From Hunter to Ronin: Top 10 two-wheelers launched in 2022

After a brief lull during the COVID-19 pandemic, 2022 witnessed the resurgence of two-wheeler sales, which is expected to grow even further in the years to come. 

The need for personal mobility post-COVID-19 has also driven the sales of two-wheelers northwards. Let us look at some of the most prominent launches in this segment this year. 

Ola S1 Air

Ola made a loud entry into the Indian automobile market by announcing its own electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing business, Ola Electric, in 2021. It launched its first two electric scooters—S1 and S1 Pro—that garnered a favourable response but were priced a little too premium for the average middle-class buyer. 

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Ola electric scooter gets more affordable with S1 Air offered at Rs 85k

Hence, Ola Electric launched a more accessible version of its scooter, the S1 Air, this year at a more affordable price tag of Rs 84,999 (ex-showroom). Although it offers a more modest package compared with the S1 and S1 Pro, it’s a value-for-money package.

KTM RC 390

Initially launched in 2014, RC 390 is arguably the most popular sports bike in India and KTM gave the motorcycle significant upgrades in 2022 that have made the riding experience far better. It also packs in more tech featuring a comprehensive electronics package making it safer and more modern than its nearest rivals. 

The new RC 390 is powered by an updated engine with a revised mapping that delivers a slightly higher output and improved rideability. The underpinnings have also gone under the knife, making the bike lighter than before.

Royal Enfield Hunter 350

Hunter 350 is the third and most affordable model in the Royal Enfield’s 350cc J-series line-up. It received a big thumbs up from the public as 50,000 units of the motorcycle were sold within three months of its launch in August. 

It gets the same 349cc single-cylinder engine as Classic Reborn and Meteor but is significantly lighter than its siblings making it peppier and more fun to ride.

TVS Ronin

TVS made a surprise launch in July in the form of Ronin, a 225cc motorcycle with neo-retro styling elements. The motorcycle boasts plenty of features along with decent performance making it suitable for daily urban commutes as well as long-distance touring. 

All this is offered at a competitive starting price of Rs 1.49 lakh (ex-showroom), making Ronin a well-rounded package.

Hero Vida V1

The world’s largest two-wheeler manufacturer finally made the jump to electric mobility this year with its new EV sub-brand Vida. Under this new vertical, the first model, V1, was launched in October. 

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Hero MotoCorp joins the EV bandwagon with Vida electric scooters

While a price of Rs 1.45 lakh (ex-showroom) is a little too steep for what it offers, the fact that it comes from the house of Hero MotoCorp should be encouraging for buyers.

Bajaj Pulsar N160

Las year, Bajaj Auto started restructuring its Pulsar line-up with N250 and F250. This was followed by the Pulsar N160, launched in July, which is considered to be a spiritual successor of the ageing Pulsar NS160.

The bike is powered by a brand-new engine and gets completely new underpinnings. It has been widely appreciated for its refined engine performance and rideability, as well as improved handling. With prices starting at Rs 1.23 lakh (ex-showroom), it offers good value for money for someone looking for a sporty commuter motorcycle.

Triumph Tiger Sport 660

Triumph launched the Tiger Sport 660 at the start of this year at a price of Rs 8.95 lakh (ex-showroom). Based on Trident 660, the new sports tourer has been primarily designed to munch miles for cross-country touring. 

While not devoid of flaws, the Tiger Sport 660 is definitely one of the better bikes to be offered by the British brand in recent times.

Honda CB300F

Honda pulled out a rabbit of its hat when it launched the new CB300F this year. This space is already occupied by CB300R but the new 300F is a completely different machine with new underpinnings and a new powertrain. 

Initially launched at a price of Rs 2.26 lakh (ex-showroom), prices of the street naked motorcycle were recently slashed by Rs 50,000, making it a very compelling buy.

Ultraviolette F77

The launch of Ultraviolette F77 holds great significance for the Indian market since it is the first fully electric sports bike to be launched in the country. Furthermore, it has been developed and manufactured completely in India by a homegrown brand and shows potential in the country’s electric mobility sector.

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Ultraviolette predicts the future in the present with F77 performance e-bike

With prices starting at Rs 3.80 lakh (ex-showroom), the F77 offers a strong combination of range and performance, making it one of the most desirable battery-powered two-wheelers. Enhancing its appeal is a unique design that demands attention from every angle.

Suzuki V-Strom SX

Suzuki expanded its V-Strom lineup with a more accessible 250cc adventure tourer named V-Strom SX. While not as proficient in broken roads like its larger sibling—V-Strom 650—the SX is targetted at buyers who want something easy to handle for longer distances.

With a decent kit of features at a price of Rs 2.11 lakh (ex-showroom), V-Strom SX is a more affordable alternative to something more premium like KTM 250 ADV and BMW G 310 GS.

Honourable Mentions

There were some other launches that made headlines in 2022. For instance, Suzuki brought the Katana to India for the first time, which gave a glimpse of what the Japanese automaker is capable of when it comes to high-end performance machines. A direct rival was also launched this year in the form of the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R, also known for its manic performance.

Kawasaki did not only focus on the flagship end of its line-up but in its entry-level space as well. The brand launched its most affordable offering in India in the form of W175. 

Lastly, Royal Enfield launched a milder derivative of Himalayan named Scram 411, which is almost equally capable enough to take on off-road trails but much easier to handle on the tarmac as compared to the former.

(Disclaimer: The two wheelers included in the list are subjective to the author's opinion and may or may not align with general views)