Top 5 Upcoming Two-wheelers In 2020 Between Rs 1 lakh & Rs 2.5 lakh

With these two-wheelers likely to be launched next year, riders are going to be spoilt silly with choices!

The Indian two-wheeler industry is all set to change considerably next year with the advent of the new BS6 emission norms. What will make it even more exciting are the number of interesting two-wheelers that will be launched in the country. Here are the top five two-wheelers priced between Rs 1 lakh and Rs 2.5 lakh that are likely to be launched next year: 

Husqvarna Svartpilen 250:

Husqvarna made its debut in the country at the 2019 India Bike Week in Goa. While we were awaiting the 401 twins, the Swedish brand surprised us with the unveiling of the Vitpilen 250 and the Svartpilen 250. Husqvarna is likely to launch the bikes early next year. Among the two motorcycles, the Svartpilen 250 is likely to be the more affordable one, with an expected price tag of around Rs 2.3 lakh (ex-showroom). It is essentially a scrambler-themed motorcycle complete with a wide, braced handlebar and mid-set footpeg positioning. Thanks to these, the ergonomics is upright and more comfortable than the Vitpilen 250.

The motorcycle is powered by a KTM 250 Duke-derived motor, which makes the same amount of power and torque as the naked, at 31.4PS and 24Nm. Underpinnings include premium WP underpinnings (WP inverted front fork and WP monoshock), disc brake on both ends with a radial front caliper, and standard dual-channel ABS. 

Bajaj Chetak electric:

Bajaj is likely to launch the Chetak electric scooter early next year at an expected price tag of about Rs 1 lakh (ex-showroom Pune). The Pune-based auto major revived the Chetak moniker with the unveiling of an all-new electric scooter in October this year. It is capable of covering a distance of up to 95km in Eco mode, which should be more than enough for the everyday commute. 

In a bid to please its target audience, the Vespa-like classic design language of the scooter is shaped out of metal instead of plastic. Additionally, the scooter will come with a 3-year/50,000km warranty, a battery life of 70,000km, and a service interval of 15,000km. These aspects should ensure proper peace of mind for customers.

2020 Royal Enfield Classic 350:

The next-generation 2020 Royal Enfield Classic 350 has been spotted testing time and again this year. This motorcycle is all set to be considerably superior to the current-generation version, thanks to the all-new powertrain, revised frame and underpinnings. It even gets retro switchgear similar to the one on the Royal Enfield Concept KX. The icing on the cake is that the new-gen bike is likely to get a six-speed transmission. This coupled with the new motor should significantly improve the bike’s highway touring capabilities. 

Expect Royal Enfield to price the bike at around Rs 15,000 over the current-generation motorcycle, which retails at Rs 1.53 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). Royal Enfield could launch the new-generation motorcycle early next year. Its primary competitors will be the upcoming BS6-compliant Jawa motorcycles.

TVS Zeppelin:

TVS unveiled the Zeppelin concept back at the 2018 Auto Expo. The Hosur-based brand usually launches the production version of its concepts two years after it makes its debut at the Auto Expo. Cases in point, the TVS Apache RR 310 and the TVS Apache RTR 200 4V. Similarly, the brand is expected to launch the production version early next year, even though TVS has confirmed that it isn’t participating in the Expo this time around. When launched, the production Zeppelin will be the brand’s first cruiser.

Like the concept, the production version is also expected to pack the same 220cc motor with oil cooler. In the concept bike, it produced 20PS and 18.5Nm. While the concept bike featured an electric motor for additional torque boost, this feature is unlikely to be present in the production version. This is especially considering that it is likely to carry a fairly affordable price tag of Rs 1.30 lakh to Rs 1.50 lakh (ex-showroom). Once launched, it will lock horns with the Bajaj Avenger 220, which has been ruling the entry-level cruiser segment for quite a while now.

Yamaha XSR155:

Yamaha first launched the YZF-R15 Version 3.0 in India and followed it up with the launch of the MT-15. Recently, the Japanese bikemaker launched the R15 V3-derived XSR155 in Thailand and it is only logical that the brand should launch the bike in India. What makes it an even compelling offering for the Indian market is that it gets a neat retro styling tempered with a performance-packed VVA-equipped R15-derived motor. In essence, the XSR155 will be a delightfully retro-looking comfortable motorcycle that can do both city runabouts as well as weekend highway rides.

Like the India-spec MT-15, the XSR155 is also expected to feature traditional forks over the inverted units. That said, we hope Yamaha equips the motorcycle with a dual-channel ABS instead of a single-channel unit a la the MT-15. Yamaha could launch the motorcycle post the implementation of BS6 emission norms, probably in mid-2020. It is likely to cost around Rs 1.4 lakh (ex-showroom). When launched, it will be the first neo-retro motorcycle in the 150-odd cc segment and in essence, it will be a significantly more affordable alternative to the Honda CB300R, which is the XSR155’s nearest rival in terms of the whole neo-retro design philosophy.