With the launch of a product like Apache 310 RR, 2018 is going to be a hot year for the two-wheeler market in India. We can expect more this year and the competition is going to be very serious.
Also Read: TVS Apache RR310 First Ride: This 300cc Sport Bike Packs It All
With the Auto Expo right around the corner, there is a lot of buzz around what to expect from the gala event in terms of two-wheelers. With many brands skipping the event in 2018, this is a great opportunity for others to hog the limelight.
Here’s is a look at some of the motorcycles and concepts you can expect at the event.
Yamaha YZF R-15 Ver. 3.0
The Yamaha YZF-R15 is perhaps the most awaited motorcycle of 2018, and sports bike enthusiasts can finally expect the first glimpse of the motorcycle at the upcoming Auto Expo. The new Yamaha R15 is expected to receive the new 155cc single cylinder, liquid cooled engine with fuel injection.
On the performance side, the bike is expected to output maximum power of 19.3 PS at 10,000 rpm with a maximum torque of 14.7Nm.
The Yamaha R15 Version 3.0 is expected to be priced at Rs. 1.30 lakh (ex-showroom).
Yamaha YZF-R3 (BS-IV variant)
The new Yamaha YZF-R3, expected to be showcased at the Auto Expo, will sport the same design and aesthetics as the R3 that was launched in 2015. Apart from the upgrade to make it compliant with BS-IV (Bharat Emission Standard 4), the bike will sport the same 321cc, parallel-twin engine.
We can expect the bike to be available in both ABS and Non-ABS variants, and expect it to be priced at 3.5 lakhs (ex-showroom).
BMW G 310 R
BMW has developed the G 310 R in Munich, but it will be produced with TVS as its cooperation partner. The engine on the BMW 310 R outputs maximum power of 34 bhp at 9,500 rpm and maximum torque of 28 Nm at 7,500 rpm.
The bike doesn’t carry a conventional engine layout, hence, it will sport a reversed-cylinder design which slopes towards the swingarm, making the wheelbase a bit shorter than usual and making the bike more agile.
One can expect the BMW G 310 R to be priced anywhere between Rs 2.5-3 lakh (ex-showroom)
Also Read: The New BMW G 310 R Is Here and It’s Here in Style
BMW F 750 GS
The BMW F 750 carries a very intimidating stance as an adventure motorcycle. India will receive the CBU (completely built unit) of the motorcycle from Germany, hence once can expect the bike to attract a hefty price tag of approximately Rs 5 lakh.
It’s engine outputs a maximum of 77 bhp and 83 Nm of peak torque. You will be getting electronic suspension adjustment as an optional addition, and the bike will also come with two riding modes and ABS.
BMW F 850 GS
Not much of a difference between the 750 and the 850 besides the engine power and displacement. The BMW F 850 GS is said to sport wired spoked wheels and comes with a 853 cc, parallel-twin engine that pumps out 85 bhp and 92 Nm of peak torque.
We can expect competitive pricing for this one as it’s in direct competition with the Tiger 800 series.
Kawasaki Ninja 400
The Kawasaki Ninja 400 has captured eyes all over the world and now it’s set to take the India motorcycle market by storm. The new Ninja is said to sport an all-new 399cc parallel-twin engine that outputs maximum power of 45hp and 38Nm of peak torque.
With a kerb weight of 168 kilograms, the Ninja 400 comes with a fuel tank capacity of 14 liters which I feel is too less.
Expect the Ninja 400 to be priced around 3.6 lakh (ex-showroom) when it is launched.
Kawasaki Vulcan S
This is Kawasaki’s first cruiser bike in the country, packing a 650cc engine and priced at a competitive Rs 5.44 lakh (ex-showroom).
The bike goes up against a slew of sub-800cc bikes in the country, most notably the Harley Davidson Street 750 and the incoming Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 that will make its way by April 2018. The Vulcan S will make its appearance at the upcoming Auto Expo 2018.
You get a 649cc, two-cylinder liquid-cooled engine which is paired to a six-speed gearbox.
Kawasaki claims to produce 61PS of power and 63NM of torque, making it livelier than the 59NM of torque on offer with the Street 750.
Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R SE
This the company’s first motorcycle that comes with Kawasaki Electronic Control Suspension (KECS). The technology offers stroke sensors and adjustment solenoids built into the suspension.
The power specification of this beast are impressive indeed as it offers maximum power of 207hp at 13,000rpm and 113.5Nm of peak torque at 11,500rpm.
You can expect this super bike to be price anywhere between 19.20-21.90 lakh (ex-showroom)
Kawasaki Z900 RS
If you are looking for something retro in the Kawasaki lineup, the Z900 RS is the way to go. At the helm of this machine is s liquid-cooled, 948cc, in-line four-cylinder engine, the same that we saw on the Z900.
On the power side, the peak power it offers is 111hp while peak torque is 98.5Nm. It also comes with an analogue-style speedometer and tachometer. Expect the Kawasaki Z900R to be priced around Rs 9 lakh (ex-showroom).
Kawasaki Versys-X 300
Kawasaki claims that the Versys-X 300 is an adventure bike that has been made for any road, offering all kinds of performance. The bike is powered by a 296-cc twin cylinder engine mated with a six-speed transmission.
This 300cc two-wheeler can be bought for Rs 4.6 lakh (ex-showroom) and is already available in the Indian market.
Hero MotoCorp XPulse Concept
Hero MotoCorp took the wraps off of its concept motorcycle the XPulse recently and the bike said to make a mark at the Auto Expo in 2018.
The bike is more polished and a refined version of the Impulse and is target towards serious off-road enthusiasts who want to take it up a notch. It sports a slightly lower stance than the Impulse with a kerb weight around 150 kg.
We can expect the price for the XPulse Concept to be around Rs 1.2 lakh.
This is the first electric superbike to be showcased at the event. The Emflux superbike is said to come with a liquid cooled induction motor which offers a maximum speed of 200 kmph and a maximum distance of 200 kilometers.
The superbike is capable of accelerating from 0-100 in just three seconds and offers a maximum torque of 84Nm at 8,400 rpm.
It comes with a seven-inch TFT display on the cluster panel, which comes with GPS navigation and Quick charging technology that will offer 0-80 percent charge in just 36 minutes.
The company has said that the electric superbike will attract a price tag of Rs five-six lakh.
The 2018 Auto Expo kick-starts from 9 February. Stay tuned with The Quint for all the updates from the event.
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