What a time to be alive! The year 2023 has witnessed the launch of some of the best motorcycles on the Indian two-wheeler circuit.
2023 has been a phenomenal year for the Indian two-wheeler industry and Indian motorcycle aficionados. The year witnessed the launch of many beautifully engineered motorcycles, ranging from the Royal Enfield Himalayan to the Aprilia RS457. In the following paragraphs, we turn our clocks back and take a look at those mesmerising machines.
The newest of the lot, Royal Enfield, impressed us the most with the Himalayan 450, which is simply called the Himalayan. We took a test ride, and we simply could not believe it was an Enfield. From an all-new engine with DOHC and liquid-cooling setting to top-notch finishing that we had never encountered on an Enfield, the Himalayan is now a machine meant for touring and hardcore off-roading. The Indian brand has worked really hard to take the game to Austrian giant KTM and its ADV 390 – the only other capable off-roader in the 400cc segment.
Aprilia has turned up the heat in the 400cc sports segment with its newly launched RS457. A 457cc, liquid-cooled, parallel-twin cylinder engine makes a peak power of 48.6PS and has a kerb weight of merely 175 kilogrammes --Imagine that! Not to forget, the price tag of INR 4.25 lakh ex-showroom is extremely economical compared to the Ninja 400, its closest rival, which has a tag of over INR 5 lakh. The motorcycle is not meant for everyone, but for those who love track days, they now have a brand-new capable toy.
Everybody wants a piece of the Indian 400cc segment. Therefore, British motorcycle manufacturer Triumph also joined the bandwagon with two 400cc motorcycles – the Speed 400 and Scram 400 X. One is a roadster. In contrast, the second is a scrambler, and both motorcycles offer incredible daily commuting experiences. When it comes to quality and finishing, no one can point at Triumph, for they are known for their mechanical brilliance. Furthermore, the economical price tag of the two motorcycles makes them an excellent choice for those who are looking to get a 400cc motorcycle for office commutes and occasion touring and trail riding.
TVS Apache has upped its game with the brand-new RTR 310. In a 300cc motorcycle, one gets features such as cornering ABS, cornering traction control, cornering cruise control, wheelie control, slope-dependent control, and rear lift control—features that make riding the motorcycle super safe. Not to forget, one can also control the temperature of the rider's seat, so one need not worry about sitting on a cold seat in winter or burning one's bum by sitting on a volcano-like seat in peak summer.
Similar to Triumph, Harley-Davidson also wanted a piece of the 400cc pie, and therefore, they launched the X440 in collaboration with Hero MotoCorp. The motorcycle may not be as aggressive as the other motorcycles on the list, but it is a fine commuting and touring option. The low and mid-range torque makes the motorcycle an easy-to-ride machine. At 2.39 lakh, ex-showroom for the base model, the X440 is one of the most affordable Harleys the Milwaukee-based manufacturer has ever made. The only place where the motorcycle lacks is its finishing; a little more attention should have gone into detailing.
After a long hiatus, Hero MotoCorp brought back the Karizma XMR, a legendary motorcycle that turned Hero's image from a commuter maker to a sports motorcycle creator. Unlike iterations from earlier years, the materials used on the XMR are top-notch. The 210cc engine has a peak power of 25.15hp at 9,250rpm and a maximum torque of 20.4Nm at 7,250rpm, which puts it ahead of the KTM RC 200. Furthermore, the 2.05 lakh on-road price tag is much more sensible for those who do not wish to invest too much moolah.
Last but not least, in honourable mentions, we would like to name the Yamaha MT-03 and R3, two magical motorcycles likely to be launched in India before January 1, 2024.
