Top  Bikes At The Auto Expo

Top 5 Production Bikes At The Auto Expo 2018

We’ve just come back to base after covering all the exciting madness at the Auto Expo 2018. After witnessing everything that was on display, here’s our list of Top 5 production bikes which have either been launched at the event or will be launched in the near future.

2018 Yamaha YZF R15 V3

After a long wait, the scaled down R1 finally kept its date with its really large fan base in India. The Yamaha YZF R15 V3 is powered by an updated version of its 155cc, four-stroke single cylinder SOHC liquid cooled engine with Variable Valve Activation (VVA) and gets an Assist and Slipper Clutch. The engine now puts out 19.3 PS and 15 Nm of torque. The VVA technology ensures that the bike does not trade in low and mid-range torque for peak power.

An A&S clutch allows smooth downshifts and bike weighs in at a mere 139kg. It gets a fully digital instrument control, LED head and tail lamps. The bike has been launched at a price of INR 1.25 lakh (Ex-Delhi). Yamaha will also market the “Racing Kit” comprising of Metzeler rubber along with a Daytona muffler and Frame Slider.

Hero Xpulse 200

A production version of the Hero XPulse 200 was revealed at the event as India’s first affordable Adventure bike. Ready to be launched by August 2018, Hero Motocorp officials confirmed it will be priced around the INR 1 Lakh mark. The bike is powered by a 200cc, fuel injected engine which cranks out 18.4 PS and 17.1 Nm of torque. Features include a turn-by-turn navigation system, LED head and tail lights, a windshield, luggage rack, knuckle guards, and ABS tuned for on/off road usage.

It also gets a high-tensile diamond frame, aluminium skid plate, 21″ front wheel, 18″ rear with dual-purpose Metzeler tyres, 220 mm ground clearance and a rear mono shock with 10-step adjustability and gas charging. Although the lineup at Hero Motocorp did disappoint this time around at the Expo, this bike is ready to wear the boots which the Impulse hung out to dry.

Emflux One

India’s first all-electric sports bike, the Made-in-Bangalore Emflux One showed up at the Expo in a shade of blue which is just as electric. For the INR 6 lakh that one might spend, the unconventional design features unique styling and a (really long) vertically stacked LED headlight. The motorcycle draws power from an Emflux Li-ion, Liquid Cooled Modular Battery Pack with Integrated High Power Samsung Cells. With the Emflux WARP Charger, the battery can be recharged to 80% in 36 minutes. A regular wall charger will take up to 3 hours to do the same.

The motor can deliver peak torque of 84 Nm and maximum power of 60 kW or 80 hp. However, Emflux has restricted the numbers to 75 Nm and 71 hp. The top speed has been electronically limited to 200 kmph while naught-100 kmph takes just 3.0 seconds. The claimed city range stands at 200 km while the highway range at speeds of 80 kmph is said to be 150 km. Oh and those Ohlins bits are optional and the standard bike gets bespoke USD forks and a rear monoshock. The Brembo braking equipment is standard though.

BMW G 310 GS

After all the scaled-down litre class bikes, it’s time for seriously capable adventure motorcycles to shrink. Encompassing the brilliance of the famed BMW Motorrad GS lineup, the BMW G 310 GS was showcased at the event and although exact launch details weren’t revealed, they are working to introduce this bike in India as quickly as they can.

It is powered by the same engine which spins the rear wheels of the BMW G 310 R and the TVS Apache RR 310. Although the motor is the same, bits like the long-travel front forks, bodywork and saddle are different than the aforementioned motorcycles. We expect the motorcycle to be introduced sometime this year at a sticker price which puts things between INR 2.5 – 3.0 Lakh.

Aprilia RS150

Aprilia stole the thunder from the just-launched Yamaha YZF R15 V3 by showcasing a 150cc, scaled-down RSV4. Unlike the India-spec R15, this Italian bike gets USD front forks. It comes with dual-channel ABS and a 150cc motor which pumps out 14 Nm f torque and 18 HP of power.

It looks the part, looks like a bike which is far bigger than a 150cc, and we’d say that’s half the job done. The Aprilia RS150 features a semi-analogue instrument cluster, sporty clip-ons and the trident headlight setup like its elder brother. We were tipped it is being seriously considered for India and should be launched by the end of the next financial year.

If you don’t like a full fairing, there’s a scaled-down Tuono too!!!!

Honorable Mentions

There were some other motorcycles at the Expo which got us excited too, but since a Top 5 list can only accommodate so much, here are the rest.

Honda XBlade

Because it brings something new to the commuter space

Yamaha R3

Because it still is the sweetest motorcyle you can buy in that segment.

UM Renegade Duty S

Because it brings something unique to the table at that price. Although, we agree it might not be as accomplished as a product.

2018 Honda CBR 250R

Because people still love it.

 

 

 

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