19 New (2012) Honda CBF Stunner Launched

Honda refreshes the 125 cc CBF Stunner..

After 2 rather conservative designs/products in the form of the 150 cc Unicorn and the 125 cc Shine, the 125 cc CBF Stunner was the first sporty design to have come out of Honda Motorcycles and Scooters India (HMSI).

Back in 2008 when the CBF Stunner was launched, I thought that the bike seriously had the potential to become a best seller for Honda. After all the bike had the "premium" good looks of a "mini Karizma", at a price point lower than the reigning 150 cc bikes along with the fuel efficiency and reasonable performance of a 125 cc engine.



But somehow that never happened and the conservative CB Shine still continues to be Honda's best selling 125 cc in India. Indian customers are really a tough nut to crack. Probably the Indian customer could see through the half fairing that it was just a 125 cc bike, with a slightly higher price tag compared to the competition.

Honda gave the CBF Stunner it's first upgrade back in Jan 2010. But still there wasn't any major change to the CBF Stunner's fortunes. Honda has again decided to give the CBF Stunner a minor upgrade. But this time it is just a paint/sticker job.

So what has changed in the CBF Stunner?

30 Yamaha R15 Version 2.0 launched.. and it's beautiful [Photos/Specs/Price]

Yamaha launches the first upgrade of its R15 model.. calls it Version 2.0

It's a cosmetic upgrade ok.. but it's "awesome"..!!

It was in Dec 2010 when the first "spy photos" of the upgrade of the Yamaha R15 had appeared on the net.

Since then it has been a rather long 10 months for Yamaha India to finally officially launch the upgrade of the Yamaha R15 which they are calling as Version 2.0

Throughout these 10 months it was amusing for me to see almost every desi auto-blog out there get hyper excited and post wild speculations like, "The power will be increased to 21-22 Ps (from the current 17Ps)..!!", or even "Price is expected to be reduced by Rs. 10,000..!!" to some smart ones claiming that it was the "European R125 & not a R15 upgrade"..!!

1 Watch Yamaha R15 Version 2.0 being launched Live..!!

Watch the launch of the 2.0 version of the Yamaha R15 live on the web..!!

The launch of the new Yamaha R15 Version 2.0 will be telecasted live on webcast from 11:30 AM on Sep 6'th 2011.

Click here to go to the live webcast page.

Also posted below is the first official photo of the new R15 Version 2.0.



I am expecting slightly higher price for the new R15 and maximum around 1Ps (from 17Ps to 18Ps) upgrade in power (if any). Will be updating the complete details post the official launch.

14 Bajaj Boxer BM150 launched [Price, Specs, Photos]

Official Photos, Price, Specs and details of Bajaj's "Bharat" Bike, the Boxer BM150..

The Boxer BM150 doesn't have the Bajaj "B" logo on its tank..

“Bharat Bike”, that’s how Bajaj is calling its new bike the Boxer BM150. This bike seems to be aimed at customers from the villages and towns of India (that’s why the name “Bharat Bike”) where the need for a rugged motorcycle is more.

Posted below are the Official Photos, Specs and the Press Release of the Bharat Bike from Bajaj Auto.

The styling of the Boxer BM150 is reminiscent of motorcycle from the 1970-80’s era. With a “Bigger Engine, a Bigger Frame, Bigger Tyres, Bigger Suspension, Bigger Headlights and a Bigger seat” Bajaj is hoping that the Bajaj Boxer BM150 would make an impression with the rural and town folk of India.

5 KTM 200 Duke unveiled in Malaysia [Photos]

KTM 200 Duke makes it's appearance in Malaysia.. ahead of India

On 26'th Aug 2011, KTM unveiled it's (made in India) 200 Duke in Malaysia..!! It can't exactly be called as a launch as the actual deliveries would commence only from 2012. Also as announced officially a couple of weeks back, the KTM 200 Duke will be launched in India by 2012 Auto Expo (Jan 2012).

The KTM 200 Duke would most certainly be my next bike..!!

Posted below are more photos of the KTM 200 Duke. As expected it looks virtually similar to the 125 Duke except the 200 (in place of the 125) badging on the tank.

Right now there is no point speculating on the Specs or the Price for India and I would rather wait for the official announcement. Anyway the 125 Duke makes 15 Ps with its 125 cc engine and therefore one can make a guess how much power the 200 cc Duke could make.