[TusharK]

According to a media report, TVS is working on a new halo model that could compete with Royal Enfield’s 650cc range of motorcycles.



The report states that TVS has partnered with a European company to develop the new motorcycle. It is rumoured to be powered by a twin-cylinder engine with a capacity of around 600-750cc. Although TVS has been tight-lipped about the project, work is said to be already underway.

Royal Enfield, which offers bikes in the 350-650cc range, has been rapidly expanding its portfolio. In addition to the Interceptor and Continental GT, the 650cc line-up now includes the Super Meteor 650 cruiser, while a roadster is on the way.

It is said that middleweight bikes have a higher profitability and hence, it would make sense for TVS to enter this segment. At present, the Apache RR 310 is the brand’s flagship, which means it cannot satisfy the needs of customers who are looking for an upgrade.

The report does not mention a timeline for the launch of TVS’ twin-cylinder motorcycle.

Source: TOI

Link to Team-BHP News

[antz.bin]

I hope they take the power level up to the 60-70 BHP levels like 650cc parallel/V twins should and not remain stuck at the A2 license friendly 47 BHP like RE did. That should make this news even more interesting.

[BMW_Fan]

Put that new engine in RR310 styled body, it will sell like hot cakes. Also a naked version is welcome. Maybe BMW will also use this engine in their future Indian bikes.

[kkSolo]

With TVS having ownership of Norton, would this mean, that this would mark the entry of Norton in India, possibly starting production here.

[neil.jericho]

TVS management : Are you ready for a new halo product?
Enthusiasts : Yes! Yes! Yes!
TVS management : Do you want a twin cylindered motorcycle?
Enthusiasts : Yes! Yes! Yes!
TVS management : Do you want a twin cylindered motorcycle with 600 - 750 cc capacity?
Enthusiasts : Yes! Yes! Yes!
TVS management : Do you want a twin cylindered motorcycle with 600 - 750 cc capacity that builds on the company's pedigree?
Enthusiasts : Yes! Yes! Yes!
TVS management to their product team : The people have spoken. There is no time to waste. Get working on the Ronin 620!!!

[Nilesh5417]

Originally Posted by neil.jericho

TVS management to their product team : The people have spoken. There is no time to waste. Get working on the Ronin 620!!!

Couldn't have said it better - the award for company with best and most relevant concepts-prototypes that never make it to production goes to..

[mercedised]

Does this has anything to do with their recent acquisition of Norton motorcycles? I think it will be a lightly reworked Norton motorcycle.

[TROOPER]

Had met the Mumbai TVS AOG in-charge at the service center two weeks ago and he said a RR500 is in the works with BMW.

So it does seem like something >500cc is definitely in the pipeline.

Although I wonder about the sales figures. They can barely move 500+ units of the 310 on a good month. And looking at the 310's quality the 500 or 650 ones won't come cheap relative to the Royal Enfields. That would be another factor.

[RT13]

If only they would bring their Norton chops to the fight… Sigh… If wishes were horses I suppose (pun intended)..

[Pennant1970]

All of us "enthusiast riders" speculate and salivate over new launches from X, Y or Z company and drool over features and design and comfort and what not. And let's say some company does end up giving something close to all of our expectations. How would they sustain the business into the future in a market so undeveloped as ours? Moreover, how many of us would actually put our money where our mouth is?

A bike is a bike - a means of cheap transport. It's questionable when our economy and customer base will mature enough to see bikes as means of enjoyment and passion. Without that, can we expect model diversity and choice?

This applies to cars too. Despite our "potential market", in actual sales terms, are we not still very much a small country for what is essentially luxury items?

[DicKy]

Originally Posted by Pennant1970

All of us "enthusiast riders" speculate and salivate over new launches from X, Y or Z company and drool over features and design and comfort and what not. And let's say some company does end up giving something close to all of our expectations. How would they sustain the business into the future in a market so undeveloped as ours? Moreover, how many of us would actually put our money where our mouth is?

A bike is a bike - a means of cheap transport. It's questionable when our economy and customer base will mature enough to see bikes as means of enjoyment and passion. Without that, can we expect model diversity and choice?

This applies to cars too. Despite our "potential market", in actual sales terms, are we not still very much a small country for what is essentially luxury items?

Ermm... Not a biker at all. But I guess the points you mentioned will mostly be applicable to cars.

Bikes? The sales of RE should be a sign enough that people already see bikes as means of enjoyment and passion. I could be wrong as I read somewhere that superbikes sales have gone down drastically. Then again, people are no longer enamoured by fast bikes and are looking towards ADVs. Maybe this is the sedanocalyspe/ SUVification of 2 wheelers.

[Pennant1970]

Originally Posted by DicKy

Bikes? The sales of RE should be a sign enough that people already see bikes as means of enjoyment and passion. ~ Maybe this is the sedanocalyspe/ SUVification of 2 wheelers.

As far as RE goes, it's true. However, do we have enough space in the customer base for another serious player to try and break into that mid-size segment? Do we have the volume to keep that player interested enough not to cut and run? Questions...

[srini1785]

TVS getting on the twin cylinder above 500cc category is a leap of faith. Their highest capacity engine is a BMW variant (310cc). I can only speculate that it would be based on the Norton brand which they acquired. They have a proper platform and engineering team to execute such a project. With a relatively younger generation getting into the management helm, it might not be unimaginable thing in the future. So fingers crossed.

[MiSiMa]

Originally Posted by Pennant1970

As far as RE goes, it's true. However, do we have enough space in the customer base for another serious player to try and break into that mid-size segment? Do we have the volume to keep that player interested enough not to cut and run? Questions...

A thing to notice is that, earlier in the days, people used get something like a R15 or ktm's 390 as their first bike, not to learn riding, but as their first own ride.
But that trend is changing. A lot of people who I know are looking at lower powered twins like RE's 650, cb500x etc. I believe bike consumers as whole are moving towards more power from the very beginning of their riding stint. Even in scooters segment, products like NTorq, Aerox, Aprillia SR are selling in good numbers. That's why I believe launching a ≈50bhp mid weight machine makes sense in current market.

Regards,
MiSiMa

[BMW_Fan]

Originally Posted by TROOPER

Had met the Mumbai TVS AOG in-charge at the service center two weeks ago and he said a RR500 is in the works with BMW.

So it does seem like something >500cc is definitely in the pipeline.

Although I wonder about the sales figures. They can barely move 500+ units of the 310 on a good month. And looking at the 310's quality the 500 or 650 ones won't come cheap relative to the Royal Enfields. That would be another factor.

RR500 is in works? That’s a good news for enthusiasts, is there any other source for RR500 news?