Upcoming bikes in 2016: Most awaited motorcycle launches, from TVS Apache RTR 200 to BMW G310R

The year 2016 is going to be as exciting as 2015 for biking enthusiasts in India, with popular two-wheeler-makers gearing up to launch a series of motorcycles. As you prepare to press the throttle of new bikes coming, we present you the list of the most awaited bikes of 2016.

BMW G310R

BMW Motorrad's low-displacement compact roadster G 310 R is definitely one of the most awaited bikes of 2016. The German bikemaker's smallest-capacity motorcycle is expected to be showcased at the upcoming Auto Expo 2016.

The design of the motorcycle has been inspired by the brand's bigger sibling, the BMW S 1000 R, and features an athletic stance. The power comes from an all-new 313cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder engine with four valves and two overhead camshafts, together with electronic fuel injection. The striking feature of the engine is its backward-tilted cylinder in open-deck design with the cylinder head turned 180 degrees. The engine develops an output of 33.5bhp at 9,500rpm, and maximum torque of 28Nm at 7,500 rpm, mated to a six-speed gearbox.

The motorcycle will be built at TVS Motor Company's facility in India, which makes it the first BMW Motorrad bike to be manufactured outside Europe.

TVS Apache RTR 200

TVS Apache RTR 200, the 200cc version of the successful Apache RTR series, is expected to make its India debut on 20 January.The Apache RTR 200 will be powered by a 200cc single-cylinder four-valve liquid-cooled engine expected to churn out 25-30bhp of power. The cooling system for the engine is sourced from BMW Motorrad.

The design will be inspired by the Draken X21 concept TVS showcased at the 2014 Delhi Auto Expo, and the bike will be pitted against the KTM Duke/RC 200 and the Bajaj Pulsar RS 200.

Suzuki Gixxer 250

Suzuki, which got some mileage with its Gixxer siblings in India, is expected to bring the Gixxer 250 to the country in 2016. The Gixxer SF 250, which will be pitted against the Honda CBR250R, Kawasaki Ninja 300 and Hero's upcoming HX250R, is likely to draw power from the retuned 250cc twin-cylinder engine from the Inazuma motorcycle of Suzuki's stable. The liquid-cooled engine is expected to churn out 25bhp and 24Nm of torque mated to a six-speed transmission.

Benelli Tornado 302

Recent reports peg the launch of Benelli Tornado 302 in India around June 2016. Built on a trestle frame, the fully-faired version of the TNT 300 gets power from an in-line two-cylinder four-stroke four-valve DOHC engine that can dish out 36bhp at 12,000rpm and 27Nm at 9,000 rpm. The engine is mated to a six-speed transmission and can attain a top speed of over 170kmph.

The Benelli Tornado 302 features 41mm upside down forks in the front and mono suspension in the rear. The motorcycle also comes with a fuel tank capacity of 14 litres, and uses twin 260mm floating discs with a four-piston caliper brake at the front and a single 240mm disc with a single piston caliper brake for the rear.

Royal Enfield Himalayan

Iconic two-wheeler-maker Royal Enfield is expected to launch its new adventure tourer Himalayan in India in 2016. Royal Enfield Himalayan has been going through rigorous testing in the country for the past several months, and the model was snapped quite a few times in various cities of the country. The Himalayan is expected to be powered by an all new 410cc single-cylinder oil-cooled engine. Rumours say the engine could be tuned to develop 24bhp of power and 35Nm of torque.

The Himalayan is expected to make its market debut in early 2016, and feature an upswept exhaust, fatter rear tyre and a petrol tank similar to the Continental GT. The Chennai-based motorcycle manufacturer is expected to price its new offering Rs 1.65-1.85 lakh.

Hero HX250R

The HX250R, first shown at the 2014 Auto Expo, will hit the Indian roads in 2016. The new Hero motorcycle will be pitted against the likes of Honda CBR 250R and Kawasaki Ninja 300, powered by a 249cc, single-cylinder four-valve engine that uses liquid-cooling and fuel-injection to produce 31bhp of power and 26Nm of torque mated to a six-speed transmission. Likely to be priced around Rs 1.50 lakh, Hero HX250R runs on Pirelli rubbers and disc brakes on both the tyres.

UM Range Renegade cruiser

Miami-based UM Motorcycle will open its India chapter in 2016. The company, which has inked a deal with Lohia Auto for a 50-50 partnership, is expected to launch three cruisers under its Renegade series are — Renegade Commando, Renegade Classic and Renegade Sport.

Bajaj

Pune-based two-wheeler-maker Bajaj cannot miss the game when it comes to the motorcycles in India.

Pulsar SS 400

The Super Sport 400 Pulsar (SS400) which was shown at the Auto Expo 2014, is likely to get power from a 375cc liquid-cooled four-valve triple-spark engine mated to a six-speed transmission with fuel injection. The SS 400 Pulsar is likely to be pitted against Honda CBR 250R in the domestic market and expected to be sold at ₹1.9-2.1 lakh.

Pulsar CS 400

The Pulsar CS 400 (Cruiser Sport 400) is speculated to draw power from 375cc liquid-cooled four-valve triple spark engine, and is likely to come mated to a six-speed transmission with fuel injection. In India, the bike is likely to be priced in the range of ₹1.7-1.85 lakh, ex-showroom.