Motorcycles coming to India in 2015
2015 Yamaha YZF-R1 and R1MIndia Yamaha has confirmed that the 2015 R1 will go on sale in March, while Facebook posts from dealers confirm that the prices will be between Rs 28 and Rs 32 lakh ex-showroom approximately. The new R1 is all-new and offers 200PS, new styling and cast magnesium wheels. The R1M is a more hard-core version with carbon bodywork. Yamaha is also pitching its new electronics suite that includes an inertial measurement unit (IMU) and an M1-derived slide control system.
In an exclusive interview with CNBC-TV18, Rajiv Bajaj revealed that Bajaj has four products lined up for the coming year. We believe all the action will kick off with the 160NS which will likely replace the ageing Pulsar 150. Then the 200SS should come towards the end of the fiscal year. The other two will be a four-valve engine-d Platina and a new Discover by our reckoning. Stay tuned.
TVS-BMW project bikesTowards the end of the year, TVS and BMW are expected to reveal the two motorcycles they've been developing together. We expect to see a motorcycle in the 300-500cc range but actual information is thin on the ground and we will just have to wait until the bikes show up. TVS will manufacture the bikes for both brands but BMW Motorrad intend to sell the bikes through their own network in India. We expect BMW Motorrad's current Indian partners (in Delhi and Mumbai) to show up in the new network as dealers rather than importers. Expect the TVS' to be priced competitively while the BMWs will boast a premium price just like Bajaj-KTMs do.
Kawasaki Ninja H2Kawasaki India Motors is likely to start sales of the 200PS supercharged H2 streetbike in India by March 2015 at an on-road price of Rs 30 lakh approximately. Kawasaki India is very unlikely to offer the track-only H2R for sale in India, though.
Kawasaki Versys 1000Though the first bike was delivered at the India Superbike Festival in Pune, Kawasaki India is expected to officially launch the Versys 1000 adv-tourer in India in January at a price of Rs 12.5 lakh. Bookings are open now.
2015 Triumph TigersTriumph has already previewed the new Tigers to the media globally. We now expect Triumph India to open bookings for the four models from the new Tiger range shortly before sale commences around March. Expect a substantial hike in prices.
Honda CBR650FHonda showcased the CBR650F at the Auto Expo 2014 and promised to bring it to India by early 2015. We expect this delectable motorcycle to the hit the market by February 2015. The CBR650F makes 86PS of power and 63Nm of torque and has ABS as a standard fitment. Icing on the cake then will be that HMSI is assembling it here and therefore prices can be expected to be very competitive.
Honda CBR500RIt is unclear as of now if HMSI will assemble it here but the CBR500R is coming to the Indian market for sure. The 500R doesn't have a competitor as of now on the Indian motorcycle scene but it will be an exciting prospect nonetheless. Expect it to be launched towards end-2015.
 Hero HX250RHero's single cylinder 250cc offering will be in the market in 2015. It will be a fully faired motorcycle, as seen at the expo, and will be set to take on the CBR250R. The HX250R boasts an indigenously developed liquid-cooled motor from Hero and makes 31PS of power and 26Nm of torque. It comes mated to a six-speed gearbox, a first for a Hero motorcycle. 0-60kmph is dispatched in a claimed 2.7 seconds while the motorcycle comes with optional ABS as well. It is expected to be priced around Rs 1.6 lakh when it goes on sale by mid-2015.
Hero DashHero displayed two scooters which looked production ready at the 2014 expo and recent spy shots suggest that there is indeed a larger capacity scooter ready to be launched. The Dash will have a 125cc engine. Expect a marginal increase in price and the scooter, like the Activa 125, could come with a front disc brake. We believe Hero will launch the 125cc scooter around March-April.
Hero ZirThe Zir is a PCX-ish scooter that has a 150cc motor that claims to propel the scooter to speeds over 110kmph. There were two versions displayed at the expo, one was for the European market and the other for India. The Zir was expected to follow the launch of the Xtreme Sports, however, a source says that the plans may have been delayed.
Hyosung GD250NHyosung's naked motorcycle, the GD250N has already been reviewed by us. While the pre-production model had some issues to be ironed, we expect DSK-Hyosung to sort them out before the first batch of motorcycles arrive in showrooms in 2015. It is a compact motorcycle designed to take on the likes of the 200 Duke. The 250cc motor is all-new and makes 28PS of power and 24Nm of torque. The entire package weighs just 145kg.
Mahindra MojoYes, we know this one has been in the production stage for too long. In fact, Mahindra may be shooting itself in the foot with a motorcycle that was originally intended for a 2011 launch and will 'finally' be launched in 2015. The Mojo has been undergoing extensive testing as Mahindra wants it to be a foolproof motorcycle as and when it is launched. Expect a mid-2015 launch.
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