Motorcycle News Of The Week: 2019 Aprilia And Vespa Scooters Launched, RE Classic 350 Rear Disc Launched, 2019 Dominar And Pulsar 150 ABS Spied And Much More..

This week was hunting season for motorcycle enthusiasts. This biggest catch was spotting the Kawasaki ZX-6R at ARAI indicating an imminent launch. Then there were spy shots of the 2019 Bajaj Dominar and Pulsar 150 ABS which can be expected to launch sooner than the Kawasaki. Meanwhile, Royal Enfield silently launched the Classic 350 with rear disc brake. Benelli and Cleveland Cyclewerks were more forthcoming as the former revealed its plans for India while the latter announced prices for its upcoming Ace and Misfit motorcycles. That and a lot more happened this week so here’s the weekend in brief.

Spottings:

Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R incoming

The Japanese 600cc supersport was spotted undergoing homologation tests at ARAI. That's something auto manufacturers do before launching their products in India. It is a strong indication that Kawasaki India just might launch the Ninja ZX-6R here. The bike is expected to come via the CKD route that should put pricing around the Rs 10 lakh mark making it the most affordable supersport to be sold here.

2019 Bajaj Dominar and Pulsar 150 ABS spied

Going by the spy shots, it appears that the next-gen Bajaj Dominar will get front upside down forks from their KTM cousins. It also gets a revised colour scheme. We expect the bike to get some features from the latest KTM 390’s like ride-by-wire throttle and an updated motor which might possibly by BS-VI compliant.

With the ABS deadline looming, Bajaj seems to be getting another one of its motorcycles ABS compliant. A Pulsar 150 test mule was spotted with a rear disc that had an ABS ring. This means the bike could come with a single channel ABS to keep costs in check. It also had subtle cosmetic changes.

Offers:
With the biggest festival of the year just around the corner, auto manufacturers have already started rolling out discount offers. TVS is offering low down payments and interest rates on most of their products.

Depending on the city Honda dealers have offers ranging from discounts and low down payments to free servicing for their bikes and scooters.

KTM have some attractive offers as well. You can avail 100 percent loans and zero percent interest on KTM bikes as well as get the bike on the spot. These offers are now only applicable at KTM Mumbai dealerships for now with other cities expected to follow suit.

Hero MotoCorp too are offering discounts and low down payments on select motorcycles and scooters with teachers getting an additional Rs 2,000 discount. Hero is also offering a 5-year warranty on its products. While these offers are currently available only in Jaipur and Indore, other cities are expected to dole out similar offers as well.

Launches:

Royal Enfield Classic 350 with rear disc launched

The retro bikemaker has now introduced a rear disc brake in all its Classic 350cc variants. Earlier, only the gunmetal grey and Redditch variants came with the rear disc. ABS though still doesn't feature on the Classic 350 range with the exception of the Signals edition.

2019 Aprilia SR 150 range and Vespa range launched

For 2019 the Aprilia SR 150 range gets new colours, a new semi-digital instrument console and smartphone connectivity like the TVS Ntorq. There is also a new edition on offer called the SR 150 Carbon.

The entire Vespa portfolio now gets new colour options. Like the Aprilia scooters, it also gets smartphone connectivity via an app called Vespa connect.

During the launch, we also got to know that the much awaited Aprilia RS 150 and Tuono 150 launch will be delayed. Aprilia wants to make sure the performance of these bikes is higher than the competition. The launch of the Yamaha R15 v3.0 with its more powerful 150cc motor has had Aprilia go back to the drawing board and hence the delay.

Reveals:

Benelli future plans for India

After breaking ties with the DSK group, Benelli recently joined hands with Hyderabad based Mahavir Group. With the new tie-up, Benelli India had announced that it will be bringing in new models like the Leoncino, TRK, Imperiale and TNT range to India. They have now announced that they will be launching scooters as well. These scooters are expected to come to India via the CKD route and assembled in Mahavir group’s manufacturing facility along with other select Benelli bikes.

Harley enters pre-owned market

Harley-Davidson has announced that bike enthusiasts can buy certified pre-owned HD bikes from dealerships across the country. Called the Harley-Davidson Originals division, this setup will sell used Harleys that have undergone a 99-point checkup. These used motorcycles will come with a one-year warranty with the option of extending it to two to three years.

Cleveland Ace and Misfit price announced

American bikemaker Cleveland has announced prices for its upcoming Ace and Misfit motorcycles. The bikes are coming via the CKD route and will be assembled at their plant in Pune. Both bikes come with a 229cc air-cooled single cylinder motor derived from the Honda CMX 250. It makes around 15PS and is mated to a 5-speed gearbox. While both bikes look aces, lets say the pricing makes them a misfit in their segment.

2019 BMW R1250GS details revealed

The new 2019 BMW R1250GS not just received a hike in capacity but an increase in power and torque and power as well. The 1254cc boxer-twin motor now makes 134PS and 143Nm of torque. This is made possible due to upgrades to the motor, chief among them an introduction of a variable valve timing system dubbed ShiftCam by BMW. It also gets cosmetic updates and new models.

Moto Guzzi V85 TT production version unveiled.

If you thought the TT here meant Tourist Trophy, you're quite off. TT here stands for ‘Tutti Terreno’ which is Italian for ‘all-terrain’. The 850cc ADV bike pays homage to the purpose-built Moto Guzzi Enduro bikes that raced in the Paris-Dakar rally in the eighties. It gets retro design cues with a paint scheme that mimics the rally bikes. On offer are a full digital instrument cluster adjustable Ohlins long travel suspension, a new aluminium swingarm and 19-inch front and 17-inch rear Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR dual-purpose tyres. The V85 TT is expected to sit under the Moto Guzzi Stelvio 1200.

Bajaj Dominar and Pulsar 150 ABS spy image courtesy Rushlane

Source: zigwheels.com