Upcoming Motorcycles of 2017: 800cc and above

Here's a quick low-down on some of the key 800cc and above motorcycles that will be arriving to the Indian shores in 2017.

Triumph Bonneville Bobber

 

The Bonneville Bobber is Triumph’s modern day take on America’s stripped out “bobber” custom motorcycles. Though it’s based around the T120, the Bonneville Bobber is an all-new motorcycle featuring a new frame and different suspension setup along with some more mechanical revisions. The Bonneville Bobber has a typical American custom appearance, sporting a stripped back look, a single-seat arrangement, a hard long-tail rear mud-flap, wide handlebars, and a slash-cut exhaust system among other visual highlights.

The Bonneville Bobber is propelled by the same ‘high-torque’ 1,200cc parallel-twin engine of the T120, developing 79bhp and 105Nm. Triumph has made some minor improvements to the powertrain, which’ve resulted in a stronger low- and mid-range punch. Like the T120, the Bobber gets a number of riding gizmos such as ride-by-wire throttle, ABS, traction control, two riding modes, and a torque assist clutch.

Expected Price: Rs 11 lakh

Tentative Launch Date: February-March, 2017

Kawasaki Z900

The Z800 is undoubtedly one of the popular Kawasaki motorcycles in India. However, it’s been too long in the tooth now, and so, it’s on its way out. Replacing the Z800 will be the bigger and brawnier Z900. The main highlight of the Z900 is its 948cc, in-line four-cylinder engine that develops 125bhp and 98.6Nm – 14bhp and 16Nm more than the Z800. Other than that, the Z900 has a 5mm longer wheelbase while it also gets bigger and uprated disc brakes. Despite all the modifications, it weighs only 210kg, which is 21kg less than the Z800’s weight. Expect some significant gains in terms of performance as a result.

Expected Price: Rs 8 lakh - Rs 9 lakh

Tentative Launch Date: March, 2017

Ducati Multistrada 950

At the 2016 EICMA, Ducati unveiled the all-new Multistrada 950. As its name suggests, this is essentially a smaller version of Ducati’s popular Multistrada 1200 adventure sports motorcycle. The Multistrada 950 sports a 937cc liquid-cooled Testastretta L-twin motor that is good for 113bhp and 96Nm of torque. It will come with a number of electronic aids such as selectable riding modes - Touring, Sport, Urban and Enduro, Ducati Safety Pack that adds Bosch 9.1 MP ABS with 3-level adjustment and 8-level Ducati Traction Control, etc. The Multistrada 950 will be offered in two variants – Standard & Touring Pack.

Expected Price: Rs 12 lakh

Tentative Launch Date: June, 2017

BMW R 1200 GS

As you might know, BMW Motorrad is busy setting out plans for its big comeback in the Indian market. It will launch a slew of new motorcycles here upon its return, including the 2017 R 1200 GS. The flagship adventure motorcycle has been given a thorough update recently. The motorcycle comes powered by an air-/liquid-cooled 1,170cc boxer-twin engine that churns out 125bhp and 125Nm of torque. The engine now meets Euro IV emission norms. In addition to that, there’s an updated electronic suite which includes different riding modes. For the 2017 model, there’ll be two variants on offer – Standard and Rallye. The former will be meant mainly for on-road usage while the latter will be the choice of tool of hardcore off-roaders. The Rallye version gets revised spring rate, long-travel forks, radiator and frame guards while it also gets spoke rims and off-road tyres in place of alloy wheels and road tyres of the Standard version.

Expected Price: Rs 25 lakh - Rs 30 lakh

Tentative Launch Date: March-April, 2017

Triumph Speed Triple

Come January 10, 2017, Triumph will unveil the new Street Triple in London, UK. After its global premier, Triumph is expected to bring the new motorcycle to the Indian market – most likely in the second quarter of 2017. As of now, details about the new Street Triple are sparse. However, it’s speculated that the new Street Triple will come with a bigger heart. The cubic capacity of the inline 3-cylinder motor will go up to 765cc from the current bike’s 675cc as per some reports. Power output will be somewhere in the range of 110bhp. Additionally, the new Street Triple will get riding aids like traction control, power modes, ABS, slipper clutch and ride-by-wire throttle.

Expected Price: Rs 9 lakh - Rs 10 lakh

Tentative Launch Date: May-June, 2017

Honda Africa Twin

Honda showcased the Africa Twin at the 2016 Delhi Auto Expo, and it was supposed to go on sale here the same year. However, for some reason it didn't. But 2017 looks like the year when Honda will finally launch the Africa Twin in India. Billed as the “global superbike for adventurers”, the CRF1000L or the Africa Twin, is an adventure tourer that is powered by a 998cc parallel-twin engine with a rated power output of 94 bhp along with a peak torque of 98Nm. The Africa Twin comes in a choice of two transmission options - a six-speed manual or a six-speed DCT gearbox with on- and off-road riding modes. Honda will be assembling the Africa Twin in India via CKD units.

Expected Price: Rs 15 lakh - Rs 17 lakh

Tentative Launch Date: Later in 2017

BMW R nineT Urban G/S

BMW Motorrad added a fourth variant to its popular R nineT range at the 2016 EICMA show. Joining the existing R nineT line up of Scrambler, Race and Pure will be the new Urban G/S. The Urban G/S is a stripped-out adventure motorcycle that pays tribute to BMW’s R80 G/S from the 1980. That said, it get some functional upgrades as well. It gets protective fork gaiter for off-road use along with a double front guard and meaty off-road tyres with spoke wheels. Powertrain will be unchanged from other R nineT models, meaning it will be powered by the same 1, 170cc air-cooled boxer-twin engine producing 110bhp of peak power. ABS will come fitted as standard.

Expected Price: Rs 25 lakh - Rs 28 lakh

Tentative Launch Date: March, 2017

2017 MV Agusta Brutale 800 RR

For 2017, MV Agusta has added more firepower to the Brutale 800 RR. The 798cc 3-cylinder engine in the 800 RR now develops a whopping 138bhp along with 86Nm of peak torque. The engine now meets Euro 4 norms, but there’s more important stuff than that in the new version. The motorcycle gets new forged wheels and updated electronics including an improved ride-by-wire throttle and a quickshifter. The company also claims that engine noise and vibrations have been reduced by 50 per cent in the new model. The 2017 MV Agusta Brutale 800 RR also now has an on-board diagnostic (ODB) function. Among other features, there’s an 8-level traction control system, and dual-channel ABS, fully adjustable Marzocchi forks and a Sachs rear shock. 

Expected Price: Rs 15 lakh - Rs 16 lakh

Tentative Launch Date: Second half of 2017

2017 Honda CBR1000RR

 

The 2017 Honda CBR1000RR will be one of the most awaited motorcycles in India next year. Unveiled at the 2016 Intermot show roughly two months ago, the iconic Fireblade has been updated comprehensively. The new CBR1000RR Fireblade will be offered in two variants –SP and SP2. The SP2 is going to be the “regular” version of the motorcycle and comes with a number of improvements over its predecessor. It is 15kg lighter while the 999cc inline four-cylinder mill develops 189bhp of peak power – an increase of 10bhp from the outgoing model. It also gets updated electronic rider aids such as multiple power and engine braking modes, a quickshifter, downshift assist, Honda Selectable Torque Control,  ABS, throttle-by-wire, new Öhlins Electronic Control Suspension, 5-axis Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU), etc.

The more hardcore SP2 will be a homologation special version. Its highlights over the SP version are Marchesini wheels, redesigned valves and uprated pistons for better track performance. Only 500 units of the Fireblade SP2 will be produced worldwide.

Expected Price: Rs 20 lakh - Rs 25 lakh

Tentative Launch Date: Later in 2017