Bike News

Subterms

    More stories

    • 138 Shares139 Views

      in Bike

      BMW India Launches S1000RR, M340i, XM Hybrid SUV – JoyTown 2022

      by

      BMW launched S1000RR in India alongside M340i sedan and XM hybrid SUV at the JoyTown festival earlier todayBMW S1000RR launchedBMW has launched a trio of products today. One is the S 1000 RR track motorcycle, second is the XM hybrid-electric SUV and lastly, we have the M340i X-Drive which is the first high-performance BMW with an M engine. The launch event took place at JoyTown 2022, a one of a kind festival for automotive enthusiasts in India.2022 BMW S1000RRStarting with S 1000 RR, it is brought here via CBU route. Bookings are open at authorised BMW Motorrad dealerships. Deliveries of which will commence in February of 2023. It will surpass its forerunners owing to comprehensive updates to its chassis, engine, suspension, aerodynamics, design, electronics and assistance systems.The design is radical as ever and looks ravishing in White colourway. Higher windscreen and side winglets allow shedding a split second of its lap times. It is powered by a 999cc 4-cylinder water and oil-cooled engine and generates 210 bhp of power, up by 3 bhp from previous iterations. It has stupendous levels of kit and technology to offer the ultimate track day experience.It gets a slipper clutch, quick shifter and four modes – Rain, Road, Dynamic and Race and optional pro modes. Other features are launch control, pit lane limiter, hill start assist, dynamic traction control, flex frame, dynamic damping control, ABS Pro with new Brake Slide Assist, a Coloured TFT Screen and a lot more. Prices start from Rs. 20.25 lakh for S 1000 RR, Pro costs Rs. 22.15 lakh and Pro M Sport costs Rs. 24.45 lakh (all prices ex-sh).BMW M340i Launched2022 BMW M340iNext is BMW M340i which is locally assembled at company’s Chennai plant. Prices start from Rs. 69.2 lakh (ex-sh), bookings are open via BMW dealers and deliveries will commence from January 2023. Offered as a sporty product, its design is well judged and accentuates the car’s nature. M aerodynamics package features a body-colored M rear spoiler as well.Interiors are fitting to the price and segment that M340i will fall into. It gets a floating type BMW Curved Display which is the main highlight of this car’s interior. Other bits include Sports seats with M-specific upholstery in a Sensatec/Alcantara trim, an M leather steering wheel with paddle shifters, carbon fiber bits, and a 16-speaker Harman Kardon music system.Under the bonnet, BMW M340i xDrive gets a 2,998 cc straight-six petrol engine that makes 374 hp and 500 Nm torque, allowing it to sprint from 0 to 100 km/hr in 4.4 seconds. It is coupled with an 8-speed Steptronic automatic gearbox and BMW X-Drive AWD system to ensure maximum traction. M Sport exhaust unit completes the package.BMW XM LaunchedBMW XM Hybrid SUV LaunchedJust like S 1000 RR, XM is also brought in via CBU route and hence a price tag of Rs. 2.6 crore (ex-sh). Bookings are open via BMW dealers and deliveries will commence in May 2023. Just like M1, XM has been developed fully independently by M GmbH, with no baseline from BMW model range. It gets BMW’s modern design philosophy with a massive M Kidney Grille at front.Speaking of grille, they’re illuminated as well. BMW is offering M light alloy wheels that are 22” in size and also offers optional 23” M light alloy wheels in Night Gold accents. M Sports Brakes with Black Callipers are standard and optional red or blue calipers are offered too. M Hybrid system consists of a new V8 engine with M TwinPower Turbo and an electric motor integrated into the 8 – speed M Steptronic transmission. Combined output is 653 bhp and 800 Nm of torque. The 25.7 kWh battery is rated for a claimed 88 km range from a single charge.Interiors provide both cockpit-like sportiness and a luxurious ambiance at the same time. All the dashboard equipment mentioned with M340i is present here as well. Interior features Coffee Brown Vintage leather which is unique. Door trim panels come with soft Nappa leather. Music system is taken care of by Bowers & Wilkins Diamond Surround Sound System with 20 speakers and a 1,475-watt amplifier, along with illuminated elements. More

    • 163 Shares199 Views

      in Bike

      Unhappy TVS Apache 160 Owner Threatens To Bury His Motorcycle – Here’s Why

      by

      While few defects across the manufacturing process are unavoidable, problems arise when service centres and OEMs don’t take appropriate action to fix the issueUnhappy TVS Apache OwnerIn yet another example of generalized apathy for consumers, a TVS Apache 160 owner has claimed that his bike is yet to be fixed despite multiple visits to the service centre. Most of the bike’s digital systems and lighting apparatus had stopped working after a few months of use.The bike is currently around 8 months old and under warranty. Critical systems such as headlamp, indicators, horn, digital instrument console and SmartXonnect connectivity platform are not working, even though a fix was provided by the dealer around a couple of weeks back.Manufacturing defect identifiedAccording to the owner, he had purchased the bike from a showroom in Palwal, Haryana. It was a good experience initially, as performance of the bike was quite exciting. Mileage was also satisfactory at around 50 kmph. However, the story changed when much of the bike’s electrical and electronic systems stopped functioning.The only parts working included the LED DRLs. Mechanically, there was no issue with the bike. However, it is pretty difficult to imagine riding a bike without a headlamp, indicator and horn. The issues occurred even when the owner had not customized his bike in any form. Take a look at the detailed video below, credited to Arun Panwar.[embedded content][embedded content]When the bike was taken to a nearby TVS service centre, the owner was asked to pay Rs 500 for checking the wires. This was quite odd, as the bike was still under warranty. The bike was later taken to the original dealer in Palwal , where a ‘jugaad’ fix was provided. It worked for some days, but problems reappeared.According to the owner, he noticed that other TVS products were also being brought in the service centre for wiring related issues. He feels that the wiring issue may be a more widespread problem and not limited to his bike. But the dealer did not have the necessary replacement parts to fix the bike. According to the dealership in Palwal, the problem is a manufacturing defect and not a wire-cut issue.Replacement wiring awaitedA replacement wiring has been ordered, which will take around 15 days to reach the dealership. Hopefully, the replacement should be able to ensure a permanent fix. Things like wiring are pretty basic and it’s surprising that such issues have surfaced. For most bikes, the wiring is supposed to last the entire lifespan of the bike.While the owner waits for the new wiring, he is not happy with the overall service experience. If one has to wait months to get critical issues fixed, it puts a question mark on the quality of post-sales service. The owner also feels that rewiring the bike may create new problems, as most of the parts will need to be taken out and refitted again. We hope the service centre takes this on priority and is able to provide a satisfactory, permanent solution. More

    • 175 Shares99 Views

      in Bike

      Ola Electric Scooter To Beat Honda Activa In Sales By Aug 2023 – CEO

      by

      Right now, Honda Activa is the highest-selling scooter in India with sales easily crossing 2 lakh units per monthOla Electric ScooterOla Electric scooter range consists of recently launched S1 Air which forms base spec model, standard S1 which is mid-spec and S1 Pro at the top end with all bells and whistles. Ola Electric is expanding aggressively and is set to be the No. 1 player in electric vehicles in India.Ola Electric has revealed its plan to launch electric cars as well. Development time for which is just a couple of years. If Ola pulls it off, it is a great feat. We have seen teasers for the electric car which claims to be the fastest car made in India. Now the company claims to surpass the highest-selling ICE scooter sales collectively with its S1 lineup.Ola Electric Scooter To Beat Honda ActivaCEO Bhavish Aggarwal took to social media and announced that the Ola S1 lineup will become the best-selling scooter in India by August 2023. He further states that Ola S1 lineup sales will even surpass best-selling ICE scooters. This is a very tall claim by Ola Electric. That said, Ola has a track record of making very tall claims. Also, they have a track record of fulfilling most of their claims. Can Ola pull it off and beat the highest-selling ICE scooter? We can’t say that as of now.Ola has ramped up its production capacity significantly and is in a position to maybe pull it off. Looking at the target, Honda Activa is currently the highest-selling ICE scooter in India and is likely to stay that way till August 2023. Ola seems to be directly targeting Activa as its goal.Bhavish Aggarwal Recent AnnouncementHonda Activa sold 2.45 lakh units in September 2022. In the same month, Ola sold just 9,649 units collectively. Looking at the gap, Ola has to climb beyond the tip of Everest to achieve something like this. Now that base S1 Air is revealed at around Rs. 85K, Ola is optimistic about its growth in India.Is It Achievable?There is a possibility of this happening. By August 2023, Honda will have forayed into EVs with swappable battery tech. This is likely to shift a lot of ICE Activa buyers towards the new electric Honda Scooter. Hence ICE Activa sales could take a hit and even halve when compared to 2.1 lakh units sold in October 2022.With the push for EVs getting more mainstream, Ola is at the forefront right now. If the same winning streak is maintained by Ola and Honda’s upcoming electric scooter gobbles ICE Activa’s sales, Ola has a chance of beating the highest selling ICE scooter sales in August 2023.As of now, Activa sales are unrivalled and have a lead over other highest-selling scooters by a gargantuan margin. In Sep 2022, Activa sales alone were almost as much as 2nd highest selling scooter to 9th highest selling scooter sales combined. Currently, Ola has 3 electric scooters in its arsenal. The base S1 Air starts from Rs. 85,000, S1 starts from Rs. 1 lakh and S1 Pro starts from Rs. 1.4 lakh. S1 Air can be reserved for Rs. 999 and deliveries will commence in 2023. More

    • 113 Shares99 Views

      in Bike

      Bajaj Pulsar 150 Discontinued – Replaced By New P150

      by

      Pulsar 150’s successor P150 has already been launched, which will continue to rival the likes of Honda Unicorn, Yamaha FZ 15, TVS Apache 160 and Gixxer 155Old Gen Bajaj Pulsar 150 DiscontinuedPulsar 150 and Pulsar 180 have played a key role in establishing Bajaj Auto as a leading player in motorcycle segment. The bikes are preferred for their sporty profile and powerful performance. Pulsar range has been expanded over the years and it continues to be the primary contributor to overall sales.After an exciting journey of more than two decades, Bajaj has taken the decision to discontinue Pulsar 150. It was inevitable, as Bajaj had launched the successor Pulsar P150 in November 2022. Pulsar 150 discontinuation is part of Bajaj’s ongoing initiative to revamp its Pulsar range. As part of that plan, Pulsar 180 was discontinued in August 2022, whereas Pulsar 220 production was stopped in 2021.Pulsar 150 evolutionWhile Bajaj had once dominated the scooter segment in 1980s and 90s, the market transformed rapidly with availability of affordable 100cc commuter bikes. These were faster, more agile and offered higher fuel efficiency. Such developments prompted Bajaj to step-up focus on motorcycles, which eventually resulted in launch of Pulsar 150 and Pulsar 180. The Pulsar twins got the attention of enthusiasts with their superior look and feel and peppy performance.Over the years, a number of changes and generational updates have been introduced for Pulsar 150. The first-gen Pulsar 150 used to generate 12 bhp of max power and was mated to a 5-speed gearbox. A big update for the bike was DTS-i Digital Twin Spark Ignition technology in 2003. It boosted overall performance and also improved fuel efficiency.New Pulsar P150Another feature that made Pulsar 150 popular was Nitrox rear suspension, which was probably a best-in-segment feature at that time. It ensured smoother rides and was especially useful in tackling rough patches on the streets.In its current form, Pulsar 150 churns out 14 PS of max power and 13.25 Nm of peak torque. The bike has a dominating street presence, with features such as wolf-eyed headlamp, carbon fibre accents and dagger-edged graphics. Pulsar 150 runs on 17-inch wheels at both ends and comes with 260mm ventilated front disc, integrated with ABS.Pulsar P150 featuresWhile legends are difficult to replace, the successor Pulsar P150 has a lot more to offer. Design has been completely overhauled to achieve a sharper, sportier profile. Some of the key highlights include sleek headlamp, sculpted fuel tank, slim waistline, underbelly exhaust and crystalline LED tail lamp. The bike is available in a range of exciting single-tone and dual-tone colour options.Power-to-weight ratio is higher now, as the bike weighs 10 kg less than the outgoing model. The all-new refined engine onboard Pulsar P150 generates 14.5 PS and 13.5 Nm. Improvements have also been made across torque availability, gear shift smoothness and reduction in noise and vibrations. Users can expect better ride quality, as Pulsar P150 has advanced monoshock rear suspension. All these updates have prepared P150 to take on the baton from Pulsar 150. More

    • 125 Shares189 Views

      in Bike

      Royal Enfield Scram 650 Rear Subframe Spied – Single Exhaust

      by

      When compared to Interceptor 650, RE Scram 650 will be considerably lighter owing to its single exhaustRoyal Enfield Scram 650Royal Enfield is currently expanding its 650cc portfolio apart from expanding its 350cc and 450cc portfolio. There was an internal document used in one of the meetings of Royal Enfield. That document got leaked online. It revealed that there are multiple new motorcycles planned for launch.One of these new motorcycles is a cruiser and a tourer which seem to be the recently revealed Super Meteor 650 and Super Meteor 650 Tourer. There was also a bobber, an ADV and a scrambler. There have been multiple sightings of a Royal Enfield Scrambler based on a 650cc platform. Test mules are spotted both overseas and also here in India. Recent test mules divulge further info on this upcoming RE Scram 650.RE Scram 650 Rear SubframeMechanically, upcoming scrambler by Royal Enfield is likely to be kept as is. A slight retune to suit a scrambler character is likely. This is a potent 648 cc parallel-twin engine that generates around 46 bhp and 52 Nm of torque. This is mated to a 6-speed gearbox and gets a slipper clutch and oil cooling.The chassis on which Royal Enfield’s 650cc platform is based will undergo slight modification to suit different characters of intended variations. On Scram 650, Royal Enfield has modified its rear subframe which gives it that much-needed scrambler aesthetic. There is a single-seat setup, which gets a ribbed pattern cover.Royal Enfield Scram 650Seating posture is fairly upright with a neutral riding posture. Footpeg placement for rider seems to be slightly rear set which should add that sense of sportiness. Handlebars and instrumentation seem to be lifted off the recently launched Hunter 350. A tripper screen was not found on this test mule and might be made standard with production-spec model.Hardware ComponentsOne of the main highlights of this upcoming RE Scram 650 is its single exhaust. It gets a different exhaust header rerouting exhaust gases into one channel. This will reduce weight considerably and make the motorcycle peppier, which is a win-win situation. According to the report, this new exhaust packed a lot of bass and was slightly louder as well.In terms of componentry, Royal Enfield is offering front USD forks and LED headlights like the ones found on Super Meteor 650. There is exposed wiring that seems to be testing new LED turn indicators.Royal Enfield Scram 650RE Scram 650 still rides on spoked wheels which seem to be 17” in size. Wrapped to these wheels are block pattern tyres that should ensure slight trailing capability. Given Royal Enfield’s extensive testing, Scram 650 seems to be far from launch. When launched, pricing might be around Rs. 3.5 lakh.Source More

    • 113 Shares99 Views

      in Bike

      BMW CE04 Electric Scooter Teased Ahead Of India Launch

      by

      BMW CE04 electric scooter packs a punch with 42 hp of max power and top speed of 121 kmphBMW Electric ScooterAs a time when Indian market is witnessing strong demand for electric two-wheelers, BMW has introduced its CE04 electric scooter. It’s unlike any other product available here and will surely be on the wish list of enthusiasts. Everything from the scooter’s design to its performance and tech features create a heightened sense of awe and excitement.BMW CE04 is available in several overseas markets. In US, the scooter is offered at a starting price of $ 11,795 (approx. Rs 9.71 lakh). In future, BMW could introduce more affordable electric two-wheelers for India.BMW CE04 range, specsOn a full charge, BMW CE04 electric scooter can travel around 129 km as per WMTC standard. The range seems more than adequate for everyday needs. BMW CE04 is powered by a permanent-magnet liquid cooled synchronous motor that generates 42 hp of max power at 4,900 rpm and 62 Nm of peak torque at 1,500 rpm. Top speed is electronically limited to 121 kmph. Acceleration is pretty good, with 0-50 kmph achieved in just 2.6 seconds.BMW CE04 electric scooter utilizes high voltage battery technology, which is placed inside the scooter’s underbody. This placement helps achieve a lower centre of gravity, which in turn ensures easy ride dynamics and fun handling. Standard charging time in a home environment is 4 hours 20 minutes. When a quick charger is used, charging time is reduced to 1 hour 40 minutes. 0-80% charge with a quick charger can be achieved in just 65 minutes.BMW Electric Scooter – teased ahead of India launchBattery charging information is displayed on the digital instrument panel. It can also be accessed via the BMW Motorrad Connected app. Range can be maximized with use of Eco ride mode. The scooter has an energy recovery system, which is used to charge the high-voltage battery via recuperation.BMW CE04 featuresWhile performance numbers are impressive, it’s the scooter’s design and features that make it truly remarkable. EVs have provided designers more freedom to experiment and come up with some really unique creations. BMW CE04 seems like a relevant example in that context. The scooter has a brawny profile and is being offered in dual-tone colour options.Some key features include sporty headlamp design with LED lights, large 10.25-inch TFT display with BMW Motorrad Connectivity, striking disc wheel, flat seat design, integrated side stand and stylish decorative stickers. Riding ergonomics appear fairly comfortable for both rider and pillion. Seat height of 780 mm will ensure optimal control and handling.BMW Electric Scooter CE 04Other key highlights of BMW CE04 include keyless access, ride modes of Eco, Rain and Road, ASC, BMW Motorrad ABS and electronic reverse. The scooter has a ventilated storage compartment with USB as well as side loading storage unit with inbuilt lighting. Users looking for a better experience can upgrade with optional equipment such as heated grips, anti-theft alarm, high windscreen and tire pressure monitoring system. More

    • 125 Shares179 Views

      in Bike

      2023 Hero Hunk Spied Testing – Pulsar P150, Unicorn Rival?

      by

      The test mules of 2023 Hero Hunk 160 seem to be close to production and were completely undisguised2023 Hero Hunk SpiedHero Hunk is a muscular 150cc motorcycle that came with the same engine as CBZ Extreme. It was not very popular in India. Hero MotoCorp had to discontinue the motorcycle from the domestic market. However, it is still manufactured here and is being shipped overseas.At 2,749 units shipped in August 2022, Hero Hunk is the highest-exported 2-wheeler from India’s largest 2W manufacturer in that month. Hunk is currently sold in Bangladesh, Angola, Argentina, Bolivia, Columbia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Guyana, Madagascar, Myanmar, Nepal, Panama, Peru, Sri Lanka and a few more countries.That being said, Hero markets Xtreme 160R as Hunk 160R in a few markets, Hunk 190R gets the same engine as Xpulse 200 and in a few other markets, Hunk 150 is still on sale that gets the same features and body that we used to get years ago in India. But there is a new Hunk that is spotted testing in India. Let’s take a look.2023 Hero Hunk Spied2023 Hunk test mules in question were spotted in Jaipur, near Hero MotoCorp Tech Center. Both of them donned red number plates indicating that they are test mules. Looking at these motorcycles, I couldn’t help but think about the Hero Xtreme 200R that was launched besides Xtreme 200S and Xpulse 200. 2023 Hero Hunk SpiedCloser inspection revealed that it has similar body panels, tank design, tank shrouds design, headlight design, alloy wheels, exhaust canister, taillights and pretty much everything else. There is one major change and that is the engine. 2023 Hero Hunk which was spotted testing, was equipped with a 160cc engine that we also saw on Xtreme 160R.2023 Hero Hunk SpiedEngine casing is similar to 160’s rather than 200’s. On deduction, it looks like Hero MotoCorp is targeting the lower end of 150cc and 160cc segments. This is where Honda Unicorn is currently partying. Looking at the fairly minimal bells and whistles that Hunk 160R is donning, it is obvious where Hero has its eyes on.Specs & FeaturesSpeaking of bells and whistles, there are not a lot on Hunk 160R. This can be a boon allowing Hero to price it competitively. Single-channel ABS is present along with alloy wheels, dual disc brakes, LED taillights, halogen headlights, mono-shock rear and telescopic front suspension are some of notable features. Hero might throw in XTEC connected features as well.2023 Hero Hunk SpiedThe engine on Xtreme 160R makes 15 bhp and 14 Nm of torque. On 2023 Hero Hunk, this engine might be detuned to fit the segment. Honda Unicorn is gaining a lot of traction in recent months and is regaining lost market at a significant rate. Recently launched Bajaj Pulsar P150 has a single-disc variant that is another likely rival for Hunk 160.If planned for India, new Hunk could launch sometime next year, as the test mules looked fairly production-ready. We would wager a price of around Rs. 1 lakh to Rs. 1.05 lakh (ex-sh) for the top-spec trim with Bluetooth connectivity and a sub Rs. 1 lakh price for base trim without connected features. More

    • 150 Shares119 Views

      in Bike

      New KTM RC 990 Spied – Successor To RC 8C Sports Bike?

      by

      Outgoing RC 8C makes 135 bhp of power and 98 Nm of torque, while KTM RC 990 spied testing recently is likely to offer more oomphImage – MotorradKTM big bikes are quite popular in global market. Unfortunately, most of them are not on sale here. In India, 390 Adventure is the flagship, which is set to receive a major update in the coming years. It will also get a new 390 Enduro version, as seen with recent spy shots.Sticking with big bikes, KTM currently has 890 platform and used to have 1190 platform. In early 2022, new Duke was spotted donning what could be a 990 platform from the Austrian brand. Now, we get to see spy shots of a new faired sports bike prototype.KTM RC 990 Spied TestingIt looks fairly pre-production and sports a matte black fairing with rough edges. It gets a new design language which is radical over 8C faired motorcycle. Even with a fairing, the chassis on this RC 990 is slightly different than what was spotted on Duke 990 papped earlier. Let’s take a look.KTM traditionally uses chrome molybdenum steel tubes for its trellis frame. Rear subframe is slightly different than found on Duke 990 test mules. On the Duke 990, KTM used a die-cast aluminium rear subframe and on KTM RC 990 spotted testing, the company has used a bolt-on type aluminium frame.KTM RC 990Even swingarm is kept different for upcoming 990 platform. KTM is using a banana-shaped swingarm on RC 990, while Duke 990 makes do with a regular profile aluminium swingarm. Both of these swingarm designs are different from KTM’s current RC 8C. KTM RC 990 sports a different TFT display as well which is different from the one found on 890 Duke.Hardware-wise, KTM RC 990 is equipped with a WP monoshock at the rear and WP Apex USD forks at front. These are fully adjustable types that get rebound and compression adjustments. Similar components are found on 890 Duke as well. Braking duties are taken care of by Brembo Stylema calipers.Specs & LaunchCloser inspection reveals that both rider and pillion footrest placement is not yet finalised. This is because of the testing rig incorporated with the test mule. KTM seems to be offering a decent balance between committed seating position and comfort. This is still a pre-production test mule and hence production-spec model can get a revised seating posture.KTM RC 990We can spot a single projector integrated into the front fairing. Also present are bar-end mirrors. There is a new engine behind the fairing which is said to be close to 990cc in cubic displacement. Outgoing 890 Duke and RC 8C is powered by an 889cc twin-cylinder engine.On 890 Duke, this engine is tuned to make 120 bhp and 99 Nm, while on RC 8C, it makes 135 bhp and 98 Nm. KTM RC 990 spotted testing is likely to offer more performance than RC 8C. Launch timeline is not known. Looking at the test mule, it is likely to break the covers at EICMA 2023. India launch could be a possibility.Source More