Aurelia Butler

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    BYD eMAX7 First Drive Review – Only MPV With Electrifying Performance!

    New BYD eMAX7 First Drive ReviewPowering a 201 bhp and 310 Nm electric motor, we have a 71.8 kWh battery on BYD eMAX7 and is capable of sprinting from 0-100 km/h in 8.6s
    There is something about people movers that has captivated many of the Asian markets, making them a popular car genre. India is no different. We have a love affair with MPVs as they appeal to large families. However, there has been just one electric MPV in India which has undergone a massive overhaul recently.
    We’re talking about BYD eMAX7, the spiritual successor of e6 electric MPV. BYD has significantly increased the appeal of this electric MPV by a massive design overhaul and updated interiors to modernize it. We drove the eMAX7 in Chennai as part of national media drive arranged by BYD India and here is what we think about the latest iteration of this electric MPV.
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    BYD eMAX7 First Drive Review
    As part of the national media drive hosted by BYD India, the company provided Rushlane with a top-spec eMAX7 Superior trim with 7-seater configuration finished in a subtle Harbour Grey shade. There are two trim levels offered with two seating configurations yielding a total of 4 variants. Pricing for eMAX7 starts from Rs 26.9 lakh (Ex-sh).
    At this price, the main MPV rivals for BYD eMAX7 are Toyota Innova Crysta, Innova Hycross and its Maruti counterpart, Invicto. Innova Hycross and Invicto are more fitting rivals than Crysta, considering the monocoque chassis and electrification in their powertrains. There is a strong case for BYD eMAX7 with fleet operators in commercial sector as well, just like Innova Hycross.
    New BYD eMAX7 First Drive
    Understated Design
    Where design is concerned, BYD eMAX7 looks a lot better than its predecessor e6. BYD calls it a dragon face design owing to their Chinese origin, but it looks more like shark face to me. Regardless, we liked the way it looks and is not flashy or in-your-face like a few rivals. eMAX7 doesn’t try to look like an SUV, lending it sophisticated appeal and understated elegance.
    Front has a sloping bonnet with a few creases for character. The bonnet is hydraulically assisted. Headlights look classy with 5 projector elements with LEDs illuminating them. LED DRLs are integrated into these headlights. A satin silver element connects these headlights and gets a BYD logo sitting proudly. There are no fog lights here, but eMAX7 gets active air curtains in the front bumper to smoothen the airflow and improve aerodynamic efficiency.
    New BYD eMAX7 First Drive
    Side profile has a strong belt line that directs one’s vision towards eMAX7’s 4,710 mm length and 2,800 mm long wheelbase. The ORVMs are aerodynamic in shape and BYD is quite proud of this design. Car’s window line is accentuated with chrome, lending a premium appeal. There is a chrome strip on the running board as well. Only fly in the ointment here are the 17-inch alloy wheels that look rather small on this vehicle. 18-inchers would have looked swanky.
    At the rear, we get a shark fin antenna, connected LED tail lights, a roof spoiler, a body-coloured bumper and chrome strips across tail light and bumper. The paint quality is commendable too. BYD opted to offer a fixed glass roof with eMAX7, which is the more logical choice amidst OEMs offering panoramic sunroofs where kids and adults end up sticking their heads and torsos out.
    New BYD eMAX7 First Drive
    Well-designed Interiors
    Being a Rs 30 lakh vehicle, one would expect a premium experience on the inside and BYD eMAX7 does not disappoint in this regard. For starters, there is a well-designed and laid-out dashboard. There are impressive soft-touch materials on all four door pads and on the centre console where driver’s and front passenger’s knees would graze. These elements are properly soft to the touch, which is not often the case with vehicles in this price range.
    New BYD eMAX7 Dashboard
    Dashboard only gets hard plastics and an interesting open-pore wood-like effect. The glovebox is damped and so are the interior grab rails. Materials used for seat upholstery are of good quality and so is the leather wrapped on steering wheel. The rockers, dials and buttons on centre console and steering wheel are of good quality too. There is a single wireless charger in eMAX7’s centre console.
    New BYD eMAX7 Rotatable Infotainment
    Seats are reasonably sized and offer good support for a full-grown adult like myself. But the seat base lacks under-thigh support in all three rows. Front seats are electrically adjustable, while rear seats are manually adjustable for sliding, reclining and folding. Steering wheel is adjustable for tilt and reach, allowing for driver to get a comfortable driving position. 2nd row seats could have offered more space, especially where width is concerned.
    When two adults sat in 2nd-row seats, our elbows grazed, which is not a good sign. I think the 7-seater variant makes very little sense as there is no shoulder room to even put a baby in the middle. Even knee room for 2nd-row occupants is nothing to write home about. Accessing third-row seats is fairly easy, but the space here is only acceptable for kids. AC vents are roof-mounted for 2nd-row and 3rd-row occupants.
    New BYD eMAX7
    Features & Creature Comforts
    Interior lighting is all LED, including the vanity lights with auto function for driver and front passenger. Glass roof is fixed and is treated to cut down on a few spectra of harmful sunlight. Sunshade is electrically operated. There are many USB ports for occupants to charge up their devices. With all the seats up, BYD eMAX7 does not have a lot of luggage space. With 3rd-row folded, there is around 580L of boot space, which can be further expanded by folding the 2nd-row seats. A missed opportunity for BYD is an absence of front storage as it looked like they could have extracted 100L of volumetric luggage space here.
    New BYD eMAX7 Semi-Storage
    The main highlight of BYD eAMX7’s interiors is that it offers a 12.8-inch rectangular display that can rotate to portrait or landscape orientations. However, many functions like Android Auto don’t work in portrait orientation. Speaking of, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are wireless on this vehicle. The screen also controls the dual-zone Auto AC and front ventilated seat function.
    New BYD eMAX7 Steering Controls
    This screen acts as a monitor for 360-degree camera feature too and works very well on this vehicle. However, we would have liked it if BYD had a dedicated software for infotainment screen. The overall UI looked like it is from an aftermarket Android system and there even is an SD card reader under front center armrest to stream media. Steering has controls to operate an MID in the semi-digital instrument cluster.
    New BYD eMAX7 Semi-Digital Instrument Cluster
    There is an NFC key card that communicates through right ORVM. BYD eMAX7 also has ADAS suite, which does a decent job. Lane Keeping Assist was not functioning at times. Thus Auto Emergency Braking, Adaptive Cruise Control and other features needed more polish. There are six airbags on offer and disc brakes are offered on all four wheels along with ABS, EBD, TCS, ESP and more.
    New BYD eMAX7
    Performance and Dynamics
    Being an electric vehicle is probably BYD eMAX7’s biggest strength. We say this because the performance is genuinely exhilarating with instant torque available at 0 RPM. The 71.8 kWh battery pack promises a range of 530 km on a single charge. This battery had 99% SOC when we received the car with 347 km on the odometer. After driving 152.8 km, SOC dropped to 41% with 500km on the odometer.
    New BYD eMAX7
    We used 58% of battery (41.644 kWh) to drive 152.8 km. So, we got 3.66 km/kWh efficiency with 263 km of range from a single charge. However, in real-life situations, one can expect BYD eMAX7 to return around 5 km/kWh and 360 km range, with normal driving styles in Eco Mode. Speaking of, there are three driving modes – Eco, Normal and Sport, with a reasonable distinction between them. A 201 bhp 8-in-1 electric motor with 310 Nm of instant torque sips juice from this battery. It pulls cleanly and BYD quotes acceleration figures of 8.6 seconds.
    New BYD eMAX7
    The heavy battery allows for a composed ride with impressive stability at higher speeds. The suspension setup is commendable and does a very good job of absorbing the road undulations and imperfections. It doesn’t feel robust but comes very close. Another notable attribute of eMAX7 is its NVH, or the lack thereof. Cabin insulation is excellent with little to no wind noise from A-Pillars and ORVMs and minimal tyre noise from wheel wells.
    Speaking of tyres, BYD is equipping eMAX7 with 225/55-R17 tyres from a brand called Giti Tires and it loses traction relatively easily. We would have liked stickier tyres with more grip, especially considering the acceleration it has. The 55% profile is also slightly concerning for Indian road conditions. Dynamically, BYD eMAX7 has a lot of body roll, decent steering feedback and some nose-diving under braking. The stopping power is impressive with good initial bite and progression.
    New BYD eMAX7
    Conclusion
    Considering eMAX7 is a fully imported CBU, BYD has got the pricing right, making the locally manufactured rivals look like they’re “not aggressively priced” at all. We say this because the top-spec locally manufactured Innova Hycross with a tiny battery and negligible pure-EV range costs Rs 31 lakh (Ex-sh).
    In comparison, top-spec BYD eMAX Superior 7S costs Rs 29.9 lakh (Ex-sh) offering a 71.8 kWh battery, 530 km range on a single charge and a 201 bhp electric motor that can sprint to 100 km/h in a claimed 8.6 seconds. So, one should just ignore the Toyota Innova Hycross in favour of BYD eMAX7. Right?
    New BYD eMAX7 Key
    The answer to this question is not as easy as it sounds. BYD eMAX7 doesn’t have usable boot with 3rd-row up and it lacks cabin width for that “Seth Ji” feeling. The lack of an auto-dimming IRVM is a deal-breaker, according to me. Something that BYD should consider fixing in an update. Also, there is a lot of space under the bonnet, which BYD could have used for a front trunk. But there is isn’t one.
    New BYD eMAX7 Door Paddings
    For small family with occasional need of 3rd-row and the owner/buyer wants exhilarating performance with a feature rich, premium and tech-savvy cabin, Yes. eMAX7 is an easy recommendation. However, if the buyer wants a good chauffeur-driven experience or needs genuine space to seat up to 8 people and have usable boot with 3rd-row up, the answer is no. But we recommend prospective buyers to keep BYD eMAX7 in the wishlist and take a test drive.
    New BYD eMAX7 More

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    New Hero 250cc Naked Bike Leaks (KTM 250 Duke Rival) – EICMA Debut Teaser

    New Hero 250cc Naked BikeAs part of its portfolio expansion plans, Hero MotoCorp will introduce a new range of 250cc motorcycles
    With aspirations to rise above the commuter segment, Hero MotoCorp has launched new premium products such as Karizma 210 and Mavrick 440. The larger-displacement motorcycle portfolio will see some more additions in the form of new 250cc bikes. These are expected to be showcased at the upcoming 2024 EICMA.
    Hero new 250cc naked bike
    Earlier this month, a design patent image of the upcoming Hero Karizma 250 had leaked online. And now, another new image reveals that Hero is also working on the naked version of the Karizma 250. It is evident from the visuals that the new naked 250cc bike is based on the Hero 2.5R Xtunt concept motorcycle. The latter was showcased at last year’s EICMA. At 2024 EICMA, enthusiasts will be treated with the unveiling of the production model based on the 2.5R Xtunt concept.
    New Hero 250cc Naked Bike
    The basic difference between Karizma XMR 250 and the new 250cc bike is in the fairing. The latter can be described as a stripped-down version of the Karizma XMR 250. Overall, the new Hero 250cc bike has a sharp profile and dominating road presence. Features that instantly grab one’s attention include the aggressive headlamp cowl, track-ready slick tyres, USD forks in golden finish and chunky fuel tank.
    Karizma XMR 250 and its naked version will be the first Hero bikes to get USD forks. As of now, even the flagship Mavrick 440 does not get USD forks. Hero new 250cc naked bike has angular side panels covering the radiator, split seat design, sharp grab rails and an upswept exhaust. With the low-slung handlebar, the new bike is expected to have a committed riding stance. It seems similar to the one seen with the Xtunt concept. But in comparison to the concept that had clip-on handlebars, this production model comes with a tubular, single-piece unit.
    Hero 250cc naked bike – Performance
    Powering Hero’s 250cc bikes will be a new 250cc, single cylinder, liquid cooled engine. Estimates indicate that it could generate around 30 bhp and 25 Nm. The existing Karizma has a 210cc engine that makes 25.5 PS and 20.4 Nm. Most other core hardware specs will be common for both Karizma XMR 250 and its naked version. Both bikes will have 17-inch alloy wheels and disc brakes at both ends. Dual-channel ABS will be offered as standard.
    Hero has been making confident moves in the larger-displacement motorcycle segment. For its higher capacity bikes, the company is also opening premium outlets named Hero Premia to improve customer experience. As more new products are launched, Hero will be able to target a larger segment of users.
    Hero MotoCorp already has a strong grip in the commuter segment. With the entry-level segment already quite saturated, the only natural movement forward is the larger-displacement motorcycle segment. It will be interesting to see if Hero’s aspirations elicit the desired response from enthusiasts. More

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    Bajaj Sales Breakup Sep 2024 – Pulsar, Platina, Chetak, Freedom, Avenger, Dominar

    Bajaj FreedomBajaj Pulsar continued to be the company’s best-selling model in Sep 2024 to command a 56.30% share
    Bajaj Auto’s two wheeler sales figures rose by 29.45% to 2,47,118 units in September 2024 from 1,90,902 unit sales in the same month last year. The Pune based two wheeler maker has also witnessed outstanding improvement in its MoM sales over 1,97,037 units sold in Aug 2024.
    Bajaj Sales Sep 2024 – Pulsar commands 56.30% Share
    Bajaj Pulsar, Platina and most definitely the Chetak, were the three models in the company’s domestic portfolio that accounted for the highest sales last month. Bajaj Pulsar saw the most sales last month at 1,39,128 units to command a No. 1 position. This was a 15.82% YoY improvement from 1,20,126 unit sales of Sep 2023. It also resulted in a volume increase of 19,002 units.
    Bajaj Sales Sep 2024
    In the Pulsar range, it was the Pulsar 125cc that received most attention from buyers in the country with 78,590 unit sales, a 16.58% YoY growth from 67,256 units sold in Sep 2023. There were also 31,881 units of the Pulsar 150cc and 16,655 units of Pulsar 200cc sold last month along with 6,880 units of Pulsar 250cc and 2,122 units of Pulsar 400.
    Bajaj Platina, another hot favourite in the company lineup, had 49,774 unit sales last month. This related to 2.38% YoY growth from 48,615 units sold in Sep 2023. Platina also posted a significant improvement in its MoM sales over 41,915 units sold in Aug 2024.
    Bajaj 2W Sales Sep 2024
    Bajaj Chetak Sales up 217.28% YoY in Sep 2024
    Bajaj Chetak sales escalated by 217.28% on a YoY basis to 28,517 units in Sep 2024. This was well over 8,988 units sold in Sep 2023. Bajaj launched the new Freedom CNG bike earlier this year. It has managed to capture sales of 19,639 units in Sep 2024 and command a 7.95% share on this list.
    The new Freedom 125 CNG+Petrol Bi-fuel has managed these sales on account of its healthy fuel efficiency which stands at 102kg/km, a range of variants and affordable pricing. Its engine too is capable of running on both Petrol and CNG offering the benefits of CNG and convenience of Petrol fuel.
    Bajaj CT sales dipped by 32% YoY to 6,391 units in Sep 2024. It was the CT110cc that commanded most attention with 6,344 unit sales last month while the CT125 made up the balance 47 units. Bajaj Avenger sales were also down to 2,318 units in the past month, a 4.37% YoY de-growth over 2,424 unit sales of Sep 2023. Dominar had 1,351 unit sales last month with its 250cc witnessing a YoY decline in sales by 17.97% to 557 units while the Dominar 400 saw higher demand by 18.15% to 794 units. More

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    500cc+ Motorcycle Sales September 2024 – RE650, Z900, Hayabusa, Ninja

    Triumph Daytona 660Among Royal Enfield’s 650cc offerings, Super Meteor 650 and Shotgun 650 are witnessing massive decline in sales in 500cc+ motorcycle sales
    The big bike sales have been among the few segments in India which is witnessing steady YoY growth. For the month of September 2024, big bike sales stood at 4,242 units, which is a 15.05% YoY growth over 3,687 units sold in September 2023 with 555 units gained in volume.
    When compared to the 3,916 units sold in August 2024, the segment witnessed a healthy 8.32% MoM growth with a volume gain of 326 units. Like clockwork, Royal Enfield emerged on the top in this segment with 3,818 units sold in total and commanded a 90% market share of the big bike sales.
    500cc+ Motorcycle Sales September 2024
    The top spot was occupied by Royal Enfield’s 650 Twins (Interceptor 650 and GT Continental 650) clocking 2,869 units. Numbers more than doubled YoY with a staggering 125% growth over 1,280 units sold last year.??he volume gain is 1,589 units and 650 Twins held 67.63% market share in this list.
    In 2nd and 3rd spots, we have Super Meteor 650 and Shotgun 650 with 685 and 264 units sold respectively. Super Meteor have witnessed a massive 66.41% YoY decline with sales more than halved and losing 1,354 units in volume. While Shotgun 650 is too new to record YoY sales, it has recorded a MoM decline.
    500cc+ Motorcycle Sales September 2024 – YoY
    Kawasaki Z900 is India’s best-selling big bike outside of Royal Enfield’s sphere of influence. With 90 units sold, the 4-cylinder engine is a main draw here and the numbers have declined by 40.4% YoY. Honda has come a long way in big bike territory from prolonged null sales to selling 42 units of XL750 Transalp.
    India’s favourite Dhoom Bike, Suzuki Hayabusa, registered 34.48% YoY decline by selling 38 units last month as opposed to selling 58 units last year. Newly-launched Triumph Daytona 660 has managed to find 32 buyers last month. Triumph Street Triple and Ninja ZX-10R managed to sell 30 units each, where Street Triple witnessed 41.18% YoY decline.
    Aprilia Tuareg sold 1 unit
    Triumph Tiger 900, Kawasaki ZX-6R and Ninja 650 sold 19,18 and 17 units respectively with Tiger and Ninja registered positive YoY growth. Kawasaki Versys 650 sold 12 units and fell into the red with 29.41% YoY decline. Triumph Rocket III and Speed Twin 900 sold 10 and 9 units respectively with 400% and 80% YoY growth. Triumph Tiger 660 and Harley-Davidson Nightster sold 8 units each.
    Harley-Davidson Sportster S and Fat Boy 114 sold 7 units each. Suzuki Katana was the only one to sell 6 units last month. Triumph Bonneville Speedmaster, Bonneville T120, Harley Fab Bob and Kawasaki Z650 sold 5 units each. Aprilia RSV4 sales stood at 3 units, while Aprilia Tuono, Kawasaki Z650 RS, Triumph Scrambler 1200 and Harley Street Glide sold 2 units each.
    With one units sold, we have Aprilia RS660, Tuareg 660, Suzuki GSX-8R, Kawasaki Z900 RS, Triumph Trident 660, Speed Twin 1200, Bonneville Bobber, Harley Road Glide, Standard and Honda Goldwing. More

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    2025 Royal Enfield Hunter 350 Spied Testing – Launch Soon

    2025 Hunter 350 Spied
    With a low kerb weight, upcoming 2025 Royal Enfield Hunter 350 will be the most performant 350cc motorcycle from the company’s lineup
    Royal Enfield has been the dominating force and a runaway success in the premium 350cc to 500cc motorcycle segment. With time, Royal Enfield has been updating its 350cc portfolio. First, we saw the new Bullet 350, then 2024 Classic 350 and now, we have come across the first ever update to Hunter 350.
    2025 Royal Enfield Hunter 350
    With a slew of 350cc retro motorcycles, Royal Enfield has established itself as an undisputed king of premium motorcycle manufacturers in India within the 350cc, 450cc and 650cc segments. It is the company’s 2nd best-selling vehicle after Classic 350 and is also Royal Enfield’s lightest motorcycle.
    2025 Hunter 350 Spied
    Hunter 350 is the most affordable 350cc motorcycle in Royal Enfield’s lineup and is a major draw for Indian buyers. Starting at Rs 1.5 lakh (Ex-sh) for the base Factory variant and Rs 1.7 lakh (Ex-sh) for Metro variant, Hunter 350 offers varied attributes to cater to a wider audience base.
    As seen in the spy shots, 2025 Royal Enfield Hunter 350 comes equipped with a few new elements when compared to current model. The main new addition with upcoming Hunter 350 is its LED headlight, which replaces the smaller halogen unit with current model.
    2025 Hunter 350 Spied
    This headlight setup is round in shape and looks similar to the ones offered with other Royal Enfield motorcycles. Another change spotted on this test mule is a new rear suspension setup. Current model offers linear shock absorbers that were known to offer a stiff ride resulting in an unpleasant experience.
    The new rear twin shock absorber setup has progressive springs with two distinct Spring Coefficients (K). This allows manufacturers to tune the motorcycle’s ride quality as there will be two stages of dampening for different types of loads and road conditions. There may be slight variance in bike’s seat height with the new suspension.
    What to expect?
    The new LED headlight might only be offered with a more expensive Metro variant, while the base Retro will continue to get a halogen unit. This may be done to retail the bike’s sweet Rs 1.5 lakh (Ex-sh) starting price. The new suspension might be offered with top Metro variant only as the second test mule still had linear rear springs.
    Powertrain will remain the same. A 349cc air-cooled single-cylinder motor that is capable of generating 20.2 bhp of peak power and 27 Nm of peak torque, mated to a 5-speed gearbox. With a low kerb weight of 181 kg, Hunter 350 is the most performant 350cc Royal Enfield on sale. Launch might happen in early 2025.
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    Royal Enfield Bear 650 Scrambler Teased Before Launch – 5th Nov Debut

    Royal Enfield Bear 650 TeaserWith a more versatile character, Royal Enfield Bear 650 can target a broader segment of users – Debut on 5th November, 2024
    Royal Enfield’s 650cc portfolio will soon have new additions such as Classic 650 Twin, Bullet 650 Twin and Himalayan 650. Earlier today, we also saw updated 2025 Interceptor 650 spy shots. Another new 650cc bike will be a scrambler model, expected to go on sale as the Bear 650. This name has been trademarked across multiple global markets as well. Now, RE has also dropped the first official teaser.
    Royal Enfield Bear 650 Teaser Out
    The 10 second teaser video shared by Royal Enfield gives a glimpse of what is to come along with the debut date. The caption reads – “CAUTION HAS BEEN CHASING US. BUT WE HAVE ALWAYS BEEN QUICKER.” The teaser ends with the date 5th November and the image of what looks like a bear. Take a look at the teaser below.
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    Test mule sightings reveal that the new Royal Enfield scrambler bike is based on the Interceptor 650. The tubular steel chassis and the design of the fuel tank are the same as that of Interceptor 650. But the suspension setup is different, positioned higher to achieve a longer suspension travel in comparison to other Royal Enfield 650cc bikes. Bear 650 gets USD forks at front in comparison to the telescopic units seen with Interceptor 650.
    At the rear, the scrambler model has dual shock absorbers, similar to that of Interceptor 650. However, Bear 650 uses different spring/damper units that miss out on the gas reservoirs seen with Interceptor 650. RE Bear 650 is expected to get a 19-inch front and 17-inch rear wheel combo. These have dual-purpose block-pattern tyres, likely to be tubed units. The suspension and tyres configuration indicates that Bear 650 will be capable of handling mild to moderate off-road tracks.
    Royal Enfield Bear 650 Scrambler
    Royal Enfield Bear 650 has minimalistic, neo-retro aesthetics. With the classic scrambler format, the bike can attract a broad segment of users. Some of the key highlights include all-LED lighting, circular headlamp and rear-view mirrors, tear-drop shaped fuel tank, braced handlebar for off-road tracks, new mudguards, upswept exhaust, a slightly rising seat and oval race-style number boards.
    Royal Enfield Bear 650 Scrambler
    Design of the footpegs and levers complement the bike’s rugged character. The two-into-one exhaust setup with perforated heat shield is something entirely new for a Royal Enfield bike. This is similar to the popular scramblers of the 1960s. Bear 650 will be using a circular TFT instrument screen, the same as seen with Himalayan 450 and recently launched Guerrilla 450. Users will be able to access a range of app-based features including full map navigation.
    Royal Enfield Bear 650 – Performance
    Powering Royal Enfield Bear 650 will be the 648cc, inline twin cylinder, 4-stroke, SOHC engine. It generates 47 PS and 52.3 Nm, and is mated to a 6-speed gearbox. Although the engine is the same as other 650cc bikes from Royal Enfield, Bear 650 can deliver a higher power-to-weight ratio with its lightweight profile.
    The bike has minimal body panelling, a two-into-one exhaust and short tail section and fender. All these will help enhance overall performance. In the company’s lineup, Bear 650 will be positioned above the 650 twins and below the Super Meteor 650. More

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    Aprilia Tuareg 457 Spied Testing – Himalayan, 390 ADV Rival Based On RS457

    Aprilia Tuareg 457 SpiedBased on the RS457 fully-faired motorcycle platform, Aprilia Tuareg 457 will pack the same engine with around 47 bhp and 44 Nm
    With the rise in popularity, ADV segment in India has been booming. Especially where sub 500cc motorcycles are concerned. We have the mighty Royal Enfield Himalayan and soon-to-launch KTM 390 Adventure. Now, Aprilia is set to make a grand entrance with an ADV based on the RS457 fully-faired motorcycle.
    First-ever spy shots of Aprilia Tuareg 457 have emerged on the internet. As seen in these images, it was set up for rallying and even contains a Rally Tower, which will not make it to production. Rear of this bike clearly indicates the name 457 on it, confirming that it is indeed based on RS457 platform. Let’s take a look.
    Aprilia Tuareg 457 Spied
    Aprilia Tuareg 457 Spied Testing
    Ever since the launch of Aprilia RS457, motorcycling fraternity has been awaiting more vehicles based on this platform. For the first time, Aprilia is branching out of this platform and has formulated an ADV. First ever leaked images show a handsome machine with rugged attributes as demonstrated by the rally setup.
    Production model will not get some of these elements seen on this rally-spec motorcycle. For starters, it will not get a Rally Tower, while other elements might make it to production. We can see the same engine as RS457 and this rally-spec machine even has the 457 branding on it, thus confirming its powertrain.
    Aprilia Tuareg 457 Spied
    Twin-pod headlights housed in a cage, tall windscreen, a front beak, aerodynamic fuel tank shrouds, a large radiator, long travel suspension with USD telescopic front forks finished in a Gold shade and a beefy bash plate protecting the engine are notable elements. The mainframe is finished in a red shade, while subframe is covered with stylish body panels.
    There are wire-spoke wheels with a 21-inch front and 17-inch or 18-inch rear setup. These wheels are wrapped with knobby tyres for rally setup, while there may be more road-biased dual-sport tyres with production model. We can expect the same TFT instrument cluster and switchgear with Aprilia Tuareg 457 as RS457.
    Tuareg 457 from Aprilia
    The same engine as RS457
    Where powertrains are concerned, the 457 lettering on Tuareg 457 confirms its displacement. We have to wait to see whether it will be tuned to make the same metrics as RS457 – 47 bhp and 43.5 Nm. It will get a 6-speed gearbox, slip and assist clutch, single disc setups at both ends with dual-channel ABS and a few electronic rider aids.
    Tuareg 457 from Aprilia
    Aprilia Tuareg 457 seen in this rally specification is tuned for Africa Eco Race in December 2024. Since the rally-spec model is out in the wild, a production version is highly likely to in development. It might be produced at Piaggio’s Baramati plant in India and pricing might be under Rs 5 lakh (Ex-sh).
    Tuareg 457 from Aprilia
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    2025 KTM 390 Adventure Variants Leaked – Features, Components Detailed

    2025 KTM 390 Adventure VariantsThere will be at least two versions of 2025 KTM 390 Adventure, one focused on off-road and the other for road-oriented touring
    At EICMA 2024, KTM will be unveiling multiple new models and technology products. For ADV enthusiasts, KTM will be introducing the 2025 390 Adventure. Ahead of its debut at EICMA, details about the 2025 KTM 390 Adventure have been revealed. Let’s take a look at 2025 KTM 390 Adventure Variants ahead of debut.
    2025 KTM 390 Adventure R
    This variant is off-road capable and is equipped with adjustable suspension offering 230 mm of travel. With 21-inch front and 18-inch rear spoke wheels, KTM 390 Adventure R has the capability to tackle challenging terrain. This setup is quite similar to Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 that has 21-inch front and 17-inch rear wheel combo.
    The larger front wheel, coupled with long-travel suspension, ensures a higher ground clearance. The exact numbers are likely to be revealed at the EICMA. A rough estimate can be derived from the 230 mm of ground clearance available with Himalayan 450. KTM 390 Adventure R has seat height of 885 mm, making it a more capable off-roader.
    However, the number is high when compared to Himalayan 450 which has seat height in the range of 805 mm to 845 mm (with adjustability). KTM 390 Adventure R will be equipped with cornering ABS and MTC (Motorcycle Traction Control). Tech package for KTM 390 Adventure R has been upgraded with a new H50 TFT dashboard. As per KTM’s nomenclature, the H represents the orientation ‘Horizontal’ whereas the number represents the size of the screen.
    2025 KTM 390 Adventure Variants : Image – Abhinav Bhatt
    The 5-inch TFT display was recently introduced with 2024 KTM 250 Duke and 2024 KTM 200 Duke. It has improved visibility and a clear, concise user interface. Made from bonded glass, the new TFT colour display is designed for rough use. It supports Bluetooth, allowing users to access calls and music when paired with the smartphone. Riders will also be able to access turn-by-turn navigation. KTM 390 Adventure R is also expected to get new menu switches that can be used to navigate and control the functions on the TFT display.
    2025 KTM 390 Adventure X
    With relatively less features, the 2025 KTM 390 Adventure X will be positioned below the KTM 390 Adventure R. While the chassis and bodywork will be the same, the 2025 KTM 390 Adventure X gets smaller 19-inch front and 17-inch rear wheels. This version has cast wheels, as compared to spoke wheels of Adventure R. Also, the suspension of 390 Adventure X is non-adjustable and has less travel at 200 mm.
    2025 KTM 390 Adventure X has non-cornering ABS and seat height of 825 mm. All these features indicate that this variant is better suited for on-road touring. Unlike the Adventure R that gets a new TFT display, the Adventure X continues with the LCD dashboard. With limited features, 2025 KTM 390 Adventure X will be priced lower than the Adventure R.
    KTM 390 ADV R Side
    While both these versions will be unveiled at EICMA, it is not certain if both will be available for sale in India. Having multiple versions on offer can be advantageous, as it can help target a larger customer base. Enthusiasts will also benefit, as they can choose according to their needs and preferences.
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