The motorcycles we're looking for at EICMA!

Husqvarna 401 Vit/Svartpilen

We know that the 2017 roll-out in India for KTM and Bajaj includes the new Husqvarna line-up. The first model will be the 401 Vitpilen which is set to be based on the KTM 390 Duke. What we don't know is whether that is the new or old 390.

Husqvarna

However, we now believe that the Husqvarna model line will be positioned above the KTM line in price and premium-ness, and that almost certainly implies that the 401s will use the new Duke platform as basis.

Apart from the devastatingly good looks, expect a smooth, old-school punchy feel quite at odds with the frantic 390 Duke. Prices should be about Rs 20,000-35,000 higher than the KTM 390 Duke in India, our estimates.

KTM 390/200/125 Duke

We already know that the all-new Dukes will feature a substantially new engine and frame for 2017. Spy shots have revealed that the 390 is likely to feature the new LED head lamps while the smaller models will get a sleek new headlamp that mirrors the current SuperDuke 1290's design.

No further spec is known, but we expect the refinement levels to go up as well as chassis stability rather than outright performance. Expect the Indian launches to be slotted between April and June 2017, our estimates.

KTM 890 Duke

The KTM 890 Duke is extremely likely to be the final name for the new KTM parallel twin engine line that should debut at EICMA. The engine should make between 75PS and 85PS, our guess, and the 890 should slot in right at the very top of the performers in its class.

Will it come to India? Unfortunately, that is unlikely. KTM will have its hands full with the new Dukes as well as the new Husqvarnas, so the chances are the KTM 890 Duke, which will likely be assembled in India when it comes, is still at least a year or two, or more, away.

Kawasaki Z900

Details about the Z900's imminent debut at EICMA 2016 were revealed at the Intermot this year. This likely Z800 successor will have a 948cc 123.6PS engine which is derived from the Z1000. The engine will be mated to a slipper clutch that claims to counter the engine braking effect while downshifting. ABS is standard on this 210kg steel trellis frame motorcycle. Expect Kawasaki India to bring in this motorcycle sometime next year.

BMW new GS'

BMW is expected to reveal a line of updated GS motorcycles at the Milan show this year. The top models will boast BMW's new SOS emergency call system, and all the models will have Euro-IV engines. Expect the models to feature sharper styling and more options, but the weights and power will go up across the board to balance out the Euro-IV equipment and performance loss. Would we see displacements creep upwards? We would rule it out just yet.

BMW G 310 GS

The spy shots abound and the chatter from the beginning was that the TVS-BMW project would bring multiple motorcycles from both brands. The G 310 GS looks set to be the second motorcycle from BMW. If you recall, OVERDRIVE was the first to bring you the story of the G 310 R from the Milan show two years ago.

This year we expect BMW Motorrad to reveal the G 310 GS in production or near-production form with a launch date set for mid-2017 or slightly later.

The G 310 GS is likely to be a motorcycle with the same engine and gearing as the G 310 R. But on the chassis front, we expect to see a higher ride and saddle height via small adjustments to the length of the rear shock. Plus new bodywork and name, of course. We expect the price to be marginally higher than the G 310 R when it goes on sale - our guess is late 2017 at the earliest and April 2018 is vastly more likely.

In India, as we have told you earlier, BMW Motorrad is expected to shortly start sales rolling on CBU models while the TVS-manufactured G 310 R is likely to go on sale in April 2017 and deliveries should start in June.