5 Suzuki SlingShot 125 cc launched, Suzuki Zeus/Heat Stopped

Suzuki Motorcycles India replace its 125 cc Zeus model with the SlingShot..

It is basically the Zeus with a new design and name

Suzuki Motorcycle India has launched a new 125 cc model called as the "SlingShot". The name might suggest that this model is a street scorcher. But actually the bike is virtually the same 125 cc Zeus.. with the same 125 cc, 5-gear engine.. albeit with a different name and different body panels.

Front Disc brake is absent even as an option..

..the headlamp is not gelling with an otherwise decent design

By the way, the 125 cc Zeus has been removed (the Heat had been already removed from the product lineup few months back) from Suzuki Motorcycle India's website. Which probably means that the Zeus brand has been stopped and the SlingShot will be its replacement.

So what's new in the Suzuki SlingShot?

0 Aug 2010, 2 Wheeler Sales India

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

Bajaj and TVS clock their best ever monthly sales numbers.. Hero Honda sales remains flat.

Also worth noting is that Mahindra 2 Wheelers are almost at a sniffing distance from Suzuki Motorcycles India. Wow! This is indeed quite fast for a new brand.

Note:

1. The monthly sales figures include domestic sales as well as exports.

2. It also includes sales of all types of 2 wheelers (Motorcycles, Scooters, Mopeds etc.)

0 KTM 125 Streetbike officially named as KTM 125 Duke!!

The 125 cc KTM Streetbike officially christened as KTM 125 Duke..!!

Just a week ago when the teaser video of the KTM 125 street bike (code named: X-Street) had surfaced on the net, I had mentioned that the bike looked like a "Baby Duke".

The KTM 125 Fanpage on Facebook has now broken the news that the 125 cc street bike has been officially named as the "KTM 125 Duke"..!!

I like the bike. I like the name. But I like the fact most that it will be manufactured in India and sold to the world..!!

The bike is slated for a March 2011 launch in Europe. Hopefully it will make its India appearance post the European launch.

7 What is a Street Fighter motorcycle?

A look at Street Fighter motorycles.. and its origins

One very common and a bit loosely used term that is heard while discussing bikes is Street Fighter. So what is a Street Fighter motorcycle?

The term Street Fighter, it paints a picture that these kinds of motorcycles are meant for Street use and has an aggressive attitude.

Spot on! I would say.

History of Street Fighter Motorcycles

A Street Fighter in its purest form is a Super Sport motorcycle with the excess body work removed..

Street Fighter motorcycles were born out of Stunting culture in Europe, during the late 70s and 80s. It is speculated that the Streetfighter was born because young stunters replaced the damaged fairings of their motorcycles after repeated crashes. Also higher handlebars (instead of aggressively positioned clip on handlebars) and minimalistic headlamps were added for a more street friendly riding stance.

So basically a Street Fighter in its purest form is a Super Sport motorcycle with the excess body work removed and by customizing the bike for a more street friendly use. Just like the CBR1000RR Street Fighter modification as posted above.

7 KTM 125, Photo/Video of the Road Version

First look at the actual Road version of the KTM 125 under development!

KTM has very recently released a teaser video of its 125 cc street bike on it's Facebook Fanpage. This bike is being developed for primarily the European market, targetted at the learners market.

Hope the cubic capacity is increased and priced appropriately.. for India

KTM had earlier shown two "concepts" based on same platform in the 2009 Milan Motorcycle Show. But for the first time the actual street version of the 125 cc bike can be seen in the new teaser video.

The bike is yet to be named officially. From the video shots the bike appears very much in the Street fighter mould with traces of Supermoto bikes as well. In short its a typical KTM design. Edgy, in your face and distinctive.

The unpainted (and still under final stages of development) bike in fact looks like a younger brother of the KTM Super Duke 990.

A la "KTM Baby Duke"..!!