Stars of INTERMOT 2014: Kawasaki Ninja H2R, Ducati Scrambler & Suzuki GSX-S1000

Text: www.topgear.com/india

By Amaan Ahmed

ETPanache handpick three exciting new motorcycles that stood out at the international two-wheeler show in Cologne:
Kawasaki Ninja H2R



This is the brand-new Kawasaki Ninja H2R. We'd expected a bike that would be incredibly powerful, but not something like this. It's a tremendous assault on your eyes, but the kind that we quite enjoy.

This isn't the road-going H2, but a hardcore, racetrack-only version of it named the H2R.



Powering it is a 998cc inline-four motor, but aiding the engine is a supercharger. The H2R is said to make 'roughly' 300PS. That's 296bhp. On a motorcycle.

While it may have the power to notch up some insane numbers on the speedo, the sculpted, aerodynamic bodywork was purpose-built by Kawasaki's aerospace division to scythe through the air at high speeds.


Ducati Scrambler

In stark contrast to the Ninja H2R, Ducati's all-new Scrambler is a nofrills, back-to-basics motorcycle that aims to reintroduce the simple joys of riding to the world.



In a world where the horsepower race is growing crazier by the day, Ducati said that there is a replacement for displacement, and that is lightness. So, the Scrambler has a 803cc, aircooled, fuel-injected L-twin motor that puts out 75bhp and 68Nm of torque.

Power is sent to the chain-driven, knobby Pirellishod rear wheel through a sixspeed gearbox. With all fluids on board, the Scrambler weighs just 186kg. It may not be particularly fast, but to look for pace on a motorcycle like this would be missing the point.
Suzuki GSX-S1000



As the name suggests, this is a derivative of the GSX-R1000. Only here, there's no fairing to be found, because thi s i s super -naked. Propelling this burly Suzuki is a 999cc, four-cylinder GSX-R motor that has been detuned so it makes less power, but it's more accessible because there's more shove available lower down the rev range.

Underpinning it is a new aluminum chassis, which, Suzuki says, weighs less than the one on the GSX-R1000. There's a three-stage traction control system that alters power delivery according to the road conditions, and ABS is also available as an option.