Top 5 attractions at the Auto Expo – Racing Motorcycles

Top 5 attractions at the Auto Expo – Racing Motorc

While racing might not be as relevant in India as it is in the rest of the world, it does form an integral part of the motorcycle industry. The 2016 Auto Expo wasn’t without its share of racing motorcycles – from Mahindra’s new Moto3 bike to full-blown MotoGP race machines. We list out the top 5 racing motorcycles that graced the 2016 Auto Expo –

Aprilia RS-GP

Last year, Aprilia made a grand return to MotoGP last year in association with Team Gresini. While the 2016 bike recently made its debut at Aragon, Spain, the Italian marque had brought its 2015 race machine to the Auto Expo. 2015 was a year of testing and development, though the team will step up its efforts for the 2016 season of the premier class motorcycle racing championship. This #19 bike was ridden by Spaniard Alvaro Bautista, while his team-mate Marco Melandri rode the #33 bike.

Honda RC213V

The Auto Expo saw Marc Marquez’s #93 bike steal the limelight from other superbikes (and even the Navi, for that matter). Powered by a 241 horsepower 1,000cc V4 engine, the RC213V helped Honda score the second place in the overall constructor’s championship in the 2015 MotoGP season. With the team retaining its rider line-up of Marquez and Spaniard Dani Pedrosa, the Repsol Honda team will attempt to dethrone Yamaha from the pedestal.

Suzuki GSX-RR

Suzuki might not be as competitive as its Japanese and Italian arch rivals these days, but that didn’t stop us from slobbering over the GSX-RR MotoGP race machine. At the heart of the GSX-RR is a 1000cc inline four engine lashing out 230 horsepower, which is enough to propel the blue monster to speeds up to 330kmph. For the 2016 season, this #41 bike will be ridden by Aleix Espargaro, while his teammate Maverick Vinales will compete on the #25 GSX-RR.

 

Mahindra MGP3O

Mahindra Racing became the first Indian motorcycle constructor to participate in the MotoGP World Motorcycle Racing Championship back in 2011. Five years on, the team has been steadily improving its performance, finishing third in the overall constructors championship last year. The aluminium perimeter frame encloses a 249cc single-cylinder engine, which breathes out through a SC-Project exhaust system. Italian Francesco Bagnaia has been confirmed for the factory team though the other riders are yet to be announced.

 

Yamaha YZM-M1

The 2015 MotoGP season saw the first two positions being occupied by Yamaha riders, which speaks for the motorcycle’s capabilities. At the Auto Expo, the Japanese manufacturer brought its 2016 MotoGP race machine. This bike gets a completely new electronics package and new single ECU software, along with new 17-inch Michelins. The livery of the race bike continues to adorn the traditional blue and black colours, with a huge Movistar M on the side of the fairing. For 2016, the factory team has retained Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo.