Bajaj plans 250-300cc bikes

Bajaj Auto is gearing up to create a spalsh in the Indian bike mart by upgrading its Pulsar power bikes in the 250 and 300 cc catgories.

These upgraded verisons are expected to hit the Indian roads very soon. Bajaj Auto currently markets bikes only up to 220cc.

Bajaj has taken up this plan in its bid to pocket the potential that the high-end domestic bike market holds in the current scene. Reportedly, the company has approached a Europe-based motorcycle design consultancy to work out new designs for the bikes. This apart, it will also seek assistance from from its Austrian bike company KTM, in which Bajaj has a stake.

Bajaj’s Pulsar model motorcycles – currently available in 180, 200 and 220 cc versions – are quite popular at the top end of the market. Above them, we only have the Enfiled Bullet motorcycles – and much, much further high up, we have the imported Suzukis and such-like. Bajaj feels that higher capacity versions of the Pulsar would have a market, and the company can definitely make them in India at much lower costs than imported models.

Recently, Bajaj had announced that it would launch the Kawasaki Ninja 250 in India at an estimated price of Rs 2 lakhs. The new motorcycles at 250 and 300 cc would definitely be priced much much lower. We think very close to the Rs 1 lakh mark.

The bike maker has already developed its own technology. The new 250, 300 cc bikes are being positioned on this new technology platform which is based on its patented DTSi technology. The company is also said to have indigenously developed its new fuel injection (FI) technology.

Apart from this, the company is also developing a new upgrade of its popular Pulsar. It will also be looking at building new low-cost two-wheelers, besides the new-generation motorcycles. These proposed low cost two wheelerts are expecdted to be rolled out under a new brand, said sources. The company will also be rolling out a new gearless scooter in the 100-150cc engine capacity next year, they added.

Plans by the company will make sure that its product profile will be spruced up with the addition of two international brands, such as Kawasaki and KTM. Bajaj’s technology partner Kawasaki’s stables will roll out a sports bike christened Ninja 250 and will be unveiled as a completely-built unit. Meanwhile, the bigger models, to be named the Duke and RR, would be made at Bajaj’s Chakan facility ine Pune. While the bikes based on the the DTS-Si platform will aim at the masses, the international brands will be targeting the higher end of the market .