16 Pulsar 220F, "The Fastest Indian" lands in Colombia..!!

"The Fastest Indian" Pulsar 220F DTS-i makes its way to the land where it has a cult like fan following, Colombia..!!

Beat this: For the last 5 years, every year there has been an "Annual Pulsar Owners meet" in Colombia..!!

It could only be criminal to deprive the Colombian Pulsar fans by not selling the Pulsar 220F DTS-i there. So on August 24'th 2010, the Pulsar 220F DTS-i finally makes its way to Colombia.

Just gwak at the Metallic Green color (posted below) that Colombia gets (and we don't)..!! Makes you go "Green" with envy. Eh..??

10 Hero without Honda..??

Amidst persistent rumors of an impending split between Hero Honda and HMSI (Honda), lets try to unearth what could be the implications if the split really does take place

(Photo Credit: ibiTimes)

"Hero" Splendor, "Hero" Passion, "Hero" Karizma..!! How does it sound?

After years of my ears getting tuned to hearing the name "Hero Honda" being uttered in unison, it really sounds quite odd to my ears.

In any case, Hero can’t rely forever on Honda for technology..

Of late there has been a lot of (bad?) press about an impending split between India’s Hero Group and its Japanese technology partner Honda. Although there has not been any official confirmation of the same, but something tells me that this time there is some fire somewhere for this smoke to appear.

News about the Hero and Honda split:

Hindustan Times, Business Standard, The Economic Times, The Hindu Businessline

If the news of the split between Hero and Honda is really true then this is a really BIG deal. After all the 25 plus year old Joint Venture has resulted in making Hero Honda as the "Largest Two Wheeler manufacturer in the world"..!!

But why would Hero and Honda want to split one of the most profitable joint venture in the history of two wheelers? What could be the implication for both Hero and Honda? Who might profit? Who might lose? Will the competition stand to gain from this split?

More of that a little bit later, but first..


What is a Joint Venture?

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.