1 Garware Motors launch Hyosung GT650R and ST7 in India [Price/Details]

Newly established Garware Motors brings us the South Korean Hyosung GT650R and ST7 motorcycles.. appoints Bollywood Star Arjun Rampal as brand ambassador

For most Indians (and even many journalists) any motorcycle which has a multicylinder 600(+) cc engine, looks big, has a "Fat Rear Tyre", falls under the SUPERBIKE nomenclature!! For such simpletons even Classic Cruisers of Harley Davidson would fall under the SUPERBIKE category and so does Adventure Tourers like the Ducati Multistrada.

So it wasn't very surprising when many sites/publications carried the news that on April 22'nd 2011, Garware Motors launched the Hyosung SUPERBIKES GT650 and the ST7.



GT650R (Price: Rs. 4.75 & Rs. 4.9 lakhs Ex-Showroom Delhi)

To give these sites/publications the benefit of the doubt, the GT650R phyically does looks like a big Japanese multi cylinder, high revving, 1000 cc Superbike. Even the riding position on the GT650R mimics the ergonomics of a Super Sports motorcycle.

But in reality the GT650 is a more of a Street Bike with enough power (73 Ps @ 9000 rpm) and torque (60.9 Nm @ 7500 rpm) from its V-twin engine to satisfy most bikers.. except maybe those who expect a 600 cc Super Sports, Japanese inline 4 engine type of performance.



Another problem for the GT650R and for Garware Motors is the soon expected, parallel twin cylinder, Kawasaki Ninja 650R. Which according to reviews has a smoother engine, better quality and above all a bigger brand name.

But then the price of Rs. 4.75 lakhs (ex-showroom) for the SuperSports look alike GT650R does make a strong statement for itself.




ST7 (Price: Rs. 5.69 lakhs Ex-Showroom Delhi)

The 700 cc, V-twin ST7 is a classic cruiser in the Harley Davidson mold. Priced at Rs. 5.69 lakhs the only problem for this model is that a genuine Harley Davidson model can now be bought for similar money in India. For the record, the Harley Davidson Iron 883 model has a price tag of Rs. 5.5 lakhs ex-showroom Delhi.
Moreover the v-twin cylinder, liquid cooled engine is a bit high revving (Max. Power of 58 Ps @ 8000 rpm and Max. Torque of 57 Nm @ 6000 rpm) to be an ideal lazy cruiser.



Sales target of 2000 units a year

Garware Motors has a sales target of around 2000 units in a year, which according to me is bit too optimistic. The Kawasaki Ninja 250R with its Rs. 3 lakh price tag managed to clock around 1000 units last year.

Moreover with the Kawasaki Ninja 650R just about to be launched and the Harley Davidson models already available in India at competitive prices, Garware Motors has its work cut out for them.


Bollywood Hunk Arjun Rampal is the brand ambassador..

"Pssst... Arjun, The Helmet..!!"







News Source: Hindu

Related Posts

• It's Official, Hyosung GT650R & ST7 in India..!! [Specifications, Photos]



• What is a "Superbike"? What is a "Super Sports" bike?



• Dummies Guide to International Motorcycle Categories

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