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    Mahindra To Launch BSA Motorcycle In The UK – Likely To Get Jawa Based Engine

    BSA Motorcycles
    BSA motorcycles are expected to be pitched as a premium alternative to the Royal Enfield products in Europe

    Classic Legends, a partial subsidiary of Mahindra, is all set to establish its production footprint abroad. After resurrecting Jawa Motorcycles, the two wheeler maker is on course to do the same for the iconic British brand BSA. Anand Mahindra, Chairman, Mahindra Group, announced that the first of the new BSA motorcycles will be assembled by Classic Legends in the UK starting from mid-2021.
    BSA Motorcycles by Classic Legends
    The timeline indicates that the new BSA motorcycle is almost ready for production and the company is just waiting for the Brexit negotiations to be completed. It is being reported that the product in question is likely being developed in India.
    Established in 1861, Birmingham Small Arms (BSA) started its life as a weapons manufacturer before diversifying into motorcycles in early 20th century. After thriving for decades, the motorcycle division’s fortunes started dwindling in 1960’s before eventually going bankrupt in 1972. With a rich heritage and a positive brand recall, the BSA brand has a potential for revival with right kind of product, and that is exactly what Classic Legends has in mind.
    Market positioning
    Even though the first BSA motorcycle by Classic Legends is only a few months away from entering production, we don’t know much about the technical details. It is being reported that the company is aiming to target the 5,000 to 10,000 pound segment (INR 4.92 lakh to 9.84 lakh).
    Jawa in Europe
    This suggests that the product is likely to be a medium displacement retro-classic roadster commanding a premium over comparable Royal Enfield products. Coincidentally, the recently launched Jawa in Czech Republic by Mahindra Classic Legends, is priced in a similar range. Price of Jawa in Europe starts from €6k (approx Rs 5.23L). It is possible Mahindra uses the Jawa based engine for their BSA range of motorcycles. Jawa currently has two single cylinder engine options on offer – one is a 295cc unit while the other is a 334cc unit.
    More details are likely to trickle down in the coming months as the company gets ready for the market launch. Assembly operations in the UK strongly suggests that Europe is the primary target market where the brand has a better recall. Selling a British-made motorcycle in India in a segment dominated my Royal Enfield is not exactly a sound business plan, and hence, we think BSA may not have our country on its radar.
    BSA electric motorcycle on the anvil
    According to The Guardian, Classic Legends has received a grant of 4.3 million pounds (around INR 45.2 Cr) from the UK government to develop an electric motorcycle. The grant will be used to set up a technical center at Banbury, Oxfordshire, with an estimated generation of 255 jobs.
    The electric BSA in question is expected to be ready by end of 2021. It remains to be seen if this has any connection to the electric platform that Classic Legends is reported to be developing for India.
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    Honda CB350 vs Royal Enfield Classic 350 vs Meteor – Vibration Test

    Vibration Test By Nitin Autoroids
    Which is the motorcycle that offers the lowest vibrations?

    Vibrations from a motorcycle may not matter much for short, occasional rides, but it can have a dramatic impact during long distance touring. It can give you that shaky feeling and make you fatigued as well. If we consider a span of several years, motorcycle vibrations may also result in lower back pain issues. These risk factors make it imperative that we choose a ride that has the least vibration.
    Vibration test – Honda H’Ness CB350 Vs. Meteor 350 Vs. Classic 350
    The most popular cruiser motorcycle in the country is Royal Enfield Classic 350, which is known for its rugged quality and reliable performance. As may be recalled, Royal Enfield motorcycles are also used by the Indian Army in some of the most challenging terrains in the world. Royal Enfield motorcycles are no doubt good, but one common complaint is the significant amount of vibration they generate.
    The company seems to have acknowledged these issues and is in the process of making improvements in its next-gen products. The first of these is Meteor 350 that has significantly less vibration, as compared to Classic 350. We have already seen this in an earlier video.
    But how does Meteor 350 fare against its primary rival, Honda H’Ness CB350? Answer to that question has now been revealed in this new video by Nitin Autoroids, that compares vibration of Honda CB350 vs. Meteor 350 vs. Classic 350.
    [embedded content]
    In this test too, a glass of water (plastic glass) has been used to test vibration. On Honda CB350, the water filled glass remains still on the fuel tank as well as on the rear seat. Results are the same at higher rpm.
    On Meteor 350, the glass remains still when the engine is idling. However, when the rpm is increased, the glass of water starts to move. On Classic 350, the glass experiences significant vibrations. It moves and falls off the rear seat at high rpm. As compared to Classic 350, Honda CB350 and Meteor were able to sustain the glass for much longer duration.
    Vibration test conclusion
    According to the YouTuber, Honda CB350 has the least vibration among the three bikes. At number two is Meteor 350, which had increased vibrations at higher rev speeds. Classic 350 is obviously the last in this test result.
    Disclaimer – It is important to note that although this test methodology seems reliable, it is not a replacement for measuring vibration using specialized tools. The results may vary if proper vibration measurement tools are used. That way, it will also tell us exactly how much vibration is coming from each of these motorcycles. More

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    Evoke Urban Classic Electric Motorcycle Spied In India – Launch Soon

    Evoke Urban Classic Electric Motorcycle
    Evoke Motorcycles earlier planned to set foot in India an entry-level bike named ‘Project M1’

    Electric two-wheeler manufacturer Evoke’s first electric bike has officially landed in India ahead of its launch. First unit of Urban Classic electric motorcycle has been unboxed in what could be Evoke Motorcycles first showroom in India or at a hall for private presentation.
    Pictures of the same have been posted by Tesla Club India on Twitter. Evoke is a Chinese brand which claims to sell the fastest electric bikes in Asia. Apart from the Urban Classic power cruiser, Evoke currently retails Evoke Urban S, the cruiser’s naked twin in global markets.
    Evoke Urban Classic Electric Motorcycle
    Dimensions
    There are no further details attached to the images which might give us some additional information. Speaking of Urban Classic, the electric bike is 2,030 mm long and 710 mm wide plus it has a wheelbase of 1,380mm. It has a saddle height of 760mm and a ground clearance of a meagre 130mm. The electric power cruiser has a kerb weight of 179 kg and it gets a payload capacity of 150 kg.
    Hardware & Features
    Coming to its dynamics, the Urban Classic rolls on a 3.00×17-inch alloy wheel at front and 6.00×17-inch wheel at rear. These are wrapped by 110/70 sections of tyres at front and 180/55 at rear. Anchoring duties are carried out dual 300×4 mm disc brakes with dual 4-piston hydraulic callipers at front and 220×4 mm disc brake with 2-piston hydraulic calliper at rear.
    Specs
    Evoke Urban Classic Electric Motorcycle
    Max Power
    19 kW (26 ps)
    Max Torque
    86 ft-lb (116 Nm)
    Drive
    Hub motor
    Battery
    8.4 kWh Lithium ion
    Battery Life
    2 Lakh kms
    Charger
    3.6 kW
    0-80% Charging Time
    90 minutes
    Top Speed
    130 kmph
    Max Range
    200 kms
    0-60 kmph
    3 seconds
    0-100 kmph
    6 seconds
    Front Brake
    300mm Dual Disc
    Rear Brake
    220mm Single Disc CBS
    Front Tyre
    110/70 – R17
    Rear Tyre
    180/55 – R17
    Front Suspension
    USD Forks
    Rear Suspension
    Monoshock
    Kerb Wt
    179 kgs
    Carrying Capacity
    150 kgs
    Wheelbase
    1380 mm
    Length
    2030mm
    Width
    710mm
    Seat Ht
    760mm
    Ground Clearance
    130mm
    Ride Modes
    Pro, City, ECO
    Console
    Digital
    Reverse Gear
    Yes
    Lights
    LED
    Regen Braking
    Yes
    Price
    USD 8,499 (Rs 6.32 lakhs)
    Strangely there is no ABS on offer but a CBS does the job. Suspension duties at the front are carried out by a 42 mm inverted fork while at the rear it is taken care by an adjustable mono-shock unit.
    Some of the notable features on board are LCD touchscreen instrument console, LED headlights, multiple riding modes namely- Pro, City and Eco; and diamond-stitched Tibetan leather seats. Evoke Urban Classic is offered in two paint schemes- Galaxy Black and Oceanic Blue.

    Powertrain
    In terms of its powertrains, a 19 kW hub motor mounted on the rear wheel draws power from an 8.42 kWh Lithium-ion NMC battery pack. This setup returns an output of 26 PS of maximum power and 117 Nm of peak torque. It can achieve a top speed of 130 kmph and claims a 0-60 kmph acceleration in 3 seconds flat.
    The claimed range on the battery pack on single-charge is 200 km. Evoke provides its customers with a 3.6 kW charger which juices the battery from 0-80 percent in just 90 minutes.

    As per earlier reports, Evoke was initially planning to introduce a new entry-level bike codenamed ‘Project M1’ in India. The planned localisation level of this electric motorcycle was kept at 70 percent to keep its cost in check. It was to compete with other 125-150cc bikes in the Indian market. On the other hand, Evoke Urban Classic is offered at a price of USD 8,499 which translates to INR 6.33 lakh.
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    Top 20 Two Wheeler Exports Sep 2020 – Boxer, Pulsar, Apache, FZ, Ray

    Bajaj Pulsar NS 200
    After several months of negative growth, two-wheeler exports have returned positive results in September 2020

    A total of 3,25,859 units were exported, which is YoY gain of 16.31%. Exports during the corresponding period last year stood at 2,80,166 units.
    Among the top ten most exported two-wheelers, eight have registered positive YoY growth. The boom in two-wheeler exports in September can be attributed to improving pandemic situation in global markets and increase in production capacity in India with the lifting of lockdown restrictions.
    Bajaj continues to dominate
    Bajaj may not be the number one two-wheeler manufacturer in domestic market, but it is the undisputed leader in exports. The company has presence in more than 70 countries across Africa, Middle East and Latin America. Its top selling product in international markets is Boxer, which has remained the most exported two-wheeler for a long time.
    Boxer exports in September were 1,01,344 units, which is YoY gain of 9.83%. Exports during September last year were 92,273 units. Boxer’s market share stands at 31.10%.
    Two Wheeler Exports Sep 2020
    At number two is TVS Star City with 49,980 units exported in September. YoY growth is 54.85%, as compared to 32,277 units exported in September last year. TVS Star City is also exported to several global markets across Asia Pacific, Africa and Latin America.
    Bajaj takes the next three spots with Pulsar, Discover and CT. If we sum up the market share of all Bajaj two-wheelers in top five, it works out at 53.71%. This clearly shows the company’s dominance in two-wheeler exports. Pulsar takes the third place with 44,175 units exported in September. YoY growth is 73.41%, as compared to 25,474 units exported in September last year.
    No
    Two Wheeler Exports
    Sep-20
    Sep-19
    1
    Boxer
    1,01,344
    92,273
    2
    Star City
    49,980
    32,277
    3
    Pulsar
    44,175
    25,474
    4
    Discover
    15,536
    12,792
    5
    CT
    13,940
    20,904
    6
    Apache
    9,913
    9,889
    7
    FZ
    9,022
    10,690
    8
    Ray
    6,572
    4,418
    9
    NAVI
    5,452
    1,864
    10
    CB Twister
    4,420
    520
    11
    HF Deluxe
    4,054
    1,688
    12
    NTORQ
    4,051
    3,536
    13
    CB Hornet
    4,037
    2,692
    14
    Platina
    3,924
    4,896
    15
    Splendor
    3,832
    3,544
    16
    Dio
    3,807
    9,854
    17
    GIXXER 155
    3,373
    5,659
    18
    CB Shine
    3,328
    3,840
    19
    SPORT
    3,228
    5,400
    20
    Fascino
    1,960
    180
    21
    650 Twins
    1,679
    2,137
    22
    Crux
    1,476
    402
    23
    Himalayan
    1,474
    590
    24
    Dominar
    1,413
    554
    25
    KTM 200
    1,340
    739
    26
    Burgman
    1,263
    1,832
    27
    Dominar
    1,260
    0
    28
    GIXXER 250
    1,232
    240
    29
    Jive
    1,162
    10
    30
    Victor
    1,120
    1,280
    31
    Xtreme
    1,105
    368
    32
    LIVO
    1,100
    1,800
    33
    SR 50 MT
    1,088
    432
    34
    XPULSE 200
    1,011
    0
    35
    Saluto RX
    1,000
    648
    36
    KTM 390
    966
    843
    37
    GRAZIA
    960
    2,664
    38
    FZ25
    940
    1,864
    39
    Typhoon R 50
    912
    368
    40
    Dream
    910
    950
    41
    BMW 310
    886
    1,616
    42
    SZ
    816
    1,296
    43
    X Blade
    732
    1,407
    44
    Classic 350
    698
    1,061
    45
    Acheiver
    682
    276
    46
    CB Unicorn
    672
    1,296
    47
    KTM
    550
    367
    48
    Activa
    520
    860
    49
    Destini
    504
    488
    50
    R15
    440
    1,388

    Total
    3,25,859
    2,80,166
    Next in the list is Bajaj Discover with 15,536 units exported in September. YoY gain is 21.45%, as compared to 12,792 units exported in September last year. At fifth place is Bajaj CT with exports of 13,940 units. This is the only Bajaj product in top five to register negative YoY growth. As compared to 20,904 units exported in September last year, YoY growth is down by -33.31%.
    Other two-wheelers in top ten include TVS Apache, Yamaha FZ, Yamaha Ray, Honda Navi, and Honda CB Twister. With the exception of FZ, all other two-wheelers have registered positive YoY growth in September.
    Scope for improvement
    Even though overall YoY export growth is positive, close to 50% of two-wheelers have registered negative growth in September. It is possible that two-wheeler exports may improve in the coming months with growing preference for personal transport. How the pandemic situation takes shape in the future will also have a bearing on two-wheeler exports. More

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    New Hero Xtreme 200S BS6 Arrives In Showroom – Detailed Walkaround

    Image – The Bengal Rider
    New BS6 Hero Xtreme 200S is powered by a 199.6cc engine with oil cooling and XSens Technology

    In October, Hero MotoCorp had launched four new products of Hero Splendor+ Black and Accent, Hero Glamour Blaze, Hero Pleasure+ Platinum and Hero Maestro Edge 125 Stealth. These will help the company boost sales during Diwali 2020.
    Now, the company has launched the new BS6 compliant Xtreme 200S premium motorcycle. In its BS6 guise, the 200S sees some changes in terms of features, colour options and engine and this gets detailed in a walkaround video shot at the Ridhi Hero Howrah showroom and is seen on the Bengal Rider YouTube Channel.
    Features and Colour Options
    The new Hero Xtreme 200S is presented in 3 color schemes of Sports Red, Panther Black and a New Pearl Fadeless White and is now priced at Rs.1.16 lakhs which is higher by around Rs.14,800 over its BS4 counterpart which was priced at Rs.1,00,900.
    The new BS6 Xtreme 200S sits on a diamond type frame and rides on 17 inch alloy wheels fitted with tubeless tyres. It stands 2,062mm in length, 778mm in width and 1,106mm in height with 165mm ground clearance and wheelbase of 1,338mm. Saddle height is at 759mm, fuel tank is of 12.8 liter capacity and kerb weight is at 154.5 kgs.
    [embedded content]
    The updated Xtreme 200S receives features such as twin LED headlamp, LED position lamp and LED tail lamp. It gets LED DRLs with black housing and LED back light unit. Its features also include sharp mirrors and an all digital LCD instrument panel with speedo and tacho readings along with gear position indicator and engine malfunction light at the top right hand corner of the screen. The rider can sync the system via Bluetooth and get turn by turn navigation and call alerts on the instrument panel.
    BS6 Engine
    The BS6 compliant engine that now makes its way onto the new Hero Xtreme 200S sees a dip in performance as compared to its BS4 counterpart. The 199.6 cc, single cylinder, 4 stroke, fuel injected, oil cooled engine gets XSens technology and delivers 17.8 hp power at 8,500 rpm and 16.4 Nm torque at 6,500 rpm mated to a 5 speed constant mesh transmission.
    This is 0.3 hp and 0.7 Nm lower than that seen on the BS4 compliant engine. Suspension is via telescopic fork in the front and 7 step adjustable mono shock at the rear while braking is managed via 276mm disc in front and 200mm disc at the rear along with single channel ABS.
    This premium, fully faired motorcycle, for which bookings have opened and deliveries are set to commence soon, competes with the likes of Bajaj Pulsar 180F, 220F, TVS Apache 200, etc. Hero MotoCorp is offering the new 200S with complimentary Road Side Assistance for 1 year with on call support, repair on the spot, tow to nearest Hero service center, fuel delivery in case of fuel run out, flat tyre support, key retrieval support and battery jump start. More

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    Royal Enfield Order Backlog Breaches 125k – Meteor 350 Bookings Cross 8k

    Image – The Bikers Diary
    Supply chain issues on the vendors’ side have led to rise in number of bookings pending at Royal Enfield

    Royal Enfield has set the ball rolling for introduction of its next-gen models with the launch of Meteor 350 earlier this month. Despite several challenges faced in the form of other OEMs venturing into mid-segment motorcycles, Royal Enfield’s ship has remained steady as the brand holds a commanding position in this space in India.
    However, it is the challenges from within rather than outside which has forced the Chennai-based bikemaker to stay on its toes. During its course of development, the latest offering from Royal Enfield, the Meteor 350, faced several delays primarily due to supply chain issues.
    Current Status of pending bookings
    As of last Thursday, the company’s backlog rose to 1.25 lakhs, over three times in comparison to 40,000 bookings on hold in August 2020. This comes at a time when the manufacturer has seen a recovery in demand. It is evident that the company has been facing supply chain constraints for the past few months which has led to delays in the launch timeline of its several upcoming bikes.
    This backlog has also resulted in an extensive waiting period which is not good news for consumers as well as the company. In an interaction with a website, Royal Enfield CEO, Vinod Dasari claimed that it is not a generic supply chain problem.
    He added that the firm has been facing certain supply issues at its vendors’ end for specific models, without going into details. Dasari further adds that the company has removed some bottlenecks with minor capital expenditure here and there, and is now looking to increase the capacity by about 5 percent this year.
    Possible Way Forward For RE
    According to Siddhartha Lal, MD at Eicher Motors, the parent company of Royal Enfield, the manufacturer has a higher capacity addition target but faces other bottlenecks. Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, the bikemaker sold 60,000 motorcycles in a month on an average. This number rose to 70,000 bookings in October. Lal admits that the company could achieve 100,000 bookings a month in a few years without huge capital and a new plant.
    Eicher Motors’ net profit declined by 40.13 percent YoY to Rs 343 crore for the quarter ended in September while its total revenue stood at Rs 2,134 crore, a 3 percent total degrowth. In the last few years, demand for Royal Enfield bikes has come from Tier 2 as well as Tier 3 and now it wants to emerge victorious in metros as they resume businesses in full flow from the nationwide lockdown. MoM sales volume rose to 11% to 66,891 units in October.
    Royal Enfield has already received over 8,000 bookings for its latest Meteor 350. This bike directly locks horns with Honda’s latest inclusion, H’Ness CB350. The company also recently claimed that it is planning to launch 28 new bikes in the next seven years, i.e., one new bike every quarter. New Meteor 350 is offered in three variants- Fireball, Stellar and SuperNova at a starting price of Rs 1.75 lakh (ex-showroom).
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    2021 Honda Scoopy 110cc Scooter Unveiled – Delivers 59 kmpl Mileage

    2021 Honda Scoopy
    2021 Honda Scoopy new generation scooter makes global debut – Has been launched in Indonesia

    One of the popular scooters in Indonesia, Honda Scoopy has sold more than 4.5 million units since the time it was launched in the country in 2010. Honda has now launched the next-gen model that comes with a range of cosmetic upgrades and new features. It is available at a starting price of IDR 19.95 million, approximately INR 1.05 lakh.
    Design and features
    2021 Honda Scoopy is a lot more attractive in comparison to its predecessor. It has been designed in accordance with the styling needs of the fashion conscious young generation. A range of visual enhancements have been incorporated such as the oval shaped headlamp and tail lamp and splashier rear indicators. The new headlamp is also functionally relevant, as it comes with LED projector lighting system.

    Next-gen Honda Scoopy is being offered in four variants, Sporty, Fashion, Stylish and Prestige. Each variant has its unique colour options such as Prestige white and black, Stylish brown and red, Fashion blue and cream and Sporty red and black.
    Talking about comfort and convenience, new Scoopy gets a large 15.4 litre utility storage space beneath the seat. A USB charger has been added to the console box, allowing users to charge their mobile devices without the need for an additional adapter. Other key features include multi-function hook at the front and side stand indicator.
    [embedded content]
    In terms of safety & security, new Scoopy has been equipped with smart keys that offer answer back feature and anti-theft alarm. It also gets tubeless tyres and brake lock lever.
    Scoopy engine
    Powering Honda Scoopy is latest generation 110 cc, SOHC, programmed fuel injection engine that is capable of delivering 9 PS of max power at 7,500 rpm and 9.3 Nm of peak torque at 5,500 rpm. It comes with eSP (enhanced Smart Power), which not only boosts performance but also improves fuel efficiency. The scooter also gets ACG starter, which ensures smooth engine starts without the usual spluttering sound.

    Another great feature is the advanced Idling Stop System (ISS) that turns the engine off when it is idle for more than 3 seconds. To restart, the user just needs to rev the accelerator. New Scoopy comes with a larger fuel tank that can hold 4.2 litres. As per EURO 3 testing standards, new Scoopy can travel 59 km per litre when used with ISS.
    The scooter’s improved performance is also made possible with the new eSAF frame. The new frame offers multiple benefits such as better ergonomics, improved agility to tackle city traffic and lightweight for enhanced fuel efficiency.

    It is not certain if Scoopy will be launched in the Indian market. Honda already has the top selling Activa in its portfolio, so, there’s limited possibility. More

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    BattRE Electric Vehicle Charging Solution – Can Be Installed By Anyone, Anywhere

    BattRE Electric Scooter
    Set up a BattRE charging station at your home, office, or shop

    With the Indian EV market seeing more and more product launches in recent years, now more than ever before, there needs to be an expedient discussion on having a robust EV infrastructure network. Manufacturers are already working on creating such grids, and focus is on ensuring that all vehicles can be charged at such places.
    As more and more people turn to EVs, the need for these infrastructure networks to be superbly smart will become the need of the hour. For instance, users will need to turn to an app to figure out where they can find a free TV station to charge their vehicles on the go. Because the process takes a certain amount of time, charging the vehicle partially and quickly will become a focus area.
    EV charging station infra
    Brand BattRE retails a range of electric scooters in the market. Its latest development revolves around growing it’s charging station network. Touted to be a low-cost charging solution for EVs, it’s charging solution is now being monetised.
    BattRE EV charging solution
    As such, for those with the luxury of a secure and safe areas in their house that can be publicly accessed, setting up a charging station will be a new income source. This can be done outside of home, office, shop, plot of land, etc. Income generated will be directly transferred to listed bank account through UPI.
    The open charging network is for all EV users. The simple and streamlined process involves downloading BattRE app from playstore. Users would be able to locate the nearest charging station, and scan a QR code on the charger to begin charging. Payment process is based on suing an UPI. While the process doesn’t outline concerns regarding waiting time and charger availability, that process is most likely built in.
    Charging network monetisation
    Monestising the charging network will help generate enough interest cause it will allow people to provide leads on space available rather than the company scouting for available spaces, which is time consuming to say the least. And rather than the company having to explain the benefits of the system, making it an outright money making venture will already place it in good stead with potential customers.
    For the EV charging infra network to be a widespread and effective platform, there needs to be efficient government involvement and/or necessary private and public partnerships that will help make available such space.
    In the meantime, individual companies are doing what’s necessary to build a strong base for sustainable growth. Processes involved ensure a larger group of stakeholders and this bodes well in creating much needed chatter around the EV industry, which at present is a small one that’s registering growth. In general, a number of charging stations are free for use currently but these offers will not last a lifetime. More