With rapid rise of the middle class in India the demand for mid-capacity performance motorcycles has been increasing at an enormous pace. The first taste of blood could be loosely related to the Yamaha RD350 but speaking of a more modern era – we would attribute it to the KTM Dukes and RCs which brought the price per horsepower ratio in the reach of the common man.
2016 is going to be a really exciting year precisely for this entry level to mid-capacity segment with motorcycles displacing between 250 to 500 cc. This segment is your entry into the performance motorcycling, and they could really set the ball rolling for evolving riders. So, we sit back and curate a list of all mid-capacity motorcycles that are coming to India this year…
Upcoming 250 cc to 500 cc motorcycles in India
KTM Adventure 390:
- Expected Launch Month: April-June
- Expected Price: Rs 2.1 to 2.3 Lakhs
- Competition: Himalayan
Possibly the biggest news of the year, KTM is rumoured to have a new platform ready for adventure oriented motorcycles. If it is true, the most awaited motorcycle would be the Adventure 390! Add to that KTM’s rich heritage in adventure motorcycle and the expected price tags, we can already see you saving up…
Bajaj CS400:
- Launch Month: Second half of 2016
- Expected Price: Rs 1.6 to 1.75 Lakhs
- Competition: No direct competitor
Showcased first at the 2014 Auto Expo, the CS400 is powered by the same 373.2 cc mill from the Duke 390. While Bajaj may tune down the engine a bit for fuel efficiency, we will take anything between 35 to 40 bhp! The stunning looks and an under Rs 2 Lakh price tag presents a sports cruiser which can be the next big thing in Indian (entry) performance motorcycling!
Complete coverage of Pulsar CS400
Royal Enfield Himalayan:
- Launch Month: March
- Expected Price: ~Rs 1.8 Lakhs or under
- Competition: Nothing at this moment
The desi bred motorcycle manufacturer’s most purpose built model ever, the Himalayan is set to launch on March 16 or 17. The bike gets an all-new Long Stroke 411 cc SOHC mill producing 24.5 bhp of power and 32 Nm of torque. The bare minimum looks with off-road tyres and a range of accessories will definitely invite you into riding one.
Complete coverage of Himalayan
Hero HX250:
- Launch Month: Sometime this year
- Expected Price: Rs 1.6 to 1.9 Lakhs
- Competition: CBR250R and other single cylinder 200 to 300 ccs
After losing the ‘R’ in two years of showcasing, the HX250 continues to impress with its on-paper specs of 31.4 PS of maximum power and 23 Nm of peak torque. The liquid cooled engine gets a 6 speed gearbox and has a rated top speed of 165 kmph! While a lot of virtual ink has been wasted on the bike’s expected launch last year, we believe it’s time Hero considers it launching it this year.
Benelli Tornado 302:
- Launch Month: July
- Expected Price: Rs 3.3 Lakhs
- Competition: R3, Ninja 300
Essentially the faired version of the TNT 300, the bike’s twin cylinder mill produces 35.3 PS of power and 27 Nm of peak torque. While the output figures may not be in the same league as that of its direct competition (Ninja 300 and R3), the bike will boast of ABS as standard and looks awesome. Set to be launched in July, the bike will hopefully be priced competitively.
Benelli TRK 502:
- Launch Month: September
- Expected Price: ~ 4 Lakhs
- Competition: Himalayan
Yes, India is set to get a lot of adventure oriented products all of a sudden. The TRK 502 gets a 500 cc parallel twin mill churning out 47 bhp of power and 45 Nm of torque. With features like 50 mm upside down forks, 20 litre fuel tank and 815 mm seat height, the TRK 502 has the potential to hurt a certain Japanese manufacturer’s touring range the hard way. Further boosting its chances is the company’s solid record of bringing its products at really affordable price points.
BMW G310R:
- Launch Month: First half of 2016
- Expected Price: ~2.4 Lakhs
- Competition: Duke 390
BMW’s smallest G310R, which was showcased for the first time in India at the 2016 Auto Expo is also destined for our market and has been officially confirmed. It has been made in collaboration with TVS and will rival Duke 390 when it gets launched, sometime in the first half of this year…
Complete coverage & details of G310R
Benelli BX250:
- Launch Month: November-December
- Expected Price: No idea
- Competition: None
The BX250 will be the first commercially available 250cc Motard for India. It gets a high 890 mm saddle height and comes with a quarter litre single cylinder engine producing 24.8 bhp of power and 21.5 Nm of torque. The motorcycle appears perfect for recreational off-roads and is expected to be introduced with ABS.
Also Read: Top Speed Comparison of All Existing 200 cc Motorcycles
So, this lists the eight absolutely new 250 cc to 500 cc motorcycles that are expected to be launched this year in India. And yes, according to the conversation we had with TVS officials, (production version of) Akula is not launching this year! So, which one are you saving money for?
