2023 was an action-packed year for the Indian two-wheeler industry with numerous launches spread across 12 months. From commuters to big bikes and then some more, a lot of new bikes are now available for customers to choose from. However, these are the five motorcycles that created a notable buzz in the market owing to various aspects.
Harley-Davidson X440
The X440 is the most popular launch from Harley-Davidson as it is not only the smallest bike from the American bikemaker but also the most affordable one. The price aspect is one of the deciding factors for an Indian buyer and so is the brand image. And this is where Harley-Davidson hit the proverbial nail on the head by introducing the X440 for an introductory price of Rs. 2.29 lakh.
Co-developing the bike with Hero Motocorp in India is what made this possible and the number of bookings that the bike garnered showed that Indians are ready to spend the amount where desirability and affordability meet. We rode the bike at Hero’s test track in Jaipur and were impressed by its handling and feel. While the engine could do better in terms of refinement and consistency in quality, the X440’s gearbox, crisp throttle response, and brakes made it quite the package.
Hero Karizma XMR 210
Another big launch for Hero Motocorp this year was the Karizma XMR 210. It, too, was priced quite aggressively with an introductory offer of Rs. 1.73 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). Apart from sporting the legendary Karizma name (nostalgia is a powerful tool, after all), the XMR 210 is being lauded for its sleek yet sharp bodywork and overall attractive styling. This is also the first Hero motorcycle to feature a liquid-cooled engine, marking a new direction that the Indian company has taken with more powerful engines to follow suit in the coming years.
We have the Hero Karizma XMR 210 currently in the BikeWale long-term garage and it has managed to create a good impression with its fuel efficiency, and comfort. But, we feel it has room for improvement in terms of engine refinement since the motor’s vibrations are evident and the suspension setup feels a tad firm. Both could be a bother when commuting in the city. However, the colour options for the Karizma XMR 210 are quite attractive.
KTM 390 Duke
This was possibly the most anticipated launch of the year for enthusiasts, especially the fans who swear by KTM. In its third generation, the new 390 Duke, compared to the previous two, is the most modern, powerful, and aggressive motorcycle yet. In typical KTM fashion, it has a very radical design, which at first comes off slightly polarising but may grow on you later. Then, the new 399cc engine revs quite quickly, making the most power of any 390 Duke yet, while also offering better rideability in the city. To top it, the six-speed gearbox comes with a bi-directional quickshifter. This makes riding the 390 Duke even more fun as you can keep the throttle pinned on an open stretch and go through all the cogs without losing momentum. Even the brakes, features, and comfort levels on the new KTM 390 Duke elevate its appeal to another level.
KTM, also, finally equipped the bike with adjustable front and rear suspension, making it even more versatile since riders can set up the ride as per the road conditions. All said, the bike is great on most counts but could do with better engine refinement and a little more attention to quality, fit, and finish in certain areas.
Royal Enfield Himalayan 450
We broke the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450’s news sometime last year and finally rode it in the month of October, in the Himalayas. This is Royal Enfield’s first liquid-cooled motor and a major step-up for the Himalayan tag as well. It addresses the biggest issue that plagued the old, oil-cooled engine - the poor highway performance.
The new 450 does quite a few things well, like the seating ergonomics, ride quality, light clutch action, switch cubes, brakes, and more. Even the new TFT screen with smartphone connectivity for navigation and other data layouts is a thoughtful and extremely useful feature.
While the bike is pretty impressive overall, the Himalayan needs better engine vibration management, reduction in the front fork flex, and better low-end grunt to ride in traffic Moreover, its top-heavy nature is slightly bothersome in tight traffic. We have penned down a detailed review of whether you should spend Rs. 2.69 lakh for the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450.
Aprilia RS 457
Last but not the least is the Aprilia RS 457. This is the newest member in Aprilia’s RS bloodline and also the latest motorcycle in the 300-400cc segment. Since the Italian brand has chosen to manufacture the RS 457 locally in India, it has been able to price the bike very aggressively at Rs. 4.10 lakh. This undercuts the newly launched Yamaha YZF R3 by about Rs. 54,000, and the Kawasaki and the Ninja 400 by Rs. 1.14 lakh. Moreover, the Aprilia RS 457 also seems quite impressive on paper with its engine configuration, power figures, features list, dimensions, and suspension setup as well. Not to mention, the Italian design philosophy is also quite visible in the RS 457’s bodywork as it looks sleek and aggressive, much like a scaled-down RS660.
