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    Royal Enfield Classic, Meteor, Honda CB 350 – Jan 2021 vs Old Price

    Image – MRD Vlogs
    Similar to trends witnessed in the past, most automakers have increased prices of their products at the beginning of new year

    In the two-wheeler segment, most products by Hero MotoCorp, Bajaj, KTM, Kawasaki, and others have undergone a price hike. Honda has also increased prices across the range including CB350 that was launched last year in September.
    Royal Enfield Meteor and Classic price hike – January 2021
    Talking about Royal Enfield Classic 350, its prices have been increased for all variants. The entry-level single-channel ABS version now costs Rs 1.63 lakh, an increase of Rs 1,873. The top-spec version that comes with dual-channel ABS along with other features is now available at Rs 1.88 lakh. This is an increase of Rs 2,045.
    Royal Enfield Classic 350 price list Jan 2021
    Classic 350 is currently the undisputed king in 200cc-500cc motorcycle segment, commanding a market share of around 50%. It will soon be launched in its next-gen avatar, wherein it will be getting an engine and platform upgrade, Tripper navigation and a host of other features. CB350 and Meteor 350 sales are also rising, but it remains to be seen if they can maintain the momentum.
    Royal Enfield has also increased prices of its products including Meteor 350 and Classic 350. Meteor 350 was launched in November last year and it came with a range of updates such as new engine, new chassis and first-in-segment Tripper navigation. Meteor is available in three variants, Fireball, Stellar and Supernova.
    Royal Enfield Meteor 350, Honda CB350 price list Jan 2021
    Meteor Fireball now costs Rs 1,78,744, an increase of Rs 2,927 over the earlier price. Stellar and Supernova variants now cost Rs 1,84,337 and Rs 1,93,656, an increase of Rs 3,010 and Rs 3,146, respectively. This makes Meteor Supernova variant costlier than top-spec DLX Pro variant of CB350.
    Honda CB350 new prices January 2021
    CB350 was launched at a starting price of Rs 1.85 lakh (ex-showroom), which made it expensive than rivals Royal Enfield Meteor 350 and Classic 350 right from start. Honda is not known to adopt an aggressive pricing policy for its premium products and the same has been the case with CB350. The motorcycle is offered in two variants, DLX and DLX Pro, both of which have undergone a price revision.
    Honda CB350 DLX new price is Rs 1,86,500, which is an increase of Rs 1.5k over the earlier price. The pro variant now costs Rs 1,92,500, an increase of Rs 2.5k. Although the price hike looks manageable, it may still prompt specific customers to think about relatively affordable options such as Meteor or Classic.
    Apart from higher pricing, Honda CB350 also faces the challenge of limited availability. The motorcycle is currently sold only through Honda BigWing dealerships, which are much fewer in numbers as compared to standard Honda dealerships. This makes CB350 inaccessible in large parts of the country. However, things may improve in the future, as Honda is working proactively to increase the number of BigWing dealerships. More

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    2021 Kawasaki Z650, Versys 1000 BS6 Launched In India

    2021 Kawasaki Versys 1000 BS6
    Kawasaki will further expand its portfolio in India by launching its updated lineup for 2021 in the coming months

    Kawasaki hasn’t been holding back and is continuing to launch its updated line of products for 2021 in India. The Japanese brand yesterday launched the supercharged twins- Z H2 and Z H2 SE and now it has launched its naked streetfighter Z650 and adventure tourer Versys 1000 in their BS6 updated forms at a substantial price hike.
    The updated Z650 now costs Rs 6.04 lakh while the new Versys 1000 will set you back by Rs 11.90 lakh (both prices are ex-showroom). This makes the naked roadster Rs 10,000 more expensive than the older model while the adventure motorcycle is now Rs 20,000 dearer than its predecessor.
    Despite the sizable increase in prices unfortunately there have been no updates on either of the bikes. Design, specifications and features on both the bikes have been carried forward from their respective outgoing model.
    Z650 had received an update last year with the mandatory upgrade to BS6 emission norms. Even after the price hike, the naked roadster remains the most affordable offering from Team Green in India as of now with the updated Ninja 300 and Ninja 400 yet to be launched.
    2021 Kawasaki Z650
    Design
    As for design, Z650 continues to sport its traditional semi-faired look in line with other Z series motorcycles carrying a Sugomi design. It receives a sharper and more compact headlamp cowl which gives it an aggressive and angry look. On the other hand, Versys 1000 is similar to other adventure tourer models in Kawasaki’s lineup with split LED headlamps, a windscreen and a raised rear end.
    Features on offer
    In terms of features, Z650 gets a fully digital 4.3-inch TFT instrument cluster compatible with Kawasaki’s Rideology App which enables riders to connect their smartphones to the bike wirelessly. Versys 1000, on the other hand, receives a semi-digital instrument cluster with an analogue tachometer.
    It gets electronic aids such as IMU-based Cornering Management function, traction control, Kawasaki’s Intelligent anti-lock Brake System and multiple riding modes. Both motorcycles are illuminated by LED headlamps.
    Powertrain & Transmission
    Coming to its powertrain, Z650 is powered by a 649cc liquid-cooled, Parallel Twin engine which kicks out a power of 68 PS at 9,000 rpm and a peak torque of 64 Nm at 7000 rpm. Whereas Versys 1000 is powered by a 1043cc liquid-cooled, in-line four-cylinder motor which pushes out 120 PS of power at 9000 rpm and 102 Nm of peak torque at 7500 rpm. Both motorcycles are offered with a 6-speed gearbox with the adventure bike offered with a slipper and assist clutch for smoother gear shifts.
    While Z 650 will rival upcoming models such as Triumph Trident 660, Versys 1000 will rival the British brand’s recently launched Tiger 900. Kawasaki is also expected to launch its entry-level models Ninja 300 and Ninja 400 in their latest iteration soon in the coming months. More

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    KTM 200 Duke Customised With 3D Printed Parts By Autologue Design

    Customized KTM Duke 200 by Autologue Design
    KTM 200 Duke shares its mechanicals with Bajaj Pulsar NS200 including the 199.5cc single-cylinder liquid-cooled engine

    KTM 200 Duke is one of the hot buys in the sport-entry segment of bikes. The naked streetfighter is exceptionally quick for its class and satisfies speed enthusiasts who are on a tight budget. Another reason for its popularity is that KTM as a brand is a fan favourite when it comes to aftermarket modifications.
    A one of a kind modified 200 Duke has recently surfaced on the internet whose body kit has been claimed to be over 80 percent 3-D printed. In a video uploaded by bike vlogger Priyanka Kochhar on her YouTube channel BikeWithGirl, she shares the details of the modifications done on her Duke.
    The customisation process has been carried by a team of designers at Autologue Design. Rechristened as BWG 200, folks at the customisation workshop have adopted an urban scrambler design for this modified 200 Duke. The modifier, in fact, admits that many of its elements have been inspired by a customised Duke 200 Scrambler which had stolen headlines a while ago.
    Details of Modifications
    The first thing noticed is that saddle height has been increased significantly. This can be attributed to the fact that the split seat has been replaced by a single-piece seat. The stepped-up pillion seat makes the front seat contour with rear which increases the riding height.
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    The rear fender has been chopped off which lends a typical scrambler look. At front it gets a retro round LED headlamp which is smoked and flanked by a black grille.
    The custom-made visor on top of the headlamp is a choice of design and would surely receive polarising opinions. The highlight is the boxy fuel tank which has been completely 3D-printed.
    The modifier claims that it took nearly a week for the fuel tank to take its final shape. It also gets a new single barrel exhaust which gives a nice throaty exhaust note although there are not many details regarding it.
    Customized KTM Duke 200 by Autologue Design
    It also gets a pair of specially made single mono-block diamond-cut Aluminum wing mirrors from Motogadget which is claimed to be unbreakable. Another notable highlight is the plastic wheel cover on each wheel.
    To wrap it up, the modifier has added an instrument cluster bracket made of carbon fibre and also a customised paint job. No changes have been made to its mechanicals and it is still essentially a Duke 200 beneath.
    Duke 200 Details
    Duke 200 is powered by a 199.5cc single-cylinder liquid-cooled fuel-injected motor which kicks out 24.6 bhp and a peak torque of 19.2 Nm. It is offered in a single variant at a price of Rs 1.81 lakh (ex-showroom). It locks with the likes of Bajaj Pulsar NS200 and TVS Apache RTR 200. More

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    Royal Enfield 650 Interceptor, Continental GT Get CEAT Tyres – Pirelli Not On Offer

    Royal Enfield 650 Interceptor with CEAT Tyres. Image – Abdul.
    The Royal Enfield 650 twins will soon be joined by a third family member in the form of a cruiser

    The Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 and Continental GT 650 duo quickly earned a reputation for being excellent value for money, not just in India but also in several international markets. They are positioned at the affordable end of the medium displacement spectrum and have been playing a crucial role in boosting RE’s brand image in the international scene.
    No more Pirelli tyres
    Both 650 cc motorcycles came equipped with Pirelli Phantom Sportscomp tyres as factory fitment, forming an important part of their overall appeal. However, we have learnt that Royal Enfield has quietly switched to CEAT tyres of same dimensions since November 2020. This change has been confirmed by a few dealers, as well as RE 650 Twins’ owners across India. Hat tip to Vignesh for sharing this update.
    It is to be noted that Pirelli doesn’t have a production facility in India and hence the tyres need to be imported. Given the extraordinary disruption in international logistics effected by the ongoing pandemic, Royal Enfield’s decision to switch to CEAT tyres could be driven by supply chain constraints.
    It is also possible that the switch was made in an attempt to compensate for rising input costs. The price difference between the Pirelli and CEAT tyres is estimated to be considerable.
    CEAT tyre size is same as that of Pirelli
    That said, the tyre swap need not necessarily mean a bad thing. Obviously, CEAT brand does not enjoy the same admiration from enthusiasts as its compatriot Pirelli, but its been a few months since the swap and we would have picked up on it earlier if the customers had any grievances with the overall performance.
    New Royal Enfield 650 cruiser coming
    As you know, Royal Enfield is working on adding a third member to its flagship 650 family. The cruiser has been spotted testing several times recently, indicating that the development work is going on full swing. The prototypes are equipped with inverted front telescopic forks, a first for a Royal Enfield in the modern era.
    Other notable features are alloy wheels, digi-analog instrument console which is mostly likely to feature Tripper Navigation, a simple fuel tank with old-school filler cap and circular headlamp, taillight and turn indicators.
    The motorcycle will carry forward the much appreciated 648 cc twin-cylinder, air-cooled engine which offers 47 hp and 52 Nm of torque. The 6-speed transmission is expected to receive subtle tweaks to suit the cruiser’s relaxed riding character.
    While several components will be shared with the Interceptor and Continental GT 650, it remains to be seen if the upcoming cruiser will be equipped with Pirelli tyres or go for CEAT units from the beginning. RE is also planning on giving the 650 Twins a facelift soon, along with an alloy wheel option.
    Royal Enfield is also close to introducing the eagerly anticipated next generation Classic 350 which will be based on the new platform that debuted on the Meteor 350. Expect improved refinement, additional features and better performance compared to the outgoing model. More

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    Yamaha F-155 Is A R15 Engine Powered Future Scooter Concept

    Yamaha F155 Scooter Concept
    An all new sport-scooter concept has just made its debut in Vietnam

    At the recent launch event of Exciter 155 VVA in Vietnam, Yamaha surprised everyone by unveiling the F-155 moped concept. The prototype features a slick design with a fine blend of smooth curves and sharp cuts and grooves.
    Yamaha F-155 concept design and features
    Even though it may not make it to the streets anytime soon, Yamaha F-155 concept has a highly captivating design that appeals to folks who want to flaunt their rides. It has been developed by Yamaha Japan and rumour mills are abuzz that the company has invested around USD 100,000 to develop this prototype.
    It is likely that the prototype’s design will work as the primary inspiration for developing the next-generation Exciter 155. Borrowing several design elements as well as components from R15, F-155 concept has a sharp and aggressive front fascia.
    Some key features include functional ram air intake, MotoGP inspired winglets, dual-LED headlamps, and LED turn indicators. The prototype also blends in a minimalistic character, as is evident in the inconspicuous looking handlebar and instrument cluster.
    Yamaha F155 Scooter Concept
    Several ducts and vents have been neatly added to the sides, something that enhances the moped’s sporty profile. At the rear, the tri-striped LED taillight and cowl appear to be inspired from R1.
    Other features that give Yamaha F-155 concept its unique character include the twin underbelly exhaust system and zippy seat design. It also gets several contrasting orange coloured accents that look stunning against the matte grey base colour. These can be seen on the front cowl, fairing, seat, chassis and alloy wheels.
    Yamaha F-155 concept specs
    Yamaha F-155 concept engine details have not been revealed, but it is likely to be using the same 155cc liquid cooled engine as that of new Exciter 155 VVA. The prototype utilizes a delta box frame and is equipped with aluminium swingarm. With the compact delta box frame, the engine appears to be bigger and adds to the bike’s dominating profile.
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    Talking about suspension, Yamaha F-155 concept has USD forks at the front and a monoshock unit at the rear. Braking system comprises two pot calliper at the front and single pot calliper at the rear.
    Yamaha F-155 concept has got everyone’s attention, but it is unlikely to make it to production stage. Even if it does, several of its features may have to be changed or removed to suit practical needs in the real world. The only possibility is that this concept will be used as a design benchmark to develop the next-generation of Yamaha motorcycles such as Exciter, Sniper and Y15ZR.

    Source 1, Source 2 More

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    Two Wheeler Sales Dec 2020 – Hero, Honda, TVS, Bajaj, Royal Enfield, Suzuki, Yamaha

    Hero Splendor
    Ruling the domestic sales charts were Hero MotoCorp and Honda while Bajaj and TVS Motor claimed top spots in terms of exports.

    2020 may have opened on a dismal note but ended with two and four wheeler makers noting a comeback in terms of sales. December sales indicated a change in customer sentiments especially with the urgent need for more personal means of travel as averse to public transport.
    Two wheeler companies reported a 7.29 percent YoY increase in domestic sales while exports also surged 29.18 percent. Total domestic sales which had stood at 10,45,918 units in Dec 19 increased to 11,22,122 units in the past month while exports went up 29.18 percent from 2,66,864 units exported in Dec 19 to 3,44,731 units in the past month.
    Hero MotoCorp and Honda
    Domestic sales of Hero MotoCorp increased 3.16 percent to 4,25,033 units in Dec 20 as against 4,12,009 units. The company currently commands a market share of 37.88 percent.
    However, when compared to Nov 20, sales which had stood at 5,75,957 units, sales dipped by 26.20 percent MoM. The scurry to make purchases in the last month of the year could be due to the fact that Hero announced price hike from1st Jan 2021 of almost all its motorcycles and scooters up to a maximum of Rs. 1,900.
    Two Wheeler domestic sales Dec 2020
    Honda sales also noted a significant increase by 5.15 percent in the past month. Sales which had stood at 2,30,197 units in Dec 19 increased to 2,42,046 units in Dec 20. This was a 41.34 percent decline as against 4,12,641 units sold in Nov 20. Honda Activa made up for nearly 50 percent of company sales in Dec20 with the CB Shine, Dio, Unicorn, Livo, Grazia, Hornet and newly launched CB350 also adding significant numbers.
    At No. 3 was TVS Motor with sales growth of 12.51 percent in Dec 20 to 1,76,912 units, up from 1,57,244 units sold in Dec 19 but a decline of 28.60 percent when compared to 2,47,789 units sold in Nov 20. Currently commanding market share of 15.77 percent TVS Motor Company has noted strong sales for its models such as the XL Super, Jupiter, Apache and Ntorq.
    Bajaj Auto Limited was at No. 4 with a 3.64 percent YoY sales increase to 1,28,642 units, up from 1,24,125 units sold in Dec 19. MoM sales declined 31.64 percent as against 1,88,16 units sold in Nov 20. The Pulsar, Platina and CT range were the highest sellers in domestic markets. The company also launched the new Platina 100 Kick Start in December priced at Rs.51,667. Royal Enfield, Suzuki and Yamaha also saw increased sales in Dec 20 over sales in Dec 19 while Royal Enfield was the only two wheeler maker to note positive MoM sales which increased 10.85 percent over sales in Nov 20.
    Two Wheeler exports Dec 2020
    Two Wheeler Exports Dec 20
    Bajaj Auto Limited command a significant proportion of total exports in December 2020. While total exports of two wheelers stood at 3,44,731 units, Bajaj Auto alone exported 2,09,942 units in the past month. The Pune based two wheeler experienced a 30.66 percent YoY growth as against 1,60,677 units exported in Dec 19 while MoM exports grew by 6.68 percent with 1,96,797 units exported in Nov 20. Leading the exports were the Boxer and Pulsar range. It may also be noted that Bajaj Auto has become the most valuable two-wheeler company in the world with a market capitalization of Rs. 1 lakh crore.
    Exports of TVS Motor surged 39.32 percent in Dec 20 to 81,327 units, up from 58,375 units exported in Dec 19. MoM exports also increased significantly by 28.34 percent as against 63,370 units exported in Nov 20. Exports of Honda dipped 16.36 percent YoY from 25,086 units exported in Dec 19 to 20,981 units exported in the past month while the company experienced a marginal MoM increase by 2.02 percent with 20,565 units exported in Nov 20.
    Even as Hero MotoCorp and Royal Enfield closed the past year with rising YoY exports up 71.64 percent and 81.79 percent respectively, Suzuki exports dipped 12.99 percent in terms of YoY but increased marginally by 2.22 percent MoM. More

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    Ultraviolette F77 Electric Motorcycle First Test Run In 2021 – New Teaser

    2021 Ultraviolette F77 Electric Motorcycle
    Ultraviolette F77 will not have any direct rivals upon launch in India later this year

    Bengaluru-based electric vehicle startup Ultraviolette has started testing its highly anticipated offering- F77. The upcoming electric two-wheeler is slated to be the first made in India performance bike with an electric powertrain. The company recently shared an image of a prototype of F77 being tested on Instagram.
    As per previous reports, the electric was supposed to enter into production by October 2020. But that has not happened, due to the delays caused by ongoing pandemic.
    F77 Details
    The motorcycle has been primarily aimed at bike enthusiasts and spots a typical middleweight bike styling with a forward and aggressive riding posture. Inspired by a fighter jet, F77 is powered by an electric motor generating 34 PS of power and 450 Nm of torque at wheels.
    This motor draws its energy from a three-piece modular battery pack with a storage capacity of 4.2 kWh. The company claims that the electric bike can attain a single-charge range of 150 km.
    2021 Ultraviolette F77 Electric Motorcycle
    F77 can attain a top speed of 147 kmph and can do a 0-60 kmph sprint in just 2.9 seconds and a 0-100 kmph in just 7.5 seconds. The electric bike gets three riding modes- Eco, Sport, and Insane. It will also come with a fair share of smart features such as smartphone connectivity, Bluetooth, NFC, LTE, GPS, USB charging and more.
    The bike was initially planned for a late 2020 launch, however, the pandemic caused by covid-19 has led to a delay and is now expected to launch in mid-2021. It is expected to be priced around Rs 3.0 lakh (ex-showroom) upon its launch. The TVS Motor backed startup is looking to draw more investments as part of Series B funding including a new investment from GoFrugal Technologies.
    New Investments
    The company, however, hasn’t revealed the exact amount invested by GoFrugal but revealed it wants to expand its manufacturing capabilities and its team. The company’s current priority is to take the pre-production F77 electric bike into production levels. There are also reports that the EV manufacturing firm wants to invest in R&D of Lithium-ion battery technology as well as hire more people.
    [embedded content]
    It has also come to light that the investment made by GoFrugal is only a fraction of the $75 million Ultraviolette intends to raise across Series B and C funding by the end of 2021. It was earlier reported that the company is also looking to develop another electric two-wheeler post F77 which will be more competitively priced.
    Led by Niraj Rajmohan and Narayan Subramaniam, Ultraviolette Automotive first showcased their electric bike in November 2019. Once launched, it could be a potential rival to the upcoming Ather electric motorcycle. More

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    Ducati India To Launch 12 New Motorcycles In 2021 – Scrambler, Multistrada, Monster

    Ducati Scrambler BS6 Bookings Open
    Ducati India plans to have launches in every quarter of this calendar year

    Ducati India has announced a comprehensive product onslaught in 2021 which will kick start with the updated Scrambler Icon. Bookings for the 2021 Ducati Scrambler Icon and Icon dark are open across the country for INR 50,000. In a bid to engage its Indian clientele, the Italian marque will also be conduction various throughout the calendar year including DRE Dream Tour, DRE Safety, offroad days, track days and personalized racetrack training sessions.
    Ducati India’s 2021 plans
    The 2021 Ducati Scrambler Icon is now compliant with BS6 emission norms finally. The company says that the COVID situation has caused delays but it still managed to launch the BS6 versions of Panigale V2, Scrambler 1100 Pro and Multistrada 950 S.
    Moving forward, the first quarter of 2021 will witness the launch of BS6 compliant Scrambler Icon, Diavel and XDiavel. The all-new Ducati Multistrada V4, Streetfighter V4 and Panigale V4 are arriving in second quarter of this calendar year. Second half of 2021 is reserved for naked bike onslaught with the new generation Monster, Supersport 950 and Hypermotard 950 RVE in the pipeline. The Scrambler range will be augmented by the introduction of 1100 Dark Pro, Night Shift and Desert Sled editions.
    2021 is set to be one of the most exciting years in recent times for Ducati not only in India but also globally as it just unveiled highly anticipated new gen Mutlitstrada and Monster motorcycles towards the end of 2020.
    2021 Ducati Monster
    2021 Ducati Monster
    Just like the Multistrada, the new Monster is also boasts of massive improvement in every single aspect. The street fighter features an all-new design which retains the Monster DNA, a new chassis and an array of lightweighting measures which make the bike 18 kg lighter than its predecessor.
    Power comes from a new 937 cc 11-degree Testastretta L-Twin liquid-cooled engine which produces a healthy 111 hp and 93 Nm of torque. The valve clearance service interval, called the Desmo service, stands at 30,000 km. The motorcycle gets a wide array of electronic gadgetry including a new colour TFT display.
    2021 Ducati Multistrada V4
    With the all-new GranTurismo V4 1,158 cc engine, the new Multistrada aims to become the new benchmark in the adventure tourer segment. In addition to a technically advanced motor, the Italian tourer also packs in best-in-class equipment and segment-fist features.
    2021 Ducati Multistrada V4
    Highlights include the radar-based rider assistance systems which include adaptive cruise control, rear collision warning and blind spot detection. The system is designed to work safely taking into account the vehicle’s orientation data from IMU.
    The 2021 Ducati Multistrada V4‘s tech-laden motor is good for 170 hp and 125 Nm of torque. Expect the new motorcycle to be priced upwards of INR 20 lakh (ex-showroom). The motorcycle has a service interval of 60,000 km, longest in the motorcycle industry. More