6 Lets rewind the "desi" biking year 2007

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

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:

Bajaj surprised everyone by launching the 200 cc Pulsar DTSi in early 2007. There also news about a 200 cc Avenger DTSi to be launched along with the much awaited Fuel injected Pulsar 220 DTSi.

Meanwhile Pune got its second batch of Pulsar 220.. and consequently, due to the delay in its nationwide launch, there were rumours about problems with the Pulsar 220 prior to its launch.

Meanwhile, about 5-6 Pulsar 200 DTSi reported failure of the front forks that shocked the country. Bajaj was quick to respond and the defective designed forks were replaced with a new and sturdy design.

A new 135 cc Discover was launched and production of the 112 cc and 125 cc Discover was ceased. Meanwhile the Pulsar 180 DTSi lost its positioning as a Probiking model.

The much hyped 125 cc, Bajaj XCD was launched and so was the much awaited Fuel Injected Bajaj Pulsar 220 DTSi.. Finally..!!

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

There are news of a new platform for Royal Enfield bikes. These new generation bikes will have "Unit Construction Engines". So far, all we have seen have been scoop pics. These new generation engine still seems to be a few months away from making it to the showrooms. Meanwhile Royal Enfield launched a new 500 cc "Bullet Machismo 500 LB"

As the year ended, pics of a "Fuel Injected" Bullet 500 with the Unit Construction Engine (UCE) were found at a French website.

Suzuki:

New 2007 variants of the 125 cc Suzuki Zeus and Suzuki Heat. Old Wine in slightly different bottles.

TVS

TVS launched 100 cc Star City with Electric Start, a first for a100 cc bike in India. It also launches a variant, the Star Sport

But the real bang happened when TVS stopped production of the Apache 150 and launched the Apache RTR 160

TVS looks to be in a very aggressive mood now.. it has officially launched a slew of new bikes, including the new 125 cc bike (Flame) along with an Electric Powered Scooty and a Fuel Injected Apache RTR Fi (though these models have still to make it to the showrooms across the country yet).

The Hot looking 125 cc Flame appeared on TVS's Website soon.. and by the end of the year the Flame was finally launched in Chennai. The Fuel injected Apache has still not made it to the showrooms but was displayed in a Mumbai Auto Show..

TVS also launched a 110 cc Star City as the year ended.

Yamaha

Yamaha India started the year on a bad note with rumours of it closing down operations in India. Clarification soon came from Yamaha India that it was very much in India, even though it was in a bad shape

Yamaha India did launch a 100 cc bike called the Alba. However, probably it has been another dud from Yamaha.

The bad news came this time in the form of brand ambassador John Abraham parting ways with Yamaha. Yamaha India finally ended the year with a big bang by bringing its big bikes viz. the R1 and the MT-01.

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

In Indonesia:


Indonesia is the world's third largest two wheeler market after China and India. It was natural for our desi bike makers Bajaj and TVS to enter this very promising market and continue their traditional rivalry in this foreign land.

Patent Row over the two spark plug issue:

Bajaj creates an issue over the use of 2 spark plugs in the new 125 cc bike from TVS, Bajaj has claimed that the idea was copied by TVS from its (Bajaj's) DTSi technology. The issue is presently under settlement in the courts.

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:

• 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

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.