TVS to Launch 100cc Bike & Scooter in India Soon

TVS India in order to compete and make its position in the scooter segment is all set to launch a 100cc scooter from its Hosur facility near Bangalore, though the timeline has not been fixed.

Sources claim that TVS Bikes is reportedly considering a gearless scooter and will co-exist with the other two scooters - TVS Scooty Pep and TVS Scooty Streak which have engine displacement below 100cc at the moment.

The third largest two-wheeler maker of the India, TVS Motors Company has already taken a step ahead in improving its motorcycles portfolio in the TVS Apache RTR 180 in the premium segment and the 2009 model TVS Flame SR 125 in the executive segment and is yet continuing without resting. The company has lined up another bike in the executive segment, which will also be rolled out from Hosur facility, says a report that is not yet confirmed.

By the end of this fiscal year, TVS is also planning to launch its three-wheeler portfolio across the length and breadth of the country. Moreover, this three-wheeler is already retailed in states like Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra and a few others. Even four-stroke vehicle in petrol, LPG and CNG versions are also on the cards in the cities such as Delhi, Bangalore and Kolkata, where it is in great demand.

Harley Davidson Finally In India, Launches Five Models

As we told you earlier, Harley Davidson has formally announced its entry in the Indian market. The company also launched 5 Harley Davidson models which will be available in the Indian market from next year onwards. The models announced are - Night Rod Special, Fat Boy, customized model Legend Harley and Roadster.

Harley Davidson was granted permission to start operations from the year 2007 but the company was lobbying the government to cut the steep 110% duty on imported motorcycles, which more than doubled the cost for the Indian consumer. The company has now decided to the enter the market on its own while the duties remain the same.

The company has begun the process of picking up dealers and the construction of a flagship subsiday is already underway at Gurgaon, the satellite town near the capital, New Delhi.

Harley Davidson chief operating officer Matthew Levatich said that his mission was to lay a strong base in India to help play a long innings and that India is a vital part of company’s expansions plan which now is getting global.

The company hasnt announced the prices as yet.

For Harley Davidson India Site, Click Here!

For Model Information India, Click Here!

SCOOP: Royal Enfield To Launch Bullet Classic In India

“Either you love it or you hate it” has been true for every Bullet launched in India. While the brand affectionados love the thump and macho image, there are others who depise the reliability and last centuary technology.

While there is truth to the stuff people from both sides say, there is one Bullet which almost everyone loved and its the Bullet Classic 500 EFi which was unveiled by Royal Enfield at the Cologne International Bike Show. Utterly gorgeous and beautiful this bike with its old world style, charm and charisma stole many a hearts including the most staunch haters of the brand. But then Royal Enfield then dropped a bummer saying it would not be launched in India, dissapointing even the hardcore supporters of the brand.

Now comes the good part. Bike India reader has sent these pictures of the Bullet Classic clicked at one of the authorized workshops. The Indian version according to the mag may be launched at the upcoming Auto Expo in January 2010.

Jump over for more details and image gallery after the jump.

Expected to sport a price tag of Rs 1.4 Lakhs, the bike will come with the same 500cc unitary construction engine with electronic fuel injection developing a maximum power of 27.2 bhp and a massive for an Indian bike, 41.2 nm of maximum twist @ 4000 rpm! The engine is good enough for a top whack of 130 kmph and crusing speed of 100-110 kmph all day long without breaking into a sweat.

The bike being shown to selected customers in Bangalore for feedback also had two different exhausts as well as two different seating positions. Keep your eyes on your nearest Royal Enfield showroom as reports also say that test bikes are currently doing rounds in cities like Delhi, Pune, Chennai etc! If you steal a shot, please dont forget sharing it with us…. we can’t have enough of it… indulgence Bullet way!

Gallery: Bullet Classic 500 EFi

Yamaha India Photo Contest

Yamaha India has started a photo contest online where you could win a trip to Japan for 6 days and 7 nights with your loved one. You could also win an iPod Nano, Sony Cybershot digital camera or a Sony Ericsson F305 mobile phone. Entering the contest is pretty easy and if you own a Yamaha you would be silly enough not to enter. Fret not if you don’t own a Yamaha bike, you can rate the photos and win Yamaha pen drivers and apparels every week.

All you need to do is click a image and enter in any or all of the categories mentioned below : -

• Best Background & Yamaha – Win exciting Yamaha pen drives & apparels every week. Simply rate the photographs of your friend and others.
• Me & My Yamaha – Win exciting Yamaha pen drives & apparels every week. Simply rate the photographs of your friend and others.
• Yamaha at World Heritage – Win exciting Yamaha pen drives & apparels every week. Simply rate the photographs of your friend and others.

You can head over here to enter. You can also enter using your mobile phone here. Last date for entering is 31st August, 2009. So what you waiting for? Get flashing!

Bajaj Pulsar 220 – The Fastest Indian

Yamaha Files European Patent For A Turbodiesel Motorcycle

click to enlarge

While you may call it the antithesis of performance and hate it but you can’t ignore it… its the modern day diesel engine.

Not many companies have charted the unknown territory toward building a diesel engine motorcycle while some like Neander Motors have achieved a reasonable degree of success with them but the fact remains that none of the mainstream motorcycle manufactureres have shown even a hint of interest towards the oil burners.

This is all set to change as latest reveals unearth Yamaha’s European patent application filed at the beginning of July which covers various technological developments the core of which is lies a motorcycle sized in-line four and two cylinder intercooled turbodiesel engines. The packaging of such an engine in a bike chassis is a huge challenge considering a diesel engine is big and heavy and its built to withstand high pressure and torque. Packaging the intercooler and the turbocharger within the confines of a motorcycle chassis poses further challenges.

Yamaha’s patent seeks to address all these problem by using innovative technological solutions and hence establishes an acceptable arrangement of components. The intercooler for instance is located above the engine concealed in the frame under a dummy tank while the actual fuel tank is moved below the rider’s saddle. The turbocharger is mounted adjacent to the cylinder head which makes for better packaging and a more compact design.

Source: hellforleathermagazine

Read entire patent application.

Hero Honda - New Karizma FI Pictures Exposed to the world

Hero Honda is going to launch new Karizma soon. The New Karizma’s engine may come with Fuel Injection mechanism. The power, torque, ground clearance and other specifications are unknown till date.

As we can easily identify the things from the above picture, the New Karizma gets rear disc brake, clip on handle bars, modified look in front with full fairing and indicators on mounted fairing.

The new Karizma might get the exclusive colors in the market and expected news that it may get slight increase in its price.

So guys, keep your fingers crossed and expect the great news from Hero Honda soon.

Yamaha Launches Fazer With ‘Touring Spirit’

Yamaha has lauched another variant of the popular FZ 16 called the Fazer Touring Spirit in the Indian market.

Fazer essentially is the touring version of the FZ 16 with tweaks for long distance travelling. The front now comes with a color co-ordinated aerodynamic cowl to keep the wind blast at bay while the riding position has been tweaked for long hour, long distance travel and comes with special anti-skid seat skin. Twin 35W headlamps at do the lightening duties upfront to keep the vision clear and also bring it in line with global Yamaha Fazer DNA.

Dissapointingly though the engine remains the same 150cc Air-cooled SOHC 2 valver from the FZ 16 and goes against the touring nature of the bike for which extra power and torque would have been more than welcome. The engine delivers 14 ps of maximum power at 7500 rpm and a maximum torque of 14 nm @ 6000 rpm which is mated to a 5 speed gearbox and comes electric start as standard.

The new Yamaha Fazer comes in a total of four colors - Electric Blue, Lava Red, Flaming Orange and Midnight Black.

TVS FLAME SR 125 LAUNCHED!

TVS Motors has launched the upgraded version of its Flame 125cc bike christened the SR 125 still without the twin spark technology?

Cosmetically the Flame SR 125 comes with a new graphics, color schemes accompanied by a fatter rear tyre. TVS Motors also say that the enhanced engine now has lower NVH and ’significantly’ enhanced low and mid range performance and lesser noise.

According to H S Goindi, President Marketing – TVS Motor Company

“The TVS Flame SR125 comes with significantly enhanced low and mid range power delivery and better noise, vibration and handling (NVH) characteristics. The revolutionary Controlled Combustion Variable Timing Intelligent (CC-VTi) technology provides an advantageous combination of power and mileage backed by stunning looks.”

“One of the visible changes in the TVS Flame SR125 is the wider rear tyre. It is a category first. This impressive rear tyre, which has been a clamor by our customers, ensures better road grip and enhances the bike’s looks. Futuristic styling with refreshing new graphics deployed in this motorcycle gives it best-in-class appeal.” he added.

The disc brake version of the bike has been priced at Rs 47,550 and comes in dual tone colors of red and blue and an all black edition. The bike is available at all TVS dealers across the country.

Jump over for the press release.

Press Release

June 24, 2009 –
TVS Motor Company today announced the availability of its 2009 Flame model in the market under the brand TVS Flame SR 125. The new commuter motorcycle is loaded with a host of exciting features that has been further enhanced to delight its customers.

According to H S Goindi, President Marketing – TVS Motor Company, “The TVS Flame SR125 comes with significantly enhanced low and mid range power delivery and better noise, vibration and handling (NVH) characteristics. The revolutionary Controlled Combustion Variable Timing Intelligent (CC-VTi) technology provides an advantageous combination of power and mileage backed by stunning looks.”

TVS Flame SR 125’s well proven engine is propelled by a three valve, CC-VTi technology which ensures better pickup with optimum mileage and power. Developed with AVL Austria, this 125 cc, three valve engine is tuned to the ideal tumble-swirl port combination such that city riding on this machine is really smooth and comfortable. The engine’s hi-tumble reduces the need for constant gear shifting while the swirl port returns optimum mileage. The TVS Flame SR 125 is equipped with an electric start, weighs about 123 kgs and fires a single spark plug. The bike has a top speed at 95 kmph and churns out 10.5 bhp @ 7500 rpm.

“One of the visible changes in the TVS Flame SR125 is the wider rear tyre. It is a category first. This impressive rear tyre, which has been a clamor by our customers, ensures better road grip and enhances the bike’s looks. Futuristic styling with refreshing new graphics deployed in this motorcycle gives it best-in-class appeal.” Goindi adds.

TVS FLAME SR 125 boasts of several style statements including stylish headlamps with two position lamps and embedded turn signal lamps which give the bike a sporty finish. The 240 mm front disc brakes are complemented with a chic triangular exhaust that is not only unique but also enhances performance and delivers the smoothest of sounds and low emissions. The bike flaunts an elegant backlit digital console that prominently displays the first of its kind intelligent mileage indicator (IMI), low fuel warning and service indicator. The rear end of the bike sports a dual lens tail lamp that is first in its class. TVS Flame SR 125 is the only Indian motorcycle to be equipped with a gadget boot which provides the facility of on-tank storage.

“The disc brake version is priced at 47,550/- ex-showroom comes in dual tone colours of red and blue along with an all black edition and is available at all TVS dealerships across the country. However, for those not wanting in the disc brake, the bike is also available with drum brakes. ” Goindi said.

New Pulsar 220

New Bajaj Pulsar 220cc to be Launched on June 23

Bajaj Auto is expected to launch the latest variant of its top selling model Bajaj Pulsar 220cc in the final week of June 2009. Bajaj Pulsar 220cc model will replace the earlier version since it has a completely new DTS-i engine and is being billed as the fastest bike made in India.

It is claimed that the new Bajaj Pulsar 220cc will have a top speed of 140 kmph, which will be 15 kmph more than the earlier model (which had a max speed of 125 kmph). The price of this model is expected to be around Rs. 70,000, which is around Rs. 15,000 lesser than the current 220 cc version.

The new Bajaj Pulsar 220cc is expected to come with a black theme along with a carbon fibre diffuser. Going by these trends, the bike could be put into competition with the Yamaha FZ16 and Yamaha R15 models, since Bajaj is eyeing around 1/3rd of the entire super sports market and expects a sale of around 15,000 units a month.

Earlier, the Bajaj Pulsar 220 DTS-Fi was launched in 2007, with impressive differentiating features like oil cooled, fuel injected engine, tubeless tyres, front and rear disc brakes, digital speedometer console and parabolic/ellipsoidal projector headlamps.

Apache RTR 180 !!!!

Hey guies TVS Motors have launched the more powerful 180cc variant of the hot selling Apache RTR in the Indian market.

The Apache RTR 180’s 177.4 cc engine generates a maximum power of 17.3 PS @ 8500 rpm up 1.9 PS ps on the RTR 160 and a maximum torque of 15.5 nm, up 2.4 nm on RTR 160. Apart from the engine the Apache RTR 180 also benefits from 26 mm larger wheelbase and a fatter 110/80 17″ alloy tubeless tyre at the rear while 90/90 x 17” does duty at the front. Cosmetically, the bike comes with more prominent RTR decal on the tank extensions, golden painted front forks and gas reservoir for the rear shocks.

TVS claims a top whack of 125 km/hr and a 0-60 kph sprint in 4.15 seconds for the Apache RTR 180

The Apache RTR 180 has been priced at Rs. 63,990 Ex-Showroom, Delhi and will come in three colors - pearl white,titanium grey and black.

To view the launch advert click here!

Challenege to Activa

Bajaj Auto to Challenge Honda Activa with New Scooter

Bajaj Auto is all geared up for the launch of a new scooter that would pose tough competition to Honda Activa in the Indian markets. A statement has been released mentioning that the scooter would take two years to complete.

Bajaj Auto MD, Rajiv Bajaj said "We are developing a new scooter. It is a couple of years away from launch". He added "We want to develop a scooter with a USP that is rooted in specific technology."

He stated "We continue to work in partnership with Renault-Nissan for the small car. We want to position the car strategically so that no global major can make the model. Even if global majors want to make a car such as ours it should be financially not viable for them."

He announced, the company had begun manufacturing bikes from its China manufacturing unit and the company's exports to Nigeria have already begun.

New Honda Bikes

Honda CBR1000RR & CB1000R Super Bikes Launched in India

Honda is all set to put the Indian market on fire with the launch of its two brand new super bikes in India - the Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade and Honda CB1000R. It has also launched the Upgraded Honda CBF Stunner. While the super bikes will be imported as CBUs from Japan by Honda's Indian subsidiary Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India Limited, the Honda CBF Stunner will be produced in India.

The price of the Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade is expected to be around Rs. 13,36,960 while the price of the Honda CB1000R is expected to be around Rs. 10,21,460. These bikes have a neat European look and are expected to compete with the Ducati Monster and Triumph Speed Triple. The company plans to sell around 100-150 units of both these models. Honda CBR1000RR & Honda CB1000R bikes simply amaze with their 1000cc liquid inline 4-cylinder engine. These two bikes have the reputation of being the most stylish bikes in Honda's portfolio.

According to Honda President and CEO Mr. Shinji Aoyama, the company launched the Honda CBF Stunner in July last year. In the intervening period, Honda has sold 80,000 units. The current year's target is to sell 1.25 lakh CBF stunner bikes. The CBF Stunner is powered with a 125 cc air-cooled four-stroke self-start engine and has the capacity to deliver a whopping 11.6 BHP of power at 8000 rpm. Honda has incorporated the environmentally friendly PGM-FI technology in this bike that has brought down the emission levels to 1/10th of the current emission norms in India.

The new Honda CBF Stunner model delivers a brilliant mileage of 65 kmpl compared to the earlier model which delivered just 60 kmpl. With a top speed of 100 kilometers per hour, it is sure to impress many biking enthusiasts in the country. The CBF Stunner is priced at Rs 68,830 ex-showroom price Mumbai.

With these bikes being placed in the luxury segment, their performance is yet to be gauged with the Indian automobile segment facing the pangs of recession presently.

Honda CBR1000RR Bike:


Honda CB1000R Bike: