This is the list of 7 existing motorcycles which recently received their ABS update before the April 2019 deadline
All the Indian two-wheeler manufacturer is currently busy updating their product lineup with the mandatory ABS safety feature before the April 2019 deadline. There are already few two-wheeler manufacturers like Royal Enfield, KTM and Honda who has almost completed the process of updating their motorcycles with the safety feature while some others have only started. That said, here is the list of 7 existing motorcycles which recently received an ABS update from their manufacturer.
1. Honda X Blade
Honda has recently launched the ABS variant of the X-Blade priced at Rs 87,776 (ex-showroom) which is about Rs 8,000 more than the non-ABS variant. The motorcycle was first showcased at the 2018 Auto expo and was launched after few months. The X-Blade has sharper looks and gets an all LED headlamp unit and shares its underpinnings with the Hornet.
Honda has decided to add a single channel ABS unit on the X-Blade to keep the prices competitive. The X-Blade is powered by a 162.71 cc single-cylinder unit which makes about 13.93 bhp of peak power at 8,500 rpm and peak torque of 13.9 Nm at 6,000 rpm. The engine is paired to a 6-speed gearbox.
2. Bajaj Avenger 220
Bajaj has updated their entry-level Avenger 220 Cruiser with a single channel ABS unit. A single channel ABS is less expensive compared to a dual-channel unit but is not completely safe because it prevents only the front wheels from locking up while there is always a chance of rear wheel locking up under panic braking situation.
Besides the inclusion of the new single-channel ABS unit, there are no other mechanical changes made to the cruiser though. Although there is no official confirmation yet the ABS-equipped variant of the Bajaj Avenger 220 will be priced at around Rs 1,02,425 Lakh (ex-showroom) which is exactly Rs 6,700 more than the non-ABS version of the bike which retails at Rs 95,705 (ex-showroom).
The Avenger 220 is available in two variants and is powered by a 220 cc, single cylinder, 2 valves, twin spark, DTS-i engine. The engine paired to a 5-speed gearbox produces around 19.03 PS of peak power at 8400 rpm and 17.5 Nm torque at 7000 rpm.
3. Bajaj Pulsar 220F
Bajaj has updated their popular 220F model with ABS. The updated ABS model is priced at Rs 1,05,254 lakhs (ex-showroom) which is about Rs 7,584 more than the non-ABS model. Just like the Avenger the Pulsar 220F has also received a single channel ABS unit.
Besides the updated ABS setup there are no other mechanical changes made to the motorcycle though. It is still powered by a 220cc, single-cylinder oil-cooled motor with Digital Twin Spark Ignition. The engine paired to a 5-speed gearbox which produces about 21bhp of peak power at 8,500rpm and 19Nm of peak torque at 7,000rpm.
4. Yamaha YZF-R15 V3
Yamaha has started the new year with a bang. They have recently updated their existing R15 V3 with a dual channel ABS setup. The ABS equipped variant of the Yamaha R15 is priced at 1.39 lakhs which is exactly Rs 12,000 more than the non-ABS variant. The third generation R15 was launched at the 2018 Auto Expo.
It gets an assist and Slipper clutch, LED headlamp, full digital instrument cluster as standard and now the inclusion of the dual channel ABS on the new R15 V3 has sweetened the deal. The 2019 Yamaha R15 V3 is the first motorcycle in the 150 cc segment to receive a dual channel ABS.
There are no other mechanical changes made to the motorcycle and thus it is still powered by the 155 cc single-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine which produces 19 bhp of peak power at 10,000 rpm and 14.7 Nm of peak torque available at 8500 rpm. The engine is paired to a 6-speed gearbox.
5. KTM Duke 200
KTM has launched the Duke 200 ABS recently. The ABS equipped variant is priced at Rs 1.6 lakh (ex-showroom) which is exactly Rs 8,200 more expensive than its non-ABS variant. Unfortunately, KTM has decided to add a single channel ABS unit in the Duke 200 instead of a dual channel unit however, it does feature a rear wheel lift protection (RLP) which prevents the rear wheels from lifting off the ground under heavy braking.
Besides the addition of a new single-channel ABS setup, there are no other changes made to the motorcycle. The ABS equipped Duke 200 is still powered by a 199.5cc, single cylinder, liquid cooled unit. This engine is capable of producing about 24.6 bhp at 10,000 rpm and 19.2 Nm of torque at 8,000 rpm and is mated to a 6-speed gearbox.
6. Royal Enfield Bullet 500
Royal Enfield has almost completed the process of equipping their entire motorcycle lineup with the ABS safety feature before the April 2019 deadline. They have recently added a dual channel ABS setup for the Bullet 500. RE is perhaps the only Indian motorcycle who has decided to go for the dual channel ABS for all their motorcycles instead of a single channel unit to keep the rider safe. The dual-channel ABS variant of the Bullet 500 is priced at Rs 1.87 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi) which makes it Rs 14,000 more expensive than the non-ABS variant.
The motorcycles haven’t received any other mechanical changes to it though. The Bullet 500 is still powered by the same 499cc single-cylinder, fuel-injected engine as before. This engine paired with a 5-speed gearbox and churns out about 28PS of peak power and 41.3Nm of peak torque.
7. Royal Enfield Thunderbird 350X and 500X
Royal Enfield has also updated their Thunderbird 350X and 500X variants with a dual channel ABS setup recently. The Royal Enfield Thunderbird 350X ABS is priced at Rs 1.62 lakh (ex-showroom). On the other hand, the Royal Enfield Thunderbird 500X ABS will set you back by Rs 2.13 lakh (ex-showroom). Both the 350X and 500X ABS equipped variants are almost Rs 6,000 costlier than their non-ABS siblings.
Power on the Thunderbird 350X comes from the same 346cc, single-cylinder, air-cooled engine which generates 19 bhp of peak power and 28 Nm of peak torque. The engine is paired with a 5-speed gearbox and is the same unit which also powers the standard Thunderbird 350 as well.
The 500X variant, on the other hand, is powered by a 499cc single-cylinder, fuel-injected engine as before. This engine paired with a 5-speed gearbox and produces about 28PS of peak power and 41.3Nm of peak torque. This engine also is the same unit which powers the standard Thunderbird 500 as well.