Addicted to superbikes

They have great looks and hot bodies, with the power to match. Superbikes and cruisers are fast gaining a fan following among India’s rich and famous

You need not own a Cayenne to show your affluent muscle. You can do it with a two-wheeler. The addicts call it the superbike: two wheels that spell power, pedigree and pelf. Well, here’s the sexiest gang: Suzuki Hayabusa, Kawasaki Ninja, Honda CBR, Harley Davidson and the Ducati, which is the most popular of the lot.

Bike importer Mohammed Kashif Khan, who owns a Honda CBR 600cc and a Suzuki Hayabusa, has his ears to the ground: “Earlier, we used to get a few orders; now we import at least two high-end bikes a month on average. Depending on the make, these bikes cost anywhere between Rs8 lakh and Rs16 lakh.”

Cars may be ultimate mobile luxury, but a two-wheeler is also a proxy for affluence. Bike editor-in-chief Adil Jal Darukhanawala explains the rise of the trend, “The aspirations and affordability quotient of people has gone up, so luxury bikes are now in demand. Bikes like the Kawasaki Ninja and Honda Fireblade are a better bet than a luxury car, which can run into a few crores.”

IT capital Bangalore is the newest pillion rider. Says Anand Adkoli, CEO of Liqwid Krystal, an e-learning company, and a Kawasaki Ninja owner.

“I was in the US for 15 years; there, I rode a Harley Davidson and a sports bike. I see a similar trend in India. In Bangalore, about five years ago, there were about only 25 superbikes; there are about 150 now.”

But imports alone may not satiate greed or passion. On the starting block, just ready for the launch, are Yamaha’s YZF R1 and MT O1 superbikes. These bikes, which would be priced above Rs10 lakh, would essentially test the market for high-end bikes. Experts say the market, which is all of 100 bikes today, would grow five fold in 2-3 years. Still, it would be a micro market of thrill-seekers.

Delhi-based surgeon Arun Theraja, who owns a Kawasaki Ninja ZX 12R and is founder of Group of Delhi Superbikers (GODS), says riding a powerful sports bike is an addiction: “When I ride my Ninja, it feels I have attained nirvana: the power, killer looks, and gorgeous engineering. Imagine the pleasure of riding a 1200cc bike which has 170 horse power!”

Sumit Mehra, a builder and a member of GODS, has a 2007 Suzuki Hayabusa and is in love with it: “It is a dream ride and an engineering marvel,” says Mehra, “It is a passion for me, but they are bought as a status symbol by many people.”

But Sanjay Gupta, senior manager, marketing, Honda Motorcycles India, disagrees: “Such bikes are rarely bought simply as a status symbol. They are bought by people who already have achieved that status in society and are passionate about biking. These people have the money, so they have the option of fulfiling their passion of riding such superbikes.”

For Della Tecnica managing director Jimmy Mistry, who owns a Harley Davidson V Rod V2, a Ducati and a Rocket Triumph 3, the bikes are dreams and thrills come  true. 

Mistry’s view is echoed by Parvez Damania, ex-CEO of Damania Airlines, who owns two Harley Davidsons, a Harley Davidson 1200 Custom and a Harley Davidson Nightrod. “Riding my bike is a spiritual experience. My Harley fits my personality. What could be better than that?”