Top 9 India-bound big bikes for 2018

Top 9 India-bound big bikes for 2018

This year saw a slew of big bike unveils from different manufacturers at the Tokyo Motor Show and EICMA. Out of these, here are 9 big bikes are expected to make their way to India in 2018. Here is the list-

Ducati Panigale V4

The Panigale V4 is the manufacturer’s first mass produced V4 powered superbike. It follows a design language similar to the other Panigales.However,the V4 looks bigger and meaner. It uses a 1,103cc V4 engine that produces 214bhp and 123.5Nm of torque. The bike is electronically equipped with cornering ABS, traction control, slide control, wheelie control, launch control, quickshifter, engine brake control and electronic suspension.The bike will be offered in two versions in India; the standard V4 and the V4 Speciale.

Benelli Leoncino 500

The Leoncino is a scrambler-styled motorcycle from the Italian manufacturer. The bike sports a flat seat, flat-handlebar, eccentrically mounted digital instrument cluster, round LED headlamp and a beefy exhaust which gives it a neo-retro appeal.It is powered by a 500cc twin-cylinder engine that produces 48bhp and 46Nm of torque and is mated to a six-speed gearbox.

We expect the Benelli Leoncino 500 to be priced around Rs 4.5 lakhs to Rs 5.5 lakhs and sit below the TNT 600i streetfighter.

Kawasaki Z900 RS

The Z900 RS is the retro version of the Z900 streetfighter available in India. While the design language is inspired by the classic Kawasaki Z1, it uses the 946cc in-line four cylinder engine from the Z900. This engine produces 110bhp and 98Nm of torque and is mated to a six-speed gearbox with slipper-clutch. The bike gets modern electronics like switchable ABS, traction control system with two modes and an ‘Off’ setting. 

When launched, the bike is expected to be priced around the standard Z900’s Rs 7.68 lakh price tag.

Triumph Tiger 800

The Tiger 800 range gets major upgrades to its engine, electronics and bodywork along with a few additional features. Cosmetically, it features LED headlamps and sharper side panels along with a five-way adjustable windscreen and a more upright riding stance. The bike uses an 800cc in-line three cylinder engine which is claimed to be more responsive. The electronics package now includes six riding modes along with an additional ‘Off-Road Pro’ mode on the XC models.

The bike will compete against the BMW F750GS and F850GS which is also expected to be launched in India next year.

Triumph Tiger 1200

The new Tiger 1200 (it’s no longer called ‘Explorer’) gets several revisions to its bodywork and decals along with new features. It gets new LED tail lamps while the LED headlamp unit gets a cornering function. The Tiger 1200 is powered by a 1200cc in-line three cylinder engine that produces 140bhp, with a two-way quickshifter. The electronics package has been updated with a new ‘Off-Road Pro’ mode along with a cruise control system. 

The bike will be available in two variants- XR and XC, and is expected to be launched in the first half of 2018. 

BMW F750GS and F850GS

The F750GS and F850GS are based on the same platform but have different capabilities. While the F850GS gets spoke wheels with dual-sport tyres, knuckle guards, fork protectors and a taller windscreen to make it off-road capable, the F750GS gets alloy wheels with road biased tyres.They get LED headlamp setup and a 6.5-inch TFT instrument console. Both the bikes get an 853cc parallel-twin engine although with different power outputs. The F750GS gets 75bhp while the F850GS gets 93bhp of power. Electronics package includes ABS, cruise control, quickshifter, traction control and four riding modes with an additional ‘Enduro Pro’ mode on the F850GS.

These bikes are expected to be launched in India in the first half of next year.

Suzuki V-Strom 650

The V-Strom 650 shares its design withthe bigger V-Strom 1000, although is powered by a 650cc V-twin engine that produces 63bhp. The electronics package includes ABS and traction control as standard.The V-Strom is available in two variants, standard and V-Strom 650XT.

The bike is expected to be priced around Rs 6 lakhs and will directly compete with the Kawasaki Versys 650.

Suzuki GSX-S750

The design language and styling of the GSX-S750 is similar to the GSX-S1000. The bike is powered a 749cc in-line four cylinder engine that produces 113bhp and 81Nm of torque. It is mated to a six-speed gearbox and final chain drive. The electronic package includes ABS with three-level traction control system.

Suzuki will launch the GSX-S750 at the Auto Expo in February next year.