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      Royal Enfield Bullet 350 Standard Price Hike – May 2022

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      Similar to price hikes announced by other manufacturers, revised pricing of Bullet 350 is likely due to increase in input costsImage – Dev MTRRoyal Enfield recently increased prices across the range including Bullet 350. Due to supply chain disruption caused by the pandemic and subsequent shortage of parts and materials, there has been a significant increase in input costs. In the past two years, most OEMs have announced multiple price hikes.Royal Enfield Bullet 350 Prices May 2022Bullet 350 standard variant new price is Rs 1,47,999. The kickstart variant will cost Rs 1,54,674 whereas electric start variant is available at Rs 1,63,338. All prices are ex-showroom, Delhi. The bike remains unchanged mechanically, powered by a 346cc air cooled, FI engine. It generates 19.1 bhp of max power at 5,250 rpm and 28 Nm of peak torque at 4,000 rpm. It is mated to a 5-speed constant mesh transmission.Bullet 350 runs on 19-inch wheels at both ends. Suspension system comprises 35mm telescopic forks at front and twin rear shock absorbers with 5-step adjustable preload. Braking system has a 280mm disc at front and 153mm drum brake at rear. The bike is offered with single-channel ABS.Among Royal Enfield’s 350cc motorcycles, Bullet is usually placed at second or third spot in terms of sales. While Classic 350 leads by a significant margin, the second spot is a clash between Bullet and Meteor 350. In March 2022, Bullet was ahead of Meteor with sales of 8,283 units. Meteor was third with sales of 6,589 units.Royal Enfield Bullet 350 Prices May 2022An interesting thing to note is that Bullet 350’s popularity is limited to the domestic market. Unlike other Royal Enfield bikes that are preferred in overseas markers as well, Bullet 350 does not have any numbers to show in exports.New-gen Bullet 350 launchOne of the most iconic motorcycles in the country, Bullet is preferred for its dominating street presence, classic styling and thumping exhaust note. To enhance overall user experience, Royal Enfield will soon launch the next-gen version of Bullet. It will be based on the new 350cc platform and the new J-series engine.Meteor 350 was the first Royal Enfield bike based on the new 350cc platform. The updates were later introduced with Classic 350 as well. The new 350cc engine delivers slightly more power at 20.2 bhp. However, torque output is down by 1 Nm, as compared to the existing engine used with Bullet.Royal Enfield’s new 350cc platform is superior in several aspects including improved handling and control. As Meteor and Classic 350 users have reported, vibrations are almost non-existent even at high speeds. These benefits will be available with the new-gen Bullet as well.Visually, new-gen Bullet will continue with its retro styling and liberal use of chrome. Specific components like headlamp and taillamp will be updated. Some new colours could also be introduced. Riding ergonomics will be largely the same as earlier with scooped out rider seat, pulled-back handlebar and centrally placed footpegs. There is unlikely to be any major dimensional changes to Bullet that is 2170 mm long and 810 mm wide. More

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      Bajaj Electric Scooter Lineup To Expand – Under Chetak, Yulu Brands

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      Upcoming electric two-wheelers from Bajaj will be based on the Chetak platform and technologyBajaj Testing New Electric Scooter. Image – Tushar PawarAfter securing a win in the form of Chetak electric scooter, Bajaj Auto is looking to expand its EV lineup in the next few years. A test mule of Chetak based electric scooter has already been spied on test near the company plant in Pune.It should be noted that Bajaj created a separate business arm for electric two-wheelers called Chetak Technology that will spearhead their new EV expansion. As of now, the Chakan-based manufacturer has only one two-wheeler offering in the electric mobility space in the form of Chetak.Bajaj Electric Scooter Lineup ExpansionBajaj intends to add new products in the low- and mid-speed segments in association with the Yulu brand. For the uninitiated, Yulu is an EV manufacturing company that saw investment from Bajaj a few years ago. While Bajaj has revealed plans, it is yet to reveal any specific details regarding upcoming electric scooters.However, it is likely that the upcoming e-scooter could be based on the Chetak platform. As of now, Chetak is available only in a few cities and Bajaj wants to expand availability of the electric scooter to at least 100 centres in the next few years. However, there are various challenges related to supply chain issues that are posing a hindrance to this expansion.Bajaj Chetak Electric ScooterChallenges Faced by OEMsIrregularities in supply chain in the past two years have mostly been caused due to two major factors- shortage of semiconductor chips and Covid-19 pandemic. In addition to these, the Russia-Ukraine war has also contributed to global economic fallout. Sharma conceded that given the current scenario, it would take at least 12-18 months before normalcy is restored.Bajaj is working on addressing supply chain issues since the supply chain is unable to keep up with rising demand. However, the biggest impact has been created by total cost of ownership for EVs which makes it harder for consumers to switch from conventional IC engine models to battery-powered models. This has also led to an impact on the cost of cells that make up the battery pack.High Price of EVsOperating cost of EVs is primarily driven by initial ownership cost of batteries which is very high as of now. To counter this, the Government of India is looking to establish cell manufacturing facilities within the country to bring down production costs of batteries and in turn, result in lowering of prices for EVs.Bajaj Auto has its presence in over 70 countries and around 50 percent of the company’s business comes from there. There are various levels of EV penetration in these countries and the company is looking to mark its presence there as well. Bajaj believes that 30-40 percent of overall two-wheeler sales will come from EVs in the next 5-7 years. More

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      TVS Apache Prices May 2022 Increased – RTR 160, RTR 180, RTR 200, RR310

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      TVS currently retails 10 variants under the Apache range – RTR 160, RTR 160 4V, RTR 180, RTR 200 4V and RR 310TVS ApacheTVS Motor has hiked prices for the Apache range of motorcycles for May this year. This is the second price revision for the revered Apache series of sporty commuter bikes this year after prices were increased earlier in February this year. Price increases across all models are fairly nominal and range up to Rs 2,100.Apart from the flagship Apache RR 310, all models under the Pulsar brand have witnessed a uniform price hike of Rs 2,100 across all variants. The fully-faired sports bike has received a paltry price hike of Rs 90. It is available in a fully-loaded single trim which has now been priced at Rs 2,59,990 (ex-showroom).TVS Apache Prices May 2022The TVS Apache range starts with RTR 160 2V which is currently priced at Rs 1,11,740 for the drum brake variant and Rs 1,14,740 for the disc brake variant. Prices for the more powerful RTR 160 4V start at Rs 1,19,378 and top out at Rs 1,25,575.TVS also launched a superior Apache RTR 165 RP based on its race-spec model a few months back at a price of Rs 1.45 lakh. This limited edition model is currently off the shelves. The Hosur-based bikemaker offers Apache RTR 180 in a single trim which is priced at Rs 1,18,690.TVS Apache Prices May 2022On the other hand, Apache RTR 200 4V is offered in two variants- Single Channel ABS and Dual Channel ABS which are priced at Rs 1,38,190 and Rs 1,43,240, respectively. All prices mentioned above are ex-showroom.No updates in terms of specifications or features have been reported in any of the Apache motorcycles. The Apache range of motorcycles directly competes against the Pulsar range of bike from Bajaj which offer similar configurations at a similar price band. TVS is also offering complimentary TVS XPOD Helmet for certain Apache RTR models in selected states.Other updates from TVSAmong new launches, TVS recently introduced a new top-spec variant of Ntorq 125. Priced at 1.03 lakh (ex-showroom), the new Ntorq 125 XT is Rs 13,600 dearer than the next best Race XP Edition. For the additional premium over the Race XP variant, Ntorq 125 XT gets a new digital instrument console with a twin-screen layout. This instrument console is embedded with the latest version of SMARTXONNECT app.As far as sales go, TVS had recorded a total two-wheeler sales of 2,80,022 units for April this year. Out of this, the company dispatched 1,80,533 two-wheelers across the country whereas 99,489 units were shipped to overseas markets. Overall YoY growth stood at 23.80 percent and whereas MoM growth took a dip with a negative growth of 4.40 percent in April this year. More

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      2023 Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 Render Based On New Spy Shots

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      Upon its launch, the new Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 is expected to be a more potent rival to KTM 390 Adventure2023 Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 – RenderRoyal Enfield Himalayan was conceived by none other than their CEO, Siddhartha Lal. It was considered to be his brainchild, due to his love for riding motorcycles in the Himalayas. It was first showcased as a concept in 2015, and was launched in 2016. Apart from India, Himalayan is on sale in many countries around the globeThe initial years saw Royal Enfield fixing multiple issues that were reported by customers. To solve these, RE has delivered updates to the Himalayan every now and then, the latest being in 2021. With the Himalayan more or less sorted now, Royal Enfield has started work on Gen 2 Himalayan, which will be a completely different machine.2023 Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 RenderUpcoming next generation Himalayan will be powered by an all-new engine which will be more modern and powerful than the current 411cc unit. Test mules have already been spotted on a number of occasions. Based on these spy shots, design artist Pratyush Rout has created a digital rendering of the upcoming Himalayan 450. The adventure bike flaunts a fair bit of design updates, making it distinct from the current Himalayan.2023 Himalayan 450 render portrays it as a typical adventure bike with characteristic elements like a large windscreen, a beak upfront, a tall stance and a large luggage rack at rear. It is evident that the designer has tried to retain the core Himalayan DNA, as Royal Enfield intends to. That said, there are noticeable variations that set both motorcycles apart.2023 Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 – RenderFor instance, it gets a reshaped fuel tank which seems to be larger than the one in the current model. Split seats have been revised and appear to be more comfortable, especially for the pillion with its flat contour. Instead of a long, upswept exhaust in chrome finish, the upcoming model will feature a short bottle exhaust finished in black.2023 Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 – RenderRiding triangle appears to be slightly different from the current model and is focused on more comfort. Handlebar is taller and pulled towards the rider while footpegs are mounted centrally. Other visual highlights include a floating tail section, handguards, a redesigned rear panel, a circular headlamp and a new sleeker LED tail lamp with LED turn indicators.Expected Features & SpecsThe upcoming version of Himalayan gets completely new body panels. In terms of features, it will receive an all-new circular instrument console that is almost parallel to the front visor. Himalayan 450 is also expected to be laced with some modern gadgetry such as Bluetooth connectivity, turn-by-turn navigation, ride-by-wire throttle and riding modes like road, off-road and rain.2023 Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 – RenderSome major changes are expected under the skin. The new adventure bike will be underpinned by a trellis frame and is most likely to be lighter than the existing model. Suspension duties are expected to be carried out by new upside-down forks at front and a mono-shock at rear. Brakes are expected to be larger single-disc units at both ends, likely to be aided by a switchable ABS.The new Himalayan is expected to roll on similar 21-inch front and 17-inch rear wire-spoked wheels as before. The wheels will be wrapped by knobby dual-purpose tyres. Powering Himalayan 450 will be a brand new 450cc single-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine that could dish out around 40 bhp of peak power. This unit is expected to be paired with a 5-speed gearbox. More

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      Two Wheeler Retail Sales April 2022 – RE, Yamaha, Jawa, Yezdi, Hero Electric, Ather

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      The two wheeler segment saw a 37.99 percent increase in retail sales last month with Hero MotoCorp heading the listAther Electric ScooterEven as every OEM has noted increased sales in April 2022, the percentage hike in electric two wheelers was far greater than their petrol powered counterparts. Total two wheeler retail sales in April 2022 stood at 11,94,520 units, up 37.99 percent over 8,65,628 units sold in April 2021.It was also a 274.93 percent increase over 3,18,596 units sold in April 2020 while sales dipped 10.75 percent over 13,38,382 units sold during the pre-Covid period of April 2019. The segment has seen a boost in the past month despite the ever escalating petrol prices while the electric two wheeler segment has seen retail sales increase many times over.Two Wheeler Retail Sales April 2022Hero MotoCorp led the sales charts last month with 4,10,722 units sold. This was an increase over 2,99,597 units sold in April 2021 while market share dipped from 34.61 percent to 34.38 percent. Even as each of the company models, that included the likes of Hero Splendor, HF Deluxe, Glamour, Pleasure, Maestro, Passion, Destini, Xpulse 200, Xtreme 160R, etc, contributed to retail sales, it was the Hero Splendor motorcycle that received the most attention in domestic markets. Hero MotoCorp also launched Destini 125 XTEC in April 2022 priced at Rs 79,990 (ex-showroom).Honda two wheeler retail sales were at 2,94,720 units last month. This was an increase over 2,17,924 units sold in April 2021 while market share dipped to 24.67 percent over 25.18 percent held in April 2021. Honda will also focus on electric two wheelers and flex fuel vehicles. The two wheeler major currently sells the flex-fuel motorcycle – CG150 TITAN MIX besides NXR 150 Bros Mix and BIZ 125 Flex only in Brazilian markets.Two Wheeler Retail Sales April 2022 Vs April 2021 (YoY)At No. 3 was TVS Motor Company with sales of 1,80,159 units in April 2022. This was an increase over 1,28,426 units sold in April 2021. Market share increased on a YoY basis to 15.08 percent from 14.84 percent held in April 2021. Bajaj Auto was next with retail sales of 1,20,389 units in April 2022, up from 98,085 units sold in April 2021.Royal Enfield also noted increased retail sales to the extent of 47,052 units in April 2022, up from 42,295 units sold in April 2021, though market share dipped to 10.08 percent from 11.33 percent YoY. Suzuki and Yamaha Motors at Nos 6 and 7 also reported an increase in retail sales in the past month to 44,807 units and 41,323 units respectively.Electric Two Wheeler Retail Sales April 2022Outstanding growth in retail sales has been noted across the electric two wheeler segment. Ola Electric sales were at 12,691 units in the past month while Ola beat Hero Electric to become the No. 1 electric two wheeler maker in India. Okinawa Autotech sales increased to 11,012 units from 1,193 units sold in April 2021.Two Wheeler Retail Sales April 2022 Vs March 2022 (MoM)Hero Electric sales also saw a spurt in retail sales to 6,572 units in April 2022 up from 643 units sold in April 2021 while market share went up from 0.07 percent to 0.55 percent YoY. Also in the electric two wheeler segment were Ampere Vehicles Pvt. Ltd (6,539 units), Ather (2,445 units), PUR Energy (1,756 units) and Revolt (1,239 units).Classic Legends, which sells Jawa and Yezdi branded motorcycles, registered sales of over 3,600 units last month. They were at No 13 on the list. Piaggio was on No 12 with sales of over 4k units. There were other OEMs in this segment that also include electric vehicle makers that saw retail sales at 5,379 units in April 2022, up from 1,201 units sold in April 2021. More

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      2022 KTM RC 390 Launch Price Rs 3.14 Lakh – Official Website

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      Price of KTM’s pocket rocket is finally out and long-awaited launch isn’t that far away nowImage – MotobikeEarlier this week, KTM India announced the launch of new ADV 390. It is now on sale in India with a starting price of Rs 3.35 lakh, ex-sh. Next up, KTM will launch the much awaited RC 390. Ahead of official launch, the KTM India website has listed the price.Starting price of 2022 KTM RC390 would be Rs 3,13,922, ex-showroom. This places the New RC 390 in between the Duke 390 and ADV 390 – with about Rs 20k difference between all three motorcycles. Hat tip to automotive enthusiast Rahul TV for sharing the update.2022 KTM RC 390 – Sharper Looks2022 RC 390 has taken a giant leap forward when it comes to its looks. The unique twin projector headlight of the outgoing model will be replaced by a larger single LED one fitted with daytime running lights. The fairing with integrated indicators is also sharper looking and so are the new graphics all around the bike.No one will mistake the new for the old, so different they look. The 2022 KTM RC 390 also gets a new colour customizable Bluetooth-enabled TFT instrument cluster similar to the 390 Duke with an ambient light sensor which adjusts brightness according to changing light conditions. The seat comes in a different finish, possibly Alcantara with pillion seat as standard, while the same 17-inch wheels are retained on the new bike, however the five-spoke design is new. The 2022 RC 390 will be available in choice of two colours – Factory Racing Blue and Electric Orange.2022 KTM RC 390 PricesThe new bike gets WP Apex 43 upside-down forks with 120mm of travel at the front and a WP Apex monoshock suspension with 150mm of travel at the rear. Ground clearance of the bike is 158 mm while seat height is 824 mm. The bike weighs 160 kg without fuel. Fuel tank capacity also improves from 10 litres to 13.7 litres.Front brake is a 320mm single four-piston radial fixed calliper, while at the rear a 230mm single-piston floating calliper handles braking duties. Anti-lock braking system is a Bosch 9.1MP two channel ABS with option of switching off rear ABS. The bike also comes with traction control.Lighter ChassisThe chassis, which is 1.5 kg lighter than that of the previous generation, is made of trellis frame and bolt-on subframe. Clip-on handlebars are 15mm higher than previous generation RC 390s and this increased height aids in comfort and better visibility. On the race track, the height can be lowered 10mm for a racier riding posture. The 2022 KTM RC 390 also comes with cornering ABS which ensures that wheels don’t lock up when the rider brakes mid-corner.The 2022 KTM RC 390 is powered by the familiar 373cc liquid-cooled, single-cylinder, four-stroke petrol engine putting out 42.9 hp and 37 Nm of torque. The bike comes with a larger airbox which aids power and torque output at all rpms while a new ride-by-wire system sends precise throttle inputs to the engine enhancing performance. The 6-speed gearbox is equipped with slipper clutch and a quickshifter. More

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      Upcoming Benelli 700cc ADV Motorcycle Leaks – Kawasaki Versys 650 Rival

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      Benelli TRK 702 will be powered by a new 693cc parallel-twin engine and will be available in both road-biased and off-road derivativesUpcoming Benelli 700cc Adventure MotorcycleBenelli has been working on expanding its middleweight adventure tourer lineup which currently comprises TRK 251, TRK 502 and TRK 800. In India, the Chinese-owned Italian brand offers TRK 251 and TRK 502 while TRK 800, which recently made its debut at the last edition of EICMA, is considered too premium a product for the country.Hence, Benelli is developing another middleweight adventure bike that will sit in between TRK 502 and TRK 800. Type approval documents of a new TRK 702 have been leaked which looks very similar to TRK 800. Interestingly, the new proposition is a bit more exciting than its bigger sibling, at least on paper.Benelli TRK 702- Powertrain SpecsFor instance, specs of TRK 702 seem to closely match those of its larger sibling TRK 800. While the former gets a 693cc parallel-twin motor that dishes out 75 bhp, the latter draws power from a 754cc parallel-twin unit that pumps out 76 horses. This 693cc unit has been developed by Benelli’s parent company, QJ Motor and has recently appeared in several of its offerings in China.This power plant looks familiar to the motor used by the CFMoto 700CL-X which itself is a derivative of Kawasaki’s 650cc parallel-twin unit. However, the one in 700CL-X kicks out 70.7 bhp and 61 Nm of peak torque. A new engine meant that Benelli had to employ a different chassis although construction of the trellis frame is fairly similar to the bigger TRK 800.Upcoming Benelli 700cc Adventure MotorcycleHardware SpecsIt also receives a new swingarm while the bodywork, though completely new, is highly inspired by the existing TRK 800. TRK 702 rides on 19-inch front and 17-inch rear wire-spoked wheels that are shod with dual-purpose tyres. However, it is also expected to be offered in a road-biased variant with 17-inch front and rear cast-aluminium wheels.Braking duties will be handled by petal-style twin discs up front and a single disc brake at rear and chewed down by radial Brembo callipers. This will be aided by a dual-channel ABS. Suspension setup should offer long travel with inverted forks up front and a mono-shock at rear, presumably with some degree of adjustability. In all likelihood, it will borrow Marzochhi suspension from TRK 800.Design & Expected India LaunchTRK 702 flaunts a traditional ADV attire with highlights like a tall stance, a butch bodywork with a heavily faired front end, a split seating setup, a beak upfront and a tall windscreen. The overall build looks purposeful with accessories like a rear luggage rack, centre stand, handguards and pannier boxes.As for launch in India, it is too soon to predict such a development. That said, Benelli TRK 702 might turn out to be the perfect rival to its Japanese rivals in the form of Kawasaki Versys 650 and Suzuki V-Strom 650XT and Triumph Tiger Sport 660. More

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      Horwin SK3 Electric Scooter Updated – Gets Longer Range Of 300 Kms

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      In Europe, Horwin SK3 electric scooter has been priced at 4,500 Euros which is approximately Rs 3.63 lakhHorwin SK3 Electric ScooterThe electric two-wheeler segment is booming across several international markets all over the globe. Even in India, the market has seen several new players enter this space in recent times. As demand for electric mobility rises, we will see more and more new players in this space.After launching the SK3 electric scooter in Europe earlier in January this year, Chinese EV manufacturer- Horwin, has launched an updated iteration of the e-scooter in its home market. Aesthetically the China-spec SK3 is identical to its European counterpart but gets some significant upgrades underneath its skin.Horwin SK3- StylingUnlike contemporary electric scooters, Horwin SK3 gets a sleek and sharp design that adopts Maxi scooter stylings. However, the spine running through its floorboard is now as tall and prominent as modern maxi-style scooters. Upfront, SK3 gets a twin LED headlamp cluster mounted on the apron. It gets a flat single-piece seat, a single-piece grab rail and a small, adjustable flyscreen.SK3 features many cuts and creases along its front and side panels which gives it a modern and futuristic appeal. The chunky single-piece grab rail can be replaced with a luggage mounting rack or a pannier box with a pillion backrest as an accessory. The e-scooter has been designed for daily commutes as well as long-distance touring.[embedded content][embedded content]Updated Powertrain for Chinese marketHowever, the Europe-spec model only offers a claimed range of 80km on a single charge that can be extended to 160km by adding a second battery pack. This is where the Chinese model will shine as it will cater to customers intending to take it for touring purposes. The updated SK3 comes with a larger 72V 36Ah lithium-ion battery pack that sends power to a 3.1kW motor.This powertrain returns a peak power output of 6.3 kW (8.5 bhp). With a single battery installed, this setup offers a claimed range of 160km on a single charge that can be extended up to 300km by adding a second battery pack. Top speed of this electric scooter has been capped at 90 kmph, in order to optimize battery power. Horwin will be providing its customers with an 8A charger as standard.Features & Hardware on offerComing to features, SK3 comes with a fully digital instrument cluster which is equipped with a smartphone connectivity feature. Other notable features on offer include a smart key lock system, cruise control and full LED illumination. Underseat storage is decent enough to store one’s knick-knacks but gets reduced drastically with addition of a second battery.Hardware configurations of the battery-powered scooter comprise a suspension setup comprising conventional telescopic forks at front and dual rear springs. The scooter rides on black 14-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels. Braking setup consists of a front disc and a rear drum unit assisted by a Combi Braking System (CBS). More