20 Yamaha SZ-X, SZ and YBR125 launched

Yamaha India launches two motorcycles (newspapers are saying 3 models, but actually 2 of them are just variants) today.. SZ-X and SZ (153 cc) and the YBR 125 (YBR 125 cc)

News Source: Economic Times, Photo Source: xBhp.Com

So what’s the USP of the Yamaha SZ and SZ-X?

The 153 cc engine of the SZ-X and the SZ has been derived from the FZ series of Yamaha 153 cc. Unlike the 14 Ps FZ engine, the engine of the SZ is mildly tuned to deliver 12.1 Ps of peak power. This probably has been done to boost the fuel efficiency of the SZ (the fuel efficiency of the FZ series not its strongest point compared to the other 150 cc bikes).

The SZ and SZ-X is priced at 49,000 and 52,000 (ex-showroom Delhi) and that seems to the USP of the Yamaha SZ and SZ-X. After all it even undercuts the Yamaha Gladiator 125 SS/RS by about 1000 Rs. Even the Pulsar 135LS is priced at about Rs. 51,000 (ex-showroom Delhi).

But the price cut also means that a few features like disc brakes has been omitted on both the bikes, and only the SZ-X gets the self start.

1 Memorable Advertising Tag lines: Part 2

Two of the most memorable Advertising Tag lines of our Indian motorcycles..

In my previous similar post, I rated my Top 5 memorable ad tag lines for our Indian motorcycles. But soon I realized (thanks to you guys) that missed out on a couple of truly classic ad tag lines.

Posted below are two such memorable tag lines.

Royal Enfield Bullet: "Everybody makes way for the Bullet"

In India the Royal Enfield bullet is regarded a true man’s bike, a symbol of machismo. The macho image is further enhanced by the thump of its exhaust note.

8 Yamaha R15 in Moto GP Colors could come to India..!!

A limited edition R15 in Moto GP colors have appeared in Colombia.. India should be the next logical step

The other day I saw a dude on the street on his R15. Initially the bike appeared like a white color R15, but on a closer look it became clear that the dude had actually custom painted his R15 in colors to mimic the YZR-M1 that Valentino Rossi rides in Moto GP for Yamaha.

The obvious Rossi "bhakth" was honest enough to paint 46 on the front and the rear of the bike and even had gone the extra mile to put even FIAT logo on the fairing.

..the R15 has already made to Colombia in Moto GP Colors

Even before sighting the above mentioned customized R15 in Moto GP colors, I was pretty sure that Yamaha India would launch the R15 in Moto its GP colors. After its "Yamaha Racing colors" and the "White Color" for the R15, an R15 in "Moto GP colors" obviously is the logical next "colorful" offering from Yamaha.

8 Yamaha SS125, New bike(?)

Yamaha SS125, it is a new bike or just a Gladiator 125 in new colors?

There has been no official announcement about this one, but a couple of days back a new (?) model appeared on Yamaha India's website.

Named as "SS125", this bike appears just as the 125 cc Gladiator in new colors. But a closer look at the product portfolio of Yamaha India on its website reveals that this particular model has been given an all together new name and branding.

Both the "SS125" and the "Gladiator Type SS/RS" are presented as different models on Yamaha India website. By the way the earlier "Gladiator Graffiti" model has been removed from the website.

Phew..!! one will definitely go bonkers keeping record of the changes.

But the question is does this "SS125" deserve an altogether new branding separate from the Gladiator brand? That too when it looks exactly like the Gladiator?

16 2010 Hero Honda CD Deluxe & CD Dawn

Hero Honda gives the CD Deluxe and CD Dawn slight make up for 2010..

The "Splendor", which is priced above the CD Deluxe, still doesn't have "Self Start" and the CD Deluxe has it..

The news about "refreshed" 2010 CD Deluxe and CD dawn models was around since the beginning of this year. But the Hero Honda website did not show the changes till a couple of days back.

Posted below are the images of the 2010 Hero Honda CD Deluxe and CD Dawn models. The changes is mostly limited to "new stickers" and a "matt back finish" silencer. The CD Dawn does get a 2 way pre-load adjustable rear shock absorbers.

"Self Start" ("Power Start" in Hero Honda Lingo) is a feature which was already present in the older CD Deluxe as an option. The current price list in the Hero Honda website doesn't show the price for a "kick start only" model.. but at the same time the tech specs does show the kerb weight of a separate "kick only" model.

So is there a separate "kick start" CD Deluxe model? Or is the "self start" now a standard feature?
I am confused.