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    2023 Honda CBR250RR patented – India launch planned?

    2023 Honda CBR250RR patentedHonda CBR250RR will take on the likes of Yamaha R3 and Kawasaki Ninja 300 once launched in IndiaHonda Motorcycle and Scooter India has announced plans to launch larger capacity motorcycles, especially in the above 150cc segment. Later this year, a new 350cc cruiser is planned for launch, based on the CB350 platform. Honda has also patented the CL250 / CL300 scrambler in India.Apart from that, they could also be launching the CBR250RR. Yes. The same has now been patented in India. Motorcyclists upgrading from a single-cylinder offering are increasing by the day and a multi-cylinder offering in the quarter-liter segment makes a lot of sense in India. Motorcycles coming close are Kawasaki Ninja 300 (displacement-wise) and Royal Enfield 650cc offerings (price-wise).2023 Honda CBR250RR Patented in IndiaIf you think CBR250RR has a lot of ‘R’ in its name, it is still one less R than Honda’s flagship CBR1000RR-R Fireblade. In Honda’s books, more R is probably more performance or something of that sort. Speaking of CBR1000RR-R Fireblade that’s where CBR250RR draws most of its design inspirations.There is a sharp fairing that screams a lot of aggression. LED DRLs accompany twin headlights that make CBR250RR’s face. These LED DRLs look like snarly eyebrows for its eye-like LED headlights. The handsome fairing covers almost all of the engine bay. An aerodynamic windscreen and fairing-mounted ORVMs. India is likely to get turn indicators separate from their LED DRLs as seen in the patent.2023 Honda CBR250RR patentedCBR250RR badging above and large Honda badging below lends a sporty flair. The gold Showa SFF-BP USD front forks grab a lot of attention. Clip-on handlebars offer a committed riding posture and a lot of front-end feel. Other notable elements include a steep subframe with split and stepped seats, a dual-barrel exhaust and a fully digital Blue-backlit instrument cluster.This is not a TFT panel, something which KTM RC 390 offers. It shows various basic functionalities and readouts of the motorcycle. Componentry includes rear mono-shock, single petal disc at both ends, dual-channel ABS, three riding modes (Comfort, Sport, Sport+), 110/70-17 front and 140/70-17 rear tyres wrapped to 17” alloys and 14.5L fuel tank. All this combined, Honda CBR250RR weighs 168 kg.Parallel-twin motor, unlike CB300RA 249cc, parallel twin, liquid-cooled engine powers Honda CBR250RR. Honda will offer two states of tune. Base Standard variant will generate 38.2 bhp of power and 23.3 Nm of torque, while the SP variant makes 42 bhp of power and 25 Nm of torque. A 6-speed transmission, a slip and assist clutch along with a quick shifter are notable elements.With Yamaha getting ready to launch R3 in India later this year, timing seems to be right for Honda to finally launch the CBR250RR. If launched, expect Honda CBR250RR to be priced around Rs 3.5 lakh. More

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    Ather, Tork electric 2Ws price hike incoming – Buy now to save up to Rs 40k

    Ather Electric ScooterCurrently, electric 2W vehicles sell around 65,000+ units a month – Price hikes could affect sales numbers negativelyRising fuel prices has been one of the primary drivers of 2W EV revolution India. That said, multiple other factors contributed in this regard as well. One of the biggest factors is the Indian Government’s FAME II subsidy.Established in 2019, this FAME II subsidy scheme has lessened the financial burden on EV buyers. But things did not go as planned and there are going to be consequences. Come June 1st, 2023, there will be revisions in this subsidy scheme which will affect the prices considerably. Let’s take a look.Electric Scooters To Cost More From June 1stCurrently, eligible EVs attract a subsidy of Rs. 15,000 per kWh, with a threshold of 40% of the ex-sh price on incentives. This benefitted prospective EV buyers greatly and attracted a lot of interest.With the recent revision in the FAME II subsidy scheme from June 1st, 2023, these incentives will be reduced. Subsidy price is reduced to Rs. 10,000 per kWh battery, instead of Rs. 15,000 before. And the threshold for incentives is reduced to 15% of ex-sh price, instead of 40% before the amendment.Ather electric scooter price hike incomingAther 450x, Tork Kratos to cost moreAther Energy has announced that customers who book an electric scooter now, will be eligible for the existing subsidy rates. This means that they will be able to save up to Rs 32,500. Ather has also said that this offer is valid only for limited period and limited stockTork too has made a similar announcement. Buyers of Tork Kratos electric motorcycle before 1st June 2023 will be eligible for saving up to Rs 40,000. Interested buyers need to reserve Kratos and Kratos R for Rs. 2,999 before May 31st, 2023. Below is the announcement made by Tork;“Act quickly to secure the electrifying ride with Kratos R before the upcoming price hike of ?40,000/-. Ensure you don’t miss out on this amazing chance to own the Tork Kratos R with the lowest down payment of ?18,000/-. Hurry up! as this offer is only valid for a limited number of bikes and until May 30th, 2023. For further information, please contact us at ? 1800 3130 231. Seize the moment and reserve your spot for the thrilling Kratos R @ Just ?2,999/-.”Other electric scooter and electric motorcycle makers are also expected to make similar announcements. Will the new amendment in the FAME II subsidy scheme result in reduced sales of electric two wheelers? Or will prospective buyers continue to shift to EV realm regardless of price hike? Only time will tell. More

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    1977 Dodge B100 Tradesman Restomod Rocks Our Music Festival Dreams

    Sometimes you walk past a classic van on the street and immediately buy it. Well, you sometimes do that if you founded Legacy Classic Trucks, anyway.That’s what happened with this 1977 Dodge B100 Tradesman, which has been restored and updated so it is now “exclusively made for partying.”A rebuilt 5.2-liter Chrysler 318 V-8 engine helps make the van road-trip worthy, while a large lithium battery can power the TV/VHS player and AC units for days. Today’s popular music festivals don’t shy away from a 1970s vibe when it comes to tunes and clothes. If you want your wheels to feel right at home in that sort of environment, Legacy Classic Trucks might have you covered.Legacy, a longtime vehicle restorer, often modifies old Dodge Power Wagons and Jeep Scramblers and works on national park buses. For this much hipper restomod endeavor, Legacy started with two things: a 1977 Dodge B100 Tradesman donor van and the idea that Coachella can be a verb.The van came to Legacy Classic Trucks’ founder Winslow Bent when he happened upon it on his wedding day. The van was parked on a street in Chicago. Given the collection of old VHS tapes and an outlaw country music cassette in the tape deck, Bent purchased the van “on the spot,” Legacy said, with dreams of restoring it in time for him to drive it the 930 miles from Jackson Hole, Wyoming, where his shop is located, to California for the music festival.A Van Made for Partying”There are few things cooler than a super clean, well-restored van,” Bent said in a statement. “Our new Legacy Tradesman van restoration is exclusively made for partying.”That attitude explains the mix of new and old technology inside the van. The exterior has the same classic paint scheme but added a pair of moonlight windows in the back. Inside classic touches include a vintage TV/VHS player, disco ball, lava lamp, and orange shag carpet. From the modern era, there’s a lithium battery with enough energy capacity to power the TV, a beer cooler, an 18-speaker sound system, and a pair of air conditioning units for up to two days on a single charge, the company claims.Motive power for the B100 comes from a rebuilt 5.2-liter Chrysler 318 V-8 engine that produces up to 450 pound-feet of torque. Bent and his team also replaced the brakes and suspension.With this year’s Coachella festival and Legacy’s Tradesman restoration both complete, Legacy has now added Tradesman vans to its list of old things that can be made fresh again. Legacy’s Tradesman commissions start at $45,000.For more dope vans from the 1970s, check out this list or head on over to Bring a Trailer, which, like Car and Driver, is part of Hearst Autos, to search for your own donor model. Or maybe you’ll find a ready-to-go option, like the custom 1973 Dodge Tradesman B100 that sold this past week for $24,000.This content is imported from poll. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.Old and NewContributing EditorSebastian Blanco has been writing about electric vehicles, hybrids, and hydrogen cars since 2006. His articles and car reviews have appeared in the New York Times, Automotive News, Reuters, SAE, Autoblog, InsideEVs, Trucks.com, Car Talk, and other outlets. His first green-car media event was the launch of the Tesla Roadster, and since then he has been tracking the shift away from gasoline-powered vehicles and discovering the new technology’s importance not just for the auto industry, but for the world as a whole. Throw in the recent shift to autonomous vehicles, and there are more interesting changes happening now than most people can wrap their heads around. You can find him on Twitter or, on good days, behind the wheel of a new EV.  More

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    Hero Splendor Modified Sports Edition Looks Dope – Render

    2023 Hero Splendor Sports Edition – render by Kobeyo CustomsSplendor Sports Edition render by Kobeyo Customs is based on a Splendor+ with a 97.2cc engine generating 7.95 bhp and 8.05 Nm, mated to a 4-speed gearboxHero MotoCorp is renowned for its budget commuters. They are the undisputed champion and their biggest sales generator is Splendor. Hero never forayed into the sporty neo-retro Cafe Racer genre, except it did. But not in a way you would have liked, though. Because Hero based its cafe racer on Splendor Pro and named it Splendor Pro Classic.It didn’t sell as much as Hero would have liked. Kobeyo Customs has come up with their version of Hero Cafe Racer named Splendor Sports Edition based on Splendor+. We think this is what Splendor Pro Classic should have been from day one. Let’s take a look.Splendor Sports Edition RenderFor starters, Kobeyo Customs seem to be big fan of Triumph Motorcycles. That’s where most of the parts are cut and pasted on this Splendor Sports Edition render. Sticking with the end result, we should say that it looks very appealing, certainly for a Splendor+ on which it is based. New mono-tone colours without Hero’s infamous stickers would look even nicer.Kobeyo Customs has used Triumph Street Triple’s front USD telescopic forks, front and rear alloy wheels, stubby exhaust system along with handlebar. With them, Splendor Sports Edition render has a dual disc setup at the front, a boomerang-shaped aluminium swingarm, and fatter tyres. Splendor’s 100cc engine would definitely struggle to just pull these fat tyres.2023 Hero Splendor Sports Edition – render by Kobeyo CustomsBut as a concept rendered, it looks stunning. Kobeyo has lifted seats, rear subframe and tail right off a Triumph Scrambler and pasted it on their Splendor Sports Edition render. The split seats don’t have a step. Front headlight cowl is slightly elongated and lends a faux windscreen effect.Kobeyo re-touched some of the components like the fuel tank and some other body panels. All these combined, it looks like Splendor+ went through a breakup and hit the gym probably three times a day. This lends a perspective of a cafe racer from Hero MotoCorp based on its 160cc or even its new 210cc platform.Why did Hero’s first Cafe Racer fail?To Hero’s credit, the company didn’t just slap a rear seat cowl on Splendor Pro and call it a day. Instead, Hero gave it a round headlight, single-seat with backrest, round ORVMs, minimal body panels, a new subframe and a new tail. Instead of being the style statement for Splendor buyers, Splendor Pro Classic was an absolute disaster.For people in the market for a budget commuter, it lacked Splendor’s practicality. For people looking for an enthusiast cafe racer, Splendor Pro Classic was just a glorified 100cc Splendor. Hero discontinued it in 2017. Back when it was on sale, Splendor Pro Classic packed a 97cc engine generating 8.1 bhp of power and 8.07 Nm of torque, mated to a 4-speed gearbox.Disclaimer – Design renders presented in this blog are solely for illustrative purposes and have not been commissioned, approved, or endorsed by the manufacturer. Designs presented here may not reflect the final product or the manufacturer’s intentions. The renders are provided as conceptual designs or artistic interpretations only, and their accuracy or feasibility cannot be guaranteed.Source More

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    2004 Honda Rune Motorcycle/Work of Art Is Our Bring a Trailer Auction Pick

    • Created at a staggering loss, the Rune was Honda flexing its creative muscle.• Using the Valkyrie as its base, the Rune had a radical design and numerous custom chrome elements.• This example has approximately 6000 miles.Car and DriverHonda isn’t known for flights of fancy, but the motorcycle you see here is one instance where Honda went completely berserk. A single-minded pursuit of design above all else meant that the big H lost an eye-watering amount on the NRX1800 Rune. The development cost was rumored to be $225 million, and yet the production run was extremely limited.This low-mileage 2004 Rune, resplendent in burgundy paint, is up for auction on Bring a Trailer—which, like Car and Driver, is part of the Hearst Autos Group. It’s rolling sculpture, a concept bike brought to life, yet it’s also as tractable and easy to ride as any Honda product.Bring a TrailerIn 2000, Honda showed off a trio of concept bikes at the Cycle World show in Long Beach, California. One concept, the T2, got all the attention. Attending Honda employees were bowled over by the adoring crowds, but there was a rather large catch. T2 didn’t actually run, it was merely a design experiment.Bring a TrailerYet Honda decided to build a production version anyway. To illustrate just how difficult a task the engineers were given, the silencers are cast using a lost-wax method. The concept’s beautiful radiator slits were only theoretically capable of handling the cooling duties for a 20-30 hp engine, but the production Rune’s 1832cc flat-six makes 118 hp, so Honda had to use ultra-conductive alloy to make the radiator shed enough heat.Bring a TrailerFactoring in profitability and performance, building the Rune was an impossibility. So, Honda simply threw those considerations away. As a halo bike, a production Rune would elevate both the related Gold Wing and Valkyrie motorcycles. It’s estimated that each Rune cost Honda in the neighborhood of $150,000 to build. When new each bike sold for $25,000.This 2004 model represents an opportunity to own a truly cost-no-object machine, one with a wonderfully eye-catching design. With all that chrome and ultra-low ride height, the Rune looks like the hero vehicle from an action movie. It’s like a cross between Akira and Duke Nukem.Bring a TrailerAnd, because it’s a Honda, it’s also very rideable, with a torque-rich powerband sufficiently grunty to pull away from a stop in top gear. The clutch is light, the trick trailing front suspension makes for a surprisingly small turning circle, and the low seat height makes it comfortable in traffic.The Rune is madness to look at, but marvelous to experience—as the top bidder will discover. The auction runs through May 22.Car and driverCar and driver Lettermark logoContributing EditorBrendan McAleer is a freelance writer and photographer based in North Vancouver, B.C., Canada. He grew up splitting his knuckles on British automobiles, came of age in the golden era of Japanese sport-compact performance, and began writing about cars and people in 2008. His particular interest is the intersection between humanity and machinery, whether it is the racing career of Walter Cronkite or Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki’s half-century obsession with the Citroën 2CV. He has taught both of his young daughters how to shift a manual transmission and is grateful for the excuse they provide to be perpetually buying Hot Wheels. More

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    Honda 250cc-300cc Scrambler Patented In India – Hunter Rival Incoming?

    Honda CL250 / CL300 ScramblerLaunched in China earlier this year, the new Honda 250cc-300cc scrambler has now been patented in IndiaWe know Honda hasn’t made a CL motorcycle since the 70s. That will change soon as Honda is reviving its CL brand. There are talks of 250cc, 300cc and 500cc models. CL500 made its debut first, while CL300 debuted earlier this year. Now Honda has patented the design of this new Scrambler motorcycle in India.But is it the CL300 or the upcoming new CL250. This is not clear yet. Honda has already unveiled the CL300 in China, while the CL250 is reportedly getting unveiled very soon. The one patented in India, could be the CL250 scrambler or the CL300 scrambler. Honda’s patent papers don’t reveal the model name. Both 249cc and 286cc engines have the same block and casing with differences in bore and stroke on the inside.Honda 250cc-300cc Scrambler Patented In IndiaBoth CL250 and CL300 will have similar design. Both motorcycles are derivatives of Honda’s Rebel cruiser bike. Except for the engine, CL250, CL300 and CL500 bear identical design. This way, Honda is establishing a product identity that runs across that model line.KTM employs a similar strategy too. Duke, RC and Adventure range have identical frames and bodies, with differences in their powertrains. Speaking of powertrains, Honda CL250 Scrambler comes equipped with a 249cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder engine with a DOHC setup. This is the same engine as the Rebel 250. But, power is slightly decreased at 24 PS and torque is slightly increased at 22.55 Nm. In contrast, Honda offers the same 286cc engine from CBR300R with CL300. This single-cylinder engine generates 27 PS of power, which is 5 PS less than Rebel 300 cruiser.Honda CL250 / CL300 Scrambler patented in IndiaWhat does it pack as opposed to Rebel cruiser counterpartOther changes in componentry from Rebel 250 include a new subframe, fuel tank, wheels, tyres and an upswept exhaust. The new subframe allows for a flat seat and takes the seat height to 790mm, 100mm higher than Rebel’s. CL250 gets an upswept twin-tip exhaust that not only looks substantial but aids water wading ability as well.New Honda 300cc Scrambler – CL300This exhaust ends that typical Scrambler look. Fuel tank can take 12L, which is 1L more than on the Rebel 250. Both Rebel 250 and Rebel 300 get 16” alloys at both ends, but Honda is offering 19” front and 17” rear alloys with CL250 and CL300. Other notable elements include single disc setup at both ends with single channel ABS.Circular quad projector LED headlights, tail lights and circular turn indicators along with a tear-drop fuel tank lend it a neo-retro look. Colours are likely to be similar to CL300’s. Candy Energy Orange, Pearl Cadet Grey and Pearl Himalayas White are likely. Cross Style and Tour Style accessory line is likely to be similar to CL300 too.Honda 250cc-300cc ScramblerCross Style accessories include, knuckle guards, headlight cowl, a front beak and more. Tour Style accessories include a 38L top box, heated grips, accessory socket, saddle bags, center tank pad, and more. Launch is possible by the end of 2023. We hope India is a recipient as well. When launched in India, this new Honda Scrambler motorcycle will be a decent rival to the Royal Enfield Hunter 350. More

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    Yamaha Sales April 2023 – FZ, R15, MT15, RayZR, Fascino, FZ25

    Image – Patna BikesYamaha sales and exports in April 2023 saw the FZ commanding the highest demand both in domestic and export marketsYamaha Motor India has seen positive YoY growth in domestic markets in April 2023, while their exports were negative. Total sales (domestic + exports) in the past month stood at 69,589 units, down from 70,231 units sold in April 2022. This was due to constraints in terms of exports which fell 38.93 percent to 16,650 units in the past month, from 27,263 units exported in April 2022.Domestic sales on the other hand improved by 23.21 percent to 52,939 units in April 2023 from 42,968 units sold in April 2022. MoM sales showed improvement. Domestic sales were higher by 21.53 percent from 43,561 units sold in March 2023. Exports also went up 22.76 percent from 13,563 units shipped in March 2023.Yamaha India sales April 2023Yamaha Domestic sales April 2023It was the Yamaha FZ that commanded domestic sales in April 2023 with 20,931 units sold, up 26.79 percent YoY from 16,508 units sold in April 2022. MoM sales also ended positively, up 9.63 percent from 19,092 units sold in March 2023. The Yamaha FZ series commands a 39.54 percent share in the company portfolio.Last month the company also expanded the FZ range with the FZ-S V3 Matte Black re-launched. Yamaha FZ-S V3 Matte Black is priced at Rs. 1,21,400 (ex-showroom). At No. 2 was the R15 with YoY and MoM growth to 11,294 units to command a 21.33 percent share. YoY sales improved by 42.10 percent while MoM sales were higher by 48.98 percent.Yamaha India sales April 2023 vs April 2022 – YoY AnalysisYamaha RayZR has seen good demand in domestic markets with 9,945 units sold last month. This was a72.12 percent YoY growth from 5,778 units sold in April 2022 and 25.35 percent MoM growth from 5,026 units sold in March 2023. This was also the case with Fascino which improved 61.70 percent YoY and 75.68 percent MoM to 9,945 units in April 2023. Sales of Yamaha MT15 dipped 51.57 percent YoY and 27.93 percent MoM to 4,469 units.Yamaha India sales April 2023 vs May 2023 – MoM AnalysisYamaha Exports April 2023With exports falling 38.93 percent YoY, the company saw de-growth across most models in its lineup except for the Saluto and MT15. Yamaha FZ was the most exported model with 4,636 units sold last month, down 67.10 percent from 14,092 units exported in April 2022. MoM sales were up 23.76 percent from 3,746 units shipped in March 2023.Saluto RX added 3,364 units to total exports last month, a MoM growth of 85.65 percent from 1,812 units exported in March 2023. Saluto sales also increased by 288.94 percent to 3,306 units in April 2023 from 850 units exported in April 2022 while MoM sales dipped 2.76 percent from 3,400 units sold in March 2023.Yamaha MT15 exports also improved YoY and MoM by 124.67 percent and 8.71 percent respectively to 1,348 units while the export list also included FZ25 (1,042 units), R15 (626 units), SZ (620 units) and Fascino (30 units). More

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    Top 10 Motorcycle Sales April 2023 – Splendor, Pulsar, Apache, Classic 350, FZ

    Image – The Sameer VlogsHero Splendor, Bajaj Pulsar and Honda CB Shine lead the pack in April 2023 – At No 3 it was CB Shine that saw YoY degrowthMotorcycles that featured among the top 10 list in April 2023 improved by 22.14 percent YoY. Total sales stood at 7,30,702 units in the past month, up from 5.98,267 units sold in April 2022. This was volume growth of 1,32,435 units.Top 10 Motorcycle Sales April 2023 – Hero Splendor at No. 1Hero Splendor was the best-selling motorcycle in India in April 2023 commanding a 36.30 percent share on this list. Sales stood at 2,65,225 units, up 13.30 percent from 2,34,085 units sold in April 2022. The Splendor was also the No. 1 motorcycle in FY 2023 with 32,55,744 units in FY 2023 up 22.15 percent from 26,65,386 units sold in FY 2022.Top 10 motorcycles April 2023At No. 2 was the Bajaj Pulsar with 1,15,371 units sold in April 2023. This was a YoY growth of 150.59 percent from 46,040 units sold in April 2022. Honda CB Shine has seen a YoY de-growth of 15.32 percent with sales down to 89,261 units in the past month. This was as against 1,05,413 units sold in April 2022 relating to a 16,152 unit dip in volumes.HF Deluxe sales also fell 21.77 percent YoY to 78,700 units in April 2023, from 1,00,601 units sold in April 2022. The HF Deluxe currently commands a 10.77 percent share on this list. There was also Bajaj Platina at No.5, sales of which improved by 17.82 percent YoY. Platina sales stood at 46,322 units in April 2023 from 39,316 units sold in April 2022.Top 10 motorcycles April 2023TVS Apache followed with 419.59 percent YoY growth to 38,148 units sold last month, up from 7,342 units sold in April 2022. TVS Apache sales also reached a milestone in Feb 2023 to 5 million units (50 lakh).There was also the Raider from the TVS Motor lineup that made it to No. 7 on this list with 31,491 units sold in April 2023, recording the highest YoY growth of 828.39 percent from just 3,392 units sold in April 2022. This was a YoY volume growth of 28,099 units.RE Classic Sales Dip YoYSales of the RE Classic 350 fell 17.79 percent YoY to 26,781 units in April 2023 from 32,575 units sold in April 2022. However, it was the best-selling motorcycle in the 350cc segment.Yamaha FZ followed with 20,931 units sold in April 2023, up 26.79 percent from 16,508 units sold in April 2022 while at No. 10 was the Sport with a 42.15 percent YoY growth in sales to 18,472 units from 12,995 units sold in April 2022. More