Motorcycles in India seem to be getting better and more exciting with every passing year. Today, the very best and the very latest motorcycles from all over the world are available in our market. This was quite evident in the line-up we had assembled for the Autocar India Track Test. It isn’t just the 200hp machines that make motorcycling richer; even the smaller motorcycles display the maturity and ability required to impress. All through the year, we test these motorcycles and judge them on the basis of their overall usability, but come August and it’s time to judge the sportier motorcycles on the basis of their track-worthiness and their ability to thrill.
This task, as before, is handled by the one man we think can do justice to it, Rajini Krishnan. A veteran motorcycle racer with nine Indian National Road Racing Championships to his credit, Rajini also earned the title of Malaysian Superbike Champion in 2015. This year, he is defending his Malaysian title, and has found success in the China SBK series too. Despite the fitness expected of a sportsperson who trains for three-four hours a day, testing this line-up was nothing short of a mega task for the racing superstar. Let’s see how things turned out.
SUZUKI GIXXER SF (REAR DISC)
2m34.68s
Track rating 9/10
"It’s very slim, handles well and has very good power for its class."
The fully faired version of one of the most exciting bikes to be launched in the 150cc category in recent years, the Gixxer SF is now equipped with a rear-disc brake to provide improved stopping power. The grunty motor and impeccable handling package still makes for a potent combination keeping it at the top of this class. According to Rajini though, on a small bike like this, the rear-disc brake makes no real difference on the race track. With that clarified, the fact that his best time on this bike was almost 11 seconds slower than what he managed on the SF last year, it was woefully apparent that the track, after the recent resurfacing, was too slippery for fast lap times, on
smaller-capacity bikes at least.
YAMAHA YZF-R15 S
2m25.75s
Track rating 7/10
"The handling isn’t that great. The v2.0’s handling is much better."
With a lot of riders complaining about the R15 v2.0’s tall rear seat and cramped riding position, Yamaha brought the ergonomics of the first-generation bike back in the form of the YZF-R15 S. Though the mechanicals are almost the same on both the bikes, the 149cc, liquid-cooled, four-valve motor has been slightly detuned and now makes marginally less power (16.6hp vs 17hp). Rajini wasn’t too pleased with the lack of refinement in all the gears, brought about by this retuning. While he praised the improved comfort levels, it was clear that they came at the price of outright lap times on the track; an area that the v2.0 still dominates.
YAMAHA YZF-R3
2m13.01s
Track rating 8/10
"The engine is really special and deserves a better- equipped and sharper chassis."
After much ado, Yamaha entered the Indian quarter-litre bike segment last year with the Yamaha R3. This bike packs a wonderfully tractable 321cc, liquid-cooled, parallel-twin motor that puts out 42hp of peak power. The engine delivers an unparalleled riding experience, but the choice to stick with conventional forks, a simple diamond frame chassis and comfortable ergonomics has made the R3 an all-rounder, while taking some meat away from its sports-bike credentials. And our champion racer was quick to lament the lack of higher-specced componentry to make best use of that phenomenal engine, especially considering the rather high asking price for the motorcycle. Around the track, Rajini’s observations were that the suspension felt too soft while the tyres felt very inadequate.
