9 upcoming bikes launching in India in 2019 - Bajaj Dominar 400 to KTM 790 Duke

Earlier this week, we brought you a list of upcoming motorcycles coming to India in November 2018. Here’s an exhaustive list of the forthcoming bikes that will be launched in the country in 2019. The list includes the likes of new Bajaj Dominar 400, KTM 790 Duke, Husqvarna 401 twins, new Yamaha FZ FI and the Bajaj Pulsar ABS range among others.

New Bajaj Dominar 400

Bajaj Auto is working on an update for the Dominar 400, which is expected to be launched in January 2019. The revised model will feature upside down front forks and a new twin-pod exhaust system.

While there are not enough details about the mechanicals, media reports claim that the engine on the new Bajaj Dominar 400 will receive a DOHC setup and a slight increase in power. The bike is also expected to come equipped with a ride-by-wire throttle and an updated instrument cluster.

The Bajaj Dominar 400 could become INR 20,000-25,000 costlier with the addition of the new features. Furthermore, the non-ABS version of the Dominar will be discontinued as the sale of non-ABS bikes with engine capacity above 125 cc is restricted from 1 April 2019. The 373.2cc, single-cylinder motor on the current-gen Dominar 400 produces 34.5 bhp of power and 35 Nm of peak torque.

KTM 790 Duke

According to Amit Nandi, Head, KTM India, the KTM 790 Duke is under evaluation for launch in India. The 790 Duke was earlier reported to be launched in December. However, the bike is now expected to be introduced sometime in 2019. The 790 Duke uses an all-new 799 cc, parallel-twin, LC8c engine that produces 105 PS of power and 86 Nm of peak torque.

The KTM 790 Duke will be imported via CKD kits from Austria and the assembly will take place in Chakan, Pune. Reportedly, KTM India will carry out heavy parts localisation to offer the bike at an accessible price tag. Media reports claim an on-road price of under INR 9 lakh. However, we expect the bike to be priced around INR 6 lakh (ex-showroom).

The KTM 790 Duke will rival the Triumph Street Triple S, Kawasaki Z900, Suzuki GSX-S750 and the Ducati Monster 821. It comes with various electronic rider aids like Motorcycle Stability Control, Motor Slip Regulation (MSR), Cornering ABS with Supermoto mode, two-way Quickshifter, Riding Modes, Traction Control System, Track Mode with Anti-Wheelie Control and Launch Control, and much more.

Husqvarna Svartpilen 401

The Husqvarna Svartpilen 401 is likely to be launched in India around the festive season of 2019. A July 22 report, citing Rajiv Bajaj, had confirmed that the Husqvarna 401 twins will launch in India in FY2019. The Svartpilen 401 is Husqvarna’s take on a modern-day scrambler with a radical design and minimal bodywork.
The Husqvarna Svartpilen 401 uses the KTM 390 Duke platform, as the engine, chassis and suspension are shared. The 17-inch alloys are replaced by wire-spoke wheels that wrap with knobby tyres. Powering the Husqvarna Svartpilen 401 is a 373.3 cc, liquid cooled, fuel-injected motor that produces 43.5 bhp of power and 37 Nm of peak torque, coupled to a six-speed gearbox. The Svartpilen 401 could receive a price tag of INR 2.50 lakh (ex-showroom).

Husqvarna Vitpilen 401

The Husqvarna Vitpilen 401 is a modern café racer with an unconventional yet radical design. It is expected for an Indian launch around the 2019 festive season, alongside the Svartpilen 401. It features clip-on handlebars, an LED headlight, digital instrument cluster and slick tyres. It is likely to cost INR 2.50 lakh (ex-showroom).

The Husqvarna Vitpilen 401 shares the chassis, engine, suspension and wheels with the Svartpilen 401. However, the 17-inch wire-spoke wheels wrap with slick Metzeler tyres. The Husqvarna Vitpilen 401 is powered by a 373.3 cc, fuel-injected, single-cylinder engine good for 43.5 bhp and 37 Nm. It is paired with a six-speed transmission.

Yamaha MT-15

The Yamaha MT-15 is expected to be launched in India in March 2019. It is the naked streetfighter version of the Yamaha R15 V3.0. It uses the same suspension setup, engine and chassis as that of the R15 V3.0. The new generation Yamaha MT-15 was unveiled in Thailand earlier this month.

The Indian-spec Yamaha MT-15, however, is likely to have some changes to keep the prices in check. For instance, the USD front forks could be replaced by conventional telescopic units, just like on the R15 V3.0. Braking force will come from disc brakes at both the ends, and ABS will be standard.

The 2019 Yamaha MT-15 employs the same 155 cc, single-cylinder, VVA engine that powers the R15 V3.0. It produces 19.1 PS and 14.8 Nm of torque. A six-speed transmission with a slipper clutch transfers the drive to the wheel. The bike could be priced around INR 1.20 lakh (ex-showroom).

New Yamaha FZ FI V3.0

India Yamaha Motor has started road testing the new Yamaha FZ-S FI V3.0 in India. The 2019 FZ FI V3.0 takes design inspiration from the Yamaha FZ25 with a complete cosmetic overhaul. The new Yamaha FZ FI V3.0 is likely to feature a full-LED headlight with an all-digital instrument cluster.

Powering the new Yamaha FZ FI V3.0 will be the same 149cc, single-cylinder engine that power the current model. The air-cooled, SOHC, 2-valve motor is capable of producing 13.2 PS and 12.8 Nm of torque. It is mated to a five-speed gearbox. The bike will come with ABS as standard.

The new FZ FI V3.0 could retail at circa INR 95,000 (ex-showroom).

New Bajaj Pulsar ABS Range

Bajaj Auto is currently working on introducing the ABS versions of the Bajaj Pulsar range. In September, the Bajaj Pulsar 220 ABS and the Bajaj Pulsar 150 ABS models were spied during a commercial shoot in the Ladakh region alongside the new Bajaj Dominar 400.

The updated Bajaj Pulsar ABS range will feature sporty graphics and an engine belly cowl. It is safe to assume that the company will also launch the Bajaj Pulsar 180 ABS model in India alongside the other two. We don’t expect any different engine specs in the ABS versions.

Also Read: Royal Enfield teases new motorcycle ahead of EICMA 2018

The new Bajaj Pulsar ABS range is expected to be launched in India by early 2019. The new safety norms, which come into effect from 1 April 2019, mandate two-wheelers above 125cc to be equipped with ABS as standard. That said, the new Bajaj Pulsar ABS range is expected to carry a premium of around INR 10,000.