2016 Auto Expo: Motorcycles to expect

The 2016 Auto Expo is going to be the biggest ever with over 80 claimed new releases. An auto show can only be big when it has a large number of new and interesting vehicles to show off. We've compiled a list of what two wheelers we expect (and some we hope) to see in Greater Noida early next month.

Benelli

Benelli who's already built quite a following in India thanks to their affordably priced large capacity motorcycles will have plenty to show at the 2016 Auto Expo. Expect to see most of the brand new motorcycles the Chinese owned Italian firm showed off at EICMA late last year. Of particular significance to India will be the motorcycles based off the new 500cc parallel twin platform the Leoncino Scrambler  and the TRK502 adventure bike. Also expect to see the Tornado 302, a faired version of the naked TNT 300 but with a new, lighter weight trellis frame and revised parallel twin engine.

BMW Motorrad

2016 will be the year that BMW Motorrad makes its official entry into India. We expect to see the entire range of BMW machines on display including the might S1000RR, the formidable R1200GS and all the many different machines that fit in between. The most important display naturally, will be the all-new G310R naked motorcycle that was co-developed with TVS Motors. This will be the first single cylinder, entry level motorcycle from the premium German brand and we expect it to be priced a little over Rs 2 lakh when it goes on sale in India. Read all about the 34PS/28Nm 310cc motorcycle here.

Hero Motorcycles

Ever since Hero showcased the faired HX250R, speculation has been rife about when Hero will launch its Honda CBR250R fighter. Estimates were repeatedly made only to followed up by announcements of delays. Clearly Hero is taking their time, just like Mahindra did with the Mojo to make sure the motorcycle is up to the mark. However, two years down the line we think the production spec motorcycle should finally be ready, and what better time to unveil it than at the 2016 Auto Expo? Many details remain unclear but expect to see close to 30PS and a price that undercuts the CBR250R. Could this be the first Hero product with ABS? Time will tell.

Hyosung

While Benelli has been all the rage for the past year, things over at the other DSK brand, Hyosung, have been rather quiet. Expect that to change at the 2016 Auto Expo with the unveiling of the new GT300R and the GV300, which replace the current GT250R and Aquila 250 respectively. Both share a new 275cc v-twin engine that makes 27.6PS in the sportbike and 26PS in the cruiser. We also expect to see the new GD450 naked that boasts a 449cc, 50PS single cylinder engine. The refreshed GT650R could also make a debut.

Mahindra 2 Wheelers

Riding high on the positive reviews of the Mojo, Mahindra is arming itself for the 2016 Auto Expo with the new Gusto 125 we just rode, a couple of funky Mojo customs and what we think will be a new 125-150cc motorcycle. After proving its capability with the Mojo, the next logical step for Mahindra will be to attack the more prevalent segments of the market and 150cc is not a bad place to start? We know very little about this motorcycle just yet but expect plenty of Mojo themes. Gold ribs? Oh yes! Mahindra is also rumoured to show off a basic 110cc motorcycle which will rival the TVS Max 4R. We expect it to use the same 8.5PS 110cc motor from the Centuro, albeit in a lower state of tune.

Mahindra will also show off its small Genze electric scooters which are currently on sale in USA. The Peugeot scooter line-up will also be on display.

Piaggio

Piaggio will have plenty of hot metal to show off from its multiple brands. Aprilia will of course have the awesome Tuono, RSV4 and perhaps the new Caponard 1200 Rally. Moto Guzzi will be showing off its current range including the Audace as well as new products like the V9 Roamer and V9 Bobber that were shown at EICMA. What we expect to see for the first time however are the range of Piaggio scooters including the Fly, Medley, Liberty and the cool three wheeled MP3. For now, these scooters will simply be unveiled with no confirmation on launch plans.

Suzuki 2 Wheelers

Suzuki

Suzuki has already sent us an invite to experience the 'world premiere of the new gen Suzuki'. We're not quite sure what that entails but we do expect to see some interesting metal from Suzuki. Perhaps the big Burgman 650, a vehicle with which Suzuki hopes to kick off the ultra premium scooter segment in India. We could also see the introduction of the SV650 an international favourite that has received huge accolades for it's exciting V-twin engine, nimble chassis and affordable price. Lastly, we could see a new version of the Access, a scooter that was received positive reviews when it debuted but has simply been around for too long in its current form.

Triumph

Triumph had a busy 2015 and we expect to see a lot of the new motorcycles make their debut at the 2016 Auto Expo. Naturally, there will be the new Bonneville, for which prices will probably disclosed. Then there's the updated Speed Triple that boasts fresh looks, a retuned 1050cc triple and a new electronics package that includes ABS. We'll also get to see the new full sized Tiger Explorer that gets similar updates to the Speed Triple.

TVS

TVS will be showing off the fresh new Apache RTR 200 and Victor at their stall at the Auto Expo. The most exciting exhibit will probably be TVS' take on the BMW G310R. The motorcycle in question could be fully faired in a slightly different state of tune to the 34PS naked BMW. The machine displayed may not be in full production form but will give us a taste of what to expect from the upcoming motorcycle.

Yamaha

Yamaha has traditionally had a brilliant line-up overseas and offered almost none of it in our market. Hopefully the 2016 Auto Expo will set that right. So what do we expect to see? In the low priced segment, Yamaha may show us its first 125cc scooter. Then we come to the MT-09 which will compete against the Triumph Street Triple if brought here. But the one that really excites is the MT-07. A compact, light and sporty motorcycle with about 75PS at around the Rupees 5 lakh mark is exactly what our market needs! Hopefully, we'll finally see the ABS version of the R3 and Yamaha may even show the MT-03. Hopefully.

UM Motorcycles

UM Motorcycles, the Indian unit of American manufacturer UM International, LLC and its Indian partner Lohia Auto will make its Indian debut with the Renegade series of motorcycles. The range will be unveiled on February 3, 2016 and the line up includes the Renegade Sport S, Renegade Commando and Renegade Classic. The company also says that bookings for the entire range will begin at the Auto Expo. The Renegade line-up is powered by single cylinder engines with the largest displacing 279cc, good for 25PS.

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