It looks like the coming year 2017 will be a feast for motorcycle enthusiasts. More than 20 bike models are confirmed to make their entry in the Indian market. These new bikes are good enough to satiate every type of rider as there are cruiser bikes, adventure bikes, sports bikes, naked bikes as well as commuter bikes. We have compiled a list of new bikes and tentative launch dates of each model next year.
2017 KTM 390 Duke
In its latest avatar, KTM has given the 390 Duke more menacing looks. The highlight of the new design is the split headlight with LED inserts. The fuel tank has been reworked and tank extensions are now long overlapping with the USD forks. New 390 Duke also features a full-size exhaust in place of quirky underbelly exhaust.
Unfortunately, KTM has not given a power boost to the new 390 Duke. The bike is powered by the same 373.2cc, single-cylinder engine that develops 44bhp of power. New 390 Duke will flaunt a ride-by-wire throttle, full TFT dashboard, an optional MY RIDE multimedia interface, and ABS as standard. KTM India will launch the motorcycle in January.
Benelli 302R
Italian motorcycle brand Benelli's Indian arm DSK Benelli will launch the 302R, fully-faired sibling of TNT 300 in January. The motorcycle is powered by an in-line two-cylinder four-stroke four-valve DOHC engine that develops 36bhp at 12,000rpm and 27Nm at 9,000 rpm. The engine is mated to a six-speed transmission and the bike reportedly has a top speed of over 170kmph. The Benelli bike will go up against Kawasaki Ninja 300 and Yamaha YZF-R3 when launched in India.
Kawasaki W800
To tap the growing interest in retro-styled motorcycles, Kawasaki will launch W800 in India in January. The motorcycle is already displayed at Pune dealership of Kawasaki and it is powered by 773cc V-twin air-cooled engine developing 47bhp and 60Nm of torque mated to a five-speed transmission. The W800 will go up against the popular Triumph Bonneville family in India. Pricing of the W800 is expected close to Harley-Davidson Street 750, which is priced at Rs 4.9 lakh.
Triumph Bonneville Bobber
Triumph Motorcycles is planning to add a fifth member to its entry-level Bonneville family in the India portfolio. The new motorcycle is the Bonneville Bobber and launch is expected in February. As the name suggests, the Triumph model is inspired from the bobber customs of the 1940s that incorporate minimalist styling principles, muscular stance and purposeful engineering works.
The Bobber is powered by a 1200cc, liquid-cooled, parallel-twin motor borrowed from the Bonneville T120 that produces 80bhp and 105Nm of torque. Like others in the Bonneville range of motorcycles, Bobber is equipped with ride-by-wire, riding modes, switchable traction control, ABS and torque-assist clutch and LED tail lamp.
TVS Akula 310
Star of TVS Motor Company's stall at Auto Expo 2016, the Akula 310 will debut as production version in March. The TVS product from the company's alliance with BMW Motorrad will be powered by a 310cc engine capable of producing 34bhp of power and mated to a six-speed gearbox. This is the same engine that also powers BMW G 310 R. The flagship product of TVS will boast of USD forks, stiff space frame chassis as well as lightweight carbon fibre bodywork.
Benelli TRK 502
The TRK 502 was unveiled at the 2015 EICMA show in Milan. India launch of the TRK 502 is expected in March. The dual purpose motorcycle will be powered by a twin cylinder, four-stroke liquid-cooled 499.6cc engine with an electronic injection that belts out 47bhp at 8,500rpm and 45Nm torque at 4,500rpm mated to a six-speed gearbox. The TRK 502 features 230mm of ground clearance and weighs just 210 kg and both are ideal for off-road motorcycling.
Tork T6X
Tork Motors, a Pune-based electric bike startup, will launch the T6X, India's first premium electric motorcycle. The motorcycle has been unveiled at an introductory price of Rs 1.25 lakh. T6X will be introduced in three markets of Pune, Bengaluru and Delhi initially.
Powered by lithium ion batteries, the T6X can get to the top speed of 100kmph. The motorcycle runs 100km on a single charge when plugged to a 15A power socket. The battery can be charged up to 80 percent in an hour and a full charge in two hours. Tork Motors also claims the battery life will last up to 80,000 to 1,00,000km, depending upon the usage.
MV Agusta Brutale 800
MV Agusta India will launch its most affordable motorcycle Brutale 800 by March. Expected to be priced around Rs 13 lakh, the Brutale 800 will be powered by an in-line 3-cylinder 798cc engine with a counter-rotating crankshaft. The engine develops 116bhp and 83Nm of torque mated to a six-speed transmission. The motorcycle can attain a top speed of 237kmph.
Royal Enfield - 750cc flagship motorcycle
Royal Enfield has been working on a new 750cc motorcycle with plans to launch in March 2017. Rumored with the name Interceptor, the 750cc flagship bike will be powered by a parallel-twin 750cc engine with an expected output of 45-50bhp and over 60Nm or torque. It will be based on the Continental GT chassis with modifications. This engine is also expected to be the company's most powerful mill.
Bajaj Pulsar 150NS
Bajaj Auto has already started the export of the younger sibling of Pulsar 200NS to the Latin American market from India. The India launch of the Pulsar 150NS is expected in March. The motorcycle will be equipped with the new 149.5cc twin-spark, a four-valve air-cooled engine that debuted with the Pulsar 150 AS, which makes 16.7bhp power at 9500rpm and a maximum torque of 13Nm at 7500rpm. On design, the naked sports version will receive a design similar to the Pulsar 200NS.
Yamaha YZF-R15 Version 3.0
Yamaha YZF-R15, one of the most successful motorcycles launched in India, will get a major makeover in 2017. Touted to be named the YZF R15 Version 3.0, the new version will be based on the same Deltabox frame but it will get reworked body panels and cosmetic changes. In the latest avatar, the R15 is expected to share many components with the recently-launched naked version, the M-Slaz. The 149cc single cylinder liquid-cooled engine that does duty in the current R15 is expected to carry over in the latest version.
UM Renegade Classic
UM Motorcycles India will add another cruiser model, the Renegade Classic by April. The company showcased the Renegade Classic at the Auto Expo 2016. Powered by a 280cc single cylinder water cooled engine that can develop 25bhp of power at 8,500rpm and 21.8Nm of torque at 7,000rpm, teamed with a six-speed transmission, the Renegade Classic measures 1975mm in length, 1280mm in height and 730mm in width.
BMW G 310 R
The offspring of BMW Motorrad and TVS alliance, G 310 R is the first sub-500cc motorcycle of the former. The motorcycle has been manufactured exclusively in India. It is expected to be priced below Rs. 2.0 lakh in India and launch has been confirmed by April. At the heart of the G 310 R is an all-new 313cc liquid-cooled single cylinder engine with four valves and two overhead camshafts, together with electronic fuel injection. It can churn out a power of 33.5bhp at 9,500rpm and maximum torque of 28Nm at 7,500rpm mated to a six-speed gearbox.
Hero Xtreme 200S
Hero MotoCorp is expected to launch Xtreme 200S, naked sports bike showcasing Hero's know how in the premium bike making by mid next year. The motorcycle will get dual-tone body colour, contrast coloured seat, mud guards and alloy wheels. The Xtreme 200S will feature split grab handles, chunky silencer, LED tail lamp and an analog-digital meter console.
The Xtreme 200S will be powered by an air-cooled, single cylinder, a 4-stroke 200cc engine that will produce maximum power of 18.6bhp and torque of 17.2Nm. The mill will be mated to a five-speed gearbox.
New KTM 200 Duke
KTM's new 200 Duke is crispier and angular design in line with the elder sibling 390 Duke barring the split headlamp design. Instead, it gets a restyled bottom-protruding headlight design with LED inserts. The fuel tank in the 200 Duke has been reworked and tank extensions are longer. The 200 Duke also misses out TFT display instrument cluster and Ride by Wire throttle system. It is powered by a 199.5cc liquid-cooled, single cylinder, DOHC engine that produces 26hp of power which is slightly better than the current 200 Duke. The mill is mated to a 6-speed transmission. The new version will be slightly pricier and at a range of Rs 1.45 lakh and Rs 1.55 lakh. The launch of the New 200 Duke can be expected mid-2017.
Hero HX250
Hero MotoCorp's flagship sports motorcycle, the HX250, is expected to enter the market during the festive season of next year. The company unveiled the near-to-production-spec model of the motorcycle draped in a blue shade at the Auto Expo 2016. The HX250R will draw power from a 249cc, single-cylinder, 4-valve liquid cooled, fuel injection engine capable of producing 31bhp of power and 26Nm of torque mated to a 6-speed transmission. Hero claims 0-60kmph speed can be achieved in 2.7 seconds.
Husqvarna Vitpilen, Svartpilen 401
Swedish bike maker Husqvarna Motorcycles GmbH owned by KTM will launch Vitpilen 401 and Svartpilen 401 motorcycles during the festive season. The neo-retro motorcycle gets an exposed stance with a contemporary street fighter looks. Husqvarna claims that Vitpilen 401 and Svartpilen 401 are focused on providing a pure riding experience and features a technologically advanced single-cylinder 375cc engine housed in a stripped down steel-trellis frame, both borrowed from the KTM 390 Duke. The mill will develop 43bhp of power and 37Nm of torque mated to a six-speed transmission.
Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin
The CRF1000L Africa Twin, which was unveiled by Honda Motorcycles and Scooters India (HMSI) at the Auto Expo 2016, is expected to enter the market by October 2017. The Africa Twin falls in the adventure motorcycle segment. It is powered by a 998cc, parallel twin liquid-cooled engine with 270-degree crank and uni-cam. The engine develops 94bhp at 7,500rpm and 98Nm of torque at 6,000rpm. The Africa Twin boasts of Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC), which offers the rider three levels of control and on/off ABS to the rear wheel.
BMW G 310 GS
BMW G 310 GS, the dual-purpose version of the G 310 R borrows design cues from the elder sibling, the BMW R 1200 GS. The new motorcycle features a newly-designed fairing, the 'GS' moniker on the fuel tank, a long-travel suspension, off-road friendly tyres and a new engine cowl. The motorcycle comes with the same engine of G 310 R. 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. The motorcycle will be powered by a 313cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder engine that churns out 33.5bhp.
