8 Yamaha R15 in Moto GP Colors could come to India..!!

A limited edition R15 in Moto GP colors have appeared in Colombia.. India should be the next logical step

The other day I saw a dude on the street on his R15. Initially the bike appeared like a white color R15, but on a closer look it became clear that the dude had actually custom painted his R15 in colors to mimic the YZR-M1 that Valentino Rossi rides in Moto GP for Yamaha.

The obvious Rossi "bhakth" was honest enough to paint 46 on the front and the rear of the bike and even had gone the extra mile to put even FIAT logo on the fairing.

..the R15 has already made to Colombia in Moto GP Colors

Even before sighting the above mentioned customized R15 in Moto GP colors, I was pretty sure that Yamaha India would launch the R15 in Moto its GP colors. After its "Yamaha Racing colors" and the "White Color" for the R15, an R15 in "Moto GP colors" obviously is the logical next "colorful" offering from Yamaha.

8 Yamaha SS125, New bike(?)

Yamaha SS125, it is a new bike or just a Gladiator 125 in new colors?

There has been no official announcement about this one, but a couple of days back a new (?) model appeared on Yamaha India's website.

Named as "SS125", this bike appears just as the 125 cc Gladiator in new colors. But a closer look at the product portfolio of Yamaha India on its website reveals that this particular model has been given an all together new name and branding.

Both the "SS125" and the "Gladiator Type SS/RS" are presented as different models on Yamaha India website. By the way the earlier "Gladiator Graffiti" model has been removed from the website.

Phew..!! one will definitely go bonkers keeping record of the changes.

But the question is does this "SS125" deserve an altogether new branding separate from the Gladiator brand? That too when it looks exactly like the Gladiator?

16 2010 Hero Honda CD Deluxe & CD Dawn

Hero Honda gives the CD Deluxe and CD Dawn slight make up for 2010..

The "Splendor", which is priced above the CD Deluxe, still doesn't have "Self Start" and the CD Deluxe has it..

The news about "refreshed" 2010 CD Deluxe and CD dawn models was around since the beginning of this year. But the Hero Honda website did not show the changes till a couple of days back.

Posted below are the images of the 2010 Hero Honda CD Deluxe and CD Dawn models. The changes is mostly limited to "new stickers" and a "matt back finish" silencer. The CD Dawn does get a 2 way pre-load adjustable rear shock absorbers.

"Self Start" ("Power Start" in Hero Honda Lingo) is a feature which was already present in the older CD Deluxe as an option. The current price list in the Hero Honda website doesn't show the price for a "kick start only" model.. but at the same time the tech specs does show the kerb weight of a separate "kick only" model.

So is there a separate "kick start" CD Deluxe model? Or is the "self start" now a standard feature?
I am confused.

3 TVS Apache RTR Upgrade coming soon

TVS Apache RTR Upgrades to be launched soon..

According to recent discussion at xBhp.com, TVS is preparing upgrades for its Apache RTR series of bikes. Probably code named as "Hyper edge", the upgrades are slated for a (probable) September 2010 launch.

One of the members of xBhp.Com got in touch with a manager from TVS. Not much information has been communicated back, just the following are known about the upgrade so far.

1. Some kind of upgrade is definitely planned for the Apache RTR series

2. The launch would be in a couple of months time

19 Marriage, Motorcycles and Blogging do not mix well

Marriage and Motorcycles do not mix..

Before I got married, I definitely had this premonition, and after 2 years of conjugal life, it has sadly come true (at least in my case).

Before marriage

Mine was a long distance relationship; therefore prior to marriage I never got the opportunity to test out whether my wife could also share my enthusiasm for motorcycles.

Like most people, even I had this romantic image of a Boyfriend and Girlfriend duo riding into the sunset of a motorcycle. Maybe the romantic image is not just an illusion created by motorcycle manufacturers; maybe young couples do enjoy riding on a motorcycle as it gives them the freedom to be close to each other without offending the moral police.

But like I said, I never got the opportunity to take my better half out for a motorcycle ride before our marriage.

After marriage

0 Jan 2010 - Dec 2010 2 Wheeler Sales

2010 Monthly Sales Numbers of 2 Wheeler Manufacturers of India..

• Dec 2010, 2 Wheeler Sales India



• November 2010, 2 Wheeler Sales India



• October 2010, 2 Wheeler Sales India



• Sep 2010, 2 Wheeler Sales India



• Aug 2010, 2 Wheeler Sales India



• July 2010, 2 Wheeler Sales India



• June 2010, 2 Wheeler Sales India



• May 2010, 2 Wheeler Sales in India



• April 2010, 2 Wheeler Sales in India



• March 2010, 2 Wheeler Sales in India



• February 2010, 2 Wheeler Sales in India



• January 2010, 2 Wheeler sales in India

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.

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Guide: Branded Helmets available in India [2011]



Guide: Myths/Excuses for not wearing a Helmet



Guide: Introduction to different types of Helmets

Reviews: Motorcycle riding gear and accessories

Review: DSG Primal Gloves [Dec, 2011]



Review: Daijya Carbon Fibre Helmet [Nov, 2011]



Review: Alpinestars Bionic Knee Guard [Jul 2011]



Review: DSG Maze Jacket & Motomesh Gloves [Sep 2010]



Review: "Bikers Collection" Eye Gear from Fastrack [Dec 2007]



Review: DSG Spike Jacket [Dec 2007]



I get a "Daijya" Full Face Helmet [Oct 2007]

75 Avenger 220 DTS-i, Complete Details [With Price, Photos]

Complete (and accurate details) of the new Bajaj Avenger 220 DTS-i..

Yes, its confirmed now, Bajaj has upgraded the Avenger with its 220 cc engine. Posted below are its complete and accurate details along with its photos.

Those who were expecting some visual changes in the new model will be disappointed. The bike looks nearly identical to the older model. The styling, color, optional wind screen, lights, tyres etc. everything looks the same as the older model.

The changes in the New Avenger 220 DTS-i is actually skin deep.

2 Pulsar 135LS TV Advertisement (Shot in Indonesia?)

New TV Ad of the Pulsar 135LS has appeared.. the backdrop of the Ad looks very Indonesian. The tradition of excellent TV Ads for the Pulsar continues..

Selamat Datang (which means "Greetings" in Indonesian) Indonesia..!! The Pulsar 135LS seems to be saying just that every time.

First it was the redesigned and sporty split rear fender for Indonesia.. and now it seems that the TV Ad for the Pulsar 135LS has been shot keeping in mind the booming Indonesian two wheeler market.

Take a look at the TV Ad posted below, the backdrop of the TV Commercial looks straight out of a street in Indonesia.

If this link is to be believed, this as was indeed shot in Semarang, Central Java, Indonesia.

Posted below are two versions of the Ad:

[1] For India [2] For Indonesia.

What's the difference? Find it out yourself..

4 Bajaj Avenger 220 DTS-i, the "The Fastest Indian Cruiser"?

Bajaj to upgrade the Avenger with a 220 cc engine..??

According to the discussion going on at India's largest online biking community xBhp.com, a couple of Probiking showrooms are not accepting bookings for the "God Bike"- the Avenger 200 DTS-i.. why?

It seems that India's only Classic Cruiser, the Avenger is soon going to get a bigger 220 engine.

Actually its not totally unexpected. The Avenger 200 DTS-i used to share its engine with the Pulsar 200 DTS-i. The Pulsar 200 DTS-i was ceased from production in 2009. Therefore instead of making the 200 cc engine excusively for the Avenger, it would be only logical to upgrade the Avenger with the engine of the Pulsar 220 DTS-i.

If this piece of news is true then make way for "The Fastest Indian Cruiser"..!!

Actually with no other classic cruiser bike in the country, the Avenger doesn't really have any competition.. does it?

20 Pulsar 135LS with new rear fender design, for India..!!

The Pulsar 135LS gets a minor but significant redesign.. for India

When the Pulsar 135LS was first launched in India, I had mentioned that the rear fender was an eyesore (though very functional in keeping out water splash) of an otherwise brilliant and fresh design.

..the best sub-150 cc motorcycle in the country has just got better..!!

To everyone's surprise, the pulsar 135LS was launched in Indonesia with a better design rear fender. Just as we were starting to feel being being left out with "step motherly" treatment, Bajaj has given the Indian Pulsar 135LS the same "split two piece" rear fender design as well.

What's good for Indonesia is certainly good for India..!!

4 TVS Max 4R: First Look & Details

First look at the TVS Max 4R.. probably the first "Utiliy" motorcycle in India

TVS should have retained the body panels of the older 2 stroke TVS Max 100R

This new model looks like a "New" model with the old "Max" name..

Usually an "R" in the name of a bike means that its a sporty, racy bike. Eg: Honda CBR series, Yamaha YZF-R series, Suzuki GSX-R series of bikes, Ninja 250R etc. But this new bike from TVS is far from being a sporty model.

Hindu Business Line has reported the first details of a new motorcycle from TVS Motor, the Max 4R. These motorcycles are being used (tested) for over a month now by a couple of guys in Indore. They have been using it for their business activities, which includes a lot of loading (like vegetables, milk etc.).

Small traders like Milkmen, Vegetable vendors etc. seems to be the target customer for the Max 4R. Most of these small traders would be currently using tiny mopeds or second hand motorcycles for carrying loads.

5 Pulsar 220 DTS-i in the Bollywood movie "Lafangey Parindey"

The soon to be released Bollywood movie "Lafangey Parindey" seems to have the Pulsar 220 DTS-i "The Fastest Indian" in it..

Recently the Tom Cruise starrer movie "Knight and Day" made it to the news for featuring a Ducati Hypermotard (which apparently seems to be a disguised Aprilia).

Not to be left behind, soon to be launched Bollywood flick "Lafangey Parindey" seems to feature one of our "desi" motorcycle, the Pulsar 220 DTS-i "The Fastest Indian" in it. The trailer of the movie has a couple of shots of its lead Hero Neil Nitin Mukesh astride a black Pulsar 220 DTS-i.

The trailer also has a few shots of Niel Nitin Mukesh and his group of friends indulging in some motorcycle stunts, which seems to be clearly inspired from the awesome Pulsar Mania Ad [2008] (Screenshots posted below for comparison).

Watch the trailer of the movie posted below.

9 Dummies Guide to International Motorcycle Categories

Introduction to International Motorcycle Categories..

A few days back when Suzuki launched the GSX-R 1000 and the Bandit 1250S in India, I remember reading the following headlines in many places, "Suzuki launches two SUPERBIKES in India"..!!

Comments on whether the categorization (as seen by me) of the international motorcycles makes sense, suggestions, corrections.. are most welcome

For God’s sake, the Bandit 1250S is NOT a Superbike..!!

It’s obvious that not many Indians are aware of the different types of international motorcycle categories that exist. I therefore decided to prepare a "Dummies Guide to international Motorcycle Categories".

Posted below is the categorization of international street motorcycles as seen and understood by me. This chart has been prepared by me from whatever little exposure and knowledge that I have gained over the years about international bikes.

Please note that the categorization has been done only for street motorcycles. i.e those motorcycles which are used for riding on streets and highways. Dirt bikes (motocross and enduro bikes) have not been included here.

2 June 2010, 2 Wheeler Sales India

June 2010 sales numbers of our Indian 2 wheeler manufacturers..

The dream sales run continues for all of our 2 wheeler makers even in the month of June. Posted below are the June 2010, two wheeler sales numbers.

Note:

1. The monthly sales figures include domestic sales as well as exports. Also it includes sales of all types of 2 wheelers (Motorcycles, Scooters, Mopeds etc.)

2. Total June 2010 sales for HMSI has not been made public so far. Only the domestic numbers have been shown in the above graph as total sales. The HMSI June 2010 export numbers might not be included as shown in the above graph.