9 Kawasaki Ninja 650R launched in India [Price/Specifications/Details/Hi-Res Images]

Live from the Official Launch: Am posting this direct from the official launch, which is happening today at the Akurdi Plant of Bajaj Auto in Pune.

At Rs. 4.57 Lakhs (Ex-Showroom), the Ninja 650R is priced slightly lower than the Hyosung GT650R in India..!!

Exotic motorcycles which used to be stuff of childhood dreams are no longer dreams in India. Provided you have the moolah of course. The latest to join the bandwagon of Imported “drool maal” on motorized 2 wheels to land in India is the Kawasaki Ninja 650R.

Like the Ninja 250R, even the Ninja 650R has been brought to India in the CKD (Completely Knocked Down) form and assembled by Bajaj Auto at its plant in Chakan, Pune.

Mr. Rajiv Bajaj (MD Bajaj Auto) at the Ninja 650R launch

Note: I also got the opportunity to TEST RIDE the Ninja 650R, the review of which will be coming up in the next post.

First things first..

Price of the Ninja 650R in India: Rs. 4.57 Lakhs (Ex-Showroom Delhi). Which means it should be less than Rs. 5 lakhs for most parts of India.

Color: You can have any color as long as it’s Lime Green..!!

Max. Power/Torque of the Ninja 650R in India:

• Maximum Power: 72 Ps @ 8500 rpm


• Maximum Torque: 66 Nm @ 7000 rpm

6 2011 Yamaha Fazer (New Colors + Kick Starter)

New 2011 colors for the 150 cc Yamaha Fazer..

There is no doubt that the new colors on the Yamaha Fazer look awesome.. apart from that there is not much to talk about. There is a new "kick lever" on these new Fazers though.

4 ABS on the Apache RTR 180 good for the Race Track (Says TVS)

TVS is trying to promote the ABS on its Apache RTR 180 as a feature which will make you go faster around corners as well..

TVS is trying to project its Apache RTR like Honda (safe / responsible), Pulsar (hooligan / irreverent) and Yamaha (born out of racing heritage)..

..all at the same time

TVS had launched ABS on its flagship Apache RTR 180 a couple of months back. Now a new promotional video from TVS, showcasing the benefits of its ABS (Antilock Braking System) has surfaced on the internet.

ABS is widely accepted as a safety feature, which is fitted on vehicles to prevent crashes due to accidental locking of wheels. So far I had a doubt whether ABS could assit in taking faster turns. In this new video, TVS is saying that ABS does help you go faster around corners.

TVS has even roped it two of its Dirt Bike racers, CS Santosh and K P Aravind to feature in the video. The video even explains/shows how to "switch off" the ABS so that stunts like burn outs, stoppies and wheelies are possible on the Apache RTR 180 ABS.

[Video Posted below..]

13 What exactly is a "Sports" Bike?

Some food for thought on: What makes a "Sports" Bike?

In India, just as any dimensionally big bike with a fat rear tyre is generically (and erroneously) called as “Superbike”. In the same vein any bike which has a slightly tall suspension/saddle height and minimal body work is called as a "Dirt Bike". Another most misused term here is “Sports Bike”.

Just show any kid in kindergarten or any retired gentleman photo of any motorcycle adorning with a “full fairing” and ask him to recognize what kind of bike it is. I can guarantee that the answer would invariably be “Sports Bike”..!!

No, I am not trying to prove here that the Pulsar is a Sports Bike (read the earlier post on the “2011 Pulsar Hunto TVC"). But here is some food for thought..

Food for thought No. 1: Desi obsession with Full Fairing

21 2011 R15 Photo of the Production Model..!!

Finally..!! A proper photo of possibly the updated 2011 R15 for India..!!

After months of speculations and Spy photos, finally a new photo of what seems to be a "production ready" updated 2011 Yamaha R15 has surfaced..!! Specs and details of changes remain speculative as of now.

The revamped R15 now gets the proper Super Sports styling. Now... aren't you guys excited..??

Visible Changes:

The Pillion Seat has been raised and the Grab Rails have been axed in true Super Sports style..!!

Increased Wheelbase: The wheelbase of this new bike seems to have been increased compared to the original/older model. [Photo posted below]

This has possibly been done to retain the balance/handling of the bike due to the incorporation of a fatter tyre. The rear tyre/wheel now extends more towards the rear (compared to the older model) vis-a-vis the rear seat.

The increased wheelbase should also make the bike appear longer and bigger now..!!