Biggest Disappointments of 2023 - Royal Enfield, TVS, Hero & More

In 2023, some bikes missed the mark among the great two-wheelers due to various factors. Here's a list.

2023 has been a great year for Indian bikers as we saw the advent of very interesting motorcycles spoiling the riders with options. However, on the same spectrum there were some bikes that missed the mark and there are many varying reasons such as cost, wrong approach and even missing deadlines. Here is the list of two-wheelers that failed to deliver despite the massive potential they possess.

Yamaha R3

Let’s start this list with the latest launch of the year which broke many hearts. The Yamaha R3 is a great bike and there is no arguing this fact and we have been waiting for many years for it to return to our shores. While the R3 did make a comeback to the Indian market, but the steep pricing means that it’s dead on arrival. The Yamaha R3 is coming via the CBU route and this has resulted in a shocking price tag of Rs 4.65 lakh (ex-showroom).

The newly launched Aprilia RS457 which has a more powerful engine, better underpinnings and more features is priced at Rs 4.10 lakh! The R3 is a classic case of a great bike at a very wrong price and we really hope that Yamaha India officials realise that this strategy might not work out for them and there is a price correction.

Hero Karizma XMR

The Hero Karizma is one of the most legendary names in the history of Indian two-wheelers. It was among the first performance bikes that the masses could buy and remained a dream bike for many bikers over the years. When the Hero Karizma was discontinued from our market a few years ago it was a bittersweet moment for many Karizma fans. So when Hero announced that Karizma is making a comeback there was loads of excitement and enthusiasm.

In terms of styling, features and pricing, Hero has delivered well with the new Karizma XMR but where it missed out big time is the engine. Hero engineers opted for a modern 210 cc engine that is much better than the older 225 engine, but the consumers felt that this was a step down and Hero should have opted for a 250 cc engine. We feel the same as the 250 cc motor would have given the engineers to play with more displacement and thereby it could also do touring speeds in a more comfortable manner. One more aspect is that it’s arch rival, the Bajaj Pulsar 220 has transitioned into the Pulsar 250F. Hero has received tremendous bookings but deliveries for the Karizma XMR have been slow and Hero needs to address this to ensure that the great bookings are converted into impressive sales numbers.

Royal Enfield Bullet 350

One would be surprised to see the Royal Enfield Bullet 350 in this list as I personally would pick the Bullet over the Classic 350 as seen in our comparison. So why does it feature here? The simple reason being how similar it’s to the Classic 350, while there is no problem in Royal Enfield sharing the J-platform between these two bikes there had to be more noticeable visual distinctions.

The Bullet 350 should have retained some of its classic Bullet styling elements like the iconic tail light and rear section design so that there were enough distinguishing factors between the two bikes. Another issue is that all the J-platform bikes, be it the Meteor 350, Classic 350 and later the Hunter 350 have a distinctive engine tune which isn’t the case with the Bullet 350. However what RE has got right is the pricing as it undercuts the Classic 350 by a fair margin.

TVS Apache RTR 310

The TVS Apache RTR 310 created a lot of buzz before its launch and for the right reasons. It’s the naked version of the TVS Apache RR 310 and Indian bikers were excited. TVS got the styling of the bike right and it looks like a scaled-down version of a certain Italian bike, which isn’t a bad thing. Also, it has a bunch of segment-first features that added to its appeal. So why is it part of this list?

The simple reason is the engine, over the years TVS engineers have worked tirelessly on the BMW-sourced 310 cc motor and made it better than the Germans. However, by changing the gear ratios and engine internals, the RTR 310 feels a step back as the engine is vibey and isn’t a good option for cruising unlike the Apache RR 310. The new RTR 310 is also quite pricey as with all the options ticked, it’s uncomfortably close to the new KTM 390 Duke which offers a more thrilling performance and ride.

TVS X

Rounding off the list is an EV. The TVS X created a lot of hype as the Creon concept that was showcased many years ago was finally heading to production . Credit to TVS for maintaining the many visual aspects of the concept scooter onto the TVS X and it’s easily the best looking electric scooter on sale in India. Another major win for TVS was the amount of features their premium e-scooter packed, especially that massive 10-inch TFT screen.

However, there are two reasons why the TVS X makes it to this list. First aspect being that despite a premium electric scooter it doesn’t have the performance to match its sporty looks. The Ola S1 Gen 2 has a higher top speed and the upcoming Ather 450 Apex promises to have quicker acceleration. Even in terms of range, the TVS X doesn’t lead the charge, quite literally. And then there is the price, at Rs 2.50 lakh (ex-showroom), it’s the most expensive electric scooter to go on sale in India. While we appreciate the styling and a host of features, the TVS X sadly doesn’t have the performance advantage over its competitors to justify that premium price tag. Additionally TVS has missed the delivery timelines as it was supposed to commence by November in Bengaluru (the only city it’s available currently on sale).