Upcoming Bike Launches In 2019 Under Rs 2 Lakh: XPulse 200 Twins, Royal Enfield Trials 350 & More

Here’s a list of the most exciting budget-friendly enthusiast-oriented motorcycles set to be launched this year

The Indian motorcycle market has always been extremely price-conscious. Though it has evolved quite a bit, most manufacturers have been quite careful about pricing. The recently launched Royal Enfield 650 twins are perfect examples of how to strike a balance between involving dynamics and aggressive pricing. 2019 seems to be all the more interesting with a host of motorcycle launches in the pipeline. Here’s a list of the the most anticipated ones under Rs 2 lakh:

Royal Enfield Trials 350 - Early to Mid-2019

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A scrambler version of the Royal Enfield Classic 500 was spotted testing recently, and rumours are rife that a 350cc version will be launched in the country in March this year. Going by the leaked images, the motorcycle, reportedly called the Trials 350 is essentially a modified version of the Classic 350. You get front forks gaiters, raised rear fender, braced handlebars, luggage rack instead of the pillion seat and an upswept exhaust. The tail light and indicators appear to have been lifted from the Continental GT. There’s also a set of knobbies wrapped on spoke wheels.

These mods are quite cost-effective as most of them are minor ones, so expect the pricing to be also in the ballpark of the regular Classic 350. The powertrain is most likely to remain unchanged.

New Bajaj Dominar 400 - Early-2019

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Bajaj is all set to launch the 2019 iteration of its flagship power cruiser, the Dominar 400 early this year. Based on feedback from customers, the Pune-based bikemaker has included a more sophisticated digital instrument console which has readouts like range and gear indicator apart from the regular trove of information. The motorcycle will also feature a redesigned exhaust and upside down forks. Expect the exhaust note to be sportier too.

Though there’s no word on whether there will be any changes to the engine, expect Bajaj to make the motor BSVI compliant. The bike is likely to command a premium of around Rs 20,000 over the current price of Rs 1.63 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi).

Yamaha MT-15 - Mid-2019

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We had earlier reported that Yamaha will be bringing in the MT-15 to the country this year. Expect it to be launched in the first half of 2019. The MT-15 is essentially the naked version of the Yamaha YZF-R15 V3.0, so expect the VVA-enhanced 155cc liquid-cooled motor to be carried over. Though the international-spec model comes with inverted forks up front, expect Yamaha to give this feature a miss in the India-spec bike to keep the pricing competitive. The bike employs a monoshock at the rear, and disc brakes on both ends, which is likely to get dual-channel ABS as standard.

The design language is in line with the bigger-capacity MT range of bikes, particularly the MT-09. This upcoming motorcycle is likely to cost around Rs 1.3 lakh, (ex-showroom), and will compete with the recently launched KTM 125 Duke in the Indian market.

Hero XPulse 200 Twins - Early 2019

After showcasing the Hero XPulse 200 at the 2018 Auto Expo, the Indian auto major unveiled a road-biased variant of the XPulse, called the XPulse 200T in November 2018. Both the bikes are set to be launched together either this month or the next. The XPulse 200 will be the country’s most affordable off-road friendly motorcycle, and could be priced at around Rs 1.2 lakh (ex-showroom). On the other hand, the XPulse 200T is expected to cost Rs 10,000 less.

The two bikes share a pair of long-travel front forks, and rear monoshock. While the XPulse 200 gets a 21-inch front and 18-inch rear spoke wheels with knobbies, the 200T features 17-inch alloys on both ends shod with road-biased tyres. Power comes from a 200cc single-cylinder air- and oil-cooled engine which generates 18.4PS and 17.1Nm in both the bikes.

UM DSR Adventure 200 - Early 2019

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UM’s first adventure tourer for India, the DSR Adventure 200 was recently spotted at a dealer meet. The motorcycle is set to be launched early this year, and will reportedly bear a price tag of around 1.39 lakh (ex-showroom). It would be the ideal competitor to the soon-to-be-launched Hero XPulse 200T. The DSR Adventure 200 draws power from a 196cc single-cylinder air-cooled motor linked to a 6-speed transmission, and generates 16.2PS and 16Nm. You get a pair of long-travel inverted forks up front and a rear monoshock.

The wheels, however, are alloys, hinting at more road-biased dynamics than out-and-out off-road capabilities. Brakes include discs on both ends with dual-channel ABS as standard.

Suzuki Gixxer 250 - Early 2019

Representative Image

Suzuki is reportedly working on a quarter-litre naked bike to take on the fairly successful Yamaha FZ25. Pictures of the engine patent surfaced online recently, and going by the images, the engine is a single-cylinder liquid-cooled unit. However, expect the India-bound bike to come with an air- and-oil-cooled engine to keep costs in check. The motorcycle is also likely to be named Gixxer 250, as the name is already familiar to the target audience in the country.

Expect the design language to be familiar too, but with a more muscular, sporty appeal. The bike will most probably be launched in March this year, and will compete with KTM 250 Duke as well, apart from the Yamaha FZ25.

Jawa Perak - Late-2019

When Classic Legends launched the Jawa Forty Two and the Jawa, the brand showcased the Perak too, and even announced its price - Rs 1.84 lakh (ex-showroom). However, the bike is expected to be launched only in late-2019 or early 2020. The Perak is a proper bobber, and is in fact the only one of its kind in its segment, at least as of now. It also features a more powerful 334cc single-cylinder liquid-cooled engine which generates 30.4PS and 31Nm. The power is transmitted via a 6-speed transmission.

Underpinnings include telescopic front fork setup and a hidden rear monoshock at the rear. This bobber comes to a halt using discs on both ends, with dual-channel ABS.

Hero Karizma 200 - Late-2019

Representative Image

After the planned launch of the XPulse 200 twins, Hero also intends to bring out a faired motorcycle based on the 200cc platform, by the end of this year. Currently, the brand is reportedly working on a sportier tune of the Xtreme 200R’s engine, complete with fuel injection and BSVI compliance. Since it’s a performance-oriented product, Hero might as well resurrect the legendary Karizma moniker. Underpinnings however, are expected to remain the same as the Xtreme 200R.

When launched, the motorcycle will compete with the Bajaj Pulsar RS200 in the home market. The motorcycle is likely to command a price tag of around Rs 1.15 lakh.