The Indian motorcycle market until the beginning of last decade was based on the motto of value-for-money. A motorcycle with impressive mileage and competitive pricing was the tried and tested formula for success. By the end of last decade, the customer preference began to change to need-based bikes such as sports bikes and touring bikes. One of the new segments born in India on the sidelines of this craze is the adventure motorcycle segment. In its affordable range, currently there is only one product, the Royal Enfield Himalayan. But soon, the supremacy of Himalayan will be tested with the arrival of new motorcycles. We have compiled a list of affordable adventure motorcycles which are likely to be launched next year.
BMW G 310 GS
BMW Motorrad, the motorcycle division of German company BMW will launch the G 310 GS by the end of 2017 in India. The G 310 GS is the adventure version of the G 310 R, both manufactured at TVS plant in Hosur for global markets. The G 310 GS borrows design cues from the elder sibling, the BMW R 1200 GS. It features a newly-designed fairing, the 'GS' moniker on the fuel tank, off-road friendly tyres and a new engine cowl.
Powering G 310 GS is the 313cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder engine that also does duty in the G 310 R. The mill will develop 33.5bhp at 9,500rpm and maximum torque of 28Nm at 7,500rpm, mated to a six-speed gearbox. Being a member of GS family specialising on off-road rides, the G 310 GS' forks has a travel of 180mm, 49mm more than the G 310 R, while at the rear the shock travel is also increased to 180mm, up from 40mm.
Kawasaki Versys-X 300
Japanese motorcycle manufacturer Kawasaki unveiled Versys-X 300 at the 2016 EICMA show in Milan in November. As the name suggests, the new Versys-X 300 joins the adventure motorcycle range of Kawasaki that includes Versys 650 and Versys 1000, which will also receive new colours and graphic upgrades for 2017. The Versys-X 300 comes with off-road friendly bits such as long travel suspension and a commendably low seat height. The motorcycle will be powered by parallel twin-cylinder 296cc mill that already powers smaller Ninja and Z models. Kawasaki claims the engine has been revised and it will be more fuel efficient with a range of 400 km a full tank.
KTM 390 Adventure
KTM will join the party with the 390 Duke based adventure bike. The design of the 390 Adventure will be borrowed from KTM's Enduro R. The motorcycle has been spotted recently and it features beefier swingarm and a different engine case. Since it is based on the all-new 390 Duke, the adventure bike will be powered by 373.2cc, single-cylinder engine that develops 44bhp of power and 35Nm of torque. KTM may tweak the tuning for more power and better torque at low revs.
It will feature a host of off-road friendly bits, such as larger spoke wheels skid plate, hand guards, and high-mount exhaust, in addition to the long travel suspension. The suspension is expected to feature around 180mm of travel and tyres are presumably 19-inch up front and 17-inch out back.
Suzuki V-Strom 250
Japanese motorcycle maker Suzuki unveiled DL250 Concept at the 14th China International Motorcycle Trade Exhibition in October. The DL250 Tourer Concept is the precursor of the V-Storm 250, younger sibling of V-Storm 1000 adventure tourer. The Suzuki DL250 gets design inspiration from the litre-class model, while sharing its platform with the GSX-R250. The motorcycle will feature rugged bodywork along with the V-Storm badging on the front beak. The rest of the body panels will be quite similar to the V-Storm 1000, making it look like a scaled-down model of the bigger sibling. The V-Strom 250 is expected to come with the same 250cc, parallel-twin engine from the Inazuma 250.
