Eying a big potential for luxury bikes in India, where tastes are changing from mass-market machines to high-end bikes, Honda and Bajaj are looking at launching new sportsbikes in the country in the next couple of months.

There had been a sudden surge in the number of International Sportsbikes brands entering the Indian market, over the past two years. Initially the trend was set by Kinetic with the launch of the 250cc, v-twin-powered Hyosung Comet in India back in 2005. Then it was Yamaha, which launched the Yamaha R1 in India and the MT-01 cruiser in 2007. Soon later followed by the Italian motorcycle giant Ducati, who launched an array of superbikes costing up to almost 50 lakhs, and finally Suzuki joined the troop in late-2008, with its Hayabusa superbike and the Intruder cruiser.

Hero Honda, defying the recession has tried to maintain its sales by launching three new bikes, which are actually updated versions of the bikes presently in the market.

The new bikes are in the entry-level and the executive segment with prices ranging from Rs 35,800 to Rs 55,450 (prices are ex-showroom Delhi). The models receiving the updates are the very popular Glamour and the CD Deluxe and the not so popular Fuel Injected Glamour Fi.

The scooter market does have its fair share in the Indian 2-wheeler market, 15% to be precise. Honda with the Deo and Activa, and TVS with the Scooty pep have ruled this segment for a long time so it is the right time for Yamaha to inject some appeal in these things by introducing its racing inspired moto-scooters!

The Division Head (product planning & strategy) of the company, Sanjay Tripathi, told media that the scooter that is to be launched will have an engine as equally powerful as a motorcycle engine, while the transmission will be automatic. In addition to the scooter, the company also plans to launch two motorcycles, he said.

Japanese two-wheeler major Suzuki today launched its two hyper sports bikes, the all speed Hayabusa and the all muscle cruiser Intruder M1800R, both priced at Rs12.5 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi).

Suzuki Intruder M1800R-

The mighty M1800R is an exercise in ultimates. It is the most powerful mass-production cruiser and uses brakes developed for racing application, has the biggest rear-tyre on a production motorcycle and the biggest piston on any car or motorcycle.

Performance wise, the M1800R is the ultimate production cruiser. If you demand custom bike attention but want sports-bike power and handling, then the M1800R is just the kind of bike for you.

The bike weighs in at a mammoth 319kg! Its got a 1783cc V-Twin engine which offers lots of torque for laid back cruising. Special feature is its shaft driven rear wheel.

Read on for Hayabusa details and Image Galleries

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