BS6 Victims: Two-wheelers That Won’t Make It To 2020

With more stringent BS6 norms set to be implemented next year, these two-wheelers will in all probability be discontinued

With the BS6 norms set to be implemented on April 1 next year, auto manufacturers are scrambling to get their products updated to emit cleaner emissions. However, not all two-wheelers will make it to next year as some will get axed due to lack of resources in making them BS6 compliant. Here’s a list of the potential victims. 

Royal Enfield Bullet 500/Classic 500:

Royal Enfield is working on a BS6 version of the Classic 350. Along with a new frame, the new BS6 motor is expected to offer better performance. With the Interceptor 650 sitting above it and a new BS6 Classic 350 below it, the 500cc Royal Enfield will soon find itself in no man’s land. Instead of spending resources to convert it into BS6, Royal Enfield might just discontinue the Bullet 500 and Classic 500.

Royal Enfield Thunderbird 500:

Since the introduction of the Interceptor 650, Royal Enfield enthusiasts seem to prefer the parallel-twin motorcycle instead of Royal Enfield’s 500cc single. One reason for this is the Thunderbird 500’s asking price, which sits close to the Interceptor 650. Given the fact that the Thunderbird 500 shares its motor with the Bullet 500 and Classic 500, it might get axed as well. 

Hero HF Deluxe/Splendor+:

After decades of service, the legendary 97.2cc ‘sloper’ motor is expected to get the axe due to upcoming emission norms. Since the motor does duty on the Splendor+ and HF Deluxe, Hero might discontinue these two motorcycles. With these two out, Hero will employ its BS6 110cc platform to cater to the commuter motorcycle segment. It is currently in use in the Spendor iSmart 110 and is expected to debut in the Passion soon.

Bajaj CT100:

Bajaj sells both 100cc and 110cc motorcycles. With the BS6 norms closing in, the automaker will have to choose one of the two platforms as converting both to BS6 will not be viable. We would place our bet on the larger 110cc platform that powers motorcycles like the Platina 110. Bajaj might discontinue the CT100 and even the Platina 100. That said, it might just revive the CT100 with a larger BS6 compliant 110cc motor and call it the CT110. 

TVS Sport:

TVS has four motorcycles in the commuter segment and the TVS Sport is the only one with a smaller 99.7cc motor. We do not expect TVS to dedicate resources to equip the Sport with a BS6 compliant motor. Even if it discontinues the Sport, TVS still has newer and more capable 110cc motorcycles like the Star City+, Victor and Radeon to cater to the commuter segment. 

Honda Shine SP:

Honda recently launched the BS6 compliant BS6 compliant SP 125 in India. While Honda still sells the BS4 Shine and Shine SP alongside the SP 125, we expect Honda to discontinue the Shine SP. Honda might update the lower-priced Shine with a BS6 motor and even with the price hike, it could be a more affordable alternative to the SP 125. 

Honda Livo:

The premium 110cc commuter never sold as well as Honda’s other 110cc motorcycles like the CD110 DX, Dream Yuga and Dream Neo. Honda might update the more affordable motorcycles but with the BS4 Honda already costing as much as 125cc motorcycles, the BS6 variant’s price hike would be difficult to justify. Honda would be better off discontinuing the Livo. 

TVS Scooty Pep Plus:

Unlike other scooters in the TVS lineup that use a 110cc motor, the Scooty Pep Plus is the only one to use a smaller 87.8cc motor. Rather than scaling up this motor for just one scooter, TVS might just discontinue the Pep Plus and in its place, introduce a more affordable version of the Scooty Zest 110. 

Honda Aviator:

With Honda already having two premium 125cc scooters in the form of the Grazia and BS6 Activa 125, it is most likely to discontinue the Aviator. Another reason would be the fact that compared to the better looking and feature-packed Grazia and Activa 125, the Aviator feels dated and less appealing. 

Yamaha Alpha:

Like the Aviator, the Yamaha Alpha has been around a while and feel quite dated. The fact that it lacks features and is priced on the higher side means there are not many takers for the 113cc scooter. Yamaha is set to launch the BS6 Fascino on December 19 and might follow it up with a BS6 version of its Ray scooters. However, instead of scaling up to meet BS6 norms, Yamaha might just pull the plug on the Alpha. 

Honda CBR 250R:

The Honda CBR250R was last updated at the Auto Expo 2018. Compared to the current crop of 250cc motorcycles, the CBR250R feels quite dated and scaling up the quarter-litre motorcycle to BS6 will invariably result in a higher price tag. In all likelihood, Honda might just discontinue the CBR250R.