5 Upcoming sub-650cc Classic bikes - Jawa Perak, Benelli Imperiale 400…
Classic bikes are the flavour of the time. The modern-retro lines, evocative design and the pure motorcycling aura has a charm of its own. The nostalgia these motorcycles evoke isn’t offered by any product on the market. Here’s a list of upcoming classic bikes, which includes the Jawa Perak, Royal Enfield Himalayan 650, Benelli Imperiale 400 and the Jawa Scrambler among others.
Jawa Perak
Classic Legends showcased the Jawa Perak at the launch of the Jawa and Jawa Forty-Two in November. Priced at INR 1.89 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi), it is scheduled for launch later in 2019. The Perak bobber is based on a modified double-cradle frame and is powered by a more powerful engine.
The Jawa Perak is a factory-custom bobber that is based on the Jawa Perak 350 from the early 1950s. Powering the Perak is a 334cc DOHC, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine mated to a 6-speed gearbox. The fuel-injected motor is capable of producing 30 PS of maximum power and 31 Nm of peak torque.
The Jawa Perak will be a unique offering in its class when it arrives in the Indian market. While it will not have direct competition whatsoever, it will take on the Royal Enfield Classic 350. The Perak has a raked-out front suspension, which should be able to offer good straight-line stability. However, that will hamper the handling prowess of the bike, which is not much of an issue actually since the motorcycle is designed for laidback riding.
Jawa Scrambler (Tentative)
Preceding the launch of the Jawa motorcycles, Classic Legends had teased a range of upcoming bikes, which also included the Jawa Scrambler. While details are scarce at the moment, the Scrambler is likely to feature a slightly modified chassis and an updated engine from the Jawa classic.
Classic Legends has revealed that the Jawa Scrambler is not coming anytime soon to the market. The company is currently focusing on making the existing models work. In fact, the company has seized bookings for the Jawa classic and the Jawa Forty-Two as a result of the overwhelming response from the masses.
The Jawa Scrambler when it finally turns reality, could feature an upright riding posture, relaxed ergonomics and knobby tyres. Styling will be quintessentially be inspired from the modern-retro scrambler design philosophy. The motorcycle is expected to feature long-travel suspension, knobby tyres and an upswept exhaust.
The Jawa Scrambler will employ a 293cc liquid-cooled motor that produces 27 bhp and 28 Nm of power figures. The engine is mated to a 6-speed gearbox. The Jawa Scrambler could retail around INR 1.8 lakh (ex-showroom). It will rival the Royal Enfield Himalayan.
Royal Enfield Himalayan 650
In May 2017, Mr Siddhartha Lal, CEO - Royal Enfield, had confirmed the company's plan to launch the Royal Enfield Himalayan 650. The bigger Himalayan will be based on the 650 Twins platform and will feature updated styling, a modified chassis and the beautiful 648cc parallel-twin.
In an exclusive chat with IAB, Mr Rudratej (Rudy) Singh revealed that all the launch plans for new products on the 650cc platform have been pushed back. New products will happen only post 2020 after the introduction of the BS-6 emissions norms.
The Royal Enfield Himalayan 650 could see the light of the day after 2020, powered by a 648cc parallel-twin, 8-valve motor that produces 47 bhp of maximum power and 52 Nm of peak torque. It is mated to Royal Enfield's first 6-speed gearbox along with a standard slipper clutch. The Royal Enfield Himalayan 650 could retail at around INR 2.80 lakh (ex-showroom).
Benelli Imperiale 400 & Imperiale 530
Another product that will try to steal away customers from Royal Enfield will be the Benelli Imperiale 400 and the Imperial 530. While the Imperial 400 will be a direct rival to the Classic 350, the Imperiale 530 will take on the Classic 500. That said, there are no details on the specifications of the Benelli Imperiale 530.
The Benelli Imperiale 400 will be the first classic motorcycle to be launched in India amongst the two. The Imperiale 400 will reportedly be introduced in the first half of this year. The bike will be imported into the country by the Benelli-Mahavir combine via the CKD route. It could be priced between INR 2.5 lakh to INR 3 lakh (ex-showroom). The motorcycle uses a 373.5 cc, single-cylinder engine that develops 19.7 PS of power and 28 Nm of, mated to a 5-speed transmission.