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      Himalayan 450, Speed 400 Introductory Offers End – New Prices Jan 2024

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      New Himalayan. Image – Shah Royal EnfieldGrowing competition in sub-500cc motorcycle segment has prompted OEMs to follow an affordable pricing strategy that benefits end usersWhile Royal Enfield continues to dominate the sub-500cc motorcycle segment, it is being challenged by leading brands such as Triumph and Harley-Davidson. Hero MotoCorp is also expected to enter this space soon. Some of the recent launches in this segment include Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 and Triumph Speed 400. Prices of both these bikes have been increased, with effect from 1st January.Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 prices hiked by up to Rs 16,000Royal Enfield had launched the new Himalayan 450 in November at the 2023 Motoverse event in Goa. The base variant, Kaza Brown, was launched at a starting price of Rs 2.69 lakh. The Slate Himalayan Salt and the Slate Poppy Blue were priced at Rs 2.74 lakh. The Kamet White was priced at Rs 2.79 lakh, whereas the top-spec Hanle Black model was launched at Rs 2.84 lakh.Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 New Prices – Jan 2024At the time of launch, Royal Enfield had stated that the introductory prices will be valid till December 2023. With the new year, prices of Himalayan 450 have been increased. The biggest price hike is Rs 16k for the base-spec Kaza Brown colour option. It is now available at a starting price of Rs 2.85 lakh. The Slate Himalayan Salt and Slate Poppy Blue have become costlier by Rs 15k. They are priced at Rs 2.89 lakh.Prices of Kamet White and Hanle Black have been increased by Rs 14,000. These are now available at a starting price of Rs 2.93 lakh and Rs 2.98 lakh, respectively. With the increased prices, Himalayan 450 has become costlier than KTM 390 Adventure X by around Rs 4,000. But it is still cheaper than the 390 Adventure that costs Rs 3.39 lakh. The 390 Adventure X is essentially a trimmed down version of the standard 390 Adventure. It misses out on features such as TFT console and Bluetooth. The X variant has MRF tyres instead of Metzeler Tourance tyres.Himalayan 450 packs in a comprehensive range of features. It includes TFT instrument console, USD front forks, ride modes, switchable rear ABS, dual-channel ABS and slipper and assist clutch. Powering the bike is a 452-cc liquid-cooled DOHC fuel-injected engine that generates 40 PS of max power and 40.02 Nm of peak torque. It is mated to a 6-speed gearbox.Triumph Speed 400 price hiked by Rs 10,000To ensure the best outcomes, Triumph Speed 400 was launched at an attractive price of Rs 2.23 lakh. The strategy has worked, as is evident with the booming sales of Speed 400. At the time of launch, Triumph had stated that the introductory prices will be valid for the first 10,000 customers. Later, it was decided that the introductory offer price will be extended till 31st December.Triumph Speed 400 PriceWith the new year, Triumph is finally ending the initial offer price. As a result, Speed 400 is now available at a starting price of Rs 2.33 lakh. Even at this price, Triumph Speed 400 is one of the best VFM bikes in the sub-500cc segment. Powering the bike is a 398cc, liquid-cooled, single cylinder engine that generates 40 PS and 37.5 Nm. It is mated to a 6-speed gearbox. More

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      2024 Bajaj Chetak Premium Spied At Dealer – More Range, TFT Dash

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      2024 Bajaj Chetak Premium Scooter – New DisplayWith new features and upgrades, Bajaj Chetak can compete better with rivals like Ola S1 Pro, TVS iQube and Ather 450XWhile Chetak is preferred for its reliability and durability, it is not necessarily perceived as a high-tech and high-performance machine. Probably, rivals are offering a more comprehensive range of features. Bajaj is looking to fix that with the new Chetak Premium version, scheduled to be launched on 5th January. Ahead of that, the new e-scooter has been spied at a dealership. Hat tip to automotive enthusiast Yash Parate for sharing the exclusive spy shots of the 2024 Chetak.Bajaj Chetak Premium – What’s new?Chetak is currently offered in Urbane and Premium variants. However, there aren’t any major differences between the two. As per the new strategy, the Urbane variant will be positioned as an affordable, entry-level electric scooter. On the other hand, the Premium version will be getting a comprehensive range of updates. As a result, the Premium version will be launched at a higher price point.2024 Bajaj Chetak Premium Scooter – New DisplayOne of the key updates is a new TFT instrument display. It is to note that the existing model has an LCD display. The new TFT dash will have features like Bluetooth connectivity and turn-by-turn navigation. Users will be able to access functions such as calls, text and music. New Chetak Premium will also have a remote immobilization function and tyre pressure monitoring system.Riding modes are already available and will be carried forward. Boot space for the new Chetak Premium variant will be increased from 18 litres to 21 litres. This may not be significant, but can still be useful for storing some small stuff.2024 Bajaj Chetak Premium ScooterBajaj Chetak Premium performance boostNew Chetak Premium variant will have better capabilities in comparison to the existing Urbane variant. One of the key upgrades is a larger 3.2 kWh battery pack. It has a certified range of 127 km, as per IDC standards. The existing model utilizes a 2.9 kWh battery pack, with a certified range of 108 km. True range or real-world range is also expected to improve with the new Chetak Premium variant. Users have reported more than 100 km of real-world range in Eco mode with the existing Chetak model.With the larger battery, charging time has increased by around 30 minutes. As of now, 0 to 100% charging time for the current model is 4 hours. Another area where Chetak seems to be lagging behind is the top speed. With the likes of Ola S1 Pro offering a top speed of 120 km/h, Chetak has a lot to catch up. With the new Chetak Premium model, the top speed will be increased to 73 km/h. It remains to be seen if changes are made to the electric motor to achieve this higher top speed.With the updates, the price gap between the Chetak Urbane and the new Chetak Premium variant will increase. Bajaj had recently introduced the 2024 version of Chetak Urbane at a starting price of Rs 1.15 lakh (ex-sh., Delhi). In comparison, the existing Chetak Premium version is available at a starting price of Rs 1.20 lakh. More

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      2024 Kawasaki Eliminator 400 India Launch Price Rs 5.62 Lakh

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      2024 Kawasaki Eliminator 400 India LaunchIn view of the strong growth in middleweight segment, Kawasaki Eliminator 400 has been launched in IndiaKawasaki has launched the 2024 Eliminator 400 in India. First launched last year, it is priced from Rs 5.62 lakh ex-sh in India. Kawasaki Eliminator 400 can emerge as an alternative option to the likes of Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650.Kawasaki Eliminator 400 stylingUnlike a thoroughbred cruiser, Kawasaki Eliminator 400 seems like a modern interpretation of a cruiser. It is predominantly for city streets, although it can also accommodate extended journeys on the highways. One of the key highlights is the long and low design, which should ensure adequate control and balance. With seat height of just 735 mm, even shorter riders will find this bike quite easy to manoeuvre.2024 Kawasaki Eliminator 400 India LaunchRetro bits are evident with the round headlamps and rear-view mirrors. The bike has all-LED lighting, a slender, stretched fuel tank, short fenders, exposed frame and engine parts and dual exhaust pipes. The bike has a comfortable riding stance, with wide handlebar and slightly forward-set foot pegs.The bike allows the natural positioning of the hands and knees, which will ensure adequate comfort during long distance rides. Looking at the seat format, Kawasaki Eliminator 400 seems more suitable for solo rides. The rider gets a chunky seat, whereas the pillion seat size is barely adequate.2024 Kawasaki Eliminator 400 India LaunchIn its home market Japan, the bike is offered in three colour options. In terms of tech features, Eliminator 400 is equipped with a circular fully digital instrument pod. Display items include speedometer, tachometer, clock, odometer, gear position indicator, current and average fuel consumption, dual trip meter and fuel gauge.The digital instrument panel has Bluetooth, which can be used to access a range of connectivity features via Kawasaki’s Rideology smartphone app. Users can get notifications for call and email, and access riding logs and vehicle information.Kawasaki Eliminator 400 performancePowering the Kawasaki Eliminator 400 is the 399cc parallel-twin engine, borrowed from the Ninja 400. It churns out 48 hp of max power and 37 Nm of peak torque. The engine has powerful low-speed torque, which makes it suitable for city sprints. At high speeds, the engine delivers a linear response, making it apt for tasks like highway cruising. The bike is offered with assist and slipper clutch as standard. More

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      Ducati Announces 8 New Motorcycles for India Launch in 2024

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      Ducati to launch 8 new motorcycles in India this yearRevving into the Future: Ducati’s Impressive 2024 Motorcycle Collection for IndiaLuxury motorcycle manufacturer Ducati has set hearts racing with the announcement of its plans to introduce a stunning lineup of 8 new motorcycles for the Indian market in 2024. The revelation was made at the prestigious Ducati World Premiere 2024, signalling an exciting year ahead for motorcycle enthusiasts across the country.New Motorcycles to Elevate Riding ExperienceAmong the highly anticipated models are the Multistrada V4 RS, DesertX Rally, Panigale V4 Racing Replica 2023, Diavel for Bentley, Hypermotard 698 Mono, Monster 30° Anniversario, Panigale V4 SP2 30° Anniversario 916, and the new Streetfighter V4S 2023. These offerings aim to elevate the Ducati experience for riders seeking sophistication, style, and top-notch performance.The Managing Director of Ducati India, Mr. Bipul Chandra, expressed his enthusiasm for this significant development. Highlighting Ducati’s accomplishments in 2023, including securing victories in prestigious racing events, Mr. Chandra attributed the brand’s success to the unwavering support of the motorcycling community.He extended gratitude for the community’s appreciation of Ducati’s diverse product range, emphasizing the remarkable popularity of the V4 platform in India. “We are excited to introduce 8 new Ducati motorcycles, along with 2 new dealerships, and are looking forward to a promising 2024 for Ducati in India,” said Mr. Chandra.Unveiling ScheduleThe unveiling schedule for these new models is set to begin with the exclusive launch of the Streetfighter V4 Lamborghini in the first quarter of 2024. Following this, Q2 will witness the arrival of the DesertX Rally, Hypermotard 698 Mono, and the new Streetfighter V4 range. The Multistrada V4 RS and the limited edition Diavel for Bentley are slated for a Q4 release.Booking Details and AvailabilityPotential buyers eager to get a glimpse of these exciting offerings can find indicative prices on the Ducati India website starting from the 2nd week of January 2024. Additionally, bookings for these models are now open at all Ducati dealerships situated across key cities including Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kochi, Kolkata, Chandigarh, and Ahmedabad.This move by Ducati not only amplifies its commitment to the Indian market but also reflects the brand’s dedication to delivering innovation, performance, and a premium riding experience to motorcycle enthusiasts nationwide. More

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      TVS Sales December 2023 – 25% Total & 8% Exports YoY Growth

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      TVS Apache RangeThe TVS sales December 2023 charts show a clear increase in popularity for the brand’s 2W products abroad with growing total exportsIndia’s leading 2W and 3W vehicle manufacturer, TVS Motor, demonstrated impressive sales performance for the month December 2023. The company closed CY 2023 with registering 25% YoY growth in Q3 numbers. Total sales grew by 33.14% YoY in domestic markets with 7.54% growth in exports YoY.TVS Sales December 2023When compared to the sales performance in the extended festive month of November 2023, TVS saw a total decline of 17.11% MoM. Motorcycles remained TVS’ best-selling category with 1,48,049 units sold last month accounting for 51.04% of total sales. When compared to 1,24,705 units sold in December 2022, sales grew by 18.72% YoY, gaining 23,344 units in volume.However, when compared to 1,72,836 units sold in November 2023, motorcycles saw a 14.34% YoY decline, losing 24,787 units in volume. The company sold 1,03,167 scooters last month with 18.72% YoY growth and 24% MoM decline and accounted for 35.57% of total sales. Volume gain YoY was 26,401 units and volume loss MoM was 32,582 units.TVS sold 38,848 mopeds in December 2023, whose sales accounted for 13.39% of the company’s total sales. Mopeds saw 48.30% YoY growth and a 10.73% MoM decline. The company sold 11,232 iQubes and TVS X with 1.45% YoY growth and a 33.07% MoM decline. iQube and X had sold 16,782 units a month before and hence there was a 5,550 units volume deficit MoM.TVS Sales December 2023 – YoYTotal 2W domestic sales for the brand was 2,14,988 units which is an impressive 33.23% YoY increase, but numbers took at a rate of 25.10% MoM decline. Domestic 2W business accounted for 74.12% of TVS’ total 2W sales. Where 2W exports are concerned, the company shipped 75,076 units with 13.24% YoY growth and 15.35% MoM growth accounting for 25.88% of total 2W sales.3W and total salesCombining 2W domestic and international business, TVS registered 2,90,064 units with 27.41% YoY growth and 17.62% MoM decline. Where 3W vehicles are concerned, the company saw 1,519 units sold in domestic markets and 10,315 units shipped abroad. 3W segment showed 22.4% YoY growth and a 24.47% YoY decline in domestic market.The latest launch from TVS is Apache RTR 310. In international market, 3W exports dropped 21.29% YoY and gained 1.96% MoM. In total, TVS’ 3W business was summed up to 11,834 units which fell into the red completely with 17.51% YoY and 2.42% MoM declines. Volume loss stood at 2,512 units YoY and 294 units MoM from November 2023.TVS Sales December 2023 – MoMTotal domestic sales (2W + 3W) stood at 2,16,507 units with 33.14% YoY growth with 53,897 units gained in volume YoY and 25.09% MoM decline losing 72,521 units in volume MoM. Total exports (2W + 3W) accounted for 85,391 units and fell in the green with 7.54% YoY growth and 13.55% MoM growth.In total (2W + 3W, Domestic + Exports), TVS’s sales December 2023 charts lodged 3,01,898 units with 24.75% YoY growth as opposed to 2,42,012 units sold in December 2022 with 59,886 units volume growth. There was a MoM decline of 17.11% due to the 3,64,231 units sold in November 2023 with 62,333 units lost MoM. More

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      Royal Enfield Sales Dec 2023 – Classic, Bullet, Himalayan, 650 Twins

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      Royal Enfield Meteor 350Royal Enfield sales in the sub-350cc segment dipped both YoY and MoM in December 2023 while bikes in the above 350cc segment has seen outstanding growthRoyal Enfield sales (domestic + exports) in December 2023 dipped to 63,387 units, down 7.33 percent when compared to 68,400 units sold in December 2022. On a MoM basis, it was also a 21.01 percent de-growth over 80,251 units sold in November 2023.Royal Enfield YoY and MoM SalesRoyal Enfield sales in the sub 350cc segment, that include the Bullet, Electra, Classic, Meteor and Hunter, has seen both a YoY and MoM de-growth. Sales dipped to 55,401 units in the past month from 61,223 units sold in December 2023 relating to a 5,822 unit volume de-growth. Despite falling sales, the sub 350cc segment commanded an 87.40 percent share in the company lineup. MoM sales also fell by 25.41 percent from 74,275 units sold in November 2023 when share percentage had stood at 92.55.Royal Enfield Sales Dec 2023Motorcycles in the above 350cc segment, that include the Himalayan, Super Meteor and 650 Twins, sales grew by 11.27 percent YoY to 7,986 units, up from 7,177 units sold in December 2022. MoM sales also showed off positive results with a 33.63 percent growth from 5,976 units sold in November 2023. This took total domestic sales to 57,291 units in December 2023 from 59,821 units sold in December 2022 relating to a 4.23 percent YoY de-growth. MoM domestic sales also fell by 23.75 percent from 75,137 units sold in November 2023.RE Exports saw a 28.94 percent YoY degrowth to 6,096 units in the past month from 8,579 units shipped in December 2022 while on a MoM basis, exports grew by 19.20 percent from 5,114 units sold in November 2023.Royal Enfield YTD SalesOn a year to date basis that includes the period April to December 2023, Royal Enfield sold a total (domestic + exports) of 6,85,059 units. This was an 11.14 percent growth from 6,16,370 units sold in the same period of 2022, relating to a 68,689 unit volume growth.Taking into account sales of motorcycles of engine capacity upto 350cc, total sales to date grew by 13.20 percent to 6,11,947 units, up from 5,40,589 units sold in April-December 2022 period relating to a 71,358 unit volume growth. In the above 350cc segment, sales dipped 3.52 percent YTD to 73,112 units, down from 75,781 units sold in April-December 2022. This took total sales (350cc) to 6,30,273 units in April-December 2023, up 16.11 percent from 5,42,818 units sold in April-December 2022 period.Exports undertaken by Royal Enfield on the other hand fell by 25.51 percent on a YTD basis down to 54,786 units from 73,552 units sold in April-December 2022 period. In December 2023, Royal Enfield Shotgun 650 made its globally debut in Los Angeles. The production-spec Shotgun 650 draws a strong resemblance to the Shotgun 650 Motoverse Edition that was offered in a limited edition restricted to just 25 units. It borrows its main frame as Super Meteor 650 and its engine specifications from other RE bikes in the 650cc segment. More

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      2024 Kawasaki ZX-6R Launched In India At Rs. 11.09 Lakh – CBR650R Rival

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      2024 Kawasaki ZX-6R Launched In IndiaAs opposed to the 85 bhp of Honda CBR650R, Kawasaki ZX-6R launched in India boasts a higher 130 bhp peak power from its 636cc in-line 4 engineTeam Green has launched its middle-weight fire-breathing rocket in India. We are talking about the new Ninja ZX-6R in all its glory. This is a recurring model for Indian market that was earlier on sale a couple of years ago. This sits above recently launched ZX-4R and ZX-10R and the price for Kawasaki ZX-6R launched, is Rs. 11.09 lakh (ex-sh).Kawasaki ZX-6R Launched In India At Rs. XX LakhThe middle-weight in-line four-cylinder motorcycle segment was dominated by Honda with CBR650R fully faired sportsbike and its street naked counterpart, CB650R. Kawasaki used to offer ZX-6R in India and was discontinued later, making Ninja 650 its only fully-faired motorcycle in 600cc category.Honda enjoyed quite a niche by offering the most affordable fully-faired 4-cylinder motorcycles in India. That said, Honda big bikes in 500cc+ motorcycle category often saw 0 sales for a very long time. Now, Kawasaki intends to try its luck with 4-cylinder motorcycles in India with the launch of ZX-4R and now, ZX-6R.Kawasaki is offering 2 colours – Metallic Graphite Grey and Lime Green. This fully-faired motorcycle draws design inspiration from its bigger brother and most popular liter-class machine, ZX-10R. The motorcycle offers supersport styling with a large central air intake, flanked by a split LED headlights setup. There is a decent windscreen for rider to get behind, along with aerodynamic ORVMs.2024 Kawasaki ZX-6R Aluminium Perimeter frameMulti-layered fairing looks like it offers excellent aerodynamic efficiency and allows for efficient heat flow without boiling rider’s legs. There is a raised rear section ending in tail-light shaped like a ninja’s tri-pointed shuriken, perfectly complementing Ninja name in ZX-6R and the performance it offers.Powertrain, componentry and specsSpeaking of performance, Kawasaki ZX-6R launched in India, packs the famed 636cc 4-cylinder in-line engine with DOHC and 4V per cylinder config with 4 Keihin 38mm throttle bodies. Performance metrics include 128 bhp of screaming power and a very nice 69 Nm of peak torque with a 12.9:1 compression ratio.6-speed gearbox, slipper clutch, sealed chain, Kawasaki Traction Control (KRTC), power modes (Full/Low), Kawasaki Intelligent ABS (KIBS), and Kawasaki Quick Shifter (KQS) (upshifts only) are part of package too. There is an eco riding indicator too and the 4.3-inch TFT display offers smartphone connectivity.2024 Kawasaki ZX-6RSuspension setup includes 41mm Showa Big Piston (SFF-BP) USD telescopic front forks and Uni-Trak gas-charged rear mono-shock. Both suspensions get compression, rebound and preload adjustability. The 17-inch alloy wheels are wrapped with 120-70 front and 185-55 rear tyres.Dropping anchors on this beast are dual 310mm discs at the front with radially-mounted 4-piston calipers and a single 220mm disc at the rear with a single-piston caliper. All of this is mounted on an aluminium perimeter frame with a 1,400 mm wheelbase and 129.5 mm ground clearance. Fuel tank is 17L in capacity and has a 198 kg kerb weight. More

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      Hero Classic 350 Rival Launch, Media Drive Dates Revealed – Hurikan 440 Name Final?

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      X440 test mule that could be Hero’s Hurikan 440Given the VFM identity that Hero MotoCorp has, we can expect the new Hero Classic 350 rival to be priced around Rs. 2 lakh (ex-sh)Royal Enfield seems to have hit the ball out of the park with Classic 350. The motorcycle has proved to be a phenomenon among Indian buyers. In November 2023, RE sold 30K+ Classic 350 in India. That’s a sizeable chunk. A chunk that India’s biggest 2W manufacturer, Hero MotoCorp, is eyeing with a new 440cc bike.Hero Classic 350 Rival Launch Soon?Joining the long line of Classic 350 rivals is Hero MotoCorp. The line consists of Jawa and Yezdi motorcycles, Honda CB350 lineup, Harley-Davidson X440 and Triumph Speed 400. Hero’s new Classic 350 rival will share the same 440cc platform that was co-developed with Harley-Davidson and seen on X440.There may be a small difference in engine tuning to place Harley-Davidson X440 as the more premium and performant machine than Hero’s offering. This should allow Hero MotoCorp to undercut X440 and most of its rivals by a large margin. Hero’s production capacity is among the largest in the world and with that, the company might establish an aggressive price point.Considering X440 is already a retro-style motorcycle, we expect Hero to position its motorcycle slightly differently. We’re talking about slightly toned-down design attributes and fancy finishes for sheet metal. Probably cut down on a few features too. The name Hurikan 440 was recently trademarked by Hero MotoCorp and has a good chance of ending up on its Classic 350 rival.Hero Classic 350 Rival Media DriveHurikan 440 Name Final?In yesterday’s post, we covered upcoming Hero MotoCorp motorcycle based on Harley-Davidson X440 and how it can be a Classic 350 rival. In the post, we mentioned launch date as January 22nd. The recent media invites sent by the company suggest media drive events to be held between 15th and 16th February.Considering Karizma XMR 210 costs Rs. 1.8 lakh (ex-sh), we can speculate Hero Hurikan 440 (name not confirmed) to be priced at around Rs. 2 lakh (ex-sh). In comparison, Harley-Davidson X440 costs Rs. 2,39,500 (ex-sh) for base Denim variant and goes till Rs. 2,79,500 for S variant with alloy wheels and connectivity suite.Performance metrics of Hero Hurikan 440 might be slightly lower than that of Harley-Davidson X440. For context, X440 has 27 bhp of peak power and 38 Nm of peak torque. Hurikan 440 will continue to get a 6-speed transmission with different gearing than X440. Hero’s biggest motorcycle will feature dual-channel ABS.Other areas for (potential) cost-cutting for Hero Hurikan 440 are less sophisticated front suspension setup as opposed to X440’s 43mm KYB USD telescopic front forks. Wheels on Hurikan 440 might not feature any dual-tone effect and wear skinnier rubber too when compared to X440. Hero is expected to play VFM card and establish an attractive price point with its flagship product. More