India’s entry-level premium bike space has seen a significant rise in recent years, offering motorcycle enthusiasts the chance to experience high-performance and great ride quality bikes without breaking the bank.
With many well-known brands now competing in this segment, a slew of launches from international heavyweights and homegrown titans are on the way in the coming months. This article will explore the upcoming entry-level premium bikes under 4 lakh.
The 2023 KTM 390 Duke has a completely redesigned look that is just as fierce as its predecessor. It has added extensions on the fuel tank with bold lettering that says “Duke,” and its renowned trellis frame is painted orange.
The Duke 390 gets a completely redesigned LED headlamp, LED DRLs, and a distinctive T-shaped tail light. It also features a split seat, a fresh handlebar design, and updated mirrors. The motorcycle will have a new aluminium gullwing swingarm with an offset mono-shock and WP Apex forks in the front.
We expect the next-gen KTM Duke 390 to retain the same 373cc, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine. However, the power figures in the upcoming Duke 390 might have a larger displacement than the current version, generating 43bhp of power and 37Nm of torque.
There has been a buzz about Yamaha returning to the premium bike segment after a long break. The Yamaha YZF-R3 and MT-03 are considered the most eagerly awaited motorcycles from the Japanese manufacturer.
MT-03 and YZF-R3 are powered by an identical 320cc liquid-cooled parallel-twin engine. The powertrain is paired with a six-speed gearbox and can produce 42bhp of power and 30Nm of peak torque.
Regarding the looks, the MT-03 has a bold and aggressive front design. The headlight of the bike has a projector unit and LED DRLs. The MT gets a muscular fuel tank with stylish creases and cuts, enhancing its overall streetfighter appearance.
On the other hand, R3 retains its twin headlight, split seats, a full fairing, side-slung exhaust, and 17-inch alloy wheels. Moreover, the model will feature an LCD display but without Bluetooth connectivity. It is also said that R3 now comes with a quick-shifter for smoother gear shifts.
Triumph is preparing to launch its first-ever modern single-cylinder engine in the upcoming month. These bikes will be manufactured in India by Bajaj and made available for local and international markets.
The upcoming scrambler might be housing a liquid-cooled, single-cylinder engine of 350-400cc. This engine can deliver approximately 40bhp and will likely be paired with a 6-speed gearbox. Features like a slipper clutch, ride-by-wire technology, quick shifter, and traction control are also anticipated.
On the feature front, the Scrambler will come with a digital-analog instrument console, which allows customers to keep a tab on the speedometer placed on the left side tachometer, trip metre, fuel level, gear position indicator, and more.
Harley-Davidson has unveiled its brand-new X 440 roadster designed specially for the Indian market. This bike will mark the collaboration between the two motorcycle manufacturing giants, Harley-Davidson and Hero MotoCorp.
The Harley-Davidson X 440 will be competing in the middle-range segment.
It boasts a stylish neo-retro design with a round LED headlight, a compact instrument console, a teardrop-shaped fuel tank, and a single-piece seat. Also, the bike features a flat handlebar, forward-set footpegs, and a single side-mounted exhaust.
A 440cc, single-cylinder, oil-cooled engine will power the X 440. While detailed specifications of the motor are yet to be revealed, we can expect a straight rival for the Royal Enfield Classic 350.
Based on the conventional tubular chassis, the X 440 features upside-down forks up front and twin shock absorbers at the rear. The bike rides on alloy wheels with 18-inch rims at the front and 17-inch at the rear and has a dual-channel ABS braking system.
Royal Enfield will introduce its first liquid-cooled engine on the Himalayan 450, which will be used in the 450cc roadster model. The Himalayan 450 will be a global product expected to be more off-road focused than the Himalayan 411.
A liquid-cooled single-cylinder engine will power the Himalayan 450 and the Roadster 450. It is a long-stroke, low-revving motor estimated to produce around 40 BHP and 40 Nm of torque. The bikes will have a fully digital instrument panel, a ride-by-wire throttle with multiple riding modes, and full-LED lighting.
If you’re looking for a more sporty cruiser than the relaxed Super Meteor 650, the Shotgun 650 is the bike for you. It is expected to be housed with the same 648cc parallel twin engine and 6-speed gearbox found in the Super Meteor 650.
The Shotgun 650 has a round LED headlamp, a teardrop-shaped fuel tank, and footpegs positioned in the middle for a more sporty riding stance. It also has USD front forks and non-adjustable twin shock absorbers at the back.
The Aprilia RS 440 is the company’s trump card to disrupt the Indian market and will be the first Aprilia motorcycle to be entirely manufactured in India.The design of the Aprilia RS 440 is inspired by its larger counterpart, the RS 660.
It comes with an aluminium swingarm and an underbelly exhaust and is supported by USD front forks and a mono-shock.The upcoming Aprilia RS 440 is likely to have a smaller single-cylinder 450cc engine and is said to have a digital TFT screen and a dual-channel ABS.
The RS 440 will be an affordable, fully-faired performance motorcycle targeted specifically for the Indian market. It is expected to be launched around September 2023, with an estimated price of Rs 4 lakh (ex-showroom).
From these highly anticipated launches of international and homegrown brands, there is something for every enthusiast. These upcoming bikes promise to bring a fresh wave of excitement and innovation to the Indian two-wheeler industry, catering to the growing demand for premium motorcycles in the country.
