Superbikes hit steady pace on Indian roads

Superbikes, defined as bikes with engine capacities of 1,000 cc and above, are finding plenty of takers. The market, which grew more than 60 per cent selling over 2,000 units in 2010, is expected to grow by more than 50 per cent this year.

“People’s incomes are rising and they’re realising that superbikes can be used on Indian roads too,” said NK Rattan, operating head (sales & marketing), Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India. Honda sells superbikes like Fireblade, CB1000R and VFR1200S priced at Rs 9.5-12.5 lakh. “Since 2008, more and more people are buying these bikes,” he added.

The clientele, said Rattan, includes doctors, lawyers, and well-settled professionals in their forties, all of whom are indulging in their passion for superbikes. These high net worth professionals roughly form as much as half the superbike buyers. The rest, aged between 21 and 35, are split between those who buy superbikes as a status symbol and some who look for performance. “A person may have a Mercedes, but he likes to go for a ride on a superbike with his girlfriend,” said Roy Kurian, national business head, India Yamaha Motor. The company sells FZ1, R1, MT-01 and V-Max superbikes priced at Rs 8.5-20 lakh. “This segment doesn’t require promotion. These customers know more about the bikes than the makers,” added Kurian.

Improving road infrastructure in and around big cities is driving bike makers to introduce new superbike models. “Global auto majors are recognising that India is evolving as the next big destination for the super-premium segment,” said Kapil Arora, partner (automotive), Ernst & Young.

Ducati and Harley Davidson set shop in India to sell their imported superbikes costing between Rs 7 lakh and Rs 42 lakh, while BMW Motorcycles will hit the Indian roads later this year. “Demand for superbikes will continue to be driven from big cities which have good roads” said Abdul Majeed, auto practice leader, PwC.

Superbike demand took off after Suzuki Motorcycle India launched the Hayabusa in 2007. The firm also sells Gixxer and Bandit 1250S priced at Rs 8.5 lakh and Rs 12.5 lakh.

Superbike makers also seem to be attacking the premium bike segment between 150 cc and 250 cc at price points of Rs 1 lakh to Rs 2.5 lakh to provide a feel of the bigger superbikes in similar looking but underpowered models. Yamaha, which launched an India-specific R15 model (Rs 103,000) in 2008 based on its global R1 bestseller, has seen huge success with the bike. “Initially, the demand for R15 was for 2,000 units, which has gone up to 4,000 units a month,” said Kurian.