…until September

When the Diavel was first unveiled before the world’s press, it created a minor storm amongst the public with its love-it-or-hate-it looks. However, now it seems as if the Ducatisti have taken to the looks of this monstrous power-cruiser with the same passion that they have accorded every other Ducati sportsbike to date. According to an MCN report, almost 5,000 Diavels have been built until now, with the bike sold out in most major markets until September.

This brisk sale has enabled Ducati to rake in approximately £69 million by way of revenue from the Diavel only. Ducati aimed to make 8,000 in the bike’s first year of production but this may have to be increased as 4,700 bikes have been built in four months of full production with 3,200 officially registered around the world. Of the 4,700 Diavels built, just over 2,800 (60 per cent) are the more expensive carbon versions while the rest are standard versions.

Austrian firm shares marketing mantra with Bajaj in Pulsar 220 promotions

With this international JV, Bajaj might have opened the floodgates of low-cost supply chain for KTM, but the Austrian firm has taught a few tricks of the trade to the India manufacturer too, especially in terms of effective marketing.  KTM have been relying on this tried and tested sales technique for years now. It’s simple, but very effective.

If you’ve spotted the new Pulsar 220 advert, you’ll know what we’re talking about. All you need is a bike, painted in the trademark orange colour, and a model cloaked in all-black leathers riding it on the streets. No over-priced celebrity endorsement, no radical location and no skimpily clad dames. It worked in Europe and, going by Bajaj’s continuous sales jump, the advertising campaign is doing a bit of good to the Pune-based company as well.

 

Mahindra 2Wheelers plans to relaunch the Stallio motorcycle; 135cc and 150cc models on the anvil

Mahindra 2Wheelers’ first entry into Indian motorcycling was not a very rosy affair. Minor niggles and teething problems with the company’s very first offering, the 110cc Stallio, led Mahindra to withdraw it after a couple of months.However, the giant is now preparing for a renewed onslaught, and recently revealed that it will relaunch the Stallio later this year. In addition, the company is also planning to introduce higher-displacement motorcycles in the near future, with inputs from their Italian acquisitions.

“We will be relaunching the Stallio during the festive season this year. Earlier, we had made a soft launch of the bike. We have made some modifications and it is ready for launch,” Devendra Shinde, marketing vice president of MTWL, told reporters in Kolkata recently. The Mahindra Group company , which entered the two-wheeler market in 2008, has registered a 53 percent growth in eastern India during April-June this year over the same period last year. The company, which currently deals in 125cc scooters, is working towards expanding its portfolio. “We have a strategic intent to be an end-to-end player in the two-wheeler market. Over a period of time, we will have presence in the motorcycle segment as well,” said Shinde. “Although our major emphasis is on scooter market, with increasing demand in the rural and semi urban markets, we are also committed towards the motorcycle segment. Work is on developing 135cc and 155cc motorcycles.” He added that the company’s participation in this year’s Moto GP would go a long way in creating a brand space for itself in the motorcycle market.

Engine oils from ESCORTS

Escorts Limited, manufacturer of auto suspension products, has launched a range of engine oils for cars as well as motorcycles. Based on German additives, ‘ESCORTS TRU-GUARD’ is said to offer longer engine life, better fuel efficiency and lower emission levels. According to the press release the product resists oil thickening, prevents carbon-build-up in the engine and protects the engine from rust and corrosion thereby ensuring improved engine performance at low maintenance cost. Escorts Limited has also introduced a multi-purpose grease and telescopic front fork oil.

To encourage sales, the company has announced a special value-based introductory incentive scheme under which customers can participate in lucky draws and win fabulous prizes ranging from Honda UNICORN, Yamaha FRAZER, international trips, Sony LCDs, Philips Home Theatres…to even a Tata Nano car.  

The product is available across Escorts’ distribution network of over 700 dealerships and 1200 retail sales & service outlets. Available in one liter packs, ‘ESCORTS TRU-GUARD’ is priced at Rs.240 per litre, Rs.230 per litre and Rs.235 per litre for diesel engine oil, petrol car engine oil and motor cycle engine oil respectively.

 

Royal Enfield go the lifestyle way with their latest merchandise

The brand which has been personified by a rugged, tough, dust-loving and sweat-smelling Adonis so far is now headed for the manicured way. Wishing to make a niche in premium cruiser segment, Royal Enfield are taking the brand name to a new platform with their latest collection of merchandise. From just helmets, T-shirts and mugs, exhausts and visors, the company has now come up with designer jackets, boots, RE branded AGV helmets, saddle bags, office bags, rain gear and bandanas, etc, to make the brand name more of a style statement. Toeing the Harley line, Royal Enfield have plans to open special counters at all their major dealerships and give Enfield owners an all-new ownership experience. Besides, plans are afoot to introduce customised boots, gloves and other accessories too. Catering to the premium buyers, the prices have been kept likewise. Along with accessories, the company is also working towards introducing custom paint workshops for Royal Enfield bikes, thus making all Indian custom bikers’ dream come true.

Words: Gasha Aeri

 

The Italian motorcycle maker has introduced its latest offering in the country

You look at it and you wonder how everytime you declare a bike to be Ducati’s finest work, they surprise you with a better one. They have done it again and how. Though the bike was unveiled by Ducati earlier, the firm officially launched the Diavel in the country today. Quite a sensation around the world already, the bike is available in India in three variants- base, Carbon and Carbon Red, priced at Rs 17.06, 22.06 and 22.43 lakh repectively (ex-showroom, Delhi). A muscle machine in its looks, Diavel has the agressiveness of a naked sportsbike and the comfortable riding posture of a tourer.

This beast of a bike is powered by a 1198.4cc, four-stroke, Ducati’s patented L-twin Testastretta engine which promises 162 PS power and 127.4 Nm torque. Diavel’s desmodromic powerplant is based on the 1198, with the only and most important revision being reduction of valve overlap from 41 to 11 degrees. The bike comes with a six-speed gearbox and it’s features list includes- ABS, traction control and riding modes (sport, touring and urban). Straight out of a craftsman’s workshop, the Diavel is one good looking sport tourer which is most likely to grab many eyeballs on the road. On the sidelines of the superbike launch, Ducati also inaugurated its fourth showroom in India at Lavelle road in Bangalore.

Words: Gasha Aeri

 

Kingfisher Blue mile to range from Leh to Delhi

The Kingfisher Blue mile, a Himalayan expedition is set to be flagged off on 5th July 2011. The event will be a bike ride from Leh to the capital. Although the participants are required to manage their own motorcycles for the ride, mechanical backup and accommodation will be handled by the sponsors. The on-ground logistics for Kingfisher Blue MILE will be handled by Outback Adventures. The participants will be chosen through a blogging contest on facebook.com and winners will be announced on 23rd of July.

The journey will take the participants through 1600kms of challenging roads in an uncompromising weather. The event hopes to bring together like minded adventure seeking enthusiasts on a common platform.

For more details visit – http://www.kingfisherworld.com/blue/bluemile.aspx

Words: Aniruddha Mulgund

 

The UK based two-wheeler manufacturer is gearing up for a launch next month

 

 

With the Indian two-wheeler market undergoing its golden era currently, the new feather in the hat comes by the name of Triumph Motorcycles. Looks like plans have taken shape and Triumph will make the big announcement by next month. The bikes are most likely to be brought in as CBUs (Completely Built Units) and reportedly Triumph is in talks with a local manufacturer for support too. Triumph America, Speed Master, Speed Triple and Rocket III come across as the most likeable models to be brought to the Indian mainland. Company has not officially confirmed anything yet, but they haven’t said ‘no’ either. Nevertheless, it’s time to rejoice in the Indian market.

Words: Gasha Aeri

One time scooter giant, LML, thoughtfully introduces Select 4 stroke scooter strictly for Delhi NCR market

Kanpur based, LML Limited has launched Select 4 stroke scooter for the Delhi NCR territory. The scooter is equipped with a 148cc, air cooled, single cylinder engine. With 4 gears to offer, the engine is capable of generating a peak power of 8.8 PS at 6200 rpm and a peak torque of 11.3 Nm at 4250 rpm.The scooter has a fuel tank capacity of 5.5 liters which includes the 1 liter of reserve fuel. The Select4 KS (kick start) is available at Rs 47,140 (ex-showroom) while the Select 4 ES (electric start) will cost Rs 50,978 (ex-showroom). P S Choudhary, Head, Sales and Marketing, LML informed Bike India that the company looks forward to open the sales of Select 4 in the states of Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh by the end of June 2011. He conservatively anticipates selling around 250 – 300 units of Select4 in Delhi NCR within next 2 to 3 months.

Disclosing his plans for the year ahead, Choudhary mentioned that the company is working on expanding its current portfolio by introducing 2 bikes and 2 scooters. The 2 bikes would cater to the100cc and 125cc categories. Further, one of the two planned scooters would be gearless and would again cater to the 100cc – 125cc segment. The expansion would also include a 200cc scooter targeting the sports / lifestyle segment. The two wheelers are expected to be launched between August –December 2011. Additionally, the company is also planning to manufacture and export light gearless scooters (50cc onwards) to Europe by the end of December. LML currently exports a 200cc lifestyle/ sports scooter to European countries besides the 125 cc and 150 cc regular geared scooters such as Star, Stella Speedy and others. “The domestic scooter market is resurging at a CAGR of 42%. We shall leverage the growth by placing exciting offerings in geared and gearless segment both. LML shall continue to explore these segments besides re – entering the motorcycle markets in India and abroad.”added Choudhary.

Words: Amit Panday

 

Harison Motors launches ‘Funty’ ATVs in India

 

An All Terrain Vehicle (ATV), in simple words is the fusion of an automobile and a motorcycle. It runs on four wheels, has a saddle like that on a motorcycle and is given direction by a handlebar. These are recreational vehicles primarily used on off-road surfaces. Harison Motors (HMPL), an Indian-overseas joint venture has launched a range of ATVs in India, under the brand name ‘Funty’. The Funty family currently has four models with engine capacities ranging from 50 to 200cc which will be available in western India initially, imported as CBUs. However, HMPL is setting up an assembly plant in Maharashtra which will start rolling out 15,000 ATVs by March 2012. Apart from ATVs, HMPL also plans to launch motorcycles and scooters in the Indian market, which will be mass produced at their plant along with the ATVs from next year. The first exclusive showroom of the Funty will be operational by June end in Satara, Maharashtra. The Funty range is priced between Rs One to Three lakhs and needs no driving licence or R.T.O registration.

Words: Piyush Sonsale