Top 10 Bikes To Watch Out For In 2018 — Modern Classic, Premium, Sports & Adventure Bikes

Modern Classic Bikes:

Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 & Continental GT 650

The most significant launch in the modern classic segment will be from Royal Enfield, who will launch the Interceptor 650 and the Continental GT 650. Both the motorcycles share the same platform and the engine. The engine is a new parallel twin unit from the company with a 648cc displacement and produces 47bhp and 52Nm of torque mated to a 6-speed gearbox.

Both the Royal Enfield Twins, as the company refers it to, will feature modern technology such as dual-channel ABS, slipper clutch among others. While the Interceptor 650 is a retro classic street bike, the Continental GT 650 is a cafe racer inspired motorcycle.

Expected Launch: June 2018
Expected Price: Under Rs 4 Lakh

Benelli Imperiale 400

Royal Enfield is dominating the mid-capacity engine segment for quite some time and it has been an uphill task for many other manufacturers to enter the space. However, the segment is seen as a potential segment for many. Hence, DSK Benelli is bringing the Benelli Imperiale 400 to India to rival the Royal Enfields.

The Benelli Imperiale 400 is a retro-styled motorcycle is powered by a 373.5cc, single-cylinder unit which produces 19bhp and 28Nm of torque. The bike features telescopic shocks at the front, and dual spring shocks at the rear. The Imperiale features disc brakes on the front and rear wheels along with dual-channel ABS which will be offered as standard.

Expected Launch: Mid-2018
Expected Price: Under Rs 3 Lakh

Premium Bikes:

BMW G 310 R

BMW Motorrad is finally set to launch the much-awaited BMW G 310 R in India. The bike is already being manufactured at the TVS' manufacturing plant in Hosur for overseas markets. The G 310 R will be the first bike from the German bike manufacturer to be launched in India in collaboration with TVS Motors.

The BMW G 310 R is powered by a 313cc single-cylinder engine which delivers 34bhp and 28.4Nm of torque mated to a 6-speed gearbox, the same unit which powers the newly launched TVS Apache RR 310.

Expected Launch: Early 2018
Expected Price: Rs 2.25 Lakh to Rs 2.5 Lakh

Hero Xtreme 200 S

Hero MotoCorp has been focusing on the commuter segment and now will enter the performance segment with the Xtreme 200 S. The Xtreme 200 S is expected to debut at the upcoming Auto Expo 2018 to be held in February.

While Hero MotoCorp has not revealed the specification details of the Xtreme 200 S, we expect it to be powered by an all-new engine and will rival the likes of Bajaj Pulsar NS200 and the TVS Apache RTR 200 4V.

Expected Launch: Mid-2018
Expected Price: Under Rs 1 Lakh

Tork T6X

The era of electric vehicles have begun, and India is not far away when it comes to home-grown electric vehicle manufacturers. One such startup is Tork Motorcycles which will launch the Tork T6X electric motorcycle.

The Tork T6X is powered by a 6kw brushless DC motor with a peak torque of 27Nm. The motorcycle can travel up to 100km on a single charge with a top speed of 100km/h. The Tork T6X can even charge to 80 percent on an hour's worth of charging.

Expected Launch: Mid-2018
Price: Rs 1.25 Lakh (Introductory)

Adventure Bikes:

BMW G 310 GS

BMW Motorrad's smallest adventure bike will be launched in India in 2018 alongside its naked sibling, the G 310 R. Referred by the company as the 'baby GS', it'll be manufactured by TVS Motors.

The BMW G 310 GS is powered by the same 313cc unit which powers the G 310 R developing 34bhp and 28Nm of torque. The G 310 GS' styling is inspired by BMW's bigger GS siblings and will feature 19-inch front wheel with long-travel suspension. The adventure motorcycle is claimed to reach top speeds of 140km/h.

Expected Launch: Mid-2018
Expected Price: Under Rs 2.5 Lakh

Hero XPulse

Hero MotoCorp is looking to enter the lucrative adventure segment in India with the XPulse motorcycle, which is a replacement for the discontinued Impulse. The XPulse was unveiled at the 2018 EICMA in Milan in November 2017.

The Hero XPulse will be powered by a 200cc, single-cylinder engine producing around 20bhp and bike is expected to weigh 140kg. The company is said to offer two variants: off-road spec as well as an on-road spec version.

Expected Launch: Mid-2018
Expected Price: Rs 1 Lakh to Rs 1.5 Lakh

2018 Triumph Tiger 800

The Triumph Tiger 800 has earned the tag as one of the most popular adventure bikes in India. Triumph is all set to bring the 2018 model year Tiger 800 with a host of upgrades. The 2018 Tiger 800 features all-LED lighting, a full-colour TFT instrument cluster, six riding modes and the 2018 model is sharper in styling compared to the present model.

Additionally, the 2018 Triumph Tiger 800 features a new adjustable windscreen, new seat compound along with high-spec Brembo brakes and Showa suspension. Mechanically, the 2018 Tiger 800 will continue to house the same engine as the current model but is expected to be slightly tuned to offer more performance.

Expected Launch: Mid-2018
Expected Price: Rs 13 Lakh to Rs 15 Lakh

Sports Bike:

Ducati Monster 821

The 2018 Ducati Monster 821 will arrive in India in 2018. The motorcycle was revealed earlier this year, and the refreshed Monster 821 receives subtle changes including new yellow paint, paying tribute to the original M900.

The 2018 Monster 821 also gets a new headlamp, tail section and the double barrel exhaust. Additionally, new features include a TFT console, multiple riding modes, 3-level, and 8-level Traction Control. The Monster 821 continues to draw power from the 821cc parallel twin engine producing 108bhp and 86Nm of torque mated to a quick shifter 6-speed gearbox.

Expected Launch: Mid-2019
Expected Price: Rs 12 Lakh To Rs 13 Lakh

Ducati Panigale V4

The Ducati Panigale V4 is the first bike from the manufacturer featuring four-cylinders and replicates the technology from its MotoGP bike on the road going version. The company says the Panigale V4 is its most advanced motorcycle to be developed to date.

Mechanically, the Ducati Panigale V4 draws power from a 1103cc, 90-degree, V4 unit producing 211bhp and 214Nm of torque.

Expected Launch: Mid-2018
Expected Price: Around Rs 20 Lakh

Other Mentions:

Other mentions include Norton Commando 961 and the Dominator in the sports bike segment, while in the adventure bike segment, models such as the Benelli TRK 502, SWM Superdual, Ducati Multistrada 1260 are expected to make a mark in the Indian two-wheeler segment.

Among the Modern Classic segment, Triumph Bonneville Speedmaster and Kawasaki Z900 RS are expected to create an impact in the particular segment.

DriveSpark Thinks!

While the year 2017 was an exciting year for motorcycle enthusiasts in India, the year 2018 is promising as well. Every bike makers, including global players, are looking to launch a bike from their stable in this lucrative Indian two-wheeler industry.