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Oct 17, 2007

0 Hero Honda celebrates Two Crore (20 million) bikes in India..!!

Hero Honda completes Two Crore bikes in India..!!

India’s (and also the World's) largest two-wheeler manufacturer, Hero Honda Motors Ltd (HHML) has launched its two crore (20 millionth) bike in the country.


According to the company press release (Dated: October 12, 2007):,

    "The 20th million motorcycle was unveiled at a glittering ceremony here today, by Mr. Brijmohan Lall, Chairman, HHML, Mr. Pawan Munjal, MD & CEO, HHML, and Hero Honda brand ambassador and Bollywood superstar Mr. Hrithik Roshan."


Mr. Pawan Munjal, says

    There are not many countries in the world with a population of two crore people, and here we are – a Company with an unprecedented customer base of two crore, and growing.

    In a country of a billion people, it signifies a Hero Honda bike in every 50 people.

    This achievement is indeed reflective of the brand loyalty and the trust that Hero Honda has built amongst its customers over the years.”


To commemorate this achievement, Hero Honda has announced a campaign called "Hero Honda Country", which aims to touch the hearts and minds of customers across the length and breadth of the nation (which basically means that Hero Honda wants to reinforce its nunber one position in the minds of the India consumer).

As part of the campaign, an event called "HERO HONDA BIKE-A-THON" has been flagged-off simultaneously from eight cities – Srinagar, Kolhapur, Katihar, Kolkata, Kakinada, Kanyakumari, Chennai and Mangalore. The bikers, riding a range of Hero Honda bikes, will traverse thousands of kilometers, before converging near Delhi towards the end of this month.


Great going Hero Honda. But how about setting aside a few crores of Rupees for an R&D of your own..?? Agreed matching the Honda Technology isn't easy but what if tomorrow Honda decides to part ways.




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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.




Oct 15, 2007

20 "Daijya" Full Face Helmet

Got the Pulsar 220 DTS-Fi, now it was time to get a Full Face Helmet..

Update [Jun, 2011]: This particular Daijya helmet has been DISCONTINUED by DSG.

It has been replaced by new designs.

Glifford: "time to get a full face helmet. You need the chin protection as much as you can!"

First_Synn: "please do get a full face... Personally, i wouldn't ride anything that can touch 40+ without a full face lid."

When you get comments like these, that means you are in good company of true bike enthusiasts. These comments came in, since I happened to post pics of myself on my new Pulsar 220 DTS-Fi with an open face helmet.



Thanks guys, thanks for reminding me that safety comes first.. But actually the open face helmet was just a stop gap arrangement before I could receive the Full Face "Daijya" helmet from DSG (Dream Sporting Gear).

It was yesterday when I received the "Daijya" helmet. Believe me guys when I say that this is the best helmet that I have ever used. Not only does the helmet look expensive, it also feels very secure.






It is without doubt one of the best branded helmet that I have used so far. DSG happens to be the sole authorized distributor of the Daijya brand in India.



The helmet that DSG had sent has a blue tinted visor, which along with the glossy finish of Red and White looks very attractive.



This time I can already see both Glifford and First_Synn nodding with approval.


Check out the website of DSG, http://www.planetdsg.com/ for more..





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.




Oct 14, 2007

8 2008 Kawasaki Ninja 250R..!! Bring this one to India please.

Kawasaki shows off its new 2008 Ninja 250R.. is it coming to India..??

Old Ninja 250R and the New 2008 Version

Kawasaki finally decides to revamp the looks of its smallest ninja, the 250R. And the result is nothing sort of stunning. The new 2008 Ninja 250R has the designs cues of the bigger Ninja's.

Kawasaki is the only Japanese bike maker among the big four (Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, Kawasaki) that doesn't have a presence in India. With a price of around Rs.1,40,000 (without custom duty of course) and bike weighing around 151 Kgs, I think Kawasaki has the right product for India.

2008 Kawasaki Ninja 250R: Front

2008 Kawasaki Ninja 250R: Left

2008 Kawasaki Ninja 250R: Right

2008 Kawasaki Ninja 250R: Top

The 223 cc Hero Honda Karizma and the 220 cc Bajaj Pulsar has developed the Indian two wheeler market for quarter litre bikes to follow.

Although Kawasaki doesn't have a single model in India, it still has a technical collaboration with Bajaj Auto. Maybe Bajaj auto can bring in the Ninja 250R as knocked down kits, assemble them here in India and use their "Pro Biking" showrooms to sell the Ninja 250R.

So is the 2008 Kawasaki Ninja 250R headed for India..??

Probably the 2008 Auto Expo might have a few answers.. till then Pray Real Hard..!!




2008 Kawasaki Ninja 250R Technical Specifications:



  • Engine: Four-stroke, liquid-cooled, DOHC, parallel twin

  • Displacement: 249cc

  • Maximum power : 32PS (31.56 hp) at 11,000rpm

  • Maximum torque: 21.7Nm (16 ftlb) at 10,000rpm

  • Cooling: Liquid



  • Carburetion: Keihin CVK30 x 2

  • Transmission: Six-speed

  • Final drive: O-ring chain



  • Frame: Semi-double cradle, high-tensile steel

  • Wheelbase: 1390mm(NA Model) - 54.72 in

  • Front suspension / wheel travel: 37mm hydraulic telescopic fork

  • Rear suspension / wheel travel: Uni-Trak with aluminum linkage / Preload Adjustable

  • Front tire: 110/70-17

  • Rear tire: 130/80-17

  • Front brake: Single 290mm hydraulic petal disc with two-piston caliper

  • Rear brake: Single 220mm petal disc with two-piston caliper



  • Overall length: 2080mm

  • Overall width: 710mm

  • Overall height: 1115mm

  • Seat height: 780mm

  • Dry weight: 151kg



  • Fuel capacity: 18 liters

  • Color choices: Lime Green, Ebony, Passion Red, Candy Plasma Blue

  • Price: $3,499

Pics: Motorcycle-USA.Com



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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.




6 Indians have Unadventurous taste.. Yamaha plans an "Automatic" Motorcycle

Yamaha India has plans for an Automatic Ungeared Motorcycle for India..

    "Indian bike buyers’ staid, unadventurous taste, especially in the 100cc-plus segment has been the reason for the poor response for some of the Yamaha bikes."

That's what Hindu Business Line says about the failure of earlier models of Yamaha India. The above lines has been taken from the article which featured the launch of the 106 cc Yamaha Alba in India.


The report also says,
    The Alba is the most plain looking bike that Yamaha has made in India.

Its not a good idea to blame Indians and criticize our taste in motorcycles..

So the futuristic looks of the Original Libero (with the funny looking headlamp) and the 125 cc Fazer (with insect like google eyed headlamps) didn't go down with "desi" bikers too well.

Yamaha Fazer 125 cc

The Google eyed 125 cc Yamaha Fazer.
Who would ever want to ride a bike that looks like an insect..??


So the 106 cc Libero became the Libero G5 and the 125 cc Fazer was reborn as the Gladiator which basically were the old models albeit with new stickers and with a new headlamp.

After so many flops it must be very clear that the last thing Yamaha Motors India needs is another commuter motorcycle

But inspite of selling the so called "plain and Boring" looking motorcycles, the sales of Yamaha motorcycles doesn't seem to have picked up. In fact in Bangalore I have probably seen just 1 or at most 2 Yamaha Alba on road so far.


So probably its not a good idea to blame Indians and criticize our taste in motorcycles.



So what's next from Yamaha motors..??


Hold your breadth.. according to IndiaTimes, "(YMI) Yamaha Motors India will launch a new range of automatic geared bikes next year.."

Tomotaka Ishikawa, MD, Yamaha Motors India says,

    "We are planning some unique products for India. Others (two-wheeler companies) will not be anywhere close to it. They will portray our global leadership in bikes and our commitment to the Indian market.

    We will not launch a commuter bike, but deliver top-notch motoring experience to customers. These new-age bikes may have a premium price but the customers will have awesome experience owning them."



That is ok Mr. Ishikawa, after so many flops it must be very clear that the last thing Yamaha Motors India needs is another commuter motorcycle.

But an "Automatic" Geared Motorcycle from Yamaha Motors..?? Any "desi" biker interested..??





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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.




Oct 13, 2007

17 "First Information Report" of my Pulsar 220 DTS-Fi..!!

My first report on the ownership experience of my new Bajaj Pulsar 220 DTS-Fi so far

So far, all that "The Bike Chronicles of India" had been carrying were either limited to news related to "desi" bikes or my opinion on the same.

This time it's different. I am a Bajaj Pulsar 220 DTS-Fi owner now. So this time it will be the story of me and my Pulsar 220.


Since I am the proud owner of my baby now, I can probably tell you about it with a bit more conviction..

To begin with, I wasn't exactly planning to buy the 220. I was in fact saving up for the Pulsar 200 DTS-I . The Pulsar 220 didn’t appeal to me in the photos and the premium of around 17K rupees extra over the Pulsar 200 didn’t seem reasonable to me.

But as fate would have it, I happened to take the Pulsar 220 DTS-Fi for a test ride and was impressed by the way it made me feel. In simple words I fell in love. After that I had to wait around for 3 months before I could lay my hands on my RED Pulsar 220 DTS-Fi.

But since I am the proud owner of my baby now, I can probably tell you about it with a bit more conviction.

Since yesterday, I have been suffering from a mild fever. So I’ll keep it short and sweet.



Niggles/Issues faced so far..

  • Rear Disc Brakes:

    • It just makes you reduce speed and not as effective as the front disc brake. More bite needed from it.


  • Rear View Mirror:

    • It doesn’t provide a good view of the guys/gals gawking at my Pulsar 220 DTS-Fi from behind.



  • Rear Split Grab Rail:

    • Though it looks chick, its very difficult to get a proper grip. I liked the split grab rail of the TVS Apache RTR 160 the best so far..




  • Engine Getting Hot:

    • The 220 cc engine does get hot after sometime. Although the heat isn’t an issue when the bike is on the move, things do get heated up especially near the right foot in stop and go traffic.




  • Temperamental Fuel Gauge:

    • It’s actually amusing to watch the low fuel indicator go off and on in a whimsical manner. It’s practically useless to predict the amount of fuel left in the tank by the digital display.





Thing that I love..

  • Torque.. Torque.. and more torque.. which means that this thing pulls effortlessly at every gear. Speeds as low as 30 Km/hr is easy to maintain in the top gear.



  • Handling:

    • In one word - Exceptional



  • Ride Quality:

    • The Best among Indian bikes that I have ever ridden on.


  • The immense attention it gets..

    • With a handful of Pulsar 220’s on the roads, it the best way to make heads turn at every traffic signal.


  • The Headlights

    • They are the best I have seen on any Indian Motorcycle till date. The best part is that the headlights are DC powered, which means that it's intensity doesn't depend on engine speed.


  • Last but not the least: Loving Everything Else about it so far (touch wood)..!!





Average Kya hai..?? (What’s the average mileage per litre..??):

I don’t know. Haven’t found the time to check it out.



To whom I suggest the Pulsar 220 DTS-Fi..??

Only to Serious bikers who don’t mind spending around 85-90 K and still can live up with niggles stated above. (I was aware of the niggles before I bought the bike. almost every Pulsar 220 DTS-Fi owner that I have come across has had these problems)





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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.




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