Yamaha To Launch New 250cc Motorcycle In India

Published: Monday, December 17, 2012, 11:49 [IST]

India Yamaha Motor is reportedly developing a new 250cc motorcycle specifically for India. This new 250cc motorcycle is expected to be launched by Yamaha in 2014 according to reports. The new sports bike will be placed above the YZF R15 and will compete against the likes of the Honda CBR 250R, Hyosung GT 250R and the Kawasaki Ninja 250 R.

India Yamaha Motor has not specifically spoken about this new 250cc motorcycle. The Japanese two wheeler giant has recently started selling scooters in India after launching the Ray. It had stated that it would continue to focus on increasing its portfolio of scooters in India. However, the company's India chief has hinted at this new motorcycle in an interview with Financial Chronicle.

India Yamaha Motor MD and CEO Hiroyuki Suzuki has stated that a new 250cc motorcycle is on its way to India and will be launched in 2014. He has said Yamaha would focus on its scooter segment for the next two years but will launch a powerful new sports bike in 2014.

Mr Suzuki has added that the market for premium motorcycles was growing and Yamaha wanted to tap this market. The YZF R15 version 2.0 is Yamaha's top end motorcycle manufactured in India. It will retain this top spot only until 2014.

Yamaha's decision to launch a 250cc motorcycle in India is welcome but analysts say the decision could have come a little earlier. Competition in the 250cc segment is set to hot up further in the coming years as India's leading motorcycle manufacturer Hero MotoCorp is also planning to launch a 250cc motorcycle. Bajaj could also joint the fray with a similar powered bike jointly developed with KTM.

Yamaha is aiming to capture a greater market share by launching scooters in India. But it has built its name in India as a performance bike maker and its new 250cc motorcycle will definitely help retain that image.