Different options, different riding styles - which one suits you the best?
It’s never too late to hop onto a two-wheeler and experience the joy of freedom. While some start their obsession for two wheels early, some don’t. That doesn’t necessarily mean that the former are ‘enthusiasts’ but the latter aren’t. There are various types of motorcycles serving specific styles of riding available in the market today. And for those unaware of all the genres in the motorcycling industry, here is a list that would give you a clearer picture of the bike you intend to buy, its purpose and if it suits your needs. For obvious reasons, we are excluding commuters from the list. So here goes.
Hyper Sports -
This niche category is more like the big daddy of all fast bikes, and they’re purpose-built to reach breakneck speeds of 300+ kmph. To put it differently, these bikes can achieve a 0-100kmph time under 2.5 seconds! That said, getting these bikes to achieve those speeds isn't an easy task and requires some serious hardware, like 200PS engines. These bikes weigh a lot and don’t corner well compared to the average superbike. Additionally, they aren’t the most comfortable of the lot either - rear-set footpegs, clip-on handlebars and a stiff suspension make for an aggressive ride. The Ducati Superleggera, Kawasaki Ninja H2R and the BMW HP4 Race are some examples of hyper sports bikes. If outright speed it what you’re looking for, these bikes with a singular focus towards hyper velocity should serve your purpose.
Sportbikes -
Based on their MotoGP counterparts, these road-going bikes, unlike hyper sports bikes, are more performance focused - be it acceleration, cornering or braking. They’re built with lightweight components, packed with electronic aids and a motor that can hurl you from 0 to holy cow in less than 3 secs. These fully faired bikes are mostly used for short weekend rides or track sessions owing to their race-oriented (uncomfortable) riding dynamics. If you are a speed/cornering junkie and don't care much about ergonomics, this is the right segment for you. The BMW S 1000 RR, Ducati V4, Kawasaki ZX-10 R and the Honda CBR1000RR are some of the best superbikes you can look at.
Sports Touring -
If you like travelling long distances at lightning speeds with the convenience of saddlebags strapped to your bike, this is the segment for you. Sports Touring is a growing market amongst motorcycle enthusiasts. The power and dynamics of a superbike with the convenience of a tourer is the apt way to put it. These bikes still have rear-set footpegs but they’re not as aggressively positioned as superbikes. The more upright and wide handlebar along with the footpegs make for a relatively comfortable ride. Additionally, you also get are some decently cushioned seats, panniers and a large windshield to complete the package. The Kawasaki Ninja 1000, Ducati SuperSport, BMW S 1000 XR, Suzuki GSX-S1000F and the Honda CBR650F are some of the best options here.
Naked Street Bikes -
This rapidly growing segment attracts the most amount of customers amongst the lot. These bikes offer the performance of a superbike with the relaxed ergonomics of a street bike. Plus most of them are priced under Rs 10 lakh. However, the absence of a windshield will often see you hugging the full tank at high speeds. Lately, companies have also started producing sub-400cc street bikes like the KTM 390 Duke for developing countries like ours, tasting huge success. The spectrum of naked street bikes extends all the way from the KTM 390 Duke, Triumph Street Triple RS, Kawasaki Z900 to the Aprilia Tuono V4 1100 and BMW S 1000 R. The minimal use of bodywork also means smaller bills in case of a fall. People who are considering a bike which can run daily errands and provide the thrills of a sports bike will surely love this segment.
Tourers -
What if we told you, you can enjoy the comfort and features of a car on two wheels? These bikes come packed with a ton of features normally seen on cars: large engines, bigger fuel tanks, weather protection, a ton of storage, comfortable seats, stereo system, heated grips and an upright seating position to name a few. They’re meant for long hauls so don’t expect to scrape your knees or reach triple-digit speeds really fast. The Honda Gold Wing, Indian Roadmaster and Harley-Davidson Street Glide are some of the best out there.
Adventure Tourers -
It’s the perfect balance between the touring and adventure motorcycling categories. Those thrill seekers looking for a bike that can haul luggage and also go off-road if need be will find these bikes really intriguing. Long travel suspension, a low seat height, wind protection, panniers, dual-purpose tyres, a massive fuel tank and an upright riding posture make up for the persona of the bike. Much like naked bikes, manufacturers are tapping into lower capacity adventure tourers designed to cater to the mass market. The Triumph Tiger 800 XCx, BMW R 1200 GS and the Ducati Multistrada 1200 Enduro are some of the well know adventure tourers. These bikes are best enjoyed on long smooth stretches like the Pune-Bangalore route.
Cruisers -
Cruisers are designed for laid-back riding. They are low, long and mean-looking with forward foot controls and a large capacity V-twin slapped in between. Throw in some saddlebags, fuel up and you’re good to go long distances in armchair comfort. The first name that crops up when you speak of cruisers is Harley-Davidson, although with time a lot of other companies have managed to offer similar or better cruisers. To name a few, the Indian Scout, Moto Guzzi Eldorado and the Triumph Thunderbird Storm.
Scramblers -
Today's scramblers are a healthy mix of old and new design with a higher than average riding height and shocks, and dual-purpose tires, spoked rims and stripped down to the bare essentials. It's purpose-built for off-road and street use. Companies like Ducati, Triumph and BMW manufacture some of the best ones out there, like the Ducati Scrambler, Triumph Street Scrambler and the BMW R nineT Scrambler.
Modern Classic -
A fast-growing segment to say the least. It’s the essence of a classic retro bike coupled with modern technology and a hint of modern design elements. Although these bikes may be limited to retro styling; underneath, they are modern enough to match the most tech-laden bikes of today. And they look fantastic! Enthusiasts who like standing out from the crowd would definitely consider going for a neo-retro styled bike. For eg; the BMW R nineT, Triumph Thruxton R and Kawasaki Z900 RS.
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