This coming year is going to be really interesting as manufacturers have some kickass motorcycles in store for Indian customers. Big brands are going to bring revolutionary products ranging from street-fighters to adventure motorcycles and the discerning enthusiast is indeed going to be spoilt with so many choices! Here’s a list of interesting bikes that are going to be launched next year:
KTM 390 Duke:
The 2017 iteration of the already bonkers 390 Duke is perhaps one of the most awaited motorcycles in India. The bike is loaded with so many modern features that’ll make your run-of-the-mill budget performance motorcycle feel like a primitive machine on two wheels. The new 390 Duke is equipped with a counterbalanced 373cc engine paired to a six-speed transmission. The engine is tuned to be BS 4 compliant and the power is likely to be in the range of 44bhp. The engine will not only be more refined but is also likely to have a more linear powerband. Coming to technology, the instrument cluster is an LCD unit with smartphone-pairing capability. The bike is expected to reach our shores within the first half of 2017. It is expected to be around Rs 20-25,000 more than the current generation Duke. Follow this thread for updates regarding the 2017 KTM 390 Duke.
BMW G 310 R:
Keen to penetrate the budget two-wheeler segment, BMW has teamed up with homegrown brand- TVS to manufacture motorcycles that cater to those who aspire to own a bike with the legendary propeller badge (Later, I came to know that the badge is actually based on the colours used in the Bavarian flag and not an aeroplane’s propeller!). As a result of their partnership, the G 310 R was born. The bike is powered by a 313cc liquid cooled, DOHC engine which is good for 34.5PS of power and 27.9Nm of torque. The bike is likely to be much more relaxed than the 390 Duke when it comes to riding experience. The G 310 R comes with all the bells and whistles such as inverted forks, ABS, front and rear discs, digital instrument cluster and the likes. The bike is expected to be launched in early 2017 with prices hovering around INR 3 lakh. Follow this thread for more information about the BMW G 310 R
TVS Akula:
The TVS Akula, which was unveiled at the 2016 Auto Expo, is likely to be launched in the first quarter of 2017. The Akula will be TVS’ first fully-faired, track-inspired bike. The Akula will use the same engine as the G 310 R but is likely to be tuned for aggressive riding. The gearing ratio will also probably be shortened to carry maximum speed through corners. Expect race-driven technology from TVS Racing to trickle down on this bike as well. The price of the bike is estimated to be around INR 2 Lakh. Follow the updates regarding the TVS Akula here.
BMW G 310 GS:
Budding adventure riders have a reason to rejoice as BMW is bringing the smaller version of one of its most successful models, the GS. The G 310 GS will essentially share its powertrain with the G 310 R and TVS’ involvement in the G 310 means the costs will be kept in check. Expect the engine to be tuned in such a way that riders can take the path less trodden with ease. Expect the power figure to be somewhere in the region of 35bhp and the launch date to be in the second half of 2017. The bike is also likely to be slightly more expensive than the BMW G 310 R owing to its adventure credentials. You can keep yourself updated regarding the launch of BMW G 310 GS here.
RE Continental GT 750:
When it comes to the lower end of the premium segment, Royal Enfield has big plans to dominate the world and the onslaught is set to commence with the introduction of a 750cc motorcycle in India and foreign markets. The Continental GT 750 uses an all new 750cc parallel twin engine which is likely to be carburettor-fed to keep the costs down. The oil-cooled powerplant is expected to make close to 50bhp and oodles of torque at lower revs. Royal Enfield hints at the possibility of the launch of this bike in the first quarter of 2017. When it comes to pricing, expect the bike to undercut Harley Davidson’s Street 750. That means, it is likely to be priced between INR 3-4 Lakh. To know more about RE's upcoming flagship motorcycle, follow this thread.
Husqvarna Vitpilen/Svartpilen:
Husqvarna, a Swedish company, is all set to enter India with two of their affordable yet insanely cool looking motorcycles- the Vitpilen 401 and the Svartpilen 401. These bikes are likely to be sold at a premium over KTM motorcycles and I’m sure they’ll feel the part too. The mechanicals will be borrowed from the 2017 KTM 390 Duke and the retro-futuristic design is sure to carve out a new niche in the market. Husqvarna will enter India by January next year. Follow this thread for more information about Husqvarna.
Benelli Tornado 302:
Benelli has a number of products to suit different kinds of riders with different levels of experience but there was one thing missing in their portfolio - a budget faired motorcycle. Benelli plans to address this gap by launching their latest in the faired motorcycle segment - the Tornado 302. The launch is planned to happen in January 2017 and the bike is going to come with ABS as standard, to make it ready to comply with future safety regulations here. The Tornado 302 shares its twin cylinder powerplant with the TNT 300 and belts out 36PS of power and 27Nm of torque. The expected pricing is somewhere around INR 3.5 lakh. For more information about the Tornado 302, watch out for this thread.
Bajaj Pulsar 200 NS ABS:
The Pulsar 200 NS was the fastest Pulsar till the RS 200 came to the fore. Now, Bajaj plans to update the 200 NS by giving it a single-channel ABS and a BS 4 compliant engine. The ABS unit is likely to be borrowed from the Pulsar RS 200 to keep the costs in check. The new Pulsar NS 200 will enter the market by January next year, according to an article from NDTV Car and Bike. Power figures are likely to remain untouched. Expect the updated NS 200 to be a little more expensive than the older model due to the inclusion of ABS and BS4 compliance.
KTM 390 Duke:
The 2017 iteration of the already bonkers 390 Duke is perhaps one of the most awaited motorcycles in India. The bike is loaded with so many modern features that’ll make your run-of-the-mill budget performance motorcycle feel like a primitive machine on two wheels. The new 390 Duke is equipped with a counterbalanced 373cc engine paired to a six-speed transmission. The engine is tuned to be BS 4 compliant and the power is likely to be in the range of 44bhp. The engine will not only be more refined but is also likely to have a more linear powerband. Coming to technology, the instrument cluster is an LCD unit with smartphone-pairing capability. The bike is expected to reach our shores within the first half of 2017. It is expected to be around Rs 20-25,000 more than the current generation Duke. Follow this thread for updates regarding the 2017 KTM 390 Duke.
BMW G 310 R:
Keen to penetrate the budget two-wheeler segment, BMW has teamed up with homegrown brand- TVS to manufacture motorcycles that cater to those who aspire to own a bike with the legendary propeller badge (Later, I came to know that the badge is actually based on the colours used in the Bavarian flag and not an aeroplane’s propeller!). As a result of their partnership, the G 310 R was born. The bike is powered by a 313cc liquid cooled, DOHC engine which is good for 34.5PS of power and 27.9Nm of torque. The bike is likely to be much more relaxed than the 390 Duke when it comes to riding experience. The G 310 R comes with all the bells and whistles such as inverted forks, ABS, front and rear discs, digital instrument cluster and the likes. The bike is expected to be launched in early 2017 with prices hovering around INR 3 lakh. Follow this thread for more information about the BMW G 310 R
TVS Akula:
The TVS Akula, which was unveiled at the 2016 Auto Expo, is likely to be launched in the first quarter of 2017. The Akula will be TVS’ first fully-faired, track-inspired bike. The Akula will use the same engine as the G 310 R but is likely to be tuned for aggressive riding. The gearing ratio will also probably be shortened to carry maximum speed through corners. Expect race-driven technology from TVS Racing to trickle down on this bike as well. The price of the bike is estimated to be around INR 2 Lakh. Follow the updates regarding the TVS Akula here.
BMW G 310 GS:
Budding adventure riders have a reason to rejoice as BMW is bringing the smaller version of one of its most successful models, the GS. The G 310 GS will essentially share its powertrain with the G 310 R and TVS’ involvement in the G 310 means the costs will be kept in check. Expect the engine to be tuned in such a way that riders can take the path less trodden with ease. Expect the power figure to be somewhere in the region of 35bhp and the launch date to be in the second half of 2017. The bike is also likely to be slightly more expensive than the BMW G 310 R owing to its adventure credentials. You can keep yourself updated regarding the launch of BMW G 310 GS here.
RE Continental GT 750:
When it comes to the lower end of the premium segment, Royal Enfield has big plans to dominate the world and the onslaught is set to commence with the introduction of a 750cc motorcycle in India and foreign markets. The Continental GT 750 uses an all new 750cc parallel twin engine which is likely to be carburettor-fed to keep the costs down. The oil-cooled powerplant is expected to make close to 50bhp and oodles of torque at lower revs. Royal Enfield hints at the possibility of the launch of this bike in the first quarter of 2017. When it comes to pricing, expect the bike to undercut Harley Davidson’s Street 750. That means, it is likely to be priced between INR 3-4 Lakh. To know more about RE's upcoming flagship motorcycle, follow this thread.
Husqvarna Vitpilen/Svartpilen:
Husqvarna, a Swedish company, is all set to enter India with two of their affordable yet insanely cool looking motorcycles- the Vitpilen 401 and the Svartpilen 401. These bikes are likely to be sold at a premium over KTM motorcycles and I’m sure they’ll feel the part too. The mechanicals will be borrowed from the 2017 KTM 390 Duke and the retro-futuristic design is sure to carve out a new niche in the market. Husqvarna will enter India by January next year. Follow this thread for more information about Husqvarna.
Benelli Tornado 302:
Benelli has a number of products to suit different kinds of riders with different levels of experience but there was one thing missing in their portfolio - a budget faired motorcycle. Benelli plans to address this gap by launching their latest in the faired motorcycle segment - the Tornado 302. The launch is planned to happen in January 2017 and the bike is going to come with ABS as standard, to make it ready to comply with future safety regulations here. The Tornado 302 shares its twin cylinder powerplant with the TNT 300 and belts out 36PS of power and 27Nm of torque. The expected pricing is somewhere around INR 3.5 lakh. For more information about the Tornado 302, watch out for this thread.
Bajaj Pulsar 200 NS ABS:
The Pulsar 200 NS was the fastest Pulsar till the RS 200 came to the fore. Now, Bajaj plans to update the 200 NS by giving it a single-channel ABS and a BS 4 compliant engine. The ABS unit is likely to be borrowed from the Pulsar RS 200 to keep the costs in check. The new Pulsar NS 200 will enter the market by January next year, according to an article from NDTV Car and Bike. Power figures are likely to remain untouched. Expect the updated NS 200 to be a little more expensive than the older model due to the inclusion of ABS and BS4 compliance.
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