Hero XPulse to Royal Enfield Interceptor: 10 upcoming affordable motorcycles

Motorcycling situation in India has become quite exciting in recent times. With the arrival of new, affordable and exciting models in the market, the enthusiasts are content with the number of offerings in the market. However, there are many more bikes that will be launched in the coming times in the Indian market. Here are ten such bikes and their expected timelines of launch in India.

Hero XPulse 200R

Expected launch: End 2018, Estimated price: Rs. 1.2 lakh

Hero MotoCorp showcased the much awaited XPulse adventure motorcycle at the 2018 Auto Expo but the launch of the bike has been pushed by a few months. The bike will be powered by a 200 cc engine from the Xtreme 200S  that churns out a maximum of 18 Bhp-17 Nm. It will be Hero’s flagship model in the Indian market and will be the priciest too.

It’ll ride on a 21-inch front wheel and an 18 inch rear with long travel suspension. Features like ABS will be standard on the bike. The XPulse is likely to be priced at about Rs. 1.2 lakhs, and will be India’s lowest priced adventure motorcycle on the market.

Royal Enfield Interceptor

Expected launch: Early 2019, Estimated price: Rs. 3.2 lakh

The Royal Enfield Interceptor was recently launched in the USA market. The much-awaited bike will be the first parallel-twin engine powered bike from the brand and it will be the most powerful Royal Enfield ever built by the company. The Interceptor is a cruising motorcycle and vintage looks with modern bits like disc brakes and ABS. The motorcycle will be powered by 650cc parallel-twin, liquid-cooled engine that develops a maximum power of 46 Bhp and 52 Nm of peak torque. The Royal Enfield Interceptor is expected to carry a price tag of around Rs. 3 lakh when launched.

Royal Enfield Continental GT 650

Expected launch: Early 2019, Estimated price: Rs. 3.5 lakh

The Continental GT 650 too was launched in the USA market with the Interceptor recently. Royal Enfield discontinued the Continental GT 535 in India to make way for the new, more powerful Continental GT 650. The new parallel-twin engine will power the bike and the specifications will be similar. However, the riding position will be much more aggressive and it will be suited for the riders who like to go on short trips rather than long highway journey.

Benelli Imperiale 400

Expected launch: Mid 2019, Estimated price: Rs. 2.5 lakh

The Benelli Imperiale will be the first proper retro-modern motorcycle to challenge the Royal Enfield legacy in India. The bike gets a classy, simple design with features like split seats, round headlamps, spoked wheels, chrome-dipped parts and more. Modern bits include the front disc brake with ABS and fuel injected engine. It is powered by a 373-cc, air-cooled engine that generates a maximum of 20 Bhp and 28 Nm.

UM Renegade Duty S

Expected launch: Late 2018, Estimated price: Rs. 1.1 lakh

The old-school Scrambler styled Renegade Duty S that was showcased at the 2018 Auto Expo. The motorcycle brings back memories of the good old days when retro Scramblers were aplenty in the market. The bike gets a Harley Davidson-inspired fuel tank that gives it a unique look in the segment. The Renegade Duty S looks quite modern with side DRL, blacked-out engine and cycle parts. It is powered by a new 223-cc engine that generates a maximum of 16.8 Bhp and 17 Nm.

UM Renegade Duty Ace

Expected launch: Late 2018, Estimated price: Rs. 1.2lakh

The UM Renegade Duty was showcased alongside the Duty S at the 2018 Auto Expo. The bike is exactly the same as the Duty Ace but it gets a different, sporty styling that gives it a very modern look while keeping its retro-soul alive. The bike gets a headlamp cowl and new age body graphics. It also gets a dual-paint scheme on the fuel tank and a rear seat cowl that transforms it into a single-seater. Deliveries of the Duty Ace is expected to start by the end of 2018.

KTM 390 ADV

Expected launch: Mid 2019, Estimated price: Rs. 3 lakh

The KTM 390 Adventure is the latest bike that has been announced for the Indian market. The Austrian company has been testing the 390 Adventure, based on the 390 Duke, for a long time now and it seems that the product is almost production-ready. No details of the bike have been revealed yet, but from the picture of the prototype we can make out a few features.

The design of the 390 Adventure will be inspired by the higher capacity KTM adventure bikes. It gets long travel suspension and spoked rims. The engine will be the same 373-cc, liquid-cooled, single-cylinder unit that generates 44 Bhp and 37 Nm.

Husqvarna Vitpilen

Expected launch: Late 2019, Estimated price: Rs. 3 lakh

Husqvarna, a part of KTM will launch the Vitpilen and Svartpilen based on the KTM Duke. The Vitpilen is a cafe-racer styled motorcycle that will take on the upcoming Royal Enfield Continental GT in India. The lower handlebars make sure that the motorcycle gets an aggressive riding position. It will use the same chassis and engine as the KTM 390 Duke.

Husqvarna Svartpilen

Expected launch: Late 2019, Estimated price: Rs. 3 lakh

The Svartpilen is a scrambler-style street bike which is meant to handle the rough patches as good as the smooth tarmac surface. The Svartpilen gets off-road spec tyres with spoke alloy wheels. Other bits like the front USD and rear mono suspension remain same as the Vitpilen. KTM will build both the motorcycles at Bajaj’s Chakan plant and will export them from here. Both the bikes have been caught testing in India.

Bajaj Pulsar 200 NS FI

Expected launch: Early 2019, Estimated price: Rs. 1.2 lakh

Bajaj Pulsar 200 NS has been a popular naked bike in the market. It is quite powerful and has the bulky look that makes it quite popular in the market. The Bajaj Pulsar 200 NS has been around for a while now and Bajaj is working to launch a fuel-injected version of the bike soon. KTM 200 Duke is fuel  injected and uses the same engine block as the Pulsar 200 NS. The fuel injection system will make the bike more fuel efficient and smoother too.