Mega Auto Expo Preview: Bikes and Scooters to watch out for tomorrow

The 2016 Auto Expo will open its doors to public on February 5 and will go on till the 9th of this month. However, the unveils and launches will take place on February 3 and 4. We look at the bikes that two-wheeler manufacturers will showcase tomorrow.

Yamaha

Yamaha MT-03

Based on the same platform as the R3, the MT-03 is given a naked streetfighter styling, but continues with identical mechanicals. The 41 HP producing, twin-cylinder, 321 cc engine will power the vehicle, but devoid of the fairing, the MT-03 is likely to be a tad less expensive.

Yamaha Low Cost Bike

On the other end of the spectrum, the Japanese bike-maker can also introduce a cost-effective motorcycle, likely to be priced at around the Rs 30,000 mark. Expect bare-bones styling, a 100-110 cc engine, and an INDRA name (short for Innovative and New Development based on Responsible Analysis).

The company could also bring the M-Slaz – a street fighter based on the platform which could underpin the next-generation R15 – as well.

Honda

Honda Africa Twin

Bringing the iconic adventure tourer back, Honda is likely to introduce the new Africa Twin in India. Powered by a 998 cc engine, the Africa Twin is more powerful than its namesake from the past but is positioned in the same segment.

Honda NAVi

Honda has kept mum regarding what NAVi is going to be, but it’s expected to be a motorcycle-scooter hybrid as certain reports have pointed out. Whatever it is, it’s just a day away…

The company is expected to showcase a more than ten products, which will include the RC213V MotoGP bike, four concepts, and six new products headed to the Indian market, including the two mentioned above.

Benelli

Benelli Tornado 302

The faired version of the TNT 300, the Tornado is a looker. Unveiled at the 2015 EICMA, the vehicle is likely to be the lease expensive faired bike in Benelli’s line-up. It will compete with other twin-cylinder motorcycles in the segment – the Yamaha R3 and the Kawasaki Ninja 300.

Benelli TRK 502

The adventure tourer market is growing bigger, and the TRK 502 will only add to it. While not a Royal Enfield Himalayan competitor per se, the TRK 502 will use a 499.6 cc twin-cylinder engine that makes about 50 hp. It was also unveiled at the EICMA, gets 230 mm of ground clearance, and is expected to be priced under Rs 5 lakhs.

Leoncino

The Scrambler fever hasn’t subsided yet, and the Leoncino is another reason why. Unveiled at the 2015 EICMA, the bike uses the same engine as the TRK 502, but gets a totally different styling. Pricing will again be crucial, keeping in mind there’s a slightly bigger engine equipped Italian dominating the segment already.

Suzuki

Suzuki Access 125

An extensively restyled version of the Suzuki Access is expected to be present at the 2016 Auto Expo. But it’s expected to continue with the same engine as before – a 124 cc which makes 8.58 hp and 9.8 Nm – albeit slight tweaks can be expected there as well. The company hasn’t yet made any official announcements regarding it, but it’s just a day away…

Suzuki Hayate EP

The recently updated Suzuki Hayate EP will also be at the 2016 Auto Expo. It’s slightly more powerful than the regular Hayate but the company claims that it’s as efficient as well.

Hero

Hero ZIR

The performance-oriented scooter is expected to return to the 2016 Auto Expo. While most of the concepts shown at the 2014 Auto Expo haven’t been reached production yet, here’s hoping the ZIR finally does. Powered by a 157 cc engine which makes 14 PS and 12.7 Nm of torque, the ZIR can very well go on to become the Blaze that enthusiasts sorely miss.

The company could also showcase the Dare 125 as well.

Hero iSmart

The iSmart-equipped versions of both the Passion and the Super Splendor are expected to be at the Auto Expo. The addition of a stop-start system will ensure the two bikes make better use of fuel. Unlike the other models/concepts, these ones are closer to reality.

Hero HX250R

What could have been one of the most interesting products in the line-up, the HX250R was once in development by Buell racing. It remains to be seen if Hero has continued with that, and made a production-ready version of the bike. Powered by a 249 cc engine, the HX250R looks good and is certainly more competitive (on paper at least) than what the company currently offers.

UM

UM will be bringing three products to the Auto Expo: Renegade Sport S, Renegade Commando, and Renegade Classic.

The range will be powered by a sub-300 cc engine, while a larger 350 cc engine based Renegade Commando 350 is expected to come later this year.

TVS

BMW G 310 R based TVS

Given that the G 310 R is made in collaboration with BMW, TVS will also introduce its version at the 2016 Auto Expo. Likely to be in the concept form, the vehicle will use the same engine as the G 310 R – a 313 cc single cylinder engine that makes 34 hp.

Apache RTR

While the new RTR 200 4V was launched earlier last month, it’s expected that the smaller engine versions (RTR 180 and RTR 160) will also get a revamped styling.

Piaggio

Aprilia Motard

An affordable Aprilia might not be the best way to describe it, but the SR 150 could just be that. The company has released a teaser image for the same, and if online reports are to be believed, there are chances that the performance scooter will be manufactured in India.

Source: Access, HX250R, RTR