Bike India Team

CBR150R First Impressions

May 10, 2012 by Bike India Team Leave a Comment

After ruling the 150cc performance bike segment for almost four years, Yamaha YZF-R15 has finally got some competition from none other than the compatriot – Honda. The CBR150R has arrived and we are here with the first impressions of the bike that seems to be determined to dethrone the king that has ruled so far.

The first look at the CBR150R is enough to tell us that this one is almost identical to its elder brother CBR250R. However, a detailed look at the machine will bring out the differences like the two round pilot lights in the headlight cluster have a different treatment than what we see on the 250. The exhaust end can is much smaller; the front visor gets a slightly darkened tint and of course a whole new set of graphics. Look closely and you notice a whole new twin-spar frame on the motorcycle. Once in the saddle, the bike feels a little smaller and shorter than its elder brother and weighs only 138 kg as against the 161 kg (non-ABS version) CBR250R.

The first riding impressions of the bike tell us that this one needs some high revving to get going. With red line at 11,500 rpm, there is no doubt you will be twisting your right wrist harder for more fun. The bike makes 17.8 PS of peak power at 10,500 revs and 12.66 Nm of maximum torque at 8,500 revs. This, for city riding looks like a little on the negative side. However, let the horses lose on a weekend ride to the twisties, rev the engine hard and you won’t be disappointed. Aiding the performance and sporty side of the bike is its chassis and suspension that work perfectly well for hard cornering.

All in all it looks like a good machine for sport riding, touring but an average one for city. However, the final word will come once we have done the performance testing and pitted the bike against the YZF-R15. Stay tuned for further updates!

Price: 1.32 Lakh (Std, OTR Pune)

1.33 Lakh (Dlx, OTR, Pune)

Suzuki launches the Hayate

May 10, 2012 by Bike India Team Leave a Comment

First mass market offering from the company is now on sale

Suzuki Motorcycles India have launched the Hayate commuter motorcycle unveiled by them at the Auto Expo 2012. It has a youthful design, similar to Honda Twister and is powered by a 112cc four- stroke engine. Power and torque figures haven’t been disclosed as of now. The bike has drum brakes and alloy wheels as standard and is available in 5 colour schemes.

The Hayate will compete against the Honda Twister, TVS Jive, Yamaha YBR 110 and the upcoming Hero Passion X Pro and Honda’s Dream Yuga. It is available in two variants, with the kick start one priced at Rs 40,162 and the Kick+electric at Rs 42,162 (ex-showrrom Pune). The bike has been currently launched in the west zone but the other regional launches will occur in a matter of time. Stay tuned for more information and the detailed review of the bike.

Electric Dreams

May 9, 2012 by Bike India Team Leave a Comment

Brammo announces pricing and availability of Empulse range of electric motorcycles; ties up with Icon Motorsports

Brammo, the Oregon-based electric vehicle specialists, have announced the pricing and availability of their premium Empulse and Empulse R electric motorcycles. The two models, priced at $16,995 and $18,995 respectively (in the USA) will go on sale later this year and be capable of reaching a top speed of 160kmph and a peak range of over 150 kilometres. The company claims that the 9.3 kilowatt battery driving the bike can be recharged in 3.5 hours from any standard household while the riding experience will be pretty similar to conventional motorcycles because of the six-speed gearbox and regenerative braking (similar to engine braking) like a normal motorcycle.

In other news, the company also announced that Icon Motorsports, the American helmet and riding apparel manufacturer, will be their main sponsors for the 2012 race season. Team Icon Brammo is set to compete in the four regular season races, in addition to the TTXGP World Final at the legendary Daytona International Speedway.

For more details on the Empulse and Empulse R, hit up their company website at www.brammo.com

Pulsating Success

May 8, 2012 by Bike India Team Leave a Comment

Pulsar crosses 50 lakh sales mark

The country’s second largest two-wheeler maker Bajaj Auto today said its Pulsar model motorcycles have crossed 50 lakh units sales mark since its launch over 10 years ago.

“The (Pulsar) brand has crossed the landmark 5 million sales mark, while celebrating a decade of existence. Pulsar is the only brand in the performance segment which has crossed the 5 million mark in India,” Bajaj Auto Ltd (BAL) said in a statement.
The company had first introduced the Pulsar motorcycles in November 2001 in two engine capacities — 180 cc and 150 cc, which now has expanded to a portfolio starting from 135 cc light-sports model to 220 cc ‘street-fighter’ product and enjoys a market share of 44 per cent in the performance segment, BAL claimed.
“Not many brands in the Indian automobile space have crossed the 5 million mark. This holds true even for mass motorcycles. The Pulsar range has received many accolades over the years,” BAL President (Motorcycle Business) K Srinivas said.
The company had unveiled the Pulsar 200 NS early this year and it is hopeful of the model doing good in the market, he added.

Batting Hard

May 8, 2012 by Bike India Team Leave a Comment

Gulf Oil strengthens its partnership with its brand ambassador, Mahendra Singh Dhoni

Gulf Oil (a Hinduja group company) and M. S. Dhoni recently announced a slew of new marketing initiatives as the brand celebrates its achievement of being India’s fastest growing brand in the lubricants sector for the year 2011-12 and also for last 2 years before that on a CAGR basis. The Gulf brand has grown consistently at a multiple of industry growth due to a consistent strategy, clear focus and aggressive ATL & BTL programmes fuelled by the association with teams in the IPL, Chennai Super Kings & MSD.

Mr. Sanjay Hinduja, Chairman, Gulf Oil International, and Mr. Ravi Chawla, President & CEO, Gulf Oil India along with MS Dhoni announced the launch of a range of limited edition ‘Signature MSD packs’ and two new advertising campaigns featuring MSD, today. These campaigns would be supported by new retail signages as well as new packaging featuring MSD. On this occasion, Mr. Sanjay Hinduja also announced that Gulf would be partnering the MSD Charitable Foundation to promote young talent who don’t get adequate opportunities, training and infrastructure and pursue their passion to become successful sportspersons. Gulf Oil will sponsor talent in this grass root initiative by providing scholarships through the MSD Charitable Foundation for select number of such sportspersons every year. Along with this, Gulf will play an integral part in organizing grass root level cricket tournaments that the MS Dhoni Charitable Foundation conducts across 15-18 cities in India.