Suzuki has launched the third ‘big bike’ in its India line-up, in the form of the new Katana. The retro-styled litre-bike has been priced at Rs 13.61 lakh, and here’s what else you can buy in India for similar money.
1. Kawasaki Versys 1000 – Rs 12.07 lakh
The closest Japanese litre-class bike to the Katana is the Kawasaki Versys 1000, which also comes powered by an inline-four cylinder motor, but a slightly larger one than the Suzuki’s, displacing 1,043cc. Known for its legendary tractability, this motor contrasts starkly against the screaming, high-revving Japanese inline-fours we’re used to, serving up 120hp and 102Nm at a very accessible 9,000rpm and 7,500rpm, respectively. The output levels are considerably lower than the Suzuki’s, but then so is the price, at Rs 12.07 lakh.
2. Aprilia RS 660 – Rs 13.39 lakh
Significantly down on displacement and power, but not lacking in exotica, the Aprilia RS 660 carries a very hefty Rs 13.39 lakh price tag, courtesy of being brought in as a CBU. The little Italian sportbike features a 660cc parallel-twin motor producing 100hp and 67Nm, powering a bike that weighs a pretty slender 183kg ready-to-ride.
3. Harley-Davidson Forty Eight – Rs 13.49 lakh
At the opposite end of the spectrum from the performance-focused Aprilia sits the Harley-Davidson Forty Eight. On the sensibility scale, it might rank even lower than the Italian, with a tiny 7.9-litre fuel tank, but the two bikes are evenly matched on attractiveness, with the Harley sporting a very brattish bobber look and a shouty 1,202cc V-twin motor to match. Yours for Rs 13.49 lakh.
4. Triumph Tiger 900 – Rs 13.7 lakh-Rs 14.35 lakh
If you want your adventures to continue even after the road ends, then the bike on this list that will capture your attention is the Triumph Tiger 900. Available in two guises, the GT version (Rs 13.7 lakh) is slightly more road-biased, while the Rally variant (Rs 14.35 lakh) has more of an off-road focus. Both forms are powered by the same 888cc inline-triple cylinder complete with a T-plane crankshaft and producing 95hp and 87Nm.
5. Ducati Hypermotard 950 – Rs 14 lakh
The final bike on this list is one that’s unlike anything else currently on the market, and its name tells you everything you need to know. The Hypermotard is exactly what it says on the tin – a supermoto dialled up to 11. Powered by the 937cc Testastretta L-twin motor that does duty in a number of other Ducatis, this bike serves up a truly unique experience, and you can read all about it in our review. It does demand a premium for all this excitement, though, and is the second-most expensive bike on this list, with its RVE variant (the only one available in India) priced at Rs 14 lakh.
All prices ex-showroom, India
Azaman Chothia
Vishal Venugopal
