The superbike market is booming, and how! In a matter of just a few years, the Indian enthusiast today is spoilt for choice. For many riders, the upgrade from an entry-level performance bike into superbike territory starts with the 500-800cc category of superbikes, all within a budget of Rs 4-9 lakh. And manufacturers are only too aware that this is one segment which will make up the bulk of their superbike sales. In 2016, there are a few very attractive, entry-level superbikes which will be launched in India. Here's a look at the top 5 entry-level superbikes.
1. Triumph Street Twin
The Triumph Street Twin will be launched at the 2016 Auto Expo in India and deliveries are expected to begin soon after. The Street Twin is the 2016 model year base Bonneville - the hugely popular modern iteration of the iconic classic from Triumph. The Street Twin is the entry-level model of the 2016 Bonneville range and will replace the current base Bonneville.
It's is an all-new motorcycle, though, sharing nothing with the outgoing Bonneville. In terms of design, the Street Twin retains the classic looks of the iconic Bonneville, but takes a stripped down approach in design, looking smaller, leaner and lighter than the outgoing Bonneville it replaces. The engine is also all-new - the new 900cc parallel-twin engine now gets liquid cooling, and on paper, power is down to 54bhp but torque comes in low and strong - all 80Nm of it kicking in at 3230rpm. Triumph calls it the High Torque engine, and says even though power is low on paper, there's more usable power and torque at low- and mid-range, making it feel much more responsive than the outgoing Bonneville. There's more additional tech on the new Street Twin too - ride by wire throttle, ABS, slip assist clutch and even traction control. Expect it to be priced at a slight premium over the Bonneville it replaces. So, that would be around Rs 6.5 - 7 lakh.
2. DSK Benelli TRK 502
The Benelli TRK 502 is an adventure tourer from DSK Benelli, which will be launched in the second half of 2016. Designed with traditional adventure bike looks, with a striking similarity to the BMW R1200GS, the TRK 502 also comes with a host of adventure friendly features - a large 20-litre fuel tank, LED headlight, high ground clearance, standard ABS and adjustable upside down front fork and rear monoshock providing suspension travel of 150mm at both front and rear.
The TRK 502 is powered by a new parallel twin, liquid cooled 500cc engine that produces 48bhp of power at 8500rpm and peak torque of 45Nm at 4500rpm. The engine is mated to a six-speed gearbox and is controlled by a hydraulic clutch. With those edgy adventure tourer looks, the TRK 502 promises oodles of presence and decent on-off-road capability, and is certain to pique the interest of the motorcycle touring community in India. If priced well, the TRK 502 could become a very promising product from DSK Benelli. Expect it to be priced between Rs 5-5.5 lakh.
3. Kawasaki Vulcan S
The Kawasaki Vulcan S cruiser from the Japanese two wheeler manufacturer will be launched in 2016. The Vulcan S will be Kawasaki's first cruiser in the Indian market. The Vulcan S is powered by a liquid-cooled 649cc parallel-twin engine derived from the Ninja 650, but with revised cam profiles, modified intake tract, exhaust and ECU. Expect the Vulcan S to have power and torque lower down in the rev range than either the Ninja 650 or the Versys 650.
Internationally, the Vulcan S is offered with customized ergonomics - dealer-installed seat, footpeg and handlebar options at no extra cost. If those custom options are offered in India as well, the Vulcan S will be welcomed by the average Indian cruiser-lover and even riders of short stature. ABS is standard on the Vulcan S. Now, cruisers are quite the rage among leisure riders - those who like to shine the chrome on their rides for the Sunday breakfast ride or their biker buddies' coffee meet. For this crowd, the Vulcan S will be a very attractive entry-level cruiser, and even for riders of the fairer sex. The Vulcan S will be assembled in India and is expected to be launched at a price of around Rs 6.25 lakh.
4. DSK Benelli Leoncino
The Benelli Leoncino is a scrambler-style concept unveiled at the EICMA show in Milan in November 2015. With typical Scrambler looks, which seem to be the global design rage in motorcycles these days, the Leoncino makes a handsome statement as a rugged, yet stylishly retro bike with modern technology. Unveiled as a concept, the Leoncino will hit production soon and will be launched in India in late 2016.
Leoncino, meaning 'Lion Cub', gets its name from a family of lightweight Benelli bikes introduced in the 1950s. The new Leoncino will be powered by a liquid-cooled, 500cc parallel twin engine producing 47bhp power and 45Nm of torque. Expect the Leoncino to be priced very competitively in the Indian market - around the Rs 5 lakh figure.
5. Hero Hastur
Hero Hastur was introduced as a concept in the 2014 Auto Expo. With Hero MotoCorp's new R&D centre soon to be inaugurated near Jaipur, the production-ready Hastur is expected to be ready sometime by mid-2016. The spectacular concept was developed by Hero in collaboration with former technical partner Erik Buell Racing (EBR). With Hero acquiring most of the consulting work and projects EBR was undertaking for Hero, the Hastur is expected to soon become a production reality, although the production version may be slightly different visually from the concept form.
The Hastur comes kitted out with high quality parts - twin projector headlamps with LED running lights, engine mounted on a geodesic tubular chassis, front dual disc brakes with four-piston calipers, rear single disc with two piston caliper, adjustable inverted front forks, rear monoshock and an engine which looks very promising, at least on paper. Powered by a 620cc, four-stroke, liquid cooled, parallel-twin engine developing a maximum power of 79bhp and peak torque of 72Nm, the Hastur is expected to reach a top speed of close to 240kmph. Hero MotoCorp is expected to price it attractively, at around around Rs 4.5 lakh, and if Hero manages to launch the Hastur at that price, this is one motorcycle which suddenly becomes a very attractive proposition indeed.
