The New Year will see a lot of action in the modern classic segment of motorcycles in India as well. And there will be a lot of new bikes in the modern classic genre from British origin motorcycle manufacturers like Triumph, Norton and even Royal Enfield closer home. In fact, Royal Enfield will be introducing the company’s first twin-cylinder motorcycles in over half a century with the launch of the brand new 650 cc parallel-twin engine. Here’s a look at the top 5 modern classic motorcycles which will make their way to India in 2018.
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royal enfield 650 cc twins
Royal Enfield unveiled two new models with a brand-new 650 cc parallel-twin engine at the 2017 EICMA show in Milan
1. Royal Enfield Interceptor 650, Royal Enfield Continental GT650
The biggest action in the modern classic space in 2018 will be from Royal Enfield, who will be introducing two new motorcycles sharing the same platform. Both motorcycles will be powered by an all-new 648 cc, fuel-injected, parallel-twin engine that makes 47 bhp at 7100 rpm and 52 Nm of peak torque at 4000 rpm. Power is transmitted to the rear wheel through a six-speed transmission and the bikes also feature standard dual-channel ABS. The Royal Enfield Interceptor 650’s design takes inspiration from the 1960s Royal Enfield Interceptor. Both bikes have the same length, wheelbase and cycle parts, but the Interceptor 650 is slightly taller and wider than the Continental GT650. While the Interceptor 650 is a retro classic streetbike with easy ergonomics, the Continental GT650 follows a café racer design language with a sportier riding position. Both bikes are expected to be priced under ₹ 4 lakh (ex-showroom) once they are launched in India, sometime in mid-2018.
Expected Price: Under ₹ 4 lakh
triumph bonneville speedmaster
The Triumph Bonneville Speedmaster has two-up ability with cruiser ergonomics
2. Triumph Bonneville Speedmaster
Triumph Motorcycles will extend its popular modern classic range under the Bonneville series with a brand new model – the Triumph Bonneville Speedmaster. Based on the Triumph Bonneville Bobber, the Speedmaster will have easier ergonomics for long hours on the highway, two-up capability. The Speedmaster gets larger profile Avon Cobra tyres shod on 16-inch spoked wheels, a bigger 12-litre fuel tank and will offer a range of accessories, including two standard custom kits – “Maverick” and “Highway”. Like the Bonneville Bobber, the Bonneville Speedmaster will be powered by the same 1200 cc, liquid-cooled, parallel-twin engine which makes 76 bhp at 6,100 rpm and 106 Nm of peak torque at 4,000 rpm. The Speedmaster though weighs slightly more at 245.5 kg. Standard features include ABS, traction control, two riding modes and cruise control. Expect the Bonneville Speedmaster to be priced around ₹ 10-11 lakh (ex-showroom) once the bike is launched sometime in the first quarter of 2018.
Expected Price: ₹ 10-11 lakh
kawasaki z900rs
The Kawasaki Z900 RS is a retro-styled motorcycle based on the Kawasaki Z900
3. Kawasaki Z900 RS
Kawasaki will be launching a retro variant of the popular performance naked the Kawasaki Z900. Kawasaki has already unveiled two new retro variants of its popular performance naked – the Kawasaki Z900RS and the Kawasaki Z900RS Café. As the names suggest, the standard Kawasaki Z900RS is a retro take with design inspired by the 1960s and ’70s. The engine is the same as the standard Z900, but the 948 cc, in-line four-cylinder engine now uses a heavier flywheel and a four-into-one exhaust, but mated to a modern six-speed transmission with a slip and assist clutch. The engine makes 97 Nm of peak torque and peak power is expected to be in the same range of around 110 bhp. Expect Kawasaki India to launch at least the RS, if not both the RS and RS Café in India, sometime around mid-2018.
Expected Price: ₹ 10 lakh
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norton commando
The Norton Commando gets top-spec cycle parts, including Ohlins suspension and Brembo brakes
4. Norton Commando 961
Kinetic MotoRoyale will be launching the Norton Commando 961 by the end of 2018 in India. The Commando 961 will be the first Norton motorcycles which will be sold in India under the Kinetic-Norton joint venture. The Norton Commando is powered by an air-cooled, fuel-injected, 961 cc, parallel-twin engine, with a 270-degree crank, which makes 79 bhp and 90 Nm of peak torque. Power is transmitted to the rear wheel through a five-speed gearbox. The Commando gets adjustable, hi-spec Ohlins suspension, with upside down forks and twin Ohlins shocks at the rear. Braking is handled by top-spec Brembo calipers. The Norton Commando is hand-built at the Donington Park factory, and it takes two full days to build one bike. Eventually, the Commando will be assembled in India from completely knocked down (CKD) kits, but we expect prices to be around ₹ 20 lakh.
Expected Price: ₹ 19-20 lakh
benelli imperiale 400
Benelli Imperiale 400
5. Benelli Imperiale 400
DSK Benelli will launch the all-new Benelli Imperiale 400 in India by mid-2018. Powered by a 373.5 cc, single-cylinder, fuel-injected engine that makes just over 19 bhp at 5500 rpm and 28 Nm of peak torque at 3500 rpm, the Benelli Imperiale 400 is a retro-styled motorcycle which will compete in the segment dominated by Royal Enfield in India. The bike uses a double cradle steel tube chassis and uses telescopic forks up front and dual shocks at the rear. Braking is handled by disk brakes at the front and rear, with standard dual-channel ABS. Expect the bike to be priced around ₹ 3 lakh (ex-showroom). Pricing will be key to the Imperiale 400’s success in India, in a hot segment dominated by Royal Enfield.
Expected Price: Under ₹ 3 lakh
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