A detailed look at my latest set of two wheels..
I had posted a few days back that I now commute from my Home to Office and back on my new bicycle. Posted below are some detailed photos and also a description of my new “btwin ROCKRIDER 5.0”.
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Official word about next gen Pulsars.. to be showcased by Dec 2011.. to hit roads in 2012
Just as posted by me early this year (Feb 2011), the top man of Bajaj Auto (Mr. Rajiv Bajaj) had stated in an interview that completely re-engineered Pulsars were to commemorate the 10 anniversary of the birth of the Pulsar motorcycle/brand.
Now very recently Mr. Bajaj has again stated:
"We launched the first Pulsar in November 2001 and are now ready with a 100 per cent new bike with remarkable engine technology. It is really the next big step after DTS-i"
According to Hindu Businessline, Bajaj Auto will showcase an all-new Pulsar in early December (2011) and the new bike will hit the roads next year (2012). This new bike will will feature an exclusive technology, "this technology does not exist anywhere in the world and could soon be a part of the company's Pulsar and Discover range in due course".
Speculation on what to expect from the new Pulsars?
Should Suzuki Motorycles India seriosuly consider bringing the GW250 to India..??
Just because one has the best ingredients..
..doesn’t always guarantee that the dinner would be served sumptuous
Suzuki Motorcycles India needs a flagship model for India. The GS150R has been the flag bearer for them for some time now. Before you mention "Hayabusa", let me tell that I am aware that the Hayabusa in on sale in India, but that’s an imported model for blokes with deep pockets.
I am coming more from the point of view of an aspiratinal model for the "great Indian middle class". Something like the R15 for Yamaha, Pulsar 220F for Bajaj, Karizma ZMR for Hero MotoCorp, CBR250R for Honda.
The humble 150cc GS150R isn’t exactly flagship material, not in 2011-12 India.
Suzuki GW250
Just a couple of months back Suzuki did unveil a 250 cc, twin cylinder model at a Chinese auto show. Needless to say the desi auto blogs went into overdrive speculating/claiming that this was the next big Suzuki model for India. The bike’s name is GW250. It’s a made in China Suzuki model which has been on sale in that country for a few months now.
Now should Suzuki Motorcycle India seriously consider bringing the GW250 to India too?
Price for Hero MotoCorp's first Hero branded bike "Impulse" announced..
Customers could say:
"The bike appears minimalistic (stripped down), so why pay the premium?"
Hero MotoCorp has officially announced the price of the "Impulse". The Impulse happens to be the first product to bear the "Hero" (minus the Honda badge) brand name. The Impulse is essentially a Honda NXR 150 Bros, a Brazilian Honda model.
Powered by a carbureted, 150 cc, aircooled engine, the Impulse is most probably sporting the same 150 cc block that does duty on the CBZ Xtreme/Hunk, albeit with slightly different state of tune (13.2 Ps Peak Power and 13.34 Nm of peak Torque).
Price: Priced at Rs.66,800 (Ex-Showroom, Delhi), the impulse gets a price tag which is costlier than the Hero's own CBZ Xtreme (Rs. 63,725) by Rs. 3,000.
Launch Date: The Impulse will be launched very soon in a couple of days time around the Diwali celebrations.
I have decided to cycle to work.. daily
I have already sold off my Pulsar 220 DTS-Fi a couple of months back..
Back in the early-mid nineties, I was almost inseparable from my bicycle. From going to school in the morning and coming back home in the afternoon, to attending evening tuition, or just to hang out with my friends, my bicycle used to be my noble steed. But once I graduated from high school, bi-cycling just faded away from my life.
Amidst "College - Engineering - MBA - Girl Friend - Professional Job - Marriage" and not to mention my love for motorcycles and my Blog: Bike Chronicles of India, where was the time for going back to bicycling once again?
[My new bicycle is the "Rockrider 5.0" from the French bicycle specialist, btwin. Will post more about my Rockrider 5.0 on a different blog post]
But just yesterday I got myself a brand new bicycle and have made a resolution to get back to cycling like I once used to in high school days nearly 18 years back. The only difference would be that instead of cycling to school, I will now cycle to my office/work place and instead of attending evening tuition, maybe I would be occasionally visiting the neighborhood grocery shop.
So why cycle to work?
Garware Motors launches the GT650N in India.. at Rs. 4.39 Lakhs (ex-showroom Delhi)
Garware Motors brings to India the Hyosung GT650N (the Korean brand's naked variant of the GT650R).
The power/torque on the naked variant remains identical to the full faired variant. But the naked variant does become lighter by 7 Kgs. Also the GT650N gets a more comfortable and relatively upright, single piece handlebar.
Price: The GT650N has been priced at Rs. 4.39 lakhs (Ex-Showroom Delhi). The full faired GT650R starts from Rs. 4.75 lakhs (Ex-Showroom Delhi).
Kawasaki has revealed details of its new 2012 Ninja 650..
The "R" moniker have been dropped from the 2012 Ninja 650..!!
After my ride experience of the 2011 Kawasaki Ninja 650R, I was all praise for its smooth and torquey (parallel) twin cylinder engine and comfortable ergonomics.
Kawasaki seems to have left the engine of the new 2012 Ninja 650 nearly untouched except maybe for slightly better midrange, which is a good thing as the engine on the Ninja 650R is a gem.
The aspects on which I felt the Ninja 650R lacked a bit was in its handling and braking department. I had also found the styling towards the rear of the bike a bit simple/bland and not in sync with the rest of the bike.
I am sure Kawasaki definitely must not have read my review and went about to bring out the 2012 upgrade of the Ninja 650, but it certainly looks like they have worked on the very aspects on which I had pointed out in my review.
What’s new in the 2012 Kawasaki Ninja 650?
A wonderful video review of the Yamaha R15 Version 2.0 from a bunch of enthusiasts..
What is it?
A Video review of the Yamaha R15 Version 2.0 on the "Race Track"
By Whom?
By a bunch of enthusiasts based out of Pune, with a new website called "Power To The Rider"
Near professional quality stuff from a bunch of enthusiasts..!! Great first effort.
Unique facts about Off-Road motorcycles..
Off road motorcycles are something alien to most Indians. So far now we have never had any history of an off road bike being commercially successful in India. To most of us, any motorcycle with raised suspension and minimalistic body work is a “Dirt Bike”.
Like most Indians I too never fully understood the details which make off road motorcycles stand out or which makes them unique. I could not understand things like:
Although I have not ridden any off road bike till date, this post is about some unique aspects of off road motorcycles that I have learnt over the years.
Adieu to a great visionary who has touched many lives.. including mine
"You will always be my greatest inspiration, someone who encouraged me to believe in my dreams, to "Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish"..!!
I have never been more saddened at the news of the demise of a man whom I have never met.
Godspeed Steve Jobs"
Steven Paul Jobs: Founder Apple Inc.
Feb 24, 1955 - Oct 5, 2011
Photos of how the Yamaha R15 Version 2.0 looks sans its rear tyre hugger and it's saree guard..
After the face lift (err.. actually "rear" lift), the only eye sore on the updated Yamaha R15 Version 2.0 is the rear tyre hugger and the madatory (by Indian law) saree guard.
Removing both is not too difficult a task. Posted below are photos of how the Yamaha R15 V2.0 looks without them.
Ride Review: Pulsar 200NS
KTM 200 Duke: Ride Review
Ninja 250R: Ride Review
Review: Daijya Carbon Fibre Helmet
How to Brake on Indian Roads
My Bike Trip to Tawang
