An all-new entrant into the quarter-liter segment to a brand new concept of a personal electric mobility platform, these game changers can turn up their segments
The fifth month of the year saw some exciting launches in the two-wheeler market. Hero launched their most awaited motorcycle, the XPulse 200 which impressed nearly everyone by its pricing and performance. Suzuki upped the game by stepping into the quarter-liter segment. The real icing on the cake is the upcoming Polarity electric bike which in itself is a brand new concept of personal mobility. Let’s jump into the game changers of the month of May 2019.
Game Changers of the Month: Suzuki Gixxer SF 250
A few months back when we came to know that Suzuki might launch a 250cc motorcycle to rival Yamaha FZ25. We expected the motorcycle to deliver around 20-21 bhp and might carry a price tag of around 1.4 lakh ex-showroom. But all that speculations have gone into the gutter. Suzuki killed it this time, they have learned a lot from the failure of Inazuma 250.
New Gixxer SF 250 makes striking 26.3bhp and 22.6Nm torque. In my opinion, SF 250 should have pumped out at least 28bhp as Honda CBR 250R is making 26 bhp since 2011. However, the engine makes this much power with oil-cooling tech and not with a proper liquid cooling system. Also, the pricing is spot on at Rs 1.7 lakh ex-showroom, it is Rs 24,000 cheaper than CBR 250R.
Also Read: Suzuki Gixxer SF 250 against Rivals
It is very well clear that Suzuki now has a Game Changing product in its portfolio. It is bound to get some volume to the manufacturer. The real world acceptance of Gixxer SF 250 will be reflected in the sales report of July 2019. Only time will tell the tale of the new quarter-liter fun maker.
Game Changers of the Month: Polarity Electric Bike
When we speak about the future, the first thing to come to our head is electric vehicles. At present, there are a lot of electric scooter makers in India with Ather being the fresh startup with the smartest electric scooter. Speaking about the electric motorcycles, they are yet to launch in the Indian market. Tork might be the first to launch an electric bike in India.
Pune based Polarity Smart bikes is one such start-up which has come up with a brand new concept of electric personal mobility. The company is planning to launch its first electric bike in late June 2019. The basic concept is a well connected smart bike with a range of about 80 km and a top speed of 100 kmph.
Also Read: Polarity Electric Bike spotted on testing for the first time
The bike will also get pedal and chain drive (just like bicycles) for those unfortunate out of charge situation. This will kill the range anxiety in the users. A removable battery makes it easy to charge, just take to your flat on the 11th floor and charge it.
Why we added it into our list of Game Changers is because it will create a new aspect of electric mobility at the personal level. We expect a price of Rs 80,000 in the upper bracket. With this, it might look a bit expensive, but you are getting the performance of a 125cc motorcycle and weight of a moped at around 50 kg. And yeah, it is electric.
Game Changers of the Month: Hero XPulse 200
Off-roading motorcycles are gaining traction in the Indian market, thanks to Royal Enfield Himalayan at the lower end and Triumph Tigers at the higher end. Till now the most affordable adventure tourer was Himalayan 400. However, it carries a price tag of Rs 1.8 lakh ex-showroom which made it quite expensive for the majority of buyers.
Enter the XPulse 200, with a price tag of just Rs 97,500 for carburetor variant it is nearly half the price of Himalayan 400. Hero XPulse has now become the most affordable as well as a capable off-roading motorcycle in India right now. We don’t think anyone would launch such a capable adventure bike at this attractive price point anytime in the near future.
These machines are here to change the market sentiments as well as the game for their respective manufacturer. Sports bike segment is taken care of by Suzuki Gixxer SF 250, adventure bike segment by XPulse 200 and, electric bike segment by upcoming Polarity electric bike.
Ride Safe, Ride Hard, and always wear a helmet while riding. Stay Tuned for more from the world of motorcycling.
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