Eying a big potential for luxury bikes in India, where tastes are changing from mass-market machines to high-end bikes, Honda and Bajaj are looking at launching new sportsbikes in the country in the next couple of months.

There had been a sudden surge in the number of International Sportsbikes brands entering the Indian market, over the past two years. Initially the trend was set by Kinetic with the launch of the 250cc, v-twin-powered Hyosung Comet in India back in 2005. Then it was Yamaha, which launched the Yamaha R1 in India and the MT-01 cruiser in 2007. Soon later followed by the Italian motorcycle giant Ducati, who launched an array of superbikes costing up to almost 50 lakhs, and finally Suzuki joined the troop in late-2008, with its Hayabusa superbike and the Intruder cruiser.

Bajaj, a company that is bugged by Chinese copy bikes, is planning to counter attack. Sources close to Bajaj say the 2-wheeler maker will enter the Chinese market with a brand new 125 cc motorcycle, which will also be sold in Nigeria.

* This bike will have a 125 cc engine and will retail at around $500.

* Bajaj is trying to make use of cheap labor in China, but what remains to be seen is whether they will be able to compete with the established local brands, who dominate the 2-Wheeler industry in China.

* Bajaj will introduce the low-cost bike under a different brand name to keep their brand image in tact as they have plans for making several high capacity bikes for other overseas markets.

After success of the Pulsar and Discover, Bajaj’s think tank is well equipped to handle pressure situations, and the design team is expected to bring out a low cost design that doesn’t look tardy.

Bajaj is already in the business of low-cost cars as they are preparing the much awaited Ultra Low Cost Car (ULC) for a 2011 launch.

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