How time flies! We are already well passed 2015 and what a fabulous year it was! While, from the growth perspective, there was no out-of-the-world excitement, but in terms of technology and new machines, we got some real awesome products to satiate our hunger!
Last year, bang on the first of January, we presented the list of 39+ motorcycle launches for 2015 and this year too, almost making it a ritual, let us present to you the compiled list of almost all the motorcycle and scooter launches of 2015 and they are well over 50 in number!
Without much ado, let us present to you the new/updated machines which livened up our year… We have also hyperlinked the products with their launch reports so that you can, anytime, open up and see respective details…
All Motorcycle Launches in 2015
January
Bajaj welcomes 2015 with their new Platina which came with a DTSi engine and some mind-blowing fuel efficiency claims. Suzuki also chipped in with a ritual cosmetic update of their Swish.
- Bajaj Platina ES: The tiny 100 cc motorcycle claims to have an ARAI tested fuel efficiency of 96.9 kmpl! That’s more than its claimed top speed of 90 kmph!
- 2015 Suzuki Swish 125 update: The cosmetic update to the Swish got it new body colours, tubeless tyres and maintenance free battery. It also got a multi-reflector lamp which Suzuki claims helps in improving visibility.
February
February saw the introduction of Honda’s truckloads of model year minor updates but the release of the new version of Activa. Suzuki also introduced a special edition of Hayabusa for us….
- 2015 Honda Shine, Dream Yuga, Dream Neo, Dio: In a rather high profile event Honda released the sticker updates of its bread and butter products to make them look fresher.
- 2015 Honda Activa 3G: The third generation of the country’s largest selling automatic scooter managed to gain more bling and a 3G logo but still misses out on telescopic front suspension. Thankfully reliability factor remains the same. And no it does not download anything!
- Suzuki Hayabusa Z: The most recognisable premium motorcycle in the country in its special edition avatar gained Yoshimura Slip on exhaust along with bright color.
March
It was a busy March and one of the most important month of the year. We saw the final market launch of Italian-Chinese Benelli with their lineup of super-exciting motorcycles and then a bomb by Bajaj!
- 2015 Triumph Tigers: The new Tigers got newer fire power with improved efficiency and riding modes. They also boasted off improved agility and better power delivery thanks to ride by wire technology. The range launched in 2015 included XRx, XRc, XR, XCA…
- Bajaj CT 100: The 90 kmpl motorcycle by Bajaj after the Platina ES was launched to keep the cash registers clicking before the company could concentrate its energy on the Pulsars. With that fuel efficiency figure and the 10.5 litre fuel tank you are looking at a riding range of nearly 900 km!
- Benelli TNT 302, TNT 600i, TNT 600GT, TNT 899 and TNT R 1130: The Italian legends announced their foray with a very aggressive pricing package. The company has given a lot of enthusiasts to own a big motorcycle without shelling a bomb with an arm or a leg.
- 2015 Yamaha Alpha and Ray: Apart from the cosmetic update the Alpha and Ray received the new Blue Core technology making them more fuel efficient (and costly).
- Bajaj Pulsar RS 200: Possibly the biggest launch of the year, the first fully faired motorcycle by Bajaj got an evolved version of the NS’ mill with fuel injection and ABS. It also received a crafted design which, to many, look a little overdone. However, it has got a terrific road-presence for sure..
April
Following March, April was one of the busiest months of the year. We got the world’s most exciting motorcycle the supercharged H2, along with the 2015 Yamaha R1 and R1M. Then there was the barrage of small-capacity motorcycles…
- Kawasaki Ninja H2: The mighty stallion from Kawasaki, the big daddy of the litre class territory, the Ninja H2 is a moving laboratory. Being the only road legal supercharged motorcycle in the world, the Ninja H2 boasts of an expensive price tag of Rs 29 lakhs.
- Suzuki Gixxer SF: The Suzuki Gixxer SF aims to be a more aerodynamic version of the Gixxer 155. Although the mechanicals remain the same, the Gixxer SF gains only 4 kilos and turns out to be a cracker of a product. To know more read our ride review of the Gixxer SF.
- 2015 Yamaha R1 and R1M: The high tech Yamaha R1 got a dose of MotoGP tech with the new R1. Although they get a hefty price bump, the bikes turn out to be one of best machines money can buy.
- Bajaj Pulsar AS200: With an almost similar price tag as that of the NS, the AS 200 marks the company’s entry to the adventure sports category. The semi faired bike gets projector head lamps with slight modifications to the suspension.
- Bajaj Pulsar AS 150: Another surprise launch by Bajaj, the AS 150 boasts of a power output of 17 PS! That’s R15 territory my friend. This one also gets a semi fairing and projector head lamp but misses out on a rear disc.
- Yamaha Saluto: One of the lightest and the least powerful offering in the 125 cc segment, the Saluto is aiming to be Yamaha’s cash bomb. The bike claims a fuel efficiency figure of 78 kmpl.
- 2015 TVS Phoenix: Apart from a graphic update, the new Phoenix gets tubeless tyres and a gas charged rear suspension. It even gets a Mahindra Centuro inspired vehicle locator key.
May
Indian showcased their massive beauties and Suzuki chipped in with their practical liter class offerings. Yamaha further intensified their scooter lineup.
- Indian Roadmaster and Dark Horse: The biggest cruisers available in the market, the Indian Roadmaster sits at the top of their luxury line-up while the Dark Horse is the only non-chrome offering. Aimed for a peaceful commute between cities, the Indians to perform very well. Find out more from our ‘Great Indian Roadtrip’.
- Yamaha Fascino: A beautiful looking product by the Japanese manufacturer, the Fascino is their revival plan in the scooter segment. It sports the same 113 cc Blue Core mill seen in the Alpha and continues to claim an efficiency figure of 66 kmpl.
- Suzuki GSX S1000 and S1000F: The road going version of the mighty GSX R1000, the bikes sport 999 cc four pot mill producing 145.5 PS of power in the international market. The S1000 is a semi naked version while the S1000F is its faired sibling.
June
June saw the entry of a new player – Regal Raptor. They launched three 350cc twin cylinder cruisers. Another landmark was the official entry of Ducati.
- Regal Raptor Spyder, Bobber, Daytona: These 350 cc twin cylinder cruisers by Regal Raptors do manages to look good but have a rather over enthusiastic price tag. They so far have an outlet only in Hyderabad but plan to open in all the metro cities.
- 2015 Hero Passion Pro: The Passion Pro gets a sticker job and a bump in power with LED tail lamps and optional front discs.
- Ducati: The Italian motorcycle manufacturer officially announced its Indian line-up. There second stint in India is expected to be much better than the previous one as this time they are here without a middleman.
- 2015 Honda Activa i, Aviator, Dio: Honda’s plethora of cosmetic updates continues, this time to the base version of the Activa giving it floral stickers while the Aviator gets a different coloured seat and floorboard.
July
Honda continues to plug its 110cc segment with yet another offering while Bajaj launched yet another Discover 😀 .
- 2015 Hero Xtreme Sports: The Xtreme Sports get another power bump as the mystery continues.
- Discover 125: Bajaj tries the age-old trick of bringing back the buried… but for some reason it works!
- Honda Livo: Another 110cc from Honda!
August
Remember the much-hyped August 4 RevFest? Yes, apart from some dismal announcements, Honda officially launched the awaited mid-sizer – CBR650F but the bigger news was the entry of the beautiful R3!
- Honda CBR650F: Honda’s promised mid-sized sports tourer also introduced this year but at higher-than-expected prices..
- Yamaha R3: Pheww… finally we get the R3 and its beautiful
September
Finally, we had a 150cc scooter after a long time, and as expected from Vespa. Harley also announced its 2016 lineup most prominent of which was the Street 750.
- Vespa VXL & SXL: Includes a 125cc and 150cc range in the lineup – yes, finally a 150cc scooter after a long time!
- Yamaha R15-S: This is the old new R15 – comes with single lowered seat.
- 2016 Harley Lineup: Includes Street 750 with better brakes, new Roadking, Iron 883 etc
- New TVS Sport: With a claimed fuel economy of 95 kmpl, TVS also joins the close-to-100 fuel economy game!
- Hero Maestro Edge: Hero trying to shed dependence from Honda. First product in the lineup to get a non-Honda engine.
October
Now, this month should be written with golden alphabets – because Mahindra launched Mojo after a good five year hiatus! Bajaj also chipped in with the important Avenger 150 and revamping the bigger 220s.
- Mahindra Mojo: At last and finally, Mahindra launches the Mojo and its one real good motorcycle!
- New Avenger Street 150: So, this becomes the smallest and cheapest cruiser you can buy today!
- Avenger Street & Cruise 220: The 220cc version now comes in two forms – one for cities and the other for highways.
- Hero Duet: Hero’s second product with a non-Honda engine
November
A relatively dry month when manufacturers were focussing more on marketing. Honda introduced their new CBRs, which, well have nothing new, really!
- Honda Shine SP: A premium version of Shine
- 2016 CBR150R & CBR250R: Nothing more than new colors. Yawnnn!
December
Honda winded up the year with the most impressive offering – the CB Hornet 160R. Hero also, for some reason, remembered they had ‘Hunk’ in their portfolio. Benelli and Kawasaki also launched two very interesting motorcycles…
- 2016 Hunk: Finally, Hero pays attention to Hunk. With a power output of 15.6 bhp, it beats the more popular Gixxers and Hornets in the price/per bhp game.
- Honda CB Hornet 160: Honda’s best attempt at the premium 150-160 cc segment. And this is the smallest Hornet you would see in the world!
- Benelli TNT250: With the smallest TNT, Benelli joins the mainstream single cylinder motorcycles.
- Kawasaki Versys 650: The mid-sized tourer we have waited for so far.
Also Read: Top 5 Motorcycles That Could NOT See 2016 – BikeAdvice Picks
Next year promises to be even bigger and better in terms of new motorcycles. We already have an invitation of riding the Mahindra G108 on 12th January but do let us know your pick from this lot of 50+ motorcycle and scooter launches of 2015…
