All are entry-level performance bikes that don't cost a bomb!
The bridge between the commuters and superbikes is called the entry-level-performance motorcycle segment. These are the bikes, which give you a performance punch without burning the hole -- the size of a superbike -- in your pocket. Although, the output of these machines are not comparable to the high-performance bikes, they are quite sufficient for the Indian roads. Nowadays, it has become the most popular category of the market as well and the manufacturers have raised the level of competition with their new and advanced machines launching every year.
So, let's checkout the entries of the year 2014.
2014 Hero Karizma and Karizma ZMR
2014 Hero Karizma
Hero MotoCorp unveiled a bunch of new and updated products along with the all new Karizma and Karizma ZMR in October 2013.
After a long wait, the 2014 Karizma and Karizma ZMR were launched in June 2014 with a price tag of Rs 85,559 and Rs 1,07,000 (ex-showroom Mumbai) respectively. The new models take inspiration from the company's technology partner Erik Buell Racing (EBR).
Hero Karizma ZMR
Powering the bikes is the same 223cc, single-cylinder, air-cooled engine with re-tuned power specs.
The new Hero Karizma delivers 19.2bhp of maximum power, upgraded from the 17.2bhp of the previous model, while the ZMR version gets some extra punch with the power output going upto 20bhp.
KTM RC 200 and RC 390
KTM RC 200
The Austrian auto maker brought the track versions of its Duke twins -- RC 200 and RC 390 -- in India in September 2014. The bikes are designed for a proper track experience with an aggressive lean forward seating position.
The bikes are based on their Duke siblings and house the same 199.5cc and 373.2cc, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled motors delivering 25hp and 43hp of maximum power respectively.
Aesthetics of the RC twins are inspired by the full size track motorcycle -- the RC 8R -- and it gets some unique features like twin projector headlamps and integrated pillion seat.
KTM RC 390
The KTM RC 200 and RC 390 come with a price tag of Rs 1.6 lakh and Rs 2.05 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) respectively.
Kawasaki Z250
Kawasaki Z250
After a long time, Japanese auto major Kawasaki launched the Z250 street fighter in India at Rs 2.99 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) in October 2014. Based on the Ninja 300's platform, the bike also shares the aesthetics of the supersport styled machine except the front fairing.
Propelling the bike is a 250cc, liquid-cooled, parallel-twin engine, which makes a good 33bhp of maximum power output. The bike belongs to Kawasaki's 'Z' family, which is known for its wild and brutal appearance.
When you look at the bike from the front, you can get a feel of the bigger Z800 due to its aggressive headlight.
Suzuki Inazuma
Suzuki Inazuma
Suzuki launched the 250cc parallel-twin powered Inazuma in India with a price tag of Rs 3.1 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) in January 2014. With very common street bike look and 26bhp of maximum power, the bike didn't perform well in the market.
In June 2014, the company slashed the price of the bike by Rs 1 lakh, but that too didn't work and recently, Suzuki removed the bike from its website. However, the bike is still on sale as per the company and will be discontinued in March 2015.
Hyosung Aquila GV250
Hyosung Aquila GV250
Hyosung came up with an entry level cruiser -- Aquila aka GV250 -- at the 2014 Indian Auto Expo in February. With a conventional cruiser type design, the bike is priced at Rs 2.69 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).
It houses an oil and air-cooled, DOHC, V-twin engine displakhing 249cc, which puts out 21.37Nm of torque at 7,000rpm. The bike gets a comfortable seating with low seat height, pull-back handlebar and forward mounted wide foot rests.
It has an attractive styling with a tear-droop fuel tank, full-sized metal fenders and lots of chrome work.
2014 Hyosung GT250R
2014 Hyosung GT250R
DSK Hyosung presented its supersport quarter-litre machine GT250R with some cosmetic updates. The new model of the bike looks almost identical to its elder sibling, the GT650R, except the engine and the muffler.
Price of the bike didn't see any noticeable change and comes at Rs 2.76 lakh (ex-showroom, Pune). The bike retained the same 28bhp, 250cc, V-twin motor, mated to the smooth 6-speed gearbox.
