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Superbikes! Purpose-built machines that are built to go fast and handle like a hot knife through butter. These machines are gorgeous to look at and are also amongst the most expensive bikes you could buy (apart from crazy limited editions or custom bikes). The Kawasaki Ninja H2R, Honda CBR1000RR-R, BMW M 1000 RR, S 1000 RR and the Kawasaki ZX-10R are currently the most-powerful superbikes that you can buy in India as of May 5, 2021.
Kawasaki’s latest iteration of the ZX-10R was recently launched in India with an extremely competitive price tag making it the most affordable 200bhp+ machine in India. The 998cc inline-four churns out 200bhp (210bhp with ram air assist) at 13,200rpm and 114.9Nm at 11,400rpm. For 2021, the ZX-10R gets a fairing that promises 17 per cent more downforce, revised ergonomics under the instruction of WSBK champion Johnathan Rea, and shorter initial gears to provide better acceleration. Suspension comes courtesy of Showa BFF 43mm USDs upfront and a Showa BFRC monoshock at the rear. It retains the previous bikes Brembo M50 monobloc braking setup. And at 207kg wet is one of the heaviest, new litre-class superbike.
The BMW S 1000 RR is one of the most well rounded superbikes you can ride. The Beemer, from its 999cc, inline-four block, makes 203.8hp at 13,500rpm and 113Nm at 11,000rpm. The bike gets fully adjustable suspension on both ends, braking components from Hayes and a wet weight of 197kg in standard trim. The S 1000 RR is also offered in Pro and Pro M Sport trim which get electronic suspension, extra electronics, pro riding modes and weigh 3.5kg less.
The BMW M 1000 RR is the German manufacturer’s first full-blown, M badged bike. It uses the engine found on the standard S 1000 RR but in a higher state of tune. It puts out 209bhp of peak power at 14,500rpm and 113Nm of torque at 11,000rpm. It gets a longer swingarm, revised steering geometry, new Marzocchi suspension components and top-drawer Nissin monobloc calipers. The bike also gets a competition package with a GPS-lap trigger, pillion seat cover, loads of carbon fibre and extra crash protection. The M 1000 RR weighs in at 192kg (fully fueled) making it 5kg lighter than the standard S 1000 RR.
Honda's 2020 CBR1000RR-R also known as the Fireblade is one of the most intense iterations of the bike ever since it’s launch. This 2020 version of the Fireblade is powered by a 1000cc inline-four mill that puts out a whopping 214.5bhp at 14,500rpm and 113Nm of twist at 12,500rpm. The CBR gets Showa 43mm BPF (Big Piston Forks) USDs that are adjustable for preload, rebound and compression damping. The rear monoshock also gets similar adjustability. Braking comes courtesy of Nissin monobloc calipers mounted on 330mm discs at the front and a two-pot Brembo caliper at the rear. The bike, fully fueled, weighs 201kg. It also gets an Akrapovic titanium end can as standard to sweeten the deal.
Kawasaki’s supercharged rocket is probably among the most powerful bikes you can get your hands on, period. This is the crazier sibling of the already bonkers Ninja H2 and is, for good reason, not road legal. It makes a mind-boggling 305.7bhp and 165Nm from its 998cc supercharged, inline-four engine. It gets fully-adjustable KYB pogos at the front and an Ohlins TTX36 monoshock at the rear. The H2R, fully fueled weighs 216kg.
These are the five most powerful superbikes you could get in India today but this list won't stay the same for too long. The BS6 Yamaha R1 is due to launch sometime this year. Apart from this a couple of Italian beauties, namely the Ducati Panigale V4 and the Aprilia RSV4 are also slated to launch this year.
