Improved road infrastructure, coupled with high disposable income is making super-bikes popular among highlanders  The Indian superbike market that till date has been fuelled by sales mostly in metros, has found a new lucrative market, which has even taken manufacturers of these premium bikes by surprise. These high engine bikes are now attracting customers from mountains and high land areas, where penetration level for these bikes has traditionally been quite low. This view has been supported by a survey conducted by Machinist360, where a whopping 100% of the respondents feel that superbikes are indeed gaining popularity among highlanders. In India, Suzuki, Yamaha and Honda are the frontrunners in rolling out superbikes.Improved roads facilitating growth
According to Ajit Pal Singh, sales executive of Jammu KCS Automobile Pvt Ltd, a Suzuki bike dealer in Jammu, “One of the major factors behind popularity of superbikes among highlanders is the gradual improvement of road infrastructure in these terrains. Driving superbikes is a pleasure when roads are smooth. In the last few years, road infrastructure in mountains has undergone a tremendous metamorphosis, which is spurring sales of superbikes in the hilly areas.”
Industry insiders also opine that with most superbikes being manufactured in India, the cost has come down to some extent that is pushing up sales of these bikes. In this context, Suresh Mordani, managing director of Anmol Yamaha, a Yamaha bike dealer in Guwahati, says, “Earlier, engines of superbikes were manufactured outside India, which resulted in long waiting period for these bikes. But now they are fabricated within the country, which has drastically reduced the waiting period for the same. Moreover, of late disposable income of people in the hilly areas has also increased, which now makes these bikes affordable for them.”
Mr Mordani also added that with the entry of Harley Davidson in the Indian superbike market, competition in the segment is set to intensify further.
Arup Choudhury |
