5 Motorcycles Launching in India This January You Should Know

January 2026 is shaping up to be a busy month for two-wheeler launches in India. Royal Enfield, KTM, BMW, and Brixton are all rolling out new models aimed at different riders and budgets. Some are built here. Others are imported. All of them fill gaps or try to grab market share in segments that have been heating up lately.

Here’s what’s coming and what each one brings to the table.

Royal Enfield Bullet 650 Twin

Royal Enfield keeps expanding its 650cc family, and the Bullet 650 is next in line. This one leans hard into the retro look that made the Bullet name famous. Think classic round headlamp, metal bodywork, pinstriped tank, and an upright riding position that won’t punish your back on longer rides.

Under the hood is the same 648cc parallel-twin engine found in other 650 models. It puts out 47 horsepower and just over 52 Nm of torque. Nothing groundbreaking, but it’s proven, reliable, and has enough grunt for highway cruising without feeling overworked.

The Bullet 650 will likely slot below the Classic 650 Twin in pricing. That makes sense. Royal Enfield wants to offer multiple entry points into the 650 platform, and this gives buyers who want that traditional Bullet vibe a bigger engine option without stepping up to the Classic’s price tag.

KTM 390 Adventure R

KTM seems ready to launch the 390 Adventure R, a more hardcore version of the standard 390 Adventure. This one’s aimed squarely at riders who spend more time off pavement than on it.

The R gets longer-travel WP Apex suspension with 230mm of movement front and rear. Ground clearance jumps to 272mm, and the seat height rises to 870mm. That’s tall. If you’re shorter or new to adventure bikes, you’ll want to sit on this before buying.

It runs the same 398.7cc single-cylinder engine making 44 horsepower and 39 Nm, paired with a six-speed gearbox. The wheel setup is classic ADV: 21-inch front, 18-inch rear, both wire-spoke. Brakes are a 320mm front disc with twin-piston Bybre calipers and a 240mm rear with a single-piston setup.

This model fills a gap KTM left open for a while. Riders who wanted more serious off-road capability than the standard 390 Adventure had to jump up to much pricier options. The R changes that.

BMW F 450 GS

BMW and TVS are teaming up to build the F 450 GS locally, which should help keep the price in check. It slots below the F 850 GS and uses an all-new parallel-twin engine producing around 48 horsepower and 43 Nm, mated to a six-speed gearbox with a slipper clutch.

The bike rides on a lightweight frame with long-travel suspension, spoke wheels, and classic GS styling. Globally, it comes with a TFT display, multiple ride modes, traction control, cornering ABS, Dynamic Brake Control, and engine brake management. It’s unclear yet which features will make it to the Indian spec.

Local assembly matters here. BMW’s adventure bikes have always been expensive in India. If the F 450 GS comes in closer to mid-segment pricing, it could pull buyers away from KTM and Royal Enfield. That’s a big if, but the potential is there.

Brixton Crossfire 500 Storr

Brixton isn’t a household name in India yet, but the Crossfire 500 Storr could change that. It’s a middleweight adventure bike powered by a 486cc parallel-twin, liquid-cooled engine making 47.6 horsepower and 43 Nm. That engine is shared with other Crossfire 500 models.

Hardware includes KYB USD forks and monoshock, J Juan disc brakes, dual-channel ABS with rear deactivation, and tubeless spoke wheels wrapped in Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR tires. Tech features include a five-inch TFT display, traction control, USB charging, LED lighting, and integrated fog lamps.

Expected pricing sits around Rs. 5.75 lakh ex-showroom. That puts it in direct competition with established players, so Brixton will need to lean on build quality and features to stand out.

KTM RC 160

The RC 160 is expected to launch soon as the fully-faired version of the Duke 160. It takes styling cues from bigger RC models and replaces the RC 125 in KTM’s lineup.

It shares its powertrain and mechanical parts with the Duke 160, which makes sense from a production standpoint. The competition here is the Yamaha R15 V4.0 and Bajaj Pulsar RS 200, both of which have loyal followings.

Why this matters now is less obvious. The RC 125 never quite caught fire in India, and the 160 adds only a bit more displacement. KTM is betting that the RC styling and brand pull will attract young buyers who want a sporty look without stepping up to the 250cc or 390cc tier.

Which of These Bikes Will Sell Most in India and Why

Let’s be honest. The Royal Enfield Bullet 650 Twin is going to dominate sales numbers, and it’s not even close.

Royal Enfield has built a cult following in India that none of these other brands can match. The 650 platform has already proven itself with the Interceptor and Continental GT. Buyers trust it. Service networks are everywhere. Parts are easy to find. And the Bullet name carries nostalgia that KTM and BMW simply can’t replicate.

The pricing will also be aggressive. Royal Enfield knows how to play the volume game. Expect the Bullet 650 to come in under Rs. 3.5 lakh, making it accessible to a much wider audience than the adventure bikes on this list.

The KTM 390 Adventure R will do respectable numbers among enthusiasts who actually ride off-road, but that’s a niche market in India. Most adventure bike buyers stick to highways and the occasional dirt road. The R’s tall seat and hardcore setup will scare off casual buyers.

BMW’s F 450 GS has potential if the price is right. But BMW is still building brand trust in the sub-500cc segment here. If it crosses Rs. 4.5 lakh, sales will stall. If it stays closer to Rs. 4 lakh, it could surprise people.

Brixton is the wildcard. Brand awareness is low. Dealer networks are limited. At Rs. 5.75 lakh, it’s priced higher than the KTM and likely the BMW. Unless Brixton offers something significantly better in build quality or features, buyers will stick with names they know.

The KTM RC 160 might move decent volumes among college students and first-time sport bike buyers, but it’s entering a crowded segment. The Yamaha R15 owns that space. The Pulsar RS 200 offers more power for not much more money. KTM needs to price this aggressively or load it with features to stand out.

You can see car & bike launch calendar here.

Price vs Value Comparison Table

The Bullet 650 wins on value simply because Royal Enfield understands the Indian market. You’re getting a twin-cylinder engine with solid performance, a brand people trust, and a price that won’t require a massive loan.

The BMW F 450 GS could flip the script if TVS keeps costs down. A locally assembled BMW with a full suite of electronics under Rs. 4.5 lakh would be a genuine bargain. But BMW hasn’t always been aggressive with pricing in India, so we’ll see.

Brixton’s pricing is the head-scratcher. At Rs. 5.75 lakh, you’re paying a premium for a brand most Indians haven’t heard of. The bike needs to blow people away on test rides, or dealers will struggle to move inventory.

Kickstand Opinion: Which One Is Worth Booking First

If you forced me to put money down today, I’d book the BMW F 450 GS.

Here’s why. The Royal Enfield Bullet 650 will be everywhere. Production will ramp up fast. You’ll be able to walk into a showroom six months from now and ride one home the same week. There’s no urgency.

The BMW is different. This is the first time BMW and TVS are launching a mid-displacement adventure bike built specifically for India. Early units might have better build quality before mass production settles in. Plus, if the pricing comes in under Rs. 4.5 lakh, demand will spike and waiting periods will stretch.

There’s also the bragging rights factor. Owning a BMW in India still turns heads, even if it’s the entry-level model. The GS name carries weight. And if the bike lives up to the hype, resale value will hold strong.

The KTM 390 Adventure R is my second choice, but only if you genuinely ride off-road. If you’re spending weekends exploring trails, fire roads, or riverbeds, this bike is purpose-built for that. The extra suspension travel and ground clearance make a real difference when the pavement ends. But if you’re mostly commuting or doing highway tours, the standard 390 Adventure is a better fit and saves you money.

The Royal Enfield Bullet 650 is a safe bet if you want a relaxed, comfortable twin that’ll run forever with basic maintenance. Book it if retro styling speaks to you and you’re not in a rush. Royal Enfield’s service network means you won’t be stranded if something goes wrong in a small town.

Skip the Brixton Crossfire 500 Storr unless you’ve ridden one and loved it. At that price point, you’re better off stretching your budget slightly for a Triumph or waiting for a deal. Brixton needs to prove itself in India before asking for premium money.

The KTM RC 160 is worth considering only if you’re a younger rider on a tight budget who wants a sporty look. But honestly, save a bit more and get the Yamaha R15 V4.0. It’s faster, more refined, and has a stronger reputation in that segment.

Monojit Paul

Monojit Paul is the founder and editor of techautohub.com. He covers India’s automotive industry, focusing on new launches, cars, bikes, and market trends.