2014 was a great year for motorcycle enthusiasts in India. It was a year, when, in true sense, we got a taste of performance machines at affordable prices. Right from big hearted American and British mean machines to Japanese warlords, we had the chance to taste every bud out there…
And with the year gone, let us look back at all the motorcycles that were launched within the 365 days of 2014…We share with you a comprehensive list and have omitted the not-so-relevant or very minor niptuck jobs like 2014 Glamour, Pulsar speedlines etc…We have also listed them in the order of their launch month and every motorcycle has been hyperlinked to its launch report so you can refresh your memories…
2014: List of All Motorcycle Launches
January:
- Suzuki Inazuma
- Indian Motorcycles:Â Chief Classic, Chief Vintage & ChieftainÂ
- Kawasaki Z800
- Mahindra Centuro N1
January marked the oncoming of the tall and lanky Indian motorcycles on our shores. The cheapest 4-cylinder Kawasaki Z800 also made way and then the controversial Inazuma also happened towards the start of the year!
February:
February say the most affordable Harley Davidson – Street 750 make way into India. Triumph also increased their portfolio with the launch of the non-R version of Daytona and for cruiser lovers the big Aquila 250 made a comeback! And if you remember this was the month of the Auto Expo 2014!
March:
In March, Hero launched their Start-Stop technology on their Splendor iSmart. Bajaj also followed with yet another Discover for the market.
April:
April saw Honda open its gates for the 125cc Activa and the new 2014 GT250R marking a significant impact.
May:
May was relatively drier month with only the big naked BMW making its way here.
June:
This was the month, when Yamaha introduced their fuel injected 150cc FZ version 2, which, though fell back on power/torque figures, but still ended up as a fantastic product. You can read its detailed review here.
August:
It was August when Bajaj launched their first semi-faired 150cc – Discover 150F (and S) which is a big hit in the market and has reinstated their position in this segment. We also had TVS launch their 110cc Scooty Zest and the most affordable and most gorgeous Indian Scout make way.
September:
- KTM RC390Â
- KTM RC200
- Suzuki GixxerÂ
- Yamaha Fazer FI Version 2.0
- Triumph Thunderbird LT
- Mahindra Gusto
Easily the month of the year, when KTM launched the rocket RC390 at throw-away prices, Suzuki launched the best 150cc- Gixxer, Yamaha introduced the fuel injected Fazer V2 and Mahindra launched their first 110cc scooter Gusto!
October:
- Splendor Pro Classic
- Kawasaki Ninja Z250
- Kawasaki ER-6N
- Yamaha SZ-RR Version 2.0
- Harley Davidson CVO Limited
- Harley Davidson Street Glide
- Harley Davidson Softail Breakout
As you can see, October was clearly the month which saw the maximum number of launches, and interestingly all of them were luring in some or the other way…For Cafe Racer folks, there was the puny Splendor Pro Classic, for naked streetfighter fans, there were the Kawasaki’s Z250 & ER-6N. Yamaha also chipped in with their Bluecore SZ-RR V2 and then there were the trio of expensive Harley Davidsons…
November:
November saw the launch of the sofa on wheels and the only motorcycle with airbags – Goldwing in India.
December:
The year ended with Honda disappointing everyone with another commuter-centric but powerful motorcycle, which could have looked better. We will reserve our comments however on its ride quality till we review it out in the open.
So, if you have to pick one among this huge list, which one would it be..?