Commuter motorcycles for 2014

The commuter segment is the bread and butter segment for every two-wheeler manufacturer in the country. And it doesn’t come as a surprise as it accounts for close to 65 per cent of the entire two-wheeler sales in the country. Though, in the last year motorcycles sales were flat and scooter sales improved dramatically still when it comes to sheer volumes the commuter segment is leaps and bounds ahead. 2014 would be especially vital for Hero MotoCorp as Honda has also entered this segment aggressively and want to dethrone it from the top spot and to counter this it would be launching the Splendor-iSmart. TVS on the other hand wants to make-up for lost ground and will be re-launching the Victor for 2014.

Hero MotoCorp Splendor-iSmart

Expected Launch: Early 2014

Expected Price: Rs 45,000 to 50,000

Hero would be adding a new variant of its bread and butter bike, the Splendor iSmart. The latest iteration of the Splendor boasts a segment first i3S technology (Idle Stop and Start System) which is a start-stop system that shuts the engine down while the bike is at idling and in neutral, while it automatically starts the engine as soon as the clutch is depressed and first gear is selected. This innovative technology goes on to further improve the already impressive fuel efficiency of the Splendor.  Apart from this clever technology, the Splendor iSmart gets revised styling, which includes new body panels, graphics, paint schemes and refreshed instrumentation cluster. This would be a very important bike for Hero as the competition in the entry level section has become fierce with Honda adding its Dream Yuga and Neo to this segment and if Hero wants to maintain its crown as the number one two-wheeler manufacturer in the country, then the Splendor-iSmart would have a very huge role to play. 

Hero commuter line-up

Other offerings in the Hero portfolio like the new Splendor Pro, Super Splendor, Passion Pro HF Dawn and HF Deluxe have also been updated with new graphics, re-styled instruments and side stand indicator. It is likely that all these changes would be done without hiking the pricing of these bikes by much.

Note: Pic for representation only

TVS Victor 

Expected Launch: First quarter 2014

Expected Price: Rs 45,000 to 50,000

The Victor was the bike which transformed the Hosur-based two-wheeler as a major motorcycle manufacturer in the country. The Victor was what for TVS as the Splendor is for Hero and was among the top selling entry level motorcycles in the market for its combination of decent power and fuel efficiency. But TVS wasn’t able to hold the sales of its bread and butter motorcycle as it faced lot of quality issues and with rival brands launching better offerings in the segment it had to be discontinued. But it seems TVS wants to resurrect the Victor again and few spy shots of it being tested has also surfaced on the internet. This comes as a very logical move since TVS is currently in fourth position and it needs an entry level commuter bike to boost it sales figure.

The new Victor would have refreshed looks and it would be sportier in terms of design to appeal to the youngsters. It will also have an all-new engine with a bump in power whereas improving its fuel efficiency and get disc brake as an option. Though the brand Victor is fresh in the minds of two-wheeler buyers but with a plethora of new bikes in this segment it would be an uphill task for TVS to repeat the same success it had with the original Victor when it debuted back in 2001.