New Bike Launches in India

The Italian motorcycle maker has introduced its latest offering in the country

You look at it and you wonder how everytime you declare a bike to be Ducati’s finest work, they surprise you with a better one. They have done it again and how. Though the bike was unveiled by Ducati earlier, the firm officially launched the Diavel in the country today. Quite a sensation around the world already, the bike is available in India in three variants- base, Carbon and Carbon Red, priced at Rs 17.06, 22.06 and 22.43 lakh repectively (ex-showroom, Delhi). A muscle machine in its looks, Diavel has the agressiveness of a naked sportsbike and the comfortable riding posture of a tourer.

This beast of a bike is powered by a 1198.4cc, four-stroke, Ducati’s patented L-twin Testastretta engine which promises 162 PS power and 127.4 Nm torque. Diavel’s desmodromic powerplant is based on the 1198, with the only and most important revision being reduction of valve overlap from 41 to 11 degrees. The bike comes with a six-speed gearbox and it’s features list includes- ABS, traction control and riding modes (sport, touring and urban). Straight out of a craftsman’s workshop, the Diavel is one good looking sport tourer which is most likely to grab many eyeballs on the road. On the sidelines of the superbike launch, Ducati also inaugurated its fourth showroom in India at Lavelle road in Bangalore.

Words: Gasha Aeri

Kingfisher Blue mile to range from Leh to Delhi

The Kingfisher Blue mile, a Himalayan expedition is set to be flagged off on 5th July 2011. The event will be a bike ride from Leh to the capital. Although the participants are required to manage their own motorcycles for the ride, mechanical backup and accommodation will be handled by the sponsors. The on-ground logistics for Kingfisher Blue MILE will be handled by Outback Adventures. The participants will be chosen through a blogging contest on facebook.com and winners will be announced on 23rd of July.

The journey will take the participants through 1600kms of challenging roads in an uncompromising weather. The event hopes to bring together like minded adventure seeking enthusiasts on a common platform.

For more details visit – http://www.kingfisherworld.com/blue/bluemile.aspx

Words: Aniruddha Mulgund

The UK based two-wheeler manufacturer is gearing up for a launch next month

With the Indian two-wheeler market undergoing its golden era currently, the new feather in the hat comes by the name of Triumph Motorcycles. Looks like plans have taken shape and Triumph will make the big announcement by next month. The bikes are most likely to be brought in as CBUs (Completely Built Units) and reportedly Triumph is in talks with a local manufacturer for support too. Triumph America, Speed Master, Speed Triple and Rocket III come across as the most likeable models to be brought to the Indian mainland. Company has not officially confirmed anything yet, but they haven’t said ‘no’ either. Nevertheless, it’s time to rejoice in the Indian market.

Words: Gasha Aeri

One time scooter giant, LML, thoughtfully introduces Select 4 stroke scooter strictly for Delhi NCR market

Kanpur based, LML Limited has launched Select 4 stroke scooter for the Delhi NCR territory. The scooter is equipped with a 148cc, air cooled, single cylinder engine. With 4 gears to offer, the engine is capable of generating a peak power of 8.8 PS at 6200 rpm and a peak torque of 11.3 Nm at 4250 rpm.The scooter has a fuel tank capacity of 5.5 liters which includes the 1 liter of reserve fuel. The Select4 KS (kick start) is available at Rs 47,140 (ex-showroom) while the Select 4 ES (electric start) will cost Rs 50,978 (ex-showroom). P S Choudhary, Head, Sales and Marketing, LML informed Bike India that the company looks forward to open the sales of Select 4 in the states of Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh by the end of June 2011. He conservatively anticipates selling around 250 – 300 units of Select4 in Delhi NCR within next 2 to 3 months.

Disclosing his plans for the year ahead, Choudhary mentioned that the company is working on expanding its current portfolio by introducing 2 bikes and 2 scooters. The 2 bikes would cater to the100cc and 125cc categories. Further, one of the two planned scooters would be gearless and would again cater to the 100cc – 125cc segment. The expansion would also include a 200cc scooter targeting the sports / lifestyle segment. The two wheelers are expected to be launched between August –December 2011. Additionally, the company is also planning to manufacture and export light gearless scooters (50cc onwards) to Europe by the end of December. LML currently exports a 200cc lifestyle/ sports scooter to European countries besides the 125 cc and 150 cc regular geared scooters such as Star, Stella Speedy and others. “The domestic scooter market is resurging at a CAGR of 42%. We shall leverage the growth by placing exciting offerings in geared and gearless segment both. LML shall continue to explore these segments besides re – entering the motorcycle markets in India and abroad.”added Choudhary.

Words: Amit Panday

Harison Motors launches ‘Funty’ ATVs in India

An All Terrain Vehicle (ATV), in simple words is the fusion of an automobile and a motorcycle. It runs on four wheels, has a saddle like that on a motorcycle and is given direction by a handlebar. These are recreational vehicles primarily used on off-road surfaces. Harison Motors (HMPL), an Indian-overseas joint venture has launched a range of ATVs in India, under the brand name ‘Funty’. The Funty family currently has four models with engine capacities ranging from 50 to 200cc which will be available in western India initially, imported as CBUs. However, HMPL is setting up an assembly plant in Maharashtra which will start rolling out 15,000 ATVs by March 2012. Apart from ATVs, HMPL also plans to launch motorcycles and scooters in the Indian market, which will be mass produced at their plant along with the ATVs from next year. The first exclusive showroom of the Funty will be operational by June end in Satara, Maharashtra. The Funty range is priced between Rs One to Three lakhs and needs no driving licence or R.T.O registration.

Words: Piyush Sonsale

U.S. based premium lubricant manufacturer, TOP 1, launched its products in India

TOP 1 Oil Products Company has launched its premium range of lubricants in India and Lucas Indian Service (LIS) will be marketing and distributing the products. The annual lubricant market catering to the auto sector is estimated to be around Rs 25,000 crore. Of which, the market share of high end lubricants comprising of synthetic and semi synthetic lubricants stand at around 10 percent i.e. Rs 2,500 crore. Frank Ryan, Vice President, Sales and Marketing, TOP 1 Oil Products Company, informed that the company would address to the market requirements of premium lubricant segment. Company’s country head, R Ramesh, added that “We are targeting to achieve around 10 percent of the premium segment in the coming 5 years.” The TOP 1 products for bikes would be available in the range of Rs 285 – Rs 750 per liter while for passenger cars they would be available in the range of Rs 285 – Rs 1,200 per liter. Further, the lubricants for heavy duty diesel vehicles would cost between Rs 310 – Rs 370 per liter.

LIS is known to be a 100 percent subsidiary of Lucas TVS, and had a country wide distribution network across 650 cities through over 2,500 dealers and service dealers.

Words: Amit Panday

Present at the occasion were Pune Warriors; Saurav Ganguly and Rahul Sharma

In order to enhance its relationship with dealers, Valvoline Cummins India organized a dealership meet in Delhi. Sandeep Kalia, CEO, Valvoline Cummins India said “we continuously want to lay emphasis on the importance of our business partners and interact with them directly.” The company is one of country’s leading lubricant manufacturer. Also present at the event were cricketers Saurav Ganguly and Rahul Sharma. Amongst others who attended were Sandeep Singla, AVP, Valvoline Cummins India and Abhinav Sharma, Marketing Manager, Brand, Valvoline Cummins India.

Words: Amit Panday

TVS ups the Max 4R with a sturdier makeover

The recently launched Max 4R from TVS has undergone a few changes and a sturdier variant has been launched in the form of the Max 4R LX. The new variant is aimed at the rural commuter and will be powered by the same 109.4 cc engine. The minor changes will include a better cushioned seat and  changes in the handling and safety features along with an optional mobile charger on the go. The commuter will be priced at Rs. 39,090/- and will be available at all TVS outlets across Maharashtra.

Elec-Trans announce ‘rent-a-bike’ campaign in Pune.

Pune goes green with electric bike rentals.

Elec-Trans announce ‘rent-a-bike’ campaign in Pune.

Pune goes green with electric bike rentals.

ET Elec trans Ltd. has announced the ‘rent –a- bike’ campaign in the city of Pune. For the first phase the company has appointed three franchisees in the city and will be renting out 50 bikes. The electric bikes will be powered by a 750 hp motor and will be completely eco friendly.  If all the formalities will be completed by the Region Transport Authorities (RTA) the services will be available from 29th May itself. Bikes will be charged on per minute basis.

Although bike rentals have been available in Goa, Kerala and Himachal Pradesh for quite some time, the concept of electric bikes in a city is unique and purpose oriented. Hopefully, the concept will be adopted in other cities across the country where personalized mobility is preferred.

Words: Aniruddha Mulgund

6 % of sales expected from global sales by 2012

Royal Enfield makes a mark globally

6 % of sales expected from global sales by 2012

In the last 5 years, Royal Enfield has made significant strides in the global market. From North America to Europe in the West and Japan to Australia in the East, today Royal Enfield has pride of place across the globe. By 2012, Royal Enfield’s export would contribute around 6 per cent to its annual sales and find its presence in more than 40 countries around the world. In 2010 Royal Enfield was ranked among the top 10 selling motorcycle brands in UK in the 125-500 cc category and after reviewing the available models at the Progressive International Motorcycle Show in New York in January 2011, Popular Mechanics has ranked the Royal Enfield Classic Chrome and Bullet 500 among its Top 10 picks from the show. It has also found a place in Celebrity talk show host Jay Leno’s garage