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    2021 Suzuki Hayabusa 2nd Batch Of 100 Units Sold Out In Record 1 Hour

    Image – KARAN SEHGALThe new-gen Suzuki Hayabusa was launched in India in April 2021 and carries a sticker price of Rs 16.40 lakh (ex-showroom)
    Suzuki has already tasted success with the new generation Hayabusa in India as the first batch was sold out within a couple of days of its launch. The same was expected to happen when the second batch of the supersport bike went.
    The Japanese brand had announced that bookings for the second batch of Hayabusa commence from 10 am on July 1, 2021. Surprisingly, the second batch went off the shelf even faster. Yes, new gen Hayabusa bookings have been closed once again as the entire batch has been sold out in under 1 hour.
    Price & Availability
    Like the first batch, in which only 101 units were on sale, in the second batch too, similar number was available for online reservation. Only 100 units were on offer in the 2nd batch. Interested buyers could book a new Hayabusa by visiting the company’s official India website and register their bookings against a token amount of Rs 1.00 lakh. The motorcycle currently retails at a price of Rs 16.40 lakh (ex-showroom).
    Enthusiasts and prospective buyers have been waiting ardently for over two months for the second batch of the monster superbike. Hopefully all who were waiting got to book the bike or else will now have to wait for 3rd batch Hayabusa bookings to open.
    2021 Suzuki Hayabusa
    Deliveries of 2nd batch Hayabusa motorcycles are expected to commence in the next few weeks. It is, however, difficult to comprehend if the next batch of Hayabusa has indeed arrived in India or not. Compared to its localised predecessor, the new-gen Hayabusa costs around Rs. 2.70 lakh which is brought as a full import under the CBU route.
    Conditions & Accessories package
    One must note that an amount of Rs 25,000 might be deducted from the booking amount in case if the information submitted mismatches or if a buyer selects a wrong colour scheme. The remaining sum will be refunded. Unlike the first batch of the new Hayabusa where a rear seat cowl was offered as a complementary unit, the customers have to pay for a rear seat cowl along with other optional accessories. Other optional add-ons from the bike’s accessories package include front axle slider, fuel tank pad, rim stickers, rearview mirror covers, touring windscreen and luggage hook.
    Engine Specs & Features
    The new-gen Hayabusa is powered by a 1340cc in-line 4-cylinder engine which complies with the updated Euro-5/BS6 emission norms. This unit pumps out 187 bhp at 9700rpm and 150 Nm of peak torque at 7000rpm and is paired with a 6-speed gearbox accompanied by a bi-directional quick-shifter. Although this motor is 10 bhp less powerful and 5 Nm less torquey than its previous iteration, the new ‘Busa’ is quicker thanks to a tweaked ECU and a lighter engine block.
    Further, the new Hayabusa gets a bunch of new rider-assist electronic aids that fall under SIRS (Suzuki Intelligent Ride System). This offers a plethora of rider aids such as multiple ride modes, launch control, cruise control, engine brake control, traction control, power mode selector, anti-lift control system and more. It also receives cornering ABS and a 6-axis IMU. More

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    Ola Electric Scooter Launch This Month – To Rival Bajaj Chetak, TVS iQube, Ather

    New Ola Electric Scooter For IndiaOla had signed an MoU with the Tamil Nadu government worth Rs 2,400 crore for the upcoming EV manufacturing plant in December 2020
    Ola Group Chairman & CEO, Bhavish Aggarwal, recently revealed the brand’s first electric scooter in its final production form as he took it for a spin on Bangalore streets. The eco-friendly scooter is likely to be officially launched in a couple of weeks, maybe by the end of this month.
    As mentioned previously, the upcoming e-scooter from Ola will be based on Etergo Appscooter and will borrow most of its design elements from the latter. The ride-hailing platform acquired Netherlands-based Etergo BV in May last year and created its own electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing arm called Ola Electric.
    The e-scooter has been spotted testing on multiple occasions in the past few months and Ola claims that it will offer class-leading speed, performance and range. However, Ola has not released any specific details about the e-scooter’s technical specifications yet.
    It is also expected to borrow most of its features from its Dutch twin including alloy wheels, spacious under-seat storage, removable Lithium-ion battery, digital instrument console, cloud connectivity and more. Apart from offering best in class features, expect the Ola scooter to also offer best in class range.
    Ola Electric Scooter
    Largest EV Manufacturing Facility
    Ola is constructing a state-of-art manufacturing facility in Krishnagiri district of Tamil Nadu which is slated to be the largest two-wheeler factory when completed. In its full operational capability, this plant will have a production capacity of 2 million electric two-wheelers per annum and would generate around 10,000 jobs.
    The facility will comply with Industry 4.0 norms and in full capacity, will be capable of producing a scooter every two seconds. As per a recent update, Phase 1 of the manufacturing plant is nearing completion and production is expected to kick start soon.
    What remains uncertain is whether the first batch of the upcoming e-scooter will be imported or locally assembled models. According to earlier reports, the first batch of electric two-wheelers will be directly imported from Etergo’s Amsterdam-based facility. More details are expected to surface at the time of its official launch.
    Hypercharging Network & Price
    The shared mobility startup is also looking to build a wide network of Hypercharging stations and battery swapping facilities to address the range issue of all upcoming electric two-wheelers. After introduction of the revised FAME II policies recently, Ola is expected to keep the price of its e-scooter very competitive. Upon its launch, Ola e-scooter will rival the likes of Ather 450X, Bajaj Chetak and TVS iQube among others. More

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    Yamaha R15, MT15 Price Hike July 2021 – To Get Bluetooth Update Soon

    Image – Automobile Info OnlyYamaha R15 V3 is now costlier by 2.5k, and MT15 by upto 5k depending on variant
    With the start of Q2 FY22, a range of auto manufacturers have revised the price list of products. While the quantum of price revision varies depending on product, this isn’t the first price hike this fiscal. Most manufacturers carried out a similar exercise at the start of April 2021. By and large, price hikes are attributed to increase in input costs.
    While Yamaha MT15 price hike three months earlier hovered at around a grand across variants, the price hike now is visibly higher. A listed price of Rs 1,45,900 means variants are now costlier by about Rs 4,000 – Rs 5,000. Prices three months earlier were listed between Rs 1,40,900 – Rs 1,41,900. Once Yamaha India launches MT15 with dual channel ABS, expect that variant to command a pricier tag.
    Yamaha R15 and MT 15 Prices – July 2021 vs April 2021
    Yamaha is also getting ready to launch bluetooth equipped variants of R15 and MT15. The same feature has already been launched in the FZ range, called Yamaha Connect X. It will allow riders to answer back calls, riding history, parking record, locate my bike, hazard as well as allow e-lock – all via smartphone app.
    Price hike in Q2 FY22
    Yamaha YZF R15 V3 variants are now costlier by 2.5k. In the previous quarter, R15 variants were made costlier by 1.5k. Thunder Grey and metallic variants now cost Rs 1,54,600, Racing Blue costs Rs 1,55,700, and Dark Knight is available at a price of Rs 1,56,700. Both, R15 and MT15 are also expected to feature bluetooth connectivity soon.
    Yamaha R15 and MT 15 Prices – July 2021 vs Dec 2020
    Yamaha India has not yet released June 2021 sales. However, the quarter ended June has been a trying period for manufacturers. Given the grip the current wave of Covid-19 pandemic on the economy, and resulting business limitations, Yamaha India cumulative domestic wholesales For April and May 2021 was just shy of 46k units. Given that India was under complete lockdown for much of the comparable quarter in 2021, no meaningful YoY comparison can be made.
    Yamaha FZ range
    Based on current medical advisories that are closely dependent on recovery rate, states are individually drafting partial lockdowns. Given necessary preparations being made for a consequent Covid-19 wave, businesses can only hope to inch towards full functionality under much caution.
    A fortnight earlier, the manufacturer launched FZ-X, an entry level retro bike in the 150cc segment. Yamaha already has a winner in its FZ range, an important volume product in the domestic, and export markets. Given that India offers great opportunities in the small cc mass market, strengthening its current lineup is an expected move.
    Furthermore, since volumes have contracted across the market, it’s necessary for manufacturers to build on market share. Following market contraction in the last fiscal, Q1 performance hasn’t been uplifting for the Indian auto industry. More

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    2021 BMW G310R, G310GS Gets New Black Colour Option

    2021 BMW G310R – New Black ColourEngine, features and other specs are the same as earlier for both motorcycles
    As part of its strategy to refresh its portfolio, BMW Motorrad USA has introduced new colour options for several of its motorcycles. The latest colour updates have been announced for G310R and G310GS, which are the smallest capacity bikes in the company’s portfolio. It is possible that the new colour options could be introduced in the Indian market as well.
    BMW G310R colour updates
    Colour options for existing G310R include Polar White, Style Sport and Cosmic Black. Polar White has been discontinued and in its place, a new Style Passion Vibrant Kyanite Blue Metallic shade has been added. This new colour theme utilizes a total of four distinctive colours, red, blue, white and black. There’s a fifth colour element as well in the form of gold anodized inverted front forks.
    Vibrant Kyanite Blue Metallic shade looks absolutely stunning to say the least. This will surely appeal to folks who like to flaunt their rides. However, for people with sober tastes, this colour scheme may be a bit too glaring.
    This colour theme utilizes red paint on the frame and alloy wheels. White, red and blue shades can be seen on the fuel tank, side panels, front fender, headlight cowl and seat cowl. The rest of the bike carries the black shade including the engine.
    2021 BMW G310R – New Colour
    Talking about Cosmic Black, the colour now comes in a darker shade. It gets a simple name change as ‘Cosmic Black 2’. It is essentially an all-black colour theme. The only contrasting elements are the white coloured rear suspension spring, metallic exhaust heat shield, and golden inverted forks.
    The third colour option Style Sport Limestone Metallic has been retained. This theme utilizes a combo of three prominent colours – red, black and white.
    BMW G310GS colour updates
    Here too, the earlier Cosmic Black shade has been replaced by Style Triple Black Cosmic Black 2 paintwork. The other two shades, Rallye Style Kyanite Blue paintwork and Polar White, have been retained as is.
    2021 BMW G310GS – New Black Colour
    In other updates, the 40th Years of GS Edition has been discontinued. This is a special edition that is offered with several BMW motorcycles including G310GS. This edition utilizes a black-yellow look, nicknamed ‘Bumblebee’.
    BMW G310R and G310GS get their power from a 313cc single cylinder, water cooled motor. It is capable of generating 34 hp of max power at 9,250 rpm and 28 Nm of peak torque at 7,500 rpm. It is mated to a constant mesh 6-speed gearbox. More

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    KTM Duke 125, 200, 250, 390 ADV, RC And Husqvarna – July 2021 Prices

    Image – AUTOHOLIC MANISHKTM and Husqvarna have released fresh prices of their models which have been in effect since July 1, 2021
    A fresh bout of price hike has been kickstarted by automotive brands in India. Bajaj Auto’s alliance partner KTM has hiked prices for all models under its own brand and Husqvarna brand by a considerable amount. The latest price revision is the third instance this year and certainly not going to be the last.
    The hike in prices is attributed to rising input costs caused due to high inflation of the market. This might affect the prospects of new consumers wanting to own a new automobile. Meanwhile, the latest price hike from KTM and Husqvarna ranges from Rs 2,022 to Rs 11,685. Other than revision of prices, there is no update on any motorcycle on any level. Latest price hike is upto a staggering 6.36%.
    KTM 125, 200 Range
    The KTM range starts with Duke 125 now priced at Rs 1.70 lakh as opposed to Rs 1.60 lakh after a hike of Rs 10,196. RC 125 is up next, whose price has been increased by Rs 10,324 and now offered at Rs 1,80,538. Prior to this update, the entry-level sportbike was offered at Rs 1,70,214.
    These two are among the best selling KTMs in India and now come with the highest price hike among the KTM India range. Both motorcycles share the same underpinnings and are powered by a 125cc single-cylinder liquid-cooled engine which delivers 14.5 bhp at 9250rpm and 12 Nm of peak torque at 8000rpm.
    KTM and Husqvarna Prices July 2021 vs Last Price Hike In April 2021
    Duke 200 has witnessed the least hike in the form of Rs 2,278 and is now priced at Rs 1,85,606 as opposed to Rs 1,83,328 previously. RC200 can now be had at Rs 2,08,602 instead of Rs 2,06,349 after a price increment of Rs 2,253. Both motorcycles are powered by a 200cc single-cylinder liquid-cooled engine which churns out 25.83 bhp at 10,000rpm and 19.5 Nm of torque at 8000rpm.
    KTM and Husqvarna Prices July 2021 vs Nov 2020. This is the 5th price hike since Nov 2020.
    KTM 250, 390 Range
    KTM will now offer Duke 250 at a price of Rs 2,28,736 after a hike of Rs 7,104. Earlier it was priced at Rs 2,21,632. Duke 250 is the only bike in the KTM range which hasn’t received any substantial price hike and only received a hike of Rs 256 due to an increase in freight charges. It continues to be priced at Rs. 2.55 lakh. Both models are propelled 249cc 4-valve DOHC engine which develops 30 bhp at 9000 rpm and a peak torque of 24 Nm at 7500rpm.
    390 Series of KTM comprises three models- Duke 390, RC 390 and Adventure 390. All have received a similar hike of around Rs 11,600 and are now priced at Rs 2,87,545, Rs 2,77,515 and Rs 3,28,286 respectively. All of them feature the same 373cc single-cylinder liquid-cooled engine which pushes out 43.5 bhp at 9000rpm and 37 Nm of torque at 7000 rpm.
    Husqvarna Range
    There are only two models retailed under the Husqvarna brand in India- Svartpilen 250 and Vitpilen 250. They are currently priced at Rs 2,10,650 and Rs 2,10,022 respectively after a hike of Rs 11,908. Both Swedish models feature the same 249cc liquid-cooled engine they share with their Austrian cousins. All prices mentioned are ex-showroom. More

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    2021 Benda BD300 Cruiser Debuts – Honda Rebel, Royal Enfield Rival

    2021 Benda BD300 CruiserThe new iteration of the BD300 cruiser from Benda is a more comfortable option than the standard variant
    Benda is one of the very few Chinese automakers which is lauded for its authentic designs. Alongside the new LFC700, the company has also presented a new variant of its entry-level 300cc cruiser. The company has officially unveiled Greystone BD300-16 which is a slightly more premium variant of the current Jinjira BD300-15
    To be clear, Greystone is not a successor to Jinjira as both will be sold alongside each other under the BD300 lineup. The new variant gets some design updates over its predecessor which makes it a more comfortable touring option. Test mules of the motorcycle have been previously spotted in China.
    Design Updates
    The first major update on the new BD300 variant is a split-type exhaust setup with pipes and mufflers on both sides of the motorcycle. In Jinjira, the cruiser also gets a twin exhaust setup but stacked on one side of the bike.
    Design of the fuel tank, fenders and alloy wheels have also been revised. There have been plenty of subtle tweaks made to improve the ergonomics. For starters, instead of a flat dragster-style handlebar on Jinjira, Greystone gets a taller conventional cruiser-like handlebar.
    2021 Benda BD300 Cruiser
    Ergonomics Updates
    The raised handlebar provides a taller stance and better reach to the rider making it more comfortable in longer journeys. Even footpegs have been made wider. The new BD300-16 gets a new split-style seat which is comfier for both the rider and pillion. The new alloy wheels wear a fatter 130-section rubber at front instead of the 120-section unit offered in Jinjira.
    2021 Benda BD300 Cruiser
    Also, Greystone rides on a 16-inch rear wheel wrapped in 150-section of rubber instead of a 15-inch unit on the standard model. The tyres in the new variant seem to be Michelin Scorcher units as opposed to Timsun tyres in the older model. Features such as an all-LED lighting setup, a TFT instrument console and disc brakes with dual-channel ABS have been retained on the equipment list of Greystone.
    Engine Specs
    Its engine configuration remains identical with the same 298cc V-twin liquid-cooled motor powering the cruiser. This unit kicks out 30 bhp at 8,500rpm and a peak torque 25.3Nm at 7,000rpm via a belt drive. While this engine is coupled with the same 6-speed gearbox, it now benefits from a slipper clutch. Jinjira BD300-15 carries a sticker price of CNY 19,880 which is roughly INR 2.29 lakh. Expect the new variant to command a premium of roughly INR 10,000.
    In Europe, BD300 will rival Honda Rebel 300 and the range of Royal Enfield motorcycles on offer in Europe – from Meteor 350, Classic 350 to Classic 500 and 650 Twins. It will also rival the upcoming Qianjiang  SRV 300. It is highly unlikely to make its way to Indian shores. More

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    BMW G310R Modified Into A Custom Bike Called Road Rumbler

    BMW G 310 R Modified Custom Bike By K-Speed
    K-Speed is known to build custom bikes with small engine displacements for instance a chunky Honda Grom and a CT125 Combat
    BMW G310R is considered a very attractive motorcycle even in its stock form. The naked streetfighter sure manages to grab eyeballs whenever it zooms past people in close proximity. A custom-built version of the street naked motorcycle has surfaced on the internet which has been developed by K-Speed Customs.
    Christened as ‘Road Rumbler’, this ultra naked iteration of G310R sees most of its body panels stripped down to adopt a minimalism design approach. In its modified form, the bike appears to be a rally racer with a hint of masculine machismo. While many would feel it is a little too overcooked, it actually is very functional.
    Modified Design
    For starters, K-Speed has used a different theme for BMW’s M-Sport colour scheme on the bike’s fuel tank, rear fender and belly pan giving it a nice contrast with white paint. The white paint has also been applied to the alloy wheels with a powder-coated finish as well as the rear mono-shock unit. As mentioned, all side panels have been removed while front and rear fenders have been chopped off with only a small part remaining attached.
    The sculpted tail section incorporates a unique-looking under-seat exhaust muffler and the single-piece saddle is good enough to hold only the rider. The front fender gives it an ADV-like appearance with a narrow beak.
    BMW G 310 R Modified Custom Bike
    Moreover, the stock headlamp has been replaced by a small but retro-looking LED aftermarket unit along with two tiny LED front turn indicators that lend a hint of retro appeal. Additionally, the conventional rearview mirrors have been ditched for round, bar-end black mirrors.
    Mechanical Updates
    Despite the radical change in its appearance, the Road Rumbler looks uncluttered and simple. Further, new chunky tyres have been wrapped around the wheels which makes it a decent soft-roader.
    The workshop has done away with golden coloured USD forks at front and replaced them with black coloured units which match the bike’s overall theme. Overall, this G310R has made a transition from a naked streetfighter to a neo-retro scrambler with hints of a rally adventure bike.
    There is no mention of any modifications to its powertrain. So it is safe to assume that it is propelled by the same 313cc water-cooled reverse-inclined single-cylinder motor in this custom form. This engine delivers an output of 34 bhp and 28 Nm of peak torque while being paired to a six-speed transmission. More

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    Honda Scooter, Motorcycle Sales June 2021 – Activa, Dio, CB Shine, Unicorn

    Image – imboby222Honda sold 2,12,446 units in domestic markets and exported 21,583 units in the past month
    Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI) has released their sales report for June 2021. While domestic sales increased significantly, it was export figures that saw a considerable jump. The company posted 11 percent YoY growth to 2,34,029 units sold in the past month, up from 2,10,879 units sold in June 20.
    Post the 2nd wave period of the COVID-19 pandemic, almost 95 percent of HMSI dealerships have opened across various states where in lockdown was announced by the respective State Governments. Rural sales took a leap on account of the prediction of a favourable monsoon while there has been a general surge in customer walk-ins and inquiries. The company is also scaling up operations across its four plants to meet demands.
    Domestic Sales and Export Growth
    Honda two wheeler sales in domestic markets stood at 2,12,446 units in June 21 as against 2,02,837 units sold in June 20. Exports on the other hand increased to 21,583 units in the past month, up from just 8,042 units exported in June 20. The two-wheeler manufacturer had sold a total of 58,168 units in May 21, of which 38,763 units were sold in the domestic market and 19,405 units globally.
    HMSI’s current vehicle lineup consists of the Activa, Dio, Grazia, Hornet 2.0, xBlade, Livo, Unicorn, Shine, SP 125, and CD 110. The recently launched GoldWing, CB500 X, CB650 R, CBR650 R, CB1000 R, CBR1000RR-R Fireblade, H’ness CB350 and CB350 RS are retailed via the company’s exclusive BigWing outlets.
    Honda Two Wheeler Sales June 2021
    Honda has announced a price hike across its motorcycle and scooter lineup set to come into effect on July 3, 2021. The price hike will be upto Rs 2,000 and the company cites rising raw material costs and escalating fuel prices as reasons for this increase in prices, a percentage of which is being passed on to the customer.
    HMSI Highlights of June 2021
    Over the past month, HMSI has been busy with a host of initiatives. The company unveiled the 2021 Gold Wing Tour in two variants of Dual Clutch Transmission DCT with airbag and Manual Transmission with the first lot being booked in 24 hours of opening bookings. Honda Gold Wing Tour with manual transmission variant is priced at Rs 37,20,342 while the DCT model carries a price tag of Rs 39,16,055 (ex-showroom India).
    HMSI also expanded its BigWing dealerships with new setups in cities of Delhi, Kolkata, Dehradun, Patiala and Mumbai. The company also undertook Road Safety initiative in honour of the 2nd anniversary of Children’s Traffic Training Park in Trichy.
    The company has educated over 78,000 children in the city and imparted knowledge on Road Safety to 800 students and teachers in Sonipat. Along with this, HMSI’s CSR arm, Honda India Foundation, set up COVID care centers in Naurangpur, Haryana and Tapukara, Rajasthan with 100 beds and 50 beds respectively. More