2021 Recap: The 7 Hottest Launches In The 201cc-700cc Segment

This has been an amazing year for motorcycle enthusiasts with some highly anticipated and exciting products debuting our market. While the list of motorcycles launched in the 201cc to 700cc is an exhaustive one, here’s our top seven picks from this year:

Bajaj Pulsar 250 Twins
Launch Month: October 2021

The Pulsar moniker introduced Indian enthusiasts to the idea of affordable performance motorcycling two decades ago, and now Bajaj intends to do so again with the 250 twins. The Bajaj Pulsar F250 and the Pulsar N250 are not just the most powerful Pulsars on sale now, they are also the most affordable 250cc bikes in our market. We rode the Pulsar 250 twins on and off the race track to see if these new Pulsars deserve a space in your garage.

2021 Royal Enfield Classic 350
Launch Month: September 2021

One of the hottest launches of the year has been the 2021 Royal Enfield Classic 350. The retro roadster bid adieu to its UCE platform and adapted the new J Platform from the Meteor 350. From the counterbalanced 349cc engine to beefier forks and navigation-enabled console, everything on the bike is new. So, has that robbed the Classic of the old-school charm that we all love? Find out in our road test review of the 2021 Classic 350.

Triumph Trident 660
Launch Month: April 2021

Triumph entered the mid-displacement naked segment in India with the Trident 660 to challenge Kawasaki’s dominion. The Triumph Trident 660 not only is the most affordable bike from the British manufacturer in India, but at Rs 6.95 lakh (ex-showroom India) isn’t too expensive than the Kawasaki Z650 either. The Trident charms you with its in-line triple symphony, switchable traction control and two riding modes. We pitted the Trident 660 against the Kawasaki Z650 to see which should be your first big bike, and the verdict might surprise you.

TVS Apache RR 310 BTO
Launch Month: August 2021

TVS has been pushing the envelope with what to expect from an entry-level supersport motorcycle. For 2021, the highlight of the Apache RR 310 was the Dynamic and Race kit, allowing you to opt for competition-level equipment like fully adjustable suspension and sportier ergonomics. We have ridden the bike extensively on the race track and put it through its paces in the urban jungle to see if the RR 310 can be the all-rounder you’d want in your garage.

Honda CB500X
Launch Month: March 2021

The Japanese bike entered the mid-displacement ADV tourer segment with the CB500X. We have had a chance to ride the bike overseas a few years ago, and were floored with its docile nature. But Big Wing India’s pricing strategy with this bike was a shocker. We tested the Honda CB500X on Indian roads to see if this bike is really worth the Rs 6.87 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi) price tag.

Honda 650 Twins
Launch Month: March 2021

This year, the Honda CBR650R made a comeback in the BS6 guise and was accompanied by its naked sibling– the CB650R. However, just like with the Honda CB500X, these in-line four bikes turned out to be a pricey affair.

Kawasaki Z650RS
Launch Month: October 2021

To assert its domination in the mid-displacement space, Kawasaki broughts its newest player, the Z650RS, to our shores. The neo-retro roadster uses the tried-and-tested 649cc parallel-twin platform, but drapes it in tastefully done retro styling. Everything from its circular headlight to the dual-pod instrument console and wire-spoke rim-style alloy wheels scream retro.

These were our picks for the top seven bikes in the 201cc-700cc segment. Here are the other bikes that made it to our shores this year: