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      Harley Davidson X440 detailed in new photos before India launch

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      New Harley Davidson X440Harley X440 is scheduled to debut on July 03; unofficial bookings are open for Rs 25,000Some exciting new launches await enthusiasts in coming weeks. Towards the end of this month, the first of Bajaj-Triumph bikes will be launched. It will be followed by Harley X440, scheduled for July 3. It is apparent that Royal Enfield will be closely monitoring these developments.Talking about Harley X440, some fresh images have emerged. These provide more details about the upcoming made-in-India Harley roadster. Harley’s India operations are being managed almost entirely by Hero MotoCorp including production of X440.Harley X440 styling and featuresX440 has created its own distinct styling instead of following on the standard design language used with higher capacity Harley bikes. In that sense, it could be even termed as a rebel. The bike has a neo-retro profile with features such as round headlamp, indicators, rear-view mirrors and a circular instrument pod. We are yet to see a close-up of the instrument console, in terms of what all information is available for display.Core silhouette of the bike is pretty smooth and overall fit and finish is truly remarkable. There are hardly any panels, something that provides a clear view of the bike’s sinewy internals. It ensures a strong street presence and highlights the bike’s capabilities.New Harley Davidson X440Overall look and feel are further augmented with the blacked-out theme, encompassing the headlamp cowl, engine guard, engine assembly, exhaust muffler and rear shock absorbers. The bike has dual-tone alloy wheels, a mix of black and brushed metal.Harley X440 utilizes a single downtube tubular frame. It gets USD forks at front, which will improve control and handling at high speeds. At rear, the bike has twin shock absorbers. Wheels are 18-inch front and 17-inch rear, shod with MRF tyres. Users can expect a comfortable riding stance with Harley X440. Rider seat section has a scooped profile, which will optimize comfort and control. However, pillion seat doesn’t seem so welcoming due to its narrow profile.Harley X440 performancePowering Harley X440 will be a 440cc, single cylinder, air-/oil cooled motor. Official details are not available, but one can expect around 40 Nm of peak torque. Power and torque output will be higher than Royal Enfield 350cc bikes. For reference, Classic 350 generates 20 hp and 27 Nm.New Harley Davidson X440In line with local needs and preferences, Harley X440 has been equipped with a chain final drive. Except for a few exceptions such as Pan Am, all Harley bikes are equipped with a belt drive system. It is considered to offer smoother and quieter rides, in comparison to chain drive system. However, chain drive has its own benefits such as low maintenance and long lifespan.Instead of engaging Royal Enfield in a direct conflict, Harley X440 will focus on creating a niche customer base. It is expected to be launched in the price range of Rs 2.5 lakh to Rs 3 lakh. More

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      Honda Dio H-Smart Tech top variant launch price Rs 77k

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      New Honda DioHonda Dio H-Smart variant is the most affordable Honda scooter to get wireless tech that offers car-like keyless functionsA premium feature in entry-level scooter segment, H-Smart tech was first introduced with Activa 110 earlier this year in January. Later in March, Activa 125 also got the H-Smart update. The next Honda scooter to get H-Smart tech is Dio. Honda could later introduce H-Smart with Grazia as well.It is likely that Honda has received a favourable response to H-Smart tech with Activa 110 and 125. It could be one of the reasons that has prompted the company to introduce H-Smart with Dio as well. Most of the features of Dio H-Smart variant are same as Activa H-Smart variant. As Honda appears to be making H-Smart tech available across its scooter portfolio, it can prompt rival OEMs to introduce something similar in future.Honda Dio H-Smart featuresHonda’s H-Smart tech offers multiple car-like features. The SmartSafe feature frees users from the worry of forgetting to lock their scooter. It is essentially an anti-theft feature. As soon as the smart key goes beyond a 2-meter range, SmartSafe activates the scooter’s immobilizer function. Any attempts to start the scooter by force will be thwarted.Another great feature available under H-Smart is SmartFind. This comes handy when parking the scooter at a new place that is crowded with various other parked two-wheelers.New Honda Dio pricesSmartFind can also be useful in locating the scooter in low-light conditions or dim lit areas. To access this feature, users just need to press the Answer Back button. All four winkers of the scooter will blink twice, indicating the scooter’s exact location. SmartFind can locate the scooter within a 10-meter radius.H-Smart SmartUnlock feature allows users to unlock the seat, fuel cap and handle without using a physical key. Users just need to push and rotate the knob on the Smart Key to unlock. SmartUnlock works within a 2-meter range of the scooter. A similar feature is SmartStart that allows users to start the scooter without touching anything. The process is same – push and rotate the knob. This can be done even with the Smart Key inside the pocket.Honda Dio H-Smart – the new top-spec variantAs of now, Honda Dio is available in Standard and DLX variants. Prices are Rs 68,625 and Rs 72,626, respectively. Dio H-Smart will be the new top-spec variant and will command a premium. It is priced from Rs 77,712 ex-sh Delhi. In addition to H-Smart tech, Honda Dio will also be getting alloy wheels. As of now, Dio is offered with steel wheels. Alloy wheels are definitely a better fit with the scooter’s sporty profile.New Honda Dio More

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      Electric Two Wheeler Sales May 2023 – Ola, TVS, Ather, Bajaj, Hero

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      Bajaj Chetak Electric ScooterThe electric two wheeler segment was led by Ola and TVS Motor along with Ather Energy in May 2023 with all three posting significant YoY and MoM growthElectric two wheeler sales in India are increasing by leaps and bounds. Several newcomers are entering the fray and more established OEMs are bringing in new and improved offerings so as to be more competitive. Electric 2W retail sales improved significantly both on YoY and MoM basis in May 2023. Prices of electric 2W have been hiked from 1st June 2023 following revisions in FAME II subsidies.Sales of electric 2W, as have been released by FADA, stood at 1,04,829 units in May 2023. This was a 147.15 percent YoY growth over 42,415 units sold in May 2022. MoM sales improved by 57.72 percent as against 66,466 units sold in April 2023. At the moment, it is Ola Electric, TVS, Ather, Bajaj and Ampere that are dominating the market.Electric 2W Retail Sales May 2023It was Ola Electric that has led the segment by a significant margin. Ola Electric S1 and S1 Pro saw sales of 28,469 units in May 2023, up 207.14 percent YoY from 9,269 units sold in May 2022. MoM sales were up 30.10 percent from 21,882 units sold in April 2023.  At No. 2 was TVS Motor with electric 2W sales at 20,261 units in the past month, up 4138.70 percent YoY from just 478 units sold in May 2022. It was also a 132.19 percent MoM growth from 8,726 units sold in April 2023.Ather Energy, which sells the 450x in the electric 2W segment along with the recently introduced base variant 450S, has seen sales of 15,266 units in May 2023. This was 357.34 percent YoY growth and 97.08 percent MoM growth from 3,338 units sold in May 2022 and 7,746 units sold in April 2023.Electric two wheeler sales May 2023 – FADARetail sales of electric 2W by Bajaj Chetak stood at 10,028 units in the past month. This was a 453.42 percent YoY growth from 1,812 units sold in May 2022 and 149.89 percent MoM growth from 4,013 units sold in April 2023. This also included 98 units sold by Chetak Technologies relating to a 73.51 percent MoM de-growth from 370 units sold in April 2023.Ampere, Okaya, Okinawa, Hero ElectricSales growth was reported by both Ampere (9,618 units) and Okaya EV (3,875 units) in May 2023. However, retail sales of Okinawa have dipped both YoY and MoM by 68.78 percent and 9.67 percent respectively to 2,905 units. There were 9,305 units sold in May 2022 and 3,216 units sold in April 2023. YoY and MoM de-growth was also seen in the case of Hero Electric, sales of which fell to 2,109 units in the past month. This was a 29.01 percent YoY and 36.69 percent MoM de-growth.Relatively new comers Bgauss Auto (1,813 units) and Battre Electric (1,200 units) have reported a 135.45 percent and 84.33 percent MoM growth in sales of electric 2w in the past month. There was also Greaves Electric with 1,155 units sold in May 2023, recording a 109.62 percent MoM growth from 551 units sold in April 2023.Sales of Lectrix EV was at 1,000 units last month as against 419 units sold in May 2022 and 320 units sold in April 2023. Kinetic Green retail sales improved by 5.19 percent to 892 units in the past month from 848 units sold in April 2023 and  Hero Vida electric scooter also saw its sales increase by 419.44 percent to 748 units last month from 144 units sold in April 2023.There were others on this list which contributed 5,490 units to total electric 2W sales in May 2023, which was a 36.36 percent YoY de-growth from 8,626 units sold in May 2022 but a 25.11 percent MoM growth from 4,388 units sold in April 2023. More

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      Kawasaki Eliminator launched in the US – Price USD 6,649 (Rs 5.48 lakh)

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      Kawasaki Eliminator SE ABSThe same 451cc parallel twin engine on Kawasaki Eliminator US-spec model does duties on Ninja 400 as wellKawasaki has revived its Eliminator brand from the dead after a decade. This bodes well to the brand as it evokes a certain nostalgia within the target demographic. Eliminator series is a low-sling textbook cruiser motorcycle that get engines from their respective Ninja and Z counterparts.The first Eliminator model debuted for JDM with a 399cc parallel twin engine from a Ninja 300. Now Kawasaki has showcased Eliminator for USA, which features a larger 451cc parallel twin engine from Ninja 400. In USA, Kawasaki Eliminator will rival the likes of Honda Rebel 500 and a few cruisers from Royal Enfield like Meteor 350.Kawasaki Eliminator Debuts In USAFor some reason, Kawasaki has resorted to offering a larger engine for US market. Compared to Ninja 400’s engine, Eliminator has a 6.8 mm longer stroke to ensure more torque, probably at a lower rev range. This is evident in torque figures as Eliminator has 42.97 Nm as opposed to 37 Nm of Ninja 400.In USA, Kawasaki Eliminator measures 2250 mm in length, 785 mm in width, 1099 mm in height, 1518 mm long wheelbase. It has a 30-degree rake angle too, which is relatively sharp for a low-slung cruiser. Ground clearance is 150 mm and seat height is 734 mm. 12.8L fuel tank is very small considering that it is a cruiser.Standard Kawasaki EliminatorKawasaki Eliminator comes in two variants. Standard Eliminator and Eliminator SE. On top of the standard model, Eliminator SE offers exclusive colours, two pattern seats, a headlight cowl, fork boots and a waterproof USB-C charging port for smartphones or other accessories. Standard model comes in Pearl Robotic White and Pearl Storm Grey shades, while SE gets a sole Candy Steel Furnace Orange / Ebony dual-tone colourway.The motorcycle gets a steel tubular frame, 41 mm RSU telescopic front forks, twin shock absorbers for rear suspension, 18” front wheel wrapped with 130/70-18 tyre and a rear 16” wheel wrapped with 150/60-18 tyre. Pulled back handlebar, neutral footpeg position and a low 176 kg kerb weight ensure a fatigue-free cruising.Will it Eliminate its rivals?Kawasaki Eliminator comes equipped with a variation of Ninja 400 engine. This is a 451cc parallel twin motor, mated to a 6-speed gearbox. 4V head, slip and assist clutch are notable features. Kawasaki is offering single disc setups at both ends with an option for dual channel ABS. There is a round fully digital instrument cluster too, with Bluetooth connectivity.Standard Kawasaki Eliminator Engine from Ninja 400In USA standard Eliminator costs USD 6,649 (5.48 lakh) for non ABS model and USD 6,949 (Rs. 5.72 lakh) for ABS model. Eliminator SE gets ABS as standard and costs USD 7,249 (Rs. 5.97 lakh). Kawasaki India hasn’t revealed any information regarding launch of Eliminator cruiser in the Asian subcontinent. More

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      KTM India Sales April 2023 – Duke, RC, 125, 200, 250, 390 ADV

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      Image – MotobikeKTM total sales, that included both domestic and exports grew on a YoY basis but dipped MoMKTM India has performed well on a YoY basis with a 6.98 percent growth to 11,729 units sold in April 2023, up from 10,964 units sold in April 2022. MoM sales however, fell by 1.87 percent from 11,952 units sold in March 2023.Sales in domestic markets stood at 5,078 units in April 2023 which was a 680.03 percent YoY growth over 651 units sold in April 2022. MoM sales however, dipped 19.19 percent from 6,284 units sold in March 2023.KTM India Domestic Sales April 2023KTM had its 200 (Duke and RC) at the top of sales charts with 2,673 units sold in the past month, a 1782.39 percent YoY growth over 142 units sold in April 2022. This was a 2,531 unit volume growth with a 52.64 percent share. MoM sales fell by 8.30 percent from 2,915 units sold in March 2023.Outstanding YoY growth was also seen for the KTM 250 range which improved by 5516 percent YoY to 1,404 units in the past month from 25 units sold in April 2022. MoM sales fell by 18.13 percent from 1,715 units sold in March 2023. It currently commands a 27.65 percent share.KTM India domestic sales April 2023YoY growth was also reported for the KTM 390 and KTM 125 though MoM sales dipped. KTM 390 series (Duke + RC + ADV) has posted 85 percent YoY growth but 30.63 percent MoM decline to 838 units while KTM 125 (Duke + RC) sales improved by 433.33 percent on a YoY basis but fell by 63.45 MoM to 163 units in April 2023.KTM India Exports April 2023KTM exports on the other hand has seen a de-growth in YoY sales by 35.51 percent to 6,651 units from 10,313 units shipped in April 2022. MoM sales grew by 17.34 percent from 5,668 units shipped in March 2023.In global markets, it was the KTM 390 series that commanded the most attention. Sales stood at 3,812 units in the past month, a YoY de-growth of 26.76 percent from 5,205 units sold in April 2022. MoM sales improved by 52.72 percent from 2,496 units sold in March 2023. This took the share percentage up to 57.31 percent from 44.04 percent held in March 2023.KTM India exports April 2023While KTM 200 series exports grew YoY by 7.25 percent and MoM by 44.83 percent to 2,100 units, that of its 250 series dipped YoY by 51.27 percent to 539 units while MoM exports increased by 25.93 percent from 428 units shipped in March 2023. KTM 125 range was not much in demand in global markets as sales fell 35.51 percent YoY and 84.54 percent MoM to 200 units in April 2023.KTM Total Sales April 2023Total sales (domestic + exports) grew 6.98 percent YoY but dipped by 1.87 percent MoM to 11,729 units in April 2023. It was the KTM 200 range that saw the most sales at 4,773 units in April 2023, up 127.29 percent YoY and 9.35 percent MoM. It was followed by the KTM 390 of which the company sold 4,650 units in the past month, down 17.83 percent YoY but up 25.54 percent MoM.KTM India total April 2023KTM 250 series also improved on a YoY basis by 71.79 percent to 1,943 units from 1,131 units sold in April 2022 but fell by 9.33 percent from 2,143 units sold in March 2023. KTM 125 series total sales fell to 363 units in the past month down 82.50 percent YoY and 79.14 percent MoM. More

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      2023 Hero Passion Plus Launch Price Rs 76k – New Features Added

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      2023 Hero Passion PlusExcluding Splendor + XTEC variant, Passion Plus is now the costliest 100cc bike from Hero MotoCorpWith Hero’s 100cc bikes being its bread and butter, it’s natural to feel a bit anxious when there’s a new capable rival in town. If consumer attention is diverted towards recently launched Honda Shine 100, it would be a setback for Hero MotoCorp.To deal with the insecurity, Hero is working on a multi-pronged strategy. For example, HF Deluxe was recently updated with new colours and features. And now, Hero has reintroduced Passion Plus 100cc. The bike was discontinued in 2019, owing to low demand. Hero now has a total of five 100cc bikes to tackle the threat from Honda Shine 100.Hero Passion Plus styling and featuresAs compared to Hero’s 100cc bikes like Splendor+, HF Deluxe and HF 100, the newly launched Passion Plus has a more premium profile. It explains why Passion Plus is categorized under Hero’s Executive range and not under the Practical range. Before Passion Plus, the Executive range had only 110cc and 125cc bikes. Hero’s Performance range has motorcycles in 160cc and 200cc segment.Passion Plus has a seamless design, with a lot more skin in comparison to other 100cc bikes from Hero. With availability of a broader canvas, it has been possible to paint some cool graphics onto the bike. The graphics have a smooth flow, extending all the way from the fuel tank to the grab rail section. Matching graphics can be seen on the headlamp cowl as well. Hero Passion Plus is available in colour options of Sports Red, Black Nexus Blue and Black Heavy Grey.2023 Hero Passion PlusIn terms of features, Hero Passion Plus is largely the same as Splendor Plus. Some of the key highlights include i3S technology, side stand indicator, semi-digital instrument console, mobile charging port and spacious utility case. Hero Passion Plus has a long, wide seat, which should ensure optimal comfort for both rider and pillion.Hero Passion Plus performance, specsPassion Plus is using the same 97.2cc engine, as seen with other 100cc bikes from Hero. The air-cooled unit generates 8 PS of max power and 8.05 Nm of peak torque. It is mated to a 4-speed constant mesh gearbox.While there is no official mileage number, Passion Plus could deliver around 60+ kmpl of fuel efficiency. Passion Plus is 115kg, as compared to 112 Kg of Splendor Plus. This could make it slightly less fuel efficient. Passion Plus has a larger 11 litres fuel tank, as compared to 9.8 litres of Splendor+.2023 Hero Passion PlusPassion Plus utilizes a double cradle frame, suspended on telescopic front forks and dual rear shock absorbers. The bike has 18-inch wheels at both ends, shod with 80/100 tubeless tyres at front and rear. Braking duties are performed by 130mm drum brakes at both ends.At Rs 76,301, Passion Plus is costlier than Honda Shine that is available at a starting price of Rs 64,900. Clearly, Hero doesn’t want to take any chances. It is ensuring that options are available at both ends of the spectrum, i.e., below and above the price of Honda Shine 100. How effective that strategy will be remains to be seen. More

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      New Triumph Motorcycle India Launch 5th July – Royal Enfield Rival?

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      New Bajaj Triumph Motorcycle Will Rival Royal Enfield – RenderNew Triumph motorcycle is likely to be powered by a 350-400cc engine – that can develop around 30 bhp of power and 30 Nm of torque, mated to a 6-speed gearboxTriumph is creating a new entry-level segment for itself. The British brand has chosen Bajaj to manufacture this upcoming motorcycle as its strategic partner. Bajaj took over Triumph’s operations in India as part of the agreement. It will be launched as a Triumph. Global debut will take place at the end of this month in London, while India launch will take place on 5th July 2023.There are rumours of two different platforms in the works. A smaller 250cc and a larger 400cc. Leaked spy shots give an insight into what to expect from the new Bajaj-Triumph motorcycle. The launch teaser shows that it will be a scrambler that will be first launched.Triumph motorcycle launch on 5th July 2023New Bajaj-Triumph Test Mule – The Premium Scrambler?The new test mule dons Triumph’s classic design language used on its Bonneville lineup. It could be powered by a liquid-cooled engine that might displace around 350-400cc. 30 bhp of power and 30 Nm of torque are likely.In the spy shots we can see a large radiator mounted ahead of its engine. Dual barrel exhaust design reminds me of the Triumph Scrambler 900. Headlights, ORVMs and turn indicators are round, except for its LED tail lights. A teardrop fuel tank with an offset fuel filler opening is immediately noticeable. A high-set front beak and a tall windscreen lend it an adventurous look.Triumph motorcycle launch on 5th July 2023Part-digital instrument clusters radiate modernity. Instrument cluster layout reminds me of Triumph’s Daytona 675, but flipped vertically. Gear position indicator, fuel economy stats, odometer, trips, time and telltale lights are likely. Bluetooth with turn-by-turn navigation will be a welcome addition.Triumph motorcycle launch on 5th July 2023Other notable elements include USD front forks, rear mono-shock, single disc brake setups at both fronts, 19” front and 17” rear alloy wheel setup (rumoured), engine protection guards, split seat setup, rear grab rails and more. All components are mounted on a tubular frame. It gets a bolt-on rear subframe. Rider’s triangle is geared towards comfort and long hauls.Royal Enfield is currently the de-facto retro motorcycle manufacturer in India. Bajaj-Triumph is eying for some of this pie along with Hero-Harley’s upcoming X440. Pricing is likely to be higher than Royal Enfield. More details will be revealed at the launch on 5th July, 2023. More

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      New Hero Xtreme 160R Launch On June 14th – Apache, Pulsar rival

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      Hero Xtreme 160R USD Front Forks SpiedChanges on the new Hero Xtreme 160R are likely to be USD front forks and Bluetooth connectivity with turn-by-turn navigationIndia’s largest bikemaker, Hero MotoCorp is set to launch its updated Xtreme 160R USD fork variant on June 14th. This particular motorcycle rivals the likes of Bajaj Pulsar NS160, Pulsar N160, TVS Apache RTR 160 4V and the likes.As of now, Bajaj Pulsar NS160 is the only one to offer USD front forks. Hero is set to take on its rival by offering USD front forks for added agility and muscular stance. We expect other changes bundled as well. Pricing will see a hike with updated features, which Hero MotoCorp will announce on June 14th.Hero Xtreme 160R USD Fork VersionAs of now, Hero Xtreme 160R is not a high-seller for India’s highest-selling 2W brand. For instance, Xtreme 160R / Xtreme 200S sold a combined 105 units in March 2023. Hero’s own Xpulse 200, which is a more expensive motorcycle, sold 4,525 units in the same time period.With heavy hitters like Apache RTR 160 4V, Pulsar NS160 and Pulsar N160 to compete, Hero is set to make it more feature rich. For starters, it will get USD (Up-Side Down) telescopic front forks as opposed to RSU (Right-Side Up) telescopic forks on the outgoing model. This lends a muscular appeal to the bike’s overall design.2023 Hero Xtreme 160R launch teaserFunctionally, USD forks should enable sportier handling and a better front-end feel. We hope Hero MotoCorp adds Bluetooth functionality along with turn-by-turn navigation which is present on Xpulse 200 and Xtreme 200S. This will lend a tech-savvy appeal to Xtreme 160R that might work in its favour. It is highly unlikely that Hero will make any changes to its engine. Considering that Raider 125 gets oil cooling, we hope Hero adds oil-cooling setup on this engine to extract more oomph.A feature-loaded 160cc motorcycleHero Xtreme 160R has quite a few features already. Some of them are LED headlights, LED tail lights, LED turn indicators, hazard light function, smoked effect tail light, a fully digital instrument cluster, knuckle guards and more. With USD telescopic front forks, updated instrument cluster with Bluetooth functionality, Xtreme 160R will make a stronger case in its segment.The company will retain its 163cc single cylinder engine, generating 15 bhp of power and 14 Nm of torque. This engine features a 5-speed gearbox as well. Other componentry include mono-shock rear suspension, front and rear disc brakes (rear optional), single channel ABS, 17” alloy wheels, 100/80-17 front and 130-70-17 rear tyres and more.With the new updates, there will be an increment in price tag. We expect a hike of around Rs. 5,000 to Rs. 10,000. All these changes are likely to make it a more appealing motorcycle than before and help boost sales. For context, prices for Hero Xtreme 160R start from Rs. 1,18,886 (ex-sh). More