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Dec 29, 2007

6 Lets rewind the "desi" biking year 2007

A recollection of the events defining the "desi" biking year 2007..

Indian Bike Manufacturer Logos

As 2007 comes to an end, lets introspect and look back at how the "desi" biking scene evolved during this period.

Lets put the bike manufacturers under the scanner one at a time.. and Chronicle the "desi" Biking Year 2007.







Bajaj:





Hero Honda:

Three of my personal favourite posts published in The Bike chronicles of India in 2007 were:

# Why hasn't Honda made a mark with its "Unicorn" in India..??

# When will the Fuel Injected Hero Honda Karizma "Fi" arrive..??

# The inspiring story behind the birth of the Bajaj Pulsar

    After the launch of the Fuel Injected 125 cc Glamour "Fi" launched in 2006, "desi" bikers were expecting at least a Fuel Injected Karizma to counter the Bajaj Pulsar 220 DTS-Fi (the launch of which was imminent). But to the disappointment of many, Hero Honda finally dished a Karizma with a new set of stickers, a plastic "belly pan" and the letter "R" emblazoned on the tank. There was never a doubt about the Karizma being a reliable and proven bike, but the Karzma-"R" which was a mere sticker job was a disappointment from Hero Honda.

    The "New Sticker" philosophy was carried over to the New (?) 150 cc Achiever as well. At least the Achiever now got a new set of Black Alloy Wheels which was previously missing.

    The year ended on a positive note for Hero Honda when it launched the New 150 cc Hunk, which is basically the 150 cc CBZ Xtreme but with completely new body work. So even if Hero Honda haven't managed to push the envelope further with the "Hunk", thankfully they have refrained from using another set of stickers this time.

    And yes, the new 100 cc Splendor NXG of course.. which was another variant of the 100 cc Splendor/Passion family albeit with new clothes.






Honda Motorcycle & Scooters India Ltd.

    Pre 2007 Honda had the 150 cc Unicorn and the 125 cc Shine in its stables. 2007 is about to end and Honda now has the 2007 Unicorn and 2007 Shine in its showrooms. No engine upgrades, no new models. Just a new sets of black alloys and slight cosmetic changes.


    Oh yes, there was a GP Edition of the Unicorn..

    Yaawwnnn!!!!




Royal Enfield




Suzuki:




TVS





Yamaha




Global Auto

    The Chinese finally made inroads in the Indian market in the form of a JV with an Indian Computer maker "Xentis". The new venture is called as Global Auto. The first offering from Global Auto came in the form of a 125 cc bike called the Xpression.

    By year-end Global Auto also showcased India's cheapest bike, called as Rock 100, it is a 100 cc bike with an ex-showroom price of just under 20,000 Rupees.


    Apart from Global Auto, there is yet another Chinese-Indonesian venture called "Mahabharat Motors waiting to start its operations in India.

    I don't think that so far there has been too much flutter or excitement in the Indian two wheeler market about these Chinese Bikes.






Bajaj Vs. TVS






Landmarks for "The Bike Chronicles of India:

The Bike Chronicles of India completed its first anniversary in August 2007. It also manages to get a million page views in its first year of existence.

I also finally get my Pulsar 220 DTS-Fi..!! And just before the year ended, I quit my I.T job and land up with a job related to the Auto Sector..!!




Favourite Posts of 2007:


Three of my personal favourite posts published in The Bike chronicles of India in 2007 were:




Lets hope that "desi" Biking Year 2008 is more eventful and exciting than 2007.

Amen.





Disclaimer:

This is to remind that the Views or Opinions in the blog are entirely mine unless explicitly stated. The Views and Opinions published in this blog should in no way be related to any other person or organization associated -- directly or indirectly -- with me.




6 Comments:

Sajal said...

2007 has probably been one of the most eventfull year for me too!!!

Thanks for all those wonderfull posts all the year round dude!!

Anonymous said...

Nice set of facts...U missed suzuki's Access and Kinetic's Flyte.. Was ur focus only on Motorcycles?

Payeng said...

Yes Sajal, 2007 was eventful for me too..


@TwinSpark,

Yes, so far my focus has been only in Motorcycles.. somehow I can't seem to take an interest in Scooters.

Anonymous said...

hello bro,
Sorry i cudn't wish u at ur Blog's
aniver.....I know u been working hard
to inform us abt Motorbikes.It really helpful to us man.I sharing ur post with my nepali frens.Ok man good luck .Hope 2008 will be gre8.And one question Is yamaha going to launch any bike in 10th of JAN.In Xbhp
I saw some post.Do inform me about that afterall u r working in Auto sector

Regards
Nepali_babu
NB

nepali babu said...

hello bro,
Sorry i cudn't wish u at ur Blog's
aniver.....I know u been working hard
to inform us abt Motorbikes.It really helpful to us man.I sharing ur post with my nepali frens.Ok man good luck .Hope 2008 will be gre8.And one question Is yamaha going to launch any bike in 10th of JAN.In Xbhp
I saw some post.Do inform me about that afterall u r working in Auto sector

Regards
Nepali_babu
NB

Twin Spark said...

Nice set of facts...U missed suzuki's Access and Kinetic's Flyte.. Was ur focus only on Motorcycles?

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