From left: The Suzuki Hayabusa will be launched in India by September this year, followed by the GSX-R1000 in November. Start talking to your bank manager now, regarding that loan...
The world’s fastest superbike – the 320km/h Suzuki Hayabusa GSX1300R – is now coming to India. Taking its cue from manufacturers like Yamaha and Ducati, who have already launched some of their large-capacity sportsbikes in India, Suzuki has now finalized its plans of bringing its fastest bike to the fast-evolving Indian bike market.
The Suzuki Hayabusa will be launched in the country by September this year, followed by the GSX-R1000 in November. Given the 105 percent import duties levied in India, both bikes will cost more than Rs 12 lakh.
‘The demand for big bikes is actually more of hype. Cumulatively, these bikes sell only about 400 units per annum [in India] and we don't expect volumes. Along with the GSX-R, we will probably do 150 units per annum,’ said Atul Gupta, vice-president – sales and marketing, Suzuki Motorcycle India.
‘India is not the place for these bikes. We don't have the roads like they have in developed countries, and it is not fun to ride these bikes at, say, 70km/h. We are nevertheless launching the Hayabusa because it will showcase our strength as a bike manufacturer. Moreover, these bikes are already available in the grey market so we might as well legalise them,’ says Gupta, who, it seems, would settle for peddling Suzuki's 100cc and 125cc commuter bikes all his life...
