10 upcoming affordable performance bikes that you want NOW!

Want is an understatement, actually! We look at ten bikes that we enthusiasts were promised but they are yet to make their appearance in the market. And while doing so we also mention the expected launch time-frames and their USPs.

Starting with probably what’s the most anticipated one of them all,

KTM Adventure 390

Expected price: Rs 2 lakh

It’s been really long since KTM brought out a new model, but the Adventure 390 can bring an end to the hiatus. The Duke/RC platform has proven itself, but what we need now is an adventure tourer based on the former. The 390 has enough grunt and will handle the job at hand rather well. When put into production, it will sit perfectly in line with the rest of the Adventure range, but at a lower price point. The best entry point to serious touring? You bet!

Bajaj Pulsar CS400

Expected price: Rs 2 lakh

It’s been a long time coming for the CS. Showcased at the 2014 Auto Expo, the vehicle effectively offered a worthy alternative to regular cruisers. Yet to make it to the market, but given how popular the Pulsar moniker is, it won’t take long for it to make customers upgrade. While styling is key to it — and the CS400 manages that well — the added power and torque from the 400 cc engine will ensure it’s a proper cruiser and not just a muscular city bike.

Expected price: Rs 2 lakh

And a faired version, too! While not a track tool per se, the RS400 will give prospective customer a worthy alternative to other big capacity bikes in the segment. Competitive pricing will of course add to it.

Hero Hastur

Expected price: Rs 5 lakh

The Hero Hastur made its debut at the 2014 Auto Expo but the company hasn’t put any of its radical models into production. The Hastur looked promising with loud styling, a Trellis frame, and USD forks. Big bikes features aren’t confined to the twin projector headlamps and a split-seat alone, as there’s likely to be 620 cc engine (parallel twin) powering the naked.

Hero HX250R

Expected price: Rs 1.75 lakh

While Hero Moto Corp got some attention by displaying the upcoming Xtreme 200 S at the 2016 Auto Expo, we still are waiting for the HX250R. Not only does the HX look promising enough to be the Karizma’s successor, the styling is way better than anything Hero has sold in the fully faired segment. Powering the bike will be a 249 cc fuel injected engine, which mated to a six-speed gearbox will help it hit 0-100 kmph in just 9 seconds.

Yamaha MT-03

Expected price: Rs 3.25 lakh

The Yamaha R3 has won hearts for its performance in the segment, and as it proves to be the right step forward for someone looking to upgrade from the R15. Although not as focussed, the bike is still one of the best in the quarter-liter segment. So it’s almost a no-brainer that its naked sibling, the MT-03, will be as interesting. It will use the same 321 cc engine but will also be lighter and less expensive.

Continued below: 10 upcoming affordable performance bikes that you want NOW!