Motorcycles expected to launch in India in the first quarter of FY 2019-20
Car and motorcycle manufacturers in India are all gearing up to launch their new offerings in the next couple of months. While the overall sentiment might have been dampened with the recent price hike announcements by different manufacturers owing to rise in input costs and growing inventory costs, companies will be countering these factors with new launches. We have already told you about the car that are expected to be launched in Q1 FY 2019-20, here is a list of all the exciting motorcycles that are expected to arrive in the first quarter of  the financial year 2019-20.
KTM 790 DukeClearly, the most anticipated from this bunch is this very motorcycle. The upcoming KTM 790 Duke will be a CKD motorcycle and 100 units of the bike have already landed at the company's Akurdi plant for research and development and service training purposes. The engine components and cycle parts of the bike will be imported while the other parts such as the headlamp, levers etc will be sourced from local manufacturers. Powering the middleweight 790 Duke is the newly developed 799cc LC8 liquid-cooled parallel-twin engine 104PS and 87Nm of torque. The engine will come mated to a six-speed gearbox with a two-way quick shifter.The KTM 790 Duke takes on the likes of Kawasaki Z900, Triumph Street Triple S and the Ducati Monster 797. More details on the KTM 790 Duke can be read here.
How much? Rs 7.5 lakh, expected
When? April 2019
Hero XPulse 200 and XPulse 200TThe Hero XPulse houses the platform borrowed from the Hero Xtreme 200R, but we believe the chassis has gone under heavy modification to sustain the motorcycles off road capabilities. The bike will sport stronger engine mounts and a revised steering geometry and will use the engine as a stressed member. The more hardcore variant of the Xpulse is equipped with 21-inch front wheel size and a wire spoke rims shod with CEAT gripp XL tyres. The bike also gets a flying mudguard and fork gaiters as standard. The headlamp assembly houses a halogen unit with LED DRLs. The Xpulse has an offset front axle with a long travel suspension to improve its off- road capabilities. Details on the Hero XPulse here,
How much? Rs 1.05 lakh, expected
When? April 2019
Triumph Scrambler 1200The motorcycle uses a 1,200cc twin cylinder motor off the Triumph Thruxton R but in a torquier state of tune. Triumph says that the Scrambler 1200 boats their most potent tune for the 1,200cc engine now. The odd bit is that they're calling it a "crossover" that blends classic or retro design elements with the format of the adventure tourer. And while the Ducati Scrambler Desert Sled is the fairly obvious target, the Triumph Scrambler is built on Bonneville base elements and not on the Triumph Tiger. There will be two models. The base Triumph Scrambler 1200 XC and the fully-loaded, more off-road friendly XE. Details on the Triumph Scrambler 1200 here.
How much? Rs 12-15 lakh, expected
When? June 2019
2019 Yamaha YZF-R3Though the platform remains essentially the same as its predecessor the YZF-R3 now gets new cycle parts - an upside-down fork setup in the front. The clip-on handlebars of the new Yamaha YZF-R3 have been mounted lower than that of its predecessor. That said, with the new triple clamp, and a revised head-stock assembly the bike does have a revised steering geometry. The foot pegs are pulled further back and are raised to offer a more committed rider's triangle. The tail section of the new motorcycle is upswept hinting at a redesigned subframe. Read more about the 2019 Yamaha R3 here.
How much? Rs 3.5 lakh, expected
When? May 2019
Suzuki Gixxer 250The Gixxer 250 is expected to be a derivative of the Hajou DR 300, a motorcycle built by Suzuki's Chinese partner. The Gixxer 250 is expected to get styling similar to this bike. The mechanical changes expected are more mainstream fork suspension set up and new tyres. The engine will be a newly developed air and liquid cooled 250cc unit with roughly 22PS. The Gixxer's street naked styling and its mechanical package will make it a rival to the Yamaha FZ-25. Some bits from the Gixxer 150 are also expected to make its way to this bike mainly in the form of the instrument cluster. Other expected features are LED head and tail lamps. ABS will be fitted as standard, given the upcoming norms. More details on the Suzuki Gixxer 250 here
How much? Rs 1.35 lakh, expected
When? June 2019
2019 Honda CBR 650RThe all-new Honda CBR 650R comes equipped with a 649cc liquid cooled four-cylinder, DOHC 16-valve engine. This motor produces an impressive 95PS at 12,000rpm and generates 64Nm at 8,500rpm. Compared to the CBR 650F, that is an increment of 5 per cent. Honda also mentions that special attention has been given to the way the engine sounds that now produces a more sporty note compared to the previous. The 2019 Honda CBR 650R comes equipped with assist/slipper clutch and Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC) that maintains rear wheel traction and can be switched off whenever needed. The chassis design too has been updated that made the overall bike lighter by 6kg. It also comes with new, adjustable 41 mm Showa Separate Fork Function (SFF) USD forks that offer superior suspension response. Doing braking duties is the dual-channel ABS setup with dual radial-mount calipers on the front and a single-piston rear caliper. More details on the 2019 Honda CBR 650 R here
How much? Rs 8 lakh, expected
When? April 2019
2019 BMW S 1000 RRThe new-generation BMW S 1000 RR was showcased at the EICMA 2018 show. The superbike gets a slimmer profile for the tank and the seat which, as claimed by BMW Motorrad, has improved the seating geometry for both track and road use. The new chassis is suspended by a new suspension that claims better handling and traction performance. As before, the S 1000 RR can also be optioned with an electronic suspension which now features an improved valve control technology for quicker operation on the track. The 2019 BMW S 1000 RR will compete with the likes of the Aprilia RSV4, Yamaha R1, Kawasaki ZX-10R, Honda Fireblade and the Ducati Panigale V4. We have already ridden the 2019 BMW S 1000 RR and here are our initial impressions
How much? Rs 19.5 lakh, expected
When? June 2019
2019 Bajaj DominarThe 2019 Bajaj Dominar gets new USD (upside down) front forks. These look identical to the unit on the KTM 390 Duke and appears to be of similar dimensions. The other apparent change is the exhaust system that now features twin-port exhaust canisters. The alloy wheels on the newer motorcycles are painted in single tone colour instead of silver outlined spokes on the earlier one. The current Bajaj Dominar was powered by a 373.5cc liquid-cooled single cylinder engine and produced 35PS and 35Nm, however, the engine in the 2019 Dominar is now tuned to produce 39PS at 8,650rpm which is a substantial increase over its predecessor. Here's our first impressions of the 2019 Bajaj Dominar 400
How much? Rs 1.7 lakh, expected
When? April 2019
Ducati Multistrada 1260 EnduroThe engine debuted on the Ducati XDiavel before finding its way onto the Multistrada 1260 and offers a slightly higher 158PS along with 127Nm. Even more impressive though is the fact that 85 percent of the peak torque is now available below 3,500rpm! Torque offered at 5,500rpm is up by 17 percent as well we're told, so expect even more ballistic performance all round. The bi-directional quickshifter from the Multistrada 1260 has made its way onto the Enduro along with Bosch's six axis IMU, which brings with it rider aids like DWC (Ducati Wheelie Control), Bosch cornering ABS and not to mention, DTC (Ducati Traction Control). We have already ridden the 2019 Ducati Multistrada 1260 Enduro.
How much? Rs 19 lakh, expected
When? April 2019
MV Agusta Turismo Veloce 800The Turismo Veloce borrows its 798cc inline triple from the F3 800 and the Rivale but runs a detuned spec making 125PS at 11,600rpm and 84Nm of peak torque. The rider can, as has become normal now, switch engine modes to alter throttle response, peak power and torque as well as the nature of the rev limiter. The clutch is cable actuated but there is no slipper clutch. Further, there is a ride-by-wire throttle, traction control, wheelie supression, ABS, a quick shifter as well as semi-active suspension on the top model, the Lusso. More details on this exotic adventure tourer here.
How much? Rs 18 lakh, expected
When? June 2019