May 01, 2003 03:41 PM
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(Updated May 01, 2003 03:41 PM)
Ho ho ho.Looks like that Kinetic Hyosung Aquila has paved the way for cruiser motorcycles in India coz this newest section of motorcycles initially started by Kawasaki Bajaj through their premium model,the Eliminator,carried on by the Yamaha's through their Enticer and glorified by the Royal Enfield's Bullet Thunderbird is going to increase by the launch of Yamaha's Dragstar,somewhere at the end of this year. And oh boy.What a bike this is!I saw it for the first time in England at my uncle's garage.He asked me to take it if I wanna go somewhere.But after sitting on it and and having a good look at its heavy metallic body,I decided to take the Honda CBR instead. After three months of hard thinking,Yamaha motor company has finally decided to launch it in the Indian market and unlike the Aquila(as BS motoring says,remman) this model would be backed with proper servicing and spare parts with the help of Yamaha dealers throughout the country.
The Dragstar,as the name suggets,is a machine with a monstrous heart,a 1063 cc mill which churns out a mindblowing 62 bhp@5150rpm(low,it may seem to be,but surely,is good).Engine is an air-cooled,4-stroke V-twin,tilted at 75 degrees.
The performance of this beast from the east is brilliant and as it accelerates pretty fast. But whats speed without control?To provide instant stoppage even at high speeds,the cruiser has been provided with a dual front and single rear disc callipers which are rated as the best amont its class. In term of styling and looks the cruiser has been redefined and turns heads at every junction.Surely any cruiser does turns heads but this one turns heads right at the back coz freaks like me turn head over heels(as was the case an year ago).Plenty of chrome has been applied on the body.The paint job done is attractive too.Finishing has been top class. Instrumentation includes speedometer,odometer,fuel gauge,tachometer.The cruiser sports a large tank which can contain upto 17 litres of petrol.The cruiser gives a mileage of 15-20 km/l which gives it a touring range of 250-360 km to travel. Till now too good,but if I open the Price range of this model,God knows many a lot will faint right now and many would stare these lines in disbelief,coz this mean machine would cost us a whopping 6 lakhs a piece which is extremely/hugely(I am running out of superlatives) expensive.And so I believe that this cruiser would remain specifically in the hands of celebrities,sportsmen and other high profiled people.But other than the pricing there is nohing to complain.
The reason that Yamaha is raving about this XVS Dragstar 1100 is because of its impressive engine performance and class-leading handling and braking qualities. Fitted with high-tech engine internals including chrome-composite plated cylinders, carbonised con rods and forged pistons,the 75 degree-twin motor pushes out a hefty torque curve and delivers impressive acceleration. Heavy-duty 41mm front forks and hardtail-look rear end not only look good, they also deliver smooth roadholding. You could say that this is one cruiser that combines plenty of show with a whole lot of go!
