Bikes of 2015 between 200cc to 500cc

Yamaha R3

Expected Launch: Mid 2015

Expected Price: Around Rs 2.5 to 2.75 lakh

Unlike what was predicted earlier, Yamaha will launch the R3 instead of the R25 in the Indian two-wheeler market. In terms of styling the bike is similar to its 250cc sibling with sharp and edgy lines that should appeal to the masses. Powering the Yamaha R3 is a 321cc, parallel-twin, liquid-cooled motor churning out 42PS at 10,750rpm and peak torque of 29.6Nm at 9,000rpm. The mill is mated to a 6-speed constant mesh gearbox. In terms of power output, the Yamaha YZF-R3 sits between its arch rivals the Kawasaki Ninja 300 (39PS) and the KTM RC 390 (43.5PS). Braking is done by disc brakes at front and rear while ABS is standard. With localisation and CKD assembly we can expect the Yamaha R3 to be priced around Rs 2.5 to 2.75 lakh. If Yamaha is able to pull this off, then it has a winner on its hands as the Yamaha R3 can deliver the refined nature of the Kawasaki Ninja 300’s twin-cylinder motor and match up to the KTM RC 390’s power output. Whether or not this happens only time will tell, watch this space for more information.

Mahindra Mojo

Expected Launch: February 2015

Expected Price: Around Rs 1.5 lakh

Mahindra created quite a stir when it showcased the Mojo back in 2010 but sadly it wasn’t able to follow up with the launch of the bike. It’s been almost three years since it was unveiled and still there are no signs of the Mojo. But all that is about to change, as the bike was spotted undergoing its final phase of testing and was also showcased with minor changes at the 2014 Auto Expo.

The Mahindra Mojo will be powered by a 300cc, 4-stroke, liquid-cooled DOHC engine with electronic fuel-injection and will be mated to a 6-speed transmission. The 300cc engine will develop 26.3PS @ 8,500 rpm and has a torque rating of 24Nm @ 7000 rpm. The bike has been loaded with features like USD front forks, tubular frame, LED pilot lamps and tail lamps. Other highlights on the Mojo which make it stand out are twin exhausts, wide Pirelli Sport Demon tyres, front and rear petal disc brakes and LED turn indicators integrated in the mirrors.

Hero HX250R

Expected Launch: Mid 2015

Expected Price: Around Rs 1.5 lakh

The Hero HX250R has to be the most exciting new product from Hero in the recent past. This lightweight and powerful quarter-litre motorcycle has been jointly developed by Hero Motocorp, America’s Eric Buell Racing (EBR), AVL (Austria) and Engines Engineering. On the design front, the Hero HX250R is quite a stunner with twin-headlights, large windscreen and under seat exhaust. Adding to the look is a geodesic tubular chassis and a beautiful trellis shaped swingarm.

The new Hero HX250R will be the most powerful bike from the company’s stable, packed with a 249cc single-cylinder liquid-cooled engine, which will churn out 31PS of peak power and will have a torque rating of 26Nm. This will also be the first Hero motorcycle offering to sport a six-speed transmission. Tipping the scale at just 139kg, the Hero HX250R has an impressive power-to-weight ratio of 223PS/ton. This Hero offering produces 6PS more than the Honda CBR250R and weighs 28kg less than the Japanese bike.

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Hyosung GD250R

Expected Launch: Mid 2015

Expected Price: Around Rs 2.2 lakh

The new Hyosung GD250R will be the replacement for the Hyosung GT250R which is currently on sale in the Indian two-wheeler market. The overall design of the bike is sharp and edgy and the bike’s styling seems to be heavily inspired from the Ducati 1199 Panigale and this would appeal to the youngsters. The Hyosung GD250R uses a 249cc, single cylinder engine that's liquid cooled and fuel injected. The max power output is rated at 28PS at 9,500rpm and the torque peak of 24Nm arrives at 7,000rpm. The motor is mated to a six-speed gearbox that transmits power to the rear-wheel via chain drive.

Suspension duties are handled by 37mm USD forks at front and a monoshock setup at the back. Anchorage is provided by disc brakes at front and rear while it seems that ABS has been given a miss. We can expect the Hyosung GD250R to be launched in the Indian two-wheeler market by late 2015 after the GD250N makes its entry. By bringing in a single-cylinder 250cc motor DSK will be able to price the bike competitively. The Hyosung GD250R will compete against the likes of the KTM RC 390, Honda CBR 250R and the Kawasaki Ninja 300 in our two-wheeler space.

Honda CBR 300R

Expected Launch: Mid 2015

Expected Price: Rs 1.8 to 2.2 lakh

The Honda CBR 300R will be the replacement for the Honda CBR 250R in or market. Visually the new offering looks much more appealing than its 250cc sibling and design influences from the CBR 500R and the CBR 1000RR Fireblade is clearly visible and works in the bikes favour. Another major visual change on the new bike is the revised styling of the exhaust pipe which is narrower and gels well with the compact silhouette of the CBR 300R. Powering it is a 286cc mill producing 30.8PS @ 8,500rpm and a torque rating of 27Nm @ 7,250rpm while PGM-FI takes care of fuelling the bike.  Power is less compared to Ninja 300, which pumps out 39.5PS from its twin-cylinder but torque figures are almost identical.

No changes have been done to the bikes chassis and suspension which is akin to its smaller sibling. ABS doesn’t seem to be a standard fitment and would be an option. The CBR 300R would be pitched against the Ninja 300 and the KTM RC 390 in the Indian market.

Benelli TNT300

Expected Launch: February 2015

Expected Price: Around Rs 2.5 lakh

DSK-Motowheels will bring the Benelli brand to the India two-wheeler market in 2015. The Benelli TNT 300 will be the entry-level offering from the Italian manufacturer’s Indian portfolio. The Benelli TNT 300 is a streetfighter with a front bikini faring and neatly sculpted fuel tank, in fact. The front mud guard, the tank extensions and the side mounted rear monoshock in particular give this 300 a distinctive presence. The TNT 300 also has other good looking cycle parts. Upside down forks finished in silver, twin petal type rotors for brakes, and smart looking 12-spoke wheels. Powering the bike is a 300cc engine with 37PS of power being generated from its twin-cylinder motor and will be pitched against the KTM 390 Duke and the Kawasaki Z250. 

TVS Apache 250

Expected Launch: First half of  2015

Expected Price: Around Rs 1.5 lakh

The TVS Apache is among the most popular entry-level performance motorcycles to be launched in our market but despite the fact its rivals migrated into higher-displacement segments TVS didn’t make the shift. In 2015, though this would change, as TVS will ride in the new Apache 250. The design of the TVS Apache 250 will be based on the TVS Draken X21 concept that was showcased at the 2014 Auto Expo. It will be loaded with features like USD forks, monoshock suspension at the rear, petal disc brakes at front and back alongwith ABS. The concept bike came with a 250cc, liquid-cooled engine which promised to churn out a stunning 39PS peak power at 12,000rpm and 23Nm maximum torque at 9,500rpm. In the TVS Apache 2015, the 250cc engine could be detuned slightly to improve fuel efficiency for daily use.

Bajaj Pulsar 200SS

Expected Launch: First half of  2015

Expected Price: Around Rs 1.2 lakh

The Pulsar 200NS hasn’t been a great success story for Bajaj as it would have expected that. This can be attributed to the fact that Indian buyers have a fixation for fairing and relate performance with a full-faired motorcycle. Bajaj will launch the fully-faired motorcycle offering based on the 200NS and will most likely christen it the Bajaj Pulsar 200SS (super sport). The styling of the bike will be similar to the Pulsar 400SS that was showcased at the 2014 Auto Expo.  The new bike would be heavily based on the 200NS but have additional features like electronic fuel injection and ABS (mostly optional). The fuel injection would be a boon during cold starts and for this purpose the bikes are getting tested in hilly regions across the country to validate its performance. To make the bike more comfortable while touring it sports raised clip-on handlebars. The faired offering would be powered by the same 199cc mill as found on the 200NS but it is expected that the power and torque figures would be hiked marginally from the standard 23.5PS and 18Nm to adapt the touring character of the bike. Bajaj have been the pioneers when it comes to providing value for money performance bikes and the 200NS wouldn’t be any different.

Hyosung GD250N

Expected Launch: Early 2015

Expected Price: Around Rs 2 lakh

The Hyosung GD250N will be the first new offering from the Korean bikemaker in our two-wheeler market in 2015. The GD250N is essentially the naked version of the Hyosung GD250R. The bike had grabbed plenty of eyeballs during the 2014 Auto Expo , thanks to its sharp styling. This naked street bike comes fitted with a four-stroke, liquid-cooled, 249cc single-cylinder engine, churning out 28.5PS and mated to a six-speed gearbox. The bike will rival the likes of the KTM 390 Duke, Suzuki Inazuma and Kawasaki Z250.

Kawasaki Ninja 250SL

Expected Launch: Late 2015

Expected Price: Around Rs 2.7 lakh

Pricing has been the Achilles heel for Kawasaki in our market as their products carry a premium price tag owing to the fact that they all are multi-cylinder offerings. But this soon could be changed if they bring the Ninja 250SL to our market. This nimble, light and affordable quarter-litre bike could be what people in emerging markets like India have been waiting for. Equipped with a single headlight, the overall design of the new Ninja does hint at elder sibling - the ZX-6R. To save cost, the 250SL borrows plenty of parts from the Ninja 300 basket, which includes the exhaust and alloy wheels.

The new single-cylinder engine is a liquid-cooled fuel-injected 249cc mill, which according to Kawasaki can churn out 27.6PS at 9700rpm and 23 Nm at 8200 revs, compared to the twin-cylinder’s 33PS at 11000 rpm and 22Nm at 10000 rpm. The 250SL has a claimed weight of 150kg (the optional ABS adds a meagre 2kg) compared to the Ninja 250 which weighs about 172kg. The current Ninja 300 is the most expensive bike sold in the Indian 250-300cc segment, where Honda CBR 250R, Suzuki Inazuma and even the KTM RC 390 undercutting the Kawasaki. 

Note: Pic for represenation purpose only

Royal Enfield 400cc

Expected Launch: Mid 2015

Expected Price: Around Rs 1.8 lakh

Royal Enfield is all-set to bring in a new motorcycle with a displacement of 400cc. The new 400cc Royal Enfield motorcycle will be based on the 350cc powerplant as seen on the Classic 350 but will be  a bored-out version of it for higher displacement. Although power figure wouldn’t be considerably higher than the 350cc motor but torque figure is estimated to be around 40Nm which is almost a 30 per cent gain. The design of the bike will be based on a  scrambler with raise front forks. The chassis for the bike will be borrowed from the Continental GT which should endow it with good handling dynamics. 

Suzuki Inazuma 250F

Expected Launch: Late 2015

Expected Price: Around Rs 2.5 lakh

The Suzuki Inazuma will be taken off from the Indian two-wheeler market owing to lack of sales. This news comes despite the fact that Suzuki slashed the price of the motorcycle by a whopping Rs 1 lakh making it the cheapest twin-cylinder offering in our market. The main reason for the lack of interest among Indian consumer is the fact that the Inazuma isn’t the most pretty motorcycle around. This aspect can be overturned if Suzuki brings in the GSR250F that was launched in the Japanese market as the Inazuma 250F. The full-faired bike will further enhance the touring capabilities of this well engineered bike apart from adding a dash of pizzazz. 

UM Motorcycles

Expected Launch: Late 2015

Expected Price: Around Rs 1.3 to 1.7 to lakh

UM Motorcycles created lot of interest among Indian consumers when it was showcased at the 2014 Auto Expo. One of the main reasons for the curiosity was its pricing of under Rs 1.5 lakh. By late 2014 they announced that they have joined hands with Lohia Motors which will be its Indian partner. But they also announced that launch of the bikes have been delayed. As instead of 225cc motorcycles as showcased at the Auto Expo they would be bringing in a range of 300- 500cc bikes to our market. UM motorcycles would launch three new cruiser motorcycles between 300-500cc displacement in our market and customers will finally have an alternative to Royal Enfield. 

Hero Impulse 225

Expected Launch: Mid 2015

Expected Price: Around Rs 1 lakh

The Hero Impulse has to be among one of the most focused motorcycles to be launched in our country. It created an all-new class of on/off-road motorcycles opening doors to a new take-it-anywhere motorcycle segment. But sadly the bike wasn’t been well received by the consumers with sales sliding with every passing month. The biggest reason for it was the inadequate power output from its 150cc mill. With the Karizma R getting a new 225cc powerplant one can expect it to be bolted in the new Impulse. If Hero makes this move, we feel that finally justice would be done to the bikes potential and hopefully this wonderful motorcycle would be given a second chance by the consumers.