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    2023 KTM 390 Adventure, 390 Enduro Spied – Himalayan 450 Rival

    2023 KTM 390 Adventure takes the shape of a Dakar rally motorcycle and 390 Enduro comes close to a motocross motorcycle390 AdventureKTM is widely popular in India for offering explosive performance. The Austrian firm’s Duke, RC and Adventure series of motorcycles have been very well received. Currently, It is 390 Adventure which is the company’s flagship. It offers decent trail ability and excellent high-speed touring ability.A new generation of 390 Adventure is long overdue. There were multiple speculations of an R version of 390 Adventure in India and we also saw a few aftermarket rally kits from Turtletechx which boosted its off-road ability. For MY2022, KTM gave riding modes and then offered these same modes for older vehicles for free as well.New-gen 390 Adventure has been spotted before. What if we told you that there are two variations of 2023 KTM 390 Adventure? You heard it right. KTM seems to be prepping two versions of its upcoming 390 Adventure platform. Let’s take a look.2023 KTM 390 AdventureOne is designed more like a rally motorcycle that is ready to hit the desert and the other is styled like an enduro motorcycle with minimal body panels. These are likely to be called 390 Adventure and 390 Enduro.Image – Motorrad MagazinRight off the bat, both motorcycles are pretty much identical when it comes to their frame, engine, fuel tank, subframe and everything. Even the minimal fairing, knuckle guards, mirrors, rear subframe, taillights, boomerang-shaped aluminium swingarm and front beak are shared between the two.Differences lie in seating position as 390 Adventure gets high-set handlebars and on top of it, gets a tall front windshield that makes it visually larger than 390 Enduro. 390 Enduro looks petite, composed and a lot more sporty and comes close to a motocross motorcycle. While 390 Adventure is designed with touring and rallying in mind.Aiding rally excursions on 390 Adventure, we have a tall windscreen, a high-set TFT screen that aids visibility when standing and riding, vertically stacked projector headlights, and a beefy engine bash plate. 390 Enduro misses out on this bash plate. Both of them get the same underbelly exhaust though.390 EnduroSpecs & FeaturesBoth 2023 KTM 390 Adventure and 390 Enduro offer slightly rear-set footpegs and an upright posture. 390 Adventure has a taller-set handlebar that should help while standing and cruising. KTM has switched to spoked wheels with 2023 KTM 390 Adventure as opposed to alloy wheels on outgoing model.Wheel size seems to be 21” at front and 17” or 18” at the rear on both motorcycles. USD forks by WP seems to offer decent travel. Features like ride-by-wire, slipper clutch, liquid cooling are already on offer. Cruise control would make a world of difference on 390 Adventure owing to its cruising credentials.Currently, the 373 cc mill makes 42.3 bhp at 9000 RPM and 37 Nm of torque at 7000 RPM. A slight bump in power figures is likely to be a possibility. A launch timeline is not yet revealed. That said, one can expect these machines to hit the road by the end of 2023. When launched, 2023 KTM 390 Adventure will rival BMW G310 GS, upcoming Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 and 390 Enduro will rival upcoming Royal Enfield Scram 450.Source More

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    New Bajaj Triumph Motorcycle Spied – Riding Posture Revealed

    Triumph has been eyeing the entry-level segment for a long time and with Bajaj, a new product is expected soonNew Bajaj Triumph Motorcycle SpiedBajaj has always wanted to increase their share in 200 cc to 500 cc segment. Under Bajaj, we only get the Dominar 400. They do have offerings via KTM in this segment. But despite that, this segment is still dominated by Royal Enfield with its slew of 350 cc bikes like Bullet, Classic and Meteor and also, Himalayan and Scram 411.When Dominar was launched, Bajaj took a dig at Royal Enfield saying not to buy “Haathis” (elephants) as most Enfields wouldn’t properly go and if they did, wouldn’t properly stop and also weighed a lot with no gizmos. But in reality, Indians still bought Haathis. I don’t blame them. If the Haathi looked as elegant and charming as Royal Enfield bikes, why not?Bajaj Triumph Motorcycle SpiedTo add salt to the wound, Hunter 350 is launched at a lower price point too. At the same time, Triumph seems to be following the same route BMW Motorrad took to foray into entry-level bikes along with TVS. So, British brand Triumph has partnered up with Bajaj to co-develop a platform that would benefit both companies. A match made in Heaven? Maybe.Last time we covered the Bajaj Triumph bike, it was papped fully undisguised. The new spy shots reveal mostly the same, but give more details too. For starters, this upcoming motorcycle will be offered in two versions, a street and a scrambler. Both get separate design elements to suit the genre. The video below shows riding posture on the upcoming Bajaj Triumph motorcycle, while it was spied near Pune.Upcoming Bajaj Triumph Scrambler Motorcycle – RenderBoth test mules look production ready and we can expect a launch very soon. They shoot for the timeless retro classic look and we should say, looks quite handsome. Their design is reminiscent of Triumph’s Bonneville lineup. They get a single-piece seat, neat grab rail at the rear, round headlights and indicators, bar-end mirrors and a lot more.In terms of cycle parts, they get USD front forks and mono-shock at back, 19” and 17” alloy wheels at the front and back, single discs at both ends with dual-channel ABS, slightly rear-set footpegs and more. They both get LED lighting all-around, a circular speedo and a squarish digital display beside it housed in the same console.What To Expect?We don’t know the exact engine specs at the moment. But looking at the engine on test mules, looks like a single-cylinder unit with liquid cooling and a single exhaust setup. Looking at the size of it, it is likely to be a 300 to 400cc unit. And might make around 35 bhp and 30 Nm of torque. It may get a 6-speed gearbox too.New Bajaj Triumph Motorcycle SpiedLooking at their lean and athletic frame, they are likely to weigh around 170 to 180 kg. Both bikes will be manufactured here in India to get the production costs down. These motorcycles will be sold under Triumph branding. Bajaj might launch a different version of their own branding in the future. This probably will be a similar story, what we have seen with Bajaj-KTM. First KTM branded motorcycles were launched, and based on them, Bajaj launched their own Pulsar motorcycles.When launched, Bajaj Triumph motorcycle will compete against Royal Enfield, Honda, Yezdi, Jawa, TVS, BMW offerings falling into the same ring. Launch will take place in 2023.Source More

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    Honda Benly e Electric Scooter Testing Continues – Launch Soon?

    In the past couple of years, many new EV startups have registered their upcoming models in India which is set to boost electric mobilityHonda Benly e Electric scooter spied in BangaloreBack in 2019, Honda showcased the Benly e electric scooter at the 46th Tokyo Motor Show. This e-scoter has been solely developed for last-mile services. The electric scooter has now been spotted in India which might trigger speculations about its apparent launch. Hat tip to automotive enthusiast Lal Krishna for sharing these spy shots.Developed specifically for everyday pick-up/delivery services, Benly e adopts a utilitarian design language with a flat rear deck. Dimensions of the e-scooter stand at 1,840mm, 780mm and 1,050mm in length, width and height.Honda Benly e Electric Scooter SpiedThe e-scooter has been made available in four trims – Benly e I, Benly e I Pro, Benly e II and Benly e II Pro. Benly e I and I Pro are offered with a 2.8 kW (3.8 bhp) electric motor which returns a torque output of 13 Nm. Both electric scooters that have been spied, are wearingOn the other hand, Benly e II and II Pro are propelled by a 4.2 kW (5.7 bhp) electric motor that makes 15 Nm of peak torque. However, both motor configurations are fed energy by two 48V, 20.8 Ah lithium-ion batteries which Honda calls ‘Mobile Power Pack’ (MPP). Both of these battery units are detachable and swappable.Honda Benly e Electric scooter – Registered in the name of Honda Two Wheeler IndiaHonda claims a range of 87km on a single charge at 30kmph on a flat road for Benly e I and I Pro. Whereas for Benly e II and II Pro, the range drops to 43km at 60kmph on a flat road on a single charge. The e-scooter can climb an incline of 12 degrees with 30kg cargo for Benly e I and I Pro and 60kg for Benly e II and II Pro. It also benefits from a reverse assist feature as well.The scooter rides on 12-inch front and 10-inch rear alloy wheels that are shod by 90/90-section and 110/90-section rubber respectively. It tips the weighing scales at 125kg and 130kg for Benly e I and Benly e II respectively. In terms of features, it gets an LED headlight, a digital instrument cluster and an accessory power socket. Braking is taken care of by a combined braking system (CBS).Honda Swappable BatteryIn Dec 2021, Honda setup Honda Power Pack Energy India Private Limited in Bangalore. This is a 100% subsidiary of Honda Motor Japan. The aim of setting up this unit in India was to solve issues like limited range, reduce battery cost and reduce charging / wait time. Apart from two wheelers, they will also provide solutions to other EVs, like electric rickshaws, etc.Honda electric scooter with battery swap tech – Benly eThey will also be making batteries in India, called – Honda Mobile Power Pack (MPP) e:. These batteries will be available at various locations across the country in phase-wise manner. Owners of compatible EVs will be able to swap drained out batteries with fully charged batteries in no time. Interestingly, the Benly e electric scooter also uses the same battery pack MPP.Given the expansion of e-retail businesses in India over the last few years and the bright prospect of electric mobility, Honda might actually benefit if it seriously considers bringing the Benly e electric scooter here. It will only be used for commercial purposes while the Japanese company has some other plans for its regular consumers when it comes to electric mobility. More

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    New RE Scrambler 650cc Spied In India For The First Time

    RE Scrambler 650cc will be powered by a 648cc parallel-twin engine that generates 47 bhp and 52 Nm of peak torque, coupled with a 6-speed gearbox and slipper clutchRoyal Enfield 650cc Scrambler Spied In IndiaWe recently compiled a list of all the upcoming Royal Enfield motorcycles. There were 8 in total including a slew of motorcycles based on 350cc, 450cc and 650cc platforms. These include Bullet 350, Scram 450, Himalayan 450, Continental GT-R 650, Continental GT 650 Facelift, Super Meteor 650, Shotgun 650 and lastly, Scrambler 650.Please note that these names are widely referred to by the automotive fraternity and are not finalised by Royal Enfield. Out of all the 8 upcoming motorcycles mentioned above, Scrambler 650 was the only one that was not yet papped in India. That is now changed as we finally got to see one under testing on our soil as well.RE Scrambler 650cc Spied In IndiaWith immense popularity revolving around Royal Enfield’s 650cc platform, there is always scope to expand. This potent 650cc platform is so popular that it is single-handedly heavy-lifting the 500cc+ segment for a long time now. Right now, this platform is found only on Interceptor 650, a cruiser and Continental GT 650, a cafe racer.Royal Enfield is expanding its 650cc portfolio to include multiple new body styles. At the same time, bettering its existing 650cc vehicles as well. Even though the test mule spotted in India is starkly similar to the one found testing abroad, there are differences evident upon closer inspection.Royal Enfield 650cc Scrambler Spied In IndiaThe round side body panel found in test mules abroad, is discarded in the test mule found in India. This is replaced with a more conventional side body panel that we see in Continental GT 650. Another major difference is the seat. Newer test mule spotted in India gets a visually different seat cover and seat shape as well.Specs & FeaturesEngine will be the same unit found on Interceptor 650 and Continental GT 650. However, Royal Enfield will tweak it to give a slightly different character to suit its Scrambler avatar. It is powered by a 648cc parallel-twin engine that generates 47 bhp and 52 Nm of peak torque. Coupled with a 6-speed gearbox and a slipper clutch, this platform has smooth power delivery.Dual exhausts are given a miss in favour of a single unit. This requires a different exhaust header to reroute gases. Weight will definitely go down as one of its exhausts is removed. It gets round headlights, tail lights and blinkers. At first glance, tail lights seem to be taken from Meteor 350 and turn indicators from Hunter 350. Braking hardware is likely to be borrowed from existing 650 twins.Tyres are of block pattern owing to scrambler avatar. The main difference in cycle parts for RE Scrambler 650cc seems to be its USD forks at front and wheel sizes. It still retains wire-spoke wheels and the front one looks slightly larger than the rear wheel. Launch timeline is not yet revealed. But the test mule looks mostly production ready.Image Source More

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    Mahindra Electric Scooter Spied Testing – Next To Ather 450X

    While it couldn’t gain traction in ICE two-wheeler segment, the EV space presents entirely new possibilities for MahindraMahindra Electric Scooter SpiedA lot has been happening in electric two-wheeler segment, characterized by new product launches, booming sales and plethora of brands to choose from. Recently, India’s largest two-wheeler manufacturer Hero MotoCorp marked its entry in this space with Vida electric scooter. Next on the list could be Mahindra that could start its innings with Peugeot Kisbee electric scooter.In international markets such as Europe, Peugeot Kisbee is a 50cc petrol powered scooter. Peugeot offers various other 50cc scooters in Europe such as Django, Tweet, Speedfight and Streetzone. In India, both the ICE version and electric version of Kisbee have been spotted on road tests. Peugeot could be working on a strategy similar to Suzuki that is expected to launch an electric scooter based on its popular Burgman Street 125cc scooter.Mahindra Electric Scooter SpiedCurrently, Peugeot does not sell an EV version of Kisbee in international markets. In EV space, Peugeot only has E-Ludix electric scooter. ICE-based Kisbee is powered by a 49.9 cc motor that generates 3.53 hp of peak power at 7,700 rpm and 3.2 Nm of max torque at 7,300 rpm. In Indian context, both petrol powered Kisbee and Kisbee electric scooter will have a unique value proposition.Peugeot Kisbee electric scooter was seen alongside Bounce Infinity E1 and Ather 450X. This is part of a benchmarking exercise. It is likely that Kisbee electric scooter is being assessed against one of the most affordable and one of the premium electric scooters in the country.Mahindra Electric Scooter SpiedIn terms of performance, Mahindra Electric Scooter Spied Kisbee EV is likely to have capabilities similar to Bounce Infinity E1. As Peugeot Kisbee is likely to be positioned as a premium offering, it could have hi-tech features similar to that of Ather 450X.As Peugeot already has E-Ludix in international markets, some of its features and hardware could be used for Kisbee electric scooter. E-Ludix has a 1.6 kWh, 48V lithium-ion removable battery pack. Range is 42 km and top speed is 45 kmph. The scooter has tubular steel chassis, mounted on a telescopic front fork and hydraulic rear shock absorber. Both ends have 14-inch wheels. The scooter is offered with front disc and rear drum brakes.Mahindra-Peugeot connectIt is to note that Mahindra had acquired a controlling 51% stake in Peugeot Motorcycles in January 2015. The deal was valued at 28 million Euros. As part of that engagement, Peugeot was working on some concepts based on Mahindra Mojo 300’s engines. These were showcased at 2019 EICMA. It is likely that further progress on these projects was halted due to the pandemic.Mahindra Scooter Spied testing with Ather 450XWith fuel prices at an all-time high, both ICE-based Kisbee and its EV version could get the customers’ attention. If Mahindra can arrive at a competitive price point, there’s likely to be significant demand for both ICE-based Kisbee and its EV version. These could be sold via existing Mojo dealerships or entirely new outlets could be opened.Image Source More

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    Royal Enfield 650cc Spied With Fairing – Conti GT 650R Launch Plan?

    With 47 bhp of power and 52 Nm of torque, Royal Enfield GT-R 650 will offer brisk performance like regular Conti GT 650Royal Enfield 650R Spied.Royal Enfield has exemplary experience in extracting the most out of a given platform. Its current J-Series platform and 411cc platform have spawned multiple flavours of motorcycles. The company’s 650cc twin-cylinder platform was offered in two options as well. One, a relaxed classic named Interceptor 650 and other, a sporty Cafe Racer named Continental GT 650.A Super Meteor 650 or a Thunderbird X 650, and a 650cc scrambler are also in the works. We have seen another version of GT 650 named GT-R 650 that races in Continental GT Cup. GT-R 650 is not on sale.Royal Enfield 650cc Spied With FairingBut it seems that Royal Enfield is toying with the idea of launching a faired Continental GT 650. A new RE 650cc test mule has been spied in Chennai. It dons a bikini fairing that amplifies GT 650’s retro appeal even further. For starters, the fairing that this test mule is equipped with, is very similar to the Royal Enfield GT-R 650 race bike.Speaking of GT-R 650, it gets a single seat and a retro bikini fairing at the front that adds a lot of old-world charm to the already charming Continental GT 650. Mechanically, Royal Enfield GT-R 650 was kept identical. To make it race-worthy, weight was reduced by as much as 25 kg from the stock. Heavier exhaust was replaced with a lighter and free-flow unit. Electricals like headlights, blinkers and the lot were discarded as well.Royal Enfield 650R SpiedRE Conti GT 650R got lower set clip-on handlebars than stock and rear-set pegs along with a belly pan which is required in a racing bike. Other changes include a revised front sprocket and slick tyres. If Royal Enfield had come up with a fully-faired GT 650 like Cerra GT 865, it would be rad.Conti GT 650R test mule is of Dux Deluxe colour and has been spotted with a remote adjuster for its rear twin shock absorbers. This feature is likely for suspension tuning by the tester and is highly unlikely to make it to production. Continental GT 650 is also spotted testing with alloy wheels that might make it to GT-R 650.What To Expect?Production-spec version of the test mule is likely to be called GT-R 650 and will get a bikini fairing that extends to its fuel tank. Same round headlight unit with a halogen bulb is likely to be retained. Due to added fairing, front blinkers will be repositioned.Royal Enfield 650R Spied – Suspension adjusterStandard ORVMs are replaced by bar end units on this test mule. Test mule has mounting points in place for a full set of fairing as well. There is a possibility that Royal Enfield may also offer the fairing as an accessory for existing customers as well.Aftermarket accessories for Royal Enfield are in abundance, including a fairing for 650. So, RE might offer a fairing for Continental GT 650 in the form of a genuine accessory. We can expect a slight price bump for Royal Enfield GT-R 650 over regular Continental GT 650. Launch can take place sometime in 2023.Image Source More

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    Royal Enfield 650cc Cruiser New Spy Shots – Debut Next Month Expected

    While it will not have any direct rivals, Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650 can work as an affordable option in comparison to Kawasaki Vulcan SRoyal Enfield 650cc Cruiser New Spy ShotsRoyal Enfield Super Meteor 650 has been spotted yet again on road tests, showcasing its prominent street presence, retro styling and relaxed ergonomics. Even when it is dimensionally huge, the bike has friendly vibes. It’s flowy design with curvy panelling is quite like an artwork created with great passion and finesse. It’s something that instantly draws you in and makes you want to take it out for a spin.When launched, Super Meteor 650 is likely to be Royal Enfield’s new flagship bike. It will target both domestic and international markets, especially Europe. Launch price is expected to be around Rs 3.5 lakh, making it the most expensive Royal Enfield till date. However, it will still be almost half the price of other similar capacity cruisers such as Kawasaki Vulcan S (Rs 6.40 lakh).Super Meteor 650 featuresA top-of-the-line product from the Chennai-based manufacturer, Super Meteor 650 will be getting some premium hardware. Key among them is USD forks at front. Super Meteor will be among the first of Royal Enfield bikes to get USD forks. As of now, 650 twins Continental GT and Interceptor have standard telescopic forks at front.USD forks offer multiple benefits such as improved stability, higher cornering speed and safer braking. At rear, Super Meteor has twin shocks, similar to the ones used on 650 twins. The bike has disc brakes at both ends and dual-channel ABS will be offered as standard. Front wheel is slightly larger, whereas the rear wheel has a wide tyre for optimal traction.Royal Enfield 650cc Cruiser New Spy ShotsIn terms of styling, Super Meteor 650 has round headlamp and rear view mirrors, tear-drop fuel tank, split seat, a long exhaust pipe and broad rear fender. The scooped-up rider seat comes with thick foam, which should ensure adequate comfort during long-distance touring. Handlebar is positioned at a raised height and the footpegs are forward set.Super Meteor 650 specsPowering Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650 will be the same engine as used with 650 twins. The 648cc, parallel-twin, air-oil-cooled motor pumps 47.6 PS of max power and 52 Nm of peak torque. It is mated to a 6-speed constant mesh gearbox. Super Meteor 650 is expected to get assist and slipper clutch. For reference, the 649 cc, liquid cooled, parallel twin motor onboard Kawasaki Vulcan S generates 61 PS and 62.4 Nm.Instrument cluster could be similar to that of Meteor 350. The bike has a larger semi-digital dial on the left and the smaller tripper navigation display on the right. Considering the growing preference for connectivity tech, Super Meteor 650 could get some new connectivity features.Royal Enfield 650cc Cruiser New Spy ShotsApart from Super Meteor 650, Royal Enfield is working on a couple of other 650cc bikes as well. These will help the company to maintain its dominance in the middleweight segment. In 500cc+ motorcycle segment, 650 twins currently command a market share of more than 80%. New Royal Enfield 650cc Cruiser is expected to make its global debut at the EICMA 2022 in Milan next month.Image source More

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    2023 Hero Xtreme 160 Spied For First Time – Pulsar, Apache Rival

    While Hero is at the cusp of starting a new chapter by embracing e-mobility, it is also working on a new crop of flagship products2023 Hero Xtreme 160 SpiedNot long ago, a small fleet of camouflaged medium-displacement Hero prototypes with adventure tourer and supersport body styles were spotted testing in the mountains. It led to speculation that the two wheeler giant is working on 300 cc versions of its existing 200 cc nameplates like Xpulse and Xtreme.This was quickly followed by reports that these new models are powered by a 421 cc single-cylinder. Either way, it is obvious that Hero Motocorp is busy developing a medium displacement family of products in a bid to expand its horizons in the mid-premium segment.2023 Hero Xtreme 160 Spied TestingApart from developing all new motorcycles, Hero is also working on updating their existing range of motorcycles. Test mules of what is believed to be of new gen Hero Xtreme 160R, have been spied for the first time in Jaipur, Rajasthan.From what can be seen, the motorcycle’s styling conforms to the conventional street bike trend. By that we mean small LED taillight, bulky fuel tank with prominent cladding, minimal panels around the headlamp (most likely to be an LED unit), a rectangular fully digital instrument console and reasonably thick tyres.2023 Hero Xtreme 160 SpiedWhile the mid-displacement range of Hero motorcycles that was spied earlier was seen sporting inverted telescopic front forks, the Xtreme 160R new gen continues with traditional telescopic setup. Engine is likely to be updated to deliver better performance and mileage.In its current setup, the 163cc unit delivers 15 bhp and 14 Nm via 5 speed transmission. As far as the features are concerned, LED lighting, digital instrument console, alloy wheels, dual-channel ABS and smartphone connectivity are almost certain.On-paper specs and equipment list aside, Hero’s biggest trump card in a field full of very competent products is its network reach. But that has not helped them gain market share against the likes of arch rivals Bajaj Pulsar and TVS Apache. With the launch of new gen Xtreme 160, Hero will likely bring in some segment first updates to boost sales.When is it coming?In the short term future, Hero Motocorp is going to be busy establishing its recently launched Vida electric sub-brand which is crucial for its long term sustainability. Expect to see the new Xtreme 160R at the Auto Expo early next year. Until then, we expect regular public appearances of the test mules with more info about the specs trickling in. More