4 TVS Max 4R: First Look & Details

First look at the TVS Max 4R.. probably the first "Utiliy" motorcycle in India

TVS should have retained the body panels of the older 2 stroke TVS Max 100R

This new model looks like a "New" model with the old "Max" name..

Usually an "R" in the name of a bike means that its a sporty, racy bike. Eg: Honda CBR series, Yamaha YZF-R series, Suzuki GSX-R series of bikes, Ninja 250R etc. But this new bike from TVS is far from being a sporty model.

Hindu Business Line has reported the first details of a new motorcycle from TVS Motor, the Max 4R. These motorcycles are being used (tested) for over a month now by a couple of guys in Indore. They have been using it for their business activities, which includes a lot of loading (like vegetables, milk etc.).

Small traders like Milkmen, Vegetable vendors etc. seems to be the target customer for the Max 4R. Most of these small traders would be currently using tiny mopeds or second hand motorcycles for carrying loads.

5 Pulsar 220 DTS-i in the Bollywood movie "Lafangey Parindey"

The soon to be released Bollywood movie "Lafangey Parindey" seems to have the Pulsar 220 DTS-i "The Fastest Indian" in it..

Recently the Tom Cruise starrer movie "Knight and Day" made it to the news for featuring a Ducati Hypermotard (which apparently seems to be a disguised Aprilia).

Not to be left behind, soon to be launched Bollywood flick "Lafangey Parindey" seems to feature one of our "desi" motorcycle, the Pulsar 220 DTS-i "The Fastest Indian" in it. The trailer of the movie has a couple of shots of its lead Hero Neil Nitin Mukesh astride a black Pulsar 220 DTS-i.

The trailer also has a few shots of Niel Nitin Mukesh and his group of friends indulging in some motorcycle stunts, which seems to be clearly inspired from the awesome Pulsar Mania Ad [2008] (Screenshots posted below for comparison).

Watch the trailer of the movie posted below.

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..