43 2011 Hero Honda Karizma R launched

Details of the 2011 Karizma R has surfaced on Hero Honda's website..

A couple of months back, a guy from my society bought a Pulsar 220F. On being asked why he did not opt for the Hero Honda Karizma R instead, he told me:

"I used to like the Karizma R very much, but now the same bike seems bit outdated".

Therefore to win back such prospective customers out there, Hero Honda have launched its new/refreshed 2011 version of the Karizma R (I had posted about spy pics of the same being seen in late Dec 2010).

So what's new in the new 2011 Karizma R?

Mechanically the 2011 Karizma R gets a Bharat Stage III (BS III) compaint engine. Hero Honda says that the new engine has got "ASFS" tech. The power/torque figures of the engine is still exactly same as the older model. The 2011 Karizma does get a "Maintenance Free battery though.

But the major changes have been limited to "Slight Cosmetic Changes".

48 DRAG RACE: R15 VS PULSAR 220 Vs KARIZMA R Vs RTR 180

Answer to the frequently asked question: "Which bike is faster among the Pulsar 220, the Yamaha R15, the Hero Honda Karizma R/ZMR and the TVS Apache RTR 180?

Photo credits: Overdrive

"We have had organized umpteen number of drag sessions (between the Yamaha R15, Bajaj Pulsar 220 and the TVS Apache RTR 180) and here is what we have experienced:

1. Pulsar 220 DTS-i v/s Apache RTR 180: Pulsar 220 is quicker in outright as well as roll-on acceleration

2. Apache RTR 180 V/s Yamaha R15(older ones): Apache RTR (180) is quicker till 105km/hr but post those speeds Yamaha R15 catches up really quickly and there's no stopping it once it gets past those speeds. I would say both are evenly matched when it comes to overall performance with R15 having a better top end. Newer Yamaha R15's are slower as compared to the older ones

3. Pulsar 220 DTS-i is a speed/torque monster and it will mince both the bikes to smithereens!!"

This above observation/comment has been made by a member (who also happens to be an Apache RTR 180 owner ) Chicane1879 of xBhp forum. From his observation it is clear that the Pulsar 220 is indeed the fastest in a straight line.


What about the Karizma R/Karizma ZMR?

7 What is a Café Racer Motorcycle?

Royal Enfield has plans for a Café Racer motorcycle for India next.. let's get to know a what a Café Racer motorcycle really is..

Posted below is the photo of the Café Racer concept that Royal Enfield had shown at the New Delhi 2010 Auto Expo. But what exactly is a Café Racer motorcycle?

Origins of a Café Racer motorcycle

In the 1950’s-60’s, production motorcycle of those days (BSA, Norton, Royal Enfield etc.) were basically styled in the same traditional manner.

British motorcycle enthusiasts back then modified those stock motorcycles to replicate the road racing motorcycles of those days. And thus the Café Racer was born.

The stock tank was replaced with customized tanks with knee recess so that the rider could grip the tank with his knees while riding.

The front foot pegs were replaced with rear set foot pegs and accordingly the normal handle bars were replaced with clip on handle bars. Another signature modification on the Café Racer is a humped rear seat to mimic the road racing motorcycles of those days.

These "Café Racer" modifications result in a sporty front biased riding stance.

10 Royal Enfield: New Classic Chrome/Bullet 500 UCE for USA. New models in the pipeline

Royal Enfield has been in the news lately.. and for all the good reasons

Royal Enfield Bullet Classic Chrome 500

Royal Enfield in the news:

1. Royal Enfield launches Bullet Classic Chrome & Bullet 500 UCE models in the USA [Source: Click here]

2. Royal Enfield gets a new CEO

3. Royal Enfield has plans to set up a new plant in India [Source: Click here]

4. Royal Enfield might set up an assembly plant in Brazil [Source: Click here]

5. Royal Enfield is mulling over a new 500 cc Thunderbird model and also the possible development of a 750/1000 cc Twin cylinder model [Source: Click here & here]

6. Royal Enfield also has plans for a diesel powered motorcycle and a "cafe racer' model [Source: Click here]

15 Petrol could reach Rs. 100/Litre in India. What the #&(@..!!

With petrol prices reaching unprecedented levels in India, What can the Govt. do? What can we do? What do I plan to do..

After getting a car, I have rarely used my motorcycle to commute or go shopping with my wife. Probably it’s good for the biker in me, since now I view motorcycling as a leisure/pleasure activity and not just merely for commuting. But with petrol prices hitting record highs, how long can we afford to take pleasure burning the precious resource?

In my early teen days (early 1990’s), I occasionally used to accompany my dad to the neighborhood petrol pump to tank up our Bajaj Scooter.

The 1990-91 was also the time of the Gulf war, when Saddam Hussain had invaded Kuwait. For the first time in human history, people watched the the war almost live on cable TV (courtesy CNN). But more significantly what followed the Gulf war was a sharp rise in Global petrol prices.

Back in those Gulf War days I faintly remember my dad shelling out around 22-25 odd rupees for a litre of petrol (along with the 2T Oil).

Flash forward 2011 and the petrol prices are now around the Rs. 60 per litre mark..!!

Nearly 200% increase in petrol prices in the last 20 years..!! And one thought that the Gulf war was bad enough..!!

The price rise has been most steep in the last couple of years. Given the current state of affairs, I suspect the price of petrol in India will touch the Rs. 100 per litre mark in 4-5 years time very easily.

Why is the price of petrol rising so rapidly in India?