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      2023 Yamaha FZS, R15, MT-15, FZX Launched – Official Prices

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      With cosmetic and functional updates, new 2023 Yamaha FZ-S, R15, MT-15 and FZ-X are now priced higher than before2023 Yamaha FZS V4Yamaha’s strategy to offer optimal value to enthusiasts at a competitive price point continues with 2023 versions of R15, MT-15, FZ-S and FZ-X. All four bikes get a different set of updates, aimed at improving their street presence, convenience and safety aspects.However, performance numbers remain unchanged, as the bikes will continue with the same engines as earlier. New 2023 Yamaha R15, MT-15, FZ-S and FZ-X will be OBD-2 compliant, which comes into effect from April 01, 2023. These bikes will be fitted with on-board diagnostic system that can monitor and report emissions in real-time. Traction control system is now standard.2023 Yamaha Motorcycles – New PricesNew 2023 Yamaha FZ-X and FZ-S V4Safety has been improved with introduction of dual-channel ABS on the new FZ-X 2023 model. Cosmetic updates for FZ-X include a new matte blue colour. It appears to be similar to one of the options offered with existing YZF-R15 V4. Overall styling has been further enhanced with golden coloured wheels.2023 Yamaha FZ-X – priced from Rs 1.36 lakh, ex-shExisting FZ-X has colour options of matte black, matte copper and metallic blue. There are no engine tweaks for 2023 FZ-X. The bike is powered by a 149cc, air cooled engine that makes 12.4 PS and 13.3 Nm. It is paired with a 5-speed gearbox. 2023 Yamaha FZ-S now gets a much brighter headlight, LED blinkers, new colours, traction control system, digital instrument cluster.2023 Yamaha FZ-S Version 4.0 – Priced from Rs 1.27 lakh, ex-shNew 2023 Yamaha R15, MT-15Key updates for Yamaha R15 include LED turn signals. With this, R15 now has an all-LED lighting setup. The existing version already has LED bi-functional headlight, LED position lights and LED brake / tail light.2023 Yamaha R15 M Launch price Rs 1.94 lakhYamaha R15M variant has been updated with a new TFT instrument console that displays a range of information. The resolution seems much better and layout and placement of indicators has also changed. Switchgear has also been improved to ensure easy access to various functions of the instrument screen.Cosmetic enhancements for R15 include a new dual-tone colour theme of matte black and gold. The bike gets golden highlights against a black and light grey body panelling. Overall look and feel is a lot sportier with golden USD forks and golden shaded wheels. The new colour for R15 will be in addition to the existing colour options of dark knight, metallic red and racing blue.2023 Yamaha MT15 V2 Launch price Rs 1.68 lakhUpdates for MT-15 V2 include LED turn signals and dual-channel ABS. The current model has halogen turn signals and single-channel ABS. Visual updates include a new colour scheme of gloss black and red. Golden USD forks create a sporty profile in combination with the red coloured wheels and blacked-out components.Existing MT-15 is offered in colour options of ice fluo-vermillion, metallic black, racing blue, cyan storm and Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Edition. Yamaha R15 and MT-15 share the same 155cc, liquid cooled engine that churns out 18.4 PS of max power and 14.2 Nm of peak torque. It is mated to a 6-speed gearbox. More

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      New Keeway 125cc Cruiser With V Twin Debuts – India Bound?

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      The V-twin engine on Keeway V-Cruise 125 makes 13.7 bhp of power and 14.4 Nm of torque – Gets liquid coolingNew Keeway 125cc CruiserKeeway is a Hungarian motorcycle brand which is owned by China’s QJ Motor. Keeway motorcycles have been launched in India via AARI (Aadishwar Auto Ride India), who also sell other motorcycle brands alongside, like Benelli, QJ and Moto Morini bikes.Now, Keeway has launched a new 125cc motorcycle, called V-Cruise 125. This is a 125cc equipped cruiser motorcycle with a V-twin engine. Yes. A V-Twin. In the grand scheme of things, Keeway V-Cruise 125 is a rebadged Benda motorcycle, a Chinese upstart bike maker.New Keeway V-Cruise 125This is a similar strategy Keeway and Benda had applied for the V302 C cruiser, which is on sale in India for Rs 3.89 lakh, ex-sh. Though a Benda product, it is marketed as a Keeway motorcycle in select countries, including India. Now, Benda’s V-Cruise 125 has been launched as Keeway V-Cruise 125 in select markets.If parked side-by-side, there is hardly any difference between V302 C and V-Cruise 125 in terms of design. Except for V-Cruise branding on V-Cruise 125 and 302 branding on V302 C. The slotted brake rotors with 300mm disc at front and 240 mm disc at the rear, front USD forks, rear telescopic shock absorbers, seat, 15L fuel tank, handlebars, instrument console, round headlight, engine block size, chassis, radiator at front, bar-end mirrors, everything.New Keeway 125cc CruiserNot just that, alloy wheels, exhaust routing and end can, battery box cover, branding on fuel tank, front and rear fenders, subframe, round protruding tail light, number plate holder and turn indicators at the front and rear are all identical. Even the tyres and colour options are identical too.When everything about Keeway V-Cruise 125 was similar to its bigger brother V302 C, we took a look at their dimensions. Take a guess at the result. If you thought they were identical, you’re bang on. Measuring 2.12 m in length, 0.8 m in width, 1.05 m in height and with a seat height of 0.69 m, both are identical.Engine & SpecsWhere they differ is in kerb weight as V3102C weighs in at 167 kg, while V-Cruise weighs 140 kg. Even though braking hardware is similar, only V302C gets dual-channel ABS, while V-Cruise 125 has to do with CBS.Differentiation continues with performance figures. Donning a larger engine, Keeway V302C makes 29.09 bhp of power and 26.5 Nm of torque. Keeway V-Cruise 125 makes just 13.7 bhp of power and 14.4 Nm of torque. Given that cycle parts are identical, Keeway might consider launching this in India too. This will complete Keeway’s cruiser lineup in India consisting of 125cc (Keeway V-Cruise 125), 250cc (Keeway K-Light 250V) and 300cc (Keeway V302C). More

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      Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 Exhaust Note Sound – New Spy Video

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      With its aggressive styling and improved performance, Himalayan 450 is expected to emerge as a more popular choice than the existing 411cc modelRoyal Enfield Himalayan 450 Exhaust NoteRoyal Enfield has been making the right moves in its evolution, which has helped the company to maintain a sizeable lead over rivals. After establishing its dominance in 350cc and 650cc space, Royal Enfield is now focusing on 450cc segment.It is expected that the first 450cc bike from Royal Enfield will be Himalayan 450. It was spied recently and appears to be in production-ready form. Apart from Himalayan, Royal Enfield’s 450cc range will also have Hunter 450, a cafe-racer, tourer and a scrambler.Himalayan 450 exhaust note, featuresWith its new bikes, Royal Enfield has been working to improve the aural experience. Instead of the typical loud dug-dug sound, new RE bikes have a more refined exhaust note. This is applicable for Himalayan 450 as well. While the throaty feel is still there, the output is more restrained and mellowed. At higher revs, the exhaust note sounds even smoother.Although it shares the same name, Himalayan 450 is a lot different from existing 411cc Himalayan. It comes across as more agile, which implies that the bike can be used for both commuting and touring needs. It is not burdened by the bulky-looking racks that existing Himalayan has. Some key highlights include high-mounted secondary fender, compact windscreen, round headlamp, circular rear-view mirrors, sleek turn signals, curvy fuel tank and stubby exhaust.[embedded content][embedded content]Himalayan 450 has a new circular instrument display, which could be an LCD or TFT screen. This update has helped reduce clutter in the cockpit area. The screen is fairly large and should be able to display a wide range of information. Another advantage is that the screen is positioned at almost 90° angle. This will ensure that users don’t have to take their eyes off the road when looking at the instrument console.Himalayan 450 has relaxed ergonomics with raised handlebar and centrally placed footpegs. Rider seat height is quite low, which should ensure improved balance and handling. The bike is also designed in a way that makes it easier to ride standing up.Himalayan 450 performance, specsHimalayan 450 is expected to deliver around 35 bhp of max power and 40 Nm of peak torque. Royal Enfield is likely to aim at achieving a level of performance that either matches or exceeds numbers of rivals. Himalayan 450 will go up against the likes of KTM 390 Adventure and upcoming Hero XPulse 400. The engine onboard Himalayan 450 will have a 6-speed gearbox. It is expected to get liquid cooling.Test mules of Himalayan 450 have been spotted with USD front forks from Showa. However, these don’t seem to have an adjustability function for rebound and compression. At rear, the bike has monoshock suspension. It has disc brakes at both ends and is expected to get dual-channel switchable ABS. Himalayan 450 could get advanced features such as ride modes and ride-by-wire system. More

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      Top 10 150cc To 200cc Motorcycles Dec 2022 – Pulsar, Apache, R15, MT15, KTM

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      Motorcycle sales in the 150-200cc segment has posted a YoY and MoM de-growth in Dec 2022 with most models in the redBajaj PulsarLackluster sales were seen for motorcycles in this 150-200cc segment as most models have witnessed a substantial decline. Sales in this segment dipped 18.81 percent on a YoY basis to 95,658 units in Dec 2022 down from 1,17,824 units in Dec 2021. This was a 22,166 unit volume de-growth. MoM sales also fell significantly by 15.63 percent from 1,13,380 units sold in Nov 2022.Leading the list was Bajaj Pulsar with a 1.86 percent YoY de-growth to 33,804 units, down from 34,445 units sold in Dec 2021. There was however, a 24.77 percent MoM growth from 27,092 units sold in Nov 2022. It may be recalled that in Nov 2022, the Pulsar was at No.3 on this list with the Unicorn and Apache taking top 2 spots. Market share of Bajaj Pulsar in this range currently stands at 35.34 percent up from 23.89 percent held in Nov 2022.Top 10 150cc To 200cc Motorcycles Dec 2022TVS Apache was at No. 2 with 22,181 units sold in Dec 2022. This was a 5.75 percent YoY de-growth from 23,533 units sold in Dec 2021 while MoM sales fell by 18.22 percent over 27,122 units sold in Nov 2022. At the 3rd spot was the Unicorn with YoY and MoM degrowth of 10.82 percent and 39.66 percent respectively. Sales which had stood at 28,729 units in Nov 2022 and at 19,321 units in Dec 2021 dipped even further to 17,335 units in Dec 2022.It was also a de-growth in YoY and MoM sales for the Yamaha R15. Sales dipped 23.74 percent YoY to 6,827 units in Dec 2022, down from 8,952 units sold in Dec 2021. MoM sales fell by 8.08 percent from 7,427 units sold in Nov 2022. Yamaha FZ sales fell 69.16 percent YoY to 6,103 units in Dec 2022 from 19,790 units sold in Dec 2021. MoM performance was no better, down 23.60 percent from 7,988 units sold in Nov 2022.150cc to 200cc Motorcycle Sales Dec 2022 vs Dec 2021 – YoY AnalysisEven as sales of the Yamaha MT15 and KTM 200 improved on a YoY basis by 84.91 percent and 16.87 percent respectively to 3,247 units and 1,794 units sold in Dec 2022, MoM performance remained low. MT15 sales dipped 48.75 percent from 6,335 units sold in Nov 2022 while KTM 200 sales fell by 21.76 percent as compared to 2,293 units sold in Nov 2022.Xtreme 160R, XPulse 200, Avenger Sales Dec 2022All other motorcycles on this list saw YoY degrowth. Xtreme 160R / 200 sales dipped 24.81 percent YoY to 1,400 units from 1,862 units sold in Dec 2021. It however performed better on a MoM basis, up by 17.06 percent from 1,196 units sold in Nov 2022.It was the same story for Xpulse 200 which saw its YoY sales down by 64.65 percent to 896 units in Dec 2022 from 2,535 units sold in Dec 2021. MoM sales showed better performance up 53.95 percent over 582 units sold in Nov 2022.150cc to 200cc Motorcycle Sales Dec 2022 vs Nov 2022 – MoM AnalysisBajaj Avenger (782 units) suffered a YoY and MoM de-growth while Hornet 2.0 (681 units) and XBlade (373 units) suffered a MoM de-growth. There was also the recently launched Kawasaki W175 bike with 224 units sold in Dec 2022. This newcomer to this segment is powered by a 177cc single cylinder engine that makes 13 hp power and 13.2 Nm torque and mated to a 5 speed gearbox. In the last two positions were the Gixxer (11 units) and CB200X (0 units) sold in Dec 2022. More

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      2023 Yamaha MT15 Old Vs New Walkaround – Top 5 Changes

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      As part of MY2023 upgrade, Yamaha is now offering LED turn indicators, dual-channel ABS, TCS, OBD II diagnostics, and new colours2023 Yamaha MT15 – Old vs New. Image – Burn Piston 2.0Yamaha, came up with a naked version of its flagship R15, named MT15. This had the same beating heart as its race-faired sibling, albeit in a more affordable package. It featured a robotic face, reminiscent of Micheal Bay’s Transformers movies and overall athletic charisma.It looked right, performed right and was priced below R15 with mostly the same mechanicals. In April 2022, Yamaha updated MT15 with USD front forks, an aluminium swingarm, Bluetooth connectivity and more for a price bump of Rs. 13K. When Yamaha MT-15 Version 2.0 was launched, it garnered a reputation for being pricey. It lacked certain features that owners would expect from a motorcycle priced at a premium. Some of those features are now added by Yamaha for MY2023. Let’s take a look at 5 key takeaways when compared to the outgoing model.Yamaha MT15 Old Vs NewWe have covered MY2023 MT-15 before. Since there is no official information divulged from Yamaha’s end, there are very few things known about this new model. We have compiled 5 key elements where MY2023 Yamaha MT-15 comes off as a better-equipped motorcycle. Hat tip to Burn Piston 2.0 for sharing their video with us.For starters, Yamaha is now offering dual-channel ABS. This is the most significant addition to MT15. Dual-channel ABS was speculated to make it on MT-15 with Version 2.0, but it wasn’t. The second most significant update to MY2023 MT15 is the addition of a traction control system (TCS). Yamaha has made TCS switchable too, which is handy if the system is ever too intrusive.[embedded content][embedded content]Both dual-channel ABS and TCS were on offer in R15 V4 since day one. Now, they are a part of its naked sibling MT15 too. Third addition to the 2023 model is the new OBD II monitoring and diagnostics. According to reports, diagnostics reports can be retrieved from Yamaha’s smartphone app as well. This means RDE compliance, meeting phase II of BS6 norms.2023 Yamaha MT15 – Old vs NewThe fourth addition is more of a feel-good addition, instead of a must-have. Weirdly, it is LED turn indicators. We say weirdly because it is a head-scratcher how Yamaha got away with offering halogen bulbs on its flagship products in India. Not just Yamaha, but many other bike makers follow this practice. Price-according features should be a no-brainer, right?New ColoursThis might seem trivial. However, it should have been included in the package since day one. Until now, Yamaha only offered LED turn indicators as a paid accessory. Heck, non-M variants of R15 V4 shockingly still don’t get LED blinkers in MY2023 models as well. Sticking with 2023 MT-15, we now get new colour combinations. A metallic Black shade with Fluorescent Red wheels was never offered before.2023 Yamaha MT15 – Old vs NewThere is still no word about turn-by-turn navigation added with MY2023 MT-15 and R15. This was the one feature that people craved since Bluetooth was added. Except for these five changes, Yamaha MT-15 has been kept identical to the outgoing model. This means the same robotic face, handsome design and the 155cc 4V VVA engine with 18.4 PS of power and 14.2 Nm of torque. Launch is on Feb 13th and a price hike will be associated too. More

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      Ola Teases 5 Electric Motorcycles – 2023 S1 Scooter Variants, Prices

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      Earlier, Ola S1 Air only got a sole 2.5 kWh battery and now it offers a choice between 2 kWh, 3 kWh and 4 kWh as wellUpcoming Ola Electric Motorcycles TeasedOla Electric as an EV maker, has come a long way since its very inception. Their enthusiastic CEO Bhavish Aggarwal has lead his prized possession to what it is today – Ola Electric is the highest-selling 2W EV maker in India with sales crossing 18,000 mark in January 2023.Not only is the company offering new variants for the S1 range of electric scooters, we now have first teasers of the upcoming Ola electric motorcycle. This might be uncharted waters for Ola, but seeing their success in the electric scooter segment, one expects a similar performance going forward.Ola Teases 5 Electric MotorcyclesLet’s get the juicy bits out of the way first and then cover sensible bits. For starters, there is not one, but five different electric motorcycles that Ola has teased today. Sure, these are still in the design phase. It is likely that in the prototyping stage, they will be slightly toned down.Ola has tried to diversify its interests by widening the horizon where motorcycle body styles are concerned. At the center of it all, we have an electric ADV with Adventure insignia on it. It is visibly the largest of the bunch too. This is likely to go head-to-head with the upcoming electric Himalayan. It features knuckle guards, a futuristic design approach and a lot more.[embedded content][embedded content]We have a new cafe racer with a futuristic appeal too. This is unlike anything we have seen before in India or even the world (production motorcycles). It has a chunky face with sleek LED elements. Handlebars come out of it looking like horns of a raging bull. It gets an illuminated rear wheel, indicating it might feature a hub motor. Or it might just be a design element too.There is a street bike beside the ADV and is likely to be the least expensive offering among the five. Other two motorcycles look like they’re both flat trackers. In reality, one of them is likely to be a Scrambler, while the other one is definitely a flat tracker.S1 Electric Scooter LineupOla S1 range has been paramount for the brand in its success. Last year, we saw the addition of S1 Air, an inexpensive variant of the S1 and S1 Pro. It came with a 2.5 kWh battery pack, and has been taken offline and a 2 kWh priced Rs. 84,999, 3 kWh priced at Rs. 99,999 and a 4 kWh starting from Rs. 1,09,999 options are launched. People who booked 2.5 kWh option, will get a free upgrade to 3 kWh.2023 Ola S1 Electric Scooter LineupA 4.5 kW motor is standard with S1 Air lineup with a top speed of 85 km/h. Range varies from 85 km with a 2 kWh option, 125 km with a 3 kWh option and 165 km with a 4 kWh option. S1 Pro is kept as is with 4 kWh battery and 8.5 kWh motor with 116 km/h top speed and 181 km range. However, S1 range is now extended with a 2 kWh battery option.This is priced at Rs. 99,999 and gets an 8.5 kW motor with a 90 km/h top speed and 91 km of range. While S1 with a 3 kWh battery pack is retained as is with a 95 km/h top speed and 141 km of range. Priced at Rs. 1,09,999. Note: All prices are ex-sh, Bengaluru. Deliveries will commence in July 2023. More

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      New Royal Enfield L Series Launch Plans – First Electric Motorcycle

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      Royal Enfield L-Series EV Platform: A basic guideline of the path leading up to launchImage for illustration purpose. Credit – Gagan ChoudharyWe all know that a shift to a greener future in the automobile segment is in progress. Whether this greener future is dependent on Hydrogen or EVs or hybrids, it is not yet clear. Manufacturers are trying all available tech to build a greener future. Reliance Industries and Ashok Leyland just showcased Hydrogen run IC engines.For now, it seems that electric tech has a greater chance of being the future automotive industry. Global and Indian electric motorcycle industry expansion caters to eco-friendly and cost-efficient vehicles. Manufacturers compete to provide the latest technology and design to attract consumers. Indian buyers are becoming increasingly aware of the benefits of electric motorcycles.And the current e-scooter market shows they’re willing to pay a premium for them. Introduction of advanced EV models is an area of key interest. And Royal Enfield understands this perfectly well. It has previously been hinted that the brand is developing EVs. And now, new reports divulge more information about RE’s EV platform.New Royal Enfield L Series Launch PlansRoyal Enfield has been busy with research and development on EV tech, leading to the Electrik01 prototype prototype. The shift towards EVs is not difficult for a legacy brand like Royal Enfield, but the direction in which the brand goes will be interesting to know.Royal Enfield buys stake in Stark Electric MotorcycleRoyal Enfield’s first EV platform, codename L-platform, will feature various model/body types to be termed as L1A, L1B, and L1C. The EV lineup will cater to diverse motorcycling needs of global customers. The L-series platform is designed with a 96V architecture for electrifying performance, with a launch expected in H2 2024.Significant investments crucial to technological developmentRoyal Enfield plans to invest over $100-150 million in electric vehicle (EV) development. And has started work on its dedicated codenamed ‘L’ platform. Royal Enfield expects to sell 1.2-1.8 lakh electric motorcycles per annum. A prototype is expected to be showcased in the next 12 months. Validation by end 2023 would imply a ready for launch product by H2 2024.Given Royal Enfield’s marketing strategies, L-series EV platform will be utilised to create multiple body styles and will be marketed to global markets alongside India. In the meantime RE has to strategize for a balance between catering to existing classic bike fan base and its future EV customers.RE recently invested 50 million euros in Stark Future SL, a Spanish 2-wheel electric vehicle startupRE was allotted 55,363 Class A shares of Stark Future SL for a 10 percent stake in the EV startup. The transaction was completed on January 31, 2023. Both companies have entered into an agreement for research, technology sharing, technical licensing, and manufacturing of electric motorcycles. Operational since 2020, Stark Future SL has showcased its VARG electric motocross motorcycle.Financially, Royal Enfield has strong revenue and profit growth. However, its collaboration with Stark means high operational costs for now. Technologically, Royal Enfield has made significant investments in product development. And is yet to showcase its electric and digital technologies. While the manufacturer has a loyal customer base in India, its limited but growing international presence and brand recognition is an area of growth.Source More

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      Ather Electric Scooter Fire Incident Update – Official Statement

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      Ather 450X – Description of the fault, and how it led to the incident; damage limitation despite wiring harness catching fireAther Electric Scooter FireBy now, readers would be aware of the scooter fire in Bangalore. A few weeks ago, there was an incident involving an Ather electric scooter. But fear not. Ather Energy knows exactly what happened. And no, it didn’t blow up. The wiring harness did however catch fire. Even better, the customer is safe. And no further damage was reported.The root cause of the accident was traced back to a human error in the wiring harness assembly process. One of the connectors was improperly torqued, which led to sparking around the motor controller terminals. Although safety systems activated promptly to cut off power flow and limit damage, the wiring harness had already caught fire. Ather Energy has issued a statement to address the scooter fire.Ather Energy introduces two-step verification processIn taking full responsibility for this incident, Ather Energy has taken steps to ensure it does not happen again. Manufacturing operations have been updated and enhanced, including the introduction of a two-step verification process for the wiring harness assembly. This will help to reduce the risk of human error and increase the overall quality and safety of Ather e-scooters.Battery management systems (BMS) play a crucial role in ensuring the safety and reliability of electric vehicle (EV) batteries. The BMS monitors the battery cells in real-time, controlling the charging and discharging processes, and ensuring optimal battery performance. A dashboard safety system is also important in EVs, providing critical information to drivers, such as battery state-of-charge, range, and other performance metrics.[embedded content][embedded content]Explanation of the safety systems in place and how they prevented further damageIn the recent incident, it was confirmed that battery, BMS and dashboard systems performed as designed, and the battery remained unaffected. This highlights the high standards and rigorous testing protocols in place for EV battery systems.Ather Energy Official StatementIn all fairness, this appears to be an isolated incident. The incident has brought to light the importance of ensuring the highest standards of quality control. Ather Energy is committed to ensuring the safety and reliability of its e-scooters and continues to prioritise this in all operations. Case on point – Introduction of a two-step verification process for the wiring harness assembly.Electric two wheeler industry – high standards of quality and safetyElectric scooters are leading the way for EV sales. And as such, matters of breakdowns, fire, or even unsatisfactory performance are scrutinised with a fine tooth comb. Such concerns of existing and potential customers must be addressed promptly. Customers are looking for assurance that an EV manufacturer is committed to the safety and reliability of its products. As demand for EVs continues to grow, it’s crucial for manufacturers to prioritise battery and safety systems to ensure consumer confidence and trust. Adherence to international safety standards, such as UN 38.3, is essential to guarantee the safe and efficient operation of EVs.Companies are also investing in R&D to improve battery performance, safety and longevity, while reducing costs to make EVs more accessible to the masses. In conclusion, the battery, BMS, and dashboard safety systems are crucial components of any electric vehicle. As such, it’s imperative that manufacturers continue to prioritize and invest in their development to drive the growth and adoption of EVs. More