2017 Kawasaki Z650
Several India-bound motorcycles ranging between 650 cc and 900 cc are expected to hit domestic showrooms in 2017-18
India is one of the fastest growing and largest motorcycle markets in the world. Besides the commuter motorcycles, demands for premium bikes are also increasing rapidly. Therefore, several two-wheeler manufacturers target the domestic market to capture a good share in the middleweight category while some try to create niche of their own.
The companies take the opportunity to showcase their new and upcoming products at international motorcycle shows like EICMA and the 2016 edition of the event was no different. At EICMA 2016, we got glimpse of several motorcycles, which are expected to arrive in the domestic market in near future – some likely by this year and in 2018. Here we take a look at 5 of the most promising motorcycles:
The 2017 Kawasaki Z650 dreplaces the Japanese brand’s ER-6n model and it takes direct inspiration from the bigger sibling like Z900. The middleweight bike is designed following Kawasaki’s Sugomi design language and it looks very aggressive. This bike is ready to launch in India soon.
The Kawasaki Z650 features a sharp looking wide headlamp, a sculpted looking 15-litre fuel tank that gives this bike a very muscular appearance. Apart from that, the stepped up saddle seat, sharp tail section play major role in enhancing the bike’s sporty appeal. This model comes painted in four different colour options, that are – Candy Lime Green with Metallic Spark Black, Pearl Flat Stardust White with Metallic Spark Black, Metallic Raw Titanium with Metallic Spark Black, and Metallic Flat Spark Black with Metallic Spark Black.
Dimensionally, the Kawasaki Z650 measures 2,055 mm in length, 775 mm in width, 1,080 mm in height and it gets a wheelbase of 1,410 mm. The bike has a kerb weight of 187 kg. Kawasaki claims that its lowered seat height at 790 mm offers the rider a comfortable riding experience and better control over the machine.
Powering the aggressive looking bike is the same 649cc parallel-twin, liquid-cooled engine that generates power for the ER-6n as well. The motor has been updated to offer smoother throttle response. Mated to a 6-speed transmission, this engine is capable to churn out 68 PS of peak power at 8,000 rpm and 65.7 Nm of peak torque at 6,500 rpm.
The engine is claimed to be returning an improved and impressive fuel efficiency of 28 kmpl. The Japanese brand says, this bike is 19 kg lighter than the ER-6n. For stopping power, the bike relies on disc brakes at both wheels combined with 9.1M ABS.
Expected Price (ex-showroom, New Delhi) – Rs. 5.20 lakh
2017 Honda CBR650F
Honda has a strong presence in the Indian motorcycle market for quite long time. The company will be attempting to tighten its grab in the premium bike segment as well with the new version of popular CBR650F.
The sharp and fully-faired bike comes sporting inclined LED headlamp, large twin digital screens at instrument cluster, clean-lens LED taillight and new attractive looking livery as well. The bike has been designed keeping the aerodynamic efficiency in mind. It blends the style and mechanism perfectly and looks sportier than before.
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The side panels have become sleeker than before and gets shorter air intake funnel. The muscular fuel tank enhances its appeal further, while the lowered riding seat gives the rider better control over the machine. The bike was displayed alongside its fairing-less sibling CB650F at EICMA.
Speaking about the engine of the 2017 Honda CBR650F, the sportsbike comes with an updated Euro-IV emission norm compliant engine. The power output has been increased as well, thanks to the improved airflow management. New model kicks out 4 PS of extra power compared to its predecessor. Therefore now it is capable to churn out 91 PS of peak power at 11,000 rpm. Gear ratios have been improved as well to deliver better acceleration through the mid-range.
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Suspension and braking equipment of the 2017 Honda CBR650F have been updated as well to deliver better performance. Suspension duty in the bike is done by Showa dual-bending valve front fork. For braking duty, the bike relies on dual front disc brakes and single rear disc with updated Nissin calipers. So far, Honda has emphasised on the performance improvement of the bike rather than aesthetic changes.
Expected Price (ex-showroom, New Delhi) – Rs. 7.30 lakh
Ducati Monster 797
Ducati might be a late entrant in the Indian motorcycle market, but it has received quick popularity thanks to its impressive range of premium and high-performance models. Now Ducati plans to introduce more premium products in the domestic market in an attempt to speed up its momentum in the country.
At the EICMA 2016 in Milan, the Italian bike manufacturer unveiled the new Ducati Monster 797. This aggressive and muscular looking bike is an entry-level model in the company’s Monster range of streetfighters. It comes with a large round headlamp, a fully digital instrument cluster, a muscular and chunky looking fuel tank, low rider seat and stepped up saddle seat. Also, the sleek taillight, wide and meaty tyres play important role in enhancing the bike’s appeal further.
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The 2017 Ducati Monster 797 arrives weighing 192.77 kilograms and it loses out on some electronics like traction control and riding modes as well. The bike has been designed with inspiration from its bigger sibling Monster 821, under which it sits in the brand’s lineup.
The engine has been developed around the same 803 cc air-cooled engine that is found in the Ducati Scrambler and interestingly, in the Monster 796 as well. The L-twin motor is claimed to be capable to churn out 76 PS of peak power. The Italian bike maker is expecting big from the Monster 797 and it will focus on the customers who don’t like the new Scrambler but wants to buy a Ducati.
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The colour combination of the bike is really eye catching and the red painted steel trellis frame gives it a sporty look. It runs on red painted alloy wheels wrapped in meaty tyres. This bike gets twin disc brakes at the front wheel and a single disc brake at the rear wheel. For efficient braking duty, it also comes with ABS. The bike could be priced around Rs. 7 lakh, upon its launch in India.
Expected Price (ex-showroom, New Delhi) – Rs. 7 lakh
Ducati Scrambler Café Racer and Desert Sled
Demands for the premium bikes have been rising in the Indian market for quite some time. Apart from the conventional commuters and low-budget sporty models, customers are now showing more and more interest towards the high-performance, sporty and premium bikes. Being one of the leading high-end bike manufacturers in the world, Ducati is eyeing to grab a good share in the domestic market.
In 2017, Ducati is preparing to launch couple of interesting bikes in the country – the Scrambler Café Racer and Scrambler Desert Sled. The Scrambler has been a very popular bike from the Italian brand and being impressed by the popularity of the model, Ducati has rolled out two new versions of the model. These will be sold alongside the six existing variants.
Both the Ducati Scrambler Café Racer and the Ducati Scrambler Desert Sled are based on the bigger Scrambler platform. The Café Racer has been designed to deliver the old-era charm, while the Desert Sled has been designed for those riders who want to take the challenge of off-roading. The latter model is an endurance bike that takes design inspiration from the range of of-roading motorcycles from 60’s and 70’s.
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The Ducati Scrambler Café Racer sports low clip-on handlebars, bar-end mirrors, retro-styled seat with a cowl. On the other hand, the Ducati Scrambler Desert Sled comes with the equipments that make this model capable to take on the rough roads easily. It sports spoke wheels, button tyres, 19-inch front wheel etc.
Both the Ducati Scrambler Café Racer and Ducati Scrambler Desert Sled share the same 803 cc air-cooled L-twin engine. The Euro-IV emission norm compliant motor is well capable to churn out 76 PS of peak power at 8,250 rpm and 68 Nm of peak torque at 5,750 rpm. Both are expected to hit the market in the first half of this year and will be priced between Rs. 7.60 lakh and Rs. 7.80 lakh (ex-showroom, New Delhi).
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Expected Price (ex-showroom, New Delhi) – Rs. 7.60 lakh and Rs. 7.80 lakh
Moto Guzzi V9 Bobber and V9 Roamer
Moto Guzzi is yet to make a strong footprint in the Indian market. The company showcased the 2017 V9 Bobber and 2017 V9 Roamer at the EICMA 2016 and we expect these models could arrive in Indian market soon. Both the retro looking motorcycles come with ergonomic upgrades offering more comfortable riding experience.
The design of the bikes looks identical, but there are significant differences as well. Both the motorcycles comes sporting round shaped headlamp, single-pod instrument cluster, a long fuel tank and long seat as well. The footpegs of both the models have been revised to offer a more comfortable experience to the rider.
The 2017 V9 Bobber gets an all black look that enhances its appeal further. It dons a matte black finished exhaust, while the V9 Roamer comes with a chrome finished long exhaust muzzle. The motorcycles are offered with range of accessories that really give the touring enthusiasts option to make their machines attractive.
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Both the 2017 Moto Guzzi V90 Bobber and V9 Roamer are powered by the same 850 cc V-twin engine. This motor is capable to churn out 54 PS of peak power and 62 Nm of peak torque. Transmission duty is done by a 6 speed gearbox.
The older versions of these motorcycles were launched in Indian market last year and the updates were introduced less than a month after that. The company claims that the ergonomic updates can be retro fitted to the older models that are on sale in the domestic market. It is not sure, if Moto Guzzi will launch the new models here or offer the upgrade to the older models. But we hope to get updates about it soon.
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Expected Price (ex-showroom, New Delhi) – Rs. 15 lakh (Approx)