The domestic high-end bike segment is getting crowded. While Eicher Motor?s Royal Enfield division is already leading with models like the Bullet Machismo 500 and Thunderbird, Yamaha Motors on Tuesday marked its entry into the segment with its newly launched Super Sports YZF-R1 and the Torque Sports MT01 bikes. The bikes carry a price tag of Rs 10.5 lakh each.
Suzuki Motorcycles and Honda Motorcycles & Scooters India are also mulling plans to come up with high performance bikes in the near future, thanks to the rising income level of Indian youth. ?The rising number of big bike enthusiasts, coupled with increasing income levels, makes India one of the most important markets for Yamaha,? says Tomotaka Ishikawa, CEO & MD, Yamaha Motor India.
Adds Satya Sheel, MD, Suzuki Motors, ?Economic development has led to a shift in bike preference and with a large number of people vying for such high-end models, we also plan to come up with a higher engine capacity bike.?
?Honda will come up with plans to bring its global top-end bikes to India,? says NK Rattan, VP (sales & marketing), Honda Motorcycles & Scooters India.
The government has allowed the import of motorcycles with engine capacities over 800cc if they clear Bharat Stage-III emission norms as part of a trade deal with the US.