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      TVS e2W Launch On August 23, 2023 – Could be Creon e-scooter

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      TVS Creon electric scooter test muleIn its concept form showcased in 2018, TVS Creon featured a battery good enough for 80 km of range and 0-60 km/h in 5.1 secondsTVS is one of the largest 2W and 3W manufacturing companies in the world. The company is continuously evolving its portfolio to include BEVs as well. TVS has invested close to Rs. 1,000 Crore on its EV portfolio in 2021 and we are seeing its results in the form of iQube, the second-highest-selling electric scooter in India.The company seems to be expanding its electric scooter envelope to include another. TVS is sending out official invites. There are easter eggs in this invite that suggest a possibility of it’s newest launch being an EV. Is it Creon, though? That’s hard to say. But, a possibility exists.The Electric Marvel That Will Blow Your Socks Off – TVS Creon or?We say launch and not debut because that’s what the invite says. Speaking of, this invite has a white tower-like element in one teaser and stacked four-cube event in another teaser. These might be the scooter’s LED DRL signatures. We’ve seen TVS’ distinct LED signatures in Ronin, Ntorq and Raider as well. After this tower-like element, it reads “Thrill has a date”.Below that, TVS mentions “Mark your calendar to witness an electric-fying launch that will defy the status quo in mobility”.TVS Creon launch teaser #1We hope it is TVS Creon launch as it was quite a stunner. TVS first showcased Creon electric scooter concept five years ago in 2018. It featured a wild design with a maxi-scooter body style. It looked futuristic and European in its appearance. If TVS is launching Creon, then how has no one spotted a test mule?TVS somehow has the capability of launching a product with no buzz during testing phase. Raider 125 launch is a stellar example of this. But, there was a test mule that we reported in August 2022 and it looked like it was the production-spec model of Creon concept.Is Creon name finalised?The camouflage hid details well. That said, TVS has played the game of names before, and Creon might be just one of the possibilities. Retron and Zeppelin names are registered as well. A possibility of TVS’ first electric motorcycle is possible too.TVS Creon launch teaser #2Creon concept in 2018 boasted a battery capable of 80 km of range and 0-60 km/h sprint in 5.1 seconds. Those numbers might get updated to meet the standards set by current crop of electric scooters. More

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      Triumph Speed 400 And 7 Other Motorcycles In Similar Price Range

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      Triumph Speed 400 PriceIn this space of premium single-cylinder machines within Rs. 2.2 – 2.4 lakh (ex-sh), legacy brands like Yamaha and Suzuki are surprisingly absentTriumph Speed 400 is launched in India for an introductory price of Rs. 2.23 lakh (ex-sh). The pricing strategy has created quite a stir in the Indian motorcycle segment. The motorcycle has garnered 10,000 bookings in 10 days and introductory pricing is not valid anymore. The price now stands at Rs. 2.33 lakh (ex-sh). At this price range, it clashes with a lot of motorcycles across various brands.But all fingers point towards Royal Enfield’s lion’s share in the 350cc space. So, what are the options (irrespective of body styles) for a prospective buyer that is considering a Triumph Speed 400 at Rs. 2.2 to 2.4 lakh (ex-sh, Delhi)? Let’s take a look.1. Royal Enfield Meteor 350 – Up to Rs. 2.25 lakhImage – Being TechnozzRoyal Enfield has a slew of 350cc motorcycles and Meteor 350 is their flagship. It has the same J-series 349cc SOHC, 2V, air-cooled engine as others that makes 20.2 bhp and 27 Nm and weighs 191 kg. A tripper screen with top-trims with Bluetooth and navigation along with Royal Enfield’s legacy badging are its biggest strengths.2. Bajaj Dominar 400 – Rs. 2.29 lakhImage – Shahrukh AkhtarThis is the original VFM motorcycle that redefined performance on a budget. Despite its unmatched performance, equipment, features and engineering prowess, Bajaj Dominar didn’t create enough dent in Royal Enfield’s armour. It has a KTM-sourced 373cc DOHC, 4V, liquid-cooled engine making 39.42 bhp and 35 Nm of torque and weighs a hefty 193 kg.3. Royal Enfield Himalayan 411 – Up to Rs. 2.28 lakhRE Himalayan New ColoursThere is a Scram 411, Himalayan’s platform partner that surprisingly costs less than Meteor 350. Both 411s have a SOHC, 2V, air-cooled 411cc engine with 24.3 bhp and 32 Nm and weighs 199 kg. It is the only off-roader in this comparo. If that is your jam and you want one with comparable performance as Speed 400, the upcoming Himalayan 450cc would be worth the wait.4. Honda CB300F – Up to Rs. 2.29 lakhHonda CB300FThis is one of the less spoken-about Honda motorcycles. It has a lot of good bits like a 293.52cc SOHC, 2V, oil-cooled engine with 24.13 bhp and 25.6 Nm. It weighs just 153 kg, which is the lightest in this list. If an easy-to-use lightweight bike is your jam, this is it, within the Rs. 2.2 – 2.4 lakh (ex-sh) budget.5. Benelli Imperiale 400 – Rs. 2.35 lakhBenelli Imperiale 400If being old-school and packing the biggest motorcycle (literally) is your preference, then Benelli Imperiale 400 makes a lot of sense. There is a 374cc SOHC, air-cooled, 4V engine that generates 20.7 bhp of power and 29 Nm of torque. Weight is the highest at 205 kg.6. KTM 250 Duke – Rs. 2.38 lakhYes. KTM 250 Duke costs more than Dominar 400 owing to its componentry, hardware and KTM brand value. It packs a 248cc DOHC, 4V, liquid-cooled engine generating 29.6 bhp and 24 Nm of torque. It weighs slightly less than Triumph Speed 400 at 170 kg.7. Harley-Davidson X440 – Up to Rs. 2.69 lakhNew Harley Davidson X440Even though Harley-Davidson X440 starts from Rs. 2.29 lakh (ex-sh), pricing goes till 2.69 lakh (ex-sh) for top-spec S trim. It packs the highest engine displacement in this comparo at 440cc. This is a DOHC engine with a 2V head and oil-cooling generating 27 bhp and 38 Nm. It weighs a lot more than Speed 400 at 190.5 kg.Triumph Speed 400 – Rs. 2.33 lakhTriumph Speed 400Coming to the bike of the hour, Triumph Speed 400 is by far the most bang for the buck. It packs a 398cc DOHC, 4V, liquid-cooled engine with 39.5 bhp of power and 37.5 Nm of torque. It even packs a slipper clutch and ride-by-wire as well. Most of the hardware and features are best-in-segment and it weighs 176 kg. Will it be the new go-to bike in the segment? Only time will tell. More

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      Triumph 400 Phenomenal Success with 10,000 Bookings in Just 10 Days

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      Triumph Speed 400 LaunchDelivery of the new Triumph Speed 400 motorcycle will start within a month – Scrambler 400 will be launched by Oct 2023Triumph Motorcycles has witnessed an incredible response from Indian motorcycle enthusiasts. They have reached an unprecedented milestone of 10,000 bookings within just 10 days of the global reveal. The highly anticipated Speed 400 and Scrambler 400 models, showcased in London on June 27, 2023, have generated an overwhelming demand in the Indian market. Their online booking platform has been flooded with eager customers looking to secure their spot for these exceptional bikes.Triumph Speed 400, priced at Rs. 2.33 lacs (ex-showroom Delhi), was officially launched in India on July 5, accompanied by a special inaugural price of Rs. 2.23 lacs (ex-showroom Delhi) for the first 10,000 customers.The Excitement BuildsThis attractive offer further fueled the enthusiasm among motorcycle enthusiasts, resulting in the swift accumulation of bookings. The Scrambler 400, set to hit the showrooms in October, will have its price announced closer to the launch date.Rakesh Sharma, Executive Director of Bajaj Auto Ltd, expressed his excitement over the tremendous response received following the launch of Triumph Motorcycles. He acknowledged that achieving 10,000 pre-orders within such a short span of time is unprecedented and a testament to the trust that riders have placed in both Bajaj Auto and Triumph Motorcycles. Sharma reiterated their commitment to delivering exceptional motorcycles that captivate riders with their performance, design, and technology.Booking Details and ProcessTo secure a booking, customers can visit the official online platform, and make a payment of Rs. 2000. This small initial deposit allows customers to reserve their spot and reduce the waiting period for their desired motorcycle. As production ramps up to meet the overwhelming demand, Triumph Motorcycles plans to invite customers from the booking list to complete their payments once the bikes arrive at dealerships. Those fortunate enough to be within the first 10,000 customers taking delivery of the Speed400 will be eligible for the special inaugural price.The remarkable achievement of Triumph Motorcycles, amassing 10,000 bookings within a mere 10 days, underscores the brand’s popularity and the Indian market’s enthusiasm for high-performance bikes. With the Speed 400 and Scrambler 400 models set to make their way to showrooms in the coming months, the anticipation continues to build.Triumph Motorcycles and Bajaj Auto are committed to delivering exceptional motorcycles that meet and exceed the expectations of riders, combining performance, design, and technology. The future looks bright for Triumph Motorcycles in India, with a growing community of passionate riders eagerly awaiting the arrival of their dream bikes. More

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      TVS Apache Racing Championship For Owners – Across 20 Indian Cities

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      Image – RPMotosWinners of TVS Apache Racing Experience GP Championship get a tonne of perks including all-expense trip to Malaysia MotoGPTVS Motor is extending its racing envelope to include a new series under One Make Championship. As we know, One Make Championship has been encouraging new talents across the country. It provides racing experience, both theory and practical, for enthusiasts and learners in a safe and controlled environment.As part of One Make Championship (OMC), TVS ARE GP Championship (TVS Apache Racing Experience GP Championship) is now live. Interested candidates can register today with TVS Motor at their official website. Let’s take a look at the technical nuances with this new event. TVS conducts these events under the “Track to road” philosophy.TVS ARE GP Championship announcedTVS ARE GP Championship announcedAs of now, TVS OMC involves four categories – Rookie, Women’s, Media and Expert. The company even took this event international in 2022 with TVS Asia One Make Championship. The newly announced ARE GP Championship is for all existing TVS Apache owners.It involves three categories. Owners of Apache RTR 160 & Apache RTR 180, owners of TVS Apache RTR 200 4V and owners of TVS Apache RR 310. The first season will kick off with 1,000 participants across 20 cities. Starting from Vadodara (July 15th, 2023) Surat (July 16th, 2023) and Hyderabad (July 16th, 2023).TVS Apache Records 5 Million SalesTVS’ in house experts like FIM Baja Rally world cup winner, Aishwarya Pissay, winner of 10 national championships in India, Jagan Kumar, Winner of 2022 TVS Asian OMC, Vorapong Malahuan and KY Ahmed will teach participants theory and practicals of track racing. TVS will select one winner per city, per category for the final round held in Jan 2024. Finalists will race on TVS OMC race-spec motorcycles including TVS Apache RTR 200 & RR310.Perks of winning this eventWinner in the final round will get an all-expense paid trip to watch MotoGP in Malaysia. The company will even offer a wild card entry into two rounds of TVS OMC RR310 event. Lastly, they will get exclusive Petronas TVS Racing merchandise as well.Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Vimal Sumbly, Head Business – Premium, TVS Motor Company said “TVS Racing has been instrumental in making motor racing aspirational yet accessible for enthusiasts across the country. We take great pride in being the propagators of offering a platform for racers to hone and showcase their skills and take their first step towards following their passion for racing.In line with this vision and fuelled by our commitment to promote safe yet thrilling racing culture, we are excited about bringing the first edition of the ARE – GP Championship in India for our strong community of TVS Apache customers. TVS Apache series have played a pivotal role in flourishing premium motorcycling culture and is a popular brand among motorcycle enthusiasts and the Gen-Z. With this championship, we are confident of setting new benchmarks by offering unique opportunities to our customers for an augmented experience when they associate with the brand.” More

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      Triumph Dealer Overcharging For Speed 400 – Rs 3.38 Lakh ? Here’s An Update

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      New Triumph 400After a post went viral showing on-road price of Speed 400 at Rs 3.38 lakh, Triumph India said they will release the official on-road price soonWorking in collaboration with Bajaj Auto, Triumph recently launched Speed 400 at a starting price of Rs 2.33 lakh. The first 10,000 customers will get the bike at a discounted price of Rs 2.23 lakh. Triumph has also unveiled the scrambler version 400X, which will go on sale later this year.Triumph has surprised everyone with its aggressive pricing strategy. This is probably the most potent challenge thrown at Royal Enfield in recent years. Sources reveal that there have been significant enquiries for Speed 400. Even from locations where Triumph currently does not have any dealership. Could this be a reason for some dealerships to try to overcharge customers for Speed 400?Triumph Speed 400 on-road price breakup shared by a dealerTriumph Speed 400 on-road price at Rs 3.38 lakh?A viral post claiming to be sourced from a Triumph dealership shows the on-road price of Speed 400 at Rs 3,38,598. While it is difficult to verify the authenticity of this post, it is being claimed that the quotation was provided by a Triumph dealership In Bengaluru. For a bike priced at Rs 2.33 lakh (ex-sh.), one would expect the on-road price to be around Rs 2.70 lakh to Rs 2.90 lakh. However, as per the viral post, the on-road price is more than a lakh of the ex-showroom price.Some of the charges mentioned in the cost break-up are relevant such as road tax, registration and RTO charges, RSA and insurance. However, there are some charges that seem to be an attempt to make a fast buck. For example, delivery charge is mentioned at Rs 17,000. Intro Kit cost is listed at Rs 8,500. These raise suspicion if dealerships are trying to inflate the on-road price of Triumph Speed 400.Update on the viral tweet.Triumph India respondsTriumph has taken notice of the viral post. They have responded by saying that they are investigating the issue. As a fix, Triumph will be releasing the official on-road price of Speed 400. It will be communicated to all showrooms this month. Dealerships will need to follow the official on-road price. Many OEMs publish both ex-showroom and on-road prices on their website. It helps create an environment of transparency and trust.However, on-road prices will still vary from state to state. Every state has its own structure of fees and charges. In case of Triumph Speed 400, delivery charges will also vary based on the location of the customer. Triumph currently has only 15 dealerships in the country. Delivery charges will obviously be zero for anyone taking delivery at the dealership. But for customers who request home delivery, an appropriate delivery charge will be applicable.To simplify the buying experience, Triumph is working to expand its dealership network. By end of this month, 15 new outlets will become operational. The total number will reach 50 dealerships in the next two months. And by March 2024, Triumph is targeting a countrywide network of 100 dealerships. More

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      Honda CB350 Gets New Colours In Japan – Complies With Latest Emission Norms

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      Honda CB350 new white colourJust like in India, Honda H’ness CB350 has emerged as a popular choice in Japanese market as wellHonda sells the CB350 in Japan as GB350. Its sportier version, CB350 RS, is sold as GB350 S. Both these bikes have been updated with new colour options. They now comply with the stricter emission norms in Japan.With the updates, prices of both bikes have been increased by 11,000 yen each (approx. Rs 6,300). GB350 new price is 561,000 yen (~ Rs 3.22 lakh), whereas GB350 S will now retail at 605,000 yen (~ Rs 3.47 lakh). In India, CB350 starts at Rs 2,09,857, with on-road price of Rs 2,38,807. CB350 RS starts at Rs 2,14,856, with on-road price of Rs 2,44,266.Honda CB350 new white colour2023 Honda GB350, GB350 S new coloursAs compared to India, colour options for CB350 and CB350 RS are entirely different in Japan. Not only are the colour options fewer in numbers, they also seem to lack the vibrancy of the colour palette used in India. Honda GB350 gets a new colour option of Matte Pearl Glare White. The white shade covers the fuel tank and side panels.Rest of the bike uses a mix of chrome finish and blacked-out parts. Chrome highlights are evident on the headlamp casing, clutch and front brake levers and engine casing. The exhaust pipe is entirely done in chrome. GB350 has brown seat for all colour variants. It helps achieve a classy appeal, although some folks may describe it as a cluttered look. Colour options that will be continued for GB350 include Matte Pearl Morion Black and Matte Jeans Blue Metallic.Honda CB350 new white colourGB350 S variant gets a new colour option of Puco Blue. The shade is applied on the fuel tank. Rest of the bike has a blacked-out profile in most parts. Chrome highlights are limited to the hand levers, rear view mirrors, engine casing and exhaust. The bike has black seat across all variants. Puco Blue shade looks attractive and seems to have a universal appeal. Colour options to be continued for GB350 S include Pearl Deep Mud Gray and Gunmetal Black Metallic.No mechanical upgradesApart from being compliant with the stricter emission norms in Japan, Honda GB350 and GB350 S do not get any other upgrades. Powering the bikes is a 348cc air-cooled, single cylinder engine that makes 20 PS of max power and 29 Nm of peak torque. It is mated to a 5-speed gearbox. The bikes have telescopic forks at front and dual rear shock absorbers. Both ends have disc brakes, with dual-channel ABS as standard.In Indian market, Honda CB350 and CB350 RS primarily rival popular 350cc offerings from Royal Enfield. They haven’t dented Royal Enfield’s sales, but have created a niche fan following of their own. Honda CB350 and CB350 RS will now have to deal with new competitors such as Triumph Speed 400 and Harley-Davidson X440. More

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      2W Retail Sales June 2023 – Honda, TVS, Suzuki, Yamaha, Ola, Ather

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      TVS iQube Mega Delivery Event In PuneThere was a marked decline in electric two wheeler sales due to reduction in FAME II subsidiesSales growth was seen across all vehicle categories in June 2023. While overall automobile retail sales improved by 10 percent YoY, 2W sales were up 7 percent and 3W sales increased by 75 percent. There was also a 5 percent growth in passenger vehicle sales, 41 percent improvement in tractor sales and a marginal 0.5 percent growth in commercial vehicle retail sales in June 2023.2W retail sales as listed out by Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA) for the month of June 2023 saw a significant increase. Sales improved 6.77 percent YoY to 13,10,186 units in the past month, up from 12,27,149 units sold in June 2023. It was however, a decline on a MoM basis from 14,93,234 units sold in May 2023.2W Retail Sales June 2023Hero MotoCorp once again topped sales charts by a significant margin. Total retail sales in the past month stood at 4,26,601 units, up from 4,25,388 units sold in June 2023. The company currently commands a 32.56 percent market share. Hero MotoCorp and Harley-Davidson have launched the X440 in India and bookings have commenced.A de-growth in retail sales was reported by Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India, sales of which fell to 2,82,493 units in the past month. This was a de-growth over 2,85,974 units sold in June 2022 to a lower market share of 21.56 percent. TVS Motor saw its retail sales increase to 2,26,511 units in June 2023, up from 1,79,409 units sold in June 2022. Market share also went up significantly to 17.29 percent from 14.62 percent YoY.Two wheeler retail sales June 2023The Bajaj Auto retail sales (that also included Chetak Technologies) went up to 1,63,176 units in the past month from 1,15,715 units sold in June 2022. This also took market share up to 12.45 percent from 9.43 percent YoY. Retail sales of Suzuki Motorcycle India also improved to 62,377 units in June 2023 from 50,184 units sold in June 2022 while that of Royal Enfield went up to 61,377 units from 4461,377 units from 44,942 units YoY.A marginal YoY sales growth to 46,762 units was reported for India Yamaha Motors in June 2023 from 46,378 units retailed in June 2022. Piaggio sales dipped to 2,674 units in June 2023, down from 4,009 units sold in June 2022. Classic Legends retail sales fell to 2,553 units in June 2023 from 3,327 units sold in the same month last year.Electric 2W sales June 2023Ola Electric has posted an increase in YoY sales in June 2023 to 17,579 units from 5,898 units sold in June 2022. Ather also saw its sales increase to 4,543 units in June 2023 from 3,830 units sold in June 2022 while Okinawa and Ampere saw sales de-growth.Okinawa also saw sales de-growth to 2,626 units in the past month from 6,984 units sold in June 2022. Ampere, which sells models such as the Magnus EX, Primus and Zeal EX saw its sales dip to 1,601 units in the past month from 6,542 units sold in June 2023. Greaves Electric retail sales were at 1,437 units last month. There were also other electric 2W makers that had earlier contributed 48,568 units to total retail sales in June 2023. However, sales dipped to just 7,886 units in the past month. More

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      Triumph 400 Vs Harley 440 Vs Royal Enfield – Price, Specs, VFM

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      New Triumph 400In spite of the attractive base price point, Classic 350 is no match for the sheer performance and equipment that Triumph Speed 400 is offeringFor a long time, Royal Enfield has dominated the 350cc to 500cc space with a slew of motorcycles. Honda, Jawa and Yezdi brands tried to steal its thunder for some time. But Royal Enfield has soldiered on. Now, it has two new contenders with legacy pedigree brand names attached to them. We’re talking about Triumph Speed 400 and Harley-Davidson X440.These two have a higher chance of disrupting RE’s dominance than the others. Especially Triumph. With disruptive pricing, Speed 400 challenges the current champion Classic 350 in a way we had never imagined. Let’s take a look at how Triumph’s latest entrant holds up to the recently launched X440 along with others.Triumph Speed 400 Vs RivalsOne look at the spec sheet below is enough to see that Triumph Speed 400 has the most technologically advanced and powerful engine. Harley-Davidson X440 has the most torque and it makes this torque at just 4000 RPM too.Royal Enfield Classic 350 has the weakest powertrain on paper and Yezdi comes off as the most underrated. Triumph Speed 400 is the only one to get ride-by-wire for smooth throttle transitions and boasts a slipper clutch along with Yezdi and Honda. Speed 400 has the tightest packaging too.Triumph Speed 400 Vs Rivals Spec ComparisonIt has the shortest wheelbase, 26-degree rake and 102mm trail and is the lightest of this bunch too. Dual-channel ABS is standard with all the models. Adding to it, Speed 400 boasts fattest tyres in this segment (110-section front, 150-section rear), completed with 43mm USD telescopic front forks and rear mono-shock.Sporty handling and explosive performance crown belongs to Triumph, among this list. It doesn’t have the largest disc brakes on this list, but a low 176 kg weight should negate that need. Royal Enfield Scram 411 offers the highest suspension travel in this list. In terms of seat height, Triumph is one of the lowest among this bunch.Changing narratives for the 350cc to 500cc retro machines?Until Royal Enfield’s new 450cc liquid-cooled engine debuts, Triumph Speed 400 seems to be the motorcycle that does it all. Triumph does miss out on Bluetooth connectivity. But considering everything it is offering at the impressive Rs. 2.23 lakh (introductory, ex-sh) pricing, it is easily forgivable.Triumph Speed 400 Vs Rivals Price ComparisonAs seen in the pricing table above, Classic 350 does start at an attractive 1.90 lakh (ex-sh) price point. This is just Rs. 33,000 less than Speed 400’s introductory price and Rs. 39,000 less than X440. But Classic 350 prices go till Rs. 2.21 lakh (ex-sh). And at that point, Triumph Speed 400 is just Rs. 2,000 more expensive and offers a plethora of goodness that Classic 350 just doesn’t. Harley-Davidson X440 is still the most expensive on this list going till Rs. 2.69 lakh for top S trim. More