India Kawasaki to launch Versys-X 300 and Vulcan S soon

It is learnt that India Kawasaki Motor plans to roll out its global motorcycle models – the entry-level adventure bike Versys-X 300 and the midsize cruiser, Vulcan S – in the domestic market this year.

Although the company was expected to bring the two models for retail in India, Autocar Professional now learns that the Japanese premium bike maker, which is known to be shifting and setting up its operations at its all-new plant in Chakan (near Pune), has slated the two premium motorcycle models for a 2017 launch. Reliable sources have confirmed the same.

“Kawasaki is keen to launch the Versys-X 300 and the Vulcan S in India soon. The two motorcycles are slated for a 2017 rollout. They are aggressively working to stabilise their operations,” added a source, who wishes to stay anonymous.

The Versys-X 300, which was first unveiled at the EICMA Show in Milan last year, is powered by Kawasaki’s proven eight-valve, liquid-cooled, parallel-twin, 296cc engine, also doing duty in the Ninja 300.

The Vulcan S, on the other hand, is powered by the liquid-cooled, twin-cylinder, 649cc engine, which does duty in Kawasaki’s Ninja 650, Z650 and Versys 650 – all currently locally assembled models in India.

Kawasaki’s product strategy for India substantiates one of Autocar Professional’s earlier analyses, which had underlined that the company is increasingly focussing around the two proven engine (300cc and 650cc) platforms.

All the locally assembled models sold in India by Kawasaki are currently powered by these two engine platforms. According to another source closely aware of the development, adding more models to the 300cc and 650cc engines further justify local assembly synergies for the company in India.

Both motorcycles (Versys-X 300 and Vulcan S), with different capabilities, from Kawasaki are expected to garner sizeable demand in the domestic market once launched.

While the Versys-X 300 is positioned for the customers looking for affordable yet versatile tourer with adventure riding applications, the Vulcan S, on the other hand, is Kawasaki’s adaptation of a modern midsized cruiser.

With its plan to roll out these two models in India, it is clear that, on one hand, Kawasaki is gunning to boost its volumes at the entry-level segment, it is also going to venture into the premium cruiser motorcycle category which is currently dominated by Harley Davidson’s Street 750 in India.

The two upcoming motorcycle models from Kawasaki will serve to bring further maturity to the evolving midsize motorcycle market in India.