Bike News

Subterms

    More stories

    • 100 Shares199 Views

      in Bike

      Vespa Celebrates 75th Anniversary With Special Edition Scooters

      by

      2021 Vespa 75th Yr Anniversary Special Edition
      In the new 75th Anniversary Edition, the Vespa scooters are offered with many aesthetic additions

      Piaggio is celebrating 75 years of its existence in global automotive markets by introducing new special edition models of its subsidiary brand of scooters Vespa. The Italian automaker has revealed two special edition variants based on Vespa GTS and Vespa Primavera trims and the series has been named 75th.
      The scooters will be available in both 125cc and 300cc iterations and go on sale this month and will remain on sale only throughout this year. These special edition models feature updated cosmetics which make them unique. Otherwise, they are similar to the regular models.
      2021 Vespa 75th Yr Anniversary Special Edition
      Updated Cosmetics
      Vespa was first launched back in 1946 and the new 75th series model receives a metallic yellow body paint scheme called “Giallo 75th” which is reminiscent of its original colour. Side body panels and front mudguards flaunt the number 75 in a slightly darker shade of the same colour.
      It also gets a special badging on the front glove box displaying the brand’s name and its years of 75 years of existence. The scooters also receive a signature Vespa tie recoloured in opaque pyrite yellow at the front apron.
      2021 Vespa 75th Yr Anniversary Special Edition
      The single-piece seat is trimmed in nubuck leather with piping while it rides on grey alloy wheels with a diamond finish. There is plenty of chrome detailing all around the scooter including the badging on rear-view mirrors, front mudguard, exhaust muffler and instrument cluster surround. The GTS trim gets foldaway footpegs which are also embellished.
      Features & Accessories
      In addition, the special edition Vespa also gets a chrome-laced rear luggage rack that houses a large circular leather bag and mimics a spare wheel holder. The bag is also made of nubuck leather and of the same colour as the scooter’s saddle and comes with a quick-release mechanism. In terms of features, both special models in the 75 series are equipped with a 4.3-inch fully digital TFT colour display housing all functions compatible with the Vespa MIA smartphone connectivity system.
      In order to make it a special experience for buyers, each scooter in this special edition range will be offered with a welcome kit which consists of an Italian silk scarf, personalised owners book, a vintage steel Vespa plate and eight collector postcards signifying eight decades of Vespa history. Pisces of these new models haven’t been revealed by the Italian two-wheeler manufacturer as of yet, but we expect more information to be thrown into light, ahead of its international debut which is expected to take place in a month and a half.
      We do hope that Piaggio does give it a thought about bringing the special edition Vespa models to India sometime later this year. Currently, Piaggio retails nine Vespa models in India such as SXL 125, Vespa VXL 125 and Vespa ZX 125 including others. More

    • 213 Shares139 Views

      in Bike

      Top 10 Electric Two Wheeler Sales Feb 2021 – Hero Electric 1st, Ather 4th, Bajaj Chetak 9th

      by

      Ather Electric Scooter
      Currently, there are more than twenty OEMs in the two-wheeler electric mobility space in India with new brands to come in the near future

      With multiple electric vehicle (EV) offerings in the two-wheeler segment in India, it is evident that future of mobility is electric. A total of 6,059 units of electric two-wheelers was sold in February 2021 against 2,243 units sold during the same month last year. Thus resulting in YoY growth of 170.1 percent.
      Hero Electric, Okinawa Lead EV Segment
      Hero Electric was the leader of the segment with as many as 2,201 two-wheelers sold last month. During the same period last year, Hero sold 614 units witnessing a YoY growth of 258.5 percent and a market share (MS) of 36.3 percent.
      They were followed by Okinawa electric with a total sales of 1059 units last month – recording a YoY growth of 59.5 percent with an MS of 29.6 percent. Hero Electric and Okinawa were the only two OEMs to breach the 1000-mark last month. Ampere was able to retail 800 units in February this year against last year’s 286 units, therefore, witnessing a growth of 179.7 percent and an MS of 13.2 percent.
      Ather Energy continued to post sales growth despite of having only 1 scooter on offer – Ather 450X. The Bengaluru-based startup sold only 624 units last month as opposed to 368 units sold in February 2020. This resulted in YoY growth of 69.1 percent and an MS of 16.5 percent.
      Electric Two Wheeler Sales Feb 2021. Source – FADA
      Pure EV is a relatively new player in the Indian market and did well to take the fifth spot. It sold 404 EVs last month accounting for 6.7 percent of MS. Benling India sold 254 units of electric two-wheelers last month thereby accounting for an MS of 4.2 percent.
      TVS, Bajaj catching up
      TVS made its entry into the EV segment last year with iQute electric scooter. It was able to retail only 208 units of the e-scooter in February this year and resulting in an MS of 3.4 percent. Jitendra New EV sold only 124 units last month and has an MS of 2.0 percent.
      Bajaj, the Chakan-based manufacturer made its entry into the segment with Chetak Electric scooter in 2019. Being one of the largest two wheeler maker in India, it was surprising to see Bajaj lagging at ninth place with just 111 units retailed last month.
      No
      Electric 2Wheeler
      Feb-21
      Feb-20
      Growth%
      1
      Hero Electric
      2,201
      614
      258.47
      2
      Okinawa
      1,059
      664
      59.49
      3
      Ampere
      800
      286
      179.72
      4
      Ather Energy
      624
      369
      69.11
      5
      PureEV
      404
      0
      –
      6
      Benling
      254
      5
      4980.00
      7
      TVS
      208
      0
      –
      8
      Jitendra New EV
      124
      5
      2380.00
      9
      Bajaj
      111
      25
      344.00
      10
      MEW Electricals
      80
      0
      –
      11
      Revolt
      70
      155
      -54.84
      12
      Goreen E-mobility
      45
      2
      2150.00
      13
      Ira Edutech
      11
      3
      266.67
      14
      M2GO Electric
      6
      0
      –
      15
      NDS Eco Motors
      5
      51
      -90.20
      16
      Odysse Electric
      5
      0
      –
      17
      Supereco Auto
      4
      0
      –
      18
      Avan Motors
      3
      22
      -86.36
      19
      SBTEK E Moto
      2
      0
      –
      20
      Others
      43
      42
      2.38
      –
      Total
      6,059
      2,243
      170.13
      New Future Brands in India
      All the other models resulted in a sales volume of fewer than 100 units. Upcoming brands such as Ola Electric and Kabira will soon make their debuts in India in the electric mobility space and things could become interesting. Although we believe it will take some time for Indian consumers to warm up to the idea of owning a battery-powered vehicle instead of conventional fossil fuel-powered vehicles. This is primarily because of limited charging infrastructure in the country presently.
      But the times are changing rapidly. In a few years from now, the sales number of EVs are expected to increase exponentially. Most of the EV makers are currently battling problems like shortage of parts, very few dealer outlets, etc. But many of them are already working on increasing production, dealer network, launching EVs in more cities, etc.
      Bajaj has plans to launch Chetak in more cities, launch KTM / Husqvarna electric scooter / motorcycle. Hero, Yamaha, Suzuki and even Royal Enfield have plans to enter the EV segment. Apart from the big brands, there are many new brands who have either entered or have plans to enter – making the EV space one to watch out for in the coming years. More

    • 100 Shares99 Views

      in Bike

      Honda CB350RS First Batch Owners Start Taking Delivery

      by

      Honda CB350RS Arriving At Dealer. Image – Motovin77
      CB350 RS is Honda’s second locally manufactured motorcycle in India which is retailed through its premium chain of dealerships BigWing

      Honda launched the roadster version of CB350 last year and now they have launched a more sporty variant called CB350RS. While most of the bike is identical to its classic sibling, it does feature some cosmetic variations that help distinguish itself as a sportier iteration of the former. Now, the Japanese bikemaker has commenced deliveries of RS to dealerships across the country.
      Like its sibling, CB350 RS is exclusively retailed through the company’s premium chain of dealerships- BigWing which has limited footprints across India. The bike was launched in a single variant with two colour options at a price of Rs 1.96 lakh (ex-showroom) which makes it Rs 4,000 costlier than DLX Pro trim of H’Ness CB350.
      Honda CB350 RS First Batch Delivery Starts
      Cosmetic Differences
      The bikemaker currently operates a total of only 32 BigWing dealerships in India currently- 6 BigWing Toplines and 26 standard BigWing dealerships. CB350 RS looks like a sportier version of H’Ness CB350 where RS stands for ‘Road Sailing’. It gets redesigned side panels and a revised tail section along with an all-black treatment on various body parts. Texture of the seat, as well as its cushioning, has been updated.
      This iteration of CB350 also gets two separate grab rails for the pillion which are bolted to the rear fender unlike H’Ness which gets a single-piece grab rail. The footpegs are also a little rear-set with a slightly smaller handlebar which provides an aggressive lean forward riding posture.
      [embedded content]
      The frame, chassis, and other mechanical components are covered in a beautiful all-black theme that accentuates CB350 RS’s sporty nature. In addition, an engine bash plate and a wider rear tyre with a block pattern further distinguish the RS from H’Ness CB350.
      Same Mechanicals
      Both H’Ness CB350 and CB350 Rs share the same powertrain and hardware setup. They draw their power from a 348cc, single-cylinder, air-cooled engine which puts out 20.8 bhp at 5,500rpm with 30 Nm of peak torque at 3,000rpm. This unit is mated to a 5-speed gearbox with a slipper clutch.
      Suspension setup consists of conventional telescopic forks at front and dual shock absorbers at rear. Braking is taken care of by disc brakes at both ends while safety net is provided by a dual-channel ABS.
      Features on offer
      In terms of dimensions, both motorcycles are identical to each other, however, CB350 RS is lighter by 2 kilos. Coming to its features, CB350 RS like its classic sibling also comes with Honda Selectable Torque Control System (HSTC) which is essentially Honda’s version of traction control. However, it misses out on Bluetooth connectivity as offered in H’Ness CB350. It is available in two paint schemes- a mono-tone Radiant Red Metallic and a dual-tone Black with Pearl Sports Yellow. The latter costs Rs 2000 more than the former. More

    • 125 Shares119 Views

      in Bike

      2021 TVS Apache 160 Updated – More Torque, Less Weight

      by

      2021 TVS Apache 160
      TVS Apache RTR 160 4V locks its horns with Hero Xtreme 160R and Bajaj Pulsar NS160

      TVS currently seems to be on a spree to update its Apache series of sporty commuter motorcycles. After the updated 2021 Apache RTR 200 4V, the Hosur-based bikemaker has now launched the 2021 Apache RTR 160 4V. Available in two variants- Drum brake and Disc brake variants, the latest iteration of the bike has been priced at Rs 1.07 lakh and Rs 1.10 lakh respectively (both prices ex-showroom).
      This means there is no increase in prices when compared to the older model. It will be offered in three colour schemes namely- Racing Red, Knight Black and Metallic Blue. Apart from a handful of cosmetic updates it also gets a slight tweak in its powertrain output as well.
      TVS Apache Prices March 2021 (Ex-Delhi)
      Cosmetic Updates
      The naked streetfighter now comes with an all-new dual-tone seat with a carbon fiber-styled pattern. It has also managed to shed 2 kilos and now tips the weighing scales at 147 kg for the disc brake variant, while the drum brake variant weighs 145 kg.
      The updated RTR 160 4V comes with a reshaped LED headlamp with claw-styled position lamps that add to its overall premium appeal. The cosmetic changes are limited to these updates only. Take a look at the official TVC of new Apache 160 below.
      [embedded content]
      Boost in Output
      However, the manufacturer has also managed to alter the output from its motor. The updated naked motorcycle is powered by a 159.7 cc, single-cylinder, 4-valve, oil-cooled engine that now kicks out 17 bhp at 9250 rpm and 14.73 Nm torque at 7250 rpm.
      This is a bump of 1 bhp and 1 Nm which makes it the most powerful bike in its segment. It is mated to a 5-speed gearbox. The bump in the motor’s output plus the reduction in its weight means an increase in power to weight ratio and will be interesting to see the impact created in its riding experience.
      On the occasion of the launch, Meghashyam Dighole, Head – (Marketing) Premium Motorcycles, TVS Motor Company, said, “The new 2021 TVS Apache RTR 160 4V offers best-in-class performance with enhanced power to weight ratio and increased torque, offering our customers better-riding experiences along with advanced technologies.”
      Features on offer
      The equipment list on the bike has not been altered as it continues to offer the same set of features including a fully digital instrument panel compatible with SmartXconnect technology. This feature allows riders to connect their smartphones with the instrument console for functionalities such as turn-by-turn navigation and phone-related operations. It also gets a ‘feather touch’ start for increased convenience. Apache RTR 160 4V competes against Bajaj Pulsar NS160 and Hero Xtreme 160R. More

    • 150 Shares199 Views

      in Bike

      Jawa 42 Owners Can Upgrade To Alloys, Bar-End Mirrors For Rs 8k

      by

      Jawa 42 Customization Offer
      Jawa Forty-Two rivals other retro-style motorcycles such as Royal Enfield Classic 350, Benelli Imperiale and Honda H’Ness and CB350

      Classic Legends are providing a golden opportunity to consumers of the older iteration of Jawa 42 to upgrade the bike’s cosmetics to the latest 2.1 iteration. Under this Golden Scheme, customers would get blacked-out bar-end mirrors, blacked-out alloy wheels and tubeless tyres at just Rs 7,999. This offer is only applicable till 31st of March, 2021. After this, prices will increase to Rs 14,498.
      Jawa Forty-Two 2.1
      The company recently reached a major landmark as its registered 50,000 production units. To mark this momentous occasion, Classic Legends has decided to give an update to its highest-selling product. The new Jawa Forty Two has been priced at Rs 1.84 lakh (ex-showroom).
      For 2021, Jawa Forty Two comes with three new additional colour options including  Matte Red, Matte Black and White. Along with new paint schemes, there are a bunch of cosmetic updates in the latest iteration of the retro-style classic motorcycle.
      Updates in Forty-Two 2.1
      Along with new colour schemes, the updated lineup of Forty Two adopts a darker theme with blacked-out alloy wheels instead of conventional wire-spoke wheels. Along with new alloy wheels, the bike also gets blacked-out mechanical components such as engine-gearbox assembly, exhaust pipes, front and rear suspension units, headlamp bezel and turn indicators which are otherwise embellished in chrome. Even leg guards, handlebar and radiator have been blackened.
      Jawa 42 Customization Offer
      Other updates include a new stitching pattern for its seat. Jawa has also updated the seat pan by employing high-density foam which makes it much more supportive for longer rides. It gets a contrasting gray stripe on its fuel tank with ‘42’ branding.
      It also receives a blacked-out instrument dial which gives basic info from the speedometer and odometer. The new range of Forty Two also gets optional accessories that are laced in matte black such as a single-piece grab rail for the pillion, a tinted visor and a headlamp grille.
      Apart from these updates, the new Jawa Forty-Two is very much similar to the more traditional version of the classic roadster which is filled with chrome. The new range of Forty Two will be sold alongside the conventional derivative Forty Two. Classic Legends, as it looks, has gone the Royal Enfield way in offering a sportier looking iteration for its retro motorcycle as the latter did with Thunderbird by introducing Thunderbird X series.
      Powertrain Specs
      Jawa has made slight changes to its powertrain which makes it slightly more powerful than the conventional Forty Two. It is powered by the same BS6 compliant 293cc, liquid-cooled, single-cylinder engine although by using a cross-port technology, this motor now pushes out 27.3 bhp and 27.05 Nm of peak torque. This unit is offered with a 6-speed gearbox. Hardware setup on the bike has also remained same. It will be offered in two variants- single-channel ABS and dual-channel ABS. More

    • 150 Shares199 Views

      in Bike

      Aprilia RS 660, Tuono 660 Colour Options, Price Leak Ahead Of Launch

      by

      Aprilia Tuono 660
      Aiming to expand its India portfolio, Piaggio led Aprilia will be launching RS 660 and Tuono 660 by mid-2021

      RS 660 is already on sale in international markets. There’s growing interest in premium middleweight motorcycles in the country, something that can work to Aprilia’s advantage. As of now, this space is dominated by rivals such as Honda, BMW Motorrad, Yamaha and Kawasaki.
      Ahead of official launch, prices of the upcoming Tuono 660 and RS 660 have been leaked. It is to be noted here that the company has not confirmed these prices. As per the leaked document, prices of Tuono 660 starts from Rs 13.09 lakh and that of the RS 660 start from Rs 13.39 lakh. Prices are ex-sh.
      Unconfirmed price list of Aprilia RS 660 and Tuono 660. Credit – TorqueTV
      Aprilia RS 660, Tuono 660 design and features
      RS660 comes in a sporty package, as is evident in its compact design, striking twin LED headlamps, LED DRLs with integrated turn indicators, sculpted fuel tank, dual tone wheels, rear set foot pegs, and sharp body panels. Tuono 660 is based on its larger sibling and is designed to have an aggressive look and feel. Even though the sport-naked motorcycle has several of its mechanical parts exposed, the fluid, aerodynamic design seems intact.
      Both bikes have been equipped with a range of electronic rider aids to ensure optimal performance and max rider comfort. There’s Aprilia Performance Ride Control (APRC), which is a six-axis IMU based system. It offers a range of functionalities such as traction control, adjustable wheelie control, engine brake control and three level cornering ABS.
      Aprilia Tuono 660
      Users also have access to cruise control and an up/down quickshifter. The motorcycle comes with five riding modes – Individual Commute, Dynamic, Challenge and Time Attack. These are easily accessible via the TFT dashboard. Colour options on offer with RS 660 are Apex Black, Lava Red and Acid Gold. Those on offer with Tuono 660 are Concept Black, Iridium Grey and Acid Gold.
      Aprilia RS 660, Tuono 660 powertrain
      Aprilia RS 600 is powered by a new 659cc, parallel-twin engine that is Euro5 compliant. It is capable of producing 100 hp of max power at 10,500 rpm and 67 Nm of max torque at 8,500 rpm. Tuono 660 will have the same engine, but it will be tuned to deliver lesser power and torque.
      Both motorcycles share several mechanical bits such as 41mm Kayaba USD fork and monoshock rear suspension. Braking system comprises 320 mm disc with four-piston Brembo radial callipers at the front and 220 mm disc with two pistons Brembo at the rear.
      Aprilia RS 660
      Apart from scooters, Aprilia’s current portfolio in India comprises three litre-class motorcycles – RSV4 1100 Factory, Tuono V4 1100 Factory and Tuono V4 1100 RR. All three share the same 1077cc DOHC 64-degree V4 engine, but have different power and torque output. On RSV4 1100 Factory, the engine is tuned to deliver 214 bhp at 13,200 rpm and 122 Nm at 11,000 rpm. On Tuono Factory and RR, the engine makes 173 bhp at 11,000 rpm and 121 Nm at 9,000 rpm. More

    • 113 Shares129 Views

      in Bike

      Royal Enfield 650 Custom Made Cafe Racer Looks Rad

      by

      Royal Enfield 650 ‘Project Serum’ By MoTeycycle Garage
      Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 is retailed in six variants and is currently priced at Rs 2.67 lakh and Rs 2.88 lakh (ex-showroom)

      Royal Enfield bikes and aftermarket customisation go hand in hand. The versatility in architecture and simplistic stock design are the prime reasons for the brand’s popularity in the aftermarket industry. Not just in India, Royal Enfield has earned its reputation as a friendly customisable brand of motorcycles in overseas markets as well.
      The latest example of RE Interceptor 650 is also one such case that comes from shores far away. Named Project Serum, this Interceptor has been modified into an attractive cafe racer by a Philippines-based automotive workshop called MoTeycycle Garage.
      Design Updates
      In terms of its design, the modified Interceptor 650 takes certain cues from its twin sibling Continental GT 650 as it itself sports a cafe racer styling. This includes a single-piece seat curved at the pillion’s end and a clip-on handlebar.
      It receives a new round headlight wrapped by a fighter-jet inspired cowl. Stock turn indicators have been replaced by smaller LED turn indicators. The motorcycle now gets a custom paint job covering the bike in black and grey with ‘Royal Enfield’ branding on the fuel tank.
      Royal Enfield 650 ‘Project Serum’ By MoTeycycle Garage
      Furthermore, the engine assembly too gets a new paint job with a darkish grey finish, which looks stylish. Two exhaust pipes protrude out of the engine head, however, unlike the stock Interceptor 650, this one gets dual exhaust pipes on the same side.
      The tail section of the motorcycle has been chopped off with new LED turn indicators at rear. Footpegs have been painted in black although their positioning remains same.
      Other aftermarket components include blacked-out rear shock absorbers and fork gaiters at front. It rides on custom-built wire-spoked wheels with white rims wrapped around by block-pattern tyres. Features such as brakes and instrument console have been left untouched. Overall, the modification looks quite tasteful.
      Royal Enfield 650 ‘Project Serum’ By MoTeycycle Garage
      Mechanical Specs
      No tinkering has been done to the bike’s mechanical configurations. It is powered by a 648cc air/oil-cooled, parallel-twin engine which returns an output of 47 bhp and 52 Nm of peak torque. This unit comes paired with a 6-speed gearbox with a slipper clutch. It is based on a Steel tubular double cradle while suspension duties are handled by conventional telescopic forks and twin gas-charged shock absorbers at rear.
      Royal Enfield is currently planning to give a mild update to both its 650cc Twins in the near future. Test mules of Continental GT have also been spotted on numerous occasions in recent times. The update, however, is expected to be on cosmetic lines mostly. More

    • 125 Shares199 Views

      in Bike

      Ola Electric Scooter Plant Future Plans – Important Facts Detailed

      by

      Ola Electric Scooter Plant – Future
      Ola electric scooter could be a game changer in an industry that’s struggling for volumes

      Looking at the number of electric two-wheeler manufacturers that have started operations in recent times, it doesn’t feel very different from a gold rush. However, barring a few, most such companies are yet to register strong sales numbers. This segment will soon have another rival in the form of Ola Electric that has made ambitious plans to take electric two-wheelers mainstream.
      Ola electric scooter design and features
      As may be recalled, Ola Cabs had acquired Netherlands-based Etergo last year, as part of its plans to enter the electric two-wheeler segment. From initial impressions, Ola electric scooter looks similar to Etergo AppScooter. However, Ola has said that the Indian version has been completely reengineered to suit Indian conditions.
      [embedded content]
      Ola electric scooter looks cute with its twin-pod LED headlight, surrounded by an LED strip. The front section has OLA logo in the centre and sleek rectangular turn indicators towards the bottom. Overall, the design is minimalistic, which indicates that the scooter is focused on utility and performance.
      Details about the battery pack to be used for Ola electric scooter are yet to be revealed. The one on Etergo AppScooter was a swappable unit that offered a range of up to 240 km. Talking about Ola electric scooter, it could have a top speed of more than 100 kmph. However, this will be confirmed only after Ola reveals the details. If the scooter will have swappable batteries, Ola could be parallely working to build the required infrastructure.
      Ola Electric Scooter
      Ola electric scooter plant
      Ola is currently in the process of building a supersize factory in Tamil Nadu, which will be the largest two-wheeler manufacturing facility on the planet. When it’s complete by 2022, it will be capable of manufacturing 10 million vehicles per year.
      Ola has stated that when working at full capacity, the plant will be able to produce a scooter every two seconds. In phase I that’s currently in progress, production capacity will be 2 million units.
      Ola’s plant will involve investments worth Rs 2,400 crore and it is expected to create 10,000 jobs. It will be one of the most advanced manufacturing facilities, built on the principles of sustainable manufacturing. The plant will focus extensively on automation, which will be achieved through the use of advanced machinery and around 3,000 robots.
      With its massive plant, Ola may be aiming to achieve economies of scale. This will help reduce cost of its electric scooter, making it more attractive to users. Ola electric scooter will not only take on rivals such as Bajaj Chetak, Ather 450X and TVS iQube, but will also target the current breed of ICE-based scooters. Ola may also have plans to target export markets in a big way. More