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THE CEO of Yamaha's Indian operation has finally confirmed what we've all suspected for some time: Yamaha is set to make a 250cc sportsbike.

The new machine, which is expected to be made in India to reduce costs, is being readied for the 2014 model year. “In 2014 we will launch a powerful sporty 250 bike in the Indian market,” said Hiroyuki Suzuki to Indian business website the Financial Chronicle.

He also confirmed that more Indian-made Yamahas would be exported in future. At the moment, the firm is sending some of its smaller 150cc Indian-made R15 sportsbike (pictured above) to Japan to test the market over there.

There's no word on the 250cc bike's configuration – its rivals are split between singles and twins and Yamaha could follow either route. Don't expect exotic alloy frames or high-spec suspension; this bike is aimed at the CBR250R and Kawasaki's Ninja 300, so the firm will be doing everything to keep prices to a minimum.