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Jul 13, 2010

4 Bajaj Avenger 220 DTS-i, the "The Fastest Indian Cruiser"?

Bajaj to upgrade the Avenger with a 220 cc engine..??

According to the discussion going on at India's largest online biking community xBhp.com, a couple of Probiking showrooms are not accepting bookings for the "God Bike"- the Avenger 200 DTS-i.. why?

It seems that India's only Classic Cruiser, the Avenger is soon going to get a bigger 220 engine.

Avenger- Feel Like God

Actually its not totally unexpected. The Avenger 200 DTS-i used to share its engine with the Pulsar 200 DTS-i. The Pulsar 200 DTS-i was ceased from production in 2009. Therefore instead of making the 200 cc engine excusively for the Avenger, it would be only logical to upgrade the Avenger with the engine of the Pulsar 220 DTS-i.

If this piece of news is true then make way for "The Fastest Indian Cruiser"..!!

Actually with no other classic cruiser bike in the country, the Avenger doesn't really have any competition.. does it?



Jul 10, 2010

20 Pulsar 135LS with new rear fender design, for India..!!

The Pulsar 135LS gets a minor but significant redesign.. for India

When the Pulsar 135LS was first launched in India, I had mentioned that the rear fender was an eyesore (though very functional in keeping out water splash) of an otherwise brilliant and fresh design.

..the best sub-150 cc motorcycle in the country has just got better..!!

To everyone's surprise, the pulsar 135LS was launched in Indonesia with a better design rear fender. Just as we were starting to feel being being left out with "step motherly" treatment, Bajaj has given the Indian Pulsar 135LS the same "split two piece" rear fender design as well.

What's good for Indonesia is certainly good for India..!!




Jul 9, 2010

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.



TVS Max 4R

Jul 7, 2010

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.

Pulsar 220 DTS-i in Lafangey Parindey

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.

Jul 5, 2010

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.

International Motorcycle Categorization

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.