The all-new Bajaj V has been launched, adding an all-new bike to the company’s range. [Read more…]
Archives for January 2016
Do the Right Thing, Even If it is for the Wrong Reason
There is a heartening trend of motorcycle riders wearing full riding gear, even if they only want to look cool. You see the thing is, even if you do the right thing for the wrong reason the end is usually beneficial
Harley-Davidson launch the 1200 Custom in India
It’s not even the end of the first month of the year and Harley have already launched their first new product in India for 2016. Talk about happy beginnings…
February 2016
The two-wheeler industry didn’t show any growth last year; in fact, it was more or less flat. Let’s hope 2016 proves much better for the two-wheeler manufacturers. Some of them have already begun launching new bikes, the first one out of the starting blocks being the Mahindra Gusto 125 scooter and the next in line being two motorcycles from TVS: the born-again Victor and Apache 200.
The two-wheeler industry has been lagging behind its four-wheeler counterpart where technology is concerned. The car manufacturers have been pushing the envelope further and further to stay ahead of the competition, whereas the two-wheeler manufacturers have been raking it in without having to improve their products. The high-end motorcycles are loaded with state-of-the-art technology whereas the entry-level commuter bikes are at least 25 to 30 years behind in terms of technology as compared to the entry-level cars.
When international manufacturers launch a new product, they try to set a new benchmark in the segment. The same can’t be said about our local manufacturers as they try to match what is already available in the market and most of the time fail to match up to the bikes that are already on sale.
The way R&D departments work has changed globally. Now they have a special head of chassis design, suspension and handling, bike designer, brake and a separate engine specialist and all of them work under a project leader, whereas in India it is still a one-man show under the head of R&D. Today Honda have a separate company, called Honda R&D, which develops bikes in accordance with the requirements of individual markets. How can the local manufacturers compete with a company that employs more than 3,000 engineers in its R&D department itself?
Aspi Bhathena
Editor
DSK Benelli open showroom in Thane
The Italian superbike manufacturer Benelli, inaugurates their new showroom at Thane, in Mumbai, under the dealership of S M Motors. [Read more…]
Bigger, Better, Meaner: TVS Apache RTR 200 4V First Ride Review
Michelin launch scooter tyres in India
Michelin have announced their entry into the scooter tyre market in India, with the launch of the Michelin City Pro tyre range for scooters and motorcycles up to 150 cc.
[Read more…]
Resurrected! TVS Victor First Impressions Review
TVS Motors have resurrected the popular Victor brand and are hoping to tap into a different part of the 110 cc segment. We rode the new bike around TVS’ test track in Hosur and here are our first impressions
TVS launch new Apache RTR 200, Victor
TVS have finally launched the bike that has been generating so much buzz off-late, their latest entrant into the sub-quarter-litre naked street segment in the form of the Apache RTR 200, and have also introduced reintroduced their famous commuter, the Victor, in a new avatar. [Read more…]
Expo Ahead of Auto Expo
The biennial Auto Expo is a perfect platform to exhibit the latest that the Indian industry has to offer. Yet, there are manufacturers who choose to give the event a miss but plan their launches around the same time. Wonder why…