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Jumping on the e-Bandwagon

ELECTRIC TWO-WHEELERS SEEM TO BE ATTRACTING A LOT OF ATTENTION NOWADAYS. Every other day we hear of a start-up getting into the manufacture of electric scooters or motorcycles. This is courtesy of the Chinese component and battery manufacturers who supply lithium-ion batteries and electric motors.

Most, if not all, of the people getting into the manufacture of electric two-wheelers seem to be unaware of the kind of performance these bikes need to deliver. Take, for instance, a scooter fitted with fancy dual-piston calipers for the disc brakes when the scooter can barely exceed 50 km/h. Instead of spending on expensive brakes, the manufacturers can improve the overall quality of the bike.

This month we tested the Gemopai Astrid Lite electric scooter and the speedo error was an alarming 25 per cent. When the actual speed was 52 km/h, the indicated speed was 72 km/h. For a bike with a top speed of less than 55 km/h, drum brakes can provide sufficient braking power. Instead of making the scooters look snazzy, the manufacturers should concentrate on the basic engineering and improve aspects such as ride, handling, utility space, and overall fit-and-finish, so that the end product is reliable and does not catch the rider unawares by breaking down in mid-journey.

Even though there are fewer working parts in an electric scooter as compared to a regular IC engine scooter, the former tends to be more expensive than the latter. One of the biggest issues the country is facing is the traffic situation that is going from bad to worse by the day. People do not seem to bother about anybody but themselves. Thus, they would happily put their lives as well as other people’s lives to risk and not go that extra 50 or 100 metres to take a U-turn, preferring instead to ride down the wrong way because it is easier and more convenient. Such people who go down the wrong way not only get aggressive and belligerent with the citizens who follow the rules, but, at times, they even come to fisticuffs with the police.

It is our humble request to all our readers: please follow the traffic rules and ride with care, for your loved ones are waiting for you at home.

Aspi Bhathena
Editor

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Swedish Flavour

This is the first editorial of 2020 and we have a new brand of motorcycles launched in India in the form of Husqvarna. The Swedish brand is owned by KTM and will be sold through KTM dealerships.

The India Bike Week (IBW) was held on the 6th and 7th of December and drew a record crowd.

It is that time of the year when the Indian Motorcycle of the Year (IMOTY) is held and the jury consists of all the leading motorcycle and auto magazines and websites. Unlike last year, when we had a runaway winner in the Royal Enfield 650 Interceptor, this time the competition was closely fought and the winning margin was just one point and the winner was Hero Xpulse 200. It is not just about making the best motorcycle, but it also has to be value for money. The Jawa motorcycles were launched in December last year and now, after one year, we have still not been able to get our hands on the bikes for a road test. One wonders why it took so long to give us the bikes for a road test. Had it not been for the IMOTY jury round on the 2nd of December, we would not have got the bikes. That apart, copying the old Jawa to such an extent as the stance of the motorcycle — the tall front end and squat from the rear — restricts the suspension travel and that forces them to go for a stiff suspension set-up. On the positive side, the low stance at the rear makes for a low saddle height, thus making it easy to manoeuvre the motorcycle. It is easy to ride the bike in city traffic thanks to its low seat height along with low gearing and strong low-end and mid-range performance. However, if you compare this motorcycle with the Suzuki Gixxer 250, which was on test simultaneously, then it falls short in all departments.

Aspi Bhathena
Editor

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Let There Be Sunshine

THE BIGGEST MOTORCYCLE SHOW IN THE WORLD, EICMA (MILAN MOTORCYCLE SHOW), was held in the first week of November. All the global manufacturers put their best foot forward with their best models for this show and this year was no exception. Honda showed their CBR1000RR-R superbike that is ready to take on the likes of the BMW S 1000 RR and the mighty Ducati Panigale V4 in the horsepower race with an output of 217 hp. The Honda CBR was only one of the many show-stoppers. KTM and Ducati also had some phenomenal bikes on display. You may read a detailed report of the show in this issue.

With the onset of winter, we look forward to some invigorating sunlight after a prolonged monsoon this year. This will also give me an opportunity to put some miles on my long-term Royal Enfield 650 Interceptor. The winter weather is great for riding, although there is one downside to it: pollution. Automobiles are considered to be the prime cause of pollution, especially in our capital city, New Delhi, but nobody is willing to consider other culprits such as construction, coal-fired power stations, and industries spewing out harmful pollutants.

The new Motor Vehicle Act and the provision of heavy fines in it seemed to have a positive effect for a few days as people began obeying traffic rules and stopping behind zebra crossings. Now, however, it is back to square one with rampant riding/driving down the wrong way, jumping traffic signals, and not caring two hoots for traffic rules in general. The traffic police need to come down heavily on the offenders and book them.

The month gone by witnessed a rise in the sale of two-wheelers due to the festive season. Now let us see if the market can keep up the momentum over the next couple of months.

Aspi Bhathena
Editor

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A Beacon of Hope

THIS MONTH WE MAY SEE A SLIGHT IMPROVEMENT IN TWO-WHEELER SALES ON ACCOUNT of the festive season; however, the sales will not match last year’s figures during the same period. In spite of the big discounts offered by all the manufacturers, the sales of new bikes are at an all-time low. The premium bike segment seems to be doing all right but that is misleading because it is the success of the Royal Enfield 650 twins; if you look at the sales figures of the other brands, they are all struggling.

The manufacturers are going to have a real challenge in the coming months because they do not know how many bikes they have to manufacture. If they produce too many and are not able to sell everything they make before 31 March 2020, they will have to scrap the stock or offer heavy discounts to shift that stock. In the present market, if they try to sell a BS-VI bike, it costs at least Rs 6,000 to Rs 7,000 more than a BS-IV bike. Imagine trying to sell a Hero Splendor or an Activa at a premium of Rs 6,000 to Rs 7,000 in this market scenario.

This month we bring you the first ride of the all-new KTM 790 Duke and the motorcycle lives up to expectations. We only wish it were a little more affordable. We also have the first ride of the Triumph Street Triple RS from Spain and, last but not least, we have taken the Hero Xpulse to Nepal.

Always think of safety. Wear a helmet and proper shoes when you ride your bike. Please be considerate to other road-users because they may be someone’s mother, father, brother or sister. Remember, there is always somebody waiting for you at home.

Aspi Bhathena
Editor

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Transport Bill: A Few Ticklish Issues

The hot topic being discussed at the moment is the new Transport Bill that provides for the levy of heavy fines for traffic offences. The fines have gone up by as much as 10 times. Such heavy fines for traffic offences are welcome, but there is no need to fine someone between Rs 5,000 and Rs 10,000 for failure to carry along original registration papers. The insistence on producing original papers is a contentious issue because if your original papers are in your two-wheeler and the vehicle happens to get stolen, then the thief has your vehicle with all the papers, thus making it easy for the miscreant to dispose of the stolen two-wheeler.

Let us see if they implement the rule of not more than three astride a two-wheeler, which includes infants and children. Today a family of three or four on a two-wheeler is a common sight and the police tend to turn a blind eye to such instances. More than two persons astride a motorcycle is dangerous; it is not easy to handle a bike with more than two persons. Some of the two-wheeler manufacturers are also to blame for making bigger seats to accommodate more than two persons. Indeed, they use it as a USP, saying that the concerned two-wheeler has the longest seat in the segment.

The Transport Bill also lays down that it is mandatory to use ISIcertified helmets and that anybody caught selling non-ISI helmets is liable to prosecution. This is ridiculous. I, for one, will not trust an Indian helmet to protect my head when I am riding a motorcycle at more than 200 km/h on a racetrack. The law should be amended to allow international brands such as AGV, Arai, and others that meet international safety standards which are higher than those of the ISI. Why should the authorities keep people from using protection of a better quality if they are willing to spend nearly a lakh of rupees for a helmet?

Aspi Bhathena
Editor