Top 5 Motorcycles At Auto Expo 2018: Yamaha R15 v3.0, Aprilia RS 150 And More

This year the Auto Expo seemed a bit dull compared to the previous one, but these 5 bikes did manage to amp up the excitement factor and keep us satiated. And the good news is that all these 5 bikes here will be launched this year or early next year. Let’s check them out.

Yamaha R15 v3.0
This has to be one of the most hotly anticipated bikes of recent times. The R15 v3.0 is finally here and that too at a mouth-watering price of Rs 1.25 lakh (ex-showroom). For that, you get Yamaha R1 and R6-inspired styling, a more powerful and technologically advanced 19PS motor, slipper clutch, full digital instrument console and full LED headlamp. The competitive price does mean that you lose a few premium bits like upside down forks and ABS. We do hope though that Yamaha makes them available as options or in a higher specced R15. Know more about this track bike for the road here.

Suzuki GSX-S 750
This is Suzuki’s entry-level sports bike for India. The baby brother to the GSX-S 1000S is surprisingly compact but carries the same DNA via its 114PS inline 4-cylinder 750cc motor. The bike was recently updated internationally and gained 8PS over the previous version. It gets low rpm assist for a smoother getaway and a three-stage traction control system. Suzuki plans to bring the bike down here via the CKD route and assemble it at their Manesar plant -- where they also assemble the new 2018 Hayabusa -- so expect very competitive pricing. For more information about this naked sports bike, read the full story here.

BMW G 310 GS
While BMW Motorrad did finally unveil the BMW G 310 R at the Expo, it was the G 310 GS that set our pulses racing. Based on the G 310 R, it is a no-frills adventure tourer but gets longer travel suspension to cope with serious off-road use. Powering it is a 312cc liquid-cooled single that makes 34PS and 28Nm. BMW Motorrad makes both bikes here at the Chennai plant and currently exports them overseas. They, however, promise that the bikes will be launched in India in late 2018. Know more about the bike’s price and features here.

Aprilia RS 150 and Tuono 150
This had to be one of the biggest surprises of the Auto Expo 2018. Aprilia has had small capacity performance scooters before but now it intends to bring small capacity performance bikes in here as well. Both the RS 150 and Tuono 150 look like scaled down versions of the larger RSV4 1100 and Tuono 1100. They will carry a 150cc single cylinder powerplant that according to the manufacturer will make around 18PS. We expect it to be a more exotic rival to the newly launched Yamaha R15 v 3.0. Aprilia is expected to make manufacture both bikes here and launch it sometime next year. Read more about the two bikes here.

Emflux Model One
The Emflux Model One is testament to the fact that electric bikes need not be boring. India’s first superbike will launch in March 2019 with pricing around the Rs 5-6 lakh rupee mark. For that you get superbike-rivaling performance like a 0-100kmph time of 3 seconds and a 200kmph top speed. This is made possible via a liquid-cooled AC induction motor that makes 68PS and 84Nm of torque. Range isn’t sacrificed either. The lithium-ion battery developed by Samsung should give enough juice to cover 200 kilometres before a recharge is needed. Futuristic looks come with futuristic features. Know more about them here. The electric future is upon us and it does look exciting.