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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.