Motorcycle launches of 2011: It's raining motorcycles once again!

  • May 17, 2011
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The year 2010 was very depressing with regards to new motorcycle launches but 2011 has been kind and as the economic slump has hit the global motorcycle industry hard, motorcycle manufacturers are now eyeing developing and upcoming two-wheeler markets like India

No prizes for guessing why Honda launched the CBR250R then. The big CBR’s suddenly don’t make much sense with motorcyclists around the world skipping track days and preferring to ride on the streets. So a rather functional motorcycle with more real world use and practicality slapped with big-bike looks and size seems to be the general public demand. The Indian market, which has been living so far on the diet of 100cc commuters, has finally woken up to international class of bikes and the urbanites no longer want to settle for a bare-basic commuter, especially since they possess ample spending power. Certainly then the way forward is bigger capacity bikes which are stylish, fast and globally recognized.

Substantiating this line of thought there have been some very exciting launches this year. Starting with the return of the Hyosung brand, albeit this time in the hands of the Garware Group, the firm launched the GT650R sports model and the ST7 super-sleek cruiser motorcycle. Entering into the untapped 600cc market, the Hyosung motorcycles clearly have an advantage as there are plenty of bikers in the country who have been waiting to get their hands on middle-weight (600cc) motorcycles but had no options available to them. Following the Hyosung launches, the next exciting and bigger launch has been of the Honda CBR250R.

The Kawasaki Ninja 250R stirred the 250cc market in 2009 but its hype fizzled out due to the steep pricing of Rs. 2.69 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). Rising demand for a good 250cc motorcycle with upto date looks forced Honda to develop an all-new bike that would not only hold its ground against the baby Ninja’s long-standing heritage but also offer a big-bike appeal to a larger audience. That is why the CBR250R was conceived and in order to keep its pricing affordable, the big H decided to start its production to India and also export it from here to a few international markets.

The next immediate launch to grace the Indian roads is the highly versatile and potent Kawasaki Ninja 650R that will be out by first week of next month. The bigger Ninja will be competitively priced (approx. under Rs. 5.5 lakh OTR-Pune) against its existing rival in India, the Hyosung GT650R and it will be available in black and green colour options. The Ninja 650R definitely beats the Hyosung with regards to practicality with its street-friendly ergonomics, comfort, overall parts quality as well as plush ride and if our sources are to be believed it will also do the same in terms of after sales-service. Hard times ahead for Garware Motors and Hyosung, but good times for Indian bikers waiting to get a practical 600cc sports-touring motorcycle. The very first assembled Kawasaki Ninja 650R from the Bajaj Chakan plant has already turned a wheel and the deliveries will commence after the official launch of the big Ninja early next month. We can't wait to get our hands on the big Ninja! Stay tuned on the site for a first-hand review.

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Wait, that’s not enough. The official launches for the Aprilia RSV4 and the BMW bikes are around the corner as well. But what might interest the Indian bikers more is the all-new next generation Bajaj Pulsar which is already under test and should be coming before this year-end. A little far away then but still by the looks of it, the new Pulsar with 4-valve head, fuel injection, liquid cooling and the works, it looks very promising and worth the wait. If it is actually all that it says remains to be seen. And of course there is the first KTM for India – the KTM 200, which will also hit the market by this financial year-end.

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