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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.
      SOURCE More

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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

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      Honda Sales Oct 2020 Crosses 5 Lakh Units – Thanks To New Activa

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      New Honda Activa 6G
      Honda 2Wheelers India reports YoY sales growth for 3rd month

      Honda domestic sales is just shy of 5 lakh units at 4,94,459 units. Volume gain is reported at 6,640 units, up from 4,87,819 units at 1.36 percent growth. Domestic sales accounts for 93.79 percent of total sales. Exports grew to 32,721 units at 8.98 percent growth. Volume gain is reported at 2,695 units, up from 30,026 units. Total sales is reported at 5,27,180 units, up 1.8 percent from 5,17,845 units.
      MoM domestic sales fell by 1.28 percent. Sales has dipped from 5,00,887 units at volume decline of 6,428 units. Exports gained 25.96 percent up from 25,978 units. Total MoM sales gain is minimal at .06 percent up from 5,26,865 units.
      Honda Two Wheeler Sales Oct 2020 vs Oct 2019 vs Sep 2020
      Looking Forward To Q4 2020
      With sales in October 2020 being a strong tailwind for most manufacturers, sales momentum has been noteworthy. This bodes well as the industry goes into Q4 2020 on the back of a weak start to FY21 on account of nationwide lockdown owing to Covid-19 pandemic. While a sudden standstill threw processes off-track, recovery now has been phenomenal. Of course this won’t be enough to recuperate losses incurred a few months earlier, it will help post a strong quarter to end 2020.
      While sales momentum was expected, it seems the industry for the most part has bounced back much better than some of the stifled expectations discussed earlier. HMSI covets precious podium spot and has been sitting pretty at number two for years now. Through October 2020, it continues to do so. As expected, HMSI’s strong march forward is propelled for the most part by the ever popular Honda Activa scooter.
      Interestingly, though Honda two-wheeler sales are obstinately strong, it still has always been difficult for the manufacturer to catch up with Hero MotoCorp’s sales. Both manufacturers function as strong protagonists of the industry, and foster and nurture the nation’s strong reputation as being a larger the life two-wheeler market. On any given month, cumulative sales from the top two manufacturers could hover around the 10 lakh mark. Interestingly, the two close competitors don’t really compete too closely across segments.
      Personal vehicle purchases
      Hero MotoCorp gallops forward basis its Splendor, and Honda sales is furthered by its Activa scooter. Current sales growth spurt at present is getting a shot in the arm through a cascading sentiment that’s tipping people’s decision making towards two-wheeler purchases. Need for a personal commute option is now paramount as more folks are cognisant about maintaining safe distancing.
      Public transport options though resumed on most routes doesn’t comes with the guarantee of safe distancing, meaning more or more people would rather have a bike. A range of finance options too is ensuring ease of purchase. Business resumption has meant the supply chain and logistics is now uninterrupted.
      Yadvinder Singh Guleria, Director – Sales & Marketing, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Pvt. Ltd. said, “Ending October, nearly 100% of our network is opened and charged up post recording YOY increase in retails during the first 2D’s of festival (Durga Puja and Dussehra). Riding into the festive season on a high note, our newly launched H’ness-CB350 has garnered great response in a short span of time. In less than 1 month of start of sales of our debut 350ccc mid-size motorcycle, our production is booked till November, even as new bookings continue to rise.” More

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      BS6 Ducati Multistrada 950 S Launch Price Rs 15.49 L – Deliveries Start Soon

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      BS6 Ducati Multistrada 950 S
      BS6 Ducati Multistrada 950 S has been made available in a single variant and will be offered in a single paint scheme- Ducati Red

      Italian superbike manufacturer Ducati has launched the much awaited Multistrada 950 S in its latest iteration. The updated adventure bike has been priced at Rs 15.49 lakh (ex-showroom, pan India) and will be available for display at showrooms in a few days time.
      Deliveries of the upcoming adventure tourer are expected to begin from the second week of November. Bookings have already commenced at a token amount of Rs 1 lakh. It is the entry-level motorcycle in the brand’s Multistrada range of ADV bikes both in terms of affordability and engine displacement.
      Design
      The Multistrada 950 is an amalgam of Multistrada 1260 and Multistrada 1260 Enduro in terms of design elements incorporated. Its front end features a distinctive horizontally extended full-LED headlight and an adjustable windscreen. It receives new side wings and a revised tank that have been borrowed from the larger Multistrada. It retains its traditional beak from its predecessor.
      On the other hand, the rider’s seat, passenger seat, rear grab rail, the design of the exhaust and swingarm and the wheel sizes are inspired from the Multistrada 1260 Enduro. The seat is very scooped and gets additional cushioning. The knuckle guards come with integrated turn indicators which adds a nice touch.

      Dynamics
      The new Multistrada 950 S sits on a tubular steel Trellis frame which is linked to a new, lighter double-sided aluminium swingarm which enhances its ADV looks. The freshly designed light 19-inch aluminium alloy wheel at front gets 320mm twin discs with callipers from Brembo. The rear wheel is equipped with a 265 mm rotor disc. It is linked to a suspension unit with a travel of 170mm to ensure ride comfort is complemented by agility. It also receives a class-leading 20-litre fuel tank capacity.
      In terms of features, it comes with a range of electronics onboard including Bosch Cornering ABS, Vehicle Hold Control (VHC) and Ducati Traction Control (DTC). It also features semi-active Ducati Skyhook Suspension (DSS) which continuously adjusts the 48mm diameter fork and rear shock absorbers. Other notable features include 5-inch TFT colour instrument panel with Ducati Multimedia System (DMS), Ducati cornering lights, Ducati quick shift up/down and cruise control.

      It gets two 12-V power sockets- one in the front dash, the other underneath the seat. It also gets a USB phone charging unit, different riding modes assisted by ride-by-wire technology and self-servo wet slipper clutch. It also receives backlit switchgear controls and a hands-free system.
      Powertrain & Transmission
      Coming to the performance aspect, the new Multistrada 950 S gets a BS6 (Euro-5) compliant 937 cc liquid-cooled, twin-cylinder Testastretta 11° engine which pushes out 113 hp at 9,000 rpm and 96 Nm of torque at 7,750 rpm. It is paired with a six-speed gearbox with a bi-directional quick shifter. More

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      Yamaha Sales Oct 2020 Grow by 30% – R15, MT15, Ray, FZ, Fascino

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      Image – Alagendran Autos
      Yamaha India is upbeat about its sales prospects in November and December as well

      Yamaha India witnessed an impressive YoY growth in its sales last month. The Japanese motorcycle maker managed to dispatch 60,176 units in October 2020 as against 46,082 units during the same month last year. This is the fourth straight month of YoY growth for the company as things look upbeat in the Indian two wheeler market.
      Yamaha India sales
      Compared to September 2020, the October 2020 figures are 4.56% or 2,876 units less. However, the YoY growth of 30.58% is the highest compared to the previous months after lockdown.
      The strong demand can be attributed to positive customer sentiments around the festive season, aided by the pent up demand this year. Yamaha is confident that the festive season rush will lead to record sales volumes in November and December as well.
      In a bid to enhance the appeal of its updated portfolio, Yamaha India has been offering low-downpayment finance schemes on its 125 cc scooter range in select regional markets. Below is the detailed sales report of Yamaha India motorcycles and scooters for Oct 2020.
      Yamaha Oct 2020 Sales vs Oct 2019 (YoY) vs Sep 2020 (MoM)
      Yamaha India’s stance in the market
      Over the years, Yamaha slowly steered itself away from 100 to 125 cc commuter motorcycle segment where the competition is cut-throat and rivals like Hero, Honda, Bajaj and TVS have a clear upper hand. Supported by its Chennai plant, the company started focusing on automatic scooters in the price sensitive spectrum of the two wheeler industry while continuing to strengthen its brand value in the compact displacement premium motorcycle segment with its comprehensive range of 150 and 250 cc motorcycles.
      In the BS6 era, Yamaha India made a further course correction by upgrading its entire scooter portfolio to a new 125 cc EFI platform, again a move to distance itself from the crowd and establish its own niche. As the post lockdown sales growth suggests, the brand’s latest strategy has been bearing fruits.
      Yamaha India’s festive season initiatives
      Last month, Yamaha introduced the FZS FI with Bluetooth connectivity to support its Connect X mobile app which offers features such as bike location, parking history, hazard, ride history, E-Lock and Answer Back functions. The Connect X Bluetooth module comes with the FZS Dark Knight edition but it will soon be available with the rest of the family. Customers can also buy the module as an accessory kit.
      In a related news, the updated Yamaha MT-09 sportsbike made its world premiere last week and is expected to be launched in India sometime in the first half of 2021. The premium motorcycles gets a larger engine, more power, lighter kerb weight and an all-new headlamp assembly. More