Adventure Tourer Motorcycles have gained huge popularity in India lately and we have quite a few headed our way next year. Here’s top 5 you should be looking forward to.
Have you seen how adventure tourer motorcycles have increasingly gained popularity in India? Its like ADVs have become the SUVs in the motorcycle world. Especially so, when you have such a vast array of options starting right from the humble Hero Xplulse to the big daddies of the class in the form of the Ducati Multistrada or the BMW R 1250 GSA. And all the motorcycle manufacturers are going to keep flowing more and more adventure tourer motorcycles in our market. So here’s 5 ADVs we are really looking forward to seeing on our roads by next year.
KTM 390 Adventure
The KTM 390 Adenture has been one of the most awaited motorcycles from KTM with numerous sightings and spy hots. It has finally been unveiled at EICMA and it has received mixed reception. It will be powered by the same engine from the Duke 390 but it gets long-travel, adjustable suspension at both ends, a more relaxed steering geometry and 19-inch/17-inch front-rear alloy wheel combo. It also equipped with dual-purpose Continental tyres and while its not a hard core off-roader, its more suited to touring. What could turn customers away from this motorcycle in India is its rather tall 855mm seat height. KTM will be unveiling the 390 Adventure at the India Bike Week next month, along with the 250 Adventure as well.
KTM 250 Adventure
Perhaps one of the most potent adventure tourer motorcycles coming to India is this one. The 250 Adventure is the baby of the KTM’s adventure range but its no short in its capabilities. It shares a lot of components and even features like the TFT colour screen with its bigger sibling, the 390 Adventure. However, KTM has saved costs by offering a non-adjustable WP Apex suspension, but it still offers the same travel as the 390 Adventure. The KTM 250 Adventure is based on the Duke 250, using the same 249cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder DOHC engine. The motor produces 29.91PS of power and 24Nm of peak torque, mated to a 6-speed gearbox. The 250 Adventure is expected to debut along with the 390 Adventure at India Bike Week and will go on sale in India in the first quarter of 2020.
Suzuki V-Strom 1050
Suzuki updated the V-Strom 1050 and showcased it at the EICMA 2019. For 2019, the motorcycle gets new styling and the new headlamps seem like they have been inspired by the Suzuki Katana. The 1037cc V-twin motor is now Euro5 compliant and it also produces more power than before, the numbers being 107.4PS of power and 100Nm of torque. The motorcycle also gets an expansive suite of electronics which includes a digital instrument console, riding modes, traction control, cruise control and hill-hold control. The underpinnings include fully-adjustable KYB suspension and dual 310mm front discs with radially-mounted Tokico monobloc callipers with ABS. The new V-Strom 1050 is expected to launch in India by mid-2020 and is likely to cost around Rs 1 lakh more than the current V-Strom 1000 which retails for Rs 13.45 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi).
Also Read : Top 10 Motorcycles from EICMA 2019 Coming to India!
Triumph Tiger 900
Triumph has teased the all-new Tiger 900 Rally and GT and they are going to unveil the motorcycle on December 3. The new motorcycle gets completely new body panels and looks much slimmer and compact, yet meaner than the current Tiger 800. It also gets a new bolt-on rear subframe, swingarm and laced spoke wheels which can hold tubeless tyres. The new 900cc engine in the Tiger 900 will carry the same inline 3-cylinder configuration as in the current 800cc models and is expected to produce 110PS of power. That should bring the Tiger 900 for a better match against the more powerful Ducati Multistrada 950. The Tiger 900 Rally could be priced close to a lakh more than the top-spec Tiger 800 XCa (Rs 15.17 lakh, ex-showroom). Similarly, the Tiger 900 GT is expected to be priced a lakh more than the top-spec, road-biased Tiger 800 XRx that’s priced at Rs 13.39 lakh.
Also Read : What To Expect at the 2019 India Bike Week in Goa!
Honda CRF 1100L Africa Twin
Honda has also updated the Africa Twin, making it more powerful and lighter than before. The new motorcycle uses a larger 1084cc parallel-twin motor that now produces 102PS of power and 105Nm of torque. More power comes courtesy by making the bore larger than before. The DCT variant weights 6kgs lighter than before, but still tips the scales at a rather hefty 236kg kerb weight. The new Honda Africa Twin also gets a 6-axis IMU, which means you now have cornering traction control and wheelie control. For its underpinnings, the motorcycle uses Showa suspension components with revised spring rates. The new Africa Twin also looks much meaner than before with the new twin LED headlamp setup and features like the 6.5-inch colour TFT touchscreen instrument console which even includes Apple CarPlay. We expect the new Africa Twin to launch in India by early next year and be priced around the Rs 15 lakh mark.
