India is one of the fastest-growing two-wheeler markets in the world. It might have shown a decline due to the transition to new stricter BS6 Emission Norms while the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic might have worsened the situation. Amidst the gloom, a silver lining emerged during the festive season with a jump in growth for all the bike manufacturers. Two-wheeler manufacturer had to go down the virtual path to launch or reveal new products as the country practiced social distancing norms. There had been a slew of BS6 compliant model launches in India, but we also witnessed the arrival of all-new products. As 2020 comes to an end and we hope for a better year for every one of us. We go down the memory lane and bring to your attention the 'Top 5 Bike Launches of 2020'.
Honda Hornet 2.0
Earlier this year in August, Honda Hornet 2.0 was launched in the Indian market at a starting price of Rs 1.26 lakh (ex-showroom), Delhi. Apart from the domestic market, the Japanese two-wheeler giant also exports the Hornet to different countries. With plenty of first-in-segment features, Honda Hornet 2.0 competes against the likes of Bajaj Pulsar NS200 and TVS Apache RTR 200 4V in the country. The bike is equipped with segment-first golden USD upside-down forks that take care of the front suspension while the rear suspension is managed by a mono-shock set-up. It also comes with twin petal disc brakes with single-channel ABS as standard. Honda Hornet 2.0 is available in four paint schemes - Pearl Igneous Black, Matte Sangria Red Metallic, Matte Axis Grey Metallic and Matte Marvel Blue Metallic. All-New Hornet 2.0 is powered by a BS6 compliant 4-stroke HET engine that delivers 17bhp of power output @8500rpm and 16.1Nm peak torque of @6000rpm. The powertrain is mated to a 5-speed gearbox.
Hero Xtreme 160R
Currently, Hero Xtreme 160R retails in India at a starting price of Rs 1.02 lakh (ex-showroom), Delhi. The bike is offered in two variants namely Front Disc and Dual Disc. The top-end Dual Disc variant retails at a price of Rs 1.05 lakh (ex-showroom), Delhi. The bike boasts of first-in-segment all LED package, which includes full LED headlamp with LED DRL, LED indicators with hazard switch, and H-shaped LED taillights. All-New Hero Xtreme 160R is powered by a BS6 compliant air cooled, 4 stroke 2 valve single cylinder OHC engine with XSens technology and advanced programmed-fuel-injection. The bike delivers 15 bhp of maximum power output and 14 Nm of peak torque. The engine is mated to 5 speed constant mesh with multi plate wet clutch as standard. Its suspension duties are taken care of by front 37mm telescopic forks and 7-step adjustable mono-shock setup towards the rear. Its main rivals are TVS Apache RTR 160 4V, Suzuki Gixxer 155, Yamaha FZ-S and Bajaj Pulsar NS160 in the domestic market.
Royal Enfield Meteor 350
On the 6th of November 2020, Royal Enfield Meteor 350 was launched at a starting price of Rs 1.75 lakh (ex-showroom). The all-new cruiser bike retails in three variants- Fireball, Stellar, and Supernova. The New Royal Enfield Motorcycle is powered by an all-new J-series 349cc single-cylinder, fuel-injected engine. The two-wheeler belts out a maximum power output of 20.2 bhp @6100 rpm and 27 Nm of peak torque @4000 rpm. Its engine is mated to a 5-speed gearbox. The bike flaunts 19-inch and 17-inch alloy wheels at the front and rear, respectively. 41 mm telescopic front forks and twin-tube emulsion shock absorbers with 6-step adjustable pre-load rear set-up take care of the suspension duties. While braking is handled by 300mm disc with a twin-piston floating caliper upfront and a 270mm disc single-piston floating caliper at the rear. Royal Enfield Meteor 350 competes against rivals like the Jawa Motorcycle and Honda H’ness CB 350 in the Indian market.
Honda H’ness CB 350
In October, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India launched the H’Ness CB350 in the country. The bike is sold in the price bracket of Rs 1.85 lakh - Rs 1.90 lakh (ex-showroom). H’ness CB350 retails in two variants - DLX and DLX Pro. The new Honda H’Ness CB350 provides a classic appeal while boasting of several segment-first features. The motorcycle is powered by a 348.36cc, air-cooled, fuel-injected, single-cylinder engine. It delivers a maximum power output of 20.8 bhp @5500 RPM and 30 Nm torque of peak torque @3000 RPM. The powertrain is paired to a 5-speed gearbox with a slipper clutch. Telescopic fork upfront and twin-shock absorbers towards the rear take care of its suspension duties. Talking about the braking set-up, the cruiser is equipped with a 310mm disc up front and a 240mm disc at the rear along with dual-channel ABS as standard. The Honda H’ness CB 350 competes against rivals like Jawa Motorcycle and Royal Enfield Meteor 350 in the Indian market.
Husqvarna Vitpilen 250 & Svartpilen 250
In India, the Husqvarna Vitpilen 250 & Svartpilen 250 is sold at a price tag of Rs 1.86 lakh and Rs 1.87 lakh, respectively. Both these prices are (ex-showroom), Delhi. Husqvarna Vitpilen 250 is a cafe-racer while Husqvarna Svartpilen 250 is a scrambler motorcycle. Both the motorcycles are powered by a 248.8cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder, 4-stroke, 4-valve DOHC engine. Their performance figures provide 30 bhp of power output and 24 Nm of peak torque. The powerplant is paired to a 6-speed gearbox. Suspension duties are taken care of by USD 43mm front forks and monoshock at the rear. Both Husqvarna bikes flaunt 17-inch cast aluminum wheels with a dual-disc set-up. Dual-channel ABS is offered as standard fitment on both the motorcycles. Talking about competition, their closest rival is the KTM 250 Duke, but it is more expensive at Rs 2.05 lakh (ex-showroom), Delhi.
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