Changing Dynamics
Here is something that throws ample light on how the Indian motorcycle industry has changed over the past decade.
The jury round for the Bike India Awards was held last month. New bikes that were launched between the 1st of December 2022 and the 30th of November 2023 qualified for the Bike of the Year Award 2024. There was only one 100-cc motorcycle, the Honda Shine, that was launched during this period. There were two other motorcycles below 200 cc, two below 250 cc, and two scooters with internal combustion engines (ICE), besides four electric scooters. The segment above 300 cc and below 500 cc, on the other hand, witnessed six new launches. Now, if you went back by 10 years, you would have had six to eight commuter bikes, four to five scooters, and only one or two bikes above 250 cc. Clearly, the dynamics of the Indian two-wheeler industry have changed and the manufacturers also seem to have realised that the cost of making a mid-sized motorcycle is not so much more than that of making a commuter. Moreover, profitability is far greater in respect of a mid-sized motorcycle.
There were a number of strong contenders for the Bike of the Year Award. They included the KTM 250 and 390 Duke, Triumph Speed 400 and Scrambler 400 X, Harley-Davidson X440, TVS Apache RTR 310, and the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450. We also had the BMW S 1000 RR, Ultraviolette F77 electric bike, and two Ducatis: DesertX and Diavel V4. The Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 was crowned the Bike of the Year.
The traffic situation is going from bad to worse by the day, what with the number of new vehicles coming out every day and the lack of any rider training before one gets their riding licence. We need proper rider training schools to teach traffic rules, the basic dos and don’ts of riding on the road, and, equally importantly, the principle of the right of way.
Aspi Bhathena
Editor
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Suzuki V-strom 800DE Launched at Rs 10.30 Lakh
Suzuki unveiled their new parallel-twin at the EICMA 2022, and it is finally here in India, priced at Rs 10.30 lakh (ex-showroom). Suzuki have been developing this particular 776-cc, 270 degree parallel-twin for some time now, and it debuted on the V-strom 800DE alongside the GSX-8S.
[Read more…]The Baby Kawasaki – Kawasaki W175 Update
Kawasaki’s smallest offering in our country, the W175, just got better and pricier. We took it out for a ride to see if it is worth all that it has to offer.
[Read more…]MARCH 2024
An Indicator of Evolution
The jury round for the Bike India Awards 2024 for two-wheelers launched between 01 December 2022 and 30 November 2023 was held last month. There were 34 contenders, comprising motorcycles, scooters, electric scooters, and electric motorcycles. Of these 34, there were only three motorcycles below 200 cc along with three electric motorcycles and nine electric scooters; the remainder being big motorcycles. This shows how the Indian two-wheeler market has evolved over the years. It may be recalled here that when the very first Bike India Awards were presented in 2005, most of the bikes were of a capacity below 200 cc.
We had the very first Indian Supercross League and it was witnessed by a large number of spectators who were thrilled by some exciting racing. It was great to see international riders perform and it was evident that there was a big difference in the standard of riding between the Indian boys and their international counterparts; why, even the boys from Thailand were far quicker than our boys. I hope this exposure helps the Indian riders to improve their skill. The only way to improve one’s riding skill is to ride with riders who are quicker than oneself. In my own case, that was what helped me when I was racing. My thought processes ran as follows: if he can go through a corner so much quicker, then why can I not take that corner at the same speed?
There is a desperate need to have training schools for two-wheeler riders to teach them the basic dos and don’ts of traffic rules to which most riders are oblivious. We need an enclosed space where one can teach learners the basics of how to ride a two-wheeler. As the situation obtains today, more than 99 per cent of the two-wheeler riders are not fit to be on the road in the first place.
Aspi Bhathena
Editor
Eurosport is the Home of MotoGP Broadcasts in India Again
Eurosport’s newest deal will see it acquire MotoGP broadcasting rights in India till the end of the 2026 season
[Read more…]Zontes Motorcycles Pricing Reduced
Zontes motorcycles are now more accessible than before with a reduction in price across multiple models. The products with revised pricing include the 350R, 350X, 350T and 350T ADV.
[Read more…]KTM 390 Duke Road Test Review – Ducal Nostalgia
In its 2024 avatar, the KTM 390 Duke has received a comprehensive update and now the motorcycle brings back memories of the first-generation hooligan that we loved so much
Story: Azaman Chothia
Photography: Sanjay Raikar
2024 KTM 250 Duke – First Ride Review
Just like the new 390 Duke, the 2024 KTM 250 Duke has received a comprehensive update as well. We spent a day with the bike to bring you insights into all that it has to offer.
Story: Azaman Chothia
Photography: Sanjay Raikar
Raida Drift Dual Sport Gloves Review
We have had the Raida Drift Dual Sport Gloves with us for a while now and also used them over a road trip covering around 4,000 km.
[Read more…]OCTOBER 2023
A Red-letter Day in Indian Motorcycling
MotoGP was held at the Buddh International Circuit last month for the very first time. MotoGP on Indian soil was a momentous event for motorcycling in the country. The who’s who of MotoGP world championship were present on the occasion.
There were a few niggles, though, such as final track homologation which took place on the Thursday before the race weekend. This led to a lot of uncertainty as to whether the race would take place or not because some of the changes required to have the circuit homologated could not be executed in time. We must give credit to the folk at Fairstreet for the success of the event.
Last month we also took part in the first ride of the TVS RTR 310 in Thailand. During the ride I asked Vimal Sumbly, the head of premium biking at TVS Motor Company, the reason for holding events such as the launch of the electric scooter in Dubai and the RTR ride in Thailand outside India. The answer was simple: he said the idea was to make TVS a global brand, not just limited to the Third World countries but also significant to the developed countries and markets.
The RTR 310 naked version was long overdue after the launch of the RR 310. This one is aimed at the KTM with streetfighter specifications. You may turn over to page 32 for our first ride report.
Indian motorcycle manufacturers like Bajaj, TVS, and Royal Enfield have come a long way with their capabilities to make world-class bikes in terms not only of looks and design, but also of performance, handling, braking, and reliability.
If our two-wheeler manufacturers are capable of making world-class bikes, why can our helmet manufacturers not make world-class helmets? At present the irony is that people can buy the best motorcycles in the world but cannot protect themselves with the best protective gear. Why can our helmet manufacturers not make good helmets to compete with international helmet manufacturers?
Aspi Bhathena
Editor
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