Bike Chronicles of India

Feb 15, 2010

18 Will 110 cc CB Twister make a big mark?

Will Honda India (HMSI) crack the commuter code with the 110 cc CB Twister?

Despite a plethora of models available in the above 100 cc segments, the bulk of the 2 wheeler buying consumer still refuses to budge from their 100 cc fixation. It’s the 100 cc Splendor and Passion duo which makes Hero Honda the world’s (and India’s) largest two wheeler maker. Even Bajaj has come back again strongly (after a rather bad 2009) with its 100 cc Discover DTS-Si.

I would say, the CB Twister has a better chance of scoring with the Hero Honda "Passion" crowd..

For a bike enthusiast, the realization that this 100 cc fixation is here to stay for a long time, is a bitter pill to swallow. But the writing definitely is on the wall that having a 100 cc model which the “desi” consumer fancies, can do wonders to the sales numbers.

The latest manufacturer to jump into the 100 cc bandwagon is Honda (HMSI) with its 110 cc CB Twister. The bike was officially launched in December 2009 and was scheduled to go sale in February 2010. That means that the CB Twister would be in a HMSI showroom near you very soon.

What does it take for the CB Twister to entice 100 cc customers?

Forget the extra 10 cc’s, the U.S.P of the CB Twister is actually its styling. HMSI used to be criticized heavily for its ultra conservative approach at styling (result: the Unicorn and the Shine). A few might say that the styling on the CB Twister a bit overdone for a 110 cc motorcycle, but the styling of the CB Twister does take Honda to a new level in India.

The CB Twister looks eye catching in the photos. But would it catch the fancy of someone who would have otherwise gone for the Hero Honda "Splendor" or the Bajaj "Discover"? Well.. I would say, the CB Twister has a better chance of scoring with the Hero Honda Passion crowd instead. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Hero Honda Passion (Pro) gets an upgrade pretty soon.

Honda CB Twister Price:

Honda CB Twister Tech Specs:

ENGINE & TRANSMISSION

Paper Filter

WEIGHT/MEASUREMENTS

CHASSIS

Tubeless,

Disc

ELECTRICALS

Maintenance Free

Honda CB Twister: Color Options [Click for a larger image]

2010 Honda CBF Stunner (125cc). Details, Price, Colors revealed (from Official Website)

Honda Plans 2 models for 2010. New Unicorn on cards..??

Auto Expo 2010 Coverage: Honda (HMSI)

Why hasn't Honda made a mark with its "Unicorn" in India..?? [June 2007]

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 14, 2010

21 What is the difference between Power and Torque of a motorcycle?

An attempt to demystify the two terms that puzzles most of us.. which one should we use to compare bikes?

"Power' and "Torque" are two terms very often used to describe and compare the (engine) performance of motorcycles. Even if I have always had an idea of what these two terms meant, I have so far struggled to put it in simple words which any layman could understand.

Harley Davidson doesn’t even bother to mention the Power figures of its bikes in its tech specs..!!

A google search for these two terms will land you on numerous of web pages, each trying to explain in detail the definition and the difference between them. But as the definition often gets into the scientific equations and technical nitty gritties, I have always invariably ended up closing the web pages.

Recently I found a very simple explanation for the difference and explanation of Power and Torque on this site (www.HowStuffWorks.com)

"Power" and "Torque" demystified in 4 sentences in simple English (courtesy the above mentioned site)

[1] Both Power and Torque are responsible for acceleration (which most of us also call as Pickup)

[2] Power affects acceleration (pickup) at high speeds (higher engine speeds)

[3] Whereas Torque aids acceleration (pickup) when the vehicle has to move from standstill or has to pull a heavy load (lower engine speeds)

[4] Torque lets the engine to do the work (of moving the motorcycle), but Power lets it do the work quickly when you're already moving and pulling something heavy behind you

Which suits you better? A bike high on Power, or a bike rich in Torque?

To put things into perspective.. For Super Sports bikes like the Yamaha R1, Honda CBR1000RR, Ducati 1198, the talk always revolves around the Power figures.. rightly so as racy bikes need more engine grunt at higher engine revs.

Power

On the other extreme, Harley Davidson, the maker of heavy cruiser bikes doesn’t even bother to mention the power figures of its bikes in its tech specs (Check out the Harley Davison site if you don’t believe me)..!!

Torque

To sum it up,

If you are inclined towards words like Sporty and Racy, "Power" should satisfy your need for speed.

If you don’t like to rev up the engine and want to take things at a leisurely pace, or if you have a heavy girlfriend/wife as pillion, you should probably talk more about "Torque".

Disclaimer:

Feb 11, 2010

7 Pulsar Maniacs..!! New video.. featuring the Pulsar 135LS DTS-i

There is a new video "MTV Pulsar Maniacs' on Bajaj Auto's site.. it features the youngest Pulsar the 135LS..!!

The "Pulsar Mania" TV Commercial (2008) is without doubt one of the best motorcycle commercial to have ever been made.. period. Taking the same theme of "Synchronised motorcycle stunts" forward, a new video has appeared called the "MTV Pulsar Maniacs".

Screen shot of the "Pulsar Maniac" video on Bajaj Pulsar (MyPulsar.Com) site

Update: Just saw this video on MTV.. it was shown as a "Music Video" and not as a regular TV Commercial.

Unlike the original "Pulsar Mania" commercial which was only about motorcycles, the new video also features a band of "b-Boy" dancers and some pretty faces as well. 4 Pulsar riders engage in a face off with the b-Boy dancers on their Pulsars.

The highlight of this new video is that the youngest Pulsar, the 135 LS appears on screen along with its Older sibling. By the way, the Pulsar 135LS with its rear hugger removed looks wicked..!!

Watch the video posted below or visit the www.mypulsar.com.. (One can even download the audio track in MP3 format from the site).

"Pulsar TV Commercials" have always set new standards for motorcycle commercials in India. Each new TV Commercial for the Pulsar have raised the bar and expectations of bike enthusiasts only higher. With the launch of a new Pulsar variant, bike enthusiasts eagerly look forward to its TV Commercial.

Does this new video meet the expectation of the enthusiasts?

According to me the 2008 "Pulsar Mania" TV Ad have raised standards to such dizzing heights that even matching it would be some feat. Coming back to this video, I would have liked to see some Indian faces in it (it features only foreigners). Maybe a few of the participants from the first season of the "MTV Pulsar Stunt Mania" could have appeared in it.

Well.. what do you think about it..??

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

The First TV Commercial of the Bajaj Discover DTSi, featuring Jackie Chan..!!

"Pulsar Mania", New TV Commercial from Bajaj Auto..!!

Bajaj Pulsar 180 DTSI (UG III) TV Commercial/Advertisement from Indonesia..!!

Disclaimer:

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:

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/-