Best of 2018: The top ten motorcycles launched in India this year
As 2018 draws to a close, we're finally looking to heave a little sigh of relief â" no more launches for this year! It's been an action-packed year for us, as over two dozen motorcycles were launched in 2018 â" that's an average of two motorcycles launched per month, or more! We were constantly zipping across the country (and even abroad!) to ride them and it's almost like our bags were packed perennially to ride one motorcycle after another. It was hard to whittle the list down to the top ten, considering that motorcycles were launched across various segments and price ranges, but here's the list of the motorcycles that we think deserve to be called the top ten launches of 2018, in alphabetical order.
1.        BMW G 310 R and BMW G 310 GS
After a long, long wait, the BMW 310s were launched in India, marking the premium German manufacturer's entry into the volumes segment. Both motorcycles are powered by the same 310cc single cylinder engine as the TVS Apache RR 310 and are trying to make a mark as an entry-point to BMW Motorrad's exotic world of motorcycles
2.        Hero Xtreme 200R
Another long wait came to an end with this one. The 200R in fact also marked Hero MotoCorp's return to the performance arena, right into the segment that's easily one of the most popular ones in the country, the 200cc naked streetbike category. Powered by an engine that started life as a 150cc unit powering the Hero Achiever 150, the Xtreme 200R does come across as an interesting proposition if in the market for a 200cc, near 20PS motorcycle
3.        Jawa Motorcycles Jawa and Jawa Forty-Two
The Jawas are back and how! Classic Legends launched the motorcycles amid much fanfare and interestingly, the Jawa looks exactly like the original, while the Jawa Forty-Two is a relatively more modern take on retro-classic motorcycles. Both machines are powered by the same, 293cc, 27PS single-cylinder engine. The response has been overwhelming to say the least and in fact Jawa has had to close online bookings for both motorcycles till September 2019 owing to the number of bookings received
4.      Kawasaki Ninja 400
The Ninja 400 broke cover as a replacement to the ageing Ninja 300 globally in 2017 and has received accolades the world over for what it brings to the table as a premium sportsbike. But despite being assembled by Kawasaki in India, the bike has been priced a little too high in India for it to appeal to prospective buyers. While it an interesting addition to its segment, Kawasaki India clearly needs to rework its pricing strategy for the bike to become more lucrative as a package
5.        KTM 125 Duke
The 125 Duke was a bit of a surprise package. Many didn't see it coming, but KTM India strongly believes the market for a premium, sporty and fun to ride 125cc motorcycle does exist in India. So they've taken the plunge, into a segment that has always been looked upon as one that prefers conservative design and fuel efficiency over sporty styling, handling and performance
6.        Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 and Royal Enfield Interceptor 650
The Royal Enfield twins had thousands drool right from the day engine details were given out at the 2017 EICMA. And when we rode them both â" first in the USA and then in India â" we came back impressed, not just with the engine performance but also the build quality and fit-finish levels
7.        Suzuki V-Strom 650 XT
The middleweight adventure touring category of motorcycles is nascent in India to say the least. 2018 saw Suzuki enter the segment with the V-Strom 650 XT, a machine that's powered by a refined and reasonably powerful V-twin engine and also boasts some off-road ability courtesy its wire-spoked wheels and rider aids like switchable traction control
8.        Triumph Tiger 800
The Tiger 800 needs no introduction as one of the most popular adventure touring motorcycles in the country. 2018 saw Triumph launch the comprehensively updated version of the motorcycle in India, boasting â" according to Triumph Motorcycles â" over 200 changes inside out. As we found out, after riding the bike in Morocco and India both, the updated Tiger 800 does pack a bigger punch now
9.        TVS Apache RR 310
The Apache RR 310 isn't just TVS Motor's flagship motorcycle. It is also the manufacturer's most important product yet, considering it is the most premium and most powerful offering from TVS yet and is also the first ever motorcycle to be co-developed with BMW Motorrad. Enough said!
10.        Yamaha YZF-R15 V3
Ah, the R15. A motorcycle that introduced innumerable riders to affordable sport riding way back in 2008! The V3 that was launched early this year was highly anticipated, owing to a full-styling update that has the bike look a lot like the full-blooded Yamaha YZF-R1, apart from a more powerful engine that's equipped with high-end technology like variable valve timing
What do you think of the above motorcycles? Let us know in the comments!
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