Weekly Bike News Wrap Up: Ducati Panigale V4 R, KTM RC 160 & More

India’s motorcycle market saw several important updates the previous week across the premium and mid-size segments. Ducati grabbed attention with a high-value superbike launch, while Kawasaki updated two models to meet cleaner fuel requirements. At the same time, KTM is preparing to enter a new segment with the RC 160. As a result, this week proved important for buyers tracking new launches and upcoming motorcycles.

What This Week’s Bike Updates Mean for Buyers

The previous week’s developments highlight how manufacturers are shaping their long-term strategies in India. Ducati focused strongly on exclusivity and performance-driven positioning. Kawasaki, on the other hand, showcased its move towards fuel compliance without making major design changes. Meanwhile, KTM signalled its intent to expand in the entry-level sportbike space. Overall, these updates reflect future-focused planning rather than short-term product refreshes.

Ducati Panigale V4 R Launch in India

Ducati launched the Panigale V4 R in India at Rs. 84.99 lakh, ex-showroom, making it the most expensive street-legal motorcycle in the country. The bike is closely derived from Ducati’s World Superbike race machine. 
The first and only 2025 unit was delivered by Ducati Chennai on 1 January 2026, while bookings are now open across dealerships nationwide. Power comes from a 998cc Desmosedici Stradale R engine that produces 215 bhp. With the racing exhaust installed, output increases to 232.6 bhp, and the engine revs up to 16,500 rpm.

Ducati XDiavel V4 Launched

Ducati also expanded its cruiser lineup by launching the new XDiavel V4 in India. Prices start at Rs. 30.89 lakh for the Burning Red colour option. Meanwhile, the Black Lava paint scheme is priced at Rs. 31.20 lakh, ex-showroom. 
The XDiavel V4 places greater focus on relaxed riding when compared to the standard Diavel V4. Additionally, it features a revised seating position and cruiser-oriented styling elements. Power comes from the same 1,158cc V4 Granturismo engine used in the Diavel V4. This engine produces around 165.70 bhp and 126 Nm of torque, offering a blend of strong performance and laid-back riding comfort.

2026 Kawasaki Z650RS Launched

Kawasaki launched the 2026 Z650RS in India at Rs. 7.83 lakh, ex-showroom. This makes it Rs. 14,000 more expensive than the outgoing 2025 version. However, the update mainly focuses on emissions compliance along with minor visual changes. 
The engine is now E20-compliant, meeting the latest fuel standards in India. The motorcycle continues to use the 649cc liquid-cooled parallel-twin engine, producing the same 65.44 bhp as before. However, torque output has reduced to 62.1 Nm, which is a drop of 1.9 Nm compared to the earlier model.

2026 Kawasaki Vulcan S Update

The 2026 Kawasaki Vulcan S has also been launched with similar updates this year. It is priced at Rs. 8.13 lakh, ex-showroom, making it Rs. 54,000 costlier than before. Furthermore, the Z650RS, the Vulcan S now comes with an E20-compliant engine. 
That said, performance figures have seen a slight reduction. The 649cc parallel-twin engine now generates 50.13 bhp and 61 Nm of torque. Compared to the previous version, torque output has dropped by 1.4 Nm. As a result, buyers benefit from cleaner emissions with a small compromise in performance.

KTM RC 160 Launch Expected Soon

KTM is expected to launch the RC 160 in India in the coming weeks. The expected price range is between Rs. 1.85 lakh and Rs. 1.90 lakh, ex-showroom. Spy images suggest that the motorcycle will share its design with the KTM RC 200.
In addition, the bike will use the same engine found in the KTM 160 Duke. The 164.2cc liquid-cooled engine produces 18.7 bhp and 15.5 Nm of torque. However, KTM may revise the gearing setup to deliver improved top-end performance on the RC 160.
Before you go, check out the Budget-Friendly Performance Motorcycles Expected in 2026.