The year 2017 has had several two-wheeler launches so far, from automatic scooters, entry-level performance bikes to one of the most anticipated adventure tourers in India. Some of the bikes launched this year are certainly going to be game changers in their respective changes. The 250 cc Yamaha FZ25 for one, the new Triumph Street Triple S, the Bajaj Dominar, and the Honda CRF 1000 L Africa Twin are all noteworthy launches this year has had, but the list doesn't just end there. Here's a look at the top two-wheeler launches of 2017 in India so far.
The 2017 Bajaj Pulsar NS200 has been re-launched with updated styling and body graphics
The Bajaj Pulsar NS200 actually isn't a brand new launch. The 200NS, as it was called earlier, was discontinued in 2015, just when sales and interest in the NS was starting to pick up. And this year, Bajaj decided to spruce it up with new body graphics, an engine cowl and a slightly different twist to the name, by re-launching the bike as the new Bajaj Pulsar NS200. It's a superb entry-level performance bike, with the 199.5 cc engine making 23.5 bhp and 18.3 Nm. Priced at Rs. 96,749, ex-showroom Delhi, the Bajaj Pulsar NS200 offers a very good value-for-money product as a peppy, fun-to-ride entry-level performance bike.
Also Read: 2017 Bajaj Pulsar NS200 First Ride Review
(The Bajaj Dominar 400 borrows the 373 cc single-cylinder engine of the KTM 390 Duke with a different engine map and makes less power)
The second most significant launch from Bajaj this year is the new Bajaj Dominar. With muscular, sculpted looks, a long wheelbase and a 373 cc engine borrowed from the KTM 390 Duke, the Dominar offers a 'different' kind of motorcycle in this segment, offering a power cruiser with looks faintly reminiscent of the Ducati Diavel. It's Bajaj's flagship motorcycle, and the engine has been retuned with a different map, so output is down to 34.5 bhp and 35 Nm. It's not exactly the hi-performance single-cylinder street bike and at 185 kg kerb weight, it isn't quite light as well, but the Dominar has enough grunt for effortless high speed highway cruising and for the daily commute. With prices starting at Rs. 1.39 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi), for the non-ABS version, the Bajaj Dominar offers a commendable do-it-all motorcycle at a very attractive price point.
Also Read: Bajaj Dominar First Ride Review
Bajaj Pulsar NS160 shares styling with the Pulsar NS200
The Pulsar 150 may not have had any changes in design for 2017, but Bajaj Auto also decided to introduce the Pulsar NS160 in India, offering a slightly more premium offering in the 150-160 cc motorcycle space. The Bajaj Pulsar NS160 borrows the same styling from its elder sibling, the Pulsar NS200, but gets a smaller 110-section rear tyre, thinner swingarm and an engine derived from the now-discontinued Pulsar AS150. The Pulsar NS160 gets a 160.3 cc single-cylinder, four-valve engine which makes 15.2 bhp at 8500 rpm and 14.6 Nm of peak torque at 6500 rpm, with a five-speed transmission. In gear acceleration is quite good, and the Pulsar NS160 offers a very good commuter, with the torquey engine requiring fewer gear changes in traffic. Priced at Rs. 78,368 (ex-showroom Delhi), the Bajaj Pulsar NS160 is also priced very competitively in the premium 150-160 cc motorcycle segment.
Also Read: Bajaj Pulsar NS160 First Ride Review
The Yamaha FZ25 is no street hooligan, but offers a superb package of everyday usability and refined performance
India Yamaha's most important launch of the year is the all-new Yamaha FZ-25. It's the first quarter litre motorcycle from Yamaha India, and offers a bike with stylish looks, a refined engine, and very good ride and handling. The Yamaha FZ25 isn't quite the street hooligan, but it offers a very good commuter, with enough power for the occasional long distance ride. The FZ25's looks don't quite stray from the 150 cc Yamaha FZ-S, in fact, it feels like a slightly bigger and more mature version of the 'FZ'. Great build quality, stylish looks and the Yamaha badge only add to the premium-ness to the FZ25. A smooth motor, comfortable ride quality and well-balanced road manners make the Yamaha FZ25 a superb option in the entry-level performance bike segment. At just over Rs. 1.19 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi), the Yamaha FZ25 offers a very good all-round do-it-all package, whether you want to get back into motorcycling or want to upgrade from a smaller 150 cc motorbike.
Also Read: Yamaha FZ25 First Ride Review
2017 KTM 390 Duke offers a great package with updates that make it an almost all-new model
Austrian motorcycle brand KTM updated its flagship naked in India, the KTM 390 Duke this year. The 2017 KTM 390 Duke gets several new features and an all-new design, including a new LED headlamp, new decals and different ergonomics, including a taller seat height and a larger fuel tank. Technically, the 373 cc engine remains the same, and makes the same output of 43 bhp and 37 Nm. But the new 390 Duke gets ride-by-wire, updated suspension and a larger, 320mm front disc brake. The trellis frame has also been revised. What's also new is a TFT instrument panel, and the bike gets a side-mounted exhaust muffler. At Rs. 2.25 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi), the new KTM 390 Duke is slightly pricier than the outgoing model, but gets a comprehensive upgrade.
Also Read: 2017 KTM 390 Duke First Ride Review
2017 KTM 250 Duke sits between the 200 Duke and the 390 Duke
KTM also introduced an all-new model in its India line-up, the new KTM 250 Duke. This sits between the 200 Duke and the 390 Duke and gets a 248 cc engine which makes 30 bhp and 24 Nm. The design overall is similar to the other Dukes, inspired from the 1290 Super Duke, but the 250 Duke misses out on the LED headlamp strips of the 390 Duke and the TFT instrument panel. Priced at Rs. 1.75 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi), and promising better fuel economy than the 390 Duke, the 250 Duke promises to offer the perfect blend of performance and economy.
Also Read: KTM 250 Duke First Ride Review
The Triumph Street Triple S is a lightweight roadster with brilliant performance
Triumph Motorcycles has completely updated the 2017 model of the Street Triple. The Triumph Street Triple S, as it's called now, follows the same design language, but gets a new, bigger engine, with more power, more torque and electronic rider aids. The 765 cc in-line three-cylinder engine makes 111 bhp and 73 Nm, boasting of a 40 per cent increase in power over the outgoing model. Priced at Rs. 8.71 lakh (ex-showroom), the new Street Triple S offers a superb roadster with more power, more performance than ever before, and gets a whole lot better.
Also Read: Triumph Street Triple S Review
The Kawasaki Z900 replaces the Kawasaki Z800 and is 20 kg lighter with a new engine making more power
Kawasaki launched the all-new Z900 this year, the middleweight roadster which replaces the outgoing Kawasaki Z800. The Z900 gets an all-new engine, new chassis, updated design and most importantly sheds a lot of weight - it's over 20 kg lighter than the Z800. The Z900's new 948 cc, in-line four-cylinder engine makes 123 bhp and 99 Nm. It's an extremely smooth and refined engine, and there's no heating issue as such, so it's easy to live with even on the daily commute. The bike just gets ABS, so there's no traction control, no ride-by-wire and riding modes. Starting at Rs. 7.68 lakh (ex-showroom), the Kawasaki Z900 offers a superb performance naked, with very good road manners.
Also Read: Kawasaki Z900 Review
The Honda Cliq is based on the Honda Activa 4G and targeted at the rural market
Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI) has been hugely successful in the automatic scooter segment, with the Honda Activa now taking the crown as India's largest-selling two-wheeler. But Honda's fortunes in the commuter motorcycle segment have not been as bright. And commuter motorcycles sell the most in rural and semi-urban markets. So, this year, HMSI introduced the new Honda Cliq, an automatic scooter based on the bestselling Honda Activa, but targeted primarily at rural markets. The Honda Cliq is priced at Rs. 42,499 (ex-showroom Delhi) and offers a less-expensive option to the Honda Activa.
Also Read: Honda Cliq First Ride Review
The Honda Africa Twin is one of the best looking adventure bikes right now
Honda's biggest and most significant launch of the year so far is the new adventure tourer which has been launched in India. The Honda CRF 1000L Africa Twin gets two variants globally, but for India, Honda has decided to go ahead with the automatic dual-clutch transmission variant. The The 948 cc parallel-twin of the Africa Twin makes 87 bhp and 92 Nm. With a very convenient automatic transmission, long travel suspension, high ground clearance and very good off-road capability, the Honda Africa Twin is a very capable adventure bike, but offers easy usability for city use as well. The Honda Africa Twin is priced at Rs. 13.06 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi).
Also Read: Honda CRF 1000L Africa Twin First Ride Review
