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May 29, 2010

10 Suzuki Slingshot 125 cc: First Pics

Photos of new 125 cc for India from Suzuki named "Slingshot'..

Posted below are photos of what seems to be a new 125 cc motorcycle for India from Suzuki. The photos were shot in a Suzuki motorcycle showroom in Mumbai.. The motorcycle carries the named "Slingshot" on its side panels.

The word is around that the production of the 125 cc Suzuki Zeus has been stopped. Although the details have yet not been made public, its very much possible that the "Slingshot" could get the same 125 cc engine of the Zeus.

Suzuki Slingshot
[Original Source of the Pics: Team-Bhp.Com]

Why this unconventional name?

I just don't get why this bike has to be named as "Slingshot". Apart from making it difficult for guys who are mostly comfortable in vernacular, a huge amount of money will have to be spent on print and TV ads just to make sure that at least people are aware of this new bike. Suzuki could have retained the name "Zeus" (maybe attach a suffix to it). Imagine the country guy struggling to pronounce "Sling - Shot".

Also had it been really a pocket rocket (in the Indian context), the name might still have made sense.. but for a basically commuter oriented 125 cc bike, the name appears an overkill.

The headlamp of the "Slingshot" seems to be inspired from the 150 cc Suzuki GS150R. Suzuki could have easily named this bike as GS125 (with or without the "R").

Suzuki Slingshot

The design of the "alloy wheels" on the "Slingshot" has cleary been taken from Suzuki's Step Thru the "Satria 150" which is sold in a few South East Asian countries like Indonesia.

Suzuki Satria 150

An opportuinity lost:

Considering a huge amount of time, money and effort goes into introducing a new model in the market, my personal opinion is that the "Slingshot" is probably another opportunity lost for Suzuki Motorcycles India.







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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.






10 Comments:

adil said...

my eyes!! my eyes!!

what the hell was the designers smoking when the designed it?

Sajal said...

@adil - weed would be the answer... they are smoking weed!! I fail to understand that why can't these Japs learn form the sales figures of their big bikes. The Hayabusa and the Intruder, inspite being so costly have sell in good numbers!! The message is loud and clear.... if you bring quality and intelligent products, people are ready to shell out some extra premium, else the R15 wouldn't have been such a huge success!! Just look at the Step Thru Payeng has posted.... it look way way more aggressive and classy than the Sling Shot!!

sanket kambli said...

suzuki GS150 sells bad in 150CC category like yamaha gladiator in 125CC.. i think this bike will join the same list...

Payeng said...

@all,

I am in agreement with you.

Being 'Different' is very important if one has to do business in a market which is already ruled by some big names like the "Splendor", "Passion" "Discover" and "Pulsar".

For example see how different is the Yamaha "R15", no doubt that it manages to stand apart from the rest of the crowd. But then even Yamaha is trying hard to differentiate its products in the 100-125 cc category. Which probably is a harder thing to do.

Anonymous said...

its another blast from suzuki

Akash said...

What a bland bike! To whom is Suzuki India giving to make the designs of the bike. It seems the design was made by mistake. And the name is so ridiculous for a bike. SLING-SHOT as if my foot.

Really Suzuki India is least interested in capturing the 2 wheeler market in India.

When is the new 125CC Yamaha coming?

Gautam said...

cronology of filling old wine in old bottle. (by suzuki)
step 1: remove old engine from old bike.
step 2: fit another more old engine in that bike.
step 3: give it some stupid name & try to make people fool by shouting "this is brand new bike"

what is this suzuki? ur r a respected bike company in world, but not trying to give some world class product here. not fair....

Anonymous said...

We are bored of seeing just the winged marked titans . We expect something new in the market and expectations can be only made from suzuki. so i welcome the new and bold experiment by suzuki.

Akash said...

What a bland bike! To whom is Suzuki India giving to make the designs of the bike. It seems the design was made by mistake. And the name is so ridiculous for a bike. SLING-SHOT as if my foot.

Really Suzuki India is least interested in capturing the 2 wheeler market in India.

When is the new 125CC Yamaha coming?

Anonymous said...

its another blast from suzuki

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