5 most AWAITED motorcycle launches of 2018; Hero XPulse to Royal Enfield Interceptor

The Indian motorcycle market is set to see a number of new launches later this year. Some of these bikes are highly awaited by enthusiasts. Which are these “much-awaited” bikes that will be launched later this year? Let’s find out.

Royal Enfield Interceptor

Expected launch date: July 2018

Royal Enfield showcased the upcoming Royal Enfield Interceptor at the Ridermania in Goa earlier this year. Royal Enfield said that the 650-cc bike will be launched in India, this summer, but before that the bike will be launched in various international markets. This is a common route that Royal Enfield has taken with most of their products including the Classic.

The cruiser will be powered by the newly developed 650-cc parallel-twin engine. The liquid-cooled engine generates a maximum power of 46 Bhp and 52 Nm of peak torque. The Interceptor gets ABS, which will be a first for any Royal Enfield in the Indian market. The bike is expected to carry a price tag of around Rs. 3 lakhs and will challenge the Harley Davidson Street 750.

Royal Enfield Continental GT 650

Expected launch date: July 2018

Royal Enfield also showcased the Continental GT 650 at the Ridermania and this will be the second bike that will be powered by the all-new parallel-twin engine. This will be the most expensive Royal Enfield, in their India line-up, and will be placed above the Interceptor. Royal Enfield recently discontinued the Continental GT 535 to make space for this upcoming bike. It will be the flagship product of the brand and will be powered by the same 46 Bhp-52 Nm parallel-twin liquid-cooled engine.

Hero XPulse

Expected launch date: September 2018

The XPulse is a highly-awaited bike that was first showcased by Hero at the 2018 Auto Expo. The new bike will be the most affordable adventure bike in the Indian market and will address the small engine problem that the Impulse was criticised for.

The bike gets LED headlamps, long-travel suspension and dual-purpose tyres to make it off-road and expedition-ready. The bike is based on the Hero Xtreme 200 that will be launched soon in India. The 200-cc engine is expected to remain the same. It produces a maximum of 18.2 Bhp and 17.2 Nm in the Hero Xtreme 200. The gearing, however, may change.

BMW G 310R

Expected launch date: June/July 2018

The highly-awaited BMW G310R is already being manufactured in India and is being exported to many international markets. BMW will launch the naked street bike, which will also be the most affordable BMW bike in the market, soon. BMW has also officially started taking bookings for a payment of Rs. 50,000.

The G310R will take on bikes, such as the KTM 390 Duke in India. It will be powered by the same reverse-inclined engine that also powers the Apache RR 310. The 313-cc, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine produces a maximum of 33.6 Bhp and 28 Nm. Weighing only 158 kg, the G310R is a fun-to-ride bike. The bike is expected to carry a sticker price of Rs. 3 lakhs.

BMW GS 310R

Expected launch date: June/July 2018

BMW will also launch the adventure version of the G310R, the GS 310R, in the Indian market along with the G 310R.  The baby GS series bike is heavily inspired by the iconic BMW GS1200R adventure bike and gets a similar front beak, radiator shrouds, headlamp cowl and tank design.

The adventure bike will be the most affordable GS series bike from the brand and will get the long-travel suspension. The motorcycle will be the powered by the same 313-cc, 34 BHp-28 Nm engine and will get a six-speed gearbox. The motorcycle just weighs 169.5 kg and, with the GS DNA, it will be one of the best affordable touring motorcycles available in the country.