11 KTM 125 Duke launched in Europe, 200 Duke for India soon

Europe finally gets the KTM 125 Duke.. can't wait for the KTM 200 Duke to hit India by year end.. which should probably be my next bike

The KTM 125 Duke keeps it's promise of the March 2011 official launch in Europe. A group of European auto journalists recently got the opportunity to test ride the baby Duke.

Auto Publication, VisorDown has published its first ride experience of the KTM 125 Duke and they have found it as delightful as expected. VisorDown is all praises for the KTM 125 Duke's engine, handling, riding comfort, clutch and gearbox. Just that they wanted a bit more softer compound on the tyres.

(To read VisorDown's review of the 125 Duke: Click here)

It's a proud moment for Indians as these bikes have been manufactured in Chakan, Pune by Bajaj Auto (Co-developed with KTM). Bajaj has already sent some 2,000 units of the 125 Duke to Europe.

KTM 200 Duke to be launched in India by end of 2011

My future definitely looks Orange..!!

Mr. Rajiv Bajaj (MD Bajaj Auto) has mentioned that India will get a KTM 200 Duke and not the 125 Duke. According to him the 200 Duke should be launched in India by the year end.

I am very excited and eagerly looking forward for the KTM 200 Duke's India launch as in all probability that is going to be my next bike..!!


Why KTM 200 Duke as my next bike..??

7 Discover 125 launched. Is Bajaj confusing people?

A new Discover 125 joins the Discover 100 & 150.. is Bajaj confusing people with too many variants?

On March 31'st (read this), Bajaj has launched a new Discover model in a 125 cc Avatar. Priced at Rs. 45,500 (Ex-showroom Delhi) this model now stretches the Discover brand across 100, 125 and 150 cc variants.

With the Discover 125, Bajaj now has the entire spectrum of the basic commuter motorcycles in india covered. Interestingly the Discover 100, 125 and 150 are currently priced very attractively at Rs. 43,000, Rs, 45,500 and Rs. 49,000 (Ex-showroom Delhi) respectively.

For the common man, the Discover 125 will be difficult to differentiate from the 100 and 150 as the Discover 125 virtually carries forward the same looks.

Is Bajaj confusing people..??

"Why is Bajaj confusing people with so many models? Wasn't the Discover a 125 cc, a 112 cc and 135 cc once?"

6 Mahindra Mojo, Why..??

Should Mahindra launch the Mojo? Or should it not?

Why should Mahindra launch the Mojo?

1. Make a statement:

Show the established bike makers of India how to think beyond the 200-220 cc barrier. Get the attention of the bike enthusiasts. Build a reputation as a serious bike maker and thereby earn respect.

2. Get the crowds to the showroom:

The Stallio has been stalled (sorry couldn't stop myself), but according to Mahindra, it should be back in a couple of months.

Since Bollywood star and brand ambassador Aamir Khan has not been to convince the customer to go for the Stallio, the flashy Mojo should bring the crowds back to the Mahindra showrooms (and maybe convert them as Stallio customers).

3. Its a matter of pride now:

How can they not launch it after they have officially unveiled it?


Why Mahindra should NOT launch the Mojo?

7 Are Motorcycle Bloggers just Glorified Laptop Bikers..??

Yep, I am one too..

In just a couple of months, this blog of mine will complete 5 years. Started in Aug 2006, it is one of the first motorcycle blogs of India. Though out these 5 years I have seen quite a few motorcycle/auto blogs prop up. While most of them have fizzled out while a few still do exist.

I have never raced on a race track, I have never tried stunting, I have not even toured extensively..

most of my biking has been limited to commuting

Many guys who happen to stumble on my blog think that I am some kind of motorcycle expert. Daily I get many e-mails asking for my suggestions and "Advice" on motorcycles. I still get embarrassed when people think of me in this manner. I continue to maintain humbly that I am just another "biker next door" from India.

I can tell you for sure that none of the "desi motorcycle bloggers" out there are any better/expert than me. So are Motorcycle Bloggers just glorified Laptop Bikers..??

If our auto journalists from reputed magazines happen to read this, I am sure they would be nodding vigorously in unison (with a grin on their faces) by now.

9 CBR250R Price for India revealed + officially launched

Honda CBR250R officially launched in India + Prices for India also officially revealed.. Finally..!!

Prices:

1. Non-ABS variant: Rs. 1.43 lakhs (Ex-Showroom Delhi), Rs. 1,57 (On-Road Delhi)

2. ABS- variant: Rs. 1.68 lakhs (Ex-Showroom Delhi), Rs. 1,84 (On-Road Delhi)

Its probably unprecedented in India that a motorcycle model has received around 2500 advance bookings without getting an opportunity to see the bike in the flesh..!!

The Honda CBR250R is the real/proper upgrade to the Hero Honda Karizma..

Even if advance bookings were open from 1st January 2011, the final official prices was not available. Forget about getting test rides, the bike wasn't even there in the showrooms for the guys to get an opportunity to at least see the bike.

Thanks mainly to the information freely available on the internet, the CBR250R has generated around 2,500 advance bookings so far. The bike has finally been launched officially in India on March 22nd, 2011.

[Prices Source: HMSI Website]

The bike will be available in India in three colors: Black, Red, Silver.