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      Aprilia RS 660, Tuono 660 India Launch Confirmed For 2021

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      2021 Aprilia RS 660
      The Aprilia RS 660 and Tuono 660 come loaded with state-of-the-art electronic systems

      The Aprilia RS 660 and Tuono 660 middle-weight sports bikes which were unveiled at the EICMA 2019 in Milan, Italy, are set to be launched in India next year. Touted to be very important products for the Italian marque’s long-term future, the motorcycles find themselves in a comfortable niche above the entry level 250 – 400 cc trainers and the liter class missiles.
      Aprilia RS 660 and Tuono 660
      The Aprilia RS 660 and its naked sibling not only derive their design and livery inspiration from the RSV4 and Tuono V4 respectively but also borrow the engine from the legendary superbike twins. The 659 cc V-Twin is essentially the first half of the flagship’s V4 unit and that speaks volume about the new motorcycles’ pedigree.
      The new heart has a power output of 100 hp and makes 67 Nm of torque. This should make for an impressive performance on board a motorcycle that tips the scales at 164.2 kg. The rider has access to five different engine mappings including two dedicated to track riding – Commute, Dynamic, Individual, Challenge and Time Attack.
      Electronics and chassis
      The boffins at Aprilia didn’t take any chances with their latest creations as they get standard quick shifter and 6-axis inertial measurement unit (IMU) which supports a whole host of advanced electronic systems like cornering traction control, cornering ABS, wheelie control, rear lift mitigation, engine brake control, etc.
      2021 Aprilia Tuono 660
      The razor sharp Aprilia RS 660 and Tuono 660 are underpinned by a twin-spar aluminium chassis which employs the motor as a stressed member. The chunky aluminium swing arm and stubby triangular exhaust canister go well with the rest of the design.
      The front end is suspended by Kayaba inverted telescopic forks measuring 41 mm in dia while the rear employs a monoshock. Both are adjustable for preload and rebound damping. Not surprisingly, Brembo takes care of braking needs with 320 mm twin-discs at the front with 4-piston calipers and a 220 mm single disc at the rear with 2-piston calipers.
      Styling
      The Aprilia RS 660 features an unmistakable identity but is full of modern touches such as LED DRLs, sleeker three-part headlamp unit, aerodynamic inlets on the fairing, a sculpted fuel tank and a sporty tailpiece with stepped seats. The motorcycle looks compact yet with serious intention. The Tuono 660 also gets the same headlamp unit but the fairing is minimal.
      The Aprilia 660 twins, with their premium features and impressive performance credentials, are looking to become the best offerings in the mid-size superbike segment which is currently populated by the likes of Yamaha YZF-R6, Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R, etc. More

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      New Honda Hornet Repsol Edition Arrives At Dealer Showroom – First Look

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      Image – MRD Vlogs
      This is a limited edition model priced at Rs.2,000 over the standard variant

      Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India Pvt. Ltd. has launched two new Repsol editions. One of these is of the Hornet 2.0 commuter bike while the other is of the Honda Dio scooter. As the name suggests, the Honda Hornet 2.0 receives MotoGP inspired body graphics and orange coloured wheels similar to that seen on the Honda’s MotoGP RC 213V.
      Though the motorcycle was launched a few days ago, it is only now that the motorcycle has started to arrive at dealer showrooms. Youtube channel MRD Vlogs has shared a detailed first look walkaround of the new Hornet Repsol edition.
      Features and Dimensions
      2020 Honda Hornet 2.0 Repsol Edition only receives racing badging and paint schemes to set it apart, while all other features remain unchanged. The decals pay tribute to the racing credentials of the bike with ‘Repsol’ badging emblazoned across its bulky, forward leaning, 12 liter fuel tank.
      It also receives a fully digital, blue back lit liquid crystal meter with gear position indicator, battery voltmeter, service due indicator, etc. The seat is in a sporty split design while there is LED lighting at the front and rear with X shaped tail lamps.
      [embedded content]
      Honda Hornet 2.0 Repsol comes with 140mm wide rear tyre offering both superior road grip and easy handling along with a hazard switch in case of an emergency. It receives dual petal shaped disc brakes and 1 Channel front ABS for better control of brake especially over slippery road surfaces and also to prevent the wheel from locking. A first in segment feature is the golden upside down front fork for superior and advanced suspension.
      In terms of dimensions, the Honda Hornet 2.0 Repsol Edition stands 2,047mm in length, 783mm in width and 1,064mm in height. It gets a wheel base of 1,355mm and ground clearance of 167mm with kerb weight of 142 kgs. Seat length is at 590mm while fuel tank is of 12 liter capacity.
      Mechanicals remain unchanged
      The Honda Hornet 2.0 naked roadster is powered by a BS6 compliant 184.40 cc, single cylinder, air cooled, fuel injected engine that produces 12.7 kW power at 8,500 rpm and 16.1 Nm torque at 6,000 rpm. Suspension is via upside down fork in the front and pre load adjustable monoshock at the rear.
      Honda has not revealed the number of units of this limited edition motorcycle it plans to release into markets. However, the bike is now available at all company dealerships across India and bookings have also commenced with deliveries promised soon.
      The price of the Honda Hornet 2.0 Repsol Edition is at Rs 1,28,351 ( ex-showroom Gurugram), a premium of Rs 2,000 over the standard model. Its launch is specially in honour of the brands racing team with its recent 800th MotoGP win. More

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      Royal Enfield Meteor 350 Launched In Europe – Exported From India

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      Royal Enfield Meteor 350 In Europe
      Meteor 350 continues its global expansion – After Thailand, it has now been launched in Europe

      Royal Enfield Meteor 350 has now made its way to European markets. It has been unveiled in Italy at a starting price of EUR 4,099, which is approximately Rs 3.65 lakh. UK price is £3,749, which is roughly Rs 3.67 lakhs. In Europe, it gets standard warranty of 3 years unlimited kms as well as 3 years RSA.
      In the Indian market, the motorcycle is available at a starting price of Rs 1.75 lakh. Dealerships in Europe will start getting deliveries of Meteor 350 by March 2021. Meteor for Europe, will be exported from India. It will be made in India at the company plant at Chennai, and exported as CBU.
      Same as India-spec model
      Euro-spec Meteor 350 is the same as the Indian model, and is also A2 compliant. It will have all three variants – Fireball, Stellar and Supernova. Meteor has been designed to be a thoroughbred cruiser that would appeal to a global audience. Some of the key features that give the motorcycle its distinctive identity include round headlamp; tear drop design of fuel tank, turn indicators and rear tail light; chrome accents and broad rear fenders.
      Meteor is built for both urban use as well as highway cruising. It has high set handle bars and forward set foot pegs, which ensure a comfortable, upright riding position.
      Royal Enfield Meteor 350 In Europe
      Meteor 350 powertrain
      Royal Enfield has installed a new J series 349 cc, air-oil cooled engine on Meteor, which is capable of generating 20.2 hp of max power and 27 Nm of peak torque. Gearbox is a 5-speed unit. The engine has SOHC setup, which has contributed significantly to reducing vibrations. The motorcycle’s new chassis has also helped reduce vibrations.
      As may be recalled, the earlier generation of Royal Enfield motorcycles have considerable vibrations. Such issues create fatigue and discomfort, which can be problematic during long distance touring.
      A first-in-segment feature on-board Meteor is the ‘Tripper Navigation’, which offers turn-by-turn navigation. There’s a dedicated screen next to the main instrument console, which displays the direction arrows for the destination. Tripper navigation does away with the need to mount smartphones on the motorcycle. Once connected to the user’s smartphone via Bluetooth and after entering the destination details, the Tripper navigation will continue to display the directions.
      RE Global Plans
      By aggressively targeting global markets, Royal Enfield is working on its long term strategy to reduce its dependence on a single geography. As of now, most of Royal Enfield’s sales are from India. Exports are just a fraction of its overall sales. The company currently dominates the 200cc – 500cc motorcycle segment in India with market share in excess of 75%.
      Arun Gopal, Head of Business Markets EMEA, said: “One of Royal Enfield’s core objectives is to introduce as many people as possible into motorcycling,and we see our products as instrumental to that process. The introduction of the Meteor 350 further strengthens our reputation for building bikes that are appealing, accessible and approachable for a broad demographic.”
      While being the market leader is laudable, it’s also true that things can change fast in the auto industry. In recent times, competition has increased for Royal Enfield from products such as Jawa, Honda CB350, and Benelli Imperiale 400. By expanding its global footprint, the company will be in a better position to hedge risks in the domestic market. More

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      Okinawa Electric Scooters With Lead Acid Battery – Discontinued

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      Image for reference.
      Okinawa Scooters now have five lithium-ion models with battery capacities ranging from 1.25 kWh to 3.3 kWh

      Okinawa Scooters which specializes in pure electric products has announced that it has discontinued its lead-acid battery pack based models. With this move, the company’s portfolio now consists of only products equipped with detachable lithium-ion battery packs.
      Lead-Acid battery packs on the decline
      With lithium-ion battery packs widely considered to be superior to lead-acid units in terms of performance, more and more customers are willing to make that extra investment. All modern day scooters which are getting launched now, are powered by the advanced lithium-ion battery packs.
      Moreover, with the Indian government’s FAME-II subsidy covering only lithium-ion battery pack equipped scooters, their popularity rose sharply in the recent times. So, for a major e-scooter manufacturer like Okinawa, focusing on lithium-ion models is the right way to prepare for India’s upcoming EV boom.
      Okinawa Electric Scooters kick started its operations four years ago with lead-acid models and has sold over 34,000 units of them. However, since the introduction of scooters with removable lithium-ion battery packs, the customer preference inclined towards the newer models so much so that the company has now decided to pull the plug on lead-acid batteries. Below are the Okinawa electric scooters which are now on offer from 1st Dec 2020, and their prices and range.
      Okinawa Scooters
      Dec 2020 Price, Ex-sh
      Range
      R30
      58,992
      60 kms
      Lite
      63,990
      60 kms
      Ridge+
      73,417
      84 kms
      Praise Pro
      79,277
      88 kms
      iPraise+
      1,08,728
      139 kms
      The homegrown brand has sold over 74,000 scooters in the country so far and it aims to take this tally to 90,000 units by the end of this financial year. Speaking about the move to withdraw lead-acid battery based products, Jeetender Sharma, Founder and MD, Okinawa Scooters, stated that all future models from the brand will be equipped with detachable lithium-ion battery pack for convenient charging.
      Current product portfolio
      The company currently retails both high-speed and slow-speed models equipped with lithium-ion battery packs. The high-speed portfolio is composed of i-Praise+, Praise Pro and Ridge+ which are equipped with 3.3 kWh, 2.0 kWh and 1.74 kWh removable li-ion battery packs respectively.
      The low-speed family which has a top-speed of 25 kmph and requires no license or registration consists of Lite and R30. The R30 gets a 1.34 kWh pack while the Lite features a 1.24 kWh unit. The high-speed range is eligible for the FAME-II subsidy.
      With a range of 139 km on a full charge, the flagship Okinawa i-Praise+ emerges as a compelling proposition. The e-scooter gets LED headlamps and DRLs, USB charging port, smartphone connectivity, digital instrument console, regenerative braking and so on.
      The stylish Okinawa i-Praise+ is priced at INR 1.09 lakh (Ex-showroom). It competes with the likes of TVS iQube, Ather 450 and Bajaj Chetak. We could see more and more electric scooter brands shifting from lead-acid to lithium-ion battery technology in the foreseeable future. More

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      CFMoto Zeeho Cyber Electric Scooter Concept – Likely Rival To Ather 450X

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      CFmoto Zeeho Cyber Electric Scooter Concept
      CFMoto has announced the launch of their new sub-brand Zeeho; which will launch future ready electric two wheelers

      Chinese automaker CFMoto has launched its new brand Zeeho. Under Zeeho, they have unveiled their electric scooter concept named Cyber, which is expected to enter production in 2021.
      This will be the first electric scooter by CFMoto and it highlights the company’s strategy to increase focus on electric two-wheelers in the coming years. CFMoto’s current global portfolio comprises motorcycles, side-by-side utility vehicles, all-terrain vehicles and powersports engines.
      CFMoto Zeeho Cyber design and features
      In its concept form, Zeeho Cyber sports a futuristic look and feel. Some of the key design elements include striking LED headlamp and DRLs, sculpted bodywork with a mix of sharp cuts and smooth curves, a radical seat design, shortened tail and edgy tail lamps and turn indicators. The rear wheel is placed farther than the tail section, which seems something new for a scooter.
      Talking about features, Zeeho Cyber gets an iPad like instrument panel that has GPS, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. It supports several functions such as navigation, voice controls and keyless start. Smartphone pairing is also available.

      For optimal performance in varied riding conditions, users can select from the three riding modes of Eco, Street and Sport. These can be accessed via the instrument panel.
      CFMoto Zeeho Cyber powertrain
      Zeeho Cyber tech specs are quite impressive and better than many of the current breed of electric scooters. It utilizes a 4 kWh Lithium-ion battery pack that sends power to a highly efficient motor with energy conversion rate of 92 percent. It is capable of generating 13.4 hp of max power, which can be sustained over longer durations without the risk of overheating or damaging the battery or motor. Available peak torque at the wheel is 213 Nm.

      As per NEDC (New European Driving Cycle) standards, Zeeho Cyber has a range of more than 130 km. It can reach 0 to 50 kmph in just 2.9 seconds and has a top speed of 110 kmph. This makes it a lot faster than Ather 450x – which is currently the quickest electric scooter on sale in India. Zeeho Cyber also has an higher range, as compared to Ather 450x.
      One of the key strengths of Zeeho Cyber is its advanced battery pack that can work in temperature of -20° to 55°. This makes it suitable for most parts of the world. The battery can be recharged 2,500 times, which is around 8 years of lifespan or 3 lakh kilometres for the average user. The battery comes with fast charging, allowing users to load 80% in just around 30 minutes.

      It is possible that CFMoto may introduce Zeeho Cyber electric in the Indian market. The lifestyle electric scooter segment has a lot of potential in the country and customers are willing to pay for a good product.
      Once launched, this scooter is a potential rival to Ather 450x and the upcoming electric scooter from KTM, based on Bajaj Chetak platform. As of now, CFMoto has four motorcycles in its India portfolio – 300 NK, 650 NK, 650 MT and 650 GT. CFMoto had also teased a Zeeho electric bike, which is another product that could be considered for the Indian market. More

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      Two Wheeler Retail Sales Nov 2020 – Hero, Honda, TVS, Bajaj, Suzuki, RE, Yamaha, Jawa, BMW

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      Jawa Perak
      According to FADA, two wheeler retail sales declined 15.84 percent to 15,13,202 units in Nov 2020

      As per data released by Federation of Automobile Dealers Association, the past month has seen a dip in two wheeler sales. This data is based on vehicle registration collected from 1,265 out of 1,472 Regional Transport Offices.
      Every two wheeler maker in India has noted de-growth in terms of retail sales in November 2020 as against that seen in the same month of the previous year with the exception of TVS Motor and BMW, while sales of electric two wheelers also surged.
      Hero MotoCorp YoY sales decline
      India’s largest two-wheeler maker Hero MotorCorp led the segment with a 34.69 percent market share. Hero noted a 23.20 percent dip in sales by 23.20 percent to 5,24,986 units in Nov 20, down from 6,83,591 units sold in Nov 19 with volume loss of 1,58,605 units. Taking into account MoM sales, the company noted a 57.39 percent increase as against 3,33,563 units retailed in Oct 20.
      Honda two wheeler, commanding market share of 25.12 percent, reported sales decline by 17.33 percent in the past month. Total retails stood at 3,80,088 units, downs from 4,59,774 units sold in the same month of the previous year. Retails when compared to that of Oct 20, saw an increase of 30.05 percent as against 2,92,267 units sold in Oct 20, at the height of the festive season. The Honda Activa was the company’s bestselling two wheeler in India.
      Two Wheeler Retail Sales Nov 2020 vs Nov 2019 (MoM) – FADA
      TVS Motor Company reported that for Nov 20, the company registered a 21.72 percent growth in yearly sales. Sales for Nov 20 stood at 2,95,559 units, up from 2,42,824 units sold in Nov 19. The company also noted a MoM sales increase by 89.38 percent as 1,39,496 units were retailed in Oct 20.
      Bajaj, Suzuki, Royal Enfield and Yamaha
      Bajaj, Suzuki Royal Enfield and Yamaha each posted de-growth in the past month. Bajaj Auto retail sales dipped 30.80 percent to 1,52,965 units, down from 2,21,063 units sold in Nov 19 while the company commanded a market share of 10.11 percent. Market share in Oct 20 was at 11.37 percent when the company retailed 1,18,486 units, relating to a MoM growth of 29.10 percent.
      Two Wheeler Retail Sales Nov 2020 vs Oct 2020 (MoM) – FADA
      Suzuki also noted de-growth to the extent of 15.65 percent YoY. Nov 20 retail sales stood at 51,194 units, down from 60,694 units sold in Nov 19 while MoM sales increased 18.06 percent as against 43,361 units sold in Oct 20. Royal Enfield also reported de-growth in Nov 20 with 48,881 units retailed, down 24.06 percent as against 64,368 units sold in the same month of the previous year. MoM retails however grew 4.91 percent with 46,593 units retailed during Oct 20.
      With a market share of 3.12 percent Yamaha sales dipped 8.48 percent to 47,208 units in Nov 20 down from 51,581 units sold in Nov 19 while MoM sales grew by 12.50 percent as against 41,961 units sold during the festive and auspicious month of Oct 20.
      No
      2W Retail Sales
      Nov-20
      Nov-19
      1
      Hero (-23%)
      5,24,986
      6,83,591
      2
      Honda (-17%)
      3,80,088
      4,59,774
      3
      TVS (+22%)
      2,95,559
      2,42,824
      4
      Bajaj (-31%)
      1,52,965
      2,21,063
      5
      Suzuki (-16%)
      51,194
      60,694
      6
      Enfield (-24%)
      48,881
      64,368
      7
      Yamaha (-8%)
      47,208
      51,581
      8
      Piaggio (-24%)
      4,722
      6,201
      9
      Jawa (-17%)
      3,203
      3,842
      10
      BMW (+62%)
      427
      263
      11
      Kawasaki (-63%)
      109
      293
      12
      Harley (-67%)
      69
      212
      13
      Triumph (-13%)
      59
      68
      14
      Ducati (-80%)
      5
      25
      15
      Others / Electric (+14%)
      3,727
      3,251
      –
      Total (-16%)
      15,13,202
      17,98,050
      Piaggio and Jawa reported de- growth of 23.85 percent and 16.63 percent in Nov 20 while and BMW reported an increase in retail sales to the extent of 62.36 percent YoY growth with 424 units retailed in the past month and a 310.58 percent MoM growth as against 104 units retailed in Oct 20.
      Retail de-growth was reported for Kawasaki, Harley, Triumph and Ducati while the other two wheeler makers along with electric two wheelers saw a YoY growth of 14.64 percent to 3,727 units in Nov 20 up from 3,251 units sold in Nov 19. The demand for electric two wheelers on the rise with a MoM growth of 42.63 percent as against 2,613 units sold in Oct 20.
      Vinkesh Gulati, President of FADA has cautioned all two wheeler Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEMs) and dealers to keep a check on vehicle inventory. Usually demand stays subdued post the festive season as has been noted in the past, and this year especially, sales could be impacted due to the pandemic situation in the country.
      Disclaimer – The above retail sales figures do not include data from AP, MP, LD & TS as these States/UT’s are not yet registered on Vahan 4. More

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      Aprilia SXR 160 Scooter Bookings Open 11 Dec – Deliveries Start Soon After

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      Aprilia SXR 160 Scooter
      The Aprilia SXR 160 Maxi Scooter could be priced from around Rs.1.30 lakhs

      The Aprilia SXR 160 maxi scooter has been detailed prior to launch later this month. It will be opened for bookings at the end of this week – on 11th Dec.
      Bookings will open online, as well as at their dealer across India. The new scooter has entered production at the company plant in Baramati earlier this month.
      Aprilia SXR 160 is designed in Italy specifically for the Indian market. It is a maxi scooter as was seen when on display at the 2020 Auto Expo in February. Launch was initially set for earlier this year but the COVID-19 pandemic caused some delay.
      Aprilia SXR 160 Design
      Where design is concerned, the maxi scooter boasts of ample luggage and leg space. The rider gets an upright riding stature for better comfort. It receives a large seat, LED headlamps inspired by the RS660 and an angular front apron. Design elements to the rear include an LED tail lamp with integrated rear blinkers.

      The Aprilia SXR 160 gets a fully digital LCD instrument cluster with feather touch switches, a USB charging port and smartphone connectivity. Styling elements also include raised handlebars, 12 inch alloy wheels and illuminated under-seat storage. It will get ABS among its safety features while Piaggio has announced that the maxi scooter will boast of excellent handling and efficient stability even at higher speed.
      Most Powerful Scooter in Segment
      Piaggio Aprilia SXR 160 is slated to be the most powerful scooter in its segment. It will get its power via a 160cc, 3 valve, single cylinder, fuel injected engine which also powers the SR160. No power or torque figures have been revealed as on date but are expected to be in the region of 10.7 hp and 11.6 Nm. The engine gets mated to a CVT unit.
      Braking and suspension will be via ventilated disc brakes with twin pot calipers and telescopic fork in the front and adjustable shock absorbers at the rear. Once launched, the Aprilia SXR 160 will compete against its very own siblings Aprilia SR 160 and 150 cc Vespa scooters while it will also go up against the Suzuki Burgman Street 125.
      As per dealer sources, the SXR 160 will be launched at the end of December with deliveries to commence from first week of January 2021. Apart from the Aprilia SXR 160, the company is also planning launch of the Aprilia SXR 125 maxi-scooter in India based on SR 125 which will follow launch of the SXR 160. More

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      Royal Enfield Meteor Electric Motorcycle Digital Render

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      Royal Enfield Meteor Electric
      Royal Enfield has confirmed plans to launch an all electric motorcycle in the future

      While scooters currently dominate the electric segment, we could see launch of several new electric motorcycles in the coming years. This space has only a few products and it holds significant potential for growth. Not everyone fancies riding a scooter, so electric motorcycles will inevitably have to step in to fulfil customer expectations. These products will come from both startup auto firms as well as established two wheeler manufacturers.
      Royal Enfield Meteor electric imagined
      Royal Enfield is among the leading auto companies that are working on the development of an electric motorcycle. As may be recalled, Royal Enfield currently dominates the 200cc – 500 cc motorcycle segment with more than 75% market share. To maintain its lead position, the switch to electric is necessary for the company.
      While details about Royal Enfield’s electric motorcycle have not been revealed, it is planned to be launched by 2023. It is expected to have a retro cruiser look, just like the current breed of Royal Enfield motorcycles. To get an idea about how the motorcycle might look like, here is an interesting rendering of Royal Enfield electric motorcycle.
      Royal Enfield Meteor Electric
      For this project, Meteor 350 has been used as the base model. Launched in November, Meteor 350 is the first of Royal Enfield’s next-gen products. It has a retro design and comes with new engine and chassis. In this rendering project, Meteor 350 electric gets a new dual tone colour theme of blue and white. This colour option is not available with the petrol powered Meteor 350.
      The dual tone colour theme has been subtly used on only a few components such as fuel tank, side panels, and wheels. The fuel tank’s top section has the white shade whereas the bottom part has strips of blue. The blue colour has also been applied to the wheel rims.
      Large battery pack
      The most prominent change is the huge battery pack that the motorcycle carries in its belly. If the battery pack was to be as heavy as it looks, it could create balancing issues for the motorcycle. Due to their design, electric motorcycles naturally have this problem. In comparison, electric scooters have a more suitable space for storing the battery pack.
      Among other changes is the belt drive that has replaced the chain drive. The motorcycle also mentions the term ‘EV’ on the side panel. Components such as the headlight, turn indicators, rear view mirrors, front & rear fenders and tail lamp is the same as current Meteor 350.
      Source More