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      2021 Kawasaki ZX10R, ZX10RR Spied Undisguised Ahead Of Global Debut

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      2021 Kawasaki ZX10R
      The motorcycles appear to be equipped with a new TFT color instrument panel

      The 2021 Kawasaki ZX10R and ZX10RR liter-class supersbikes have been leaked through vehicle certification data that was submitted by the manufacturer to the Australian government’s department of Infrastructure, Transport, Cities and Regional Development. A set of low-resolution images give us an idea about the updates for the new model year.
      2021 Kawasaki ZX-10R and ZX-10RR
      Kawasaki reportedly filed the vehicle certification data with the Australian government in August 2020 with a request to keep the information under embargo till November 1. It appears that the Japanese sportsbike brand planned to unveil the facelifted twins before this date but the COVID related issues pushed the world premiere to November 23. The images which are now available in the public domain highlights the visual changes clearly.
      2021 Kawasaki ZX10RR
      The new ZX-10R and its sibling adopt a comprehensively redesigned fairing with H2-style front fascia. The sleeker two-part headlamp unit (likely to be LEDs) is set deep into an edgy front fascia. The side panels of the fairing have also been revised for a more streamlined look. The fuel tank and tailpiece have been carried forward without any noticeable changes but the liter-class twins appear to be adopting a new color TFT instrument console.
      The front turn indicators continue to be integrated into the rear view mirror housings. For the new model year, both ZX-10R (black) and ZX-10RR (green) sport matte finish.
      2021 Kawasaki ZX10R
      Specifications
      The duo continue to be powered by the familiar 998 cc inline four-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine. The power outputs are identical to the outgoing models but they are generated at different engine speeds, suggesting that Kawasaki has introduced some tweaks. The changes are likely aimed at meeting the Euro 5 emission standards.
      The 2021 Kawasaki ZX-10R produces 200 hp at 13,300 rpm (300 rpm earlier than before) while the 2021 ZX-10RR produces 201 hp at 14,000 rpm (500 rpm later than before). The US-spec models will be available in a lower-spec 186 hp version.
      2021 Kawasaki ZX10RR
      As far as other hardware elements are concerned, the updated motorcycles seem to have soldiered on without any significant changes but we will have to wait for the world premiere to be sure. The Showa Balance Free Front forks and Brembo twin-disc brake system are visible on the images are are retained unchanged.
      Launch
      The 2021 Kawasaki ZX-10R and ZX-10RR are expected to reach international markets in early next year with a marginal hike in price. We expect the superbike to make its Indian debut a few months later. It will continue to rival the likes of Yamaha YZF-R1, Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade and so on. More

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      Ola Likely To Start Electric Scooter Production In India – In Search Of Suitable Land

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      Etergo electric scooter image for reference
      The recent development is in line with the acquisition of Netherlands-based Etergo by Ola earlier this year

      One industry that was badly hit during the Covid-19 pandemic was the shared mobility sector. Since the outbreak of the virus was followed by a long stretch of lockdown in which public transportation was disallowed for better parts. This led to fleet owners and cab and rickshaw operators incur heavy losses.
      Even though the lockdown period is over and restrictions have been eased, people are still very apprehensive about opting for public transportation. This may continue for a long time since it is still sometime away before we attain pre-Covid normalcy. Hence, shared mobility firms have to think about alternate methods to expand their avenues of income.
      India’s largest shared mobility company Ola has decided to foray into electric scooter manufacturing in order to expand its business prospects in future. Switching gears from being a taxi aggregator to a vehicle manufacturer, the company is currently in talks with different state governments in order to procure land for its proposed manufacturing facility.
      As per reports, the Bengaluru-based mobility giant is looking for 100 acres of unencumbered land to build the world’s largest e-scooter facility. Currently, the largest two-wheeler manufacturing facility in the country belongs to Honda 2Wheelers India.
      Etergo electric scooter image for reference
      Its Gujarat based facility rolls out 1.2 million petrol-driven two-wheelers every year. This will also pit it against segment leaders such as Bajaj Auto, Hero MotoCorp and TVS Motor. The homegrown public mobility service has been backed Korean auto giant Hyundai.
      Ola’s acquisition of Etergo BV
      This development comes on the backdrop of Ola’s recent acquisition of Netherlands-based Etergo BV for an undisclosed amount earlier in May this year. Developed as an all-electric state-of-the-art App scooter, Etergo BV uses swappable high energy density batteries to deliver a range of up to 240 Km. This acquisition has helped Ola Electric develop strong engineering and design capabilities as the company has had development experience with leading automotive brands like General Motors, Tesla, Ferrari, BMW and Jaguar.
      As of now, Ola’s senior management is in talks with government officials of four states- three in the South and one in the West. Currently, Karnataka and Maharashtra seem to be ahead in this race. Maharashtra has even started scouting for suitable land for the upcoming e-scooter manufacturing facility including prime locations in Pune, Nashik and Nagpur.
      Ola’s future in electric mobility
      According to sources, Ola is looking to set up a 2-million electric scooter capacity plant. While Maharashtra holds a geographical advantage due to its strategic location which eases exports, Karnataka on the other hand has been lauded for its forward-looking EV policies and incentives. Both Central and State governments have been offering incentives to companies venturing onto the electric vehicle business.
      With the future looking bright for EVs in India, Ola might want to utilize this opportunity to expand its avenues. Ola is still very tight-lipped about this development, however, the Bengaluru-based mobility firm intends to zero in on a manufacturing site soon as it aims to commence production in 18 months. The manufacturing site is expected to adopt Industry 4.0 philosophy and will use solar power and will have test tracks.
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      2020 TVS Apache 200 Launched – Gets Ride Modes, Adjustable Suspension

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      2020 TVS Apache 200 New Colour
      The Apache range of bikes from TVS has had a successful run at the Indian market for almost fifteen years now

      A few days ago TVS Motor Company sent out a launch invite on the occasion of the brand commemorating 4 million global sales of its sporty range of motorcycles- Apache. Yesterday, the Hosur-based bike maker teased a new launch under the Apache moniker and left netizens frenzied.
      Fans of the Apache series of motorcycles have been wondering what this potential launch could actually be. Now, TVS has revealed the bike in its entire form and turns out it updated 2020 model of Apache RTR 200 4V. This new 2020 TVS Apache comes with subtle cosmetic updates in form of new colour and new features. Price is Rs 1.31 lakhs (ex-sh), which is Rs 1k more than existing Dual ABS Apache 200.
      New Updates
      The new Apache RTR 200 4V comes in a new shade of blue seen for the first time in this range. TVS says that this colour is inspired from racing. The overall Apache styling DNA remains intact, however, the addition of a new paint scheme and decals are tasteful and up the styling quotient by a notch. It still gets its signature sharp face for which the naked streetfighter is known for.
      Speaking about the new features, 2020 TVS Apache 200 now comes with first in segment ride modes – Sport, Urban and Rain. There is a dedicated ride mode switch, which helps rider to change ride modes on the fly.
      2020 TVS Apache 200 New Features
      It also gets adjustable front suspension. This will help the owner / rider to change the suspension setting as per their preference / road conditions. Levers are also adjustable – first in segment. ABS has been tuned as per ride mode selected.
      There have been no other changes in hardware either with the RTR 200 4V based on a double-cradle chassis with telescopic forks at front and a mono-shock from KYB at rear. Anchoring duties are carried out by petal disc brakes at both ends assisted by dual-channel ABS. Recently, TVS also launched an affordable variant of Apache RTR 200 4V which gets single-channel ABS.
      2020 TVS Apache 200 Ride Modes Explained
      Engine and Features
      Coming to its powertrain, it draws its power from a 197.7cc single-cylinder air-cooled, fuel-injected motor that churns out 20.5 PS of power and 16.8 Nm of torque. It is paired to a six-speed transmission with slipper clutch and assist. Comparing these figures to its BS4 predecessor, the BS6 iteration makes the same power but 1.3 Nm less torque. TVS has also equipped it with a first-in-segment Glide Through Traffic or GTT which helps the engine rev up and glide even at idling conditions.
      Even the equipment on the remains identical to the regular model. It comes with a SmartXonnect Bluetooth console which allows the rider to attend calls as well as text alerts and also make use of turn-by-turn navigation features. Apart from usual trip and bike related data, the console also reads out additional information such as lap times, top speed, and even lean angles.
      2020 TVS Apache 200 Adjustable Brake Levers
      TVS has priced this special edition Apache RTR 200 4V at Rs 1.31 lakhs (ex-showroom) which makes it a premium of Rs 1k over the standard dual ABS model. Apache RTR 200 4V locks horn with the likes of Bajaj Pulsar NS200, KTM 200 Duke and Honda Hornet 2.0.
      2020 TVS Apache 200 Adjustable Front Suspension More

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      Royal Enfield Meteor 350 Exhaust Sound At Idle, Full Revs – Thump No More?

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      Royal Enfield Meteor 350 Exhaust Sound
      In a yet another leak of Royal Enfield Meteor 350, exhaust sound has been fully revealed

      Just when you thought that there could be no more leaks about the Royal Enfield Meteor 350, there comes yet another leak. This has been the story of Meteor 350 till now, a leaky affair – pun not intended. Except the price, everything else about this motorcycle has been already leaked.
      This at a time when a rival brand managed to launch a product in such a manner that almost no one had an idea what they were launching till the last minute.
      Yes, we are talking about the Honda CB350; whose launch to delivery start process was so sudden; that this was probably the reason behind Meteor 350 launch getting delayed to 5th November, instead of earlier planned launch in Sep 2020.
      Meteor 350 Exhaust Sound
      Anyways, coming back to Meteor 350 and its leaks. The latest leaked video gives a walkaround of the motorcycle. In addition, it also reveals the exhaust sound of the motorcycle – at idle as well as while revving to higher engine rpms. Take a look at the video by GreenFish TV.
      [embedded content]
      The Meteor 350 Supernova variant in the video is seen in dual tone finish of Brown and Black. The exhaust sound at idle has the iconic thump, for which the Royal Enfield motorcycles are known. But when the throttle is turned and revs are increased; it seems that the thump disappears and what you get is a motorcycle sound like most single cylinder motorcycles – and without the thump.
      Thump Missing At Higher Revs
      Royal Enfield motorcycle exhaust sound had the thump because of the push-rod engine setup along with longer stroke. Now with the new gen engines on board the Meteor 350; it is reported that the push-rod setup is no more. Instead, what is employed is most likely an SOHC setup and shorter strokes.

      What this does is reduces the vibrations and delivers a much smoother ride experience. It also delivers better performance and throttle response. But at the same time, has probably caused reduce in the thump effect at higher revs. Will this disappoint RE fans and buyers, only time will tell.
      New Gen Engine and Chassis
      The upcoming Meteor 350 and Classic 350 is based on the Chennai-based motorcycle brand’s new ‘J’ architecture. This means the overall mechanical packaging would be slightly different from the current model.
      From the spy images, it is evident that the 2020 Royal Enfield Meteor BS6 gets a redesigned headlamp unit, an updated semi-digital instrument cluster and a reworked handlebar design. Towards the rear, the fender and tail lamp have undergone changes as well. The split-seat configuration has been tweaked a bit to provide better ergonomics and pillion comfort.
      Owing to the mechanical changes required to cut down emissions, the engine casing is noticeably different from the current UCE unit. To improve efficiency, new FI system is employed. The engine misses the kicker as well. Overall, the changes are subtle to the eye, but well-rounded to provide a better riding experience. Price of Meteor 350 will be revealed at launch on 6th Nov. Exp price range is Rs 1.6-1.8 lakh, ex-sh. More

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      Benelli Imperiale 400 Diwali Offers Up To Rs 12k Announced

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      Image for reference
      Benelli Imperiale 400 helps save over 10k if purchased this festive season

      With the ongoing festive season being hotbed for offers, Benelli India has now introduced its Diwali Sparkle Offer. This makes the Benelli Imperiale 400 an even more tempting offering. Diwali Sparkle Offer customers can own Imperiale 400 with savings up to Rs. 12,000 for the red and black colour option. It is to be noted here that the silver colour is already offered at a Rs 10k lower price as compared to the other two colours.
      Just as all good things come to an end, the festive offer is available for a limited time across all Benelli dealerships. With festive season sales sentiment always being stronger, and customers receiving more footfalls, the specially curated offer will will the manufacturer reach a wider audience, while making the value proposition on Imperiale 400 even more accessible for potential customers.
      Benelli financing option
      Benelli India has rolled out the offer in conjunction with a recently announced ‘Low EMI’ scheme of Rs. 4,999 with up to 85 percent funding. Available at a starting price of Rs. 1.99 lakhs onward, customers can book a Benelli Imperiale 400 for Rs. 6,000. Of course, this can be done online or at a dealership.
      The finance scheme is curated to be a convenience to ensure ease of purchase, which in turn would make the proposal more attractive for likely customers. This is in tandem with recent trends where finance options have been reworked to up the ease of purchase quotient keeping in mind disruption brought about by Covid-19 pandemic. The impetus is one that’ll yield positive response for bike that has already proven its popularity, having closed bookings at 4k units in 2019.

      Imperiale 400 retro-classic the manufacturer says is for ‘free spirits’, and strongly recalls brand heritage. Imperiale 400 owners are offered 3-year unlimited kms warranty, and 2-year complimentary service as standard’. 3rd-Year Annual Maintenance Contract (AMC), and 24X7 RSA service are on offer.
      Available in 3 colours, Red, Silver and Black, Imperiale 400 gets power from a SOHC, single-cylinder, four-stroke, air-cooled BS6 engine with electronic FI that returns 21PS @ 6000rpm, and max torque of 29Nm @ 3500rpm.
      Benelli Imperiale 400 colours
      Of course the specially curated offer is only on the Red and Black colour option this season. Regular price applies for the Silver Imperiale. Of course, it’s most likely a blink and you miss offer considering the season of festivity is spans for only a fortnight more.
      And even as Imperiale 400 goes about creating a strong buyer base, the manufacturer finds yet another bike to contend with in the Honda CB350. The latest segment entrant proves to be yet another chose for those interested in a mid-size segment offering.
      Interestingly, the segment now appears to be a lot more sizeable with the product range now being a handful as compared to just having to buy a Royal Enfield, which was the only option until a few years ago. More

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      Royal Enfield Meteor 350 Blue Colour With RTO Registered Number Plate – Spied

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      Credit – Neelesh Bajaj
      Meteor 350 is all set to be launched in India on 6th Nov at an expected price tag of Rs 1.7 lakhs, ex-sh

      The successor to Thunderbird range, Royal Enfield Meteor 350 will be launched on November 6. A retro cruiser, Meteor 350 is distinguishable with its round halogen headlamp, LED DRLs, raised handlebars and forward-set footpegs. It will be offered in three variants – Fireball, Stellar and Supernova.
      Meteor will be utilizing an entirely new ‘J’ platform and a 349 cc single cylinder, air cooled engine. Power and torque output are 20.5 hp and 27 Nm. Engine is mated to a 5-speed gearbox. A rival to the recently launched Honda H’ness CB350, Meteor 350 is expected to be priced in the range of Rs 1.60 lakh to Rs 1.80 lakh, ex-sh.
      Meteor 350 RTO Registration
      Ahead of the actual launch, now an image of the Meteor 350 has surfaced with an RTO registered number plate. When checked with the RTO website, the bike is registered with Delhi RTO. Owner name is mentioned as Eicher Motors. Registration date mentioned is 22 Sep 2020 and validity is up to 21st Sep 2035.
      This is actually around the same time when the bike was originally planned for launch. But then Honda CB350 came into the picture out of nowhere, and RE’s Meteor launch plans were derailed.
      Royal Enfield Meteor 350 RTO registered.
      The above motorcycle is probably a media test ride unit. Ahead of launch this week, Royal Enfield has started media test rides across major cities of India. First ride reviews of Meteor 350 will be out on the same day of launch.
      Meteor 350 engine and chassis
      As revealed earlier, Meteor 350 will have an entirely new 349 cc, single cylinder, air cooled, FI engine. As compared to the earlier unit that had push-rod actuated valves, the new engine will have an SOHC (single overhead cam) setup. The new engine will deliver slightly more power and it will be smoother, as compared to the current BS6 350 cc engine that powers Royal Enfield motorcycles.
      The new engine is capable of delivering 20.2 bhp of max power at 6100 rpm and 27 Nm of max torque at 4000 rpm. That’s around 1 bhp more than the current engine. However, torque output has gone down by 1 Nm. The new engine will be mated to a 5-speed gearbox.
      Among other key changes, Meteor 350 will be utilizing the entirely new J platform. This platform will also be used for several other next-gen products that Royal Enfield will launch in the future.
      It is expected that Meteor 350 will be competitively priced in the range of Rs 1.60 lakh to Rs 1.80 lakh, ex-sh. It will rival the likes of Honda CB350, Jawa 300 and Benelli Imperiale 400. More

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      Harley Davidson Dealers May Reduce Because Of Partnership With Hero

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      File Photo
      Harley Davidson last week entered into a distribution and licensing agreement with Hero MotoCorp as a part of its Rewire strategy.

      Harley Davidson’s partnership with Indian two-wheeler giant Hero MotoCorp was on the expected lines since the American brand quit its India operations a couple of months ago. As per this deal, Hero MotoCorp will now develop and sell a range of premium motorcycles under the Harley Davidson brand name.
      However, this partnership has put the fate of Harley India’s existing 33 dealerships across the country in doubt. These dealers are spread across metros and smaller towns across India and have no idea what future holds for them. As per last update, Harley Davidson was still in process of communicating this transition to its existing dealers.
      Current status of Harley Davidson Dealer in India
      Dealers still awaiting clarity from Harley or Hero MotoCorp; expect the network to be shrunk to 13-15 dealerships from the current 33. Dealers have confessed that mid-sized motorcycle Street 750 accounted for 70-80 percent sales in the country and has been out of production for more than a month.
      A Harley Davidson dealer on condition of anonymity admitted that in its good days, the dealers sold around 20-25 units of Harley each month which has come down to single-digit figures. With Street 750 most likely not to return and the launch of a mid-size motorcycle from the Hero-Harley combination still a few years away, dealers feel they should be compensated for the investments made by them or should increase the profit margins to sustain operations.
      Hero will take care of Harley Motorcycle Sales and Service in India
      Future of these dealers
      The report states that Hero Moto will not only sell and service existing Harley bikes in India but also “sell parts and accessories and general merchandise riding gear and apparel through a network of brand-exclusive Harley-Davidson dealers network in India”.
      Another Harley Davidson dealer said that in 2013, the American motorcycle brand was solely dependent on CBUs and there were only 9-10 dealerships at that time. The company is heading towards the same direction now.
      The most affected dealers are going to be those in the smaller markets of the country and those who had recently refurbished their showrooms and invested a sizeable chunk. A clearer picture is expected later this week when an official communication from Harley Davidson is sent out to dealers which will throw some light on increased margins or compensation for the dealers.
      Harley Davidson officially announced its tie-up Hero MotoCorp. This is not a first in two wheeler industry. We have already seen the likes of Bajaj-KTM, BMW-TVS and Jawa-Classic Legends. The first product of this joint venture is likely to be a mid-size motorcycle in the 350-500cc segment. This made-in-India Harley motorcycle is also expected to be exported by Hero to overseas markets.
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      Two Wheeler Sales Oct 2020 – Hero, Honda, TVS, Bajaj, Suzuki, Royal Enfield, Yamaha

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      Hero Splendor BS6
      Powered by the festive mood, two-wheeler sales continued to be buoyant in October

      A total of 19,91,260 units were sold, which is YoY gain of 15.77%. Sales during the corresponding period last year stood at 17,19,962 units. MoM gain is 8.01%, as compared to 18,43,599 units sold in September 2020.
      Hero, Honda, TVS in top three
      At 32.54%, Hero MotoCorp has registered the highest percentage YoY growth in October. A total of 7,32,498 units were sold, as compared to 5,52,672 units in October last year. MoM growth is 5.05%, as compared to 6,97,293 units sold in September 2020. The company’s market share in October stands at 36.79%. Primary growth drivers for Hero are its popular commuter bikes, Splendor and HF Deluxe.
      Honda Two Wheelers is at second place with 4,94,459 units sold in October. YoY growth is 1.36%, as compared to 4,87,819 units sold in October last year. Interestingly, while sales were expected to grow in October, the company has registered negative MoM growth of -1.28%. Sales in September 2020 were higher at 5,00,887 units. Honda’s primary growth driver continues to be its popular Activa scooter. The company’s market share was 24.83% in October.
      TVS Motor takes the third spot with 3,01,380 units sold in October. YoY gain is 19.27%, as compared to 2,52,684 units sold in October last year. MoM growth is 24.66%, as compared to 2,41,762 units sold in September 2020. Some of the bestsellers in TVS portfolio include XL Super, Jupiter, and Apache. The company commanded a 15.14% market share in October. If we combine the top three (Hero + Honda + TVS), their collective market share turns out to be more than 75%.
      Two Wheeler Domestic Sales Oct 2020 vs Oct 2019 (YoY) vs Sep 2020 (MoM)
      At number four is Bajaj with 2,68,631 units sold in October. YoY gain is 10.77%, as compared to 2,42,516 units sold in October last year. MoM gain is 22.38%, as compared to 2,19,500 units sold in September 2020. The primary growth driver for Bajaj continues to be its Pulsar range. Other contributors include CT100 and Platina. The company’s market share in October was 13.49%.
      Suzuki takes the fifth spot with 67,225 units sold in October. YoY gain is 1.53%, as compared to 66,215 units sold in October last year. MoM gain is 3.11%, as compared to 65,195 units sold in September 2020. Suzuki’s bestsellers continue to be Access, Gixxer, and Burgman. The company’s market share was 3.38% in October 2020.
      No
      Two Wheeler Sales
      Oct-20
      Oct-19
      1
      Hero
      7,32,498
      5,52,672
      2
      Honda
      4,94,459
      4,87,819
      3
      TVS
      3,01,380
      2,52,684
      4
      Bajaj
      2,68,631
      2,42,516
      5
      Suzuki
      67,225
      66,215
      6
      Enfield
      66,891
      71,964
      7
      Yamaha
      60,176
      46,082
      –
      Total
      19,91,260
      17,19,952
      Royal Enfield YoY sales down
      At number six is Royal Enfield with 66,891 units sold in October. It is the only two-wheeler manufacturer to register negative YoY growth in October. Sales are down -7.05%, as compared to 71,964 units sold in October last year. However, MoM sales have improved 19.64%, as compared to 55,910 units sold in September 2020. The company’s bestseller continues to be its Classic 350 motorcycle.
      Yamaha is placed seventh in the list with 60,176 units sold in October. While YoY sales are positive at 30.58%, MoM sales are down by -4.56%. Yamaha’s bestsellers in October include R15, MT15, Ray, FZ and Fascino. More