15 New Motorcycle Launches in 2011 for India

A look at the motorcycles that would/could make it into India in 2011..

KTM 200 Duke, Pulsar 250, CBR250R, new KarizmaR, new R15 or the Mojo..??

Which one would you really want?

After 3 years of owning my Pulsar 220 DTS-Fi, its probably time for me to start thinking of upgrading/changing to a new motorcycle.

But then I am not very sure if 2011 would be the year where I might get myself a brand new ride. A lot depends on what kind of motorcycles makes it into India this year. Anyway here is a (wish) list of the motorcycles that would/could get launched in India in 2011.

Foreword: I have consiously limited the list to motorcycles with price tag upto Rs. 2 lakh (200,000); because that's the max that my current finances allow me to dream upto.

1. KTM 200 Duke

Speculated Specs: Single cylinder, Liquid cooled, Fuel injected, 200 cc, 4 Valve engine, 24 Ps Peak Power, 130 Kg Kerb weight

Speculated Price: 1.2 – 1.5 lakhs

Speculated Launch Date: End of 2011

Although Bajaj has not yet officially announced that a 200 cc version of the KTM 125 Duke would be launched in India, but renowned auto journalist Alan Carthcart in his review of the 125 Duke has mentioned that a 200 cc variant is being prepared for launch in Asian (and hopefully India) market.

The global launch date of the KTM 125 Duke is in March 2011. Keeping my fingers crossed that the 200 cc variant makes it to India at least by 2011 end.

2. Bajaj Pulsar 250 cc

Speculated Specs: 250 cc (??)

Speculated Price: ??

Speculated Launch date: ??

Recently both Bike India and Zigwheels have come out with the news that a 250 cc Pulsar is being prepared by Bajaj. Till now I have been tired of listening to numerous "amateur blog bakwas" about new Pulsar hitting the market.

But take a look at the reply by the moderator of the Official Bajaj Pulsar Facebook Fanpage to a Pulsar fan on Facebook. Maybe something is cooking this time..!!

3. 2011 Hero Honda Karizma R upgrade

Speculated Specs: Same as the old/current one

Speculated Price: Nearly same as the current one

Speculated Launch date: In a month or two

As reported earlier a supposedly refreshed Karizma R variant has been sighted and it appears that the new variant might not be much of an upgrade in terms of specs.

Refreshes/upgrades for other Hero Honda models:

Hero Honda usually resorts to refreshing it’s product by adding new color schemes and stickers. Of late the Hunk and the Passion Pro are examples where it has given them new features as well. This year too we can probably get to see a couple of similar product "refreshments" as well.

According to me, the CBZ Xtreme could do with a couple of new features like an option rear disc brake, digital speedometers and LED tail lamp. But probably not much of technical specification change.

4. Honda CBR250R

Specs: Single cylinder, liquid cooled, fuel injected, 4 valve engine, 26 Ps Peak power

Price: 1.5 lakhs (Ex-Showroom, standard variant), 1.75 lakhs (Ex-showroom, C-ABS variant)

Launch date: April 2011

The bookings of this delightful offering from HMSI have begun from Jan 01 and deliveries are slated to start from April 2011. Just when enthusiasts were writing off HMSI for its step motherly treatment for Indian bikers, HMSI has decided to pleasantly stun everybody by manufacturing and launching this beauty in India.

Take a bow HMSI

5. 2011 Yamaha R15

Specs: Probably same as the current one but with a slightly fatter rear tyre and LED tail lamps

Price: Probably a couple of thousand more than the current price

Launch date: Probably in a couple of weeks

Yamaha will be probably launching a better looking R15 from the rear very soon in a few weeks from now. As reported earlier, test mules of this revamped R15 have been sighted near the Noida area (where the Yamaha India factory is located).

6. Mahindra Mojo

Specs: Single cylinder, liquid cooled, fuel injected, 4 valve engine, 26 Ps Peak power

Price: 1.75 lakhs (Ex-Showroom)

Launch date: ??

Mahindra was successful in creating a lot of excitement prior to the launch of its motorcycles. It was because prior to Sep 30, 2010 (when the bikes were unveiled), TV teasers never showed the bike in full but just teased enthusiasts by showing blurry images of a bike being tested in Italy..!! But finally when the covers came off in Sep 30, the excitement just fizzled out.

Branding a bike as Mojo could be overlooked had it been styled something like the CBR250R or the KTM 200 Duke. Even with exotic/imported cycle parts like upside down front forks, Pirelli tyres, fuel injection, the styling of the Mojo was a big disappointment.

The problem for Mahindra now becomes more acute since the Honda CBR250R has been priced at 1.5 lakh rupees (ex-showroom) compared to the officially announced 1.75 lakhs for the Mojo.

But for those who would still like to own the Mojo, when would be launched? Well, your guess is as good as mine.

7. New Yamaha 250 cc bike

Specs: 250 cc (??)

Price: ??

Launch date: ??

This is another speculation courtesy Bike India Magazine. It would be really great if it really turns out to be true. If not, it will be another case when somebody cried "wolf".

Related Posts

• Mahindra Mojo, Part 1 [Specs/Price]



• Mahindra Mojo, Part 2 [Styling]



• Mahindra Mojo, Part 3 [My Take]



• India might get the KTM 200 Duke..!! Not the 125 Duke



• 2011 Yamaha R15 (?) Spied..!!



• New 2011 Hero Honda Karizma Spotted



• Honda CBR250R Video Review [Autocar India] + Official specs



• LSD: Lame Speculations & Dhokha/Disappointment

Disclaimer:

This is to remind that the Views or Opinions in the blog are entirely mine unless explicitly stated. The Views and Opinions published in this blog should in no way be related to any other person or organization associated -- directly or indirectly -- with me.