8 litre-class superbikes that you can buy in India

8 litre-class superbikes that you can buy in India

Gone are the days when buying a superbike meant approaching an agent to get it privately imported (and risk a ‘friendly’ visit from the DRI) and an endless wait. Today, you can walk in to any international motorcycle manufacturer’s showroom, get a test ride and book yourself a full-blown litre-class superbike. With the rapid increase in the purchasing power, big brands have been flocking the country to grab a slice of the pie. Here are eight litre-class superbikes that you can buy in India -   

Aprilia RSV4 RR

The Aprilia RSV4 has always lived in the shadows of its rivals from Japan and Europe. However with 28 WSBK victories under its belt, the RSV4 badge deserves a lot more attention than it gets. It might not look very different from the previous model, but underneath the skin, the new RSV4 RR features several revisions to keep it competitive in this cut-throat segment. The jewel in the crown is a 999cc V4 engine, churning out 198bhp. While the ‘base’ RSV4 RR gets Sachs suspension, there is also a track-focussed RSV4 RF which is equipped with Ohlins suspension, steering damper and forged aluminium wheels. And yes, there is the gorgeous Superpole paint job. Prices start at Rs 20.71 lakh (ex-showroom, Mumbai).

BMW S1000RR

BMW is a fairly recent entrant in this hallowed segment. It started off its litre-class superbike odyssey in 2010 with the S1000RR. While the asymmetrical-looking headlamps might not be to everyone’s taste, there is no denying that the S1000 RR has one of the most advanced electronics packages in the business. The 998cc inline-four engine is rated at 196bhp. The rider aids include seven-step traction control, four riding modes (Rain, Sport, Race and Pro), electronic throttle control, cruise control, ABS and quickshifter. Prices start at Rs 18.53 lakh (ex-showroom, Mumbai).

Ducati Panigale 1299

While the rest of the world has moved to inline-four and V4 powertrains, Ducati has stubbornly stuck to its guns (or in this case, the L-twin) for its litre-class bikes. This also means that Ducati has always held a 200cc engine displacement size advantage, courtesy WSBK regulations. And considering that Ducati holds the record for the highest number of WSBK wins, things seem to have worked out pretty well for them. However with stringent Euro IV emission norms coming into effect earlier this year, the L-twin engine will give way for a brand new V4 powertrain. So for now, you can only buy a 1299 Panigale R Final Edition which can be yours for ‘just’ Rs 59.18 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).

Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade 

While other manufacturers have been desperately chasing the 200 horsepower mark, Honda’s focus has gone back to its roots, the CBR900RR, centring on the concept of ‘total control’. So, even though 2017 CBR1000RR might be the most powerful and technologically advanced Fireblade till date, it cannot match up to the rest of the competition on paper. To compensate, Honda has focussed on reducing weight and developing a highly capable chassis to keep it on par with the competition. It develops 190bhp while weighing 15 kilograms less than the previous iteration. As for the electronics, the CBR1000RR gains a five-axis IMU, nine-level adjustable traction control, a Bosch ABS system, rear lift control and wheelie control. There is also a SP special edition model equipped with Ohlins suspension. Prices start at Rs 18.48 lakh (ex-showroom, Mumbai).

Kawasaki ZX-10R

Last year, British motorcycle racer Jonathan Rea proved the new Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R’s superiority on the race tracks by grabbing the WSBK title, with his team mate Tom Sykes finishing second. The new Ninja ZX-10R might not look much different from the previous year’s model, but scratch the surface and you will be amazed. The 2016 Kawasaki ZX10R is miles ahead of its predecessor in terms of technology and the way it goes. The 998cc engine develops 197bhp. It’s got the usual bank of electronics including six-axis IMU, five-level traction control, launch control, engine braking control, power mode and ABS. There is also a track-focussed version called Ninja ZX-10RR featuring tweaked engine internals, lightweight wheels and stickier tyres. Prices start at Rs 18.66 lakh (ex-showroom, Mumbai).

MV Agusta F4R

The original F4 1000 was designed by the celebrated Italian automotive designer, Massimo Tamburini, over a decade ago. The new MV Agusta F4R still carries considerable influence of the original model. Some of it is down to the fact that the company can no longer afford to pour money into development, but mostly because the design looks so futuristic even today. The F4 is powered by a 998cc inline four-cylinder engine, which delivers 192bhp. Electronics include an eight-level traction control, torque control with four maps, anti-wheelie function, lean angle sensor, torque shift system and ABS. It is also available in a track-focussed F4RR version featuring electronically-adjusted Ohlins suspension and lighter wheels. Prices start at Rs 26.12 lakh (ex-showroom, Mumbai).

Suzuki GSXR1000

It has been 30 years since Suzuki first launched the GSX-R badge, and more than 10 lakh units have been sold so far. Currently in its sixth-generation, the litre-class 2017 GSX-R1000 is the most powerful and quickest Gixxer ever built. It is even lighter than the outgoing model. Propelling the GSX-R1000 is a 999cc inline four engine delivering 196bhp, featuring variable valve technology. Keeping the power on leash is an electronics package including six-axis IMU, 10-level traction control, ABS and drive mode selector. It also gets a quickshifter and a launch control system. While the standard GSX-R1000 gets Showa Big Piston forks, the top-spec GSX-R1000R gets the Balance Free Forks (BFF) and Balance Free rear monoshock. Prices start at Rs 18.47 lakh (ex-showroom, Mumbai).

Yamaha YZF-R1

In a bygone era, the Yamaha YZF-R1 had been a symbol of ridiculously fast and temperamental motorcycles. In 2014 though, the flagship received a comprehensive update featuring a modern frame and a modern electronics package. The company stuck to the crossplane crank architecture for the engine, which now churn out 198hp. The electronics package includes a six-axis IMU, traction control, slide control, launch control, wheel-lift control and ABS. There is also a track-only version called the YZF-R1M, which features advanced track-focussed electronics package, titanium exhaust system, Ohlins suspension, lighter magnesium wheels and stickier Bridgestone tyres. Prices start Rs 21.72 lakh (ex-showroom, Mumbai).