2016 Auto Expo: what it holds for the Indian motorcycle market

Despite India being the second largest motorcycle market in the world, we don’t have the variety of options that we would like. Especially from an enthusiast’s point of view. Now I might be strung up by my thumbs for this but unlike a lot of car owners in our country who use their vehicles for the usual point A to point B chore, a lot of motorcyclists here are motorcycling enthusiasts at heart. Yes, we would like a car for the safety of our families but that doesn’t stop us from getting dreamy eyed when we hear an Akrapovic inline-four tear down the road in second gear wailing at the top of its revs. And herein lies the problem, here in India, thanks to the vehicle tax structures, there lies a massive gap in the motorcycle market. Either we can go for 125-200cc of raw power or head 600cc upwards for according to the tax slabs a 600cc super sport or street naked motorcycle tends to cost near as much as a litre class motorcycle. Even the high capacity bikes that are assembled here are only relatively cheaper as the tax rebates are lesser compared to the ones that are manufactured here.

As a consequence someone who desires a decent 250cc off-roader for instance is compelled to fit a bored down Karizma engine to an Impulse chassis, the mounting points by the way are exactly the same.  But then it creates other issues like vibrations and high speed stability, not to mention the mod making the bike almost illegal ride on public roads. Also, it isn’t just the tax slabs either, the manufacturer perceptions of a market too are a bit skewed. For example one of the most revered and radical motorcycle manufacturers in the world insists on selling us scooters instead of their exhaustive range of motorcycles. The other problem is lack of affordable options in the mid segment from 300-600cc, something we can pay for without selling a kidney or two. 

As of now, the only viable options we have are the KTM 390 Duke, Benelli 300 and now the Mahindra Mojo and the Yamaha YZF-R3. The Ninja 300 doesn’t count due to its exuberant price which we will have a hard time justifying to our better halves. What we need are capable motorcycles which don’t burn a hole in our pockets every time we take them for service, which are reliable, handle well and of course are fun to ride. Number of cylinders is a secondary consideration. Too much to ask? Well, maybe, but if it can be done the world over I feel it can be done here and help just might be at hand. 

Get latest updates on
the automobile community

Login Now

This Auto Expo promises much when it comes to the motorcycling enthusiasts in the country. This just might be the Auto Expo we’ve been waiting for. Things are finally happening for us cash strapped bike nuts and finally motorcycle manufacturers over the world have stood up and taken notice that the Indian market has matured and is ready for larger motorcycles. What has also been proven that middle weight motorcycles work much better than litre class bikes here in our subcontinent given the income brackets and the nature of our roads. No other motorcycle maker drives the proverbial point home than BMW Motorrad. For the first time in its history BMW has shifted its focus from the heavyweights we are used to seeing and drooling over to a single cylinder 300cc street mototcycle, the G310R. It will be the most affordable Motorrad of all time and a glimmer of hope for the Indian motorcycle industry. 

For those who the BMW proves to be too expensive will be able to aspire for the TVS 300cc counterpart most likely to be named Apache RTR 300. Benelli, who showcased its three new offerings at EICMA, the Tornado 302, a fully faired 300cc super sport bike, the Leoncino, a great looking Scrambler and the 

TRK 502, which when launched will be one of most affordable adventure motorcycles on the market with a 502cc twin-cylinder engine. Then there is the Royal Enfield Himalyan, a fully homegrown affordable adventure motorcycle, the Yamaha MT03 and the promise of a 450cc single cylinder naked, the GD 450. 

Yes, we don’t want to jump the gun and come to conclusions for a lot of the success will depend on the way bikes are priced and of course the way they run. But the fact of the matter is, most if not all of the aforementioned motorcycles will be seen on our roads before 2017 shows itself. This Auto Expo promises and has the potential to change the motorcycling scene in India forever. With these many players in the market, the competition will be tough which could give rise to better products and better packaging in the future. Not to mention the success of these bikes could even persuade more manufacturers to bring their bikes and even prompt our very own bike makers to deliver even better products. If it all goes well we might even see manufacturing plants being set up which would bring the buying costs down significantly. Who knows maybe 3-5 years down the line we could see a 500cc TVS tearing up the twisties near Rohtang or a Husqvarna taking the road less travelled. 

Whatever the outcome of the Auto Expo maybe, two things are certain; we are at the brink of a major transformation of the Indian motorcycling industry and the drought of mid-sized performance motorcycles could finally be over. And instead of getting teary eyed at the sight of the inline-four we could ride with it.