9 At 1.8 Lakhs, does the KTM 390 Duke change the Indian Motorcycle Scenario?

KTM 390 Duke launched in India at a shocking price.. but is it really a game changer?

A few years back (prior to 2007 to be precise) if someone told you that a motorcycle under the hallowed KTM Marque will be officially available in India for sale, chances of you becoming the laughing stock were very real.

Only if KTM could launch a Moto 3 inspired model or an Adventure Tourer inspired model in India..

Now imagine even thinking that a KTM model under the “Duke” family, producing a peak power of 43.5 Ps, Kerb weight of 154 Kgs, Metzeler Tyres, with ABS as standard (and with upside down forks, Liquid cooled, fuel injected engine… i.e the usual Duke goodies) would be selling in India at less than 50% of its price in Europe..!! Crazy thought right?

Yes sir, KTM (Bajaj) has shocked the motorcycle market by launching the 390 Duke at an ex-showroom (Delhi) price tag of Rs. 1.8 Lakhs. For the record, the current nearest competitor (in India) to the 390 Duke in terms of pricing, the Honda CBR250R makes just 26 Ps of power, weighs heavier and is a couple of thousands dearer (the ABS variant).

But is the KTM 390 Duke the proverbial “Game Changer” ?

11 Kawasaki Bajaj - Pulsar 200NS Officially Unveiled in Indonesia

The Pulsar 200NS officially makes it to Indonesia.. as a Kawasaki Bajaj..!!

The last Kawasaki Bajaj branded product that I remember in India was the "Wind 125". In Philippines, Kawasaki has become the largest 2 wheeler brand largely due to the Kawasaki Bajaj branded products like the CT100, CT150 (Boxer 150), Rouser 135 (Pulsar 135LS), Rouser 220 (Pulsar 220S). To take this great Asian collaboration forward, the Kawasaki Bajaj brand now officially makes its presence felt in Indonesia too.



The Pulsar 200NS was officially unveiled Indonesia today. Priced at 23.3 million Indonesian Rupiahs (around 1.35 Lakhs Indian Rupees), the Pulsar 200NS is only a shade costlier than the 150 cc Yamaha Vixion (the original model on which the R15 is based) the best seller in Indonesia. The Pulsar 200NS will be sold and serviced by Kawasaki Indonesia.

7 V-Twin Cruiser caught testing in Delhi/Haryana (National Capital Region)

Mysterious cruiser caught on camera being tested in Delhi/Haryana..

As seen in the photo, an under test V-Twin cruiser has been snapped in the National Capital Region. The vehicle has a Haryana state temporary number plate on it.

Although I am not a great fan of cruiser bikes, this is an interesting and exciting development for the Indian motorcycle scene. As far as I know, this particular model doesn't seem to be from any current model line available worldwide.

Source: team-bhp

3 My Favorite Motorcycle Tourer: Ed March

Ed March, "Motorcycle Tourer Next Door"

No sponsor, no fancy DSLR/Video equipment, no script, no producer..

.. just a Honda C90 Stepthru

You have not heard about him. He is no celebrity biker, he doesn't ride on expensive/exotic motorcycles on sponsored rides, he carries no expensive DSLR equipment, he doesn't know how to make fancy videos.. yet when I saw his jerky, amateur videos on his YouTube channel, I enjoyed it so much that he has become my favorite motorcyle tourer..!!

Meet Ed March (Edwin March) from UK.

[1] An Adventure seeker who loves touring on motorcycles
[2] A big fan of the Honda C90 step thru
[3] Someone who hates the big and bulky BMW GS series of Adventure motorcycles..!!

9 Return of the Fastest Indian? Full Faired, 375 cc Pulsar?

Spy photos of what is being alleged as the biggest and baddest Pulsar ever..!!

Although similar spy photos have been posted on the net a few months back, this time Autocar India has posted of what is being alleged as the next big thing from Bajaj, a Full faired Pulsar with engine that is being speculated to be based on the 375 cc engine that does duty of the yet to be launched KTM 390 Duke.

A few days back Mr. Rajiv Bajaj did reveal plans of launching a bigger and a smaller Pulsar than the current flagship, the Pulsar 200NS. So if the spy photos are true then this definitely looks like the Next Big Pulsar..!!

From the spy photos, this one appears to be a prototype. Nevertheless the styling is definitely quite edgy and aggressive. If the 375 cc engine does make it to this one then expect this one to be a baby monster (more than a beast).