This rainy season will be full of excitement for motorcycle enthusiasts and commuters alike. India is set to witness several significant bikes and scooters launches in the coming month. We have handpicked this list, which includes not just petrol two-wheelers but also electric and even a CNG two-wheeler. Like they say, there is something for everyone. Let's delve deeper into it.
Bajaj CNG Motorcycle
The motorcycle will be the world's first motorcycle to be run on compressed natural gas, and this, let alone will disrupt the industry. The all-new CNG bike is set to be launched on 5th July 2024 after being delayed once. Equipped with a 110cc CNG engine, the bike is expected to deliver performance similar to its petrol counterparts in the 100-110cc segment. With CNG being a cleaner burning fuel compared to petrol, the CNG motorcycle reduces emissions and helps combat air pollution in urban areas. The commuter is expected to be priced around Rs. 80,000- 1,00,000(ex-showroom), making it a compelling option compared to conventional petrol bikes. But the real savings come with 50% lower running costs.
Royal Enfield Guerrilla
Royal Enfield will launch a 450cc motorcycle at a price cheaper than the Himalayan on July 17th. The bike will share its engine with the all-new Himalayan, the 450cc Sherpa engine. In the Himalayan, the engine produces 40 hp at 8,000 rpm and 40 Nm at 5,500 rpm while being mated to a 6-speed gearbox. Interestingly, the Guerrilla will also lose some weight. The bike will have a different ECU tune and will take on the heated 400cc class motorcycles like the Triumph Speed 400 and Harley Davidson 440X. Besides, the bike also sports a 17-inch tyre with alloy wheels on the front and rear. Meanwhile, the Royal Enfield Himalayan wears a huge 21-inch tyre on the front and a 17-inch tyre on the rear.
BSA Gold Star
The launch event is set to be held while we celebrate Independence on August 15. The motorcycle is firmly rooted in a classic design: a teardrop-shaped fuel tank, flat single-piece bench-like seats, curved full fender, spoke-wired wheels, and circular headlamps. The renowned British marque will likely bring its potent 652cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder DOHC four valves twin spark plugged motor with the Gold Star 650. The engine generates 45 hp at 6500rpm of power and 55 Nm of torque at 4000rpm, par with the RE 650 twins. The engine is mated to a 5-speed transmission with a slipper clutch. Unlike the RE 650 twins, the BSA falls short of a gear and a cylinder. Stay tuned to know how it compares in real world
Ducati Hypermotard 698 Mono
Ducati has teased the launch of Hypermotard 698 Mono with the cheeky tagline ‘Single ready to mingle’ on the brand's social media handle a few days back. The heart of the matter is the 659cc, liquid-cooled Superquadro Mono engine. Not only is this Ducati’s first single-cylinder motorcycle in 30 years, but it also has the world's most powerful single-cylinder engine. It produces a peak power output of 77.5 hp at 9,750 rpm and a max torque output of 63 Nm at 8,000 rpm. The engine is mated to a 6-speed gearbox with a slip-assist clutch, while a bidirectional quick-shifter will be offered as optional. The bike sports a revised DRL setup, and for untrained eyes, its overall look will resemble that of its bigger brother, the Hypermotard 950. It even boasts a twin exhaust setup similar to the 950. The motorcycle weighs only 151 kg (dry), which enables extremely nimble characteristics. Unfortunately, the bike will arrive in India as a direct import from Italy, making it the most expensive single-cylinder in the country. The launch date is yet to be determined.
BMW CE 04
Launching on July 24, the BMW CE 04 will be the brand's first electric scooter in India. BMW CE 04 is already a reality in international markets. This futuristic design is a major selling point for this electric scooter. The handlebars detach from the instrument cluster, which sits alone with a wind visor behind it, just like maxi scooters typically have. BMW claims there's enough storage for a full-size helmet, though it opens from the sides interestingly. There's a prominent central tunnel, but the footboard appears generous based on the images. The ultra-modern design continues through to the rear end. The scooter packs an 8.9 kWh battery and a 15 kWh permanent magnet liquid-cooled synchronous electric motor, generating a peak power output of 42 hp and 61 Nm of maximum torque. BMW claims a range of 130 kilometres and a top speed of 120 kilometres per hour. BMW will price the premium electric scooter upward of Rs 10 Lakh.
