New Bike Launches in 2017: Between Rs 2-5 Lakh

The year 2016 saw a lot of growth in the Indian two-wheeler industry. The Auto Expo had many brands, existing as well as new, showcasing their new products at the event. With a bunch of launches in the last quarter of this year, here are the motorcycles that are soon expected to be launched in 2017.

2017 KTM 390 Duke:

Expected Price: Rs 2.3-2.5 lakh

The KTM 390 Duke is a bike for the biking enthusiast that can very much keep up with other higher displacement motorcycle in the market. Now, the Austrian manufacturer has further refined the bike with the 2017 edition of the 390 Duke. At first glance, one might feel that the bike has mostly received more of a cosmetic update but that isn’t the case. Based on the design of the Super Duke, the 390 Duke gets a twin-split LED headlight, sharper fuel tank, split seats and a compact tail section giving it a more aggressive look. The dynamics of the bike have been revised as well. It features a new frame and a reduced wheelbase of 1,357mm. 

It gets a larger 320mm disc at the front and single-sided exhaust to comply with the Euro-4 norms. Even the seat height has been increased to 830mm as compared to 800mm on the previous version. The bike now tips the scale at 149kg which is 10 kg heavier than the predecessor. KTM claims that all these changes have made the bike an even better package. Powering the bike is the same 373.4cc, liquid-cooled, single-cylinder engine as seen on its predecessor but it does get a host of new goodies like ride-by-wire throttle, full TFT dash, and an optional MY RIDE multimedia interface. Expect the new 390 Duke to enter the market by the first half of 2017.

Yamaha MT-03:

Expected Price: Rs 2.75 – Rs 3 lakh

For Yamaha fans who wish for naked styling over supersport, the MT-03 is the ideal motorcycle to opt for. The bike is based on the fully-faired YZF-R3 that was launched in India in 2015. It sports the same refined parallel-twin motor as seen on the R3, pumping out 42PS and 29.6Nm. Aesthetically speaking, the MT-03 comes with a beefy tank, a petite tail lamp, and an exposed frame along with sharp and edgy lines that give the bike an imposing stance. 

Keeping in mind the character of the motorcycle, the riding position of the bike is more upright and comfortable with a flat and wide handlebar configuration. ABS will come standard fitment, something that the R3 was criticised for. The bike will be brought to India via CKD route and will compete against the likes of the Kawasaki Z250, Benelli TNT 300 and the upcoming BMW G310R.

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BMW G310R:

Expected Price: Rs 2.2 – Rs 2.5 lakh

Already launched in the international market, the BMW G310R is a very interesting motorcycle. It is also the first motorcycle from the German manufacturer that has been designed by BMW Motorrad in Germany but manufactured at TVS’s plant in Hosur, Tamil Nadu. The design language as per BMW is very similar to the new S1000R. It gets a V-shaped headlamp with is followed by golden finish upside down forks giving the front an aggressive stance. Tank extensions, sculpted tail section and the massive exhaust unit completes the profile of the bike. The bike features a 313cc, liquid-cooled, single-cylinder motor, producing 35PS of power and 28Nm of peak torque and mated to a 6-speed gearbox. 

The German manufacturer has twisted the cylinderhead around by 180 degrees, thereby allowing a straight path for the fuel and air mixture. This design modification makes for better efficiency as well as a lower centre of gravity which also improves handling dynamics by centralising the mass. Suspension duties are handled by USDs at the front and monoshock unit at the rear. For braking, the G310R makes use of a 300mm disc with a four-piston radial caliper at the front and a 240mm with a two-piston floating caliper at the back. The braking system comes with a 2-channel ABS unit as standard fitment. The G310R has a lot of aspirational value as it makes the BMW brand more accessible to the masses.

BMW G310 GS: 

Expected Price: Rs 2.5 – Rs 2.75 lakh

If the naked G310R was not enough to raise your eyebrow, BMW has now unveiled the adventure version of BMW Motorrad’s smallest bike that has grabbed a lot of attention in the global market. The new BMW G 310 GS will be the second offering from the BMW Motorrad in the sub-500cc category and will also be designed and developed in Germany while being manufactured in India by TVS Motors. Carrying the equipment on the G310R forward, the GS features a 19-inch front wheel and a long-travel suspension to better suit the off-road conditions.

It gets a stubby front beak, radiator shrouds and a headlamp cowl. The adventure DNA is completed by an upswept exhaust muffler for better clearance, while it rolls on Metzeler Tourance dual-purpose tyres. Expect BMW Motorrad to bring the bike soon after setting up its dealerships in the country.

Benelli 302R: 

Expected Price: Rs 3.3 – Rs 3.5 lakh

The Benelli 302R is a fully-faired version of the TNT 300 already being sold in the country, similar to what the Yamaha YZF-R3 is to the MT-03. The bike had made its debut at the 2015 EICMA motorcycle show in Milan followed by its showcase at the 2016 Auto Expo earlier this year. The 302R is powered by the same 300cc, liquid-cooled, parallel twin motor from the TNT 300 that develops 36PS of power and 27Nm of peak torque. The bike makes use of a newly designed trellis frame which, according to the company, is lighter than before, allowing better handling around corners. The bike comes with USD forks at the front and a monoshock at the rear. Braking duties are handled by twin discs at the front and a single disc at the back. The system will be assisted by ABS as a standard fitment.

Royal Enfield Twin-Cylinder Café Racer:

Expected Price: Rs 3.5 – Rs 4 lakh

Royal Enfield has been working on a twin-cylinder engine for quite a while now. The twin-cylinder mill was first spotted bolted on to the chassis of Continental GT which individual exhaust pipe on either side of the double cradle frame. The bike is expected to follow the form of a Café Racer with the flat single piece handlebar and a slightly swept back footpegs for the sporty stance. The engine is reported to have a displacement of 750cc and expected to develop north of 40PS of power and close to 60Nm of peak torque.

Due to the large displacement of the engine, it gets an oil-cooler making it the second bike to feature this system after the Himalayan. Royal Enfield has opted to use carburettors instead of fuel injectors for keeping the cost in check. However, considering the stringent emission norms and the brand’s presence in the global market, the bike will receive fuel injection in the production version. Once launched the twin-cylinder café racer will be the flagship model for Royal Enfield replacing the Continental GT. On the competition front, the motorcycle will directly rival against the Harley-Davidson Street 750 and the Triumph Street Twin and that too with a more affordable price tag.

Benelli Leoncino: 

Expected Price: Rs 4.5 – Rs 5 lakh

After unveiling the concept at the 2015 EICMA motorcycle show, Benelli showcased the production version of the retro-looking Leoncino during the 2016 event. The bike has already been launched in the international market and is expected to reach Indian shores via the CKD route by mid-2017. Following a retro-modern styling, the bike features a curvy fuel tank, round headlight with a stubby mudguard. The design is completed with a floating tail section. A sculpture of a Lion of Pesaro which is a design highlight sits on top of the front mudguard. Powering the Leoncino is a newly developed 500cc, liquid-cooled, parallel-twin, Euro-IV compliant motor. 

The engine is capable of developing 48PS of power and 45Nm of peak torque. Transmission duties are handled by a 6-speed gearbox. For cycle parts, the bike comes with 50mm upside down forks paired with a 320mm disc with a 4-piston caliper for the front while a monoshock with a 260mm disc with a single-piston caliper take care of suspension and braking at the back. ABS will be a standard fitment for the braking system. The Benelli Leoncino will be the most affordable performance scrambler on sale in India and will rival the Ducati Scrambler.

2017 Kawasaki ER-6n: 

Expected Price: Around Rs 5 lakh

The ER-6N has been on sale in India for quite some time now. However, in spite of offering a very good package, the bike didn’t perform well. The reason for this can be credited to the fact that it missed the appeal of a big motorcycle. Kawasaki seems to have taken note of the same and have come up with the 2017 edition of the motorcycle. In its latest avatar, the ER-6n looks better as it features a chiselled tank, mirror finish paint like the Ninja H2, tank shrouds, contrast frame colour and a sharper looking headlight. The bike now weighs 186.8 kg thanks to the new tubular trellis frame borrowed from the new Ninja 650 and the all-new swingarm design. The instrument panel is a mix of analog and digital displays conveying all the information such as the gear selected and how much fuel is left.

The new ER-6n makes use of 41mm KYB telescopic forks at the front and a Horizontal Back-link monoshock with adjustable preload. Braking duties are handled by a pair of semi-floating 300mm petal discs with dual-piston calipers at the front and a single 220 mm petal disc with a single-piston caliper at the rear. The braking system is equipped with ABS as standard fitment. The 2017 edition is powered by the same 649cc mill has been updated to Euro-IV norms which now produces 68.3PS of power and 65.75Nm of torque as claimed by Kawasaki. Power is transmitted to the 6-speed gearbox via a slipper clutch. Once launched in India, the 2017 Kawasaki ER-6n will compete against the likes of the Benelli TNT 600i. 

All above mentioned prices are ex-showroom (expected).