August 7th 2008
Luxury Bikes
In a country where the motorcycle is at the bottom of the automotive food chain, it may come as a surprise that there is such a thing as a luxury motorcycle. But as the economy matures and we have a new leisure motorcycling segment (as opposed to commuter motorcycles), we are seeing the arrival of Yamaha (with the RI and MT01 at Rs. 11 lakh a pop), the speed king Suzuki Hayabusa in a similar price band and the Ducati range (starting at Rs. 20 lakh and going all the way to Rs. 50 lakh). The long awaited Harley big twins should also lighten your purse by about Rs. 20 lakh or more.
But there are luxury machines beyond these, with price tags to shock Vijay Mallya. The Ecosse Spirit ES1 serial#1 at $3.6 million would cost a mind-boggling Rs. 30 crore in India (including duties). The Ecosse Titanium Series RR Limited Edition weighs in at $275,000 (that’s over Rs. 2.5 crore with duties) and comes with a freebie worth $20,000 (Rs. 8.5 lakh) – a bespoke watch to match your exotic ride. Incidentally, most big twin Harleys are available for about $20,000
Move over Aston Martin and Lamborghini, there are new kids on the block. If you the money to match your mouth (like Jay Leno has), you could park an MTT turbine Streetfighter powered with a Rolls Royce aircraft engine in your garage. A very cool way to let people know you have arrived!
ECOSSE SPIRIT ES1
A fresh look at superbike design brings F1 technology to the motorcycle world.. The Ecosse Spirit is all about low weight, low drag and superb handling. The unique frame less chassis design bolts on the fairing, fuel tank, seat and suspension to the engine. The ownership package for serial#1 includes a couple of weeks training with championship level racers. “This is a very special opportunity to get serial#1 and to be part of the design, development and testing process,” says a spokesperson for Ecosse.
Price: $3.6 million (Rs. 14.4 crore; this figure more than doubles to Rs. 30 crore if import duties are levied)
ECOSSE TITANIUM SERIES RR LIMITED EDITION
A combination of old-world craftsmanship and computer-controlled accuracy, this all-titanium frame generates 200+ bhp from the 2150 cc V-twin power plant. This lightweight, carbon-fibre machine is peppered with race-bred components and produces insane amount of torque from its supercharged billet motor. The brainchild of Donald Atchison, the bike comes with a matching watch worth $20,000 (Rs. 8.5 lakh) from BRM, the boutique French watchmaker. The automatic chronograph’s brushed-titanium bezel reflects the brushed titanium on the motorcycle chassis. Incidentally, a Harley-Davidson Fat Boys costs less than the freebie watch.
Price: $275,000 (Rs. 1.2 crore, with duties over Rs. 2.5 crore)
MV AGUSTA F4 CC
Hand crafted in carbon fibre, aircraft grade materials and titanium, this limited edition Italian exotica is signed off by Claudio Castiglioni, Managing Director of MV Agusta. Penned by the master Massimo Tamburini, the lustrous black paintwork contrasts beautifully with elegantly-woven sections of bare carbon-fibre. The instrument panel has customized graphics and the all-black Alcantara saddle uses different fabrics on the top and sides.
Price: $120,000 (Rs. 51.8 lakh, with duties Rs. 1.07 crore)
MTT TURBINE STREETFIGHTER
This unique machine is powered by a Rolls Royce Allison gas turbine engine with 320 bhp on tap and, more importantly, 425 ft lb of torque. For the speed freak, there is an option to upgrade to 420 bhp and 500 ft lb of torque. Created by Ted McIntyre of Marine Turbine Technologies Inc., this monster clocks a record breaking 365 kmph. This engine is normally fueled by aviation fuel in Bell helicopters but the version on the motorcycle has been modified to run on diesel. “It’s like the hand of God pushing you in the back,” says Jay Leno, who has an amazing garage.
Price: $150,000++ (Rs. 64.8 lakh plus, with duties Rs. 1.35 crore)
DUCATI DESMOSEDICI RR
The 200 bhp machine weighing less than 167 kg is the new frontier of Ducati technological evolution. It is ultimate expression of the most extreme racing machine which explains why it went on to win the prestigious Robb Report ‘Best of the Best – Sport Bike’ and the ‘Best Superbike 2008’ by Cycle World magazine. Famous owners include Tom Cruise and Jay Leno. Let Ducati bring the MotoGP experience to your garage.
Price: $72,500 (Rs. 31 lakh, about Rs. 64 lakh with duties).
CUSTOM CHOPPERS
If you’re looking for a one-off custom chopper and are on first name terms with your banker, you could turn to Orange County Chopper or Jesse James. Your very cool ride will set you back anything from $50,000 to well over $100,000. Viewers of Discovery Travel & Living will be familiar with the Teutals of Orange County Choppers on American Chopper, as well as high octane action. In Biker Build-off. These are the guys who make biker dreams come true. Typically, custom choppers are built on a long, low-slung chassis powered by a large all-American V-twin motor with a skinny, raked out front end and a phat-tail at the other end. Metal work can range from minimalist to very ornate depending on the customer’s taste. Paint jobs are the icing on the cake. Airbrush artists create magic on sheet metal and the choppers are ready to roll.
Price: $50,000 onwards (Rs. 21.6 lakh, with duties Rs. 45 lakh)
BOSS HOSS
For people who believe bigger is better, these liquid-cooled V8s are the ultimate in excess on two wheels. Displacing 5700 to 6000 cc with over 400 ft lb of torque and weighting close to 600 kg, these machines are not for the meek. These monster motors are sourced from General Motors and are mated with a semi-automatic two-speed gearbox with reverese. The V8 motor is incredibly smooth and the vibration free acceleration is quite unlike that of any other motorcycle. The balance, low centre of gravity design belies the monstrous size of these behemoths.
Price: $50,000 (Rs. 21.6 lakh, with duties Rs. 45 lakh) onwards. Customs costs well above $100,000 (Rs. 43.2 lakh, with duties Rs. 90 lakh)
CONFEDERATE F131 HELLCAT COMBAT and B120 WRAITH
From the deep south in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, comes the Confederate Motor Company. The machines crafted by Confederate are an exotic balance of power and beauty. The Hellcat Combat is a limited edition variant of the second and final generation of the Hellcat, series. Concieved as a counterpoint to the Hellcat, the Wraith is inspired by the courageous and free spirited nature of the broad track racer. And there is more. Waiting in the wings is the Renevaio Project – a motorcycle that is at once primitive, bohemian and yet highly technical. Watch out Milwaukee, the south has risen as promised.
Price: $50,000 onwards (Rs. 21,6 lakh, with duties Rs. 45 lakh)
DODGE TOMAHAWK
This is the ultimate concept bike. The V10 superbike (or should we say hyperbike) displaces 8300 cc while being driven to a maximum speed of 640 kmph. It reaches 0 to 100 kmph in about 2 seconds.
BIMOTA DB7
Bimota derives its name from the initials of its three founders – Bianchi, Morri and Tamburini. The DB7 is designed by Enrico Borghesan. These exotic Italians are powered by Ducati’s beautiful 1098 power plant and for some extra cash you could get the WSBK-spec 1200cc mill from the 1098R. The bike looks stunning in its red, black and white livery with twin-stacked headlights. The chassis is a mix of tubes and machine plates and is beautiful in an industrial sort of way. Powerful and light, the DB7 creates the kind of power that excites the heart with each twist of the throttle.
Price: $45,000 plus (Rs. 19.4 lakh, with duties Rs. 40.4 lakh plus)
Author: Pranab Dutta
Source: India Today