The Indian automotive industry has been buzzing, especially given the numerous new launches — KTM to Aprilia and Yamaha’s first hybrid motorcycle, the FZ-S FI. That said these topics will continue to trend in the coming days as more news is expected from other automakers as well. Let’s take a look at the five big names above and what made them trend in the last 30 days on Google.
KTM
KTM has been a hot topic for a few months now, ever since EICMA, when the new 390 Adventure series was unveiled. The motorcycle grabbed a lot of attention and when they were finally launched in India, they did not disappoint — apart from the fact that the 390 Enduro R is not yet on sale here and the hardcore 390 Adventure R wasn’t launched.
KTM also launched the updated 390 Duke in India, albeit silently. The 390 Duke retains its performance-packed engine and the chassis and cycling components that make it a sharp handler. The update, however, gives it a new colour scheme that makes it look meaner and the street naked now gets cruise control — a big boon.
The company was also in the spotlight for its financial troubles and the rumours about BMW buying the brand did raise a lot of eyebrows. However, once the court hearing came through and with the help of Bajaj, there seems to be some relief for the Austrian bike maker.
Royal Enfield
Royal Enfield is a home-grown name and with multiple motorcycles across categories, segments, and styles, the company will always be in the news. The motorcycles retain their classic styling but also get modern tech such as dual-channel ABS, navigation, mobile connectivity, and other minor bits. The latest news made by Royal Enfield is the introduction of the customisable mobile application, where customers can buy, customise and do a lot more on their phones.
The other big news is obviously the comparison of the Himalayan with the KTM 390 Adventure, which a lot of enthusiasts wanted to know. The KTM does manage to have an edge over the Himalayan on the road and while off-roading owing to its engine and weight, however, the Himalayan has its own advantage.
Yamaha
The Japanese automaker has launched India’s first hybrid motorcycle, the FZ-S FI hybrid. The motorcycle uses some assistance from the battery to help with acceleration when needed, while also helping with a quiet start function which kills the engine and restarts it automatically when idling. The engine, mated to a five-speed gearbox, is expected to make 12.4 hp and 13.3 Nm of peak torque, as the company has not shared details.
In other news, Yamaha showcased a range of bigger-displacement motorcycles at the Bharat Mobility Expo, including the R7, R9, MT-09, and the Tenere 700, a motorcycle that many enthusiasts want in India.
Honda
Honda has been consistently updating its range of motorcycles and scooters over the last few months to meet the stricter norms that will be implemented soon. The company has also updated the styling and graphics of many of its models, including the Activa, which now gets a new TFT instrument cluster.
That said, Honda has also replaced the CB200X with the new NX200, which carried forward the same adventure styling with a tall fairing and an upright seating position. The launch of the Honda eActiva was also in the news and we will soon share details about it once we ride it.
Jawa Motorcycles
Jawa is another retro-classic motorcycle maker that competes squarely with Royal Enfield. Under the Jawa and Yezdi brands, there are a number of motorcycles catering to various segments — street bike, cruiser, adventure tourer, scrambler, and a Bobber.
The company was in the news recently for two reasons — The first was the launch of the Jawa 350 Legacy Edition, a limited edition motorcycle that gets a host of accessories as standard, such as a touring windshield, a pillion backrest, and a crash guard. The next was the warranty update — Jawa, Yezdi, and BSA motorcycles now come with a standard 4-year or a 50,000km warranty.
