SIX Most Interesting Motorcycles of Auto Expo 2016: Three Still NOT Launched

Launch status of most awaited motorcycles of Auto Expo 2016

Every two years manufacturers from all corners of the world come together to dazzle the Indian public with brilliant looking motorcycles. The 13th Auto Expo was no different. While quite a few bigwigs were missed, the stage only managed to grow bigger.

Auto Expo 2016 may have been a disappointment in terms of motorcycles which were actually launched but several companies brought some real fabulous pieces of machinery for us to drool over – and many of them were expected to get launched over a period of time. Out of the tons of new motorcycle unveilings and showcases from the show, we picked our best six. Also, with the next Auto Expo 2018 round the corner, let us look how many of these have actually made it to the roads…

BikeAdvice’s Most Awaited Motorcycles of Auto Expo 2016

And yes, they are in order… 🙂

6. UM Renegade Sport S:

• Launch Status: Already Launched
• Announced Price: 1.49 Lakh ex-showroom
• Current Price: 1.69 Lakhs ex-showroom

Showcased first at EICMA 2015, the Renegade Sport S by UM was probably the best looking sub 3 Lakh cruiser in the market! Powered by the India-specific new 279 cc single cylinder mill, Sport S produces 24.66 bhp of power and 21.8 Nm of torque. This mini-Intruder is the most affordable UM for India at the moment but the company is working on another cheaper cruiser.

5. Benelli Tornado 302:

• Launch Status: June 2016 by or before March 2017 Finally launched in July 2017
• Launch Price: 3.48 Lakhs ex-showroom pan-India

Essentially a Ninja 300 and R3 rival, Benelli altered its name for India. Instead of Tornado 302, it is called as 302R. 302R is a comprehensively-reworked faired version of the TNT 300 and looks even better in person than what it does in pics. It is powered by the same twin cylinder liquid cooled engine of the naked and produces 38.26 bhp of power and 26.5 Nm of torque. It is offered with ABS as standard.

4. BMW G310R:

• Launch Status: Unlaunched | now expected in 2018 End
• Expected Price: Rs 2.2-2.25 Lakhs

The first outcome of the BMW-TVS alliance was this – G310R. It will be marketed and sold under the BMW brand and is a Duke 390 rival in the making and will be manufactured at TVS’ Hosur plant. The smallest Beemer gets a 313 cc single cylinder backward tilted engine which produces 34 bhp of power and 28 Nm of torque. While its launch has been delayed but considering Aapche RR 310’s traits, it becomes an even more desirable motorcycle!

3. Benelli TRK 502:

• Launch Status: Unlaunched |  Now Expected in first half of 2018
• Expected Price: Rs 4.5 Lakhs

Another Benelli makes it to our list. Possibly the best looking mid-size adventure tourer, the TRK 502 comes with a new 500 cc parallel twin engine churning out 47 bhp of power and 45 Nm of torque at just 4,500 rpm! Add to that a 20 litre fuel tank and a (relatively) low seat height – seals the deal for us! It was announced to be coming in 2016; got delayed and is now certain to skip Auto Expo 2018 as well. Meanwhile, DSK has prioritised Leoncino scrambler over it and it is coming earlier.

2. Hero XF3R:

• Launch Status: Unlaunched | May take 2-3 Auto Expos or more
• Expected Price: Will depend on the specifications of the production model

Hero MotoCorp, like last time, showcased some more concept motorcycles, but the difference was that they were more believable and may get launched in the foreseeable future. XF3R, their first 300 cc, in its concept form, is the first motorcycle from an Indian brand to feature a single sided swingarm. Hero did not reveal specifics about the engine but we believe it could be a derivative of the HX250’s motor, which has, eventually been shelved 😀 .

They did not talk about XF3R’s production prospects but they look far more positive than Hastur and some others. Recent media reports have reignited speculations of its introduction in the coming months…

Also Read: These Seven Motorcycle Manufacturers Missing Auto Expo: Includes Bajaj, Royal Enfield…

1. TVS Akula 310:

• Launch Status: Now Launched as Apache RR 310
• Launch Price: Rs 2.05-2.15 Lakhs ex-showroom

Akula 310 from TVS stole the show for us. It was really surprising to see TVS develop such a fantastic looker. Akula was out and out sporty and paid tribute to the three plus decades of racing lineage the company is so proud of.

It is the TVS’ version of the same platform on which G310R is made and was showcased as a concept. The production version, called as Apache RR 310, retains most of the dynamism of the concept and has given India another wonderful motorcycle to look upto.

Also Read: 7 Upcoming Adventure Tourers to Rival Himalayan in India [200-500 cc]

This list will get swollen at the 2018 Auto Expo but we hope the backlog gets cleared soon…