Latest Bike News

A Harley-Davidson air pump?

October 30, 2012 by Bike India Team Leave a Comment

The Screaming Eagle is in a generous mood now days, which is quite evident with their increase in sales worldwide.

Well there is piece of good news as Harley USA are all set to manufacture and offer a state-of-the-art digital air pump for touring bikes. The new Digital Touring Suspension Air Pump (P/N 54000033) will be available at all Harley-Davidson franchise across USA.

This custom Harley air pump is an accurate and convenient piece of equipment used to check and alter pressure in the rear air shocks on all H-D Touring motorcycles. Being the only digital suspension air pump in the market, it has a bleed valve that allows precise adjustment of air pressure, along with a ‘no loss’ connector which maintains shock pressure when the fitting is removed.

The pump also features a pivoting pump handle, which provides improved grip while adding air to shocks. This compact pump fits in a travel bag and can also be used to measure tire air pressure. Display units can be changed between PSI and KPa. The LCD readout operates on a long-lasting, replaceable lithium coin-type battery. The pump is going to cost you about $69.95 (in the US) and we are fervently hoping that H-D India introduces this life-saving accessory in our country too. For more information, visit www.harley-davidson.com

Picture courtesy: Harley-Davidson USA

Piaggio’s new Indian scooter

October 29, 2012 by Bike India Team Leave a Comment

After tasting success with the premium Vespa scooter, Piaggio is now aiming for bigger volumes with a new 125-cc gearless scooter.

Obviously, the latest offering will not boast the Vespa badge, and is rumoured to be christened as Piaggio ‘Fly’ or ‘Flyer’. Shedding the Vespa tag will help the new scooter sport an aggressive price tag of around Rs 55,000, which is more in tune with competition, like Honda Activa, Suzuki Swish, Mahindra Duro DZ etc. In-fact the Rs 50,000-to-Rs 55,000 scooter segment has grown by 24.5 % in 2011-12.

The ‘Flyer’ is said to sport trendy design on the lines of Honda Dio and newly launched Yamaha Ray, with its headlight uniquely position on the front fender and will retain some retro styling that has been appreciated even on the current Vespa. It will be equipped with telescopic forks up front and hydraulic shock absorbers in the rear. The model will have drum brakes in front and rear, but disc brake could be offered as an option. The new scooter will be powered by the same 125-cc engine like on the Vespa, which offers 10.06 PS and 10.06 Nm, though tuned to offer better fuel efficiency.

The final stages of testing of the scooter is on and homologation almost completed, the Piaggio’s latest scooter offering should reaching the showroom as early as next month. The company is anticipating huge demands and is in process of doubling dealerships to 100 in the next couple of months.

In other related news, Piaggio Group Americas has tied up with Paramount Pictures for the next instalment of the highly successful Transformers film franchisee. The partnership will include a a full slate of promotional and marketing initiatives nationwide including: a national dealer open house, free movie tickets, an advertising campaign and a sweepstakes awarding a Vespa scooter.

Famous Brooklands 1920 Motorcycle fetches £67K at Bonhams

October 26, 2012 by Bike India Team Leave a Comment

An extremely rare motorcycle from the 1920s that once lapped up the famed Brooklands race circuit was one of the top auctions at the Bonhams Autumn Stafford Sale.

This one-of-a-kind master piece, which raced at more than 160kmph during its hey days in 1920, was sold of for a whooping £67,580 at the Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show.

One of only two of its kind known to survive, this 1929 Grindlay-Peerless-JAP 500cc Hundred Model won the prestigious ‘Brooklands Gold Star’ award in 1937 by the hands of prominent VMCC member, the late Edmond “Boy” Tubb, making this motorcycle even more desirable for the auctioneers.

Other notable sales at the event included a one-owner collection of almost 50 modern-day classics, fetching a whooping £215,000, and two Brough Superior SS-80 motorcycles, which also were auctioned off for a combined amount of £130,000. While the entire sale which was raised was at a staggering amount of more than £1.3m.

Spotted: Honda CBR500, Honda CB500R & Honda CB500X

October 26, 2012 by Bike India Team Leave a Comment

Honda is set to debut a number of 500cc machines at EICMA next month, two of which we have already glimpsed: the Honda CBR500 & Honda CB500R.

Joining the smaller sport bike and street-naked is is theHonda CB500X, a 500cc version of the Honda NC700X. Spotted all together at an Italian commercial shoot, all three models are said to share a 500cc parallel-twin motor that makes 45PS, as well as the same basic chassis. Fitted with ‘traditional’ telescopic forks, single brake discs up front, and all three models sharing a bevy of major parts, Honda should be able to be very aggressive with its pricing structure on the new 500cc model line.

Looking at the components as well, it is clear that Honda intends its new CBR500, CB500R, and CB500X motorcycles to be priced at the lower end of the pricing spectrum, making them attractive to newer and price-sensitive motorcyclists — especially our friends across the pond who are riding with an A2 license.

Source: Asphalt & Rubber

Ducati form subsidiary in Brazil

October 25, 2012 by Bike India Team 2 Comments

The Bologna motorcycle manufacturers have always considered Brazil as one of their most important markets for business.

Since, the shut down of the Izzo group, which were the current importer of the Ducati bikes in the land of the ‘Samba’ due to the current economic situation, the big bosses at Ducati took a decision regarding setting up of a wholly-owned subsidiary. Ducati’s move ensures the Italian brand’s ability to sell in the rapidly-growing South American economy.

Headquartered in São Paulo, this subsidiary will be Ducati’s base in Brazil. With extremely high tariffs imposed on foreign goods, importing complete knock-down (CKD) kits to Brazil, Ducati will have a minimal manufacturing presence in the South American country. It will be essential that assembling their motorcycles within Brazilian borders would be necessary in order to side-step loopholes in the Brazil import regulations.

However, the question remains whether there will be a decrease in prices on these Brazilian Ducatis or not? Gabriele Del Torchio, Ducati CEO has stated that, “The Brazilian motorcycle market is one of the most interesting and the third biggest in the world and Ducati has a very strong image in this country. The opening of this new subsidiary and the fact that our motorcycles will be assembled in the Manausplant is evidence of our focus on the Brazilian market. We wish to offer our customers here the best possible sale and after-sales service, and confirm the strategic importance assigned to this market by Ducati.”

Seen here in the picture: Ricardo Susini (Head, Ducati Brazil) with Ducati CEO Gabriele Del Torchio