Bike Chronicles of India

Feb 11, 2010

12 Vivek Oberoi gets a Ducati 1098

Bollywood star gets a Ducati 1098..

Yep, Bolloywood star Vivek Oberoi recently got himself a spaking new Ducati 1098 and rode it to one of the birthday parties thrown by one of his Bollywood friends.

Vivek Oberoi on Ducati 1098
I have heard that Vivek is a nice guy. But when you are a Bollywood star, riding a Ducati 1098 on the streets of mumbai, admist media glare.. you should set up a good example by wearing a HELMET.

Hope someone reminds him of it next time.

(Photo Source)

Rossi visits India and John Abraham is appointed Advisor to Yamaha India..!!

Celebrity Biker M.S Dhoni

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.

Feb 10, 2010

13 Ducati in India [Dealership Address + Models + Price]

Ducati brings almost its entire model range to India.. priced between 10 to 45 lakhs..!!

Ducati opens its first dealership in Mumbai: Times of India
Ducati opens its second dealership in Gurgaon: Indian Express

This news is a couple of months old now. Ok so the hallowed name among motorcycle brands, Ducati is in India finally.. big deal.. what’s in it for me? There is a saying in Hindi which when translated into English sounds like, "One should measure the length of the blanket and then spread his limbs".

Moto GP winner Nicky Hayden inaugurating Ducati Gurgaon

The prices actually makes even the Japanese CBU’s in India seem value for money..

Who am I to spoil the party of the lucky ones who can afford them..

I have no qualms to accept that these Italian beauties are authentic pieces of art. Unlike other marques, the Italians at least don’t need to "hide" their labor of love under flashy sticker jobs. But just as the Taj Mahal makes every guy next door feel miserably poor in front of his lover, these exotic 2 wheelers don’t do any good for the "biker next door" in me. Heck, I am not even an auto journalist who can look forward for a free ride on these lovely Italian Jobs.

The cherry to the very expensive Italian pie is the price tag (10 to 45 lakhs) of these bikes. It actually makes even the Japanese CBU’s in India seem value for money. But who am I to spoil the party of the lucky ones who can afford them.

Anyway, I am just making this post to Chronicle Ducati’s entry into India. Namaste Ducati..!!

Ducati has opened two showrooms in India. One in Mumbai and the other in Gurgaon. Discounting the Multistrada, Ducati has almost bought its entire range in India. Posted below are the Ex-Showroom prices of the Ducati models in India (Courtesy: Aryan from xBhp.com)

Ducati India Dealerships:

Ducati Mumbai

Atria mall,
Worli, Mumbai

Ducati Gurgaon

Global Foyer Building,
Golf Course Road,
Sector-43,
Gurgaon

The below mentioned details of models and the respective prices were at the time of its launch in India. Presently new models have been added and prices revised/updated

Ducati models in India:

Monster

696 - Rs.10,02,509/-
1100 - Rs.14,09,182/-
1100S - Rs.16,49,284/-

Hyper-Motard

HM 1100 - Rs.14,40,499/-
HM 1100S - Rs.17,11,919/-

Sport Classic

GT 1000 - 12,97,065/-
GT 1000 bicolor - Rs.13,62,413/-
GT 1000 Touring - Rs.13,78,283/-
Sport 1000S - 15,27,353/-

Street Fighter

Fighter - Rs.18,74,772/-
Fighter S - 23,96,735/-

Superbike

848 - Rs.15,91,197/-
1198 - Rs.20,56,415/-
1198 S - Rs.24,53,106/-
1098 R - Rs.41,44,266/-
1098 R TB - Rs.44,99,200/-

Ducati Gurgaon photos (Credits: Aryan from xBhp.com)

Auto Expo 2010 Coverage: Harley Davidson Launches 12 models for India (Priced between 7-35 lakhs)

Suzuki Launches its Big Bad Hayabusa and the Intruder M1800R in India Today..!! [Nov, 2008]

Why 125 cc bikes are Popular in Europe.. Will Kinetic bring the 125 cc Cagiva bikes to India..??

Yamaha launches the R1 and MT-01 in India [Dec, 2007]

I’d rather ride a 250-400 cc slowly through a pothole, than “Day Dream” of riding the R1 on the Golden Quadrilateral..!!

Disclaimer:

Feb 7, 2010

10 2010 Bajaj pulsar 150 DTS-i with Clip on handlebars [Photos]

First Photos of the 2010 Pulsar 150 DTS-i with Clip on handlebars..

There might be a posibility for owners of older Pulsar 150/180 owners to retrofit these new "clip-ons" without changing the front forks..

The 2010 Pulsar DTS-i seems to have arrived in showrooms. As previously reported the bike indeed has been fitted with "Clip-on" handlebars. Now the entire 2010 Pulsar range (from 135LS, 150, 180 and 220) comes with "Clip-on" handlebars.

Posted below are the first photos of the 2010 Pulsar DTS-i clicked in New Delhi and posted by Tanay, a member of xBhp.com. Externally there seems to be no change except the addition of the "Clip-on" handlebars.

2010 Pulsar 150 DTS-i, Internal changes:

Price increase:

There seems to be a nominal price increase of Rs.500 in the Ex-showroom price compared to the older Pulsar 150 model.

Benefits of "Clip-on" handlebars:

Sporty looks: Associated with sports bikes, clip ons handle bars provide to the sporty looks of the motorcycle.

Sturdy: From personal experience, I have noticed that these "alloy" clip on handlebars are stronger than the normal one piece "steel" bar handlebars and withstand falls better and are less prone to damage or deformation.

Possibility of retrofitting these "clip-on" handlebars on older Pulsar 150/180 DTS-i models:

Though not yet confirmed officially, the 2010 Pulsar seems to have the same size forks as the older model. Therefore there might be a posibility for owners of older Pulsar 150/180 (Pulsar 200 had slightly larger dia front forks though) owners to retrofit these new "clip-ons" without changing the front forks.

These small changes would definitely up the desirabilty quotient of India's largest selling 150 cc motorcycle. But an entirely new range of Pulsars, replete with new chassis and new engine platform would be something to look forward too.

2010 Bajaj Pulsar 150 DTS-i to be launched soon..!!

Disclaimer:

1 Yamaha R15, FZ16 on Colombian soil

Yamaha R15 and FZ16 finds its way to Colombia..!!

Colombians seem to have a penchant for motorcycles. With smooth roads, a beautiful country side and equally beautiful co riders for company, I am not actually surprised.

Super Sports bikes, Cruiser bikes, Dirt bikes, Dual Sports bikes.. Colombians seems to have access to a rich variety of motorcycles

Apart from Indian two wheelers like the Bajaj Pulsar and more recently motorcycles from Royal Enfield, even a few Japanese branded but made in India bikes (like the Yamaha Gladiator as the YBR125) have been making its way from India to Colombia for sometime now. A visit to the Colombian Yamaha Motor website reveals that the R15 and the FZ16 have also found its way to Colombia (exports had started sometime in 2009)..!!

The Yamaha R15 and FZ16, which are actually scaled down 150 cc replicas of the 1000 cc R1 and the FZ1 respectively, have been successful in infusing excitement into the Indian motorcycle scene.

Although I am still not totally convinced with the overall styling of the R15, dynamically the bike definitely performs and handles like one developed for the race track. The FZ16 on the other hand is a piece of art to me. The bike won’t look out of place even in fashion conscious Paris or Milan. The FZ1 inspired styling gives the FZ16 the impression of a much larger bike than its 153 cc, 14 Ps engine.

FZ16 in Colombia
Compared to us Indians, Colombians seems to have access to a richer variety of motorcycles to choose from. Super Sports bikes, Cruiser bikes, Dirt bikes, Dual Sports bikes.. Colombians seems to have it all. Even the YBR 250/Fazer 250 (the model which most Indian bikers have been dreaming since ages) is sold in Colombia. Despite having all these models at their disposal, it looks like that even the Colombians have taken a liking to the gorgeous FZ.

Check out the photos (Source: ClubFZ16.Com) posted below..

Will the "Yamaha Fazer 250" and "Honda CBX 250 Twister" be ever launched in India..??

Awesome Fan Ad (Video) of the Yamaha (India) Fazer

Rossi visits India and John Abraham is appointed Advisor to Yamaha India..!!

Auto Expo 2010 Coverage: Yamaha

Royal Enfield in Colombia

4'th National Pulsar Owner's Meet in Colombia..!!

"3'rd National Bajaj Pulsar 180 Owners Meet" in Colombia..!!

"Pulsarian Community" of Indonesia..

What's up with TVS Motor in Indonesia?

Disclaimer:

Feb 4, 2010

1 Royal Enfield in Colombia

Royal Enfield models find its way to Colombia..

With its new range of "Classic" models, Royal Enfield seems to be literally going places. So far, Royal Enfiled models have been exported to Europe and the U.S.A , but now it has also found its way into Colombia (according to Royal Enfield's website, Royal Enfield has an presence in 30 countries including Colombia).
Royal Enfield in Colombia Its a delight to see another Indian two wheeler brand (according to me Royal Enfield is now an Indian brand with British origins) spread its wings in another country. I hope that the Colombians would also appreciate the old school charm of this "Old Wine" of a motorcycle.

The first dealer and service center would open in the Colombian city of Bogota. There are plans of opening more dealerships in other cities as well. The models to be on sale in colombia are the 500 cc Bullet Classic, 500 cc Bullet Electra, 500 cc Bullet Electra Deluxe, 500 cc Bullet Military and the 350 cc Thunderbird Twinspark. All these models sport the latest U.C.E (Unit Construction Engine).

Visit the Colombian website of Royal Enfield: http://www.royalenfield.com.co/

Slideshow of Royal Enfield showroom in Colombia