Auto Expo 2018: How to see all the adventure tourers on display
There are just two more days before the Auto Expo 2018 comes to close at the India Expo Mart in Greater Noida. And, there are a ton of new vehicles you will get an opportunity to see here for the first time. It is the year of adventure tourers with the likes of Hero MotoCorp, India Kawasaki, BMW Motorrad, Suzuki and Honda bringing out some of their best motorcycles to the Auto Expo. Make sure you see these adventure motorcycles, and they might just inspire you to ride out to the hills. Of them all, however, we have to hand it to BMW Motorrad for not only bringing their baby ADV BMW G 310 GS to the show but also launching their brawny middleweights in India.
Here are the adventure tourer bikes that you have to see at the Auto Expo 2018:
Upsizing from the Hero Impulse, the Hero XPulse 200 is the smallest adventure offering showcased by any manufacturer at the Auto Expo 2018. It was first unveiled at EICMA 2017, and could make it to production soon. The 200cc single is the same as the recently-launched Hero Xtreme 200R, but the XPulse 200 features front forks with 190mm travel and rear monoshock with 170mm travel, as well as 220mm ground clearance.
Kawasaki Versys X-300
The Kawasaki Versys X-300 very recently launched the Versys-X300 at Rs 4.60 lakh, (ex-showroom, Mumbai) and Delhi. The Kawasaki Versys-X300 is presently the smallest adventure tourer in the country. But it still comes equipped with auxiliary LED fog lights, top mounting plate, and a single pannier box. A 296cc liquid-cooled parallel twin from the Kawasaki Ninja 300 has been retuned for better mid and low-end grunt.
BMW G 310 GS
The BMW G 310 GS is awaiting launch in July-August 2018 with its street sibling, the BMW G 310 R. Many of us have been pining our hopes on this entry-level adventure bike being priced just right so that it appeals to our pockets just as much as it appeals to our wandering souls. The bikes are powered by a 313cc, liquid-cooled, single-cylinder engine that develops 34PS at 9,500rpm and generates 28Nm at 7,500rpm. The motor is paired to a six speed transmission. They will be built in conjunction with TVS Motor Company.
Suzuki V-Strom 650 XT
This is the adventure tourer that could change the high ticket for entry in the middleweight ADV category. The Suzuki V-Strom 650 XT is expected later this year, and could be priced very competitively to compete against the Kawasaki Versys 650, which has so far been the affordable middleweight. The V-Strom 650 XT brings spoked wheels in 19-inch front an 17-inch rear for more usability off the road. It comes powered the 650cc V-twin from the popular Suzuki SV 650.
BMW F 750 GS and F 850 GS
BMW Motorrad has also brought the BMW F 750 GS to India for a price at Rs 12.2 lakh and F 850 GS at Rs 13.75 lakh (ex-showroom). The pricing of the BMW F 750/850 GS motorcycles has made it a strong rival of the Triumph Tiger 800, Ducati Multistrada 850 and also the Honda Africa Twin in India. They both come powered by the same 853cc parallel twin-cylinder engine with a 270-degree firing order, which produces 78PS / 83Nm on the 750, and 96PS / 92Nm on the 850. The motorcycles feature ABS, stability control and Rain / Road riding modes as standard.
2018 Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin
Honda had internationally showcased the 2018 Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin first at EICMA 2017. The previous iteration of the Honda Africa Twin had been quite popular in the country with the entire lot sold out. With the minor upgrades and changes for 2018, will the new Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin make it to India anytime soon? We will find out soon.
There you go. These are the adventure motorcycles you must not miss. Now hurry to the Auto Expo 2018, before it ends on February 14, 2018!