Innholdsfortegnelse for February 2019 i BIKE India

THE INDIAN ECONOMY IS GOING THROUGH A TOUGH TIME AND ESPECIALLY THE FARMING sector is facing a crisis. Naturally, this is taking a toll on the sale of two-wheelers, with most of the big manufacturers showing a de-growth or flat growth for the first time in many years. The Indian Motorcycle of the Year (IMOTY) award ceremony was held last month and the new Royal Enfield Interceptor had a landslide victory. The Royal Enfield team, headed by Siddhartha Lal, has done a fantastic job with the 650 twins and they deserve all the success. No doubt the twins are fantastic motorcycles, but the icing on the cake is the price; Royal Enfield are not ripping off their customers like others when they add a cylinder and double the price. Finally,…

THE TRK 502 RANGE HAS COMPLETED THE FINAL STAGES OF HOMOLOGATION in India and will be available in the TRK 502 and the more adventurous TRK 502 X version (with spoke wheels) this month. The Benelli TRK 502 is popular globally for being an affordable adventure bike and doesn’t have a direct rival as yet. It features a 500-cc parallel-twin motor that makes 47.6 PS at 8,500 rpm and a peak torque of 46 Nm at 6,000 rpm. The original plan was to launch the bike by the end of last year, but the entire process of homologation and other formalities took longer than expected by Mahavir Group. We will be riding the bikes very soon so keep an eye out for the review on our website. In other news,…

THE APRIL 2019 DEADLINE FOR THE MANDATORY COMBINED BRAKING system (CBS) and anti-lock braking system (ABS) is just three months away and it seems that the Italians scooter-makers, Aprilia and Vespa, are ready to meet the deadline. The two Piaggio Group brands will soon announce CBS and ABS for their 125- and 150-cc scooters respectively. Currently, the internet is abuzz with reports of CBS- and ABS-equipped Aprilia and Vespa models being dispatched to dealerships across the country, which clearly indicates that the launch is imminent. The CBS-equipped models are likely to see a price rise of about Rs 3,000–4,000 with ABS models costing up to Rs 10,000 more than the current equivalent variant. Along with ABS and CBS, the Aprilia line-up is also likely to move to MRF tyres from…

TVS TYRES HAVE LAUNCHED TWO NEW SCOOTER TYRE DESIGNS, CALLED THE Jumbo-XT and Pancer-II, both of which have bold block styles and are meant to be rugged and long-lasting, with better grip. The new tyres have been designed with a parallel groove layout aimed at expelling water and inspiring greater confidence in the rider in wet conditions. The Jumbo-XT also features a rounded shoulder profile for better cornering capability and dexterity. TVS say that the Pancer-II is slightly more amenable to wet road riding, also adding that both are capable of offering stability for greater confidence. The Jumbo-XT and Pancer-II will be available in the 90/100-10 53J TL (tubeless) size and will be available across the country.…

Kawasaki’s acclaimed supersport motorcycle has made it to India, breathing life into a segment that has lain dormant since the discontinuation of the Triumph Daytona 675. Priced at Rs 10.49 lakh (introductory, ex-showroom), it looks like a great deal. The design of the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R is similar to that of its bigger sibling, the Ninja ZX-10R litre-class superbike, albeit with an evolution of the cowling. The motorcycle is feature-packed, too, with twin LED headlamps, LED tail-lamps, a quick-shifter, Kawasaki’s anti-lock braking system, traction control, a multi-functional LCD screen, and more. The Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R comes with a 636-cc in-line four-cylinder engine making 130 PS and 70.8 Nm. It is mated to a six-speed gearbox. With the ram-air, however, the output goes up to 136 PS. Braking is taken care…

Noisy Shock-absorber I own a Royal Enfield Thunderbird 350 X. While riding over bumpy surfaces, the front shock-absorber of my motorcycle makes a knocking or banging sound. When I asked the service adviser about this, I was told that it’s an issue common to the Thunderbird. Is there a permanent solution to this problem? Muhammed Rafeek, by e-mail Dear Muhammed, There could be a few reasons for this issue. First, the steering column of your motorcycle could be loose, so make sure it is properly tightened. Secondly, there could be a leakage in the front forks and, therefore, less than adequate oil could also cause this. It could even occur if the grade of oil used in the forks isn’t the same as specified by the manufacturer. Suggest the Right…

WE ENTERED THE 1990S WITH WHAT WE had inherited from the ’80s. In motorcycle terms, that meant multi-cylinder engines, disc brakes front and, often, rear too, and a lot of plastic. In the late ’80s, designers seemed intent on protecting us from the smelly and oily mechanical parts with scooter-like fanaticism. That may have been fine on Honda’s PC800 (which stood for “Pacific Coast”, not “Politically Correct”, although the latter may have been more appropriate), which strove to find a new market. In reality, that was eventually filled by the mega-scooters. But the same philosophy was even forced on Ducatis and Bimotas, whose mechanical components were finely and attractively produced. That was not Tamburini’s finest hour from an aesthetic viewpoint. Fortunately, things improved during the decade and by the end,…

INDIAN MOTORCYCLE OF THE YEAR (IMOTY) IS THE MOST COVETED motorcycle award in India and has been in existence for the past 14 years. Only new motorcycle models manufactured or assembled in India that have gone on sale before 30 November make it to the list of contenders. This year, the short-list included the BMW G 310 GS and G 310 R, Hero Xtreme 200R, Honda CBR650F, Royal Enfield Interceptor 650, Suzuki GSX-S750 and V-Strom 650 XT, SWM Superdual T, Triumph Tiger 800, TVS Apache RTR 160 4V and Apache RR310, and Yamaha YZF-R15. The jury for IMOTY 2019 comprises representatives from eight member magazines and an individual juror. The jury met at the Buddh International Circuit, Greater Noida, to pick their favourite from the impressive motorcycle line-up. The final…

SCOOTERS HAVE TAKEN THE MARKET BY STORM. THEY ARE, by far, the most convenient of vehicles for small runabouts. Especially in a metropolis that is teeming with all kinds of vehicles. Soon, these gearless steeds evolved; both in displacement and in character. Now we have a few options in the 125-cc segment if we are looking for a scooter that can handle the daily grind with a dash of excitement. Hero surprised all of us by watching from the stands while rivals launched new scooters. Perhaps, they may have been testing the waters because they have arrived with a scooter specifically targeted at a certain spectrum of the market. We rode it around to check if it can shoulder the mantle of a “family scooter” and also did a spot…

SHERCO TVS RALLY Factory is the oldest team in Dakar with some Indian influence. Over the past few years, they have promoted some great talent who have made them proud on the global stage. This year, the team was running four riders: Adrien and Michael Metge, Lorenzo Santolino, and local man, Aravind KP. Aravind made a brave comeback after an injury in Dakar 2018. The team’s best finish this year was 22nd place overall earned by Adrien. Just behind him, Michael finished in 25th place. In 37th place, Aravind proudly crossed the finish-line, completing Dakar for the first time. This comes as a wonderful achievement for the lad who had the misfortune of crashing out in his previous attempts. At the end of the first stage, Michael Metge was the…

THIS SUMMER motorcycling’s Grand Prix world championship celebrates its 70th birthday, with 19 races on the calendar, compared to six races in the inaugural 1949 season. Next year there are likely be 20 races. The ever-expanding race calendar puts a lot of pressure on teams, riders, and budgets; which is why MotoGP keeps changing the rules to prevent teams from testing so much. This also follows the Formula 1 rationale: why allow teams to go testing, which makes no money for MotoGP, when they could be racing instead, which makes a lot of money for MotoGP? This year’s testing restrictions are tighter than ever, with just two three-day pre-season outings (instead of the usual three three-day sessions), plus three one-day sessions during the season, after the Spanish, Catalan, and Czech…

HMSI HAVE ANNOUNCED THAT THEY WILL soon be launching the CB300R, a 286-cc bike that has been in existence for the past two years but has not yet come to India. That is about to change now as the company seems to be focusing on the growing 300-cc segment. Recently the company announced that the bookings for the new CB300R were open at just Rs 5,000 and that the bike would be available at less than Rs 2.5 lakh, which is quite a good price point. Although HMSI have not announced the launch date, we surmise that the bike will be launched before the end of the financial year, considering the fact that the bookings are already open. The company also said that the bike would come to India by…

BAJAJ AUTO’S MOST PREMIUM MOTORCYCLE IS EXPECTED TO HIT showrooms soon in a spruced-up avatar. The 2019 Bajaj Dominar 400 will feature a few changes, both aesthetic and mechanical. The engine will be cooled by a new radiator. The 373-cc mill is expected to be BS VI-compliant and is likely to churn out more horses than before. The current model makes 35 PS at 8,000 rpm and a peak torque of 35 Nm at 6,500 rpm. The conventional telescopic fork has been replaced by a new upside-down (USD) unit. The handlebar has been raised marginally to complement the motorcycle’s touring nature. The instrument cluster has received a few updates and Bajaj have also sharpened the anti-lock braking system (ABS) to aid maximum braking. With these changes and an overall weight…

IT IS ALMOST HERE! SPY SHOTS OF THE MUCH-AWAITED KTM 390 ADVENTURE being tested on the streets of Pune have emerged. After months of anticipation and rumours about the Austrian brand’s entry-level ADV, we finally see a sign of progress on this front — a heavily camouflaged test mule has been spotted and photographed near Pune. We can see from these pictures that the bike gets the split LED headlamp as well as the colour TFT screen from the 390 Duke and taller suspension at both ends. The long rider’s seat overlaps the tank in true enduro fashion and we were quite surprised to see 17-inch and 19-inch alloys, rather than spoked wheels, although we also hear that spoked wheels will be offered as on option on the production bike.…

TRIUMPH ARE SET TO LAUNCH THE ALL-NEW ROCKET III NEXT YEAR AFTER teasing the motorcycle world with a sketch at a dealer event in October 2018. A mule of the same was ridden across a stage, too, briefly, but no launch date was mentioned. According to a report, Triumph dealers were invited to a closed-door event which showcased the new machine and a few basic specifications. The Rocket III will come with a new 2.5-litre in-line triple, which, Triumph claim, will be making more than 180 PS and a monstrous 230+ Nm of torque, in case you ever need to tow something substantial. To put a halt to the madness, Triumph’s new Rocket III seems to get a set of Brembo M50 calipers and 330-mm floating discs with new cast…

INDIAN ELECTRIC SCOOTER MANUFACTURERS, AVAN MOTORS, HAVE showcased their new range at the Electric Vehicle Expo 2018 at Pragati Maidan. Avan Motors already have two variants in circulation, the Xero and Xero plus. The company has said that it plans to introduce five new variants, which, it claims, are easier to ride, come equipped with a large battery, have more go, and don a better design. The new variants will house a motor with 1,000W and 1,200W of power from the 60V/26Ah and 72V/32Ah lithium batteries, respectively. This new engine, other than the power increase, should make the scooters more efficient as well, according to the company. Having said that, at full throttle the scooters get up to a not-so-blazing 45 km/h, keeping the hooligan residing within in deep slumber.…

WHAT SEEMS TO BE AN INDIA-SPEC VERSION OF YAMAHA’S ENTRY-LEVEL naked motorcycle, the MT-15, has been spotted testing in India amidst much speculation about its impending launch. The new Yamaha MT-15 is based on the YZF-R15 v3.0 and shares the sportier bike’s engine and twin-spar frame, but, like the R15 in India, it doesn’t get the inverted fork from what we’ve seen on the Indonesia-spec bike. Alloy wheels and tyres also appear to be shared with the R15, although it is not clear from these pics if both bikes share braking and suspension components. This bike seems to have LED lighting all around and shares the LCD display with its sportier cousin. Expect the MT-15 to be priced just below the R15 v3.0 when it is eventually launched later this…

Suzuki Motorcycle India have launched the 2019 edition of the legendary Hayabusa sports tourer, priced at Rs 13.74 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). The only changes include the introduction of two new colour schemes, Metallic Oort Gray and Glass Sparkle Black, with updated graphics and an added pair of side-reflectors. The 2019 Suzuki Hayabusa continues to be powered by a 1,340-cc in-line four that makes 197 PS and 155 Nm. Also known as the GSX-1300R, the ’Busa is one of the most sought-after big bikes in India, renowned for the perfect combination of thrilling performance and comfortable riding experience it delivers.…

ADVENTURE IS DEFINED AS “AN UNUSUAL, EXCITING OR dangerous experience or journey”. The two bikes you see splashed across these pages have been designed to accompany their riders on adventures far and wide, absorb abuse across varying terrain, and come out smiling, ready for the next one. Triumph entered India’s adventure touring space with their Tiger 800 back in 2014, just as the ADV bug bit our riding community. With its comfortable ergos, forgiving suspension, and flexible three-cylinder engine, the Tiger seemed like a perfect tool for those looking to cover long distances on our unpredictable highways and, with no competition in the niche, sales flourished. Triumph gave their mid-size adventure tourer a comprehensive update early last year, including lighter engine internals, revised gear ratios, a new intake and exhaust…

TO FANS OF A CERTAIN BAVARIAN motorcycle marque, the GS suffix denotes a motorcycle capable of crossing continents, and not necessarily sticking to paved roads while doing so. The GS tag was first used back in 1980 on the dual-sport R80 G/S, a bike that was entrusted with the onerous task of keeping the struggling company afloat as high-tech Japanese machinery flooded the market. While BMW engineers fervently worked towards the development of the four-cylinder K-series engines to face the Japanese onslaught, the R80 G/S was introduced featuring the tagline, “Sports machine, touring machine, enduro… Welcome to a motorcycle concept with more than one string to its bow”, as a temporary model with the hope of reviving sales. The bare-bones, 167-kilogram machine promised unmatched practicality and was built around an…

TRIUMPH’S MODERN CLASSIC LINE-UP HAS BEEN going from strength to strength since the introduction of the new liquid-cooled engines in 2016, available across the range in 900-and 1,200-cc versions and in various states of tune. While people have been raving about the Thruxton’s acceleration and handling, or the T120’s massive torque spread, the humble Street Twin is the one pulling in the numbers, turning out to be Triumph’s highest-selling Modern Classic since its introduction three years ago. Now, for 2019, Triumph have decided to upgrade their entry-level bestseller with more performance, a few visual tweaks, newer underpinnings, and some modern electronics. We were recently invited to Portugal, where we spent a day with the new bike to bring you this report. Visually this bike is still instantly recognizable as a…

THIS YEAR THE DAKAR RALLY WAS 100 per cent Peru and that meant a lot of sand throughout the 12-day event and our very own home-grown rally team, Hero MotoSports, did the country proud by achieving remarkable results. The journey was tough for all the three riders but their determination to conquer the extreme terrain of Peru was greater than the challenges posed by the rally. Here is how the team went up and then down and then up again. Hero MotoSports’ third outing at the world’s most gruelling rally raid was a spectacular one. The team achieved some really impressive results in the stages and also some not-so-forgettable moments. This time the entire rally happened in Peru, which is known for its beautiful but challenging and extreme sand dunes…

IT WON’T BE LONG BEFORE HARLEY-DAVIDSON’S MUCH-ANTICIPATED electric motorcycle reaches the customer. The American cruiser icon has begun accepting bookings for the LiveWire. In the United States, the motorcycle is priced at nearly $30,000 (Rs 21 lakh, approximately) and is expected to be available from August 2019. Harley-Davidson’s decision to electrify its upcoming line-up came as a shock to ardent fans and most of us who considered the marque synonymous with chrome, V-twins, and big, burly motorcycles. However, the LiveWire looks promising on paper and has retained the visual appeal of Harley-Davidson motorcycles. To begin with, the LiveWire is the first production electric motorcycle from the brand and is quite a capable machine as it can go from 0 to 100 km/h in just three seconds and has a range…

THE YAMAHA FZ VERSION 3.0 IS ALMOST HERE; IN FACT, IT MIGHT BE OUT BY the time you are reading this. However, here is a quick look at we may expect from the 150-cc sporty commuter in its updated avatar. On the design front, the FZ V 3.0 will borrow design cues from its elder sibling, the FZ25. That means it will come with a new front end and LED headlamp. The seat will continue to be the one-piece design but with new grab-handles for the pillion. The bike will also come with a new exhaust and tail-lamp design. Engine-wise, the new FZ will continue to have the same 149-cc, single-cylinder, fuel-injected engine that produces 13.2 PS and 12.8 Nm and comes mated to a five-speed transmission. The FZ version…

LAMBRETTA HAVE BEEN DEVELOPING AN ELECTRIC SCOOTER IN MILAN, Italy, which they plan to launch at the Auto Expo 2020 in Delhi. The famous scooter company, currently owned by Innocenti of Switzerland, understand the importance of India in the scooter market, hence it seems to be keen to launch it here. The company has not divulged the specifications, possibly because the product is still being developed. In India, Lambretta have entered into a partnership with Lohia Auto of Noida and the Bird Group of New Delhi. In addition, Innocenti have started looking for an assembly plant in the Mumbai area. This plant will cater to providing original Lambretta products as well as production for some overseas markets. Lambretta are also engaged in the development of another scooter, called the Super…

As many as 40 million units of Honda two-wheelers have been sold over the past 18 years, thus making the marque the fastest in the industry to achieve this milestone. The number includes both scooters and motorcycles from the Japanese manufacturers. The company took 11 years to reach the 10-million milestone, but then their sales figures sky-rocketed with another 30 million being sold in a mere seven years. Honda’s first product in India, after parting ways with Hero, was the now iconic scooter, Activa, and they soon followed it up with the really good 150-cc Unicorn motorcycle. Soon thereafter, the company launched the 125-cc Shine, which went on to become the highest selling motorcycle in the 125-cc segment. In these initial years, Honda also introduced the industry-first Combi-Brake System in…

With ABS becoming mandatory for all motorcycles above 125 cc, Yamaha have launched the YZF-R15 v3.0 with the said braking technology at Rs 1.39 lakh (ex-showroom). The bike will also be available in a new colour, called “Darknight”, which is priced at Rs 1.41 lakh (ex-showroom). The ABS-equipped R15 is now available at Yamaha dealerships across the country. The YZF-R15 is the first in the 150-cc segment to be offered with dual-channel ABS, wherein the anti-lock braking system works its magic on both the wheels. In addition, the dual-channel ABS also comes with adjustable fluid pressure to further optimize the results on slippery surfaces. The Yamaha YZF-R15 v3.0 is powered by a 155-cc, liquid-cooled, four-valve, single that makes 19.3 PS at 10,000 rpm and 14.7 Nm at 8,500 rpm. Weighing…

A NEW SET OF TVS REMORA TYRES found their way on to my long-term Apache RTR 160 4V a couple of months ago and I have done almost 2,000 kilometres with these new hoops. The new tyres are in the stock sizes of 90/90-17 up front and a meaty 130/70-18 at the rear. Since the Apache is my daily ride to and from work, most of these kilometres were logged on busy Pune streets. What stands out for me is the fact that these tyres maintain their grip even on dirty surfaces, fine gravel, and wet roads — all of which are veritable hazards for the urban rider. I have lost count of the number of times I have come across scary, low-traction situations on my daily commute, but these…

THERE’S A NEW kid on the block... and it’s making quite a splash thanks to its unique styling. One that would perfectly play a fashionable prop in a fashion brand commercial. Yes, we are talking about the FB Mondial HPS 300 and from what we’ve noticed, it’s quite a head-turner. The Italian motorcycle brand was founded in 1929 in Milan and boasts of a rich racing heritage in the early 1950s and ’60s. During that era, they were known to produce advanced racing motorcycles and had also won the Isle of Man TT a couple of times. But times changed as the company struggled and things came to a halt in 1979 when FB Mondial had to wrap up business completely. After a failed attempt to resurrect the brand in…

IN THE WORLD OF our two-wheeled motorized friends, say “cruiser” and the stars and stripes immediately come to mind and rightly so. The essence of motorcycles of this kind are large V-twin monstrosities, knee-deep in exorbitant customization and personality, with a thunderous sound to flare one’s chest. These American machines have had a cult following that many a non-American company has tried to ape, albeit with a few having to run away, tail between legs and all. Think zee German R 1100 C anyone? Not saying that the German giant cannot produce something for the segment, what I am trying to say is that it is a lot harder to fit into said market than one would imagine. Especially in the case of the Japanese, who are known to make…

THE 41ST EDITION OF the Dakar was a bit different. This time, the racing was limited to one country only: Peru. The 5,000-kilometre rally was spread over 10 stages of which 70 per cent was spent racing in the deserts of the Latin American country. Compared to the previous years, this Dakar was shorter but just as perilous thanks to the vast expanse of deserts in Peru. Braving all odds, Toby Price (Australia), Red Bull KTM Factory Team, rode to a spectacular finish and claimed the Dakar 2019 crown in his fifth Dakar appearance. Price showed superhuman grit and determination to win the Dakar because, in addition to tackling the hurdles of the race, he also had to bear the pain of a broken wrist that had not yet fully…

1 Nicolo Bulega Moto2 Sky VR46 Kalex Won the 2015 Italian Moto3 title at 15, so great things were expected when he moved into GPs in 2016. Had a good rookie season but it’s been backwards ever since. VR46 hopes that a move to Moto2 will revive the lanky teenager. 2 Niccolò Antonelli Moto3 SIC58 Squadra Corse Honda Goes into his eighth GP season needing to step it up. Had a great 2015, when he won two races to finish fifth overall. Failed to finish on the podium last year, so the academy is working hard to relocate the 23-year-old’s motivation. 3 Luca Marini Moto2 Sky VR46 Kalex Last year finally came out of his big brother’s shadow with his first GP win and four further podiums. Goes into 2019…

Ridden: 5,863 km Like: Looks, performance and handling Dislike: Range The flagship from India’s TVS has been my steed of choice for quite a few months now and with a heavy heart it is now time to bid the RR310 goodbye. With nearly 6,000 kilometres on the odo it’s been an interesting few months at the helm of this steed. There’s a lot I’ll miss of the RR, too, starting with its gorgeous looks. Even today, when I got the bike washed to take the picture that accompanies this write-up and proceeded to office thereafter, all eyes were on me. Or, more accurately, on the RR310. It will definitely take a little time to adjust to the idea that I will no longer have 34 PS and over 27 Nm…