The premium motorcycle segment straddling the 200 cc to 500 cc segment is one of the fastest growing motorcycle segments. Ranging from very capable premium commuter motorcycles, to outright entry-level performance motorcycle territory, this is one segment which is likely to see a lot of sales volumes in the coming years. In 2017, there have been several prominent motorcycle launches in India in this segment, from naked street pocket rockets like the KTM 390 Duke to full-faired, entry-level sportbikes like the TVS Apache RR 310. Here's a look at the top 5 premium bikes of 2017.
The Yamaha FZ25 pulls from low speeds in a higher gear and has smooth performance
India Yamaha Motor finally introduced a 250 cc motorcycle extending the popular FZ series of naked motorcycles in India with the launch of the Yamaha FZ25. It may not look radically different from its younger sibling, the Yamaha FZ-S FI, but it's a good looking bike nevertheless. Well-built and stylish, though a tad understated, the Yamaha FZ25 certainly has poise and road presence. Powered by a 249 cc, single-cylinder engine makes 20 bhp of maximum power at 8,000 rpm and 20 Nm of peak torque at 6000 rpm. The engine is refined and never feels out of breath and the FZ25 offers a comfortable ride quality and great road manners. Priced at Rs. 1,19,335 (ex-showroom Delhi), the Yamaha FZ25 offers a great option as an all-rounder for the daily commute and even occasional touring duties.
Also Read: Yamaha FZ25 Vs TVS Apache RTR 2004V
The 2017 KTM 250 Duke is positioned right between the KTM 200 Duke and 390 Duke
KTM threw a pleasant surprise by introducing the KTM 250 Duke earlier in 2017, positioning it right between the KTM 200 Duke and the KTM 390 Duke. With stylish design shared with its bigger siblings, the KTM 250 Duke offers a slightly more affordable option than the 390 Duke, but packing a larger engine with more performance than the 200 Duke. The 250 Duke's engine is a downsized version of the 390 Duke's engine - the 248.8 cc single-cylinder engine makes 29.6 bhp of power at 9,000 rpm and 24 Nm of peak torque at 7500 rpm. With a kerb weight of 161 kg, the KTM 250 Duke offers best-in-class power-to-weight ratio. With hi-end components like WP suspension, and priced at Rs. 1.75 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi), the KTM 250 Duke offers a very good option as an entry-level performance motorcycle.
Also Read: KTM 250 Duke First Ride Review
The TVS Apache RR 310 has superb handling and is a very capable entry-level sportbike
TVS Motor Company ended the year with a bang, introducing the company's first full-faired sportbike, the TVS Apache RR 310. The Apache RR 310 shares its underpinnings with the BMW G 310 R, and is developed on the common platform which is manufactured at TVS' manufacturing facility in Hosur, Tamil Nadu. The Apache RR 310, unlike the BMW G 310 R, uses a full-fairing and boasts of a slightly higher top speed as well, thanks to the aerodynamically designed fairing, developed with wind tunnel testing as well as computational fluid dynamics. Like the BMW, the Apache RR 310 uses a reverse-inclined 312 cc, single-cylinder engine which makes 33.5 bhp at 9700 rpm and 27.3 Nm at 7700 rpm. TVS claims a top speed of over 160 kmph, and the Apache RR 310 certainly is a well-built and well-engineered motorcycle, with top-notch components like Kayaba suspension, full-digital instrumentation with multiple information display and ByBre brakes. Priced at Rs. 2.05 lakh (ex-showroom), the TVS Apache RR 310 offers a lot of performance, with superb handling, and is a solidly built and very capable entry-level sportbike.
Also Read: TVS Apache RR 310 First Ride Review
The 2017 KTM 390 Duke offers the best bang for your buck
KTM also launched the all-new 2017 KTM 390 Duke earlier this year, and the bike gets a comprehensive upgrade in styling, features and components. The 2017 model gets a larger fuel tank, new LED headlight, new sub-frame and an all-new full-colour TFT instrument panel. The engine remains the same as the outgoing model and the 373.2 cc, single-cylinder engine makes 43 bhp at 9000 rpm, with peak torque of 37 Nm kicking in at 7000 rpm. The new 390 Duke also gets ride-by-wire, a smoother throttle response and hi-end components like the open cartridge upside down 43 mm forks from WP, WP monoshock at the rear and Metzeler M5 tyres. Braking performance has also been improved on the new KTM 390 Duke with a larger 320 mm disc at the front wheel and Bosch dual-channel ABS. At Rs. 2.29 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi), the new KTM 390 Duke is a value-for-money performance naked that offers the best bang for your buck in the market right now.
Also Read: 2017 KTM 390 Duke First Ride Review
The Benelli 302R is based on the TNT 300
DSK Benelli introduced the Benelli 302R, the full-faired version of the Benelli TNT 300. The bike is powered by the same engine - the 300 cc, parallel-twin, liquid-cooled engine makes 38 bhp of power and 26.5 Nm of peak torque. But the engine needs to be spooled up to high revs to extract any performance and the kerb weight of 198 kg is also a hindrance in performance. That said, the parallel-twin motor does sound like a much larger bike and that itself will draw a lot of riders to look at the 302R. Relaxed performance, plush ride quality and a superb soundtrack makes the Benelli 302R an attractive proposition. With a price of Rs. 3.48 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi), it isn't really an affordable entry-level sportbike though.
