The Indian two-wheeler market will soon witness the arrival of new, retro-style motorcycles. Previously, we brought you a list of upcoming Royal Enfield motorcycles that will be launched in the Indian market and you can find more details here. Now, we bring you another list of upcoming, retro-style motorcycles that are expected to reach the Indian shores in foreseeable future.
India Yamaha Motors will soon update its product portfolio with the launch of its retro-style 150cc motorcycle, the FZ-X. The motorcycle is inspired by the Yamaha XSR range that is sold in several international markets. We got a close glimpse at the upcoming Yamaha FZ-X through spy photographs, and its resemblance with the XSR155 is instantly evident.
The styling cues on the upcoming FZ-series model will include a round full-LED headlamp, a boxy fuel tank, with a black strip in the top-centre, a single-piece saddle, and an engine cowl. The rugged persona of the motorcycle is amplified through features such as dual-purpose tyres and fork gaiters. Spy images have revealed that the FZ-X will be available in at least three colours – black, blue, and orange. The details about the instrument cluster are scarce, although we expect to see a fully-digital unit on the FZ-X.
Mechanical specifications would be similar to the existing FZ-series, and the FZ-X will use a 149cc, single-cylinder engine that would deliver 12.2bhp and 13.6Nm of peak torque. The hardware, too, will be similar to the FZ FI range. Thus, the shock absorption tasks will be handled by telescopic forks at the front and a mono-shock at the back. The braking setup will include single discs on both wheels while the safety net should include a single-channel ABS.
Yamaha has sent out media invitations for an upcoming launch that is scheduled on 18 June, 2021. While the company has not stated the product name, we expect to see the launch of the FZ-X on the aforementioned date. Expect the newest member of the FZ range to carry a price premium over the existing models.
KTM India brought the Husqvarna brand to the Indian shores with the launch of the Svartpilen 250 and the Vitpilen 250. The quarter-litre motorcycles are expected to be joined by their bigger siblings in the country soon. Similar to the Svartpilen 250, the upcoming Svartpilen 401 will feature a scrambler-style design. The motorcycle will pack rugged looks along with minimalistic body panels, upright ergonomics, and dual-purpose tyres. However, unlike the 250cc model, the Svartpilen 401 will get wire-spoke wheels.
The Husqvarna 401 range will be based on the KTM 390. Thus, it will use hardware such as a trellis frame, WP-sourced upside-down front forks, a rear mono-shock, disc brakes on both wheels, and ByBre-sourced callipers. The feature list will comprise full-LED lighting, a digital instrument cluster, and ride-by-wire throttle.
Mechanical specifications will include a 373cc, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine that will be derived from the KTM 390 Duke. We expect the power and torque output numbers to be similar to the KTM naked roadster, and the Husqvarna Svartpilen 401 should produce 43bhp and 37Nm. Similar to the 390 Duke, the six-speed gearbox will benefit from a slipper clutch. The 390 Duke and the 390 Adventure get a quickshifter, and we may see the feature on the Husqvarna 401 series too.
The official launch timeline for the Husqvarna Svartpilen 401 is not available yet, although we expect to see this motorcycle in the Indian market in mid- to late-2021. The motorcycle may arrive in Rs 2.50-2.60 lakh price range.
The Svartpilen 401 scrambler will be joined by the Husqvarna Vitpilen 401 café-racer. The underpinnings would be identical on both 401 models, although the two motorcycles would be distinguished through their respective styling. The road-biased Vitpilen 401 will feature a clip-on style handlebar for a more committed rider’s triangle. Similar to the Svartpilen 401, the café-racer will use wire-spoke wheels, although they would be wrapped in road-biased tyres.
The mechanical specifications would be similar to the Svartpilen 401, and the Vitpilen 401 will use a 390 Duke-sourced 373cc, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine. The power and torque output numbers would remain at 43bhp and 37Nm.
The launch timeline for the Husqvarna 401 models is not available yet, although we could see the motorcycles, along with its scrambler-style sibling on our shores in mid- to late-2021. Similar to the existing quarter-litre Husqvarna models, the Svartpilen 401 and the Vitpilen 401 would be sold and serviced via the KTM outlets in the country. Expect the motorcycles to arrive at a relatively lower price tag than the KTM 390 Duke that retails at Rs 2.76 lakh.
Yezdi Roadking
Last on this list is a new product that will come from Classic Legends. The Mahindra-subsidiary will further expand its portfolio by reviving the Yezdi brand in India. Patent documents have confirmed that the upcoming Yezdi motorcycle will be called the Roadking.
The details about the Yezdi model are scarce, although a spy photograph has revealed that the upcoming motorcycle will feature a scrambler-esque design. The motorcycle will ride on wire-spoke wheels that would be wrapped in dual-purpose tyres. Further enhancing its rugged styling are the gaiters on the front forks. The spy images have also revealed styling elements such as a round headlight at the front, a curvy fuel tank, a single-piece seat with ribbed seat cover, and a rear fender-mounted number plate.
Mechanical specifications are scarce, although this upcoming Yezdi will use a single-cylinder, liquid-cooled setup. The hardware on the motorcycle includes telescopic front forks, twin-sided rear springs, disc brakes on both wheels, and ByBre-sourced callipers.
The test mule appeared to be in the early stages of development and the production-ready model might be some time away. Classic Legends introduced all Jawa motorcycles in November, and it will be interesting to see if the company follows a similar strategy for the Yezdi brand. If yes, we could see the new Yezdi Roadking in our market by the end of 2021.
