The year 2018 will witness the arrival of new stars in the Indian Motorcycling space, where homegrown and international bike makers alike will introduce a lot of new, much awaited machines. Among the ones who will set tongues wagging are Royal Enfield, Hero Motocorp, Yamaha India, Honda Motorcycles India and Suzuki, while on the other hand, niche players like Benelli, BMW Motorrad, Ducati and Triumph will crank up the excitement in the premium space. There’s a lot in store and here’s a list of the Top 20 New, Upcoming Bikes which will be launched in India in 2018.
Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 and Continental GT 650
The Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 and Continental GT 650 will mark the debut of RE’s new parallel-twin, 650cc engine. The new motor is bolted on a new double cradle, steel tubular frame, and both new bikes share numerous parts between them, including the 320mm discs at the front, 240mm discs at the rear, ABS (available as a standard feature), 41mm front forks and twin shocks at the rear.
The new twin engine is a single overhead cam, 8 valve, air/oil-cooled, 648cc parallel twin, producing 47bhp of power and 52Nm of torque. Tuned for strong low and mid-range performance, it retains the traditional Royal Enfield character of dishing out accessible torque throughout the rev range. Also new to the RE twins is a six-speed gearbox, which is augmented by its ‘slip/assist’ clutch. Both bikes will be launched in India in mid-2018 and it is being said that RE dealerships will start accepting bookings, starting April 2018. Both new products are expected to be priced between INR 3.25 lakh – INR 3.75 lakh. The manufacturer will also launch more modern variants of the Thunderbird cruiser, called the Thunderbird 500X and 350X.
TVS Graphite / Entorq
A sporty looking new scooter, the Graphite / Entorq will make its debut in a production avatar in the first week of February 2018. Rumoured to be powered by a 150cc engine, the scooter’s test mule was caught clocking speeds in excess of 100 kph! With aggressive styling, expect the TVS Graphite / Entorq to come fitted with a modern display for instrumentation, LED illumination bits, alloy wheels, tubeless tyres, telescopic front forks, a gas charged rear spring and disc brakes. It will offer a powerful gearless alternative to those who shy away from the convenience of scooters for the lack of power.
Hero Xtreme 200R
Hero Motocorp has revealed that their new strategy is to focus on premium products which have been under development for a while. The first bike to come out is the Hero Xtreme 200R, which has been launched already. Nearly identical to the bike showcased at the Auto Expo 2016, the bike’s styling finds a middle ground between sporty and every day, considering the fact that the competition offers aggressively styled products in the same space.
The motorcycle comes equipped with a rear mono suspension and is built on a simple, diamond type chassis design and features front and rear disc brakes, optional ABS and LED pilot & tail lights. The power source is an air cooled, single cylinder, 4-stroke 200 cc engine which delivers 18.4 PS at 8000 rpm and 17.1 Nm at 6,500 rpm. The engine is mated to a five-speed gearbox which sends power to a 130 section, radial pattern rear tyre.
Kawasaki Z900 RS
A retro-naked motorcycle unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show in 2017, the Kawasaki Z900 RS is a homage to the Kawasaki Z1 of yesteryears. With its stainless steel, bare naked 4-into-1 exhaust system, it shares its engine with the Z900 streetfighter, which is a liquid-cooled, 948cc, inline four-cylinder engine. For the Z900 RS, peak power is rated at 111 hp while peak torque output is 98.5 Nm. The motor is tuned for solid mid-range grunt and modern kit on the new bike includes a traction control system, 300mm front discs gripped by radially-mounted calipers, an analogue-style speedometer and tachometer dials with a digital screen and LED lighting all-around.
Yamaha R15 V3
The third-generation Yamaha R15 will be launched in India in the first quarter of 2018. The New Yamaha R15 V3 gets restyled front headlamps with an air intake in the middle, aggressively styled fins on the new fuel tank, new graphics, a new design for the alloy wheels, new exhaust, new side panels, and new all-LED headlamps, and LED tail lamps.
Seat height has been increased by 15mm and powering this new Yamaha is a new 155cc motor which is good for 19.04 hp @10,000 rpm and 14.7 Nm at 8500 rpm. Mated to a 6-speed transmission, the new motor features variable valve actuation, which manipulates fuel combustion based on throttle inputs and speed for more torque at low engine speeds and more power at higher revs. The R15 V3 continues to have a forged piston and a diasil cylinder. New features on the bike include a fully digital instrument console, a hazard light switch, bigger 282mm front disc brakes, 240mm rear and a new swingarm. The chassis is the same as before in the form of an evergreen delta box frame, which has been slightly re-tuned. The India-spec bike will skip USD front forks, ABS, sticky IRC Tyres and a slipper clutch, which come fitted as standard on the international-spec Yamaha R15 V3.
2018 Yamaha R3
An updated, BS-IV compliant 2018 Yamaha R3 will be displayed at the Auto Expo 2018, before going on sale in the coming months. Apart from complying with the new emission norms, the 2018 Yamaha R3 is largely similar to the outgoing model and changes are merely cosmetic in the form of new graphics. The BS-IV compliant Yamaha YZF-R3 will continue to draw 41 bhp of power and 30 Nm of peak torque from its 321 cc liquid cooled, twin cylinder engine.
Honda Rebel 300
Honda will take the fight to Royal Enfield’s doorstep with the Rebel 300. Expected to be priced between INR 2.2 – 2.5 lakh, the 300 cc cruiser is powered by a 286cc, single cylinder engine which is fuel injected, comes mated to a 6-speed gearbox and churns out 27.3 PS and 27 Nm of torque. With disc brakes at both ends and retro-modern styling backed by Honda’s reliability, the Rebel 300 could offer the first serious challenge to the likes of the Royal Enfield Classic 350. We expect the bike to be launched in late 2018 or early 2019.
Kawasaki Ninja 400
A bike which has replaced the Kawasaki Ninja 300 internationally, the Ninja 400 will be showcased at the upcoming Auto Expo 2018 before officially going on sale. It draws styling cues from the top-spec Ninja H2 and the Kawasaki Ninja 400 uses an all-new 399cc parallel-twin, liquid cooled engine which is tuned to deliver 45 hp of power @ 10,000 rpm and 38 Nm of peak torque @ 8,000 rpm. It also features an Assist and Slipper clutch. The engine is claimed to offer better performance throughout the range, with improved low-down torque, in comparison to the bike it replaces.
Benelli Leoncino
To be launched in India in the first quarter of 2018, the Benelli Leoncino is sold as an on-off roader with knobblies elsewhere. However, India will get a road-focused version which will feature USD forks, all-LED illumination, a fully digital instrument cluster and ABS. Powering the new bike will be a 499cc twin cylinder liquid cooled engine which pumps out 47 PS at 8500 rpm and 45 Nm of torque at 4500 rpm. Transmission duties will be taken care of by a six-speed gearbox. The bike is expected to be priced between INR 3 – 4 Lakh at launch.
BMW G 310 GS
An accomplished alternative to the RE Himalayan, the BMW G 310 GS has been confirmed for launch in India in 2018. Bringing the honed capabilities of BMW’s GS lineup of motorcycles to a lower segment, the G 310 GS is powered by the same motor which propels the G 310 R naked and the recently launched TVS Apache RR 310. For the G 310 GS, it cranks out 34 HP at 9,500 rpm and 28 Nm at 7,500 rpm, features four valves and two overhead camshafts, electronic fuel injection, and a single cylinder which has been tilted to the rear.
In terms of features, the G 310 GS gets ABS, a multi-function instrument cluster, USD front forks and an aluminium swing-arm. The baby GS will offer a genuine adventure motorcycling experience and is expected to be priced INR 2.50 lakh – 3 lakh .
BMW G 310 R
When the BMW G 310 R is launched in India, it will officially make for the lowest priced BMW you could buy factory fresh. Sharing its mechanicals with the Apache RR 310 and the GS 310 R, this naked BMW will boast of top notch quality and cycle parts in addition to peppy performance, world-class Ride & Handling and good looks.
Benelli Imperiale 400
Revealed at the 2017 EICMA as an all-new product, the retro-syled Benelli Imperiale 400 has been confirmed for launch in India. At the heart of the motorcycle is a 373.5cc, SOHC, air-cooled, single-cylinder, fuel injected engine that produces 19.7hp at 5,500rpm and 28Nm of torque at 3,500rpm. Paired with a five-speed gearbox, the Imperiale 400’s motor rests on a tubular double-cradle frame which is cushioned by 41mm telescopic forks up front and a twin shock setup at the back. A 300mm front and a 240mm rear disc brake are paired with standard ABS. We expect the bike to be priced under INR 2 lakh to compete with similar products from RE’s stable.
Benelli TRK 502
A launch which has been a long time coming, the Benelli TRK 502 Adventure Tourer will finally arrive in India this year. India will get a spoke-wheel variant with standard ABS. First showcased at the 2016 Auto Expo, the TRK 502 is powered by a 499.6cc twin-cylinder liquid-cooled engine which develops 48 PS at 8,500 rpm and 45 Nm at 4,500 rpm. Power is sent to the rear wheel through a 6-speed gearbox, aided by a hydraulic clutch.
2018 Ducati Monster 821
A face lifted, 2018 Ducati Monster 821 will be launched in India for the current year. It gets a new exhaust muffler and borrows aesthetic and functional features which were first introduced on the Monster 1200. All that includes a more streamlined, agile look with a fully redesigned tank and tail, a Euro 4 compliant engine, an all-new exhaust muffler and a new headlight design. Also making its debut on the mid-size Monster is the colour TFT display with gear and fuel indicator, while available accessories include the Ducati Quick Shift up/down system. Expect the new Monster to be priced around the INR 12 Lakh mark.
Hero XPulse
A production ready version of the Hero Xpulse will be showcased at the 2018 Auto Expo in February 2018. The entry-level adventure tourer could be powered by the new 200 cc motor which also powers the Xtreme 200R, albeit, in a higher state of tune. First showcased at the EICMA 2017, the production-ready Hero XPulse will be reflective of Hero Motosports Team Rally’s success at the recently concluded Dakar 2018.
Suzuki V-Strom 650
Competing against the likes of the Kawasaki Versys 650, the Suzuki V-Strom 650 will take the CKD route to the Indian market to keep prices competitive. The bike is powered by a 645cc V-Twin motor which produces 70 PS at 8800 rpm and 62 Nm at 6500 rpm. Kit on the bike includes ABS, a two-level traction control system, an LCD display in the instrument cluster and a 12V power socket.
SWM Superdual
Another middleweight adventurer to be introduced in India comes from a little known Italian brand called SWM. The brand will join the likes of MV Agusta and Norton, under the Kinetic Motoroyale umbrella. To be positioned in the sub – INR 6 lakh price bracket, the SWM Superdual is based on an exposed, trellis setup which is made from high tensile steel pipes where the main frame follows a single beam double cradle architecture, while the subframe is made of light alloy. Tipping the scales at 169 kilos (without fuel), the Superdual 600 employs USD front forks which allow adjustment for rebound and damping, along with a Sachs rear spring adjustable for pre-load. Powering the bike is 600 cc big single which cranks out 57 hp of power and comes mated to a six-speed transmission.
Norton Motorcycles
Adding another feather to their exotic hat, Kinetic Motoroyale will introduce the iconic Norton brand of Motorcycles in India. A niche, cottage brand from Great Britian, Norton Motorcycles will launch the Commando series by the end of 2018 for India. Motoroyale and Norton will also launch Limited Edition CBUs of its existing models by the first quarter of 2018. The Commando will be followed by the Dominator, the Commando 961 Sport, Commando 961 Cafe Racer, Dominator Sport and DomiRacer.
BMW F 750 GS & 850 GS
To cash in on the increasing popularity of Adventure tourers in India, BMW Motorrad will introduce the F 750 GS and the 850 GS at the upcoming Auto Expo 2018. The all-rounder bikes offer distinct characteristics of the famed BMW GS lineup along with distinct off-roading capabilities. Powering both the bikes is a new 853 cc twin-cylinder in-line engine with two counterbalance shafts and a firing interval of 270/450 degrees. Power output for the F 750 GS is rated at 77 hp at 7500 rpm, while for the new F 850 GS, the motor pushes out 95 hp at 8250 rpm.
2018 Triumph Tiger 800 & 1200
Updated models of the very popular Triumph Tiger 800 & 1200 will be launched in India this year. The new Tiger 800 XR features over 200 chassis and engine upgrades. New features on the Tiger 800 range include an adjustable full-colour TFT display for instrumentation, six riding modes, backlit switchgear, a 5-way joystick and all-LED illumination. Powering the bike is an 800cc in-line three-cylinder engine which is now Euro-IV compliant and delivers 95PS of power @ 9,500 rpm and 79Nm of torque @ 8,050 rpm. The bigger, updated 2018 Tiger 1200 will also be introduced at the same time as its younger sibling.
Honda CBR 150R
Freshly launched in some South-east Asian markets, the Honda CBR 150R could announce Honda’s return to the fully-faired, entry-level space in India. After the older-gen bike was withdrawn from the market due to change in emission norms, the new, sharper looking Honda CBR 150R could go head-to-head against the likes of the upcoming Yamaha R15 V3. Compared to the outgoing bike, the new model offers a more aggressive riding position and looks, along with all-LED headlights. Powering the bike is a fuel injected, liquid cooled 150 cc motor which is mated to a 6-speed gearbox and pumps out 17.1 PS and 14.4 Nm of torque.