New Bike Launches in India

Bajaj Auto Ltd., makers of some of the most popular motorcycles in India, are all set to raise the prices of their offerings. A leading daily stated that this move has been facilitated by the Pune-based manufacturer to offset the impact of high input costs and the rupee decline.

Addressing the media at a business conference recently, Mr. Rajiv Bajaj, MD stated, “It seems likely that we have to raise prices because commodity prices have gone up significantly, partly owing also to the way forex has moved.”

As of now, the  head honchos at Bajaj have not revealed any specific details regarding the percentage of price hike across their product portfolio. With the festive season coming up and with a couple of important launches from Bajaj, which include the KTM 390 Duke-derived Pulsar 375, among others expected. It would be quite interesting to see how Bajaj Auto Ltd manages to hold on its market share amidst severe competition.

Story: Sayem Syed

Bosch has just given the world the very first stability control system for motorcycles. Their system, called Motorcycle Stability Control (MSC), is he first brake control system and will ensure the best possible stability in all riding situations; providing assistance to the rider during both braking, accelerating, cornering and even simply riding in astraight line. The motorcycle’s handling, and of course, the riding pleasure, remain unchanged.

What will change, is the experience of optimum braking and accelerating even in bends, with improved safety within the limits of the motorcycle’s handling dynamics.

The system will become available at the end of 2013, as original equipment on the 2014 KTM 1190 Adventure and 1190 Adventure R models.

Gerhard Steiger, president of the Bosch Chassis Systems Control division, says, “Almost one in two fatal motorcycle accidents occurs in a bend. The Bosch motorcycle stability control can help further reduce the number of accidents.” In 2010, more than 5,000 motorcyclists died in road accidents in Europe alone. Studies show that ABS on its own can prevent around one-quarter of all motorcycle accidents that lead to injury or death. The new stability control will increase this number even further.

Fevzi Yildirim, head of the Bosch centre of competence for powered two-wheeler safety in Japan, added, “The technical basis of the MSC is the ABS enhanced system for motorcycles. The new functions are made possible by an extensive array of sensors and sophisticated software.

To understand the full effect of what the system offers motorcycle manufacturers and their demanding customers, we must discuss a whole range of safety functions:

• The lean and pitch angle-dependent ABS control improves riding stability in all riding situations as well as braking effectiveness.
• The traction control regulates the maximum engine torque so that even on variable or slippery road surfaces, the driving force is efficiently transferred to the road and the drive wheel does not lose its grip.
• When braking heavily in curves, the MSC reduces the motorcycle’s tendency to return to an upright position. This involuntary righting of the machine leads to a larger cornering radius, which often results in the motorcycle leaving its lane. In these situations, the eCBS electronic combined brake system creates the best possible distribution of brake force between the wheels, and thus stabilises the bike during cornering.
• The MSC also reduces the risk of ‘lowsiders’. These are accidents in which the motorcycle capsizes during cornering and the wheels slide out toward the outside of the bend. They occur when too much brake force is applied during cornering and the wheels are not able to transfer sufficient side force onto the road. MSC counteracts this by detecting the risk of a lowsider and limiting the maximum brake force. The eCBS function distributes this maximum available brake force between the wheels, ensuring the best possible brake performance under cornering conditions.
• The eCBS function ensures optimum distribution of brake force at all times – even when the biker mistakenly uses only one of the two brakes, or brakes with too much force.
• The wheelie-mitigation controls the engine torque, preventing the front wheel from lifting uncontrollably and at the same time ensuring maximum acceleration.
• The rear-wheel lift-up mitigation function keeps the rear wheel on the road by reducing the maximum brake force on the front wheel when riding on surfaces with high friction coefficients. Riding stability is maintained, taking pitch rate and longitudinal acceleration into account.

For motorcyclists, the Bosch MSC can be a lifesaver, but, just like ABS, it cannot defy the laws of physics. In particular, extreme misjudgement of the riding situation and major errors on the part of the biker can still lead to an accident. Nonetheless, the system supports bikers in borderline situations, helping them get more out of their motorcycles, while keeping them much safer at the same time.

Story: Jim Gorde

Kawasaki are famous for introducing their new offerings with a bang. Currently going viral on the internet is a teaser video from their Japanese website, which hints at a new bike from their Z-line. Although nothing has been disclosed, we bet that the bike featured in this video might just be one of the upcoming 2014 Z1000, Z800 or Z250 models.

The Japanese marque is pretty secretive when it comes to unveils and launches of new offerings in the global market. Company officials have hinted that the mystery machine will be unveiled on November 5 – two days ahead of EICMA 2013. For now, we, like many other enthusiasts, will have to endure the waiting game.

“Z Sugomi Call of the Wild” – official teaser video:

Picture source: Oliepeil

Suzuki have confirmed that their highly anticipated 1,000cc adventure-touring motorcycle, the V-Strom, is all set for its grand unveil soon. Ever since officials at Suzuki first showcased its concept back at the 2012 INTERMOT, many enthusiasts were eager to get their hands on this masterpiece.

The V-Strom features a radical 90°, 1,037cc V-twin engine producing 99 PS and 103 Nm of torque. There are due changes to the pistons, cylinders, cylinder heads, crankshaft, con-rods, radiator and clutch to aid the 1,037cc superbike-class engine for its new role in performing off-roading duties with ease. Under the skin is also a company-first traction control system on a production motorcycle, along with ABS. What will likely really tickle your touring fancy is the bike’s 25 km/l claim, and new 480 km range on a single tank, with its 19.7 litre capacity.

Although Suzuki officials have not yet revealed any information regarding the pricing of the 2014 V-Strom, the adventurer-tourer is expected to be priced around the $12,500 (Rs 7.8 lakh) mark in the US and £10,000 (Rs 10 lakh) in the UK. We hope Suzuki India gets the V-Strom to our shores soon.

Story: Sayem Syed

Honda look set to enthrall enthusiasts come EICMA 2013 later this year. Rumour has it that the Japanese marque will shed some light on the much-awaited RCV 1000 MotoGP replica. Ever since the RCV 1000 surfaced on the internet, there has been much talk regarding this amazing piece of machinery.

However, the RCV 1000 will be unlike any replica ever made; this bad boy is expected to come with a price tag of a whopping €100,000 ($133,500 / Rs 84.5 lakh). For this amount of money, Honda are set to deliver a bike with specs pretty close to those of the RC213V Dani Pedrosa and Marc Marquez are riding.

Although there has been no official news by Honda regarding the RCV 1000, few insiders claim that the masterpiece on two-wheels is already ready. All we can say is that we would have to wait until EICMA 2013 to see the RCV 1000 in all its grandeur.

Story: Sayem Syed

John Abraham, Bollywood star and avid biker that he is, was recently handed the keys to an Aprilia RSV4 by parent company Piaggio. The RSV4, which is one of the few production high-performance motorcycles in the world to use a V4 engine, is famous for its 294 victories at the Road Racing World Championship.

John was delighted at finally getting to own what he said was his ‘dream bike’ and expressed his gratitude to Piaggio for handing him a bike so highly sought after in the biking circuit.

Ravi Chopra, Chairman and Managing Director, Piaggio Vehicles Private Limited said that the company was glad to offer John the experience that only a true biker would understand. He expressed the company’s pleasure at John becoming an owner of the RSV4, which had been ‘a revolution on the global motor racing scene’.

Aprilia are the reigning World Superbike Champions, having won the Rider’s and Manufacturer’s world titles in 2012. They also hold the record for the most wins of any European manufacturer in the history of competitive motorcycle racing. They also hold 51 world titles, including 38 in the Road Racing World Championship (20 in the 125cc- and 18 in 250cc-class), 4 in Superbike (Rider and Manufacturer double win in 2010 and 2012) and 9 in Off Road disciplines (7 in Supermoto and 2 in Trial).

Piaggio are on an expansion roll in the country. Apart from their Vespa brand, which already has its fair share of dealerships, the company also has Aprilia and Moto Guzzi. The company recently opened another showroom in Bangalore, Tuono Motors, to add to their presence in the country after Gurgaon and Pune.

Story: Jim Gorde

Japanese motorcycle marque Yamaha have taken the wraps off their new offering for the global market – the 2014 YZF-R1 “Race Blu”. The YZF-R1 is well known to be quite a head-turner with its jaw-dropping looks, that being said, the new “Race Blu” livery is simply stunning. The 2014 R1 had its debut at Silverstone during the British MotoGP and Yamaha officials had claimed that this special livery has been based on the factory Yamaha racing team colours.

And boy! The new YZF-R1 is quite an attractive design with its matte black and shiny blue paint; it’s certainly many an enthusiast new poster-boy. Although on the technical side of things there is no change at all, Yamaha officials are banking heavily on the “Race Blu” livery to sell like hot-cakes on a global scale.

While many would agree that technicians at Yamaha should have changed the new R1 on the technical front as well, we think with Yamaha we would have to play a waiting-game till maybe 2015. Pricing of the 2014 YZF-R1 has not yet been revealed.

Story: Sayem Syed

 

Triumph has revealed their new 2014 offering, the new Speed Triple R. The first of the two roadster models which Triumph are debuting in their 2014 portfolio, the new Speed Triple R sports few new cosmetic tweaks to its already impressive package.

The 1050cc triple-cylinder beast now features ABS as standard, the 2014 version also boasts of radial monoblock – Brembo calipers along with high-performance Öhlins suspensions for both front and rear shocks as standard. That’s not all the new Speed Triple R sports a new rear subframe painted bright red, along with Gloss Diablo Red radiator covers, too. The belly pan, mini windscreen and tail are all colour-matched. The new Speed Triple R will be available in two colour tones – Crystal White and Phantom Black.

Officials at Triumph have also disclosed the price of the new Speed Triple R at $16,240 (Rs 10 lakh) base price.

Story: Sayem Syed

 

Kawasaki have unveiled their latest offering to the European market in the form of the 2014 Ninja 300 SE. The Japanese power-brand are garnering lots of praises for the baby Ninja world over since its official debut. At an event carried out by Kawasaki Europe, Mr Yasushi Kawakami, MD pulled the wraps off the special edition Ninja 300.

The Special Edition Ninja 300 stands out from other entry-level competitors thanks to a World Superbike inspired bodywork graphic package and colour-coded wheel rim tapes. Featuring the now famous “elliptical” graphic style of the machines ridden by Kawasaki WSBK stars Tom Sykes and Loris Baz, the Ninja 300 Special Edition will be available in standard and ABS equipped versions from Kawasaki dealers across Europe in late 2013.

Speaking to the media, head honchos of Kawasaki Europe stated that the SE 300 highlights the need to cater to the Kawasaki enthusiasts who adore the baby Ninja even though it is the smallest capacity machine in Kawasaki’s formidable Ninja range. Pricing and availability are yet to be announced.

Story: Sayem Syed