2016 New bike launches: Rs 1 to 4 lakh

1, TVS Apache 200

The new motorcycle will be the flagship offering from the Hosur based manufacturer and will take design cues from the Draken concept that was showcased at the last years Auto Expo. It will be powered by a 200cc displacement single-cylinder motor that will be mated to a 6-speed gearbox. The TVS Apache 200 is expected to churn out around 25PS of max power. The bike will employ telescopic front forks and monoshock unit at the back to handle suspension duties. Braking will be done by petal disc brakes and ABS will be an optional extra.

Expected Price: Under Rs 1 lakh

Expected launch: Early 2016

Rivals: KTM 200 Duke, Bajaj Pulsar 200NS

2, Royal Enfield Himalayan

The Royal Enfield Himalayan has to be among the most highly anticipated new launches for 2016. The new motorcycle will be the first adventure offering from Royal Enfield and also a complete new powerplant. The panniers on the spy picture seem to be an optional fitment. Powering the new Royal Enfield Himalayan will be an oil-cooled, 410cc, single-cylinder powerplant pushing out around 28PS of power and 30Nm of torque. The motor will also have overhead cams instead of the traditional push rod architecture on Royal Enfield engines and is expected to freely rev to 6,500-7,000rpm. The engine will also be equipped with a counter balancer to reduce vibrations, so expect the Himalayan’s mill to be the most refined unit seen on a Royal Enfield yet. The instrument console will house an analogue speedometer, tachometer, digital display for clock, odometer and trip meter along with compass and even altimeter readings. Braking on the Himalayan will be done by disc brake on both the ends while ABS wouldn’t be offered even as an optional extra.

Expected Launch Date: Early 2016

Expected Price: Around Rs 1.7 lakh 

Rivals: None

3, Yamaha MT-15

The Yamaha M-Slaz is a 150cc streetfighter based on the Yamaha R15 Version 2.0 that is sold in India. The new bike will be most likely renamed as the Yamaha MT-15 in India and it is expected to be showcased at the 2016 Auto Expo in Delhi early next year. Being a streetfighter, the Yamaha MT-15 adopts sharp and edgy styling which should make it a popular offering among youngsters. Also the snazzy decals with bright colours further enhance its visual appeal. The new Yamaha motorcycle employs a full-digital instrument console as opposed to the part-digital unit as seen on the Yamaha R15. Being a naked motorcycle, the riding posture has been tweaked, it sports a flat and wide handle bar which results in an upright riding posture. Power figures hasn’t been revealed yet but expect it to be the same 150cc motor as seen on its faired sibling. The liquid-cooled, single-cylinder engine churns out 17PS of peak power and 15Nm of maximum torque. Power will be transmitted to the rear-wheel via a 6-speed gearbox and we can expect the gear ratios to be tuned to suit its streetbike credentials.

Expected Launch Date: Mid-2016

Expected Price: Under Rs 1.5 lakh 

Rivals: KTM 200 Duke

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4, Bajaj Pulsar CS400

Among all the new motorcycles that were showcased at the 2014 Auto Expo by Bajaj Auto the Pulsar CS400 (Cruiser Sport).was definitely the stand out motorcycle. With the new CS400, Bajaj plans to kick-start the affordable power cruiser motorcycle segment in the Indian market. The design inspiration for the motorcycle is varied; the headlamp and front fairing come across as an evolution of the Pulsar 200 NS design and so does the longer fuel tank. But, overall, the Pulsar CS 400 reminds one of a scaled down Diavel from Ducati. The end result is a motorcycle that looks stunning. Expect power output in the range of 35PS. 

Expected Launch Date: Early 2016

Expected Price: Under Rs 2 lakh 

Rivals: Royal Enfield Thunderbird 500

5, Suzuki Gixxer 250

We broke the news that Suzuki is working on a new a new 250cc motorcycle for our two-wheeler market.  Since the new bike is based on the next generation litre-class Suzuki flagship the design of the Gixxer 250 is more aggressive and sporty than the current Gixxer SF. The Suzuki GSX-R250 sports LED headlamps and a sharper, more aerodynamic fairing. We expect the Gixxer SF 250 will ditch the LED lights for conventional lamps to keep the cost low in India. The bike will be equipped with clip-on handle bars which should result in a sporty riding position.

According to our sources, the new Suzuki Gixxer 250 will be powered by a single-cylinder 250cc powerplant. By employing a single-cylinder unit, Suzuki will be able to keep the production cost low and thereby pricing the bike aggressively. The new engine is being developed in India under the guidance of engineers from Suzuki’s Japanese headquarters. The motor will be mated to a 6-speed transmission while power output is assumed to be around 25 to 28PS. Braking duties will be handled by disc brakes at front and rear while the Gixxer 250 would employ telescopic front forks and a monoshock unit at the rear. 

Expected Price: Around Rs 2 lakh

Expected launch: Late 2016

Rivals: KTM RC 390, Honda CBR 250R

6, UM Renegade S

The new UM Renegade Sport S is its first cruiser motorcycle offering for the Indian market. According to the US manufacturer it has heavily localised the new Renegade Sports S with tyres sourced from TVS, Gabriel suspension bits and locally sourced headlamp, tail lamp and instrument console. The styling of the motorcycle has been inspired from large cruiser bikes and the Renegade S that was showcased sported stealth black paint job with contrasting orange accents. The cruiser is powered by a 279cc, water-cooled, single-cylinder fuel-injected motor churning out 26.6PS at 8,600 rpm and 22.76Nm at 6,300 rpm. The powerplant is mated to a 6-speed gearbox.

Expected Launch Date: Early 2016

Expected Price: Rs 1.7 lakh 

Rivals: Royal Enfield Thunderbird 350

7, Hero HX 250R

The Hero HX250R was displayed at the 2014 Auto Expo and has generated considerable interest among the Indian motorcycling community. The HX250R uses a 249cc single-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine that produce around 31PS power and 26Nm of torque. This lightweight and powerful quarter-litre motorcycle has been jointly developed by Hero Motocorp, America’s Eric Buell Racing (EBR), AVL (Austria) and Engines Engineering. The bike features geodesic tubular chassis that integrates the engine as a stressed member of the frame, to offer sporty riding dynamics and better rigidity. The HX250R sports 37mm telescopic fork at the front and a 5-step adjustable monoshock at the rear.

Expected Launch Date: Mid-2016

Expected Price: Rs 1.5 lakh 

Rivals: Honda CBR 250R, KTM RC200

8, New KTM RC 390

KTM upped the ante as it unveiled the new KTM RC 390 with even more features at the 2015 EICMA motorcycle show. The biggest change here is the addition of a slipper clutch which was recently made available on the KTM 390 Duke. There’s also a ride-by-wire system, designed for smoother and more linear power delivery. The liquid-cooled, 373c mill churns out 43PS of peak power at 9,000rpm and 35Nm of maximum torque at 7,000rpm. At 320mm dia, the front disc brakes – developed in conjunction with Brembo - are larger, and now come with adjustable brake and clutch levers.

Expected Launch Date: Early 2016

Expected Price: Rs 2.15 lakh 

Rivals: Kawasaki Ninja 300, Yamaha R3

9, BMW G310R

The G310R is the first motorcycle to be unveiled under the joint venture between BMW Motorrad and TVS Motors. The G310R has been designed in Germany while the motorcycle will be manufactured at TVS’S production facility in Hosur. Overall styling isn’t very aggressive and the bike has been designed to appeal to the masses. Talking about engine, the BMW G310R features a 313cc liquid-cooled single cylinder motor producing 35PS of power and 28Nm of peak torque. The powerplant has been mated to a 6-speed gearbox and the motorcycle weighs 158.5kg. Braking is done via disc brake on both the ends while ABS is standard. 

Expected Launch Date: Mid-2016

Expected Price: Rs 2.5 lakh 

Rivals: Benelli TNT300, KTM 390 Duke, Kawasaki Z250

10, DSK-Benelli Tornado 302

The new Benelli Tornado 302 will be among the most popular offerings once it’s launched in India. The new bike will be the Italian bikemakers first full-faired motorcycle for the Indian market. The styling of the motorcycle is edgy and modern which will appeal to the youngsters. Talking about powerplant, the new Benelli Tornado 302 gets firepower from a 300cc, parallel-twin motor producing 36PS at 12,000rpm and 27Nm of peak torque at 9,000rpm. Power is transmitted to the rear-wheel via a 6-speed gearbox. Benelli claims that the Tornado 302 has a top speed of 170kmph which seems to be an overzealous figure. 

Expected Launch Date: Mid-2016

Expected Price: Under Rs 2.5 lakh 

Rivals: KTM RC 390, Kawasaki Ninja 300, Yamaha R3

11, Suzuki Gixxer SF rear disc brake

The Gixxer SF is in our opinion among the best 150cc motorcycle on sale. Despite all this accolades the Japanese two-wheeler hasn’t been content and continues to improve the Gixxer SF. At the time of testing the Suzuki Gixxer SF we had pointed out that Suzuki should have offered the rear disc brake at least as an optional extra if not standard fitment given the performance on tap. It seems Suzuki has taken notice of this feedback and will introduce the Suzuki Gixxer SF with rear disc brake as an optional extra. It is expected the rear disc brake variant of the Gixxer SF will be launched by mid-2016. Apart from the addition of rear disc brake, no updates on the cosmetic or mechanical front are expected on the Suzuki Gixxer and Gixxer SF. Powering the Gixxer duo is a 155cc, air-cooled, single-cylinder unit producing 14.8PS of power and 14 Nm of peak torque. The addition of rear disc brake is expected to increase the pricing of the Suzuki Gixxer and Suzuki Gixxer SF by around Rs 3,000. The Suzuki Gixxer SF retails for Rs 94,067 and the Gixxer carries a sticker price of Rs 84,634 (on road Delhi for the base variant).

Expected Price: Rs 86,000

Expected launch: Mid-2016

Rivals: Bajaj Pulsar AS150

12, Yamaha MT-03

The new motorcycle is basically a streetbike version of the Yamaha R3 which is on sale in India. The styling of the bike is exactly similar to its 250cc sibling, the Yamaha MT-25. The design language of MT-03 is akin to street bikes with a beefy tank, petite tail lamp, and exposed frame along with sharp and edgy lines that should please the naked bike loyalists. Yamaha boffins have also fine tuned the riding position to better suit to the street bike riding dynamics. It is powered by a 320cc, parallel-twin motor good enough for 43PS of peak power and 29.5Nm of peak torque.

Expected Launch Date: Mid-2016

Expected Price: Under Rs 3 lakh 

Rivals: Kawasaki Z250, KTM 390 Duke, Benelli TNT300

13, Honda CBR 300R

Visually the new offering looks much more appealing than its 250cc sibling, which looked like a scaled down version of Honda’s sports tourer, the VFR 1200F. Design influence from the CBR 500R and the CBR 1000RR Fireblade is clearly visible and works in the bikes favour. The overall design of the CBR 300R is much sportier and along with the compact dimensions it enunciates a performance oriented feel. Another major visual change on the new bike is the revised styling of the exhaust pipe which is narrower and gels well with the compact silhouette of the CBR 300R. Powering it is a 286cc mill producing 30.8PS @ 8,500rpm and a torque rating of 27Nm @ 7,250rpm. The powerplant is a bored out version of the 249cc engine as found on the 250R with the same basic engine construction and PGM-FI takes care of fuelling the bike. No changes have been done to the bikes underpinnings as the chassis and suspension of the CBR 300R appear akin to its smaller sibling and like the 250R, ABS doesn’t seem to be a standard fitment and would be an option.

Expected Price: Around Rs 2 lakh

Expected Launch Date: Mid-2016

Rivals:  KTM RC 390

14, Kawasaki Z250 SL

What makes the new Kawasaki motorcycle is the fact that it is powered by a 249cc displacement single-cylinder motor unlike the parallel twin 250cc mill as seen on the Kawasaki Z250 that is on sale in India. The fact that it uses one cylinder less, the Kawasaki Z250SL would be the cheapest Kawasaki motorcycle on sale in India when it makes its debut later this year. The Kawasaki Z250SL would be brought via the CKD route which should help in pricing the bike aggressively. Another aspect that would be vital for the Japanese two-wheeler manufacturer is localisation off its parts. It is also likely that the new Kawasaki Z250SL will replace its twin-cylinder sibling from the Indian market. The overall design of the Kawasaki Z250SL with minimal panels is in sync with traditional streetbike styling. The bike features a chiselled, single unit headlamp at front whereas the neatly sculpted fuel tank with shrouds and the exposed trellis frame add muscle to the overall profile. Powering the Kawasaki Z250SL is a 249cc, liquid-cooled, single-cylinder motor churning out 28PS at 9,700rpm and torque rating stands at 23Nm at 8,200rpm. Power is transmitted to the rear-wheel via a six-speed gearbox.

Expected Launch Date: Early 2016

Expected Price: Rs 2.5 lakh 

Rivals: Benelli TNT25, KTM 390 Duke

15, Hyosung GT300R

The Korean manufacturer marked an upgrade in this segment over the GT250R with a retuned engine. The design flaunts sharp and brawny features, which are a trademark of Hyosung’s machines. The 15-litre tank remains generously proportioned while the seat appears to be rather elongated with the rider getting more comfort on the saddle. The pillion is also set at a slightly lower position, adding to the frame’s tweaked appearance. The powertrain boasts of a 275cc 8-valve V-twin engine which, when coupled with a 5-speed constant mesh gearbox, rakes up to 20.6 PS power at 10,500 rpm with a maximum torque of 23.5 Nm at 7000 rpm. The top speed is set to jump up by around 20-30 kmph from the 150 km/h of the GT250R. The suspension experiences no change from the predecessor in the form of the 41mm upside down telescopic design. The GT300R comes with a standard 300mm front disc setup, using 4-piston callipers, while the rear brakes remain the same as the GT250R with a 230mm disc.

Expected Launch Date: Mid-2016

Expected Price: Rs 3.5 lakh 

Rivals: Kawasaki Ninja 300, Yamaha R3

16, Hyosung Aquila 300

Expected to replace Hyosung’s current Aquila 250, the GV300 (will be marketed as Aquila 300 in India) is an all new design. It sports a teardrop shaped tank, a round headlight and split seats. Being a cruiser, the GV300 has a lot of chrome bits all around on the exhaust, handlebars, mirrors and the rear suspension. In fact, the blackened out engine and the alloy wheels highlight the chrome even further. At the heart of things, the Hyosung GV300 will sport the same engine that will also power the GT300R. It gets a 275cc air/oil-cooled V-twin that produces 26.6PS of power at 8,500rpm and 23.5Nm at 7,000rpm. This unit comes mated to a 5-speed transmission. Suspension duties are performed by telescopic forks up front and hydraulic double shocks at the back. As far as the brakes are concerned, the GV300 gets a 300mm disc up front and a 270mm disc at the back, both of which are assisted by ABS. In terms of dimensions, the Hyosung GV300 is 2,294mm long, 1,130mm wide and 875mm tall. It has a wheelbase of 1,515mm.

Expected Launch Date: Mid-2016

Expected Price: Rs 3 lakh 

Rivals: None