New Bike Launches in India

Harley Davidson has announced an addition to its present range of models this year

US motorcycle major Harley Davidson will be launching one more model in India, the Forty-Eight . With this addition the company will be to able cater to its ever growing fan following in India even better. The urban brawler will surely woo the customers with its power and performance. Introduced to the Indian market at Rs. 8,50,000 (ex-showroom Delhi) the motorcycle is available across all Harley Davidson dealerships in India.

 

 

The new Harley is a factory custom motorcycle on the lines of the traditional Sportster but with an appeal of the Dark Custom bikes. The bike sports a traditionally styled “peanut” tank exposing more of the rubber-mounted Evolution 1200cc V-Twin engine. The low solo seat, under-mounted mirrors, side mount license plate, clear rear fender all emphasize the Forty-Eights chiseled customization and add to the minimalistic look even as old school look meets the new school technology. Along with custom cool styling the motorcycle also has new front fork sliders, a beefy front tire provides a dominating front end with smooth ride and solid handling whereas slammed rear suspension gives confidence to riders of all sizes and experience. The forward foot controls will give an opportunity to kick back and stretch your legs as you cruise across the highways.

Extremely radical, expensive and exclusive Italian motorcycles are here to loosen your purse strings

Be it cars or bikes, India is the new battlefield for almost all the manufacturers in the world, no matter how big or small they may be. Vyrus (no typo there) Motorcycles, an extremely small and exclusive motorcycle manufacturer from Italy, has tied up with InterGlobe Enterprises to market its motorcycles in India. The company, based in Rimini, Italy, is primarily known for its collaborations with Bimota and Ducati, but also manufactures its own line of motorcycles which are sold to an exclusive clientele at a stratospheric price. In India, that translates to a possible sticker price anywhere from Rs. 12.5 lakh to Rs. 30 lakh, depending on the level of customisation.

Vyrus is just one of the exclusive marques that InterGlobe Enterprises, owner of Indigo Airlines, is bringing to India. The company is also in talks to usher Koenigsegg, Grinnall and Hollister motorcycles on Indian shores. 

Words: Saeed Akhtar

Two wheeler sales in India rises in the 2^nd month of 2011 too

India’s two-wheeler market is showing no signs of slowing down as the sales momentum was kept going in the month of February, with all the three major manufacturers, Hero Honda, Bajaj Auto and TVS Motor, recording better growth than the previous month. Bajaj topped the list of companies exporting their vehicles followed by TVS, while Hero Honda made four lakh plus sales.

The Pune based company, Bajaj Auto, sold a total of 286,657 units resulting in a 22% increase since last year. Exports of the company too rose by 32% as they sold 102,433 units. Hero Honda, India’s largest two wheeler company, posted a 24% growth whereas TVS’s sales of two wheelers grew to 23 % in the month of February. Hero Honda sold 472,055 units, crossing the 4 lakh mark for the 10^th consecutive month.

 

Despite the hike and import duty for CKD bikes, Harleys will maintain their current prices.

US based cult bike maker, Harley Davidson, has announced that they will not be raising the prices of their two models, which are assembled in India even as the government has increased the import duty for completely knock down bikes (CKD). 

In the recent budget proposal the government had changed the definition of CKD’s where automobile imported might end up paying 30% import duty instead of the regular 10%.

The company has been evaluating different options, in wake of the new rules imposed for the import duties for CKD. The Superlow and the 883 Iron will be the first two bikes to roll out the CKD facility unit is Bawal, Haryana. Harley Davidson MD Anoop Prakash told the media that the company is committed to their customers, dealers and enthusiasts.

As mangoes were allowed to be sold in the US market, India relaxed the emission norms on bikes above 800cc allowing the Harleys to start assembling and selling their bikes in India.

 

Words: Raymond Raj

Honda CBR 250R to reach the showrooms by the first week of April

 

Any major launch in this year cannot come close to the eagerness with which bike enthusiasts are waiting for the Honda CBR 250R and much to their relief, the bike isn’t that far now. Recently launched in Thailand, Honda’s latest single-cylinder, 250-cc offering will reach the showrooms across the country by the first week of April. Due to the unfortunate catastrophe and loss of life in Japan, the company has planned not to hold any formal launch event. The bike will be available in standard and combi-ABS variants and has been priced at Rs 1.51 lakh and Rs 1.77 lakh respectively (ex-showroom, Mumbai).

 

Talking about the company’s future plans, Shinji Aoyama, President & CEO, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Pvt. Ltd, said- “ In India Year 2011 marks beginning of a new Era for Honda. With new aggression, Honda has set up plans for rapid expansion to serve customers better. To meet the expectations of existing customers, our second manufacturing facility at Tapukara, Rajasthan will soon be operational from early 2nd half of 2011 taking our total production capacity to 22 lakh units in FY 2011-12.”,

 

Words: Gasha Aeri

Garware Motors and S&T Motors denies Hyosung buyout

A few weeks back, the rumour mill was buzzing with news about the Hero Group and Mahindra 2’Wheelers looking to buy out Korea-based S&T Motors Co Ltd., parent company of Hyosung, manufacturers of the Comet 250, GT650R and ST7 motorcycles. However, Garware Motors have sent us a press release wherein they have made it clear that there are no ongoing negotiations between S&T Motors and any Indian manufactuer, Hero and Mahindra included, on this matter. For those outside the loop, Garware Motors and Hyosung have an ongoing aggrement wherein the former is to exclusively assemble motorcycles under the Hyosung brand name and market them in India. The agreement still holds firm and Garware will continue selling the GT650R sportsbike and ST7 cruiser in India.

We hope they stick together and launch the 250-cc bike in India as well.

Words: Saeed Akhtar

Cricketer Virat Kohli to be company’s new face

 

 

TVS Motor Company has signed cricketer Virat Kohli as the brand ambassador for their all new TVS Sport motorcycle. The cricketer will feature on all advertising and retail material related to TVS Sport. As per the official statement issued by H. S. Goindi, President Marketing, TVS Motor Company, “Virat Kohli is known for making distinctive style statements, whether on or off the field and represents the aspirations of many a young Indian. Virat is a perfect fit to the brand.”Especially with the ongoing World Cup fever running through the entire country’s veins, such an announcement would grab some additional eye-balls for the company.

Words: Gasha Aeri

The US based-bike manufacturing company planning to enter Indian market by next year

Victory Motorcycles, US-based company is looking forward to participate in next year’s Delhi Auto Expo and maybe enter Indian market in second half of next year, depending on the response they get at the Expo. Following the success of Harley Davidson, which sold on an average more than 2 units every three days this calender year, Victory Motorcycles, manufacturing luxury touring bikes, classic-styled motorcycles and inter-state cruisers, is keen on entering the growing motorcycle market here. The company is aiming to introduce models that would be best suitable for Indian riding conditions and roads. Harley managing to get its costs as low as Rs 5.5 lakh for their basic model, Victory Motorcycles will face tough competition as their price range is between Rs 5.68 lakh and Rs 12.73 lakh internationally. With Indian government’s high import duties the price of these bikes will effectively be doubled since they will be imported as CBU’s.  The Indian bike enthusiast will have to wait and watch out for next year’s Auto Expo and hope, that just maybe the import duty rates are relaxed a bit.

Words: Raymond Raj

Hero and Mahindra both looking to buy Hyosung

Like a perfectly set up deck of Dominoes, a string of the world’s foremost automotive brands has toppled before the Indian juggernaut in the last few years. And now, it seems like the latest two-wheeler manufacturer which is set to join the Indian bandwagon is Hyosung Motors. Bike India has just got hold of some inside-industry news which states that the Hero Group and the newly formed Mahindra 2 Wheelers are in negotiations to take over the Korean brand. Both the Indian conglomerates involved in this deal has got the money needed for such an enormous takeover but not the technology – Hero recently ended its twenty six year long association with Honda – and could benefit greatly if the deal comes through. Hyosung already has a sizable brand recall value in India, courtesy of its Comet 250 streetfighter and Aquila 250 cruiser that Kinetic brought here almost a decade back. More recently, it tied up with Garware Motors to launch the GT650 sportspike and ST7 cruiser in India.

Trust Bike India to keep you posted on further developments in this ongoing deal. For our full review on the GT650 sportsbike, pick up the March 2011 issue of Bike India magazine, on stands now.

Words: Saeed Akhtar