When it comes to Triumph motorcycles, serious enthusiasts lose their head trying to pick their favourites. Adventure bikes such as the Explorer and Tiger 800 XC can be much fancied by those who love to go on long rides on various terrains and in numerous seasons. These bikes are perfect for those looking for an adventurous bike ride in the mountains where paths are yet to be perfectly smooth. Bike lovers who prefer classic designs swear by the T100 and the Bonneville. Those interested in cruiser bikes prefer the Rocket or the Storm which have chrome and steel used in the body. Performance enthusiasts would surely appreciate the Daytonas which go from zero to a triple digit speed within seconds.
Triumph motorcycles are one of the most coveted among Indian bikers and they are hot property in the second hand bikes market.
However, all bike enthusiasts would agree that the Triumph Speed Triple 2014 is hard to ignore. Sections of the twin tubes are exposed and the bike has a well chiselled tank. The belly pan, frame of twin spar and the dual under seat exhausts make the bike look strong and robust. The head lights of the Triumph Speed Triple 2014 may look a bit like bugs and you might take some time to get used to them. However it is a bike hard to ignore and most bike enthusiasts would fancy a ride on it.
When you rev up the engine, a sweet sound is produced that would be appreciable to all bikers. When you look at the Triumph Speed Triple 2014, you would see that this street naked bike looks muscular and aggressive, much like what a street naked bike should look like. On mounting the bike, what is immediately noticeable is its forward stance which looks quite aggressive, a wide and flat handle bar, a back set of foot pegs meant for pillion riders. The bike’s tank comes in a blue colour which has a matte finish on it. It makes the tank look all the more muscular. The instrument and meters are a combination of digital and analogue. The lights that glow on at the time of gear changing can be programmed and there is a reminder for service interval. You also get a fuel gauge, lap timer and trip computer. The back wheel can be seen completely from the right side and this happens because of the aluminium swing arm which is one sided. What can be considered to be a let-down is the prominent and large saree guard on the left hand side. These street naked bikes can hardly be called friendly for families and hence most bikers would probably ride them alone, leaving the guard redundant and odd looking on the bike.
When you put the bike in ignition, rotate the clutch and press the starter, the motor shall start easily and settles into a bit of a high idle ride. On the main road, when a bit of throttle is added the motor produces a typical growl. This sound from the 3 cylinder engine of the bike is bound to sound pleasant to any motor biker. The sound can be heard in lower revs as well. When the revs keep increasing, at a higher pace, the sound may become addictive.
You can make quick changes through short speed gears at the time of accelerating. What is impressible is the performance of the bike on city roads in limiting speeds such as 60kmph to 70kmph.
The engine feels strong at all revs. If the revs are kept low, then the bike is quite practical to be ridden through city traffic and on a regular basis. You can down shift the gear and increase the speed to 100kmph and still feel the bike stable underneath you. The 4 piston Brembo calipers do a good job of knocking off speeds as you can slow down the bike without any glitch. The gears are smooth and precise and the neutral gear can be spotted easily.
Once you get acclimatized to the style of riding the bike, you can easily accelerate the bike through various gears. When put into the top most gear, cruising around the city at 60 kmph feels like a breeze and you can also clock 250kmph when racing the bike on a track. When you are riding the bike at 100kmph to 135kmph, it feels almost as if it is breezing through the roads. The Triumph Speed Triple 2014 certainly ticks all the boxes for a long distance bike and hence is ideal for those who love going on long rides. However, the position of riding the bike may be a little uncomfortable when the bike is ridden for a long distance.
The bike is powered by a 1050cc, liquid cooled, DOHC, 12 valve 3-cylinder in line engine which produces a peak power of 135PS at 9400rpm and a peak torque of 111Nm at 7750rpm. On paper, the Triumph Speed Triple 2014 may not sound as impressive as the other powerful bikes in this segment. However, in real time, the bike delivers excellent power. Post 3000rpm, there is a thrust of undiluted power and there is enough power in the engine for pulling wheelies till the 4th cog.
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| Triumph Speed Triple |
The growling sound of the Triumph Speed Triple 2014 is the accompaniment to the superb accelerating powers of the bike. The bike does growl and gurgle a little at the lower revolutions but when you open up the throttle, the twin exhausts give out a deafening roar. Any bike enthusiast would fall for the Speed Triple’s rich sound and peppy acceleration. The handling of the box is perfect. Moreover, the Triumph Speed Triple 2014 feels grounded when making turns and it feels steady and robust despite its 200 kilos plus frame. The directions of the handle bar can be changed confidently while Metzler tyres provide adequate grip. The excellent braking power is provided by the ABS enabled brakes.
The bike costs roughly Rs 10.4 lakhs and is the least expensive among litre category motorcycles. The stellar performance and practical usability on a regular basis can make it a coveted street naked by for most enthusiasts. However, the unsightly saree guard may irk a lot of bikers. You could also buy it at a lower price on the second hand bikes market.
Most men want to live the dream of zooming down the highway on a very powerful bike. Some manage to fulfil it while others don’t. The Indian market for bikes is the biggest in the world and foreign manufacturers of bikes such as Suzuki, Yamaha, and Royal Enfield etc. are doing brisk business. They have also launched their higher end bikes in the Indian market and these bikes are producing good sales.
Not only are men into biking, but some women also are biking enthusiasts. Some cities have biking clubs which make trips to different parts of the country on their bikes. If you are a biking enthusiast, and want to own a powerful bike without ripping off your pocket, then there are some good options available under Rs 70,000.
Bajaj Pulsar 150cc - One of the most popular bikes in the 150cc segment, the Bajaj Pulsar bike has an engine of 149.01 cc and weighs 143 kgs. It offers a mileage of 45 kmpl within city limits and 62 on the high ways. The engine is a DTSi or Digital Twin Spark ignition one which is air cooled and has 4 strokes. A 5 speed gear box is provided in the bike.
The bike has a commendable torque of 12.5Nm@6500 rpm. For this Bajaj bike, you will have to shell out Rs 69000 approximately ex-showroom.
Suzuki GS150R - Japanese manufacturer Suzuki forayed into the Indian 150 cc bike market with this model in 2008. In 2010, the bike was adjudged the Motorcycle of the Year by NDTV profit.
The model is 149 cc one with an SOHC, air cooled and 4 stroked engine. It has a good mileage of 48 kmpl within city limits and 55 kmpl outside it. The bike is economical if most of your commute is within the city.
The bike’s torque measures at 13.4 Nm@ 6000 rpm. The cost of this bike is Rs 68500 ex-showroom.
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| Suzuki GS 150R |
Honda Unicorn CB - This 149.1 cc bike by Honda offers good speed and high fuel efficiency. The bike can travel 50 kmpl within city limits and 60 kmpl outside it. The engine is a 4 strokes one and offers torque of 12.7Nm @5500 rpm. It looks slick and is available in different colours such as red, yellow, and orange and black. The bike will cost you Rs 65,000 ex showroom.
Yamaha FZ16 - One of the best bikes doing the rounds of the Indian bike market, Yamaha FZ16 has a 153 cc air cooled, 2 valves SOHC engine which offers maximum torque of 14Nm@6000 rpm and maximum output of 14 Bhp @ 7500 rpm. The mileage offered by the bike is around 45-50 kmpl.
It is available in Lava Red, Sports Electric Blue and Midnight Black colours. The cost of the bike is Rs 69,250 ex-showroom. If you want to locate an authorized dealer of Indian bikes or a showroom for used bikes, then you can log into an online classifieds and specify your location to get the best results.
If you’re new and just starting out with a bike, your first purchase must be a good buying experience. In order for it to be so, a good amount of research must be done before choosing and knowing what’s best for you. There are different kinds of motorcycles available in the market apart from the brands and styles. You must have a good amount of technical know-how to ensure that the bike you buy is perfect for you. You could choose from touring bikes, standard styles, sports bikes, a dirt bike, a cruiser etc. all categorised under motorcycles. Some of the following bikes listed here are the popular brands currently selling in India.
Suzuki Hayate: The model was based on the Suzuki Slingshot having been launched in 2012 keeping in mind the booming vehicle demands for daily commuting in the Indian market. The bike features a 112.8cc, air cooled 4 stroke SOHC petrol mill, 8.6Nm torque, 8.3bhp and a fuel economy of approximately 71kmpl. The Suzuki Hayate is priced at Rs. 40,000.
TVS Scooty Pep Plus: More of a scooter than a bike, the TVS Scooty Pep Plus comes from the makers of one of the first automatic scooters. The scooter is a spunky looking model available in attractive colours featuring a 4 stroke petrol engine, an 87.8 cc powered scooter with a torque output of 5.8Nm and peak power of 4.9 bhp and a mileage of 65.6kmpl. TVS is known to be a trusted brand in India and this version is a great choice for youngsters, especially women and comes at a price range of Rs.41,550.
Hero Moto Corp HF Deluxe: Priced at a range of Rs.41,350 the Hero Moto Corp HF Deluxe is known for its fuel efficient performance and features a 7.7 bhp, 8Nm torque, 97.2cc air cooled four stroke engines with OHC petrol motor. The model is ideal for daily commuting keeping in mind Indian roads and traffic.
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| Bajaj Platina |
Bajaj Platina: Another model suited to the daily commuting needs of Indians, the Bajaj Platina comes at an affordable price range of Rs.39,293 and is known to be one of the most fuel efficient bikes around in the market at present. The bike delivers a great performance having a mileage of 108kmpl, 8Nm Torque, 8.2bhp and runs on a natural air cooled 4stroke petrol mill.
Yamaha Crux: Known for its excellent comfort levels while riding and durability on the Indian roads, the Yamaha Crux delivers unmatched performance at a price range of Rs.42,056. The bike features a 106cc 4stroke petrol mill with a7.5bhp and torque of 7.5Nm. The mileage offered by the Yamaha Crux is that of 75.5kmpl.
Honda Dio: The Honda Dio is also another automatic scooter currently popular in the Indian market and is known to deliver a performance of 60kmpl mileage along with features like an 8.8Nm torque, and an 8bhp powered by a 4stroke air cooled 109cc engine.
Online Shopping: Bikes and bike prices in Kolkata details on second hand selling bikes can be availed from India’s popular classifieds based websites. These websites are a great place for bike purchase in Kolkata and any other city as it enables people to look for classifieds categorised under different cities. Buy or sell wares, meet prospective buyers and sellers and interact with them virtually through this medium.
