Bike RPM

Bajaj-KTM’s Rs 1 lakh bike

We have been talking about KTM bikes coming to India since Baja displayed the Austrian bike in the 2008 Auto Expo. Finally we have some official news that India’s second largest two-wheeler maker, who is jointly developing performance bikes with KTM, will launch the much awaited bikes in 2011. We had earlier reported that the Bajaj-KTM is looking at introducing a 125cc bike with a max power of 15bhp, which complies with the European norms. But fresh information suggests that the bike will be priced around Rs 1 lakh. A 125cc bike at that price will not fetch large numbers in terms of sales, which mean that the firms might be looking at launching a bigger bike, probably 200cc plus. Praise the lord!

According to Bajaj Auto Two-wheeler, CEO, S. Sridhar – the new product will be first launched in Europe and then in India and this will be sometime during the next financial year. The bike will be assembled at Bajaj’s Pune plant and will be sold with the KTM marquee through their Pro-biking showrooms . These showrooms currently sell the Kawasaki Ninja 250R along with Bajaj products. Kawasaki which recently opened their Indian arm and will introduce more performance bikes from its international range, which will also be marketed through these showrooms. Finally, bigger bikes with newer technology are making their way in to the Indian market. Now it’s just a matter of time for the enthusiast to quench their need for speed.

[Via: BikeIndia]

Tags: autos, bajaj, bikes, ktm

Bajaj Auto Increases Stake In KTM

KTM Power Sports, Europe’s second largest motorcycle manufacturer and World’s No I Off-Road Bike maker, closed a 42.99 Million Euro Capital increase on 16th April 201O. The Capital increase comprised of 13.24 Million Euros by way of conversion of loans and 29.75 Million Euros Cash rights issue.

Bajaj Auto has invested Euro 20 Million in this capital increase and consequently has increased its share-holding in KTM from 31.92% to 35.67%. The joint development projects are proceeding well and the first products will hit the markets by the end of this year in Europe and by middle of 2011 in India. Bajaj will distribute KTM products in India and in markets like Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Africa.

[Via: Motorbeam]

Tags: autos, bajaj india, bikes, ktm

Coming soon : Bajaj-KTM street bikes

The Indo-Austrian alliance in the form of Bajaj Auto and KTM has resulted in the attainment of street bikes which will be inaugurated at the biennial Auto Expo 2010. These bikes will be powered by liquid cooled 4 stroke engine and will be powered by 125cc and 250cc engines. Though there are around 10 models in the market in the 125cc category, the 250cc segment is yet to be explored in India.

The agreement between the 2 companies took place in November 2007, with Bajaj Auto gaining 31.72% stakes in KTM. Essentially, KTM manufactures 50cc-1200cc bikes but for Bajaj Auto, only 2 bikes will be developed with a mass production taking place at Chakan, near Pune. KTM is looking forward to showcase these products at the international bike fair EICMA which will be held in Milan, Italy this November and later at the Auto Expo in New Delhi in January 2010.

Apart from these bikes a few big bikes of KTM will also be launched. These include 690 Supermoto, street bike 690 Duke, 990 Adventure, 250 EXC-F and 990 Superduke to name a few. While some of them will be directly imported, others will be sold through Bajaj’s probiking showrooms. With so many bikes to choose from, bikers will be quite delighted.

[Via: BIKE]

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