EICMA 2015: 15 new motorcycles heading to India in 2016

1, Benelli Tornado 302  

DSK-Benelli was on full song at the 2015 EICMA motorcycle show as it unveiled four new products. Among the new products, the new Benelli Tornado 302 will be the product that will be among the most popular offerings once it’s launched in India. Ever since the Benelli TNT 300 was launched we had been saying that a full-faired offering based on the streetbike is the need of the hour given the fact that the affinity that buyers in the performance segment have for supersport styled motorcycles. Gladly DSK-Benelli has taken note of this and unveiled the new Benelli Tornado 302 which 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. The frame on the new supersports motorcycle is different from its naked sibling. The new Benelli motorcycle employs a completely new trellis frame which is significantly lighter than the older frame and also improves the handling dynamics of the bike. Suspension duties are handled by USD front forks and a monoshock setup at the back while disc brakes provide anchorage and ABS will be standard. The Benelli Tornado 302 will make its India debut at the 2016 Auto Expo in February with an expected pricing of under Rs 2.5 lakh (ex-showroom). 

2, Benelli Trek 502

Given the road conditions of our country, adventure motorcycle seems to be the perfect genre of bikes for our market. Many performance buyers have started to appreciate the benefits of adventure motorcycle but there is one big hitch, which is pricing. The Triumph Tiger 800 is the cheapest adventure motorcycle on sale in India but that also costs close to Rs 11 lakh for the base variant. DSK-Benelli plans to fill this void in the market with the new Trek 502 that was unveiled at the 2015 EICMA motorcycle show in Milan, Italy. Powering the new Benelli Trek 502 will be a 500cc, parallel-twin 500cc motorcycle churning out 48PS of peak power at 8,500rpm and 45Nm of torque at 4,500rpm. The gearbox is a 6-speed affair controlled by a hydraulic clutch. Fuel capacity is a mammoth 20 litres. The styling of the Trek 502 has been inspired from the Ducati Multistrada with its beaky front fairing and twin headlamps which makes it a handsome looking motorcycle. 

As befits an adventure tourer worth its name, the TRK 502 comes with a raft of touring-friendly features that will enable it to chew up the tarmac for days on end. Suspension duties upfront are handled by an adjustable upside down front fork, and at the rear, a swingarm with monoshock, providing suspension travel of 150mm at both ends. Braking is via two front discs, 320 mm in diameter, and two-piston floating caliper upfront, and a twin piston calliper gripping a single 260mm disc at the rear. Tyres are Pirelli Angel 120/70 R17 and 160/60 R17 at the front and rear, respectively, mounted on 17” alloy wheels. Given the fact that the Benelli TNT 600i retails for around Rs 5.5 lakh being a four-cylinder offering we can expect the Benelli Trek 502 TO BE PRICED UNDER Rs 5 lakh making it the most affordable adventure bike on sale in our country. 

3, Yamaha MT-03

The new Yamaha MT-03 is basically the naked version of the Yamaha R3 that was launched in India recently. The styling of the Yamaha MT-03 is exactly similar to its 250cc sibling, the Yamaha MT-25. The design language of the Yamaha 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. Apart from the design changes, Yamaha boffins have also fine tuned the riding position to better suit to the street bike riding dynamics and seat height is also low at 780mm. The Yamaha MT-03 has dumped the clip-on bars for a more conventional single piece and wide handlebar that will endow the rider with an upright and comfortable riding stance.

The Yamaha MT-03 is powered by the same parallel-twin motor as seen on the Yamaha R3 good enough for 43PS of peak power and 29.5Nm of peak torque. The powerplant has been mated to a 6-speed transmission. Braking is done by disc brake at front and rear while ABS is standard (Yamaha R3 sold in India doesn’t get ABS). The MT-03 employs cast aluminium wheels with a 140/70 rear tyre and 120/70 front. Expect the Yamaha MT-03 to be showcased at the 2016 Auto Expo with a possible launch by late 2016. The Yamaha MT-03 will be brought in via the CKD route to India with a sticker price of under Rs 3 lakh and compete against the likes of the Kawasaki Z250, Benelli TNT300 and the upcoming BMW G301R.

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4, Ducati Scrambler Sixty2

The Ducati Scrambler has been well received by motorcyclists and the Italian bikemaker wants to maintain this positive. For this purpose, it introduced the smallest offering in the Scrambler family – the Sixty2. First things first, the Scrambler Sixty2 sports a 399cc L-twin desmodromic air-cooled engine that produces 41.5PS of peak power and 34Nm of torque. The 400cc Scrambler Sixty2 tips the scale at 167kg. The Scrambler Sixty2 makes the elusive Italian brand more accessible to the masses but for pricing the motorcycle aggressively the bike loses out on few features as seen on its elder sibling.

Ducati has replaced the upside down forks from the larger Scrambler with telescopic ones on the Sixty2. The low displacement Scrambler is also expected to have different tyres. The entry-level Ducati will get a steel tube swing arm, a 14 litre fuel tank and a new black silencer cover. The Ducati Scrambler Sixty2 will make its India debut by mid-2016 with an expected pricing close to Rs 5 lakh (ex-showroom). 

5, Ducati XDiavel 

The Ducati Diavel was the first cruiser offering from the Italian bikemaker and it made a huge impact in the power cruiser segment. Despite the fact that it’s among the most popular offerings in the power cruiser market, Ducati is in no mood to rest on its past laurels.  Ducati has taken the wraps off the latest iteration of its sport cruiser at EICMA 2015. The basic silhouette of the Diavel has been maintained on the motorcycle but it gets the addition of curves to make the Ducati XDiavel a visually appealing cruiser bike. The designers have paid special attention to make the motorcycle look clean and have got rid-off the hoses and the cooling system has been routed internally to give it un-clustered look. The bike also features inverted u-shaped LED daylight running lamps. 

The engine summoned to power the new Ducati XDiavel is a 1,262cc mill with variable valve timing that makes 158PS of power and 128.9Nm of torque. The 'Ducati Power Launch' is basically a launch control system that allows the XDiavel to be quick off the line too. The Ducati XDiavel is also the first Ducati offering to use belt drive and according to the Italian manufacturer the system offers better reliability and efficient power transmission. The Ducati XDiavel will be positioned below the standard Diavel and expect it to enter Indian shores by mid-2016. 

6, BMW G310R

The new BMW G310R streetbike 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. BMW claims that the styling of the new motorcycle has been based on the flagship S1000R streetbike. The v-shaped headlight with the golden finished upside down forks gives the front an aggressive stance. The profile is dominated by the chiselled fuel tank, the tank extensions and beefy exhaust muffler. The wide handle bars and centre-set footpegs result in a comfortable riding posture. 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. To ensure efficient burning of fuel, BMW has twisted the cylinder head around by 180 degrees thereby allowing a straight path f0r the fuel and air mixture. This change in the architecture has also given the bike a lower centre of gravity for increased confidence over corners. 

Suspension duties are handled by USD forks at the front and monoshock unit at the back. Braking is done via disc brake on both the ends while ABS is standard. The BMW G310R will make its India debut at the 2016 Auto Expo in February. The G310R will be sold through exclusive BMW Motorrad showrooms across India and will be marketed as a premium streetfighter motorcycle. Expect the motorcycle to carry a sticker price of around Rs 2.5 lakh (ex-showroom).

7, 2016 KTM RC390 

While many bikers felt that KTM will ride in the new 390 Adventure at the 2015 EICMA motorcycle show, the Austrian bikemaker had some other plans in mind though. KTM unveiled the 2016 iteration of the RC 390. And it is not just a refresh of colours and new stickering options; this is a comprehensive makeover that endows the already scintillating package of the RC 390 with some very desirable features. 

Visually nothing much has changed though which isn’t worrisome as the RC 390 is a good looking bike as it is. The only difference is that the underbelly exhaust has now been ditched in favour of a traditional side-mounted can. This change has been done to accommodate the new Euro-4 emission norm that is coming into effect soon.

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. Expect the new KTM RC 390 to make its India debut in the first half of 2016. 

8, 2016 Triumph Speed Triple

The British bikemaker has updated the 2016 Triumph Speed Triple S with styling changes, new powerlplant and a plethora of features. Official power figures aren’t out yet Triumph officials claim they have given the engine a complete overhaul with 104 new developments. Power and torque figures of the 2016 Triumph Speed Triple have been hiked while the motor is more free revving while being 10 per cent more fuel efficient than its predecessor.  Power figure is likely to be around 142PS while the new exhaust system has 70 per cent better flow rate.

The new Triumph Speed Triple also gets equipped with five riding modes: road, rain, sport, track and a rider programmable mode. ABS is rider selectable and so is the level of traction control. Brembo monobloc calipers have been used to take care of braking duties at the front. Styling updates includes daytime running lights, more aerodynamic and petite bodywork and new seats. The 2015 Triumph Speed Triple R version will get additional goodies like carbon-fibre front mudguard, tank inserts and a bellypan along with Ohlins suspension with NIX30 front forks and a TTX36 rear shock. In addition the new Triumph Speed Triple R will also sport billet-machined bar clamps and risers, swingarm pivot covers and rear wheel finisher, plus a red radiator cowls and subframe to visually distinguish itself. We can expect the new Triumph Triple to be unveiled at the 2016 Auto Expo in Delhi on February. 

9, Hyosung GT300R

The Hyosung GT250R has been a popular offering for the Korean bikemaker in the Indian market. But with competition upping the ante, the GT250R was feeling a bit outdated both cosmetically and mechanically. To address this issue, Hyosung unveiled the new GT300R motorcycle. The Hyosung GT300R features more aggressive styling with a twin headlamp unit and chiselled fairing and petite tail section. 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. However, the MRF 110/70 R-17 tyre on the front wheel and the 150/60 R-17 on the rear could bring down the overall muscular appeal of the GT 300R.

The powertrain boasts of a 275cc, oil-cooled V-twin engine producing 28PS power at 10,500 rpm with a maximum torque of 23.5 Nm at 7000 rpm. The increase in power should result in better performance though a 6-speed gearbox would have been more welcome. The suspension remains unchanged in the form of 41mm upside down telescopic forks at front and monoshock unit at the back. 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. ABS will be standard which is a welcome move and expect the bike to make its debut at the 2016 Auto Expo in February with an ex-showroom price between Rs 3.5 lakh to 4 lakh.

10, Hyosung Aquila 300

Hyosung seems to be gearing up to update to its entire model range in 2016. Along with the GT650R and the smaller GT300R, Hyosung has also unveiled a new offering in the cruiser segment – the GV300. The new motorcycle will be christened as the Hyosung Aquila 300 in India and will replace the Aquila 250 cruiser bike. 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.

Powering the Hyosung Aquila 300 is the same 275cc motor as seen on the new GT300R. But the powerplant has been tuned to better suit the dynamics of the cruiser motorcycle and 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 India, the Hyosung Aquila 300 will be launched at the 2016 Auto Expo with an expected price of around Rs 3 lakh. 

11, Yamaha MT-10

The new Yamaha MT-10 will be the flagship offering in the MT-family from the tuning fork brand and is most likely to replace the ageing Yamaha FZ-1 from the market. The styling of the motorcycle is edgy and raw with few style elements from the MT-range being maintained. Powering the new Yamaha MT-10 is the same cross-plane, inline-four, 999cc engine as seen on the Yamaha YZF-R1. Power figures haven’t been unveiled yet but Yamaha claims the motor has been tuned to suit its street naked dynamics with better low and mi-range torque delivery. The motorcycle has been loaded with electronic goodies like switchable traction control with three levels, three riding modes, an assist and slipper clutch and cruise control.

Though we must add that cruise control can be only engaged in 4th, 5th and 6th gears only. Riding posture is upright and mildly aggressive in sync with premium street bike characteristics. The Deltabox frame of the Yamaha MT-10 is similar to the one as found on the new R1 and the short wheelbase should make the new Yamaha motorcycle a lively handling streetbike. The suspension bits and braking hardware too has been sourced from the Yamaha R1 while the MT-10 employs a LCD instrument panel, 5-spoke cast aluminium wheels and 17-litre fuel tank capacity. We can expect the Yamaha MT-10 to head to our shores by late 2016 and compete against the likes of the MV Agusta Brutale 1090, Ducati Monster 1200S and the BMW S1000R. 

12, Honda CB400R

The Honda CBR 400R has been marketed as a dual purpose motorcycle which is suitable for both city commuting and the occasional rides on the highways. Honda designers have paid special attention to make the bike look more visually appealing. The Honda CBR 400R sports a sharp looking twin headlamp while the fairing has been chiselled on the lines of the larger Honda CBR 1000RR. The bike features LED headlamp and tail light which add a dose of aggressiveness to the overall design. The large fuel tank, beefy exhaust muffler and multispoke alloy wheels are the other design highlights.

The bike features an all-digital instrument console. Hiding behind the fairing of the CBR400R is a 400cc parallel twin DOHC 4-valve motor that is expected to have the refinement that Honda is renowned for. Power figures have not been revealed as yet but expect it to be around 45PS while torque figure of around 37 Nm. Being a twin-cylinder offering, expect the Honda CBR 400R to be significantly cheaper than the Honda CBR 650F which is on sale in India. The Honda CBR 400R will be brought in via the CKD route with an expected launch by late 2016.

13, Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R

According to Kawasaki, the 2016 Ninja ZX-10R has been upgraded with inputs from the Kawasaki World Superbike team, and the upgraded ZX-10R is the closest thing to competition superbikes offered on a highly advanced factory superbike. Looks wise, the main changes are in the front, with a restyled and edgier fairing. The seat is wider and the taillight has been changed too, to give the tail a sharper look while the exhaust muffler has been redesigned. The engine is a four-stroke, liquid-cooled, 998cc inline four unit which makes similar power to the current bike at 200PS, and gets a 10PS boost with ram air. It makes over 113Nm of torque at 11,500rpm. 

The engine on the 2016 ZX-10R though has undergone major reworking as has the gearbox, which now gets closer ratios. Kawasaki says the new ZX-10R gets improved mid to low range acceleration. The electronics get upgraded too, and the Bosch inertial measurement unit (IMU) on the ZX-10R measures data across 6 axes of movement. The traction control system also gets five modes instead of the three on the current model. And there’s a three-model launch control too, along with ABS. The chassis is still an aluminium twin spar frame, but it’s been altered slightly to put more weight on the front wheel. The Showa suspension is new as well and it also gets upgraded high quality brakes – with a Brembo brake system similar to the one on the Ninja H2R. The 2016 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R will be available in dealerships globally from early 2016, and is expected to make its way to India by mid-2016.

14, UM Renegade Sport S

UM Motorcycles which had showcased its products at the 2014 Auto Expo and has joined hands with Lohia Auto for its Indian venture showcased the new Renegade Sport S at the 2015 EICMA motorcycle show in Milan, Italy. 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 above styling and paint scheme should appeal to the youngsters and design influence from the Suzuki Intruder can be felt especially in profile.

The new Renegade Sport S 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. Braking is done by disc brake at front and drum unit at the back while ABS has been skipped to keep cost low. The motorcycle will also feature a USB charger next to the instrument console which will allow the rider to use the GPS of his phone without worrying about draining the battery. The UM Renegade Sport S will be launched at the 2016 Auto Expo with an expected pricing of around Rs 1.7 lakh (ex-showroom). 

15, Hyosung GT650R

As part of its overhaul of its portfolio, Hyosung, the Korean manufacturer, has unveiled the GT650R with a completely new design at EICMA 2015. At first glance, one can immediately notice the use of twin pod headlamps as compared to the existing vertical capsule shaped arrangement in the current model. Moving to the body of the GT650R, we can see the designers at Hyosung have opted for a more smooth flowing design concept. Air scoops and vents have been re-sculpted to allow proper air flow around the bike providing stability at triple figures. The GT650R get a new fuel tank which goes well with the overall appearance of the bike. 

Hyosung has upped the aesthetic appeal of the new GT650R by providing petal discs to the existing setup. Adding to that, the GT650R will also come with new multi-spoke alloy wheels. On the engine end, the new Hyosung GT650R will be powered with the same existing 4-stroke, DOHC, 8 valve, 90 degree V-Twin 647cc, water cooled power plant which will produce 74.4PS in power with 54.5Nm of torque. Mated to the engine will be a 6-speed constant mesh transmission. The new Hyosung GT650R is claimed to be lighter by 10kg, which will improve the power to weight ratio in terms of performance figures. We expect Hyosung to showcase the GT650R at the 2016 Auto Expo held at Delhi.