7 upcoming premium motorcycles to be priced under 8 lakh

The premium mid-size motorcycle market in India saw a marked increase in FY2018-19. Yes, a major chunk of credit for the same can be given to the new Royal Enfield Continental Twins. Here are seven new premium motorcycles expected to be priced between INR 3-8 lakh (ex-showroom) and be launched this fiscal:

New Yamaha R3 (facelift) - the compact supersport

The lightweight supersport oriented Yamaha R3 got a facelift last year. The updated bike carries a sharper, M1-inspired look including the LED headlamp setup with faux air intake. The instrumentation gets an all-digital layout while the fuel tank gets new knee recess. The new model is sportier than ever with a lowered handlebar, 37 mm inverted KYB forks at the front and KYB sourced monoshock in the rear.

Yamaha India is expected to increase the localisation levels of the R3 to keep costs competitive. The old model retails at INR 3.5 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). Expect the updated model to be priced at around INR 3.7 lakh (ex-showroom) and be launched in the next few months.

Kawasaki Z400 - naked warrior

Based on the Kawasaki Ninja 400, the street naked Kawasaki Z400 is expected to be launched in India by August 2019. The powerplant remains the same twin-cylinder 399cc DOHC, liquid-cooled engine. Coupled to a 6-speed gearbox, the engine is capable of producing 45 PS of power and 38 Nm of torque (A2 compliant). Expect the Indian variant of the motorcycle to get the full blast of the twin (49 PS). Pricing though will be a major concern for Kawasaki India. The Ninja 400 is priced at INR 4.99 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi) and the naked Z400 could be priced in the INR 3.6-3.7 lakh (ex-showroom) range.

KTM 790 Duke - the scalpel

The KTM 790 Duke is expected to be launched in the next few weeks, although there hasn't been an official confirmation so far. Powering the 790 Duke is a liquid-cooled 799 cc parallel twin engine which delivers 105 PS of power and 86 Nm of torque. Features of the motorcycle include ride-by-wire, traction control, 4 riding modes, cornering ABS (switchable), slipper clutch and wheelie control. Suspension duties are taken care by WP sourced 43 mm upside-down fork at the front and preload adjustable monoshock at the rear. Expect the KTM 790 Duke to be priced in INR 7.5-7.99 lakh (ex-showroom) range.

Benelli Leoncino - the motorcycle for connoisseurs

The Benelli Leoncino is a retro-modern scrambler powered by a 499.5 cc parallel-twin mill producing 47 PS of power and 46 Nm of torque. This engine does duty in the Benelli TRK 502 as well. Benelli has confirmed that it will bring two variants of the Leoncino in India - Leoncino 500 and Leoncino 500 Trail. While the standard Leoncino 500 is a road-going model with alloy wheels and road-biased tyres, the Trail variant is an off-road focused scrambler with wire-spoke wheels and knobby tyres. Expect the two variants to be launched around July 2019, with the prices falling between INR 4.5 and 5 lakh (ex-showroom).

Benelli 752S - elegant assassin

Unveiled at EICMA 2018, the production Benelli 752S is expected to be heading to India around the festive season. Powering the angular looking naked street monster is a 750 cc parallel-twin engine. The engine is capable of producing 78 PS of power and 67 Nm of torque. Packing LED headlamp, colour TFT instrumentation and upside down fork at the front, the Benelli 752S could be priced at around INR 7 lakh (ex-showroom).

CF Moto 400NK - twin challenger

Positioned against the successful KTM Duke 390, the CF Moto 400NK uses a 400.4 cc twin-cylinder engine that engine produces 41 PS of power and 34.4 Nm of torque. The bike has an LED headlamp, twin discs at the front and an LCD instrument panel. CF Moto is expected to introduce even the sports tourer variant of this model - the 400GT. This variant shares the engine and the underpinnings but has a larger, 17-litre fuel tank. Expect the motorcycles to be launched close to the festive season and be priced at around INR 3 lakh (ex-showroom).

Also Read: CF Moto - What's the hype all about?

CF Moto 650NK - the Sino Z650 competitor

The CF Moto 650NK is the flagship offering from the Chinese manufacturer. Powering the street-naked is a 649.3 cc twin-cylinder mill. Coupled to a 6-speed gearbox, the engine is capable of producing 61 PS of power and 56 Nm of torque. The bike features LED lighting and KYB sourced suspension. There's a sports tourer variant also, called CF Moto 650GT and it will be making its way to the Indian shores. The CF Moto 650NK and CF Moto 650GT will be carrying a sticker price of around INR 5 lakh (ex-showroom).

Also See: CFMoto 650GT imported to India, snapped on a shipping crate