New Bike Launches in India

If you thought Harley-Davidson trimming its model line recently was a bit absurd, this is why. Project Rushmore isn’t about one or two new motorcycles, it’s the start of an all-new journey!

At a recent dealer meet in Denver, Colorado, Harley-Davidson announced Project Rushmore, a new direction so to speak, which is a product development effort to deliver a range of innovative, customer-focused enhancements to the touring range. The changes that will come about will result in improved power and braking performance, enhanced rider ergonomics and dramatic styling updates.

The new models under the project include eight new Harley-Davidson models for 2014, including the Road King, Street Glide, Street Glide Special, Electra Glide Ultra Classic, Ultra Limited, Tri Glide Ultra, CVO Ultra Limited and CVO Road King. The resulting gains from Project Rushmore improve not just performance, but also allow for better control and feel, while upping the style quotient. Project Rushmore bikes pass faster, stop quicker and see farther at night, thus inspiring rider confidence. Each model features the new Twin-Cooled, High-Output, Twin-Cam 103, or the High-Output, Twin-Cam 103 powertrains, Reflex Linked Brakes with ABS and Daymaker LED and dual halogen lighting.

Updated aerodynamics and ergonomics together improve comfort. The new Batwing fairing with split-stream venting reduces head buffeting by 20 percent. The ride for passengers is also highly improved with wider and deeper seats together with new back and arm rests. The form and the function of many components are improved. A reshaped Tour-Pak and saddlebags with easy-to-use one-touch latches, sleeker fenders, lighter aluminium wheels and more intuitive hand control switches make their presence felt. On the infotainment front, new Boom!-Box infotainment systems with colour-screen feature the first original-equipment voice recognition and touchscreen for music, GPS navigation and phone in motorcycling, with quality audio, Bluetooth connectivity, text-to-speech technology, plus support for intercom and CB communications in a single module.

The Dyna range meanwhile has received an upgrade from the 96 cubic-inch (1,584cc) motor to the larger 103 cubic-inch (1,690cc) one found in the Softail and Touring lines. The Street Bob, Super Glide Custom and Fat Bob will thus, soon arrive with bigger hearts, bringing more power and torque. Harley-Davidson will also offer the Sportster range with the Security Package option which brings in anti-lock brakes and the smart keyless security system.

We expect all these upgrades and the new range of Project Rushmore Touring models to make their way to India next year. Stay tuned for updates and reviews of these new big H-Ds.

Story: Jim Gorde

If you remember, about three years ago, Japan’s Kawasaki Heavy Industries founded the India Kawasaki Motors Pvt. Ltd. (IKM), the Indian subsidiary for their motorcycle business. Over the years the Japanese company with partners Bajaj Auto have launched some amazing piece of machinery in our country in the shape of the Ninja 250R, 650R and more recently the Ninja 300, which are sold from the latter’s Pro-Biking showrooms.

But the twist in the story is that now IKM is setting up individual showrooms in key motorcycle markets of our country, beginning from our very own Pune. The work at the Pune dealership is in full swing and would commence operations soon, to cash on the festive season. The first two models to be offered from the Kawasaki showroom would be the landmark model Ninja ZX-14R and the popular litre-class Ninja ZX-10R brought in as CBU (Completely Built Up) units.

Many enthusiasts from the Indian motorcycle fraternity have been waiting with bated breath for the ZX-14R. Powered by a 1441-cc motor capable of over 200 PS, this large and comfortable supersport comes equipped with Kawasaki ‘s acclaimed ram-air system that has a unique design to channelise air towards the engine. The company’s website claims it to be ‘the world’s fastest and most powerful production bike’. Need we say more?

While the Ninja ZX-10R is comes with the race winning Kawasaki superbike DNA, powered by a sweet 998cc, inline-four engine that also churns out close to 200 PS offering smooth yet stunning performance. With its sharp handling it can truly give European bikes a run for the money.

According to people close to the project, Kawasaki would be launching the bikes in the month of September, with the Ninja ZX-10R priced around Rs 15 lakh, while the Ninja ZX-14R would set you back by about Rs 17 lakh (ex-showroom).

Story: Sarmad Kadiri

The wait is over! Indian have finally revealed their 2014 Chief! The all-new model, unveiled at the legendary Sturgis Motorcycle Museum and christened the Indian Chief Vintage, brings together generous proportions and an engine powerful enough for it to get a move on in a hurry. The styling is unmistakeably Indian and exemplifies the company’s heritage while also being clear about how far they’ve come to get to this day.

The new Chief Vintage looks everything it set out to be. The signature big, swooping front fender comes complete with the head ornament; loads of chrome swathe not just the front end, but pretty much everywhere you look. The 111-cubic inch Thunder Stroke V-twin too has been detailed exceptionally and looks like an integral part of the design, contributing in no small part to the chrome party. The brown leather seats complete with tassles and the rear saddle bags add a nice touch of contrast while being styling elements that simply look just right on the modern-day recreation of this iconic motorcycle. Indian Motorcycle will also offer a number of accessories to personalise you Chief Vintage, and if the past is anything to go by, we expect, there will be the ultimate version of the bike, the Chief Roadmaster!

The Chief Vintage is a large power cruiser whichever way you look at it. At over 2634mm long and running a wheelbase of 1730mm, it is a large motorcycle. It weighs a typically big cruiser-ish 379 kg and packs fat rubber front and rear. The dual disc front and single disc rear brake setup features ABS, while the 20.8 litre fuel tank ensures you don’t run out of juice any time soon. Now you may be wondering what gives it its grunt. With wide smiles we are happy to report the arrival of the all-new 111-cubic inch (1,811cc) Thunder Stroke V-twin, which makes a yet-undisclosed power figure and a commanding 161.6 Nm of torque from just 3,000 revs. An overdrive six-speed transmission (five-speed on the Chief Classic) transfers the power to the rear via a carbon-fibre reinforced belt drive.

The 2014 Indian Chief line-up begins with the Indian Chief Classic, priced at $18,999 (Rs 11.3 lakh approx), the Chief Vintage is priced at $20,999 (Rs 12.5 lakh approx) and the Chieftain, their full-on touring model, bears a tag of $22,999 (Rs 13.7 lakh approx). The motorcycles are indeed stated to arrive in India soon. Their prices of course, will be more or less just about twice the numbers above.

Story: Jim Gorde

Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Pvt. Ltd. (HMSI) yesterday rolled out the first batch of its high-selling Activa scooter from its new plant at Narsapura in district Kolar (Karnataka), HMSI’s third plant in India. This marks the commencement of production on the second line at the third plant.

Last month, HMSI started production of the Dream Yuga on the first line. In the first phase of production, the annual capacity of the third plant is 12 lakh units. With the second line becoming operational, it adds six lakh units to take the total capacity to 18 lakh units by the end of the current fiscal year. This will also allow HMSI to increase its cumulative annual production capacity from 28 lakh units in FY-2013 to 46 lakh units in FY-2014 i.e. a 64% increase in just one fiscal year.

In other initiatives, within a span of six months, HMSI also announced its second traffic training park (in association with the Traffic Police) by adopting the Traffic Training Park in Delhi at Roshanara Bagh. Using its Lifetime Safety Education programme in association with the Delhi Traffic Police, instructors will work wit

h age groups starting as young as five years going up to adults, with a special focus on new and female riders. HMSI also recently was recognised by Fortune India as being among the top five companies for the title of the ‘Most Admired Company in the Indian Auto industry’ in 2013.

Story: Gaurav Nagpal