Aprilia 150cc sportsbike challenger to Bajaj Pulsar & Yamaha R15 CONFIRMED

Piaggio has planned to launch new motorcycles in the 125-150 cc performance oriented bike segment in India. The company has received a good response so far with its slew of 125 cc-150 cc scooters which some years back had absolutely no market. With this success, the company is confident that the new low displacement bikes from its stable will make a mark in the market. The bikes will wear the Aprilia moniker as it will provide better appeal to the sports-oriented bike. The Italian brand (Aprilia) is known for making high-performance bikes which are amongst the best in the world. Therefore, it is quite obvious why Piaggio will bring the bikes under the Aprilia brand.

Diego Graffi, managing director of Piaggio Vehicles India, told Economic Times that the company plans to launch the first motorcycle under the Aprilia brand in 2020 and follow it up with three more models. These bikes would be in the 150cc space, and will rival the likes of the Bajaj Pulsar and Yamaha R15. He said,

“When we entered the scooter space, we focused on the premium end and the same is the case with the range of motorcycles we plan to bring in. We plan to start manufacturing a 150cc bike in next 12-15 months. We plan to launch four motorbikes under Aprilia,”

Graffi further added

This is the first time that we are going to introduce these products and definitely based on the results, we are going to expand … This is the first product line but based on results we will think on how to expand

According to Graffi, the upcoming bike will be based on the two concept bikes showcased during the 2018 iteration of the Delhi Auto Expo. The company showcased the RS 150 sports bike and the Tuono 150 street bike, both of them in the concept stage. The bikes looked like direct rivals to the Bajaj Pulsar RS 200 and the Yamaha R15.

The company says that the feedback received from people regarding these bikes was quite encouraging. Graffi further said the motorcycles While the production model of the sports bike would be in the 150cc range, the street bike might come with bigger displacement, Graffi added. This hints towards a couple of bikes in the 125 cc to 250 cc range that will challenge the other big industry stalwarts

KTM also launched its lowest displacement bike in India at the end of last year. Called the Duke 125,  it has been well received by buyers and potential customers. It is also a performance oriented bike with higher power than regular 125 cc commuters, albeit with a higher price too. This has lead to many manufacturers look towards the 125 cc-150 cc segment in a new light. With the pricing done right, Piaggio can expect to make a decent start in the Indian motorcycling industry. The bikes will rival other popular options in the segment like the Bajaj Pulsar, Yamaha R15, TVS Apache among others.