Latest Bike News

Bajaj Invest Further In KTM

May 2, 2012 by Bike India Team Leave a Comment

Raise their stake to 47 per cent in the Austrian company

Bajaj Auto, one of India’s largest two-wheeler manufacturers, recently bought another 6.3 per cent stake in KTM of Austria, thereby raising their total stake to just over 47 per cent. The deal was made through Bajaj Auto International Holdings (BAIHBV), a wholly owned subsidiary of Bajaj Auto based in the Netherlands.

Although Bajaj officials have confirmed the deal, no details have been divulged as yet.

It may be recalled that Bajaj Auto began investing in KTM in 2007 when the Indian company bought 14.5 per cent stake in the Austrian company and since then Bajaj have been consistently investing in KTM. Rajiv Bajaj said in a recent interview that the company had no intentions to become the controlling stake-holders in KTM. However, going by Bajaj’s constant investment in KTM, it seems that Bajaj might just end up being the controlling authority of KTM in the future.

Sarath Kumar creates history

April 30, 2012 by Bike India Team Leave a Comment

Mahindra Racing’s Sarath Kumar becomes the first Indian to secure a podium finish in an international motorsports event

Mahindra Racing’s Sarath Kumar created history at the CIV-Italian Championship in Monza where he finished third, getting his first ever podium finish. This is the first time an Indian has secured a place on the podium at an international motorsports event in Europe. The Indian rider originally placed fourth but moved up in the rankings after third place winner, Andrea Mantovani, was disqualified due to engine irregularities.

Sarath moved off pretty well from the grid and rapidly found a good pace that allowed him to recover many positions to finish 3rd in the 125GP. The Indian rider also clocked a remarkable time of 25:38:775 at the Monza circuit.Recently, Sarath also became the first Indian to score points in this competitive Championship during the second round in Imola.

On the other hand, the winner of the first two rounds Ricardo Morreti was forced into early retirement after his bike suddenly turned off due to technical issues. After the third round 125GP, Kumar climbs up the classification to 5th place with 22 points and Moretti now lies in second position in the standings with 50 points. The next two CIV races will take place on June 23rd and 24th at Mugello’s Autodromo Nazionale.

Sarath Kumar creates history

April 30, 2012 by Bike India Team Leave a Comment

Mahindra Racing’s Sarath Kumar becomes the first Indian to secure a podium finish in an international motorsports event

Quick-shift MV Agustas

April 30, 2012 by Bike India Team Leave a Comment

EAS variants of F3 675 and Brutale 675 announced

Italian superbike makers, MV Agusta, have announced new variants of their two popular models – the F3 675 and Brutale 675 – with EAS (electronically assisted shift). This technique will enable the rider to shift gears quickly while they are still on gas and without clutch application.

These new variants will be sold in addition to the traditional mechanical gear-shift variants of the bikes.

Both these bikes are already a notch higher than their competitors in terms of technology with features such as a counter-rotating crankshaft and evolved electronic controls with MVICS (motor and vehicle integrated control system). Now with the introduction of EAS, both F3 and Brutale have gone a step closer to being the most advanced bikes in their class.

Mahindra Racing felicitates Sarath Kumar

April 24, 2012 by Bike India Team Leave a Comment

Two consecutive wins for Mahindra Racing on Mugello & Imola circuits

Mahindra Racing recently created history when their Indian rider, Sarath Kumar, scored his first points in the competitive Championship during the second round in Imola. The team got off to a spectacular start in its maiden entry in the Italian championship this year with ex-Italian champion, Riccardo Moretti, winning the opening two rounds in the 125 GP class. Kumar finished seventh in the second round for a personal tally of nine points after a technical issue forced him into early retirement in the opening race.

“We are delighted by Sarath’s performance at Imola and are confident that he will only get better. Mahindra Racing sees the Italian championship as an opportunity to nurture and grow rising Indian talent like Sarath. Riding in a championship with such high standards is a great opportunity for him to hone his skills and develop into a world-class rider,” said Mufaddal Choonia, Chief Operating Officer, Mahindra Racing, at a special ceremony in Chennai to felicitate Sarath for his achievement.

“This is a moment of great pride for me as the Italian Championship is one of the most competitive breeding grounds for emerging talent on the racing circuit. I would like to express my gratitude to the Mahindra Group for all their support and encouragement and I look forward to delivering a strong performance in future races,” said Sarath.

Round 3 of the eight-round Italian championship with Mahindra Racing on top will be held at the Monza circuit on April 29, 2012.