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      2021 Suzuki GSX S1000 Teased – To Come With Updated Aesthetics

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      2021 Suzuki GSX S1000 Teaser
      2021 Suzuki GSX S1000 is likely to feature updated styling and equipment along with a more powerful engine
      All litre-class motorcycles have one thing in common, their sole aim of delivering top-notch performance. Out of them, the naked ones are a very rare breed with engines as powerful as their faired counterparts and yet lighter and easier to handle than the latter.
      Suzuki has recently teased the updated iteration of GSX S1000 on its YouTube channel. From the sparse glimpse, we can gauge that the Japanese bikemaker has made some serious updates to the upcoming version of the naked litre-class streetfighter. The GSX S1000 has been on sale since 2015 but hasn’t received any major updates as of yet.
      Updated Design
      2021 GSX S1000 is all set to make its global debut on April 26 and the range of updates will not just be limited to aesthetics but also in the performance department as well. Talking of styling changes, the video shares glimpses of a brand new front fascia thanks to a new aggressive headlight along with a muscular fuel tank.
      The most noticeable aspect was the wings extending from the fuel tank that has been incorporated to enhance the aerodynamic quality of the naked bike. Take a look at the teaser video below.
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      Since the current iteration has not seen any major upgrades it has started to look a little outdated and a mid-life refresh would surely enhance its overall appeal. Not just aesthetics, the new GSX S1000 made some serious improvements in its functionality as well. The latest iteration of the litre-class naked streetfighter comes with a host of rider-focused electronic aids too.
      Updated Equipment
      These include a bunch of safety-related features such as cornering ABS, anti-wheelie function and lean-sensitive traction control. Chances are that the motorcycle might also come equipped with an autoblipper as well as a quick-shifter.
      The motor is expected to produce more oomph, however, like the new V-Strom 1050 and Hayabusa we must expect a stronger mid-range while the top-end is likely to remain similar. In any case, 2021 GSX S1000 is likely to pump around 200 ponies in its latest avatar.
      Upon its debut, it will sit at the top-end of Suzuki’s flagship lineup including other litre-class motorcycles. When launched, it will take on the likes of Aprilia Tuono V4, Ducati Streetfighter V4, Triumph Speed Triple, BMW S1000R and KTM 1290 Super Duke. GSX S1000 was also available in India for a while and the new iteration of the naked streetfighter is also set to make its India debut at a later stage. More

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      Triumph Trident 660 Launched In India At Rs 6.95 Lakh – 4 Colours

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      Triumph Trident is locally assembledFirst unveiled as a concept prototype for the London Design Museum in August of 2020, Triumph Trident 660 has quickly transitioned to its production-spec version
      After officially launching the Bonneville range, Triumph has launched the entry-entry level naked bike- Trident 660 for the Indian market. The naked streetfighter which was recently launched in Malaysia has been priced at INR 6.95 lakh (ex-showroom, India). This is the same price tag which got leaked last month.
      Pre-bookings of the Trident 660 started in November last year at a token amount of Rs 50,000, shortly after it made its India debut. Since then, it has launched in various international markets across the world. The bike will be available as a CKD unit in India. This entry-level Triumph has been designed and developed keeping in mind the younger section of riders.
      Styling & Features
      Starting with its design, the Trident 660 commands a sporty and muscular stance with a neo-classic stance. With this motorcycle, the British automaker has paid tribute to the original Trident of 1968 which kickstarted the era of three-cylinder motors.
      The prominent design highlights include a retro-style round LED headlamp, a curvy dual-tone fuel tank with knee pads, an under-belly exhaust, and a single-piece seat with a sleek and stubby tail section. It can also be fitted with a host of optional accessories.
      Mr. Shoeb Farooq, Business Head, Triumph Motorcycles India
      The new Trident comes with a bunch of rider assist features such as full LED lighting, a single-pod TFT instrument console, smartphone connectivity, ride-by-wire throttle, two riding modes (Road and Rain) and switchable traction control. It rides on 17-inch alloy wheels wrapped around by Michelin Road 5 tyres.
      Stopping duties are taken care of by dual-disc brakes at front and a single disc at rear and which are powered by Nissin sliding piston calipers while safety net is provided by dual-channel ABS as standard fitment.
      Mechanical Specs
      It is built on a tubular steel perimeter frame which is equipped with an aluminium swing-arm. Suspension duties are handled by Showa 41mm upside-down forks at front and a preload-adjustable mono-shock at rear. As far as performance is concerned, it draws its power from a 660cc liquid-cooled, in-line, 3-cylinder engine which pushes out an impressive 80 bhp at 10,250rpm and 64 Nm of peak torque at 6,250rpm. This unit is paired with a 6-speed gearbox with a slipper clutch.
      Trident 660 has been made available in four colour options namely Silver Ice and Diablo Red, Matt Jet Black and Matt Silver Ice, Crystal White and Sapphire Black. Triumph is offering a 2-year unlimited kilometer warranty in addition to attractive finance schemes with a minimum EMI of Rs 9,999. In India, it directly competes against Kawasaki Z650. More

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      TVS Apache 200 Modified Into An ADV – With Parts From Pulsar, Xpulse

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      TVS Apache 200 ADV – ModifiedThis TVS Apache RTR 200 4V derives most of its aftermarket components either from Hero Xpulse 200 or Bajaj Pulsar NS200
      TVS Apache RTR 200 4V is one the sportiest commuter bikes currently available in India. It is extremely efficient in daily commutes as well as the occasional twists and curls of a racing track. It is this very versatility of the naked streetfighter which makes it very popular in the aftermarket industry.
      Usually, Apache 200 owners customise their bikes to extract more out of their engine and tweak the suspension a little in order to utilise it as a full-fledged track machine. However, in this latest example, the owner of RTR 200 has taken a different approach and made more tweaks to its design to give it a whole new look.
      A detailed video of all modifications done on the motorcycle has been covered on a video uploaded on YouTube by “Bigbang Biker”. Going by its looks, one can easily gauge that there have been a considerable number of updates on the stock bike. The most significant of them is the suspension setup that has been sourced from Hero Xpulse 200, the most affordable adventure bike in India.
      Updated Suspension, Powertrain Setup
      The stock telescopic forks at front and mono-shock at rear have been replaced by the one available in Xpulse 200 which offer a lot more travel of 190mm and 170mm. This not only helps Apache to travel on rough and undulated paths with ease but also raises the ground clearance of the motorcycle making it suitable for off-road trails. Another major modification is the fuel supply system.
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      This model of RTR 200 4V is a BS4 iteration hence in its stock form it is equipped with a carburetor. Instead of the stock unit, the owner has replaced it with a Bajaj Pulsar NS200 carb which has been tuned in line with a new K&N air filter. The rider footpegs installed in this modified RTR 200 have been borrowed from Royal Enfield Himalayan whereas the turn indicators and rearview mirrors have been carried forward from KTM Duke.
      TVS Apache 200 ADV Modified
      Updated Cosmetics
      Further, some other changes have been made to the bike’s ergonomics in order to enhance long-distance touring capabilities. This includes a single-piece handlebar that replaces the clip-on units on the stock motorcycle.
      The front fender seems to be an aftermarket unit along with a new tinted screen visor and knuckle guards. Apart from these, it now rolls on dual-purpose tyres and gets a set of auxiliary lights. Other nifty additions to the bike include hazard lights, a mobile holder, a smartphone charger, and various body decals.
      Powertrain Specs
      The current Apache RTR 200 4V draws its power from a 197.75cc, single-cylinder, 4-valve, oil-cooled mill with fuel-injection which pumps out 20.2 bhp at 8,500rpm and a peak torque of 16.8 Nm at 7,500rpm. This unit is mated to a 5-speed gearbox with a slipper clutch. As per our previous reports, TVS is also planning to launch an adventure motorcycle named Raider in India which is either going to be based on Apache RR 310 or RTR 200 4V. More

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      Ather Electric Scooter Production Capacity To Triple By March 2023

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      Ather 450XCurrent capacity of Ather Energy stands at about 9,200 units per month, from its Hosur plant
      Ather Energy, the makers of the 450X and 450 Plus electric scooters, plan to increase their production capacity three fold to 3 lakh units by the end of FY23 (March 2023). Current annual capacity stands at 1.10 lakh scooters and 1.20 lakh battery packs.
      Though the production capacity is at about 9,200 units per month, Ather does not produce that many scooters currently. The company expects to use the current capacity to 100% by 2022. Investment into this plant currently stands at Rs.130 crores. Total investment till date stands at Rs 650 crores.
      More production, More space
      Current production of 1 lakh units capacity is from the factory area of 1.2 lakh sq ft. When they increase the capacity, they will increase the plant area as well. Ather states that the area can be extended to 4 lakh sq ft by the end of FY23, which will help increase production capacity of e-scooters as well as battery packs.
      The increased demand being shown toward the Ather 450X has stirred up enthusiasm to boost capacities. The company currently stands at No.4 in the electric two wheeler segment with a market share of 10.30 percent. Ather 450 Plus is priced at Rs.1,40,514 while the Ather 450X is priced at Rs.1,46,926 in Delhi.
      New Ather EV Plant
      Despite the fact that this price is much higher the price of a petrol powered scooter, sales have seen a significant increase. The higher prices of fuel coupled with several state and central government initiatives have given this sector a boost.
      Ather Experience Centers
      Ather Energy has set up experience and delivery centers in Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Pune, Mumbai, Coimbatore, and Kochi, while deliveries are set to commence in Trichy, Mysore, Hubli, and Delhi from later this month. The company targets around 27 delivery centers by the end of this year.
      Ather Energy also offers free charging not only for the Ather 450X but for any electric scooter at their experience centers and public charging stations. Plans are afoot to set up take up the county from a current 130 to 400 charging stations by the end of Dec 21.
      New Athers
      Ather has revealed that they have plans to launch more scooters and motorcycles. Yes, Ather has plans to enter electric motorcycle segment as well. But they have not shared a timeline as to when they will launch their next electric scooters / motorcycles. As of now, they will continue to focus on entering new cities, increasing charging infrastructure and increasing plant capacity.
      Ather 450X Specs
      The 450X gets its power via a 6 W PMS motor along with an IP67 rated 2.9 kWh lithium ion battery pack that makes 25 Nm peak torque. Acceleration from 0 to 40 km/h is achieved in 3.3 seconds while in Wrap mode and top speed is at 80 km/h. Battery charging from 0-80 percent is achieved in 3 hours 35 minutes and can be charged upto 100 percent in 5 hours 45 minutes. The company offers a 3 year warranty on the 450X which includes the battery.
      More recently, the company introduced the 13 OTA update (Atherstack Atom) for the 450X. This offers Bluetooth based music and call feature via the user’s smartphone. This update is via the Ather App and is currently only offered on Android and Google PlayStore while it will be released on Apple App Store for iOS users later this year. More

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      2021 Tata Tigor Electric Facelift Spied Almost Undisguised – Launch Soon

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      Tata Tigor electric facelift spiedThe latest iteration of Tigor EV will cost a slight premium over the current model that is priced from about Rs 10 lakh, ex-sh
      Tata has been planning to update its most affordable electric vehicle (EV) Tigor for some time now. The electric sedan has been previously spotted testing on a couple of occasions a few months back. A prototype of the updated iteration of the battery-powered car has been spotted yet again that previews the changes made on the car.
      In a video uploaded by ‘The Fat Biker’ on YouTube, two test mules are seen of the facelifted Tigor electric, one partially covered and the other fully wrapped in camouflage. The images indicate that the prototypes spotted were near production-spec models of the electric sedan.
      The upcoming 2021 Tigor EV facelift will wear a similar look to the updated IC engine-powered Tigor which was launched last year. Initially available for government and fleet consumers in India, the electric version of the compact sedan is now also available for general consumers of the country with its availability extending up to thirty cities.
      Updated Exterior Styling
      In line with the Tata design philosophy, Tigor EV facelift will get an updated front face with a new headlight setup along with a new sharper nose featuring a glossy black grille. The front grille is underlined by a thick slat of chrome flanked by projector LED headlamps, LED DRLs and redesigned fog lamp housings. It also gets a revised bumper with wider air intakes.
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      Like the current model, the upcoming iteration will also come with signature EV stickering on the front grille and other places in order to distinguish itself from the standard Tigor. Higher trims will come with a new dual-tone alloy wheel design along with body-coloured ORVMs while the lower trims will be offered with steel rims and wheel caps along with blacked-out ORVMs.
      At the rear, it will feature a shark-fin antenna and EV badging. Further, blue accents have been incorporated on the grille and alloy wheels to differentiate between the EV and the regular sedan.
      Expected Features on offer
      Moving inside, the cabin features a new multi-functional steering wheel, a new digital instrument cluster and a larger touchscreen infotainment display. The central air-con vents are surrounded by blue bezels. Other features expected to be included are a height-adjustable driver seat, Harman audio system, power windows and more. Safety kit on offer will feature dual airbags, ABS with EBD, rear parking sensors, etc.
      Mechanical Specs
      Mechanically, there won’t be any change in the facelifted Tigor electric therefore there will be no Ziptron technology on offer. The powertrain will feature a 21.5 kWh battery pack paired to a motor that can develop 40.2 bhp and 105 Nm of peak torque. This setup provides a maximum driving range of 213 km while the top speed is limited to 80 kmph. Using an AC charger, the battery could be juiced up in 11.5 hours while using a 15 kW DC fast charger, it could be rejuvenated 0-80 percent in two hours. More

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      Royal Enfield 350 Bobber Based On Thunderbird By Bulleteer Customs

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      Royal Enfield Bobber 350 Custom by Bulleteer Customs
      Named Mercury, this custom-made Royal Enfield 350 Bobber is a tribute to Freddie Mercury
      A customised Royal Enfield bike is a very frequent sight in India. A Royal Enfield bike modified into a bobber is also nothing new in the automotive market. However, each such customised motorcycle holds some significance and is designed in a certain way to make it look special.
      The latest case here is a prime example which had been designed in a way to give a tribute to one of the greatest entertainers of the 20th century Freddie Mercury. Modified by Bulleteer Customs, the custom-built bobber, in this case, uses a Royal Enfield Thunderbird 350.
      Customised Design
      The motorcycle has received multiple ‘Mercury’ branding across its body including fuel tank and one each on front and rear fender. Speaking of its fenders, both of them have been chopped short. It has also taken a few design inspirations from a traditional scrambler. For instance, it has used wire-spoked wheels dipped in chrome and are wrapped around by Harley-Davidson-style balloon tyres.
      The bike wears a nice teal blue and white custom paint job which gives a refreshing look to the motorcycle and is a throwback to the 1960s and 70s. The golden pinstripes add sparkles to its overall design and look astonishingly beautiful.
      Royal Enfield Bobber 350 Custom by Bulleteer Customs
      There are plenty of custom-made parts such as a teardrop fuel tank, a single pod analogue instrument console as well as a smaller handlebar. The fuel tank is smaller than the stock one and receives a beautiful detailing in golden paint with a retro-style oil filler cap on top.
      Other Styling Highlights
      While its round headlamps have been kept intact, its centre panel and toolbox have been removed. Instead, it gets a new chrome-plated airbox along with custom badges. Taillight and number plate have been mounted on the left swingarm just beneath the rear suspension. Speaking of suspension, it retains the stock setup of telescopic forks at front and twin shock absorbers at rear although it is expected to undergo minute tweaking in order to suit its dynamics.
      However, the most notable highlight is its custom-made single-piece seat with a striped texture in upholstery and nice cushioning for a comfortable ride. It has been positioned unusually low like a conventional bobber. Another highlight is the inscription of two of Freddie Mercury’s most iconic songs on its fenders- ‘We Will Rock You’ at front and ‘A Kind of Magic’ at its rear fender.
      Thunderbird 350 Engine Specs
      Thunderbird 350 is a previous generation cruiser bike from Royal Enfield which got discontinued last year and was recently replaced by the new Meteor 350. In its last BS4 iteration, it was powered by a 346cc cc single-cylinder air-cooled engine which generated 19.8 bhp and 28 Nm of peak torque. More

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      Yamaha XSR 155 Custom Modified Into Retro Cafe Racer

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      Yamaha XSR155 Custom by Glanets Radical KustomYamaha XSR 155 is based on the same underpinnings and powered by the same motor from YZF R15 V3 and MT15
      Retro motorcycles often prove to be the perfect base for aftermarket modifications due to their robust and flexible architecture and simple design. A fine example of this is a customised Yamaha XSR 155 which has been converted into a retro cafe racer with lots of sporty intentions.
      Updated Styling
      Dubbed ‘Reborn Cafe Racer’, this customised motorcycle is the work of a modification workshop named Glanets Radical Kustom based in Singapore. Kudos to the designer to approve of a styling that perfectly suits the bike from every angle along with the choice of colour scheme- black in a combination with golden streaks that give out a nice contrasting look.
      Even the alloy wheels are dipped in golden yellow colour that gives it a rich feel. However, the highlight is the curvy fairing at front with a twin headlight setup placed asymmetrically one above the other.
      The tail section is rather flat with a minimalist design and a trademark cowl at the pillion seat. The quilted seat further accentuates the look of a cafe-racer. The front fairing dons the number 77 in golden paint although we do not know its significance as of yet.
      Yamaha XSR155 Custom
      As far as its dynamics are concerned, the modified XSR 155 receives a beefy upside-down fork at front along with clip-on handlebars that enrich its sporty riding experience. Another retro highlight is a pair of inverted bar-end mirrors.
      Evidently, it rides on a fatter rear tyre. In our opinion, a naked look of a contemporary modern cafe racer would have aced the look, although the bike looks quite tasteful in this faired version as well.
      XSR Expected India launch
      Yamaha XSR 155, as we know, shares its underpinning and powertrain with YZF R15 V3 and its naked sibling MT15. Hence, it is powered by a 155 cc liquid-cooled, single-cylinder engine that pumps out 18.4 bhp at 10,000 rpm and 14.1 Nm of peak torque at 8,500 rpm.
      Yamaha XSR155 Custom
      This unit is paired with a six-speed gearbox, with a slipper clutch. The deltabox frame is suspended on inverted USD front forks and a mono-shock at rear. The retro motorcycle rolls on 17inch wheels shod by tubeless dual-purpose tyres.
      A while back, it was speculated that XSR 155 would be offered in India at some point of time. Recently spy shots of a new Yamaha test mule were shared. This new Yamaha test motorcycle looks like the India-spec XSR. From the spied motorcycle, it seems that the India-spec XSR might not be powered by the 155cc unit from R15. It remains to be seen if it is powered by the 250cc unit from FZ25 or the 149cc unit from the FZS FI.
      IMAGE SOURCE More

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      Two Wheeler Sales March 2021 – Hero, Honda, TVS, Bajaj, Suzuki, Royal Enfield

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      Hero Splendor – Best selling two wheelerIn domestic markets YoY growth stood at 17.16 percent while exports surged 61.02 percent
      An upward trend was noted across the two wheeler segment in March 2021. Of course sales in March 2020 could not really be taken into consideration due to the transition to BS-VI from April 2020. It was in the same month that a nationwide lockdown was announced on 24th March 2020 in view of the COVID-19 pandemic.
      Total two wheeler sales in March 2021 stood at 14,43,320 units, up 17.16 percent over 12,31,873 units sold in March 2020. Preference for personal mobility due to the pandemic and healthy rural conditions led to increased two wheeler sales in the past month.
      Hero, Honda, TVS
      Hero MotoCorp, India’s largest two-wheeler manufacturer, reported a 77.93 per cent sales growth, from to 5,44,340 units last month up from 3,05,932 units sold in March 20. MoM sales also grew significantly by 12.37 percent as against 4,84,433 units sold in Feb 21. The company currently commands a 37.71 percent market share up from 35.50 percent held in Feb 21.
      Hero MotoCorp introduced a range of scooters and motorcycles in India over the past year. These included the Glamour, Pleasure+ Platinum, Maestro Edge 125 ‘Stealth’ Edition and Splendor+ Black and Accent as well as the BS6 compliant Xtreme 200S and the Destini 125 Platinum.
      Two Wheeler Domestic Sales March 2021
      Honda two wheeler sales increased 60.77 percent YoY form 2,45,716 units sold in March 2020 to 3,95,037 units sold in the past month. MoM sales however suffered a de-growth of 4.02 percent from 4,11,578 units sold in Feb 2021. Honda’s had two launches in the past year, Hness CB350 and CB350RS followed by the Indian debut of CB500X and CB 650R.
      Sales of TVS Motor increased significantly YoY by 114.82 percent to 2,02,155 units, up from 94,103 units sold in March 20. The company commands a market share of 14.01 percent. MoM sales increased by 3.59 percent from 1,95,145 units sold in Feb 21. Early March saw the launch of the updated Apache RTR 160 4V at starting price of Rs. 1,07,270. It is offered in two variants and boasts of advanced technologies, best in class performance and increased power to weight ratio.
      Bajaj, Suzuki, Royal Enfield
      Lower down the order were Bajaj, Suzuki and Royal Enfield, all of which posted positive sales both YoY and MoM. Bajaj sales increased 84.32 percent to 1,81,393 units in March 2021, up from 98,412 units sold in March 2020 while Feb 21 sales were at 1,48,934 unit relating to a 21.79 percent MoM sales increase. Royal Enfield also posted positive YoY sales at 60,173 units while MoM sales dipped 7.59 percent.
      Two Wheeler Exports March 2021
      Exports increased 61.02 percent
      Exports in the past month increased 61.02 percent to 3,18,244 units, up from 1,97,645 units exported in March 20. MoM exports dipped 6.92 percent as against 3,41,894 units shipped in Feb 21.
      In export markets, Bajaj Auto Limited claimed a pole position. The company currently commands a 46.74 percent market share in terms of exports and shipped 1,48,740 units in the past month, up 32.14 percent increase over 1,12,564 units shipped in March 20. MoM exports however dipped 19 percent as against 1,83,629 units exported in Feb 21.
      TVS Motor noted the highest YoY percentage increase. Exports grew by 163.96 percent to 1,05,282 units, up from 39,885 units shipped in March 20. The company currently commands a 33.08 percent market share and also noted a MoM increase by 17.72 percent as against 89,436 units shipped in Feb 21.
      While Hero exports increased both YoY (81.9 percent) and MoM (55.07 percent), Honda two wheeler exports remained flat on a YoY basis and dipped 48.58 percent MoM. Suzuki and Royal Enfield also posted positive YoY sales but Suzuki exports dipped 19.88 percent MoM while Enfield exports grew 29.48 percent from 4,545 units in Feb 21 to 5,885 units exported in March 21. More