8 Auto Expo 2008 Coverage: Bajaj to Bring in Kawasaki Ninja 250R and KTM Bikes..!!

Exotic Bikes from KTM and Kawasaki will soon grace the Bajaj Probiking Showrooms..!!

The Bajaj Auto Pavilion had three Zones: The Orange Zone for KTM Bikes, Blue and White Zone for Bajaj Bikes and Green Zone for Kawasaki bikes. Hey.. isn't that color combo quite similar to out National Flag..??

It is almost confirmed that Two Bikes from KTM (the Duke 690 and the RC8) and the one from Kawasaki (the 2008 Ninja 250R) has been culled out for an India launch..!!

Details to be covered in subsequent posts.. till then enjoy the Pics..!!

Bajaj Pavilion had an all Chrome Panels and Back Body Pulsar 220 on display

KTM Branded Biking Stuff will be available in Probiking Outlets..!!

Ninja 250 headed for India..!!

[To be Continued..!!]





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.

87 Auto Expo 2008 Coverage: TVS Apache RTR 160 "Fi" & Of the Shelf Performance Kit for the RTR 160..!! [Wallpapers]

TVS shows its Fuel injected Apache RTR 160 Fi and an Apache RTR variant with Performance Enhancing Race Kit..!!

No TVS did not show the rumoured 180 cc/200 cc Apache RTR (never believed in rumours in the first place) at the Auto Expo.

TVS Apache RTR 160 "Fi":

But TVS did show the Fuel Injected Apache RTR 160 "Fi".. there were two Apache RTR "Fi"'s kept in the TVS Pavilion.

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TVS Apache RTR 160 Fi

One was a Red and the other a Yellow Color. My first impression on the first day was that there were two variants of the Fuel Injected RTR that was being launched. But on the second visit to the Auto Expo, a TVS guy standing there told me that only one variant similar to the Red one will finally be produced (the Yellow RTR Fi did not have tank scoops/extensions and rear disc brakes).

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TVS Apache RTR 160 Fi

The Red Apache RTR 160 Fi had tank extensions and a rear disc brake to differentiate itself from the carburetted Apache RTR variant. The pattern of the stripe running down the bike is also slightly different from the non-Fi variant.

Expect the RTR "Fi" to come into TVS dealerships very soon. When inquired about the price of the RTR-"Fi", I was pleasantly surprised to hear that it will be just Rs. 5000 over the non-Fi variant. I don't know whether to believe that or not because apart from the Fuel Injection there is also a rear disc brake in the package.

The Fuel Injection hasn't really bumped up the power output of the Apache RTR, but I hope that it should bring down the disturbing vibrations which plauge the Apache RTR 160. The Tech specs of the TVS Apache RTR 160 Fi is posted below..

TVA Apache RTR 160 with "Race Performace Kit"..!!

Now if you already own the Apache RTR, this is definitely going to put a BIG smile on your face.

TVS will soon make available Performance Enhancing Kits which can be bought off the shelf from TVS dealers and fit on your existing Apahce RTR 160 bike.

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TVS Apache RTR 160 with Race Performance Kit

The "Race Performce Kit" as TVS likes to call it consists of a Free Flow Exhaust (shown here as Chrome tipped), and some changes in the valves, spark plugs (shown with yellow spark plug cover to differentiate) and the cylinder (according to the TVS guy present there). The modifications will result in an bhp increse from around 15 something to 18.5 BHP..!!

Update: (14'th Jan 08, 21:00 hrs) Just now I got the news from my Boss (he owns/rides an Apache RTR 160..!!) who has just returned from the Auto Expo 08 that the RACE PERFORMANCE KIT IS NOT STEET LEGAL..!!

According to my Boss, the TVS guy at the Expo told him that the Kit can be bought from the Showrooms and used at your own risk on the street. It seems the kit is mainly meant for races.

SIGH..!!

The premium for the Race Perfornmance Kit as told to me should be around Rs. 8,000 (I forgot to ask whether labor charges are included in it too).

If you have an Apache RTR 160 and ready to spend around Rs. 8K more on it, then you can probably ask some intresting questions to the Karizma and the Pulsar 200 and 220. But in the process you might also bring down he resale value of your Apache RTR..

So what do you say..??

[P.S: There was no news about any Race Performance Kit for the Fuel Injected RTR "Fi"]





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.

30 Auto Expo 2008 Coverage: TVS Flame and 2008 Gladiator [Wallpaper]

125 cc bikes from TVS and Yamaha at the Auto Expo 2008..

TVS Flame: (Max Power: 10.5 bhp)

"Flame" the new 125 cc bike from TVS Motors was placed in the center of the TVS Motor Pavilion in the Auto Expo 2008. This goes to show how much attention TVS Motors is showering on their latest 125 cc bike.

There was a RED and a Yellow Flame displayed prominently at the TVS Pavilion. Posted below are two wallpaper sized pics of the Yellow TVS Flame.

125 cc TVS Flame
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Previously I had commented that the new 125 cc Bajaj XCD Sprint DTSi looks better than the Flame. But after you look at the Flame, you will find that the Flame now appears to be a better looker..

The looks and new design elements of the Flame was published in an earlier post. There is also a unique storage space on the tank of the Flame. In flesh the Flame looks bigger than a 125 cc bike and in the league of a 150 cc bike. The Flame should be able to accomodate 6 footer guys easily.

According the the TVS guys present at the Expo, the Flame should be available very soon at TVS dealers across the country.

125 cc TVS Flame
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Yamaha Gladiator SS/RS: (Max Power: 11 Ps)


Yamaha India has shown a few variants of its 125 cc Gladiator at the Auto Expo 2008. The Gladiator SS (Stylish & Sporty) and the Gladiator RS (Racing Sports).

Do not go by the fancy acronyms for they are just cosmetic upgrades with the tech specs remaining identical.

There was another variant of the Gladiator kept in the Auto Expo (Pic posted below). It did not have any special name/initial on it, so can't really say whether this particular variant will make it to the showrooms or not. But I kind of liked the color combination on this one more than the SS/RS variants.

125 cc Yamaha Gladiator
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The Bajaj XCD Sprint DTSi looks freaky with its sharp looks but I have to say that the XCD also looks smaller compared to the Flame or the Gladiator. The small size might have a positive effect on the Power to weight ratio but might put off someone looking for a generous sized 125 cc machine.

On the other hand, the TVS Flame and and the Yamaha Gladiator have generous propositions which give it a more mature look.

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.

15 Auto Expo 2008 Coverage: Yamaha FZ-150 Sexy "Prototype" from Yamaha India

Yamaha India shows a Ultra Sexy Prototype called the FZ-150 in Auto Expo 2008.. Will this one make into production..??

The Yamaha FZ-150 "Prototype" shown @ the Auto Expo 2008

I have to apologize, since I am a bit late to cover this stunner called the FZ-150 which Yamaha India showed in Auto Expo 2008. This one is a "Prototype" which Yamaha India has conjured up by taking the DNA of the 1000 C.C FZ1...

But my lethargy was due to the fact that I wanted to cover those bikes first, which are production ready. The memory of the Yamaha Gladiator 150-165 cc "Prototype" is still fresh in my mind. The Gladiator 150-165 cc "Prototype" was another concept which was shown in Auto Expo 2006 but sadly never saw the light of the day. The other Yamaha product shown at the Auto Expo 2008, the YZF-R15 seems almost production ready and therefore I chose to cover that before the FZ-150.

The only change that Yamaha India needs to make in the FZ-150 is change the rear tyres from the impossibly fat (for a 150 cc) to normal ones for a 150 cc bike..

The FZ-150 "Prototype" shown in the Auto Expo 2008 has a 150 cc engine, carburettor (instead of fuel injection), fat rear tyres (about as big as Pulsar 200/220 rear tyres), air cooled engine (not liquid cooled like the YZF-R15), 5 speed gearbox (insted of a 6 speed one on the YZF-R15) and also the FZ-150 doesn't have the "delta" frame of the YZF-R15.

[Photo Credit for the last Pic: Ken Cool from XBHP.Com]

Maybe the only change that Yamaha India needs to make in the FZ-150 is change the rear tyres from the impossibly fat (for a 150 cc) to the ones found on the Pulsar 150's and the Apache's. Apart from the tyre change the looks of the FZ-150 should be left untouched.

The FZ-150 would look stunning even without that leggie "firangi" model on it. I don't see a reason as to why Yamaha India shouldn't launch it. The FZ-150 easily will easily overshadow the Pulsar, Apache RTR, CBZ Xtreme or the Hunk in the looks department.

And if performance if the name of the game, then the YZF-R15 should take care of it.



On inquiring about when can we expect the FZ 150 to appear in the market, the Yamaha Officials at the Auto Expo said that they had no clue. I just hope that the FZ-150 isn't just a "Prototype" but a mass production model to compete with the Pulsar 150, Apache RTR 150, CBZ X's and the Hunks.. and leave the YZF-R15 to take the niche position as the 150 cc performance king

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.

13 Auto Expo 2008 Coverage: Bajaj Discover 150 DTSi [Pics/Photos/Images] + Wallpaper

Pics of the Bajaj Discover 150 DTSi..

Bajaj displays the Discover 150 DTSi at the Auto Expo 2008.. According to the Bajaj officials present there the new DTSi of the new 150 cc Discover will produce around 14.1 bhp maximum power. Launch of this new 150 cc Discover will most probably be in the 2'nd quarter of 2008 (i.e around June-July 2008). Price has yet not been decided.

Discover 150 DTSi Wallpaper
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Except for the tank the Discover has completely new body panels along with a new design of the headlamp. The Discover 150 also features integrated blinkers on the scoops/extensions on the tank. After the 125 cc TVS Flame, the Discover is the second bike to feature integrated turn indicators on the tank extensions.

Discover 150 DTSi Wallpaper
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The headlamp design is new and so is the LED Tail lamp. The Discover 150 also features a Digital Speedometer similar to the one seen on the XCD Sprint DTSi.

Although the bodywork is new, the 150 cc Discover looks very much similar to its present 135 cc cousin. It is because of the shape of the tank which hasn't been touched. Also unlike the Discover 135 which has an all black paint to its alloys and engine covers, the Discover 150 DTSi displayed at the Auto Expo features a silver paint scheme to its alloys and enigne. The exhaust is in matt back though and the chain guard also features an interesting black and silver design.








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.