JAWA

The Czech manufacturer announced an all-new bike on its 80th birthday

All of you, who think that the Jawa brand went extinct after its short run in the country, get this. The Czech brand, though well past its glory days, has managed to survive thanks to its ardent fans. In fact, Jawa is actually celebrating its 80th anniversary this year. 

Set up by František Janeček in Czechoslovakia in the year 1929, the brand has been in existence for eight entire decades. According to the information available on the company’s website, Jawa still makes motorcycles, dune buggies and even a small car. Though their current range may not be exactly modern, the company plans to launch better, more contemporary products. The latest bike to be announced by the Czech manufacturer is the 650 Dakar which will be fitted with a single cylinder liquid-cooled 652cc four-stroke engine from the Yamaha XT660. This rather basic engine produces 47bhp at 6500rpm with a healthy 57Nm of torque at 5000rpm.

The bike will be available in regular as well as touring versions. The latter gets a bigger windshield and a set of three luggage cases. The 650 Dakar will be available from 2010 onwards.

        

Latest Launch- TVS Scooty Streak

TVS, the company that has to its credit one of the most successful mini scooters in India, Scooty Pep and it has recently launched Scooty Streak, another promising bike for youngsters. The TVS Scooty Streak is designed to capture the 100 cc plus four stroke scooter market.

While the 90 cc Scooty Pep was targeted towards young women, with the 100 cc plus Scooty Streak TVS plans to get hold on a larger customer base by targeting young male customers as well. TVS Scooty Streak, although a class in itself, has been positioned against bikes like Aviator from Honda, Access from Suzuki and Flyte from Kinetic.  

The old looks of the Scooty Pep are retained but the bike still has a new charm to it with super styling and smart looks just right to woo the metrosex scooter riders. New additions include the mobile charger, a lockable glove box, anti skid wide tyres and more. The exterior of the Scooty Streak have been slightly modified to give it a cooler look. The seat is designed to give you a feel of sitting on the bike, the head lamp is slightly tweaked to maker it look sharp and the blinkers have been given the triangle shape to give it a young and stylish look. The mirrors on the handle have the body color back to add to the zing. Like in the Scooty Pep, the foot board is plain and easy in the Scooty Streak also. If only the petrol tank had not been fit into the back, it would have so much more cooler to get the fuel filled without getting down like in a bike.


The bike offers superior ride quality with its high-comfort contoured seat and the all aluminium shock absorbers that provide stress free riding even on bad roads. It comes with broad anti-skid tyres that provide enhanced wet braking stability and is equipped with an external fuel fill at the rear for refueling.

The new Scooty from TVS is equipped with all aluminum shock absorbers to ensure an easy and bump free ride even on pot-holed city roads and enhanced wet braking to ensure safety even on wet roads. The engine is especially designed light weight engine to provide enhanced fuel economy, perhaps the best in the class. With a product so superior, TVS surprises you with its value pricing. Priced at INR 38,000 ex-showroom, the TVS Scooty Streak gives you all the worth for you money, more probably.

The scooter is available in 5 colors – black, red, blue, pink and mauve, all designed to impress its target segment – teen youth. Moreover, the brand ambassador for the TVS Scooty Streak is Sania Mirza, the youth icon, a strategy sure woo the target segment. 

KAWASAKI NINJA 250R TO HIT INDIAN ROADS

KAWASAKI NINJA 250R  COMING SOON!!!

At 2008 Autoexpo, Bajaj Auto’s pavilion was buzzing with activity as Bajaj Auto decided to display motorcycles from not only its own stable, but also from Kawasaki and KTM. One bike in particular which caught almost every one’s attention was the Kawasaki Ninja 250R, adoringly called, Baby Ninja.

As Kawasaki announces the arrival of 2009 Ninja 250R in US, we are left wondering, when will biking enthusiasts in India get to ride one of these? The Answer has come now!!!!!

Yes,  After lots of delay, finally Bajaj announced that they will launch Kawasaki Ninja 250R in May-june this year. Kawasaki Ninja 250 is one of the most selling bike from the stable of Kawasaki. The bike throughout the world is known for its power and fuel efficiency combination. Other feature which makes this bike a popular toy among the experience bikers its light handling as well as its comfort. Can be considered a entry level sports bike but making good statement as street bike too.

 

The company said that the Kawasaki Ninja will be introduced as a completely-built unit; they will assemble KTM`s bigger bikes, like the Duke and RR, at their Chakan facility. 

This simply means that price of Bajaj Kawasaki Ninja 250R will be around Rs. 2 lakhs. They said that will also launch a few motorcycles from Austrian firm KTM next year. It is also jointly developing some bikes with KTM for the Indian market that will hit the road later. Bajaj owns nearly 30% stake in KTM. But those bikes will be assembled in India and hence their prices will be competitive and affordable. 


SPECS:

Engine:  
Engine Type Parallel Twin
Cylinders 2
Engine Stroke 4-Stroke
Cooling Liquid
Valves 8
Valves Per Cylinder 4
Valve Configuration DOHC
Compression Ratio 11.6:1
Starter Electric
Fuel Requirements RegularFuel Type Gas

Transmission:  
Transmission Type Manual
Number Of Speeds 6
Primary Drive (Rear Wheel) Chain

Wheels & Tires:  
Front Tire (Full Spec) 110/70 R17
Rear Tire (Full Spec) 130/70 R17

Brakes:  
Front Brake Type Hydraulic Disc
Rear Brake Type Disc

Technical Specifications:  
Wheelbase (in/mm) 55.1 / 1399.5
Fuel Capacity (gal/l) 4.8 / 18.2

COLOURS AVAILABLE:

 

Yamaha MTR01 and YZF R1 launched in India

Yamaha MTR01 and YZF R1 launched in India

Yamaha has become the first player in the market to bring their niche motorcycle products in the Indian market.

The company has now launched their MTR01 and YZF R1 premium bikes in the Indian market. These bikes are priced at Rs 10.5 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi).

Yamaha is now a small player in the Indian two wheeler market and they aim to generate the much needed excitement by launching these new products.

A company representative said: “We are looking at re-establishing the Yamaha brand in the country. We are therefore looking at fresh products targeted at the niche segment with better technology.”

Yamaha now has no plan to concentrate on the commuter or 100 cc segment anymore.

YZF R1

SPECS:

Engine:  
Engine Type Horizontal In-line
Cylinders 4
Engine Stroke 4-Stroke
Cooling Liquid
Valves 16
Valves Per Cylinder 4
Valve Configuration DOHC
Compression Ratio 12.7:1
Starter Electric
Fuel Requirements Regular
Fuel Type Gas

Transmission:  
Transmission Type Manual
Number Of Speeds 6
Primary Drive (Rear Wheel) Chain

Wheels & Tires:  
Front Tire (Full Spec) Pirelli® 120/70 ZR17
Rear Tire (Full Spec) Pirelli® 190/50 ZR17

Brakes:  
Front Brake Type Dual Hydraulic Disc
Rear Brake Type Hydraulic Disc

Technical Specifications:  
Wheelbase (in/mm) 55.7 / 1414.8
Fuel Capacity (gal/l) 4.75 / 18

YAMAHA MTO1

SPECS:

Model: Yamaha MT-01
Year: 2005
Category: Naked bike
Rating: 75.2 out of 100.

Engine and transmission
Displacement: 1670.00 ccm (101.90 cubic inches)
Engine type: V2
Stroke: 4
Power: 90.00 HP (65.7 kW)) @ 4750 RPM
Torque: 150.10 Nm (15.3 kgf-m or 110.7 ft.lbs) @ 3750 RPM
Compression: 8.4:1
Bore x stroke: 97.0 x 113.0 mm (3.8 x 4.4 inches)
Fuel system: Injection
Valves per cylinder: 4
Fuel control: OHV
Starter: Electric
Lubrication system: Dry sump
Cooling system: Air
Gearbox: 5-speed
Transmission type
final drive: Chain
Clutch: Wet, multiple-disc

Physical measures
Dry weight: 240.0 kg (529.1 pounds)
Front percentage of weight: 47.0
Rear percentage of weight: 53.0
Overall height: 825 mm (32.5 inches)
Overall length: 2,185 mm (86.0 inches)
Overall width: 790 mm (31.1 inches)
Ground clearance: 140 mm (5.5 inches)
Wheelbase: 1,525 mm (60.0 inches)

Chassis and dimensions
Frame type: Newly designed aluminium CF die-cast sports frame, R1-type die-cast aluminium subframe
Rake (fork angle): 25.0°
Trail: 103 mm (4.1 inches)
Front suspension: Fully-adjustable R1-derived upside down 43mm forks
Front suspension travel: 120 mm (4.7 inches)
Rear suspension: Horizontal fully-adjustable rear shock
Rear suspension travel: 117 mm (4.6 inches)
Front tyre dimensions: 120/70-ZR17 M/C (58W) 
Rear tyre dimensions: 190/50-ZR17 M/C (73W) 
Front brakes: Double disc
Front brakes diameter: 320 mm (12.6 inches)
Rear brakes: Single disc
Rear brakes diameter: 267 mm (10.5 inches)
Speed and acceleration
Power/weight ratio: 0.3750 HP/kg
Other specifications
Fuel capacity: 15.00 litres (3.96 gallons)
Reserve fuel capacity: 3.00 litres (0.79 gallons)

Speed and acceleration
Power/weight ratio: 0.3750 HP/kg
Others

Other specifications
Fuel capacity: 15.00 litres (3.96 gallons)
Reserve fuel capacity: 3.00 litres (0.79 gallons)

HONDA LAUNCHES CBR 1000RR AND CB1000R IN INDIA

Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI) has had an aggressive growth path for itself in the fast-growing bike segment. It now plans to launch a 100cc bike by December and introduce five more models in three years with the objective of en cashing on the growing opportunities in the bike market. 

Talking about the proposed move and confirming the same Mr. Naresh Kumar Rattan, operating head, Sales & Marketing, HMSI, said, “The bike segment is a good business for us and we would be focusing on it. We expect to grow in the bike space by 25% by next year.” He declined to reveal the details of the new models and the segments they would be considered. “We cannot speak about our upcoming products now.” 

HMSI is renowned in India for the Honda Activa, its gearless scooter. The intention now is to have a significant presence in the bike segment where it is a marginal player. The company presently offers three bikes namely Unicorn, Shine and Stunner. In the year 2008-09, HMSI has sold over five lakh bikes which is up 40% from 2007-08. Overall, HMSI sold 10.7 lakh two-wheelers (bikes and scooters) during FY09. The company has now set itself a target to produce 12.5 lakh two wheelers for 2009-10. 

HMSI has very recently entered the fun bike segment with the launch of the CBR 1000RR Fireblade and CB1000R models which are at the higher end segment. These are in the Rs 9.5-12.5 lakh price range. The company also has plans to increase its dealership and branches. With the intention to grow in the bike segment, HMSI will be up against Hero Honda where Honda is a joint venture partner. 

Hero Honda is presently the biggest player in the bike segment with a 40% market share. Though HMSI officials say their existing models and those in the pipeline are not in the same segment as that of Hero Honda’s, they will compete for the same customer.  

According to the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), two wheelers constitute three-fourths of the total number of vehicles sold in the domestic market. Hero Honda is the market leader and is followed by Bajaj and TVS in the domestic market. HMSI is one of the major players in the automatic gear scooter segment. HMSI, on Tuesday, launched a 110cc variant of Honda Activa for the Western market.

Identification

Model Type Sport
BASE MSRP(US) $12,999.00
Dealers Honda Dealers
Warranty 12 mnths
 
Engine:
Engine Type Horizontal In-line
Cylinders 4
Engine Stroke 4-Stroke
Cooling Liquid
Valves 16
Valves Per Cylinder 4
Valve Configuration DOHC
Bore (mm/in) 76 / 2.99
Stroke (mm/in) 55.1 / 2.17
Displacement (cc/ci) 999 / 61
Compression Ratio 12.3:1
Starter Electric
Emissions Standards Standard Emissions
Ram Air Induction Yes
Fuel Type Gas
Carburetion Brand Denso
Fuel Injector Yes
Fuel Injector Size (mm) 46
Carburetor NoCarburetion Type Fuel Injected

Transmission:

Transmission Type Manual
Number Of Speeds 6
Primary Drive (Rear Wheel) Chain
Reverse No

Wheels & Tires:  
Wheels Composition Aluminum
Tube / Tubeless Tubeless
Front Wheel Width (in) 3.5
Rear Wheel Width (in) 6
Chromed No
Front Tire Width 120
Front Tire Aspect Ratio 70
Front Tire Speed Rating Z
Front Wheel Diameter 17
Rear Tire Width 190
Rear Tire Aspect Ratio 50
Rear Tire Speed Rating Z
Rear Wheel Diameter 17
Front Tire (Full Spec) 120/70 ZR17
Rear Tire (Full Spec) 190/50 ZR17

Brakes:  
Front Brake Type Dual Disc
Front Brake Diameter (in/mm) 12.6 / 320
Front Caliper Pistons 4
Rear Brake Type Disc
Rear Brake Diameter (in/mm) 8.7 / 220
Rear Caliper Pistons 1
Anti-Lock Brakes Standard

Suspension:  
Front Suspension Type Inverted Fork
Front Suspension Size (in/mm) 1.7 / 43
Front Travel (in/mm) 4.3 / 109.2
Front Adjustable Fork Pre-Load Yes
Front Adjustable Rebound Damping Yes
Front Central Suspension Strut No
Steering Damper Yes
Rear Suspension Type Twin Sided Swing Arm
Rear Travel (in/mm) 5.4 / 137.2
Rear Adjustable Shock / Spring Pre-Load Yes
Rear Adjustable Rebound Damping Yes
Number Rear Shock Absorbers 1
Rear Suspension Brand Name Unit Pro Link™
Rear Suspension Material Aluminum
Air Adjustable No

Steering:  
Steering Control Handlebar
Technical Specifications:  
Wheelbase (in/mm) 55.4 / 1407.2
Rake (degrees) 23.3
Trail (in/mm) 3.8 / 96.2
Wet Weight (lbs/kg) 461.7 / 209.4
Fuel Capacity (gal/l) 4.7 / 17.8
Fuel Capacity Reserve (gal/l) 1.06 / 4
Performance Standard

Seats:  
Seat Type Two-Piece
Adjustable No
Seat Material Vinyl
Seat Location Driver and Passenger
Folding No
Seat Height (in/mm) 32.3 / 820.4
Number Of Seats 2
Grab Rail or Strap Standard

Exterior:  
Frame Aluminum
Body Material Plastic
Hand Grip Material Rubber
Foot Peg Location Driver and Passenger
Drive Shaft Guard No
Fork Guards Yes
Saddle Bag Guard No
Belt Guard No
Hand Guards No
Brush Guard No
Light Guard No
Fuel Tank Cover Yes
Front Fender Material Plastic
Rear Fender Material Plastic
Top Crown Standard
Stand Type Kick
Lower Fairing Standard
Spoiler Standard
Handlebars Standard
Upper Fairing Standard
License Plate Standard

Instrumentation:  
Digital Instrumentation Standard
Clock Standard
Tachometer Standard
Trip Odometer Standard
Trip Computer Standard
Speedometer Standard
Temperature Warning Type Gauge
Fuel Level Warning Type Gauge

Pricing:  
Warranty (Condition) Limited
Zero Price Schema 0
NADA Value Average 0
NADA Value Low 0
NADA Value High 0
Identification:  
Generic Type (Primary) Sport
Manufacturer Country Japan
Introduction Year 2009
MIC Model Segment ON-HWY Sport Bike Over 750cc
NADATrimID 33111
CRS -> NADA Map 6200024339

Mounts:  
Windshield Mounts Standard
Paint & Finish:  
Paint Standard
Glass:  
Folding Yes
Windshield Lowers No
Height Adjustable No
Tinted Yes
Height Low

Storage:  
Underseat Storage Standard

Lights:  
Headlight Mounts Standard
Halogen Headlight (s) Standard

Convenience:  
Handlebar Lock Standard

CB 1000R

The CB1000R is a whole new bag for Honda. A bike designed with Europe in mind and one that uses a retuned version of the ‘07 CBR1000RR engine and runs ‘08 Fireblade forks, ‘08 Fireblade brakes, a beautiful single-sided swingarm and styling tailored to the decor of the very best designer cafes in Milan







Then there’s the short, stubby attitude of the CB1000R: the tiny seat unit designed as a token gesture to attract nubile young goddesses who may want to perch on your steed, so to speak. In reality no real human would want to sit on the back and you’d never get a tail pack on it, but Honda designed it that way. It’s all about being aggressive, minimal, and saying to everyone watching that hey, I’m a no-compromise kind of person who likes to ride fast and look good (well, as good as you can look when you resemble a Manatee!). 

The CB1000R weighs in wet at 217kg, which is just 18kg more than the super lightweight 2008 Blade, and most of that extra weight is in the heavily braced single-sided swingarm.

Scope out that swoopy four-spoke rear wheel, the LCD clocks that are claimed to be the most expensive Honda makes, the jagged lines of the bodywork and the aggressive ‘angry alien here to destroy’ stance, and you can tell this is no normal Japanese naked bike. It’s designed to give a sporty ride with the stylish looks of a naked, and believe me it more than delivers the goods.

The CB1000R is a serious bit of kit that aims to do a totally different job to that of the old Hornet 900, and out on the road the bike is gentle, easy and torquey. The fuelling is perfect, the grunt is huge. One hundred and thirty horsepower is heaps but it’s more about the torque and the way the power is delivered that impressed yours truly. It comes on clean and chunky to the point where sixth gear will pull 50kph with no quivers from the transmission; no rattles, just tidy, clean drive. Try that on most other nudes and you’ll be reaching for an inhaler to spray down its air intakes. Hit 8000rpm and there’s no noticeable switch in delivery but by then it’s pulling at its peak and doesn’t ease off till it hits the 10 thou mark.

Hitting the motorway and the CB1000R comes into its own. You can feel how agile it is when cutting through traffic. It steers quickly, yet the boffins behind the bike have managed to make it stable at speed – quite a feat when you consider how quickly it turns into a corner. Sit at 120kph and the Honda is surprisingly comfortable. You feel close to the headstock of the bike, yet deep enough in the seat to not feel the full force of the wind.

Where the CB1000R really comes into its own is on nice, tight, flowing roads and it’s here where it likes to live. The big Honda is so easy to ride fast that you really don’t have to think about what gear and when to get on the throttle. It seems to let you get away with riding the road and not thinking about the bike. The Honda fair leaps out of corners, putting all of its torque to the ground and is round the rev-counter before you know it. Shift at 10,000rpm and it feels like the perfect blend of power and torque for the road. 

The suspension is softer than the Triumph but, for me, gives the perfect blend of feel and comfort. I don’t want a bike that’s too hard, just one that lets me know what the wheels are doing and doesn’t pitch around under power or braking. The only thing the CB1000R lacks is a bit of soul and the noise that you get from the Brutale and the Speed Triple. But for the real world, where cops are hiding in bushes with speed guns and decibel counters, the roads are getting ever busier and a sizable portion of said roads resemble a patchwork quilt, Honda has come up with a brilliant naked bike.

Specifications

Engine type: Liquid-cooled four-stroke 16-valve DOHC inline-four
Displacement: 998cc
Bore x stroke: 75 x 56.5mm
Carburation: PGM-FI electronic fuel injection
Ignition: Computer-controlled digital transistorised with electronic advance
Suspension: Front: 43mm inverted HMAS cartridge-type telescopic fork with stepless preload, compression and rebound adjustment, 120mm cushion stroke
Suspension: Rear: Monoshock with gas-charged HMSA damper featuring 10-step preload and stepless rebound damping adjustment, 128mm axle travel
Front brakes: 310 x 4.5mm dual hydraulic disc with four-piston callipers, floating rotors and sintered metal pads
Rear brakes: 256 x 5mm hydraulic disc with dual-piston caliper and sintered metal pads
Front tyres: 120/70 R17
Rear tyres: 180/55 R17
Wheelbase: 1445mm
Seat height: 828mm
Ground clearance: 130mm
Fuel capacity: 17 litres (including four-litre LCD indicated reserve)
Dimensions: 2090 x 775 x 1090mm

HONDA CBR 150R COMING SOON.......

HMSI has planned to introduce CBR series of CBR 150 R in India. This sporty version is known well to all the Honda Ethusiasts. This for sure will be an R-15 Killer. Specs. for now.





Specifications :
Honda CBR 150R
◘ Model: Honda CBR 150R
◘ Year: 2009
◘ Category: Sport
◘ Rating: 72.3 out of 100
◘ Engine and transmission
◘ Displacement: 149.40 ccm (9.12 cubic inches)
◘ Engine type: Single cylinder
◘ Stroke: 4
◘ Power: 17.00 HP (12.4 kW))
◘ Compression: 11.0:1
◘ Bore x stroke: 63.5 x 47.2 mm (2.5 x 1.9 inches)
◘ Fuel system: Carburettor
◘ Valves per cylinder: 4
◘ Fuel control: DOHC
◘ Ignition: CDI Direct System
◘ Starter: Electric
◘ Lubrication system: Wet sump
◘ Cooling system: Liquid
◘ Gearbox: 6-speed
◘ Transmission type
◘ final drive: Chain
◘ Clutch: Wet Multiple Disk

Physical measures◘ Dry weight: 115.0 kg (253.5 pounds)
◘ Seat height: 776 mm (30.6 inches)
◘ Overall height: 1 mm (0.0 inches)
◘ Overall length: 1 mm (0.0 inches)
◘ Overall width: 652 mm (25.7 inches)
◘ Ground clearance: 172 mm (6.8 inches)
◘ Wheelbase: 1 mm (0.0 inches)

Chassis and dimensions◘ Frame type: Aluminum Frame
◘ Front suspension: Telescopic forks
◘ Rear suspension: Monoshock
◘ Rear suspension travel: 120 mm (4.7 inches)
◘ Front brakes: Single disc. 2-piston caliper
◘ Front brakes diameter: 276 mm (10.9 inches)
◘ Rear brakes: Single disc. 2-piston caliper
◘ Rear brakes diameter: 220 mm (8.7 inches)
◘ Exhaust system: Painted black steel pipe and chrome coated muffler

Speed and acceleration◘ Top speed: 160.0 km/h (99.4 mph)
◘ Power/weight ratio: 0.1478 HP/kg

Other specifications◘ Fuel capacity: 10.00 litres (2.64 gallons)
◘ Fuel consumption pr. 10 km (6.2 miles): 3.00 litres (0.79 gallons)
◘ Color options: Red/grey, black/grey, blue/grey.

INDIA GETS HONDA UNICORN GRAND PRIX EDITION

Yet another Grand Prix limited edition from Honda, in racing blue, white and green livery. The previous one came in Repsol colors with flourescent orange alloys.

“The limited edition Unicorn Grand Prix Edition is derived from Honda’s racing DNA and the new sporty graphics reflect true racing attitude.” according to Honda. 3500 limited edition bikes will be built and will retail at Rs. 59,290 Ex-Showroom Delhi.

SPECS:

VEHICLE SUMMARY
Name: Unicorn Grandprix GP
Type: Sports
Top Speed: 101kph

ENGINE SPECIFICATIONS
Displacement: 149.1cc
Engine: 4 Stroke, Air Cooled OHC, Single Cylinder
Maximum Power: 13.3bhp@8000rpm
Maximum Torque: 1.3kgm@5500rpm
Gears: 5 Speed
Clutch: 0
Bore: 57.3
Stroke: 57.8
Cylinder Configuration: NA
Engine Block Material: NA
Chassis Type: NA
Cooling Type: Air Cooling
Carburetor: CV Type
0 to 60: 5.00 sec.

DIMENSIONS
Length: 2095.00 mm
Width: 750.00 mm
Height: 1100.00 mm

OTHER SPECIFICATIONS
Weight: 146.00 kg
Ground Clearance: 168.00 mm
Fuel Tank: 13.00 ltrs
Wheelbase: 1340.00 mm
Electrical System: NA
Headlamp: Halogen (12V/35W)
Battery Type: 12V - 2.5 Ah(Kick) / 12V - 7 Ah(Self)
Battery Capacity: 12V
Horn: NA
Wheel Size: 2.75 x 18", 3.00 X 18" mm
Tubeless: 
Colors: Available in White, Blue & Green Combination with Black Alloys

ACTIVE AND PASSIVE SAFETY
Suspension(Front): Telescopic
Suspension(Rear): Advanced Technology Mono-suspension
Brakes: 240mm Disc
Brakes(Rear): 130 mm Drum
Stand Alarm: 

COMFORT AND CONVENIENCE
Fuel Guage: Analogue
Self Start: Y
Tacho Meter: Analogue
Trip Meter: Analogue-1
Alloys: Y
Warranty: NA
Speedometer: Analogue
Passenger Footrest: Y
Passenger Backrest: NA
Step-up Seat: NA
Pass-light:Y 
Low Fuel Indicator: Y
Low Oil Indicator: NA
Low Battery Indicator: NA
High Oil Temp. Indicator: NA
Choked Air Filter Indicator:NA

Yamaha may launch new Fazer 150

Yamaha India is on top registering sales growth since last some months. This is due to Yamaha's new models fz16, fz-s and R15. Now its turn for Mini fazer, A new 150cc bike from yamaha. Yamaha Fazer 150 is derived from its international parent Fazer 1000.

                                                                       Yamaha fazer 1000

                                                                  Spotted Yamaha Fazer 150

Yamaha Fazer was caught to be tested on road. Those who dislike the naked headlight of FZ16 or even dislike the look of FZ-S, they will be provided with new option, Fazer 150!! As Fazer is now being tested, we may expect its launch in near future, though there is no official announcement about Fazer 150.

Hero Honda to launch 12 new bikes in 2008-(mid) 2009..!!

Hero Honda has 12 bikes lined up till Mid-2009..!!

Pawan Munjal, CEO, Hero Honda said it will launch 12 new bikes across entry executive premium segment, reports MoneyControl.Com".

                              Mr. Pawan Munjal (center) at the launch of the CBZ Xtreme

"Between the expos of 2006 –08, we had 18 launches. 

Going forward, in the next 18 months, we have 12 new launches and are looking at all three segments. 

We have focus on all the three segments and more and more on the premium, the youth and on the youngsters," said Pawan Munjal, CEO, Hero Honda Motors.

"Fuel Injected" Royal Enfield Bullet 500 Electra

What you see below are the pics/photos of the new "Fuel Injected" Royal Enfield 500 Bullet Electra EFI..

The Bullet 500 Electra EFI is right now an import only model and will soon make its appearence on foreign shores soon.

Apart from Fuel Injection, The Bullet 500 Electra EFI also features a Unit Construction Engine (Engine-Gearbox in a single block) and a more conventional left side gear shifter.. which sets this particular model apart from previous Royal Enfield models.

The Bullet 500 Electra EFI is right now an export only model.. The classic looking speedometer shows the reading in MPH (miles per hour). The Bullet 500 Electra also "Probably" features a twin spark plug like design on its single cylinder engine..

The 500 Electra EFI also features front discs and a gas filled rear suspension.

There are news of a 350 cc engine with similar Unit Construction Engine (without the Fuel Injection) that is being prepared for an India launch..!!

Technical Specifications of the Royal Enfield Bullet 500 Electra EFI:

Engine:
4 Stroke Single Cylinder
Capacity: 499 cc 
Max Power: 30 hp

Electronic fuel injection
Kick and Electric start
5 Gears

Suspension
Front: Telescopic front Forks
Rear: Gas Filled, 5 stage Adjustable

Brakes
Front: 280 mm disk with dual-piston caliper
Rear: 153 mm drum

Wheels
Front: 90/90 X 19 '
Rear: 100/90 X 19 '

Capacity, weights and dimensions
Fuel Tank of 14.5 lts (reserve 1.5 lts)
Weight 180 kg in running order
Length of 2200 cm
Width of 790 mm
Seat height of 820 mm

Fuel Consumption: 3.3 lts/100km
Price: 5,990 € (Euros)

FAT TYRE Vs STOCK

• It seems like most of the  Indian bikers/consumers seem to prefer a bigger/wider rear tyre on their bikes (dont know really why??)
  
  One doesn’t have to look beyond the modifications that guys/"desi" bikers carry out on their bikes. Fitting a loud exhaust and a wider rear tyre and a fancy horn & some LED's to soup up the bike always happens to be among the favourite ones.
  
  
  Actually fitting too wide a rear tyre also has the following negative implications.
  
  
  "Give bikers what they WANT and they would move Heaven and Earth to get it."
  
• Decrease the performance and fuel efficiency of the bike by increasing the "Rolling Resistance" and adding additional weight.
  
  
• It can also adversely affect the handling of the bike.
  
  
• Even if "Average Kya hai..??" (What's the average mileage..??) still happens to be the national anthem among "desi" bikers, surprisingly they also seem to prefer a wider rear tyre.

So why do we seem to prefer a wider rear tyre..??


Reason #1: Aesthetics

Most of us who have seen a Super Bike are always in awe of the impossibly wide rear tyre that those exotic bikes possess. Who wouldn’t like to dream of riding a similar machine someday? So while we work towards that transition, we may want to ride something which shows off to the world that we are indeed riding something powerful (Whether what they ride is really powerful or not is a different matter altogether).


Reason #2: Safety

Normally a wider tyre at the rear gives the feeling that while taking sharp turns and while braking, such a tyre would provide with more contact patch and therefore would be a safer one as well.

But the other day a particular guy put forward his point of view on this..


"Most of the braking load is on the front tire and thats as thick as it needs to be. Shall i say it again, already tested and proven on the race track. You dont brake or corner half as much as that on the street".


Actually is it true. About 70-80 % of the braking in a motorcycle takes place on the front wheels. That’s exactly the reason why the front brakes are made more powerful on motorcycles.


Ok I understand.. But I would still say that a wider rear tyre is a "Psychological" need and maybe an "Emotional" need as well.




In the end it all boils down to what Bikers "Need" and what they actually "Want".. and I can safely tell you that "Give bikers what they WANT and they would move Heaven and Earth to get it."

Come to think of it, even Honda (HMSI) has to increase the size of the rear tyre of the New Unicorn from it earlier size 3.00 (inches) to size 100 (in mm).

The Unicorn had a tyre upgrade after intensive research on that bike by HMSI Engineers who were very careful about the upgrade and didn't want to loose the bike's confidence in handling and so do the other companies.

                                                  But the normal tyre change that we do where we go in for a fatter tyre eventually has its own positives and negatives and one has to be careful about that, afterall life dosen't give you a second chance.  

MAKING OF THE PULSAR....

That's Rajiv Bajaj, the elder Bajaj scion narrating to BusinessWorld how tough it was for him to persuade his own board of directors.

The idea was to develop an indigenously developed performance oriented motorcycle without any help of its Japanese partner Kawasaki. And how he and his team has been successful in achieving what many people thought was impossible to achieve.

Rajiv Bajaj was just in his early 30's when he tried to sell this idea.

From Number One to Number Four:

The mid-nineties were tough times for Bajaj Auto. Bajaj Auto used to dominate India’s two wheeler industry with its scooter for the better part of the last century. But as India marched towards the new millennium, there was a dramatic shift in the preference of consumers. The market shifted in favor of Motorcycles. By 1999 motorcycles overtook scooter sales for the first time.

From being the number one Bajaj Auto suddenly found itself in the 4’th position after Hero Honda, Yamaha and TVS. The experts never really gave Bajaj Auto much of a chance. Rajiv Bajaj says this is what people used to say about Bajaj Auto,


"You can't make bikes. Even if you make bikes, you can only make 100cc bikes with the help of Kawasaki. That too with issues of quality. Then you need hundreds of Japanese to come and set it right".


Frankly speaking at that time either the very brave or the foolish would have dared to put his smart money on Bajaj Auto. Bajaj Auto was primarily a scooter manufacturer. Its motorcycle manufacturing cost was high, the quality too low. Its initial models failed to excite the consumer. The company faced a question of survival.

What was wrong with Bajaj Auto..??


The challenge was to get the right products at the right price and to bring in Japanese Style Management Practices..

But people at Bajaj Auto did not want to change..

Rajiv Bajaj says that the problem was of one of attitude: Bajaj was a scooter company and therefore the motorcycle department was given second-class treatment (it was only 10 per cent of their business in 1996), the quality of the products was poor, and they did not offer fuel efficiency the way the Japanese bikes did. The manufacturing processes were outdated. Simply put Bajaj Auto did not know how to make motorcycles and the people at Bajaj Auto were not willing to change.

In 1991, Rajiv Bajaj completed his M.S. in manufacturing systems engineering from the University of Warwick, UK and returned to join Bajaj Auto. Rajiv Bajaj recalls how things were wrong at Bajaj Auto.


"We went into a series of new products around 1995, and started focusing on motorcycles. And we were aghast because the only reasonably sophisticated product we were making was the Kawasaki four-stroke motorcycle. And the warranty cost of our motorcycle was five to six times that of Hero Honda. It was bad quality... bad quality of manufacturing."

"There was great cynicism whether something was wrong with Kawasaki or with Bajaj. Kawasaki couldn't have gone wrong in that. We were sure that the same motorcycle made by Kawasaki in Japan would not have had these problems. There was probably something wrong with us."


It takes great courage for someone to accept ones mistakes and faults. But then accepting and taking ownership of ones fault is the first step towards improvement. The challenge next was to get the right products at the right price and to bring in Japanese productivity tools (the management practices that the Japanese pioneered for efficient production) to reduce costs just as the competitors were doing.


Sanjiv Bajaj
Sanjiv Bajaj, the younger brother of Rajiv had joined the company armed with an MBA from Harvard, says his reading of big companies like Honda, Toyota and Apple had taught him one thing: a successful company needs a good product. But most workers in the Pune plant did not believe you could bring in Japanese management practices into India; there was stiff resistance to the move.

The problem with Bajaj was that we were so successful with autorickshaws that all that mattered was production. Manufacturing was the overall priority at a time when there was a 10-year waiting list. But there wasn't any focus in the organisation to build a company where people with an open mind would try new things.


Fighting Back:


"Each time I tried to push a radical idea, I always got the answer directly or indirectly -- that it's OK in Japan. It doesn't happen in India"

All those who did not want to change were simply sacked..!!

Having studied about manufacturing systems in his MS, Rajiv Bajaj wanted to implement similar changes in Bajaj Auto. But it was met with cynicism from the company’s own board members. Most of them laughed at his idea and were of the opinion that Indians were not able to achieve to achieve Japanese levels of quality. That's when the two brothers made an unusual decision. They decided to set up a new plant. They chose Chakan, an hour's drive from Pune for the new plant. Says Sanjiv: "We realised that sometimes people have to be taught by example. That's what we did in Chakan." Says Rajiv,


"Each time I tried to push a radical idea, I always got the answer directly or indirectly -- that it's OK in Japan. It doesn't happen in India. So I was desperate to prove that it happens in India. I wanted a plant where we start the right way from day one. That's how Chakan started."


Chakan was the third plant of Bajaj apart from the ones at Akrudi and Waluj. The Chakan plant was started to only produce the new bike (Pulsar) with an entirely new workforce and new management. The workforce mainly constituted of fresh graduates from college who were open to new ideas.

What happened to the senior management who resisted Rajiv Bajaj’s radical ideas..?? Well all those who did not want to change were simply sacked..!!

The Team that made it possible:


"We have a young bunch of people, many of whom are motorcycle riders. They are crazy about bikes and understand the customer’s requirements as users," adds Abraham Joseph, the R&D Head

Rahul Bajaj the father of Rajiv Bajaj was not exactly sure whether it was the right thing to do but he nevertheless chose to keep his faith on his sons. Rajiv Bajaj along with his younger brother Sanjiv Bajaj went ahead to set things right along with a new team. His new team comprised of mostly guys who them selves loved riding bikes and understood biking.

"We have a young bunch of people, many of whom are motorcycle riders. They are crazy about bikes and understand the customer’s requirements as users," adds Abraham Joseph, the R&D Head who himself joined in 1989. There are others like Ravi Darad, Bajaj Auto's stylist who is an engineer from IIT-Bombay and who is a keen biker himself. The guys who teamed up with the Bajaj Brothers for this remarkable turnaround were.
Abraham Joseph (R&D)

Pradeep Shrivastava (Manufacturing)

S Sridhar (Marketing and Sales)

Kevin P D'Sa (Finance)

K Srinivas (Human Resources)




Vendors: The cost effectiveness and quality of motorcycles manufactured depends on the management of the vendors which supplies the parts. The Bajaj brothers discovered that they had over 1,000 vendors supplying them components, many of which were plain bad in quality, Rajiv decided to prune them down to a around 200. The vendors were even given training on producing quality components. If required they were given training by foreign consultants.


Dealers: Bajaj Dealers so far had been selling scooters. Rajiv Bajaj understood that selling motorcycles were an entirely different proposition. The dealers were overhauled so that they could sell motorcycles. The result is there for all of us to see now. Bajaj Dealerships all over the country have been designed to cater to the new motorcycle buying customer.


The R&D team:


"Our target was: full throttle for 100 hours continuously. The first time, it failed within 10 minutes. Today, the Pulsar engine goes 300 hours full throttle."

Abraham Joseph, the R&D Head is a Mechanical Engineer from the National Institute of Technology (previously called Regional Engineering College), Bhopal.

Abraham Joseph, Bajaj R&D Head
Rajiv Bajaj put his faith on his young engineers to develop an engine rather than on their Japanese partner, Kawasaki. This is what Rajiv Bajaj has to say about R&D:

"What is R&D? It's nothing but an engineer who wants to try something. We always tell ourselves that some of the best motorcycles were made by BMW and Honda long before the computers were invented. It's really the spirit of the engineer which is important for R&D. When I walked into the Kawasaki R&D for the first time, I thought I would see a lot of old grey-haired people with thick glasses. The average age there is 26 or 27. The engineer does not require experience. You need people with imagination. Our R&D today is 113 people. The average age there is under 30."

"The number of mistakes we have made in the Pulsar engine before we got it right is really the learning. One of the endurance tests we have is to take the engine full throttle. Now, full throttle on a bike is rare on the road. Our target was: full throttle for 100 hours continuously. The first time, it failed within 10 minutes. Today, the Pulsar engine goes 300 hours full throttle."



How the Pulsar was conceived:


The reason behind the success of the Pulsars soon became obvious to the Bajaj Brothers when they saw the stance that riders took while driving the bike.

The Pulsar was fulfilling the desire of the riders to take on a youthful persona.

The Marketing Team provided the inputs for the concept bike. They found there was a market of customers looking for something more than just a bike for commuting. They wanted rugged styling and more power.

The design department then came up with eight-10 different designs that Rajiv and his team narrow down to three or four. Feedback on the styling was sought through market surveys; finally, two prototypes of the bike are made. Rajiv & his team worked on at least two to three variations of engines, of which one is selected. Rajiv Bajaj personally supervised even nitty-gritty details, from the styling and paint to the design of the console, the right grip and even the spark plug to use. All this took 24-30 months.

Finally the Pulsar was launched in November 2001 with two engine options of 150 cc and 180 cc.

Sanjiv Bajaj notes, "When we conceived the bike, we thought the target audience would be 25-35-year-olds. But when we saw the sales chart, it was being being picked up by 35-45-year-old customers."

They soon realized the reason when they saw the stance that riders took while driving the bike. The Pulsar was fulfilling the desire of the riders to take on a youthful persona. Perhaps in the same way the formally dressed executive in the US may drive a Range Rover SUV to create the image of a man who seeks adventure.

Although the Pulsars did had quality issues it was the only bike which best satisfied the needs of the Indian Biker. It was powerful, cheaper and muscular looking than other bikes in its category. During those days I used to have a Hero Honda CBZ (Original). Like many Indians even I wasn’t convinced that Bajaj could produce a quality product which could compete with the likes of Honda, Yamaha or Suzuki. But the stellar performance of the Pulsar in the premium Bajaj has proved everyone including me wrong.

The Pulsars has comfortably outsold any other 150 cc motorcycle in India and has dominated the 150 cc and above sales since its launch. Meanwhile instead of sitting idle on its laurels, Bajaj has been constantly upgrading its models giving the mighty Japanese a run for their money.




Moral of the Story

The Pulsar symbolizes the spirit of a resurgent India of the 21'st century. It also represents the manufacturing and managerial prowess of Indians. But there is also a moral to this inspiring story. To tell that, let me first narrate another story ..

It is about how elephants are kept in thailand. I happened to stumbled upon this story in another blog.


To keep the elephants from running away all that the thai's do is just tie tie a rope (or a single chain) to the elephants leg and secure it to a stake in the ground. Once his leg is secured, he will not run away. Now, do you think the elephant actually has the potential to break the chain or rope if he wanted to? Of course! He can pull down an entire tree!



But why won’t he break the weak rope that holds secures his leg? The answer came from the keepers. It lies in making the elephant "believe" that he "cannot" break the string. This conditioning begins from young. When the elephant is a baby and still too weak to walk or even stand properly, they tie his leg to the stake in the ground. Sure enough when the baby elephant tries to run to its mother, it would not able to break the chains that bind it. When it attempts to run, the chain will catch its leg and it will fall onto the ground. After expriencing all the pain from falling again and again, one day the elephant will not bother to pull the chain any more. The moment this happens, the keepers know that the elephant has been condiitoned to be trapped for the rest of its life.


The Moral:

The workers at Bajaj auto were similarly trapped by their limiting beliefs and habits that they could have easily changed if they wished to but they never attempted because they believed that they could not achieve Japanese levels of efficiency and quality.



This self limiting belief is still present among some consumers who even to this day blatantly refuse to accept that Bajaj and other Bike Makers can produce products which are of good quality. But I have observed that with each successful launch by these Indian bike makers, the number of such non believers are reducing in numbers.


Rajiv and Sanjiv Bajaj

Rajiv and Sanjiv Bajaj has shown tremendous courage and self belief that "Impossible is nothing". They have proved that Indians are capable of competing with the best in the world and in this process they have made every Indian proud, including your's truly.

SUZUKI GS150R

DRIVE ME CRAZY.........!!!!

"Armed with world’s first eco-mode-equipped engine rpm indicator, the new bike has a unique GSX-R-derived engine rpm indicator lights that provide indication to the rider about the optimum up-shift timing.

Moreover, sporty style headlight, with built-in positioning light inspired from Suzuki international super bike, GSX-R, gives GS150R a very distinct and muscular look.

The bike also boasts of a super sleek, streamlined aerodynamic shaped LED Tail Lamp and Integrated Rear Turn Signals based on GSX-R styling, which takes the style quotient to the next level."

So Whats' New in the New Suzuki GS150R..??

6 Gears

"Engine rpm indicator lights" 

Looks:


The GS150R actually is a proportionate and handsomely styled motorcycle. But don't get me wrong when I say that this design should probably have come 3-4 years back.

Yamaha FZ16 definitely makes a biker sit up and ogle at it more than once..

This design (GS150R) should probably have come 3-4 years back..

Maybe the bike would look distinctive in the flesh..

In 2008, the Yamaha FZ16 has shown what impact "Distinctive Styling" can make on bikers/consumers.. both the Yamaha FZ16 and the Suzuki GS150R makes 15 Ps max. power. But then the Yamaha (FZ16) definitely makes a biker sit up and ogle at it more than once.

The other hand the Suzuki GS150R has Styling elements which can be traced back to current India 150 cc bikes. For example, the "Rubber Gaiters" on the front forks shout Pulsar 150/180 (the current Pulsar 150/180 has dumped the rubber gaiters though). Even the headlamp which actually mimics the look of the headlamps from Suzuki's International lineup of SuperSport Bikes and Superbikes, actually end up looking very much like the ones from the Bajaj Pulsars. The Front fairing does features pseudo air scoops though.

The side and tail panels also aren't very distinctive in design and kind of reminds me of the Honda Unicorn. The tank, footpegs, exhausts, rear and front fenders, black painted alloys and engine covers all somehow give away a feeling of deja-vu.. at least by looking at the pics/photos of the GS150R. Maybe the bike would look distinctive in the flesh.


Equipment Levels

The GS150R comes with a Digital Speedometer and a Tail Light which comes equipped with LEDs. The turn indicators on the rear are integrated with the tail light unit (much like the ones on the CBZ Xtreme). The GS150R gets 6 gears which would be the second Indian Bike to feature one after the Yamaha R15.

Price:

The GS150R would be priced at Rs 59,000 (ex-showroom Delhi), which would be on par with the current 150 cc motorcycles sold in India (Except the Yamaha FZ16 and R15)

The GS150R is avilable for booking right now but would be delivered in January 2009. One can visit Suzuki Motorcycle India's website for more details.

COLOURS AVAILABLE:

SPECS:

  GS150R SPECIFICATIONS

 Dimensions And Dry Mass
 Fuel Tank Capacity (L) 15.5
 Overall Length (mm) 2,095 
 Overall Width (mm) 775
 Overall Height (mm) 1,120
 Wheelbase (mm) 1,340 
 Ground Clearance (mm) 160 
 Seat Height (mm) 790 
 Dry Weight (kg) 134 
 Curb Mass (kg) 149


 Engine
 Type 4-stroke, Air-cooled, SOHC
 Bore x Stroke (mm) 57.0 x 58.6
 Displacementn (cm3) 149.5
 Max Power 13.8bhp@8,500rpm 
 Max Torque 13.4Nm@6,000rpm
 Compression Ratio 9.35:1
 Carburetor BS26 with TPS
 Ignition CDI
 Transmission 6-speed (1-down, 5-up) 
 Starting Electric & kick 

 
Suspension
 Front Telescopic, Coil Spring, Oil Damped 
 Rear Swingarm Type Coil Spring, Oil and Damped 

 
Brake
 Front Hydraulic single disc 
 Rear Drum 

 
Tyre Size 
 Front 2.75-18 42P 
 Rear 100/90-18 M/C 56P