The KTM 200 Duke is here and it was worth the long wait

The KTM Duke 200 was spotted innumerable times on the NH 4, being tested by Bajaj Auto’s test riders. We saw its pictures too. The specifications were out last month and they were enough to give us the goose bumps. A 200-cc liquid-cooled engine producing 25 PS of peak power and fitted on a machine that weighs just 136 kg (kerb weight, mind you, not dry) was enough to give one an idea of this machine’s prowess.

And now, Bike India finally got to test this beauty of a machine. And boy, is she a hoot to ride. Watch out for our comprehensive review in the January 2012 issue of BI, on stands come 20th December.

 

 

Suzuki Motorcycles India have launched Intruder M800 in 12 cities, including Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai, Mumbai, Pune and Ahmedabad. This cruiser is equipped with a 805-cc, V-twin engine and is priced at Rs 8.8 lakh ex-showroom New Delhi. The styling of this new bike has been inspired by the bigger M1800 Intruder which carries a price tag of Rs 14.9 lakh OTR, Pune.

New Bottle, Same Wine.

Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Pvt. Ltd. (HMSI), the 100% owned 2-wheeler subsidiary of Honda Motor Company, Japan has introduced the new Deluxe variant of its popular 150cc motorcycle – CB Unicorn Dazzler.

The new variant of CB Unicorn Dazzler comes in two new dual tone colour options – Pearl Sunbeam White (with Red) and Black (with Grey) along with new age graphics highlighting Honda’s marquee.

The new CB Unicorn Dazzler will be available across Honda showrooms to the customers by the end of November, 2011. The technical specifications of both Standard and Deluxe variants shall however remain the same.

Churning out 14 Ps power from its 150cc engine, the new Unicorn is still the stable horse one expects it to be. The new Unicorn Dazzler will retain the same characteristics of the standardized Dazzler along with some cosmetic makeovers and has the same comfortable seating position, smooth and refined engine, better graphics, fuel economy of 60kmpl (estimated), maintenance free battery and a viscous air filter for more convenience.

The Standard variant of CB Unicorn Dazzler will continue to be available in three colours – Armour Gold Metallic, Pearl Nightstar Black and Pearl Siena Red and is priced at Rs. 65,198/- (Ex-showroom, Delhi). While deluxe variant will be available in two colours and priced at Rs. 66198/-, (Ex-showroom, Delhi.).

Encore to celebrate decade of affordable performance bikes

Bajaj Auto will be celebrating a decade of affordable performance biking in India this December and may unveil a revised Pulsar. It may be recalled that the bike was originally launched in 2001. The popular Pulsar range is now returning for an encore.

Bajaj Auto’s eagerly awaited next-generation Pulsar will break cover at a glittering media event next month, giving enthusiasts all over the country a reason to rejoice. The centre-stage will be occupied by the new Pulsar 200, which will share a significant amount of technology, especially its gearbox and transmission, with the KTM Duke 200. While the KTM Duke 200 will employ a DOHC, four-valve, single-spark, liquid-cooled motor, the Pulsar will be powered by an SOHC, four-valve, twin-spark engine which will also be liquid-cooled now.

We have no idea how radical a direction the new Pulsar’s styling will take, but it is not difficult to envision a completely re-designed bike to go with the new powerplant. We wait with bated breath!

The “Coorg to Munnar via Ooty” India route was crowned the world’s ultimate riding wonder at the 2011 Shell Advance Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix.

Coorg to Munnar via Ooty, India

This rural region of India offers some of the country’s most stunning landscapes. Coorg was originally called Kodaimalenadu, which means “dense forest on a steep hill” and the region certainly lives up to that name.

Flat pasture quickly makes way for narrow and twisting tree-lined roads, rising up into the hills. It’s a marvel for the senses, as you enjoy the sight – and smell – of coffee, pepper, cardamom, cinnamon and tea plantations along the way.

Distance covered: 507km

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After several months of searching, Shell Advance unveiled Coorg to Munnar via Ooty, India, as the world’s ultimate Riding Wonder at an exclusive event held at the 2011 Shell Advance Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix.

In Sepang, a panel of experts from Ducati, Dorna, Shell Advance and the Sepang International Circuit, as well as selected media from China, India and Indonesia, in a discussion to decide which route would be crowned the world’s ultimate Riding Wonder from the list of the top 7 Riding Wonders voted for by the public.

The panellists’ votes were combined with the public votes from 8 countries to reveal Coorg to Munnar via Ooty, India as the winner. It received many public votes and was chosen by two of the seven panellists because of its varied scenery, mixture of mountain climbs, twisting corners and diverse wildlife along the route.

Tanmay Jaswal, Shell Advance Global Marketing Manager: “When Shell Advance launched the 7 Riding Wonders of the World campaign, we were asking biking enthusiasts to help us find the riding roads, tracks and routes around the world that best complement our ethos of Responsiveness, Control and Enjoyment.

The Jury Panelists included our very own Aspi Bhathena as well.

List of Campaign Winners from India :

1. Mr. Rajinder Kakkar, Delhi
2. Mr. Jayaram Peramanathan, Bangalore
3. Mr. Sanjay Ramkishan Kakani, Yavatmal
4. Mr. Jagdish Srikrishna, Indore
5. Mr. Vinod Kumar, Hoshiarpur
6. Mr. Dinesh Chowdhary, Hyderabad
7. Mr. Sanjeev Talwar, Delhi
8. Mr. Kamesh Talluri, Hyderabad

Some Photographs about the Riding Wonder.

 

The ever-popular scooterette gets a makeover

TVS Motor Company recently launched a revamped avatar of their popular feminine scooter, the Scooty Streak. The new Streak comes with new graphics, sharper headlamp and LED tail lamps. Apart from that, it has a contoured seat, lower than its predecessor’s to provide better ergonomics to the ladies . To add to it’s practicality, the Streak has now been given a mobile charger and lockable front glove box too. It was time that company brushed up the looks and features of the Scooty to keep up with the competition and hopefully, the new avatar of the Streak will attract new customers too.

 

KTM unveils the Freeride 350 dual purpose motorcycle: Is this the same engine that the Duke 350 will get?

Slim, lean, agile and fit – Austrian motorcycle maker KTM, partly owned by Indian motorcycle maker Bajaj Auto has achieved with the KTM Freeride Dual Purpose On-Off Road motorcycle. Packing 24 PS under 100 kilos gives it enough edge for the beginners on a motocross circuit. The Freeride comes with a minuscule 5 litre fuel Tank. The specifications of the Freeride showcase that it is designed for better fuel economy with higher power as its intended for Off-Road Racing. With 24 PS coming from a single cylinder 350cc DOHC engine, 4 valves, liquid cooling and fuel Injection, the 5 Litre tank should be enough to last a single Off-Road Race.

 

Ducati recently revealed its first product developed exclusively for the Asian markets, the Monster 795,

in the presence of Valentino Rossi at the Rootz Club in Kuala Lumpur. Much like we have been expecting, the new Ducati looks quite familiar to its bigger and more expensive rivals, the main difference here being in the use of low-cost (comparatively speaking, of course) materials and a lower seat height (30mm).

Essentially a 696 chassis powered by the 796 engine, the Monster 795 ditches Ducati’s trademark single-sided swingarm and adopts three spoked rims instead of the 796’s five-spoke Marchesinis. The original Diablo Rosso tyres have been ditched in favour of lower-spec Pirelli Angel STs while the 803cc air-cooled L-Twin will now produce 87PS@ 8250 rpm, 7PS more than the Monster 696). Peak torque figure is 78Nm@6250 rpm. ABS is offered as an option and the bike will be available in three colour combos – Red (red / black), Arctic white silk (red / black) and Diamond black silk (red / black).

The Monster 795 will be assembled at Ducati’s Thailand plant – their first outside Europe – and go on sale very soon in Thailand, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Phillipines, Vietnam and Singapore besides India. Prices are undisclosed as yet but we reckon, it will cost around INR 5 lakh to 6 lakh in India. Which, needless to say, is a steal for a Ducati. Now, are you booking one?

Garware Hyosung unveil naked version of their 650-cc sport bike

Garware Hyosung recently added a new product to their portfolio by introducing the GT650N, the naked avatar of the GT650R. This new bike comes with the same 647-cc, 90-degree V-twin motor that serves the GT650R.
The naked GT650 gets a new stylish headlamp unit, a new handlebar mounted on risers and, of course, a new price tag. The company has priced the bike aggressively at Rs 5 lakh (OTR, Pune). The performance of this bike is expected to be similar to that of the GT650R, but we expect a drop in the top whack because of the missing fairing.

 

Italian marque makes its presence felt in India’s largest biking hub

Ladies and gentlemen, Aprilia is finally here. The legendary Italian marque has set up its first Indian dealership at Pune’s posh Aryaneshwar Road, and the complete lineup is already on display, ready for sale. Ex-racer and longtime motorsports enthusiast, Mr. Srikanth Apte is the man behind the showroom, named Arco Automotive. Mr. Apte’s family has been associated with Piaggio, Aprilia’s parent company, for over thirty years now, firstly with the three-wheelers division and now with Aprilia itself.

Prices of the Aprilia models on sale at Arco Automotive ranges from Rs.11.65 lakhs for the Mana 850 to Rs. 19.50 lakh for the legendary RSV4 R superbike in Factory trim. Then there’s the Dorsaduro that retails for Rs.13.20 lakh while the Tuono 1000 V4 will set back buyers by Rs. 15.60 lakh (all prices on-road Pune). Moreover, apparel, safety gear and ABS versions of almost every model are also on offer at the showroom.