6 Hero Iginitor Launched [Photos/Tech Specs/Price/Colors]

Hero launches the 125 cc Ignitor..

The front drum brake variant of the Ignitor is costlier than the front disc one of the CBF Stunner..!!

Hero finally launches its latest 125 cc model the Ignitor. The Ignitor was first shown at the 2012 Auto Expo in New Delhi. Never before I felt so lethargic to document the launch of a particlar motorcycle model (and that's why documenting its launch a good couple of months after its offical appearance). Since it's the mission of my blog to chronicle the motorcycle scene of India, so here goes..

11 Sarath Kumar takes a break from professional racing. Does any Indian care?

I need not be ashamed that as a motorcycle enthusiast from India.. I do not watch MotoGP

Racing.. Motorcycle Racing.. Motorcycling racing in India and Indians.. So what up?

First Indian to have featured at Moto GP (125 class), thinking of driving a Taxi now..

TVS Motors prides itself with its 20+ years of racing heritage in the domestic racing scene. Mahindra currently participates in the Moto3 category at the premier World MotoGP Championship and also participates in a 125 cc, 2 stoke racing championship in Italy, Hero MotoCorp has made a big PR splash with its association with EBR (Eric Buell Racing) in the AMA (in some American racing series). Honda and Yamaha (& also TVS) runs their “one make races” in the domestic motorcycle racing scene. And the big news is that come 2013 and India (& Buddh International Circuit) will feature the World Superbike Championship calendar..!!

28 2013 Kawasaki Ninja 250R: World’s Best 250cc Bike Gets Better

Official photos/ initial details of the 2013 Kawasaki Ninja 250R

The official photos of the 2013 Kawasaki Ninja 250R was recently put up on the Kawasaki Japan Website. Although complete technical details/specifications are still awaited, I can almost hear Kawasaki saying: "Take that Honda..!!"



From whatever has been made public by Kawasaki, the 2013 Edition definitely grabs your attention. The 2013 Ninja 250R gets a complete styling makeover, addition of features and also some changes to the engine and chassis as well.

This 2013 upgrade should definitely make it to India soon. It will be interesting to note the price at which it is launched in India. Also will be interesting to note whether there would be any performance upgrade to an already potent package. Aaarrg..!! How I wish I was still single or had a higher paying job..!!

25 DTS-i Triple Spark Engine: Is it just a Marketing Gimmick

Is there a tangible benefit of the the spark plug used in the DTS-i Triple Spark engine of the Pulsar 200NS?

“Who knows? Just one spark plug could be working; the other two might just be a marketing gimmick.”

I recently came across the above sarcastic comment which was made for the "DTS-i Triple Spark" technology that Bajaj currently employs on the Pulsar 200NS. The Pulsar 200NS sports an engine that has the world’s only 3 spark plug for its single cylinder. Seriously, 3 spark plugs on a single cylinder engine? Is it taking things a bit too far? Is it really necessary? Is there really a benefit for the customer/biker? Or is it really just a marketing gimmick?



Bajaj was the first Indian manufacturer to pioneer twin spark plug engines way back in 2003. Twin spark engines apparently have a benefit over single spark engines as the “air+fuel” mixture is burnt more efficiently. Branded as DTS-i (Digital Twin Sparkplug Ignition), it certainly made a big impact. The proof of which is that a few years later both TVS and Royal Enfield also came out with its own versions of the twin spark technology. TVS put it in its 125 cc Flame model and currently all Royal Enfield models come with twin spark plug engines.

The third spark plug actually has a tangible benefit

9 Royal Enfield ThunderBird 500. Missed Opportunity?

I would have redesigned and repositioned the Thunderbird..

Royal Enfield is on the verge of launching a new and bigger Thunderbird 500 (cc) in India. It is being positioned as the ultimate touring machine. Will it be another best seller from Royal Enfield?

I actually can’t find a category for the Thunderbird..

it's confused..!!

For the record, the Thunderbird is only sold in India and not exported anywhere. Why? Because in export markets Royal Enfields are bought because of its 1940’s-50’s British bike heritage/styling. The Thunderbird is anything but a retro styled British bike. Royal Enfield seems to have put in a lot of effort in the new Thunderbird 500. But despite the efforts the basic theme/styling of the bike still is same as the current Thunderbird Twinspark (350).

According to me Royal Enfield has not totally learned from the success of its "Classic" range in India.