Bike RPM

Bajaj Sells 5 Lakh Units Of Discover 100

rajiv — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 06:42:06 +0000

Bajaj India has set a record of sorts by selling 5,00,000 units of the Discover 100 in a matter of 225 days. The 100cc Discover has also carved a leadership position in West Bengal and the entire North-East region by becoming the highest selling motorcycle in the overall two-wheeler category.

The company was unable to meet demand in February and there was a stock-out situation in some dealerships. The Bajaj Discover DTS-Si was launched in July last year and is available in five colors at Rs 41,736 (ex-showroom, Delhi). The company has already ramped-up production from the earlier 75,000 units to 1-lakh units per month to meet demand.

[Via: Motorbeam]

Hero Honda launches special edition “Pleasure”

rajiv — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 10:06:20 +0000

Hero Honda world’s largest two-wheeler company induces the spirit of celebrating the Women’s Day by launching immensely popular Pleasure with dazzling Pearl White body with a blast of red. This youthful, fun loving, unique special new edition is always ahead with a notion “Why should boys have all the fun”.

The Pleasure Special Edition boasts new exciting body graphics, a stunning new elliptical meter console, an attractive new red muffler cover, and a stylish white body coloured rear grip and a maintenance free battery. Pleasure is available at exclusively designed ‘Just 4 Her outlets’ and they can also be accessible at Hero Honda authorised showrooms. It will be available at a price of Rs.37, 250 (Ex-Showroom price, Delhi.)

[Via: Vicky]

Honda India Aims Big

rajiv — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 05:39:35 +0000

Honda India is betting big on the Indian market. The company expects to sell approximately 1.25 million two-wheelers in the ongoing fiscal year 2009-10 and continue this growth by selling 1.5 million units in 2010-11. The company is also very upbeat about its recently launched 110cc mass-commuter, the CB Twister , expecting it to sell around 220,000 units this year.

Its plant at Manesar, Haryana, has brimmed its full capacity of 1.5 million units per annum and the company is conducting a study on the feasibility of setting up its second plant in the country. Honda was considering to leave Haryana, where its existing factory is located, due to the labour unrest last year as the Japanese major incurred a loss of over Rs 300 crore due to the labour issue. Back in 2005 the firm had witnessed a violent strike by workers that shook the Gurgaon-Manesar belt.

“We are not averse to Haryana,” HMSI’s Operating Head, Sales and Marketing N K Rattan stated, speaking on the topic of the location of the second plant. He also added that a formal announcement on the topic is expected by next month-end. The buzz is that HMSI is considering the three major auto hubs of the country, namely Manesar-Gurgaon, Pune and Chennai to set up the above mentioned plant.

[Via: Bike India]

Bajaj to take controlling stake in KTM

rajiv — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 06:58:58 +0000

Bajaj India , which already has a 30% stake in Austrian motorcycle manufacturer, KTM, is expected to hike its stake to as much as 90% in the near future. While full details on this acquisition are not available yet, Bajaj and KTM are said to be in talks to finalise the deal as soon as possible.

Bajaj may either increase its stake in KTM to 90% right away, or may first hike the stake to 51% and then, in a phased manner, up to 90%. Details on the final arrangement are expected to emerge over the next few days. This deal will give Bajaj a major foothold in the European bike market and also open up avenues for launching bigger sportsbike from the KTM line-up in India.

[Via: indiaautomotive]

New Upgraded Honda CBF Stunner Launched

rajiv — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 09:45:19 +0000

The pemium entry level segment has recently seen new additions like Bajaj Pulsar 135, Gladiator SS and TVS Flame DS 125. Manufacturers are increasingly turning to the (so called premium) 125cc segment for profit. With a strategic move by Honda (HMSI) to augment the 12% market share it holds in this segment, the company is like to introduce an all new motorcycle in125cc segment in addition of its existing 125cc Shine. Honda India has launched the new upgraded CBF Stunner , which was showcased at the 2010 Auto Expo in New Delhi.

New CBF Stunner gets the following new features : -

- Addition of Tachometer in Intrument Cluster
- Maintenance Free Battery
- New Body Graphics and Stickers
- All Black Theme for Engine
- New Body Colored Cover Under The Engine
- New Sporty Mirror Set
- Half Chain Cover like we have seen in CB Twister

TVS May Launch Apache RTR 220 In April 2010

rajiv — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 09:53:57 +0000

After the huge success of Apache RTR 160 & Apache RTR 180, TVS India is all set to launch the Apache RTR 220 to compete with the likes of Yamaha R15, Hero Honda Karizma ZMR & Bajaj Pulsar 220. Though it is just a speculation and no official announcement has been made about the launch of Apache RTR 220, it is expected to be launched in March/April 2010. Apache RTR 220 might be the first TVS to come with full fairing. It might also feature ABS setting a new safety standard for performance bikes.

“If the market demands, we will look into the high-powered bike segment of above 200 cc category. This 200cc TVS bike could be either a sports bike or a bike with racing DNA. At this point of time TVS has not made any firm decision on this aspect,” TVS Motor Company President (Marketing) H S Goindi said. Internal sources reveal the Apache 220 to be more powerful with the bigger 220cc mill producing close to 22bhp. Apache RTR 220 is also expected to get full faring along with a segment first - ABS. Apache RTR 220 is expected to cost close to Rs. 90,000 to 95,000.

California Superbike School Comes To India

rajiv — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 07:57:12 +0000

The California Superbike School, the foremost motorcycle racing school in the world, has come to Chennai. The school was started by the legendary Keith Code, arguably the best known and most successful on track motorcycle instructor in the world and today operates in 15 countries, and comes to South East Asia for the first time. The school is dedicated to the improvement of riding skills for racing or just street riding. It has the most successful and comprehensive instruction program for almost all of motorcycling sport, and proudly includes winners of Moto GP and Super Sport Championships.

A few of the champions produced from the school are World Superbike Champion James Toseland, MotoGP 125cc World Champion Thomaas Luthi (personally coached by Andy Ibbot, who will be present at the Chennai Camp), World MotoGP Champions Chris Vermuellen, John Kocinski and Wayne Rainey. Since it’s inception 1980, California Superbike School is on four continents, fifteen countries operating at 90 tracks and has trained over 150,000 riders.

The school is brought to India and South East Asia by Preethi, India’s largest and most trusted brand of Mixer Grinders. Preethi is offering 24 riders a chance to be trained through a grueling 4-day camp which takes the participants through 4 levels of proficiency. Of the 24 riders, 16 riders are completely sponsored by Preethi. This is in keeping with its singular objective of providing valuable assistance to young, talented dedicated riders, who are unable to access the programs costing in excess of $5000 in the United States. The rest of the 8 vacancies cost Rs. 40,000/-each.

Red Rooster Racing, with it’s two years of International Racing experience, partners Preethi in this event by providing bikes, mechanics and tyres for the coaches from California Superbike School. Red Rooster Racing is a unique company dedicated to promoting Indian talent in motor sports. RRR promotes and encourages Indian drivers and riders to compete in most major forms of motorsport in India and South East Asia. The company feels that motorsport is a fantastic avenue for brand building and marketing, as well as R&D possibilities that determine and improve the performance and safety of the vehicle.

200 Units Of Kawasaki Ninja 250R Sold

rajiv — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 05:53:03 +0000

Bajaj India has managed to sell 200 units of the Kawasaki Ninja 250R . Bajaj tries to justify why the Kawcker is such a hit by saying “What makes this motorcycle unique is its near-perfect combination of performance, riding comfort and ease of handling. As a result it is as popular among casual riders as it among serious enthusiasts. In India, in a market cluttered with overpowered litre class motorcycles, the Kawasaki Ninja 250R will be the only supersport motorcycle whose performance is practical for Indian conditions. And with a price tag of less than Rs.3 lacs, it is well within reach of those seeking a super sport motorcycle.”

[Via: Motorbeam]

Yamaha To Launch Scooters In India

rajiv — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 05:46:55 +0000

Yamaha India plans to introduce scooters in the Indian market in order to tap the potential in the segment. The company is currently conducting a feasibility study on the scooter market, which is expected to be completed by the middle of this year. The feasibility study is focusing on areas such as the model to be introduced and possible time frame of launching the product in the country.

Yamaha India to Launch SZ & YBR

rajiv — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 12:16:57 +0000

According to a report by leading auto magazine BIKE INDIA Yamaha wants to achieve its target of capturing 10% market share in the coming years by riding on volumes. The Japanese bike maker has been successful in capturing the imagination of the youth by producing performance oriented bikes likes the R15 and FZ series. The firm now wants to introduce new models that would excite the masses who are looking for a reliable commuter bike.

The first bike is the Yamaha YBR , which is loosely based on the Alba. Going by the size and look of the engine it probably will be the 106cc mill used in the Alba, G5 and Crux with a slightly different state of tune. The bike would deliver around 65-70 kmpl and would have a sticker price of Rs 45,000 approx. It has a utilitarian design with a rear carrier and very basic styling. This bike would be targeted mostly at the rural areas and the entry level segment. The accurate figures can only be confirmed once the bike gets into production.

The other interesting bike is Yamaha SZ . The bike is aimed to deliver power with comfort and might sport the 123.7cc engine from the Gladiator range. Obviously seeking buyers who are looking for more out of their commuter bikes. So what they get is more power, comfort and styling. The bike has a nice and beefy front fairing, racy paint/graphics and sporty rear styling with a bold exhaust. However, the concept sans the disc brakes could mean that it would be aggressively priced. Though we hope to see a disc brake variant as well. The fuel economy should touch the 65 kmpl mark and the bike could be offered between Rs 50,000 to Rs 55,000.

[Via: BIKE INDIA]