Kawasaki, Yamaha & Ducati Launch Their “200PS-club” Super Sports-Bikes in India
Kawasaki Ninja H2:
When you think about super sports-bike, one cannot miss out the world’s only “supercharged super-sport production bike”, the Kawasaki Ninja H2. Sensing the growing demand for super-fast bikes, Kawasaki has brought the H2 to India very thoughtfully & at the right time. The Kawasaki H2’s bigger 998cc 4-cylinder engine comes equipped with a supercharger and developing a whopping 198bhp on the tap.
The Kawasaki Ninja H2 has three riding modes: 1 – for track riding, 2 – for the street riding, and 3 – for riding under wet conditions. The safety features on Kawasaki Ninja H2 include – quick shifter, a launch control, and an electronic steering damper. Kawasaki H2 also features fully adjustable KYB Racing Suspension, Dual radial-mount mono-bloc calliper brakes, Star-pattern 5-spoke cast aluminium wheels.
The LED projector headlamp is positioned between the twin air-vents of the engine, which imitate the protruding teeth of a wild animal. The body panels are painted with mirror-coated black paint giving the Ninja H2 an ominous look with 3D appearance. The Ninja H2 is priced at Rs 29 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).
Yamaha R1 and R1M:
Yamaha has also jumped into the super sports-bike race by launching the twin-bikes – the YZF-R1 and R1M in India. The new R1 is more powerful than the earlier R1, while it weighs 4 kilos lees than the earlier R1.
Both the R1 & R1M super sports-bikes are powered by a 4-cylinder, 998cc engine which makes 200 PS of tongue-wagging power. This engine uses a higher compression ratio of 13:1, a cylinder head with a pent-roof combustion chamber, titanium connecting rods and forged aluminium pistons. The R1 also features all-new aluminium Delta-box frame with a long upward-truss type swing-arm and magnesium rear frame.
To control these power-monsters, Yamaha has equipped these super sports-bikes with five electronic control systems:
- Quick shifter
- Launch control
- Lift control
- Slide control
- Traction control
Yamaha has designed the super sports-bike R1M especially for track-riding, which is almost a road-going version of its MotoGP bike. The R1M features the carbon-fibre body fairing to reduce weight.
To further control the super sports-bike, R1M is additionally equipped with advanced electronic control systems.-
- Communication Control Unit (CCU) with data-logging functionality
- Electronic Racing Suspension (ERS) – electronically-controlled suspension
- Slide Control System (SCS)
- 200mm-wide semi-high grip rear tyre
While the R1 is priced at Rs 22.34 lakh, the R1M is priced higher at Rs. 29.43 lakh (exshowroom, Delhi).
Ducati Panigale 1299:
As a latest addition to its options, the Ducati has launched its super sports-bike – the Ducati Panigale 1299. The Panigale 1299 comes with a massive 1,285cc L-twin engine which makes a mind-boggling 205bhp of power and 145Nm of torque. The Panigale 1299 has the most advance – ‘Fully Ride By Wire’ technology for superlative performance.
The Panigale 1299 is supported by advanced electronics systems to control its power. They are –
- Three Riding modes – Race, Sport, and Wet
- Ducati Quick Shift up/down (DQS)
- Cornering ABS
- Wheelie control
- Engine Braking Control (EBC)
- Traction control
- Data analyser with GPS
- 200 mm wide rear tyre
- Full TFT instrument panel
- Personalization – Optional riding packs – Sport pack & Touring Pack
The Ducati Panigale 1299 is priced at Rs 32.54 lakh (ex-showroom, Mumbai).
