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    Top 10 Best Selling Motorcycles Jan 2021 – Splendor No 1, Platina No 8

    Image – Chandresh
    Hero MotoCorp its Splendor, HF Deluxe, Passion and Glamour on the list of top 10 motorcycle sold in January 2021

    As was seen in the case of passenger vehicles, motorcycle sales in India ended the year on a most positive note. This progress has continued into the New Year with most two wheeler makers posting positive sales growth in January 2021. Here we assess top 10 motorcycle sales in January 2021 wherein it can be seen that Hero MotoCorp ruled the charts with 4 bikes, 2 of which claimed the top two positions.
    Top 10 Motorcycles Jan 2021
    Taking into account top 10 motorcycle sales, January 2021 saw total sales of 7,26,145 units, up 3.32 percent over 7,37,630 units sold in Jan 20. Hero MotoCorp had the Splendor and HF Deluxe in top two spots on the list. Splendor had a 29.57 percent share, noted sales of 2,25,382 units in Jan 21, up 1.26 percent over sales of 2,22,578 units in Jan 20.
    It was the Hero HF Deluxe at No.2. Sales dipped 29.71 percent YoY from 1,91,875 units sold in Jan 20 to 1,34,860 units sold in the past month. Hero MotoCorp also had the Passion at No. 5 and Glamour at No. 10.
    Passion sales increased 60.42 percent to 43,162 units in the past month, up from 26,905 units sold in the same month of the previous year. Glamour sales however dipped 43.74 percent to 22,681 units, down from 40,318 units sold in Jan 20.
    Top 10 Motorcycles Jan 2021
    On 21st Jan, Hero MotoCorp announced cumulative production milestone of its 100 millionth unit and introduced 6 special edition models that included the Splendor+, Xtreme 160R, Passion Pro and Glamour along with two scooters – Destini 125 and Maestro Edge 110.
    Honda CB Shine posts 74 percent growth
    Honda 2Wheelers India had the CB Shine and Unicorn on the list of top 10 motorcycles sold in Jan 21. At No.3, CB Shine was a strong seller in the past month. Sales increased by as much as 73.90 percent to 1,16,222 units, up from 66,832 units sold in Jan 20.
    The Unicorn, one of the most popular 150cc motorcycles in India, was at No.9. This commuter bike also noted positive sales with 37.79 growth to 25,799 units as against 18,723 units sold in Jan 20.
    No
    Top 10 Motorcycles
    Jan-21
    Jan-20
    % Growth
    1
    Splendor
    2,25,382
    2,22,578
    1.26
    2
    HF Deluxe
    1,34,860
    1,91,875
    -29.71
    3
    CB Shine
    1,16,222
    66,832
    73.90
    4
    Pulsar
    97,580
    68,354
    42.76
    5
    Passion
    43,162
    26,905
    60.42
    6
    Classic 350
    40,872
    40,834
    0.09
    7
    Apache
    28,456
    23,157
    22.88
    8
    Platina
    27,131
    38,054
    -28.70
    9
    Unicorn
    25,799
    18,723
    37.79
    10
    Glamour
    22,681
    40,318
    -43.74

    Total
    7,62,145
    7,37,630
    3.32
    Bajaj Pulsar and Platina
    Bajaj Auto Limited reported an 8 percent increase in total sales while exports were their highest ever in Jan 21. On the list of top 10 best-selling motorcycles in the country, Bajaj Auto had its Pulsar and Platina at No. 4 and 8 respectively. Pulsar sales increased 42.76 percent to 97,580 units, up from 68,354 units sold in Jan 20 while Platina sales decreased YoY to 27,131 units, down 28.70 percent as against 38,054 units sold in Jan 20.
    At No. 6, Royal Enfield Classic 350, the most expensive motorcycle in the list of top 10, reported flat sales. Sales which had stood at 40,834 units in Jan 20, increased only by 0.09 percent to 40,872 units in the past month. Despite its already high pricing, Royal Enfield has once again revised the prices of the Classic 350 which now starts at Rs.1,67,235 as against an earlier pricing of Rs. 1,61,688.
    TVS Motors has its Apache motorcycle on this list at No. 7 with sales increase of 22.88 percent to 28,456 units in Jan 21, up from 23,157 units sold in Jan 20. Earlier this month, TVS Motor Co increased the price of the Apache RR 310 by Rs.2,000. Following the latest revision, the new pricing now stands at Rs. 2,49,990 – ex-sh. More

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    KTM Sales, Exports Jan 2021 – Duke, RC 125, 200, 250, 390 ADV

    Image – KTM
    KTM domestic sales in Jan 21 increased due to added demand for the 200 and 125 models while exports surged thanks to 390 and 250

    KTM India has been doing well in terms of sales, reporting YoY growth both where domestic sales and exports for Jan 2021 were concerned. MoM domestic sales also showed positive results while MoM exports fell 14.95 percent.
    Total domestic sales in Jan 21 stood at 6,777 units, up 33.80 percent as against 5,065 units sold in Jan 20 while MoM sales increased 21.31 percent as against 5,595 units sold in Dec 20. Exports on the other hand, increased 8.66 percent YoY to 6,814 units in Jan 21 as against 6,271 units exported in Jan 20 while MoM exports dipped 14.94 percent, as compared to 8,011 units exported in Dec 20.
    KTM India YoY and MoM Domestic Sales Jan 21
    In domestic markets, it was the KTM 200 that commanded the most attention. Sales in Jan 21 stood at 2,979 units, up 98.47 percent over 1,501 units sold in Jan 20. The KTM 200 currently holds 43.96 percent share in the company lineup in domestic markets.
    However, it is not as much of a draw in global markets where the KTM 390 and 250 is found to be more attractive. In terms of monthly sales, KTM 200 also increased substantially by 56.61 percent as against 1,902 units sold in Dec 20.
    KTM Sales Jan 2021
    KTM 125 sales in Jan 21 stood at 2,516 units, up 15.63 percent as against 2,176 units sold in Jan 20 while MoM sales were flat as against 2,525 units sold in Dec 20. The KTM 390 also noted a marginal increase in sales in Jan 21 at 722 units, up 5.87 percent as compared to 68 units sold in Jan 20 while MoM sales increased significantly from 394 units sold in Dec 20.
    YoY and MoM sales of KTM 250 dipped 20.68 percent to 560 units in Jan 21 down from 706 units sold in Jan 20 while MoM sales also fell 27.65 percent from 744 units sold in Dec 20.
    KTM 390 Leads Exports Jan 2021
    In global markets, it was the KTM 390 that saw the most demand despite marginal de-growth. Exports of the 390 in Jan 21 stood at 3,354 units, down 3.51 percent as against 3,476 units sold in Jan 20. It was the KTM 250 that noted the maximum growth in global markets in the past month, up 328.66 percent to 1,376 units, up from 321 units exported in Jan 20.
    KTM Exports Jan 2021
    MoM exports also surged 72 percent as compared to 800 units exported in Dec 20. Exports of the KTM 200 increased YoY but suffered a MoM de-growth while sales of KTM 125 fell both in terms of YoY and MoM basis.
    Upcoming KTMs
    A new range of KTM RC series of sportsbikes are also in the making and an RC 890 prototype has been spied testing. It comes based on the 890 Duke motorcycle and will be powered by the same 889cc parallel twin engine.
    The 2021 KTM RC390 has already been spotted testing multiple times and is slated to come in with a major overhaul over its earlier counterpart with several feature updates. It will get its power via the same 373cc engine but will now comply with stricter emission standards to produce 44 hp power and 35 Nm torque. More

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    TVS iQube Sales Higher Than Bajaj Chetak Electric Scooter – For 1st Time

    Bajaj Chetak Electric Scooter
    Electric two-wheeler sales are rising, but are still a small fraction of their petrol powered counterparts

    With growing consumer interest in electric two-wheelers, a number of startups and tech companies have launched their products in the market. Some of the leading companies in this segment include the likes of Hero Electric, Okinawa, Ampere, Ather and Revolt. However, for folks who prefer buying from established auto companies, the options are fairly limited to Bajaj Chetak and TVS iQube.
    Bajaj Chetak vs. TVS iQube Jan 2021 sales
    Both Chetak and iQube were launched last year in January. While Chetak was launched in Pune, iQube was launched in Bengaluru. Bajaj later introduced Chetak in Bengaluru, whereas iQube has expanded operations to Delhi.
    In terms of overall sales, Chetak currently has the lead. However, in monthly sales, iQube was ahead in December 2020 and January 2021. In January, Chetak sales were 30 units as compared to 211 units of iQube. These numbers may seem positive for iQube, but in reality, Chetak’s low sales in recent months is due to production constraints and not due to lack of demand.
    As may be recalled, auto companies are currently facing shortage of semiconductors at the global level. A number of parts used in Chetak are imported, which is why the company hasn’t been able to meet its production timelines. Bajaj currently has pending orders for Chetak in access of 1,500 units. Due to the backlog and production constraints, Bajaj is currently not taking fresh bookings for Chetak.
    Month
    Chetak
    iQube
    Jan-20
    21
    0
    Feb-20
    100
    0
    Mar-20
    91
    18
    Apr-20
    0
    0
    May-20
    0
    0
    Jun-20
    0
    30
    Jul-20
    120
    23
    Aug-20
    192
    23
    Sep-20
    288
    7
    Oct-20
    258
    101
    Nov-20
    264
    99
    Dec-20
    3
    58
    Jan-21
    30
    211
    Total
    1,367
    577
    As and when the supply chain improves and production normalizes, Bajaj Chetak sales are expected to increase rapidly. The company is currently working to increase localization for Chetak and streamline its supply chain network. Bajaj has plans to introduce Chetak in 24 cities by end of next fiscal.
    Chetak vs. iQube – Features, specs and pricing
    Both Chetak and iQube have elegant design, with the former carrying a potent retro flavour. In terms of features, both scooters are not very different from each other. Both have water and dust resistant IP67 rated lithium-ion batteries that come with 50k/3 years warranty.
    In terms of range, Chetak can travel 95 km on a full charge in Eco mode. iQube has 75 km range in Eco mode. In speed, iQube is ahead with a top speed of 78 kmph. Chetak top speed is around 70 kmph, as per user reviews.
    TVS iQube
    Talking about pricing, Chetak Urbane variant is offered at Rs 1.15 lakh in Pune and Bengaluru. Chetak Premium variant costs Rs 1.20 lakh. In comparison, TVS iQube is priced at Rs 1.15 lakh in Bengaluru and Rs 1.08 lakh in Delhi. More

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    Jawa Forty Two Fined For Overspeeding – While Being Transported On A Tempo

    Jawa 42 on tempo gets fined for overspeeding
    Automated systems have made things easier for humans, but they have their limitations

    Overspeeding is one of the biggest causes of road accidents in the country. Every year, overspeeding results in thousands of injuries and fatalities. The government has done its bit to discourage overspeeding by significantly increasing the fine for speeding, overspeeding and racing.
    Technology has also come to the rescue, as is evident with automatic speed cameras installed in major cities. These cameras have the ability to detect speed as well as capture the image of the offending vehicle.
    India’s capital Delhi has several of these speed cameras installed at various locations. While the automated system works perfectly fine in most cases, there may be occasions when it might get tricked into making a false allegation.
    Speeding fine issued for a stationary motorcycle
    In a recent case that highlights the limitations of automated systems, a Jawa Forty Two whose battery had died and was being transported on a tempo – has been booked for overspeeding. The incident occurred in New Delhi at two places – Traffic Island, Khajuri Chowk Flyover, Usmanpur and Outer Ring Road, Block E, Gandhi Vihar. These are among the locations that have the speed cameras installed.
    Jawa 42 on tempo gets fined for overspeeding
    The owner of the motorcycle, Manoj Kumar was surprised to see the fines and has posted his experience with others on Jawa Facebook Group. The speed cameras apparently do not have the intelligence to distinguish between a motorcycle riding on a tempo and a motorcycle riding on its own wheels.
    A human would have easily spotted the difference. The automated speed cameras did exactly what they have been programmed to do, which has resulted in a wrong overspeeding fine for the motorcycle.
    The solution
    Such cases are rare, so it’s unlikely that the system will be upgraded to avoid these types of mistakes in future. The existing system is a simple one wherein only the speed of the moving vehicle and its registration number is recorded. It will require significant investments if artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning modules were to be added to the existing system.
    The owner has shared an easier solution that users can implement when transporting their motorcycle on a tempo or another vehicle. He said that just covering the number plate with a piece of cloth will be enough to avoid such fines.
    In this situation, the speed camera will detect overspeeding, but it won’t be able to record the registration number. This solution seems legit and would be helpful in avoiding unnecessary hassles when transporting a motorcycle on another vehicle. More

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    Nexzu Mobility Rompus+ Electric Cycle Launch Price Rs 31,980 – 35 Kms Range

    Nexzu Rompus+
    Rompus+ offers a range of 25km in Throttle Mode and 35 km in Eco Pedelec Mode

    With petrol prices on the rise, Nexzu Mobility has launched the new Rompus+ electric bicycle in India. It is priced at Rs.31,980 and is produced at the company plant in Chakan near Pune. The new Rompus+ super cycle is on sale at all Nexzu dealerships and via the company website while it will soon be available on Amazon and Paytm Mall.
    The first EV to roll out of the Chakan plant brings Nexzu Mobility closer to their goal of becoming a 100 percent Indian, Atmanirbhar brand and akin to Nexzu’s stance as a ‘Vocal for Local’ brand. The Rompus+ can be used as a cycle or a scooter and runs on a 36V, 250 Watt HUB brushless DC (BLDC) motor with a 36V, 5.2 Ah lithium ion battery offering a 750 cycle battery life.
    The battery can be charged upto 100 percent in 2.5-3 hours and the 3 speed EV will be capable of a top speed of 25 km/h in throttle mode and 35 km/h in eco pedelec mode. The Rompus+ gets durable front suspension and dual disc brakes. The motor and battery comes in with an 18 month warranty.
    Attractive Design
    Rompus+ is designed and manufactured in India. It is ideally suited for everyday commuters and businesses and boasts of an ergonomic design. It is built on international standards on a cold roll steel alloy frame. It gets color options of red, blue, silver and black and features include in-built horns and headlamps and a well cushioned saddle made of high grade foam while it rides on 26 inch tyres.
    Nexzu Rompus+
    Mr. Pankaj Tiwari, CMO,Nexzu Mobility, said, “After months of extensive R&D, exhilarating innovation and quiet tenacity, we are thrilled to launch the Rompus+ Supercycle. One of our most powerful and innovatively designed EVs to date, it gives us immense pride to have created such a versatile, comfortable, and feature-rich offering for the masses.”
    About Nexzu Mobility
    Formerly called Avan Motors, the company was founded in 2015 and went on to be named Nexzu Mobility in January 2020. With an exciting product portfolio, Nexzu Mobility currently has the Rompus, Roadlark and AELLO e-hybrid electric cycles in its lineup that are manufactured with 80% localization. It also manufactures the Dextro and Dextro+ electric scooters, but these models have just over 30% localization.
    The Chakan plant is spread over an area of 22,000 sq ft and includes customer display and R&D centers. The plant produces around 2,000 units of electric cycles and e-scooters per month but production capacity can be increased by 3 times.
    The company has over 70 dealerships and operates in both B2B and B2C segments. Nexzu provides best facilities in terms of after sales service and aims to revolutionize the electric mobility space in the country and is looking to expand its reach in the rural markets as well. More

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    Honda CB500X ADV Motorcycle India launch Planned For April 2021

    2021 Honda CB500X
    The Honda CB500X is expected to be positioned between the KTM 390 Adventure and Kawasaki Versys 650

    Adventure tourers are two wheeled equivalents of SUVs, and given the world is going crazy for SUVs, we are not surprised the trend has an influence on two wheeler market as well. Of late, the Indian mid-premium motorcycle segment has been witnessing a steady inflow of adventure tourers which are very well received by the audience. So, a leading manufacturer like Honda simply can’t afford to sit back and stay indifferent to this trend, especially when it already has the right product at its disposal.
    Honda CB500X coming to India
    Honda’s 500 cc medium-displacement family of motorcycles come in a variety of flavors and have been significant volume generators in many international markets including Europe. A good blend of style, performance and pricing makes them highly attractive. A recent media report suggests that Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI) is gearing up to launch the CB500X adventure tourer as early as April 2021!
    With Honda working intensely on increasing the reach of BigWing premium motorcycle outlet, the adventure tourer would come as a boost to the dealer partners. We expect the Honda CB500X to be locally assembled out of CKD kits to keep the costs competitive.
    Speaking of costs, the upcoming medium-displacement Honda would slot between the KTM 390 Adventure which retails at INR 3.10 lakh and Kawasaki Versys 650 which is priced at INR 6.91 lakh (both prices are ex-showroom). It terms of direct competitors, the Honda CB500X has the Benelli TRK 502 to face. A better brand recall and wider dealership network gives the Honda a definitive edge.
    2019 Honda CB500X
    Specifications
    Powering the Honda CB500X is a 472 cc parallel-twin, liquid-cooled, fuel-injected motor which pumps out 48 hp and 43 Nm of torque. Transmission is a 6-speed automatic. The performance on offer should be adequate for long distance touring while not burning a big hole in the wallet. For reference, the European-spec motorcycle has a fuel economy rating of 28.6 kmpl as per WMTC.
    Underpinned by a tubular diamond steel frame, the Honda CB500X sticks to the basics with telescopic front forks and a monoshock rear suspension. The front-heavy stance is further enhanced by a 19-inch front and 17-inch rear alloy wheels which are wrapped by 110/80 – ZR19 and 160/60 – ZR17 tyres respectively.
    Braking is courtesy of a 310 mm front disc with a two-piston caliper and a 240 mm rear unit with a single-piston caliper. A dual-channel ABS system comes as a standard equipment.
    Features
    The Honda CB500X keeps up with the industry standards when it comes to equipment but there are no fancy electronic gadgets in the interest of keeping the price at bay. You do get LED headlamp, negative backlight LCD instrument console with trip computer, fuel economy indicator, gear position indicator, etc.

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    TVS Apache 310 Price Increased Yet Again – New Price Rs 2.5 Lakh

    Image – Aniket Sharma
    A popular track-ready motorcycle, TVS Apache 310 competes with the likes of KTM RC390

    In a development that could probably be attributed to rising input costs, TVS has increased price of Apache RR310 yet again. From Rs 2.48 lakh earlier, price has been increased to Rs 2,49,990. That’s almost Rs 2k costlier. TVS has increased prices of its Apache range in January as well. At that time, price of RR310 was increased from Rs 2.45 lakh to Rs 2.48 lakh. All prices are ex-showroom.
    RR310 vs. KTM RC390 pricing
    With the latest price hike, Apache 310 has further reduced the pricing gap with its primary rival – KTM RC390. The latter currently retails at Rs 2.60 lakh. KTM has also been increasing prices of its motorcycles at regular intervals. As may be recalled, KTM had increased prices in December 2020 as well as in January 2021. In January, KTM RC390 price was increased from 2.57 lakh to Rs 2.60 lakh.
    TVS Apache 310 2020 BS6 model – key updates
    TVS had launched BS6 Apache RR310 last year in January. At that time, it was priced at Rs 2.40 lakh. As compared to BS4 model, BS6 RR310 had become costlier by around Rs 12k. Apart from the BS6 upgrade, TVS had introduced several other improvements in 2020 RR310.
    One of the key additions was a new 5.0-inch TFT colour instrument panel that had integrated Bluetooth connectivity system called TVS Smart Xconnect. Once paired with the user’s smartphone, it allows users to access a range of features. These can be accessed via TVS Connect App.
    Month
    Apache 310 Price
    Feb-21
    2,49,990
    Jan-21
    2,48,000
    Dec-20
    2,45,000
    Some of the supported features include ride statistics, incoming call management, turn-by-turn navigation, vehicle health reports, and mobile signal and battery level display. The instrument panel comes with Day Mode and Night Mode backlit options to provide better visibility based on light conditions.
    Another key update was ride-by-wire throttle system, which is a segment-first feature. Users have the option to choose from four ride modes of Sport, Urban, Track and Rain. The automated system adjusts things like torque and ABS based on the ride mode selected. This allows optimal performance in varying ride conditions.
    RR310 engine
    Powering TVS Apache RR310 is a 312.2cc, liquid cooled, reverse inclined, single cylinder motor. It is mated to a 6-speed gearbox. Power and torque varies depending on the ride mode selected. Max power (34 ps) and torque (27.3 Nm) output is available in Sport and Track mode. The numbers get reduced to 25.8 ps and 25 Nm in Urban and Rain mode. Apache RR310 top speed is rated at 160 kmph. It can reach 0 to 60 kmph in less than three seconds.
    In the current fiscal year, cumulative production of the RR310 has been around 2,500 units. Based on this engine, a new motorcycle is expected to launch later this year. More

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    350cc Motorcycle Sales Jan 2021 – Classic, Meteor, Bullet, HNESS CB350

    Image – Jaison
    350cc motorcycle segment continues to register strong growth with Royal Enfield in lead

    Motorcycle sales in 350cc segment continue to stay buoyant, registering YoY growth of 18.18%. A total of 66,489 units were sold in January 2021, as compared to 56,262 units in January last year. MoM growth is also positive at 4.83%, as compared to 63,424 units sold in December 2020.
    In exports, the segment registered YoY growth of 247.79%. A total of 1,572 units were exported in January 2021, as compared to 452 units in January last year. MoM growth is 86.70%, as compared to 842 units exported in December 2020.
    350cc motorcycles domestic sales – January 2021
    Royal Enfield Classic 350 continues to be the top selling motorcycle in this segment with 40,872 units sold in January 2021. YoY growth is 0.09%, as compared to 40,834 units sold in January last year. Classic 350 market share is 61.47% in January 2021. In terms of MoM growth, Classic 350 has registered an increase of 3.94%, as compared to 39,321 units sold in December 2020.
    At number two is Bullet 350 with 11,570 units sold in January 2021. YoY sales are up 21.04%, as compared to 9,559 units sold in January last year. Bullet commanded a market share of 17.40% in January 2021. MoM growth is at 10.40%, as compared to 10,480 units sold in December 2020.
    350cc segment Motorcycle sales Jan 2021
    Electra 350 is next with 5,431 units sold in January 2021. YoY growth is down by -7.46%, as compared to 5,869 units sold in January last year. It is the only motorcycle in this segment to register negative YoY growth in January 2021. Market share stands at 8.17%. Electra MoM growth is positive at 55.62%, as compared to 3,490 units sold in December 2020.
    At number four is Meteor 350 with 5,073 units sold in January 2021. Meteor seems to be losing traction, as MoM growth is down by -40.80%. December 2020 numbers were much higher at 8,569 units. Meteor 350 market share is 7.63% in January 2021.
    Next is Honda H’ness CB350 with 3,543 units sold in January 2021. The newest entrant in this segment, CB350 has improved its MoM numbers by 126.53%. A total of 1,564 units were sold in December 2020. CB350 market share is 5.33% in January 2021.
    350cc segment Motorcycle Exports Jan 2021
    As is evident from these numbers, Royal Enfield continues to maintain its dominance in 350cc segment. Collectively, Classic, Bullet, Electra and Meteor commanded a market share of close of 95%.
    350cc motorcycles exports – January 2021
    In exports, Classic 350 leads with 1,107 units in January 2021. Both YoY and MoM growth is up by 155.07% and 365.13%, respectively. At number two is CB350 with exports of 270 units. MoM growth is down by -47.06%, as compared to 510 units exported in December 2020. Meteor 350 takes the third place with exports of 184 units. MoM numbers have close to doubled, as compared to 94 units exported in December 2020.
    Electra 350 is at fourth place with 11 units exported in January 2021. YoY growth is down by -38.89%, as compared to 18 units exported in January last year. Next is Bullet with not even a single unit exported. More