2023 was a landmark year for motorcycle enthusiasts. The year saw multiple launches in the sub-500cc segment such as Harley-Davidson X440, Triumph Speed 400, Triumph Scrambler 400, KTM 390 Duke, Royal Enfield Himalayan, among others. And it seems that 2024 will be another year, with the confirmed launch of incredible two-wheeled vehicles. Here is a list of 10 upcoming two-wheelers which have been confirmed for launch in India in 2024. Bear in mind, there will be many more!
Ather Rizta
The first on this list is the Ather Rizta, a family oriented electric scooter from Ather Energy that will launch on April 6, 2024, Ather Community Day. It will go up against the likes of the TVS iQube, Bajaj Chetak, Ola S1 Air and Ola S1 in performance and features, compared to the brand's 450 range, which is performance oriented.
Bajaj Pulsar NS400
Rajiv Bajaj, the maverick MD at Bajaj revealed last year that Bajaj will launch the more powerful Pulsar model in 2024, and we believe the Bajaj Pulsar NS400 will hit showrooms in the coming months. The motorcycle is likely to be powered by a revised version of the 373.3cc single-cylinder engine that currently powers the Dominar 400. It produces 39.5 PS and 35 Nm and comes mated to a 6-speed gearbox. Expect the motorcycle to have an aggressive street fighting style and a good set of features as well. The pricing could hover around Rs. 2 lakh or Rs. 2.10 lakh, with the Dominar 400 currently being retailed at Rs. 2.30 lakh (ex-showroom).
Bajaj CNG Motorcycle
The world's first CNG powered motorcycle is yet another ambitious project from Bajaj Auto. The motorcycle has been spied testing recently along with the Bajaj Platina 110. It will be a workhorse for commuters with comfortable seats and the option to switch to petrol once CNG runs out. The bike is likely to be launched in the next quarter. Although there is no direct competition, once launched, Bajaj's CNG-powered commuter will rival with the likes of TVS Radeon, Honda Shine 100, Hero Splendor Plus and Bajaj Platina 110.
BMW R1300GS
The BMW R 1300 GS is the new flagship ADV from BMW Motorrad and while it is already on on sale globally, it is all set to hit Indian roads this year. Being the flagship car, it is expected to be priced higher than the current R 1250 GS. But the R 1300 GS is more powerful than the 1250 and also lighter. A new frame, new bike parts and a long list of electronic rider aids make the R 1300 GS a good option if you're looking to buy a full ADV.
Ducati DesertX Rally
If the standard Ducati DesertX feels less hardcore, then hold on! Because Ducati India will launch the even more hardcore DesertX Rally, with even better off-road capability, thanks to uprated suspension, and updated electronic rider aids. The engine and power remain the same as the 937 cc L-twin, producing 110 PS and 92 Nm. We expect the prices to be at Rs. 20 lakh mark. It will definitely burn a hole in your pocket.
Ducati Hypermotard 698 Mono
In 2024, Harley-Davidson and Triumph that entered the market with premium single-cylinder motorcycles that promised performance on a relatively lower budget and a premium motorcycle ownership experience. This year, it will be Ducati that will launch the Hypermotard 698 Mono in India, a single-cylinder superbike that debuted last year at the EICMA 2023. Its hypermotard design is bold and aggressive, with a sporty ADV-type chassis. Aggressive tires. The 698 Mono has a 659 cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder engine with a maximum power of 76.43 HP at 9,750 rpm and a maximum torque of 63 Nm at 8,000 rpm. The Superquadro mono is the most powerful single-cylinder engine currently produced. We expect the price of the motorcycle to be around Rs. 13 lakh when it is launched here in India.
Hero Xoom 160
Hero MotoCorp is all set to launch its first maxi scooter, the Xoom 160, in India this year. Unveiled at EICMA 2023, the Xoom 160 gets a 156cc liquid-cooled engine, which is different from the one that does the work of the Xtreme 160R 4V. It produces 14 HP at 8,000 rpm and 13.7 Nm at 6,500 rpm, which is healthy power for a maxi scooter. The scooter also features Hero's i3S (Idle Silent Start Stop system) along with 14-inch tyres with block tread pattern, keyless ignition, remote seat release and smart search feature. The design of the scooter is somewhat similar to Honda's X-ADV, which is sold in select markets in Europe and Asia. We expect it to launch in the first half of 2024.
Triumph Daytona 660
Triumph Motorcycles is also all set to launch the Daytona 660 in India this year. In fact, the new supercar is already listed on the Indian Triumph website. It is the third model based on Triumph's 660 cc triple engine platform after the Trident 660 and Tiger Sport 660. It produces 94 HP of power at 11,250 rpm and 69 Nm of maximum torque at 8,250 rpm, that is, 17 17 percent more power and 9 percent more torque than the Trident 660. It gets a decent set of features and electronics as well.
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