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      Honda Electric Scooter Launch Next Fiscal Year – Chetak, Ather, Ola Rival

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      Image for referenceIn the next few years, most mainstream two-wheeler manufacturers are expected to launch their electric models
      Although volumes are still low, things are moving in the right direction for electric two-wheeler segment. With huge subsidies, increased range and massive investment in charging infrastructure, consumers are willing to shift to electric. More momentum is expected in coming years, as established players like Hero MotoCorp, Honda, and Yamaha enter this space.
      Honda new electric scooter
      India’s second largest two-wheeler manufacturer, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI) is expected to launch their first electric scooter in India in 2022-23. Although details about the scooter are not available, the plans have been confirmed by HMSI president Atsushi Ogata. It is known that the company is currently testing the BENLY e electric scooter.
      However, it is not certain if BENLY e is the product that will be launched in India. The scooter was showcased in 2019 at Tokyo Motor Show. BENLY e has been positioned as an electric two-wheeler for commercial use. So, the one meant for India could be an entirely new electric scooter. Globally, Honda Motor has plans to launch three new electric two-wheelers for personal use by 2024.
      Eye on global markets
      Along with domestic sales, Honda will be aiming to introduce its made-in-India electric scooter to international markets as well. The plan is to achieve a high level of localization. Honda is currently carrying out discussion with various component suppliers. Ogata said that due to its global plans, the launch has been shifted to next financial year. If the electric scooter was to be sold only in domestic market, it could have been launched this year itself.
      Honda Benly e Electric scooter
      An advantageous factor for Honda is that it already has the expertise and knowhow to develop an electric two-wheeler. The company is likely to use the Honda Mobile Power Pack (MPP) for its electric two-wheeler. MPP is environment friendly in the real sense, as it uses electricity produced though renewable energy sources such as solar power. MPP can also be used for other electric products such as e-rickshaws. Demand for the latter has consistently increased in India.
      Talks with dealers
      Honda is likely to hold discussion with its dealers to ensure that their business is not adversely impacted with the entry of electric two-wheelers. Since electric two-wheelers require relatively less service and maintenance, it could impact dealer profitability. To avoid such issues and protect its dealer network, Honda is working on various solutions.
      One possibility is to equip dealer facilities with battery charging stations. This will create a new revenue source for dealers. It will be beneficial for users as well.
      With localization, it is expected that HMSI will be able to launch its electric scooter at a competitive price point. If it has ample range and features, Honda electric scooter could emerge as another bestseller. The biggest success story so far in electric segment is that of Ola Electric. The company had registered bookings worth Rs 1,100 crore in just a 2-day sale period. Other scooters it will rival include Bajaj Chetak, TVS iQube, Ather 450X and many more. More

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      Bajaj Pulsar 250F Testing Continues – LED, Instrument Cluster Spied

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      Bajaj Pulsar 250FPulsar 250 will be the new flagship Pulsar branded motorcycle in Bajaj Auto lineup
      Bajaj Auto is gearing up to launch the new Pulsar 250 in multiple iterations on October 28. The upcoming quarter-litre motorcycle has been spotted testing on roads in the past few months on numerous occasions. All test mules spied until now have been heavily wrapped under camouflage thus revealing very few details of the bike.
      The Chakan-based manufacturer continues to test the upcoming Pulsar ahead of its launch towards the end of this month. The new motorcycle has been spotted testing again, this time in Kolhapur. Hat tip to Omkar for sharing the latest set of spy shots which clearly reveal the design of the LED taillamps.
      The recent spy images only reveal the rear end of what appears to be the semi-faired iteration of the motorcycle which is expected to be named Pulsar 250F. The bikemaker will also launch a naked streetfighter version of the same which will most probably be called NS250.
      Bajaj Pulsar 250F – Fresh Design
      As seen in the recent spy pics, the split style taillight in Pulsar 250 seems to be an extension of the ones seen in the current Pulsar lineup. Other styling highlights include split grab rails for the pillion, a raised tail section, a rear tyre hugger, a split seating setup and a side-mounted twin-barrel exhaust canister.
      Bajaj Pulsar 250F
      From previous spy images, we have noticed design attributes such as a clip-on handlebar, an engine underbelly cowl and a muscular front fender. The front fascia of the motorcycle flaunts a single-pod LED headlamp cluster and integrated LED DRLs. The semi-faired iteration of the motorcycle gets an even more aggressive front end with a large headlamp cowl and a flyscreen that integrates into the side fairing.
      Hardware & Features
      Another major update is the semi-digital instrument console which was earlier believed to be a fully digital unit. The console could, however, benefit from Bluetooth connectivity. Coming to its hardware configurations, the new Pulsar 250 will be underpinned by an all-new frame which will be suspended on conventional telescopic forks up front and a mono-shock linked to the swingarm at rear.
      Expected Engine Specs
      Braking setup will comprise disc brakes at both ends complemented by a dual-channel ABS. The upcoming Pulsar duos will be powered by a new 249cc single-cylinder air/oil-cooled engine which is likely to pump out 24 bhp and 20 Nm of peak torque. This unit will be linked to a 6-speed gearbox with a slipper and assist clutch. This engine is also expected to be equipped with variable valve actuation (VVA) technology.
      Upon its launch, Pulsar 250 is expected to be priced around Rs 1.60 lakh (ex-showroom) for the naked iteration and an additional Rs 5,000-10,000 for the semi-faired version. The Pulsar quarter-litre siblings will rival the likes of Yamaha FZ25 and Suzuki Gixxer 250 and SF 250. More

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      2021 KTM RC 125 Launch Price Rs 1.82 L – New RC 200 At Rs 2.09 L

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      New KTM RC 1252022 KTM RC range has significant changes across styling, performance, ergonomics and ride dynamics
      After making their global debut a few weeks back, all-new KTM RC range has been launched in India. With the updates, the new RC models now get priced a bit higher. Unofficial bookings for these new-gen bikes were already available at specific KTM dealerships. From today, official bookings open. Updates to RC range are in line with the company’s broader objective to overhaul its entire portfolio.
      New KTM RC 125, RC 200 Prices
      The KTM RC 200 and KTM RC 125 have been launched at a special introductory Ex-Showroom, Delhi prices of Rs. 2.09 lakh, Rs. 1.82 lakh respectively. Several of the updates are common to both RC 125 and RC 200. For example, the new colour options of orange + black and orange + white are largely the same on both bikes.
      Other updates include blacked-out engine and orange coloured wheels. Differences also exist, for example, RC 125 has LED lights whereas its larger sibling utilizes halogen headlamp. RC 125 has upswept exhaust whereas RC 200 is equipped with an underbelly exhaust.
      Both bikes utilize a new trellis frame that has a bolt-on sub-frame. This is lighter and improves the power to weight ratio. It has resulted in tangible improvements in terms of handling and balance, especially at high speeds. The bikes get a new set of alloy wheels that are lighter.
      New KTM RC 125
      Even the weight of the disc brakes has been reduced. All these changes will allow the rider to register faster lap times in a track environment. For everyday needs, these bikes will have improved agility to handle street ride conditions.
      New RC 125 and RC 200 will use the same engine as earlier. However, these have been tweaked to deliver improved acceleration and more torque. The list of enhancements to the engine include updated cooling system, ultra-hard carbon coated cam levers and larger airbox.
      Power and torque output is 20 hp / 12 Nm for RC 125 and 25.5 hp / 19.5 Nm for RC 200. Both engines are mated to a 6-speed transmission. Both bikes now have larger fuel tank that can store 13.7 litres of fuel.
      New KTM RC Range – 125, 200 and 390
      Features With 2021 KTM RC 125 / 200 In India
      New adjustable handlebarsNew LCD dash instrument clusterIncreased fuel tank volume from 9.5 liters to 13.7 litersNew LED headlight on the KTM RC 200New Halogen headlight on the KTM RC 125New, Larger airboxAll-new stiffer, lighter split-steel trellis frameNew SUPERMOTO ABS on the KTM RC 200New, sharper taillight designNew lighter, high-strength wheelsNew, lighter 320mm front brake disc & 230mm rear brake discCurved radiatorStiffer hollow front axleWind screen with unique laser textureIntegrated front position lamp with front blinkersAluminum cast and split pillion grab
      2021 KTM RC 390 features and specs
      Launch of the new KTM RC 390 is expected to take place soon. Key updates for new RC 390 include a completely redesigned front fascia. The bike gets a new single-piece LED headlight. Wind protection has been improved with the addition of a larger windshield. Headlight is flanked by boomerang-shaped LED DRLs that have integrated turn indicators. Fairing has been updated in a way to ensure improved aerodynamics and optimized airflow.
      Riding posture appears to be slightly more comfortable, as compared to that of the current model. However, much of the track-focused aggressive riding stance has been retained. This is evident in the rear-set foot pegs and low-set clip-on handlebar. Changes can be seen across other components such as position lamp, front fairing, and rear turn signals. A new TFT instrument console has been added that comes with Bluetooth connectivity.
      Engine is the same as earlier, a 373cc single-cylinder, liquid-cooled unit that makes 44 bhp of max power. With the larger airbox, a higher torque output of 37 Nm has been achieved. Max speed of the bike has gone up by 11 kmph. New RC 390 will rival the likes of Kawasaki Ninja 400, TVS Apache RR310 and upcoming Benelli 302R. More

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      Hero Electric Scooter For Free Everyday – New Festive Season Offer

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      Hero Electric ScooterHero Electric will be announcing one lucky customer each day to ride home a desired electric scooter for free
      Hero Electric, the makers of 8 electric two wheelers with most popular scooters being Optima, Photon and Optima HX, has announced a special festive campaign. This festive offer – 30 days, 30 electric scooters will be presented across each of the company’s 700+ touchpoints in India and will be valid from 7th October to 7th November 2021.
      Lucky customers stand a chance to ride home an electric scooter for free. Customers making purchases of Hero Electric scooters during this period will be eligible to take part in this contest. The winners will be chosen via a lucky draw with 1 winner each day to receive a full refund on the ex-showroom price of the said bike.
      This festive season, Hero Electric encourages buyers to celebrate a pollution free Diwali with greater emphasis on zero emission, clean, green electric vehicles. It is also a part of the Government of India policies towards electric vehicle adopting with the FAME II policies. Various state governments have also initiated several subsidies and initiatives that would make electric vehicles more accessible and affordable to buyers.
      Hero Electric on-line Booking Service
      Along with the ‘30 days, 30 bikes’ offer, Hero Electric has also furthered the digital experience of customers with online and offline service booking facilities. Customers can book an electric two wheeler at the company’s website or via the 700+ touchpoints.
      Hero Electric Scooter Free Offer
      Easy financing options are presented to customers with affordable EMIs along with a 5 year extended warranty. This does not include warranty on battery and charger in the 4th and 5th year. Quick home delivery of the vehicles at 0 delivery charges are also a part of the services offered by Hero Electric.
      Hero Electric Sales
      Hero Electric has noted a sharp increase in the first 6 months of current financial year. Sales stood at 15,000 units, during the April to September 2021 period as compared to 3,270 units sold in the same period of 2020.
      The company currently commands a 40 percent share in the electric two wheeler market and rising demand has initiated the company to boost its production operations from a current 1 lakh to 5 lakh units from March 2022. Hero Electric also targets an increase in production capacities of 10 lakh units each year till a target of 50 lakh unit production by 2026.
      New Hero Electric Motorcycle Launch Soon
      New dealerships have also been set up and Hero Electric currently has a total of 339 dealerships spread over 162 cities in India. Exclusive dealership showrooms in other major cities are also on the cards. Hero AE-47 electric motorcycle is also poised for launch in the months ahead.
      Hero Electric AE-47 will be powered by an advanced electric motor offering top speed of over 85 km/h via a lightweight portable lithium ion 48V/3.5 kWh battery. It will receive two modes of Power mode and Eco mode. Range on full battery will be higher in ECO mode.
      Being offered in a premium category, this electric motorcycle could be priced in a range of Rs 1.3-1.5 lakh and will be a direct competitor of the Revolt RV400 electric motorcycle already on sale in select cities in the country. More

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      BMW Scooter First Owner In India – Takes Delivery

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      BMW 350cc Scooter – C400GT and its first owner in IndiaBMW C400 GT Maxi-Scooter has been launched with tag line “Get ready to conquer the urban life”
      BMW C400 GT is a 350cc, mid-capacity maxi-scooter from the German manufacturer. It has now been launched in India for a starting price of Rs 9.95 lakhs, ex-sh. While the price may seem a lot for a 350cc scooter, it may be mentioned that its price in global markets is between Rs 6-7.5 lakh. In India, it has arrived as a complete CBU (Completely Built Unit), which adds to the pricing.
      Boasting of sporty design and premium features BMW C400 GT targets a niche customer base in India. It will receive a range of modern features among which will be a 6.5 inch TFT instrument cluster with smartphone and compatible with BMW Motorrad connectivity, LED lighting at the front and rear.
      It will also get handle mounted multi controller for access to calls, music and contacts, heated grips and socket, USB charging port, ride by wire technology and a stepped up saddle and grab handles. The feature list goes on to include keyless ignition, an upswept exhaust, split style footboard, illuminated underseat storage and self-calibrating ASC.
      BMW Scooter First Owner In India
      First owner of the new scooter, Swaranjit Bajaj has taken delivery from Navnit BMW Motorrad in Mumbai. Images here are credit to Vinod Nareshan (@itsvinodn), which were taken on the launch day itself.
      BMW Scooter First Owner In India
      BMW C400GT will receive cast aluminum wheels fitted with wide tyres measuring 15 inch front and 14 inch rear. It will be presented in colour options of Alpine White and Style Triple Black. Improved safety will be via an anti-theft alarm system, standard traction control and ABS.
      350cc single-cylinder engine
      Suited for both city and highway rides, BMW C 400 GT will be powered by a 350cc, water cooled, single cylinder engine generating 34 hp power at 7,500 rpm and 35 Nm torque at 5,750 rpm mated to a CVT. It will claim a top speed of 86 mph (139 kmph).
      Braking will be via dual disc brake in the front and single disc brake at the rear. Suspension will be via telescopic fork in the front and dual shocks at the rear. Unladen weight of this scooter is at 214 kgs.
      Bookings are open against a token amount of Rs 1 lakh. BMW have received over 100 bookings prior to launch. Apart from being exclusive, BMW C400 GT is also the most powerful scooter on sale in India with no direct rival. More

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      Triumph Street Scrambler 900cc Motorcycle Launch Price Rs 9.35 L

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      2021 Triumph Street ScramblerThe new Triumph Street Scrambler will go head-to-head against Ducati Scrambler Icon – It is available in attractive colour options
      Triumph is aggressively expanding its international portfolio by unveiling new products across various segments. Back in April this year, the British bikemaker took the wraps off the latest version of Street Scrambler that will also head towards Indian shores. Today, the same has been launched in India.
      The 2021 Street Scrambler features some subtle aesthetic and mechanical updates over its predecessor. It will be available in two forms- standard and a limited-run Sandstorm Edition. The former is priced frmo Rs 9.35 lakhs. The latter has been priced at Rs 9.95 lakh (ex-showroom) for India and is limited to just 775 units worldwide.
      Triumph Street Scrambler 900cc – Updated Styling
      To start with its design, 2021 iteration of Street Scrambler gets a raft of styling updates. These include a new side panel with an aluminium number board, a new brushed aluminium headlight bracket, a new heel guard and throttle body finishers. The split-style seats get a new Alcantara-like finish. That said, Triumph has retained the overall retro styling of the bike with the same set of body panels.
      Retro-style components such as a round headlamp, a teardrop-shaped fuel tank, a single-sided high-mounted twin exhaust canister, wire-spoked wheels shod with knobby tyres, fork gaiters and circular rearview mirrors. Triumph, however, has done away with a rubberised grip pad on the tank. It will be available in three paint schemes- a dual-tone Matte Khaki with Matte Ironstone, Jet Black or Urban Grey.
      2021 Triumph Street Scrambler
      Triumph Street Scrambler 900cc Sandstorm Edition gets additional cosmetic enhancements such as a headlight grille, rubber grip pads on the tank, a beak-like high-mounted front mudguard and an engine belly pan which give it a unique appearance. Further, it will be shipped with a personalised certificate of authenticity that will also bear the bike’s VIN number lending it exclusivity. The bike tips the weighing scales at 223kg.
      Mechanical Specs
      Getting into specifications, the bike is powered by a 900cc, parallel-twin, liquid-cooled engine which also powers Bonneville Street Twin. This motor is now BS6/Euro-5 compliant and pushes out 64.1 bhp at 7,500rpm and a peak torque of 80 Nm at 3,200rpm. The engine is mated to a 5-speed gearbox.
      The new Street Scrambler is underpinned by the same steel twin-cradle frame that is suspended on non-adjustable 41mm forks telescopic at front and preload-adjustable twin shocks at rear. Braking duties will be carried out by single disc brakes on both front and rear ends with calipers from Brembo and Nissin respectively. Safety is provided by dual-channel ABS as standard.
      2021 Triumph Street Scrambler – Official Specs
      Features on offer
      Speaking of features, Street Scrambler gets an analogue speedometer with LCD display, a 12-litre fuel tank, full LED illumination traction control and three ride modes- road, rain and off-road. For better off-road performance, it gets switchable ABS. More

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      New Bajaj Dominar 400 Spied At Dealer Showroom – Launch Soon

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      New Bajaj Dominar Spied At Dealer ShowroomCurrently, Bajaj offers Dominar 400 at a price of Rs 2.12 lakh (ex-showroom) – The updated model is expected to cost a little premium over the present model
      Despite being well-equipped and capable, Dominar 400 hasn’t been attracting a larger number of buyers in recent times which is why Bajaj has planned to give the bike an update. It recently came to light that Bajaj is planning to launch an updated iteration of Dominar 400 in the near future.
      The facelifted version of the tourer is expected to primarily incorporate cosmetic updates as well as maybe a few feature additions. That said, underneath its skin, the motorcycle will remain identical to the current model on sale. The motorcycle has started to arrive at dealer showroom. Launch is expected in coming days. Spy images are credit to automotive enthusiast Harish. Apart from Dominar, Bajaj will also launch new Pulsar 250 later this month.
      New Bajaj Dominar 400 – Company fitted accessories
      Earlier this year, an undisguised prototype of Dominar 400 wearing an Aurora Green colour trim was spied sporting a new flyscreen and knuckle guards. It is this same model which has now been spied at a dealership, but in a different colour. Current Dominar 400 is available in Green and Black.
      In terms of styling, the current Dominar 400 flaunts a muscular fuel tank with extensions, a double-barrel exhaust, split-style seats and a raised handlebar. The motorcycle rolls on 17-inch alloy wheels. It contains company fitted mobile holder with charger placed above console.
      New Bajaj Dominar Spied At Dealer Showroom
      On the feature front, Dominar 400 is laced with a data-intensive fully-digital instrument cluster, all-LED illumination and a 13-litre fuel tank capacity. In its upcoming iteration, the motorcycle could benefit from a dedicated connectivity technology.
      While Dominar 400 is a proven tourer on highways due to its ease of riding and ergonomics, its heavier front end with a kerb weight of 187 kilos makes it a cumbersome motorcycle to ride in city commutes, especially in tight traffic conditions.
      Hardware, Engine Specs
      Most probably, the new 2022 Dominar 400 will sit on the same perimeter tube frame. This frame will be suspended on 43mm inverted forks at front and a multi-step adjustable mono-shock unit at rear. Braking hardware comprises a 320mm disc up front and a 230mm disc at rear which are assisted by a dual-channel ABS as standard.
      The upcoming Dominar 400 will continue to draw its power from the same 373.27cc, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine which generates 40hp of power at 8,800rpm and 35Nm of peak torque at 6,500rpm 373.27cc, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine which pushes out 40 bhp at 8,800rpm and 35 Nm of peak torque at 6,500rpm. This unit will be paired with a 6-speed gearbox which comes with a slipper clutch. More

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      Yamaha MT15 Likely To Get New Updates – Similar To R15 V4

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      International-spec Yamaha MT15. Image for reference
      Upon its launch, the new generation Yamaha MT15 could be priced at a premium of Rs 10,000 over the current model
      Yamaha updated its entry-level supersport bike R15 earlier last month which has generally received positive reviews from all corners. The bike received plenty of updates on the skin and some crucial ones underneath as well. Now, the Japanese bikemaker is planning to carry forward these updates on the naked version of R15.
      Yamaha could soon launch an updated MT15 which will carry a similar range of updates as seen in the recently launched R15 V4. Underneath their skin, both R15 and MT15 are essentially the same bikes with stark differences in their top hat and riding ergonomics.
      Updated Design Expected
      In its current form, MT15 gets a transformer-style front look with air scoops, a sculpted fuel tank with extensions, a single-pod LED projector headlamp with twin LED DRLs at front, a wide handlebar and a petite tail section. There could be slight variations in terms of styling in the upcoming model but exact details have not yet surfaced.
      MT15 is also available in a special MotoGP Monster Energy Edition which is the range-topping variant of the motorcycle. It features cosmetic enhancements which are inspired by Yamaha’s MotoGP motorcycle along with Monster Energy branding which is the principal sponsor of Team Blue at the premiere championship. The special edition model wears a black paint scheme along with Monster Energy branding on the fuel tank and logo on tank extensions.
      Yamaha MT15 Monster Edition. Image – MRD Vlogs
      Yamaha MT15 R15 V4 Based – Hardware & Features
      The major and more crucial updates will be underneath its skin which would involve an updated powertrain and hardware setup. The most notable inclusion will be upside-down front forks which will offer sportier credentials to the new MT-15.
      The golden-coloured front forks will also add to the visual appeal of the motorcycle in addition to more confidence to riders. Rear suspension duties will be handled by a mono-shock. Anchorage will be taken care of by disc brakes at both ends complemented by dual-channel ABS as standard.
      Yamaha is also likely to add a couple of features to the updated MT-15 such as a quick-shifter, traction control and a revised fully digital LCD instrument console compatible with Yamaha’s Y-Connect connectivity feature and Bluetooth.
      Powering MT-15 will be the same engine as its fully clothed sibling R15 V4. The 155cc, single-cylinder liquid-cooled engine is paired with a six-speed gearbox. The VVA motor kicks out 18.2 bhp and 14.1 Nm of peak torque. Yamaha is yet to confirm the launch timeline of updated MT15. It could be planned for launch later this year or sometime next year. More