8 TVS Phoenix 125 launched

TVS launched a 125 cc bike called "Phoenix"..

TVS Motor has launched a new 125 cc model called "Phoenix" today. This is probably the "Radeon" 125 cc concept which TVS spoke of during the 2012 Auto Expo. With it's 125cc "Flame" not moving out of showrooms, TVS virtually had no model at this category and price point till now. The Phoenix therefore should be an important model for TVS.


Source: Money Control

Just to educate that "Phoenix" is promounced as "Fe-nix" and NOT "Pho-Eee-Nix"..

..TVS will have to spend crores of Rupees

The Phoenix gets a 125cc, single-cylinder, air-cooled, "EcoThrust" engine which makes 11PS of power and 10Nm of torque. Gear box is a 4-speed affair. 67kmpl fuel efficiency is what the company claims. For features, the Phoenix has digital instruments with a service due indicator, low battery reminder, hazard lights, engine kill switch, LED pilot lamps, alloy wheels and a petal disc in the front. Priced at Rs 51,000 for the drum brake version and Rs 53,000 for the disc brake version Ex-Showroom Chennai puts it very close to Discover 125ST and CB Shine category.

But I see problems here for TVS:

[Problem 1] Styling: I mean come on.. apart from those BIG stickers on the tank which shout 125, I don't see anything here which will make anyone take a second glance.

5 From my wish list: Dual Sport Helmet [What/Why/Benefits/Drawbacks/Brands in India]

A look at Dual Sport helmets..

Yep, a dual sport helmet is next in my wish list of must have biking gears (i.e. after I get a new bike for myself first).



But what is a dual sport helmet in the first place? What are the benefits and drawbacks of a dual sport helmet? Why this sudden itch of mine for a dual sport helmet? And what are the options/brands of dual sport helmets in India? Let’s run down one question at a time.

11 Official Shocker: Hero to stop/discontinue/phase out Impulse, Ignitor & Maestro..!!

Discontinuing models is not exactly style of Hero.. So why? That too very new models like the Impulse, Ignitor and Maestro..

Hero enjoys a reputation among Indian customers, one of persisting models and not discontinuing them. Although technically not totally accurate (CBZ, Street, Ambition, CD100, Sleek, CD Dawn, Joy are some models which have been ceased), Hero to its credit have continued with most of its models.

But today Hero has officially shocked by making a statement (News Source: Economictimes) that it will discontinue the Impulse and the models launched post that after its partnership with Honda officially ends in 2014. The official PR speak is that such a move will be done to not having to pay royalty to Honda post 2014 for those models. The models before the Impulse (including the most important Splendor/Passion) will not be discontinued though.

My Take:

[1] It’s very difficult for me to believe that a cash rich behemoth group like Hero which have been paying royalty to a Partner like Honda for more than a quarter of a century can’t afford to pay royalty for new models like the Impulse, Ignitor & Maestro

2 Indonesia gets 2013 Ninja 250, Ninja 300 for UK. What for India? [Ninja 300: Video]

Australia, Canada, UK and probably the US will get the Kawasaki Ninja 300 and Indonesia the 2013 Ninja 250.. So what's there in store for India?

Shocker No 1: The largest market for the Ninja 250 in the world currently is Indonesia..!! Hardly surprising why Kawasaki chose Indonesia to unveil the 2013 Ninja 250 (the "R" has been dropped). Surprising is the fact that Indonesia (the 3rd biggest 2 wheeler market in the world after China and India) is essentially a step thru & automatic scooter dominated country.

Shocker No 2: Get ready for the Ninja 300..!! Even before we could stop drooling over the uber sexy 2013 Ninja 250 and started daydreaming of Kawasaki bringing it over to India, a Ninja 300 will replace the Ninja 250R in the developed markets of UK, Canada, Australia and probably US as well.

Kawasaki Ninja 300

6 “That Motorcycle has Character”, what does it mean?

A look at what is the "Chracter" of a motorcycle and what gives gives a bike its "Character"..

One particular phrase that passionate bike enthusiasts’ sometime use to describe some motorcycles is that, “It has a Character”. But never have I ever come across another accompanying statement which would describe what that “Character” is all about. After riding, living, thinking, reading, writing (blogging) and dreaming about motorcycles for more than a decade, I have some interesting point of views and my own take about that cryptic “Character of a Motorcycle”.


I. Is it “imperfection” that gives “Character” to a bike?

Ducati’s are not as reliable as the Japanese (Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Suzuki) counterparts. Ducati engines also make a lot of racket and vibrations are also a part of the Ducati package. Even then according to ones who have ridden/owned them, Ducati’s have “Character”.

Harley Davidson bikes are big burley and apart from the smooth open highways, they are more than a handful to be ridden over less than perfect roads. But still to its fans the heritage and character of a Harley can’t be matched by any other.