Here's comes the Yamaha Saluto!

To compete with mass commuter bikes like the Discover and Honda CB Shine, Yamaha has launched 125cc Saluto

Yamaha Motor India is following the top-down strategy for Indiawith the launch of 125cc bike Saluto. This is the company's new executive bike and it competes with the Honda CB Shine and Bajaj Discover.

After the 125cc, Yamaha will be looking to enter the 100cc segment. At the moment the Japanese bike maker is operating in the 150cc segment with its R15. This new bike is priced at about Rs 58,000 on-road in New Delhi.

The Yamaha Saluto has a single-cylinder air-cooled 125cc engine that produces about 7.9bhp of power and 10.1Nm of peak torque. This engine will come mated to a four-speed transmission and the company claims it has a mileage of 78 km/litre.

Yamaha Saluto is based on a diamond frame and it has drum brakes on both the wheels. Yamaha enjoys a 25 per cent market share in the premium bike segment, however the company hasn't got any hold in the mass 100cc and 125cc segment.

The Saluto will be the company's new attempt to get some good amount of market share to begin with the 125cc segment.

Next year, Yamaha will be targeting the 100cc segment and looking at almost doubling its sales numbers.

The charm that the RX100 and RX135 possessed, Yamaha will want to get back the same old glory. However, the market is highly competitive and Yamaha has just entered the 125cc segment. The Japanese bike maker will be looking at increasing its reach as it plans to target 2000 touchpoints across India to reach out to more buyers and enhance its existing service network.

Yamaha will also be introducing the YZF-R125, which will be a full-fairing version with a 125cc engine.

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