Yamaha, Bajaj Auto super bikes at 2008 Auto Expo

As cars vied with each other to get smaller, it was as if the bikes were in the race to get bigger! The Delhi Auto Expo saw global models on display and the theme seemed to be raw power and BHP.

A look at the Yamaha pavilion spoke volumes on what is in store in the coming days. Superbikes ruled Pragati Maidan all through the week. Bajaj, Yamaha, Honda and Suzuki were showcasing their global models. In fact, Bajaj Auto went a step further and announced plans to launch a Kawasaki Ninja 250R and a range of sports bikes by European sports bike manufacturer KTMMost bike makers still bank on the 150cc technology when they design their products. Industry experts say that the super power bikes segment is the stepping-stone from commuter machines to performance motorcycles. And industry experts also believe that there are two ways to deliver power - increase cubic capacity or tweak the existing engine and design. This holds true for most bike makers, as the sub-200 segment is not bowing out so fast.

The companies are, however, well aware that bigger the bikes go, the prices also go up and the volumes stay too low. Hero Honda says that the rush of big bikes is more for branding purposes than anything else. The current volume in the premium segment is in the 150-180 cc segment, they feel. Though the company does not seem interested in getting into big bikes, it might be looking at bigger bikes at a later stage. They will most probably made to order though.

This means that though most companies are thinking of making high capacity machines, the bread and butter segments would not be ignored. It has been reported that Bajaj is making a 125cc along with KTM while at the same time building a new 150 cc Discover. Further, Yamaha is making the YZF-R15, which is a high tech 150cc bike with a 4-stroke single-cylinder, 4-valve fuel-injected engine.

Bajaj Auto is also readying its prototype FZ150, which will run on a a 150cc air-cooled single-cylinder engine. Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI) has showcased its Unicorn based sports bikes. Yet another player, TVS too thinks it might have to build a 200 cc bike to show the market that it too has the technology. The days of the big bikes are definitely not far.