New models are often introduced to support falling sales. With the ongoing slump in the global economy, several manufacturers are heading to their drawing boards to get new products out, especially on the affordable side. Manufacturers are gearing up to introduce several new products which will help them increase their volumes. Here’s a list of 5 upcoming motorcycles with engine displacement up to 200 cc:
Yamaha XSR155: retro-classic with a modern touch
To compete with the Honda CB150R Streetster, Yamaha is working on a new entry-level retro-styled motorcycle. The Japanese manufacturer calls this series Sports Heritage in Europe. Codenamed B1V, the Yamaha XSR155 will share several cycle parts with the Yamaha R15 v3.0.
The Yamaha XSR155 will have a circular headlamp and instrument console, and its fuel tank will be in the shape of the XSR700/XSR900. The suspension system will include upside-down fork up front and a monoshock at the rear with adjustable preload. Besides that, the aluminium swingarm will also be the same unit. The 155 cc single-cylinder powerplant can produce 19.3 PS of power and 1.7 Nm of torque at the crank. Besides that, Variable Valve Actuation and slipper clutch will be offered as standard.
The engineers at Yamaha will most probably continue with the same deltabox frame to keep development costs under check. The Indian version, though, will possibly get a box-type swingarm and conventional telescopic fork at the front. Indian pricing may hover around the INR 1.4-1.5 lakh (ex-showroom) mark. Official communication is expected from Yamaha on 16 August 2019 with a launch in Thailand.
Yamaha MT-15 Tracer: lightweight, affordable adventure tourer on cards
A retro-styled motorcycle is not the only motorcycle heading our way from Yamaha’s stable. International media reports suggest that the Japanese manufacturer is working on a new entry-level adventure tourer – the Yamaha MT-15 Tracer.
The new Yamaha will bear the same frame, suspension setup and powerplant as the street-naked motorcycle. Besides that, we would love to Yamaha sprucing up the front suspension a bit to allow more travel. That will help the Yamaha MT-15 Tracer do some light adventure riding. Also, Yamaha will have to tune the VVA engine to churn out more output at lower and mid-engine speeds.
Styling cues will be borrowed from the Yamaha MT-09 Tracer which was showcased at Auto Expo 2018. The elements borrowed from the bigger displacement model will include the radiator shroud. There has been no official confirmation from Yamaha’s side for MT-15 Tracer yet. However, based on the success of the MT-15 we wouldn’t be surprised if it introduced the MT-15 Tracer soon.
Bajaj Pulsar 125: New affordable Pulsar to beat the downturn
The Bajaj Pulsar brand needs no introduction. Building on the brand name, Bajaj Auto will be introducing a new entry-level 125 cc motorcycle to beat the market slump. A 125 cc powerplant will allow the company to offer just CBS (Combi Brake System) and not the more expensive ABS (Anti-lock Braking System).
The Bajaj Pulsar 125 will carry the bodywork of the classic Bajaj Pulsar 150. The new motorcycle will also have a Neon version as seen in the Pulsar 150 Neon. The powerplant will be shared with the NS125 retailed in the European market. The 124.45 cc air-cooled mill gets multiple spark plugs and 4-valves. Besides that, the engine can produce 12 PS of power and 10.8 Nm of torque.
Also, the suspension system will include standard conventional fork up front and twin gas-charged shocks at the rear. The new Bajaj Pulsar 125 is expected to be announced in the next few weeks. The price tag is expected to hover around the INR 60,000 (ex-showroom) mark.
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Bajaj Pulsar NS200 FI: From Pune to Istanbul and back to India
The Bajaj Pulsar NS200 in India has been retailed only with a carburetted variant with a reduced output. However, the motorcycle in European markets like Turkey is retailed with fuel injection. Bajaj is reportedly set to introduce the Bajaj Pulsar NS200 FI in India by Diwali (festive season).
Powering the new Bajaj Pulsar NS200 FI is a 199.5 cc single-cylinder, fuel-injected, 4-valve mill. The SOHC engine gets triple spark plugs and is mated to a 6-speed gearbox. Power output is pegged at 24.48 PS, while torque output stands at 18.6 Nm. That’s the same as the RS200 retailed in the domestic market. Suspension setup includes conventional forks up front and a monoshock in the rear. Anchors include petal discs assisted by a single-channel ABS.
Besides that, we would love to see the instrumentation console to be updated with an all-digital unit with navigation assist as seen in the Hero XPulse 200 and Hero Xtreme 200S. The Bajaj Pulsar NS200 is priced at INR 1.13 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). Expect a price hike as the new NS200 may be a BS-VI compliant.
Also Read: Bajaj Pulsar 220F: Tale of the legacy warrior
New Suzuki Intruder: Mild changes to fit in
Suzuki has recently updated the naked Gixxer and Gixxer SF, and next in line is the Intruder. However, this one will not be a major change but include only mechanical changes.
Powering the new Suzuki Intruder will be the same 155 cc single-cylinder, air-cooled, 2-valve mill. Coupled to a butter-smooth 5-speed gearbox, the engine produces 14.1 PS of power and 14 Nm of torque. That’s slightly reduced than the 14.8 PS output of the outgoing version. Also, the new Suzuki Intruder will be offered only with fuel injection and not with the age-old carburettor.
The suspension system of the current model includes a conventional fork at the front and a monoshock at the rear. Cosmetically, the rest of the motorcycle is expected to look identical to the present version. Besides that, Suzuki may introduce the new instrumentation from the Gixxer. Also, we would love to see a new LED headlamp instead of the halogen bulb surrounded by a pilot LED lamp. Braking will include discs at both ends with a single-channel ABS.
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The present version of Suzuki Intruder FI is priced at INR 1.08 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi), but the new Intruder will likely cost a little more. Suzuki is working on a quarter-litre Intruder and Gixxer 250 as well.
Also Read: 5 motorcycles from Auto Expo 2018 we want to be launched in India
[Image Source: bikedekho.com]
