9 Dummies Guide to International Motorcycle Categories

Introduction to International Motorcycle Categories..

A few days back when Suzuki launched the GSX-R 1000 and the Bandit 1250S in India, I remember reading the following headlines in many places, "Suzuki launches two SUPERBIKES in India"..!!

Comments on whether the categorization (as seen by me) of the international motorcycles makes sense, suggestions, corrections.. are most welcome

For God’s sake, the Bandit 1250S is NOT a Superbike..!!

It’s obvious that not many Indians are aware of the different types of international motorcycle categories that exist. I therefore decided to prepare a "Dummies Guide to international Motorcycle Categories".

Posted below is the categorization of international street motorcycles as seen and understood by me. This chart has been prepared by me from whatever little exposure and knowledge that I have gained over the years about international bikes.

Please note that the categorization has been done only for street motorcycles. i.e those motorcycles which are used for riding on streets and highways. Dirt bikes (motocross and enduro bikes) have not been included here.

2 June 2010, 2 Wheeler Sales India

June 2010 sales numbers of our Indian 2 wheeler manufacturers..

The dream sales run continues for all of our 2 wheeler makers even in the month of June. Posted below are the June 2010, two wheeler sales numbers.

Note:

1. The monthly sales figures include domestic sales as well as exports. Also it includes sales of all types of 2 wheelers (Motorcycles, Scooters, Mopeds etc.)

2. Total June 2010 sales for HMSI has not been made public so far. Only the domestic numbers have been shown in the above graph as total sales. The HMSI June 2010 export numbers might not be included as shown in the above graph.

17 Pulsar 180 UG IV: Review [Wallpaper]

I test ride the 4'th Upgrade (UG IV) of the Pulsar 180 DTS-i..

Back in 2001, the Pulsar twins (150/180) shook the sleepy Indian motorcycling scene out of its slumber in such a way that even after almost 9 years later the Pulsar Mania still refuses to fade out.

I was a little bit apprehensive about the 4’th Upgrade (UG IV) of the Pulsar 180 DTS-i..

..after all it was virtually the Pulsar 200 with a slightly tweaked 180 cc engine.

So far the Pulsar 150 has raked in the numbers and the Pulsar 180 has kept the enthusiast engaged. Till the UG III, the Pulsar 150 and Pulsar 180 had shared virtually everything, except the difference in cubic capacity. Both bikes shared the same chassis and appeared literally like, “Twins”.

But with the appearance of the Yamaha FZ in late 2008, the Pulsar 180 somewhat lost its edge in terms of exclusivity if not in outright performance. An upgrade was necessary and that’s what the Pulsar 180 got in mid 2009.

When the the 4’th Upgrade (UG IV) of the Pulsar 180 DTS-i was launched in mid-2009, I was a little bit apprehensive about it. The upgrade did not seem substantial to me at that time. After all it was virtually the Pulsar 200 with a slightly tweaked 180 cc engine. But after a year, the very sight of the so many Pulsar 180 UG IV’s on out roads have proved my apprehensions wrong.

So what’s so special about the Pulsar 180 UGIV? I try to find out..

4 Bajaj Auto and TVS Motor @ Jakarta Fair 2010

Bajaj Auto and TVS Motor display their products and a few concepts at the 2010 Jakarta Fair..

Modified Pulsar 135LS @ Jakata Fair 2010

Photos published only after due permission from Mr. Taufik, a popular 2 wheeler blogger from Indonesia

Bajaj @ 2010 Jakarta Fair

Along with its regular Indonesian model range (Pulsar 135LS/180/200), there were two modified Pulsar concepts on diaplay. Would these modified Pulsars make it into production?

I have previously seen some excellent specimens of locally modified Pulsars from Indonesia, therefore I have my doubts if the ones displayed at the Jakarta Fair would be production models.

100 Honda CB Unicorn Dazzler: Complete Review

I finally get to test ride the 150 cc, Honda CB Unicorn Dazzler..

After launching commuter friendly but stylish 125 cc (CBF Stunner) and 110 cc (Twister) motorcycles, Honda finally gives us a new 150 cc motorcycle with promise of more style, power and more features in the form of the new CB Unicorn Dazzler.

Why does the name "Unicorn" feature on the new bike? Well, the engine of the Dazzler is based on the same 149.1 cc engine of the Unicorn, albeit with high lift cams and tuned to deliver slightly better power. The result is a slightly more powerful (14 bhp comared to the 13.3 bhp of the Unicorn) engine.

The new engine also makes its maximum power and torque at higher rpms (8500 rpm and 6500 rpm) compared to the Unicorn engine (8000 rpm and 5500 rpm).

The Dazzler also weighs 8 kgs lesser than the Unicorn.

As a result of comparitively lesser weight and more power, the power to weight ratio of the bike is more than that of the Unicorn. Coupled with a more rev happy engine, the CB Unicorn Dazzler promises to be an exciting ride, at least on paper.

I finally get to test ride the Honda CB Unicorn Dazzler. So am I impressed?

Continue reading to find out..