Exclusive: Low-cost UM cruiser motorcycle for 2018 SPIED; Bajaj Avenger rival?

UM Motorcycles is planning to launch new models this year and this includes the low cost, affordable cruiser as well. Our reader, Nikhil Thapar managed to snap this new bike in New Delhi and we are pretty certain this is the new UM model. First, the bike was seen in Okhla (Delhi) which is where the company has its Indian head quarters. Second, the bike sported a UK-06 registration which refers to the Udham Singh Nagar district. This is where UM’s Pantnagar factory is located.

While the company has not divulged into any official details, it is clear that the strip down version will be priced just over Rs 1 lakh (ex-showroom), locking horns with bikes like the Avenger 220 and the new Suzuki Intruder 155. The new UM motorcycle does not look like a low set cruiser but a lot like a mini Harley Iron 883.

Edit: News coming in suggests that the low cost cruiser will be called the Renegade Duty 230. It’s likely to use a new 230cc engine, which will be less powerful than the 280cc unit on the regular Renegades. It’ll be much cheaper too – with a 1.2 lakh rupee starting price.

The straight-up riding posture, (almost) flat handlebars, classic retro lines should make it stand out. While the front seems to be a 3 inch wide tyre, the rear is most probably a 120mm section one. The bike gets a front disc and rear drum set-up, again hinting at an affordable sticker price.

Look closely and you notice the unique fork mounted LED light. UM calls these the “360-degree LED light system” and this should work well on poorly lit Indian roads. The same system is found in the internal Renegade Sport model – infact, this looks like the same model, but modified for Indian use. The will sport a single pod speedometer console with digital display for the odometer.

Powering this new bike could be UM’s newly developed 230cc single cylinder engine that is likely to output 18 bhp of peak power. The engine will be mated to a 5-speed manual transmission. This bike is likely to be launched soon, and if UM participates at the Auto Expo, it’s also likely to be showcased there.