Latest Bike News

MotoGP exoticas on sale

March 13, 2012 by Bike India Team Leave a Comment

Ducati GP11 Valentino Rossi Ducati auctions off rare GP10 and GP11 machines in Monaco

Ducati has announced that it is offering two exclusive Ducati Desmosedici GP machines at this years RM Auctions’ Monaco sale – a GP10 raced by Casey Stoner and GP11 raced by Valentino Rossi respectively. Both machines are coming directly from the Ducati Corse racing department within the Ducati factory in Bologna, Italy and represent “motorcycle exotica” at its most desirable.

RM’s highly-anticipated Monaco auction will also offer the private Saltarelli Collection of historic Ducati motorcycles, providing a wonderful celebration of Ducati history. In addition to the motorcycles, the two-day sale will also feature a stunning roster of blue-chip automobiles. The release of these two very special machines is an extremely rare occasion; the lucky buyer will not only enter into a confidentiality agreement, but also become a close member of the ‘Ducati family’!

MotoGP exoticas on sale

March 13, 2012 by Bike India Team 2 Comments

Ducati GP11 Valentino Rossi Ducati auctions off rare GP10 and GP11 machines in Monaco

WSBK coming to India

March 12, 2012 by Bike India Team Leave a Comment

Buddh International Circuit to be the venue

The World Superbike Championship (WSBK) is the highest platform for production based motorcycle racing in the world. The motorcycles raced here are tuned up versions of road bikes like Honda’s CBR 1000 RR Fireblade or BMW’s S1000RR and are almost as fast as the MotoGP machines.

Until last year, most of the rounds of the championship were held in European countries with the exception of USA and Australia. However, the FIM and the championship promotors (Infront Motor Sports) now want to expand the sport in Asia due to its growing motorcycle industry. Russia will its first World Superbike round in Moscow this year followed by Indonesia from next year and talks are on to add an Indian round too!

Paolo Falmmini, CEO Infront Motor Sports has confirmed that they are considering an Indian round to be held on the Buddh International circuit from as early as next year. Flammini is impressed with the successful introduction of Formula One in India and believes that WSBK has a lot to gain from the exposure received here as most of the manufacturers involved in the sport have their subsidaires in the country.

WSBK coming to India

March 12, 2012 by Bike India Team Leave a Comment

Buddh International Circuit to be the venue

Heroic Bid On Ducati?

March 6, 2012 by Bike India Team Leave a Comment

Is Hero MotoCorp considering to take over Ducati?

Since 2010, when Hero decided to part ways with technology partner, Honda of Japan, the Indian company has been on the lookout for a viable long-term partner that could bring along a thorough know-how of two-wheeler technologies. Being the world’s biggest two-wheeler makers, Hero know how to sell bikes; all they
need is strong R&D that churns out fresh, attractive and dependable vehicles, which have been the pillar of Hero products in the last three decades.|

Internationally, news agencies are abuzz with reports of Ducati Motor Holding SpA being on the lookout for financial support and a possible buy-out. The Italian superbike maker has a profile that fits perfectly to complete Hero MotoCorp’s dream of becoming a global player. No wonder, this has given rise to rumours that the Indian company is in talks with bankers to buy Ducati. In doing so, the company would gain access to Ducati’s advanced technology, which will come rather handy once Hero and Honda’s licensing comes to an end in 2014.

Speaking to the media, Pawan Kant Munjal, MD, Hero MotoCorp, said that a number of bankers had approached them with a proposition for Ducati buy-out and that Hero had been talking to a number of people. And it’s not just Ducati, but the company speaks to whoever that comes to them.

Other prominent front-runners include the German automobile giants, Volkswagen and BMW. Though there was speculation that even Mahindra & Mahindra had shown interest in this acquisition, it now seems to have fizzled out. Hero MotoCorp have the funds to make the final bid and the current slowdown in European economy would also ensure that they get the iconic Italian company for a good price. The big question that now remains is will Hero MotoCorp manage to do in the global two-wheeler industry what Tata Motors did by acquiring Jaguar and Land Rover in the four-wheeler segment? Well, your guess is as good as ours.

Heinrich Switches From Bajaj To BMW Motorrad

March 5, 2012 by Bike India Team Leave a Comment

Edgar Heinrich BMW Motorrad Design Edgar Heinrich, currently with Bajaj Auto’s Product Design department, will join the BMW Motorrad Design Studio as head of design from July 1, 2012, taking over from David Robb.

Heinrich began his career as a motorcycle designer with BMW in 1986 as Head of Vehicle Design (Motorcycles). He was also involved in the design development of the six-cylinder touring bikes and the new maxi-scooters.

In July 2009 he came to India as Vice President, Product Design, Bajaj Auto Ltd, and currently heads their styling and model studio, responsible for brand definition and brand strategies for two and four-wheeler design. He is the man behind the design of the Pulsar 200NS that adorns our March’12 magazine cover.

2012 Honda CBR 250R launched

February 29, 2012 by Bike India Team Leave a Comment

Honda CBR 250R - Pearl Heron Blue tri-colour As we predicted Honda officially launched the 2012 CBR 250R in India today

Yes, the bike now is offered in the ‘Pearl Heron Blue’ sporty tri-color option in addition to the two existing dual-tone colour options – Candy Ruby Red and Asteroid Black Metallic. No, unfortunately, there is no spike in power or performance, as Honda still delivers 25.3PS power and 22.9 Nm torque. Sigh.

The ‘new’ CBR 250R Standard is priced at Rs. 1.44 lakh and Rs. 1.69 lakh (ex-showroom New Delhi) for the C-ABS version. You have to shell out another grand for the new tri-colour option. The 2012 bikes will be available at all Honda dealerships starting early March, 2012.

KTM to launch Power Wear in India

February 29, 2012 by Bike India Team Leave a Comment

KTM Power Wear Bajaj Auto has began deliveries of KTM 200 Duke across India in a phased manner through dedicated 32 KTM store (formerly Pro-biking Showrooms).

Some of our readers, who had booked the bike early, have confirmed deliveries in cities like Hyderabad, Bangalore, Pune among others.

During the Hyderabad launch Prakhar Muktibodh, Area Sales Manager, KTM South confirmed the introduction of KTM riding gear and merchandise soon. Talking to reporters Muktibodh said, that the KTM brand has a wide range of accessories and parts that go well with bike lovers. As a part of expanding the business in India, the company is set to bring in these merchandise, including jackets, gloves and helmets. He further added that KTM will launch Power Wear accessories like jackets, gloves, stickers and helmets in a month’s time, before introducing Power Parts like aluminium sprockets, high-grade plastics and alloys and accessories and other fittings, which will be available at the KTM stores.

The KTM 200 Duke is priced at Rs 1.30 lakh on the road Pune, with a liquid-cooled engine that produces 25 PS of peak power and weighs just 136 kg, which give it outstanding power to weight ratio. While the naked bike design makes it fun to ride in the city.

Read the KTM 200 Duke review click here

2012 Honda CBR 250R ready for launch

February 28, 2012 by Bike India Team Leave a Comment

In a quick comeback to all the recent developments in the country’s 200 cc to 250 cc motorcycle segment, Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI) has reloaded the CBR 250R

and is geared up to launch the 2012 version sooner than you think. How does first week of March ’12 sound?

Currently, the 249.6 cc bike can churn out 25.3PS peak power @ 8500rpm and 22.9Nm maximum torque @ 7000rpm, and with ABS weighs 167kgs. The competition has beefed up in the meanwhile as the new KTM 200 Duke can produce 25 PS and weighs just 136 kg, while the new Pulsar 200NS at 145kg produces 23.52PS, giving them an edge in the power to weight department.

If you noticed, we used the word ‘currently’, by which we mean (and hope), that Honda will be looking at working on the ECU so that the CBR 250R whips out slightly more power and at the same remains frugal. Moreover the HRC red-blue-white livery along with other new shade will continue to draw eye-balls. Wonderful stuff!

On the price front, the smashing KTM 200 Duke and Pulsar 200NS price tags will make sure that the 2012 does not cost the moon. The 2011 version of the Honda is priced at Rs 1.59 lakh for the non-ABS version and Rs 1.87 lakh for the ABS equipped CBR 250R, on road Pune. However, we can expect a slight bump in price by a couple of grand.

We are loving it as the 250-cc game intensifies. And while Honda is at it, wouldn’t we love to see a street-fighter inspired 250 from the Japanese auto giant?

The Shell Advance 7 Riding Wonders

February 27, 2012 by Bike India Team Leave a Comment

In June 2011, Shell Advance had launched a competition titled ‘The Shell Advance 7 Riding Wonders of the World’.

The competition asked motorcycle enthusiasts from around the world to vote for their favourite riding road. The final seven ‘wonders’ were then put before an expert panel of judges from around the world and, alongside, a public vote was taken to decide the ultimate route to ride on a motorcycle.

The winner? The scenic route connecting Coorg to Munnar via Ooty in South India!

On February 17th this year, the lucky contest winner Alessandro Donadello from Italy was flown down to India to partake in his victorious spoils and go for a ride through the world’s ultimate riding route on a Ducati Monster 796 and a Ducati Mutistrada 1200. Expert riders were all suited up in their riding gear while Donadello and his friend put on their helmets and sat pillion on the two Ducati bikes. The route is riddled with S turns and as you turn each corner, the vast array of mountains covered in clouds greet you. Further down your surrounded by tea leaf covered terrain, plush with greenery and the view of pristine lakes in the distance. The Monster 786 filled with Shell Advance motorcycle oil roared through the countryside with ease taking each bump that came along and begged for more.

The inner joy of riding through Mother Nature’s beauty at its best left me with a smile on my face that wouldn’t go away. So the next time you’re riding to the south of India, get a bike and ride on the amazing route.