2016 Auto Expo: Top entry-level performance bikes to look for

With manufacturers like Ducati, Benelli, Triumph, and Kawasaki bringing their entire line-up of products to the Indian market, the last two years have been like a dream come true for all moto maniacs. Although enthusiasts now get quite a few options to choose from, enough is never enough, is it? A motorcyclist looking to make a purchase in the entry-level performance segment now has quite a few options to choose from, including the KTM 390 Duke, Benelli TNT25, Mahindra Mojo, Yamaha YZF-R3, and the Kawasaki Ninja 300. The 2016 Auto Expo will take the game forward by showcasing some of the most anticipated entry-level performance motorcycles that will make its way to India later this year.

Suzuki Gixxer 250: When Suzuki brought in the 155cc Gixxer they immediately tasted success thanks to its refinement, ride quality and handling. The Japanese bike maker was expected to showcase a more powerful Gixxer 250 at 2015 EICMA, but for reasons unknown the bike didn’t make its debut. The focus then shifts to the 2016 Auto Expo where Suzuki is expected to debut the new Gixxer 250. Details about the bike are still sketchy with multiple speculations of the bike being a single cylinder or a parallel twin unit floating on the internet. Specification aside, we can expect high levels of refinement from the Gixxer 250 and impressive handling dynamics too.

Yamaha MT-03: Following its official unveil at 2015 EICMA, Yamaha is all set to debut the Yamaha MT-03 street bike in India at the 2016 Auto Expo next week. The naked version of the YZF-R3, the MT-03 sports the same engine as its fully faired sibling. The MT-03 pumps a little over 41 ponies and produces 29.6Nm of torque from a 321cc parallel twin unit. The MT-03 is expected to be launched in India this year and should be priced around the Rs 3 lakh mark.

Get latest updates on
the automobile community

Login Now

BMW G310R: It’s going to be the year of the street nakeds as, aside from the Yamaha MT-03, the BMW G310R will also make its India debut at the 2016 Auto Expo. BMW’s first small capacity motorcycle, the G310R is designed and engineered by BMW in Munich but produced at TVS Motor’s facility in Bangalore. The G310R comes with a 313cc liquid-cooled unit that produces peak power of 34 horses and torque of 28Nm. The BMW G310R will make its way to the showrooms later this year.

Honda CBR300R: In the global market Honda has replaced the aging CBR250R with the new CBR300R in 2013. With the Japanese brand focusing its attention on commuter motorcycles last year; it seems this year the focus will turn towards performance offerings. Powering the CBR300R is a bored out version of the CBR250R engine. It now displaces 286cc from the single pot unit and churns out 30.8PS and 27Nm.  

DSK-Benelli Tornado 302: Following its global debut at 2015 EICMA, the DSK-Benelli Tornado 302 is all set to make its way to Indian shores later this year. The Tornado 302 sports a parallel twin unit that produces 36PS of power and 27Nm of torque. Mated to a 6-speed transmission, the Tornado 302 tips the scale at 180kg and claims a top speed of around 170kmph. The Tornado 302 is the first fully faired offering from Benelli in more than a decade and is expected to be priced slightly higher than the naked TNT 302.