Weekly Bike News Wrapup: Vespa Racing Sixties Launched, Royal Enfield Roadster 650 Spotted Testing, Aprilia’s 390 Duke Rival In The Works, And More

The past week had us excited not as much for the launches that happened but for the motorcycles coming our way. We have a 650cc cruiser, an Italian KTM 390 Duke rival and Honda’s 500cc lineup in the works for India. Here’s the past week’s hottest news in brief. Let’s start with the launches first:

Vespa Racing Sixties Launched:

Vespa first showed us its sporty Racing Sixties scooter at the 2020 Auto Expo and it is now here in 125cc and 150cc guise. At Rs 1.20 lakh for the SXL 125  and Rs 1.32 lakh for the SXL 150 Racing Sixties edition scooter, these are the most expensive Vespas in India. And the most beautiful too. More details here.

Aprilia Tuono V4 X Launched:

Aprilia has launched a track-only streetfighter. As outrageous as that sounds, the numbers are even more outrageous. The Tuono V4 X makes 220PS and weighs 166kg (dry). It uses the 1,077cc V4 engine from the RSV4 1100 Factory with a full-titanium Akrapovic exhaust system for good effect. Exotic bits come in the form of carbon fibre bodywork with aero winglets, Marchesini forged magnesium wheels, WSBK-spec Brembo T-Drive discs with Brembo GP4 calipers and semi-active Ohlins suspension. Know more here.

Aprilia working on a KTM 390 Duke rival:

With just 10 units to be made, chances of the Tuono V4 X coming to India are very slim. However, Aprilia is working on a 300cc to 400cc motorcycle. It is two to three years away from production and will come in naked and supersport forms to rival the likes of the KTM 390 Duke and RC 390. More details here.

More India-relevant, the Aprilia Storm 125 is set to be discontinued while the upcoming SXR 160 has been delayed further.

Royal Enfield Roadster 650 spotted testing:

There are quite a few all-new Royal Enfield bikes in the works. The Meteor 350 is expected to launch later this month and will be followed by the new Classic 350 and Hunter. Royal Enfield will also launch a cruiser based on the same 650cc platform as the Interceptor 650 and Continental GT 650. It gets a swooping bodywork, alloy wheels and upside down forks. Check out more details here.

Honda 500cc models get ready for India:

Honda has updated its 500cc motorcycle lineup to Euro 5 emission norms which are very similar to our own BS6 norms. The updated lineup includes the CBR500R, the CB500X and the CB500F. Honda had confirmed that it would be launching three motorcycles as well as the Rebel 500 in India. These motorcycles are expected to arrive by early-2021 and be priced between Rs 4.80 and 5.60 lakh (ex-showroom). More details here.