Keeway has added a new Glossy Yellow colour scheme for the V302C, joining the existing red and black variants. There has been no change in its price and the V320C remains available at ₹4.22 lakh ex-showroom.
The update retains its signature 298cc V-twin engine and the bike is left mechanically untouched. It continues to produce 29.5PS and 26.5Nm. It features an interesting bit of tech — a belt drive system, along with a slipper clutch. The teardrop-shaped fuel tank can hold 15-litres Due to the unusual engine configuration, the V302C is a unique offering at its price bracket.
At ₹4.22 lakh, Keeway finds itself in a “no-man’s land” price-wise as most buyers would probably opt for Royal Enfield’s parallel-twins with an established service network or go for something cheaper yet powerful machines like the Triumph 400 series.
Despite offering a well-built machine with premium features like a belt drive and a V-Twin engine, the brand faces an uphill battle in India. Keeway being a Chinese manufacturer holds a preconceived notion in buyer’s minds and is often associated with a cheap and disposable tag. That is certainly not the case but the scrutiny that a ‘Chinese’ and ‘New’ brand faces is real.
Servicing of a twin cylinder engine comes with additional labour and often expensive consumables as most parts are imported. Furthermore, Keeway’s service network remains nascent and inaccessible to most riders around the country. Launching a new colour can only do so much. Keeway needs to focus on its service network to counter the skepticism of Indian buyers, because its motorcycles are good products
