Half a month back I posted an article and I talked about Honda coming in BD and giving a hard time to Yamaha which starts the fight between the Japanese Motorcycles Brand. What I didn’t realize that under the shadow Suzuki Motorcycle In Bangladesh too decided to join in this Royal Battle. Last week I got a mail from Rancon Motor Bikes Ltd. Cief Operating Officer,Md.Lutful Kabir who has invited me in a press conference where they will announce the introduction of Suzuki Motorcycles in Bangladesh after more than a decade later.

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In the past they used to bring Suzuki Motorcycles in Bangladesh mainly from Japan and most of them used to be 2 Stroke Motorcycles, but this time they will bring they have made some good preparation. Yes I still think in relation to its compatriot their product line up does look a bit weak but not to be fooled by that as whatever weapon they have under their belly is enough to sweat their competitor in the market.

This is made possible by Rancon Motor Bikes Limited. Rancon is currently constructing a state of the art plant art Savar Beximco Industrial Park exclusively to build Suzuki Motorbikes. The cutting edge plant will be capable of producing 20,000 motorbikes within the first year. The press conference was attended by Mr. Katsumi Takata, General Manager, Global Motorcycle Marketing of Suzuki Motor Corporation and Mr. A. Rouf Chowdhury, Chairman, Rangs Group, Mr. Romo Rouf Chowdhury, Managing Director, Rangs Group were present amongst other high ranking officials.

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During the press conference Mr. Romo Rouf Chowdhury talked about the biking aspect of Bangladesh. He talked about the legacy of Suzuki Motorcycles and about his dream on this project that is to help lower the cost of bikes as much as possible and try to make sure that every family has a bike as a main stream of transport. Initially if someone imports a motorcycle as a whole product from outside he has to pay 150% tax but if they assemble the same bike in BD they have to 121% tax.

He hope that in the near future the government will be kind enough to the bikers in BD and will lower down the import tax on motorcycle parts. Also present in the press conference was Mr. Katsumi Takata, General Manager, Global Motorcycle Marketing of Suzuki Motor Corporation who thinks that Bangladesh will be great venture for the motorcycle industry in the coming years. Takata lead the Suzuki Indian Corporation and after good success there he is on a mission to capture the market of Bangladesh as well.

Suzuki Motorcycle In Bangladesh Product Lineup 

Suzuki Hayate

Engine: 112.8cc

Power:  8.3 BHP @7,500 RPM

Torque: 8.8NM @5000 RPM

Fuel Capacity: 8 liter (Including Reserve)

Number of  gears : 4

Saddle Height : 800 mm

Wheelbase : 1260 mm

Starting : Kick & Electrical Start

Kerb Mass: 112 kg

Color:

The Suzuki Hayate is a Japanese word meaning “Fresh Breeze” or “Swift wind”. Built with the thought of providing customers with a motorcycle that is comfortable and makes their daily travelling enjoyable, Hayate is a mileage value-packed product. Its 8 liter fuel tank and unbeatable mileage cuts down trips to the petrol bunk even for daily commuters. The bike comes with aluminum cast wheels and front and rear drum brakes. The aggressive headlight, new-age fender and stylish rear lights give the Hayate a sleek and contemporary look.

PRICE: 1,25,000 BDT (EXPECTED)

SUZUKI SLINGSHOT+plus

Engine: 124cc

Power: 8.5 BHP@8500 RPM

Torque: 10NM@6000 RPM

Fuel Capacity: 12.1 liter (Including Reserve)

Number of  gears : 5

Saddle Height :790 mm

Wheelbase : 1265 mm

Starting : Kick & Electrical Start

Kerb Mass: 128 KG

The Suzuki SlingShot Plus offers a complete package in terms of Style, Comfort, Performance and Practicality – all combined in a 125 cc bike. It addresses the customer’s need for a bike that is as frugal on fuel as a 100 cc bike and yet has the looks to match a 150 cc premium bike.Inspired by its bigger siblings from the GSX-R series, the Suzuki SlingShot Plus boasts of sharp edgy head lamps, stylishly designed visor, an all new front fender design and a convenient gear position indicator for ease in riding in city traffic.

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The newly designed sturdy upswept frame constructed with a longer swingarm coupled with an adjustable rear suspension and a race inspired light weight alloy provide the Suzuki SlingShot Plus with the perfect balance and agility for varied road conditions without compromising on comfort and ergonomics.

But am sorry when all but one 125cc bikes in the market has around 10-12 BHP why on earth doe this bike pumps out only 8.5 Given the fact it has an vertical engine position rather than an horizontal one. It’s really a mystery; I think it may be one of the most fuel efficient in its class.

PRICE: 1,60,000 BDT (EXPECTED)

SUZUKI GS 150R

Engine: 150cc

Power 13.8 BHP@8500 RPM

Torque 13.4 NM@6000 RPM

Fuel Capacity: 15.5 liter (Including Reserve)

Number of  gears : 6

Saddle Height : 790 mm

Wheelbase : 1340 mm

Starting : Kick & Electrical Start

Kerb Mass: 149 KG

Color:

GS150R is a 150cc, 4-stroke air-cooled engine that delivers robust acceleration performance in the low to mid range. The engine is specially designed to fulfill the conflicting demands of acceleration and fuel efficiency. The bike has unique GSX-R-derived engine rpm indicator lights which gives an indication to the rider about the optimum up-shift timing.

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Furthermore, the sporty style headlight inspired from Suzuki international super bike, GSX-R, gives GS150R a very distinct and muscular look. The bike also boasts of a super sleek, streamlined aerodynamic shaped LED Tail Lamp and Integrated Rear Turn Signals based on GSX-R styling, which takes the style quotient to the next level.

The GS150R has a 6 speed gear box which will help to cruise on the highway without too much stress on the engine. It won the award for the ‘Motorcycle of the Year 2010 up to 160cc’ award by NDTV Profit’s Car Bike Awards 2010. This bike has a ROD Handle bar which is very useful in congested traffic in Dhaka city. There are many Suzuki Showroom where you can get these bikes.

Price: 2,00,000 BDT (EXPECTED)

So now as always your QUESTIONS and my ANSWERS>

Q: How will this whole thing work?

A: They will for now bring all the spare parts from India and will assemble them in Bangladesh in their factory in Savar.

Q: When will they come?

A: They said that they expect the bikes to go on sale come February 2014.

Q: Product lineup and price?

A: You won’t be asking that question until and unless you are blind.

My verdict:

With Honda motorcycle in Bangladesh due to come this year, Suzuki Motorcycle In Bangladesh next year and there are now some humming rumor that Yamaha too will start a manufacturing plant in BD in the coming years, I think 2014 will be a REVOLUTION for the Motorcycle Industries in Bangladesh.

By Wasif Anowar