs 45,431, ex-showroom Delhi, when it launches in March 2012.

Yamaha marked its entry into the scooter segment by showcasing an electric-pink scooter concept called Yamaha Ray. The Ray aside, Yamaha also showcased the Mio, Fino and Xeon scooters. Among bikes, the company displayed the MotoGP special YZR M1 and limited-edition versions of the recently updated YZF R15

Honda unveiled 7 models of which the CBR150R and the Dream Yuga were the highlights. The Dream Yuga is a 110 cc commuter motorcycle that would go in on sale by May 2012 at about Rs.46,000. The CBR150R will be targeted at a younger generation looking for a lighter capacity motorcycle and would be priced around Rs. 1.20 lakh. However, what drew shutterbugs were the VFR1200F, the CBR 1000RR Fireblade, the CB1000R and a replica of Casey Stoners RC212V MotoGP bike

The much-awaited Royal Enfield Thunderbird 500 was undoubtedly the show-stopper at the RE stall. The Thunderbird 500 packs a 500cc fuel-injected motor that pumps out 27 PS. The cruiser will most likely be rolled out within a few months. The RE500 apart, the company also had on display the Cafe Racer bike and a host of accessories and apparels made exclusively for Royal Enfield owners.