Upcoming Bike Launches In August 2020

From commuters to premium big bikes, there’s one in store for almost every kind of rider this month

This month seems rather promising with multiple bike launches planned under different segments by diverse brands. So if you’re an enthusiast with a knack for bleeding-edge machines or even a buyer who wants a no-nonsense point A to B mode of transportation, we suggest you hold on to your savings and go through this list first:

Royal Enfield Meteor 350

The launch of the Royal Enfield Meteor 350 has been getting pushed ahead due to the economic uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus pandemic. That’s reasonable considering Royal Enfield would prefer to do it in the grandest way possible as it heralds a new direction for the brand. 

After all, it is the first bike to debut with the all-new powertrain under a new platform codenamed J. Adding to that, it also gets a new double-cradle frame. We hope the brand will launch the motorcycle this month. It is likely to be priced at around Rs 1.6 lakh to Rs 1.7 lakh (ex-showroom), and you can read all about it here.

TVS Victor BS6

For TVS, the only BS4 motorcycle that’s yet to be upgraded to BS6 norms is the Victor. The Hosur-based brand is likely to launch the premium commuter bike anytime this month, to rival the Honda Livo BS6. The Victor could get subtle cosmetic updates and some added features like an LED headlamp, Glide Through Technology (low-speed assist) apart from the fuel-injected motor. 

The upcoming motorcycle is expected to command a premium of around Rs 6,000 to Rs 8,000 over the previous-gen model, which started from Rs 56,622 (ex-showroom Delhi). You can read our in-depth analysis of what it could pack.

2020 Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade And CB Hornet 160R BS6

Honda is likely to launch not one but two motorcycles this month. Budget-oriented enthusiasts can look forward to the CB Hornet 160R BS6 whereas those who like to splurge would be happy to know that the 2020 Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade (phew!) will be launched. Bookings for the litre-class superbike have already opened officially. Check out booking and other details. 

As for the Honda CB Hornet 160R BS6, it is likely to command a small premium over the Honda X-Blade BS6. But the disappointing news is that the X-Blade itself is pretty expensive, at Rs 1,10,968 (ex-showroom Delhi) for the rear disc brake-equipped variant. So it is unlikely that the Hornet will be competitively priced in its segment. That said, one can also speculate that Honda might just go a step ahead and launch a 200cc motorcycle under the Hornet moniker. Check out our analysis here.

BS6-compliant BMW G 310 R And G 310 GS

The BS6-compliant BMW G 310 R and the BMW G 310 GS were spotted testing on Indian roads, hinting at their imminent launch, presumably this month. Both bikes get subtle design as well as feature updates. The icing on the cake is that a major price drop is expected for both bikes to put them on par with their competition. Check out our in-depth write-up about what we can expect for the BMW G 310 R. For the BMW G 310 GS, check this out.

Triumph Street Triple R

With the Triumph Street Triple R, the British bikemaker is all set to lower the entry point to the manic Street Triple range in India. The bikemaker is expected to launch the middleweight naked this month for around Rs 9.5 lakh (ex-showroom). 

Compared to the RS variant, this version makes 118PS. That’s 5PS less but it makes up with 4Nm extra torque, at 77Nm. That should make the motor a little more tractable. Despite being more affordable, it is loaded with premium bits like standard bidirectional quickshifter, Showa suspension, Brembo radial calipers, and three riding modes. 

Ducati Panigale V2

Ducati is all set to launch the Panigale V2 this month. It will be the Italian brand’s first BS6-compliant motorcycle in India and will replace the 959 Panigale. Bookings for this gorgeous track tamer are already open. It serves as the stepping stone to the Panigale portfolio. But make no mistake, it will still scare the bejesus out of inexperienced riders with its 155PS, 104Nm V-twin engine. 

Thankfully, it features a plethora of riding aids like cornering ABS, IMU-enhanced four riding modes, traction control, wheelie control, and engine brake control to keep things in control. Expect the supersport to cost around Rs 16 lakh (ex-showroom).

Suzuki V-Strom 650XT BS6

Suzuki sent out a teaser of the BS6-compliant V-Strom 650XT back in May itself. Now that things are stabilising economy-wise, the Japanese brand could launch the middleweight ADV this month. It was unveiled at Auto Expo 2020 in February. The bike looks more or less identical to the BS4 version in terms of design. This will be Suzuki’s first BS6 big bike in India. Expect the upcoming ADV to carry a small premium of around Rs 25,000-Rs 30,000 over the BS4 model, which retailed at Rs 7.45 lakh (ex-showroom pan-India).

2020 Kawasaki Z900, Versys 650 BS6

Kawasaki is likely to launch not one but two motorcycles this month. The Kawasaki Versys 650 BS6 should shake things up in the middleweight segment and be the perfect rival to the upcoming, more off road-centric Suzuki V-Strom 650XT. According to our sources, Kawasaki had initially planned to launch the bike in June but it looks like the coronavirus pandemic has delayed things a bit. 

Nonetheless, subtle feature updates like the smartphone-compatible TFT screen and tuned BS6-compliant engine should make those who are looking forward to buying this bike happy. This ADV is likely to command a price tag of around Rs 7.2 lakh (ex-showroom India). The Kawasaki Z900 BS6, on the other hand, features a host of updates for the 2020 iteration. In fact, Kawasaki had launched this version back in February, albeit in BS4 guise, as a Special Edition. Expect the BS6 version to get the same features as the one sold earlier.

Hero Xtreme 200S, XPulse 200T

Hero is set to follow up its BS6 onslaught after the Xtreme 160R and XPulse 200 last month with the Xtreme 200S and XPulse 200T this month. In fact, the Xtreme 200S was teased recently too. The two motorcycles share a 199.6cc single-cylinder air-cooled engine which produced 18.4PS and 17.1Nm in its BS4 avatar. Expect the BS6-compliant motor to go down slightly in terms of power output. 

Apart from the cleaner engine, the two motorcycles are likely to remain unchanged in terms of design and features. Both bikes pack an LED headlamp and tail lamp, fully digital instrument cluster with smartphone connectivity, turn-by-turn navigation, and a single-channel ABS. Expect the two motorcycles to carry a premium of around Rs 7,000 over their BS4 counterparts.