When it comes to long-distance biking, the launch of one&rsquos favourite motorcycle brand&rsquos latest model is nothing less than an event. Adventure junkies will admit to swooning over the Royal Enfield Himalayan when it was launched four years ago and dissing Triumph&rsquos dual-sport off-roader, the Tiger 800, in favour of the former, a much more affordable ADV. The same happened with the Yamaha FZ25, and the Harley-Davidson Street Glide Special when it came to Sons of Anarchy fanboys (we don't blame you). With the pandemic having shown the power and applicability of solo travel on one&rsquos own vehicle, here&rsquos the low-down on the raiders of the road and otherwise&mdashcoming to you this November.
Royal Enfield Meteor 350
What do you not expect from a bike that comes in variants named &lsquoFireball&rsquo and &lsquoSupernova&rsquo (&lsquoStellar&rsquo being the third) and yet has a thump that is quite uncharacteristic of the classic old Bullet The latest in RE&rsquos decorated line of motorcycles that boasts the recently launched and wildly popular Himalayan and Interceptor 650, is the lighter Meteor 350. The long-stroke engine is being touted to offer high torque even on a relatively low RPM.
Said to be part of a &ldquonew era&rdquo of Royal Enfield machines, the Meteor will get the tech to match up against the likes of the Benelli Imperiale 400, the Jawa Perak and the Honda H&rsquoness CB350. The set includes an all-new Bluetooth-enabled GPS system being called Tripper Navigation. The Supernova version will also have a windscreen à la the Himalayan. Expected price is Rs 1.6-1.9 lakh.
Ducati Multistrada 950 S BS6
The recently launched Multistrada 950 is a favourite among touring motorcycle aficionados, almost a classic tourer-enduro that has evolved in more ways than one. With the fairing design having undergone an upgrade, the new &lsquoside-winged&rsquo Multistrada 950 is a lot more like its elder brother, the 1260. It is powered by a 937cc liquid-cooled Testastretta L-twin that is also found on the Ducati SuperSport. There are four riding modes in this latest Multistrada&mdashUrban, Touring, Sport, and Enduro. The 20-litre tank also means fewer re-fuelling stops&mdashare you listening, overlanders The ex-showroom price for this Duc is Rs 15.49 lakh and deliveries start soon.
KTM 250 Adventure
The Austrian brand&rsquos Duke series has been the object of the fascination of most of India&rsquos young riders for about half a decade now. Its new offering, the 250 Adventure, is aiming to appeal to the Royal Enfield Himalayan fanbase owing to its nimble, sporty design and maneuverability&mdashwider footpegs with better grip and ergonomic handlebar and seats. The lower-spec Katoom will draw power from a 248.8cc, liquid-cooled, single-cylinder engine (yeah, the same engine found on the 250 Duke). Expected price is Rs 2.5 lakh.
2021 Honda CB1000R
A true-blue naked bike, this one is the brand&rsquos most impressive street fighter so far if one goes solely by looks. That&rsquos not all&mdashthe single-sided swing arm, several adjustment options for suspensions on both front and rear, and a headlight assembly pack quite a punch and render the bike a lot different from its predecessors.
But since brawn isn&rsquot everything, be prepared to be blown away by the rest&mdashthe 4-cylinder, 999c engine is inherited from the classic Fireblade model and will comply with Euro 5/BS6 emission norms. The bike is expected to be out in India early next year and if you need something multipurpose, this is it. This is the reason it was worth staying off Craigslist. Expect to shell out Rs 15 lakh.
Aprilia SXR 160
Its launch delayed for the longest time due to the pandemic, the much-awaited maxi-scooter from the Italian manufacturer to rival the BS6 Suzuki Burgman Street 125, is finally here to jazz up the Indian market. It is powered by a 160cc, fuel-injected engine, and with better power and fuel economy and improved torque, weekend getaways with your gang have no more reasons to be called off. The Aprilia SXR 160 is perfect for those long drives around the city&mdashit has an instrument cluster that is totally digital, and offers smartphone connectivity and a USB charging port.
The twin LED headlamps take the SXR 160 closer to the RS660 supersport in terms of the design language, which smacks of that typical aerodynamic slickness of Italian aesthetic. Throw in a bigger footboard and seat size and ample front storage space, and you've got a winner. Expected price is Rs 1.3 lakh.
