Upcoming Motorcycles In India — Top 14 Motorcycles To Lookout For

By Rajkamal

Updated: Friday, November 27, 2015, 10:09 [IST]

The two-wheeler market in India is an emerging market, specially the performance segment. This gave the opportunity for motorcycle manufacturers to cash in, with performance oriented motorcycles, across the engine capacity range, and one manufacturer who is enjoying sales is KTM.

So, is there a motorcycle to take off KTM from the top spot? Depends really, at what kind of motorcycle a customer wants these days, as adventure motorcycles are an emerging segment, and those with enough beans to spill have a wide range of 1000cc plus performance machines to chose from.

So what else can India expect in the near future apart from what is already on offer? Here is a look at 15 motorcycles that were at EICMA*, that could head to India in the near future.

1. Yamaha MT-03

The Yamaha MT-03 is the perfect street motorcycle for those looking for an alternative to the Yamaha R3. Based on the R3, the MT-03 is powered by the same twin-cylinder engine as the R3 that produces 42bhp and 29.5Nm of torque, mated to a six-speed gearbox.
Expected Price: Rs. 3 lakh
Competitors: KTM Duke 390, Benelli TNT 300, Kawasaki Z250

2. BMW G301R

Another very important motorcycle in the 300cc segment is the BMW G310R, that is jointly made by TVS. The G310R will be an important product for BMW to expand into emerging markets, and with TVS producing the motorcycle in India, it will be an efficient competitor in this segment. Powering the motorcycle is a 34bhp single-cylinder motor.
Expected Price: Rs. 2.8 lakh
Competitors: KTM Duke 390, Benelli TNT 300, Kawasaki Z250

3. Hyosung GT300R

The Hyosung GT300R is the upgraded version of the 250R. The GT300R was showcased at EICMA last week, with an upgraded 275cc V-Twin engine that now produces 28bhp and 23Nm of torque. The Hyosung GT300R will replace the 250R in India, and is expected to launch during mid-2016.
Expected Price: Under Rs. 4 lakh
Competitors: KTM RC390, Yamaha YZF-R3, Kawasaki Ninja 300, Honda CBR250R

Hyosung GT300R Image Source

4. Benelli Tornado 302

The Benelli Tornado 302 is the fully faired version of the TNT 300 that is currently sold in India. The Tornado 302 features a new trellis frame that has made the motorcycle 16kgs lighter than the TNT 300, in spite of the fairing. The engine powering the Benelli Tornado 302 is the same in-line twin as the TNT 300, which produces 35bhp, but redlines at 12,000rpm, instead of 11,500rpm.
Expected Price: Rs. 3 lakh
Competitors: KTM RC390, Yamaha YZF-R3, Kawasaki Ninja 300, Honda CBR250R

5. KTM RC390

The Austrian motorcycle manufacturer is planning to launch the KTM RC390 with a slipper clutch in India soon, as it did with the Duke 390. Another big difference to note is that KTM has ditched the underbelly exhaust for a traditional side mounted one to keep up with the Euro 4 norms. The RC390 will retain its single-cylinder liquid-cooled unit that produces 43bhp and 35Nm of torque.
Expected Price: Rs. 2.15 lakh
Competitors: Yamaha YZF-R3, Kawasaki Ninja 300, Honda CBR250R

6. Ducati Scrambler Sixty2

Ducati's cheapest offering till date, and a very good looking one. The Ducati Scrambler Sixty2 uses a 399cc L-Twin engine that makes 41bhp and 35Nm of torque. To make the motorcycle affordable, Ducati has ditched the inverted front forks for regular, non-adjustable telescopic forks up front and will offer ABS as a standard feature. The launch of the Ducati Scrambler Sixty2 could be expected in mid-2016.
Expected Price: Rs. 5 lakh
Competitors: KTM Duke 390, Benelli TNT 300, Kawasaki Z250

7. Hyosung Aquila 300

Similar to how Hyosung updated the GT250R with the GT300R, the Aquila too gets an update. The Aquila 300 will get the same motor as the GT300R, but tweaked for cruising. The engine will produce 27bhp and 23.5Nm of torque, and will be mated to a five-speed gearbox. ABS will also be offered to make riding safe. The launch could be expected during the 2016 Delhi Auto Expo.
Expected Price: Rs. 3.2 lakh
Competitors: Royal Enfield 350, Bajaj Avenger Cruise, UM Renegade (upcoming)

Hyosung Aquila 300 Image Source

8. UM Renegade Sport S

Launching during Auto Expo, the UM Renegade Sport S was showcased at EICMA. The motorcycle was showcased with Endurance brakes, Gabriel suspension, and TVS tyres (all of which are Indian companies), which hints us to what can be expected in India. The motorcycle is powered by a 279cc single-cylinder engine with 26bhp.
Expected Price: Rs. 2 lakh
Competitors: Royal Enfield 350, Bajaj Avenger Cruise

UM Renegade Sport S Image Source

9. Benelli TRk 502

Benelli is almost offering its entire lineup in India, and the TRk 502 adventure motorcycle has all the possibilities to make it to Indian shores in 2016. The Benelli TRk 502 adventure motorcycle is powered by a 500cc parallel-twin engine that produces 47bhp and 45Nm of torque. The 502 may not be to everyone's liking but for adventure motorcycle lovers, it may just be the perfect motorcycle in India.
Expected Price: Rs. 5 lakh
Competitors: Ducati Scrambler Sixty2 (upcoming), Kawasaki Versys 650 (upcoming)

10. Hyosung GT650R

Along with the updated GT300R and the Aquila was the updated GT650R, that has been completely redesigned. Although there are multiple design changes, the engine on the GT650R remains the same - a 647cc V-Twin liquid-cooled engine that produces 73bhp and 55Nm of torque, thanks to a six-speed transmission.
Expected Price: Rs. 5.5 lakh
Competitors: Benelli TNT600i, Honda CB600F, Kawasaki ER-6n

Hyosung GT650R Image Source

11. Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R

The Kawasaki ZX-10R received an update a few weeks ago and during EICMA, the Japanese manufacturer gave it yet another update, calling it the Winter Edition. The motorcycle has had major inputs from the Kawasaki World Super Bike team. Powering the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R is a 998cc, in-line, four-cylinder liquid-cooled engine that produces 197bhp and 113Nm of torque.
Expected Price: Rs. 17 lakh
Competitors: Yamaha YZF-R1, Honda CBR1000RR, BMW S1000RR, Suzuki GSX-R1000

12. Yamaha MT-10

Yamaha unveiled the naked, street bike version of the YZF-R1, called the MT-10.Yamaha has not revealed any performance figures for the motorcycle, but what is sure is that it will be powered by the same in-line four-cylinder engine from the R1, but de-tuned to make it more street friendly.
Expected Price: Rs. 20 lakh
Competitors: MV Agusta Brutale 1090, Ducati Monster 1200S, BMW S1000R

13. Triumph Speed Triple

The Brits have given the Speed Triple a make over as well. The 2016 Triumph Speed Triple has received as many as 104 new upgrades, that include the engine and the way the motorcycle looks. The company has not revealed performance figures either, but what can be expected is a bit more power than the model currently on sale.
Expected Price: Rs. 12 lakh
Competitors: MV Agusta Brutale 1090, Ducati Monster 1200S, BMW S1000R

14. Ducati XDiavel

Ducati was the only manufacturer who has updated almost every motorcycle in its line up and unveiled it at EICMA. One of the new models that was showcased along with the Scrambler Sixty2 was the Ducati XDiavel. The power cruiser not just looks menacing, but packs an engine to go with its looks. Powering the XDiavel is a 1,262cc engine that makes 156bhp and 129Nm of torque.
Expected Price: Rs. 21 lakh
Competitors: Yamaha V-Max

*EICMA, or the Milan Motorcycle Show is an annual show in Milan, Italy featuring motorcycles.