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      Royal Enfield Thunderbird 650cc Cruiser Spied – Or Is It Super Meteor?

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      This new 650cc motorcycle will be the middle-weight cruiser in Royal Enfield’s lineupRoyal Enfield Thunderbird 650We all know that Royal Enfield is developing a 650cc cruiser based on their potent 650cc parallel-twin platform. But we also know that it will get Meteor 350-inspired cruiser design language. It was unofficially called Super Meteor 650.But Royal Enfield’s recent slip-up has revealed that the company is keen on resurrecting its bygone Thunderbird marque with this upcoming cruiser. Royal Enfield’s service page on their website mysteriously revealed the name Thunderbird X 650 in the list of all Royal Enfield bikes available to book a service schedule.Royal Enfield was quick enough to rectify this and took it off its website. But the damage was done and the internet was blessed with screenshots of the same. This makes sense too because Meteor is actually the successor of Thunderbird. And if you ask us, Thunderbird name is cooler and has much more weight than Super Meteor. Remember the Ford Thunderbird? That was a cool car with a cool name.Royal Enfield Thunderbird 650cc CruiserRoyal Enfield’s recent test mule has the 650cc parallel-twin engine with twin exhaust and is a cruiser motorcycle. Ring any bell? Yes, it might be the upcoming Thunderbird 650. We say Thunderbird 650 instead of Thunderbird X 650 as seen on Royal Enfield’s website. Because, the test mule has chrome exhausts and looking back at Thunderbird 350X and 500X, they had sporty persona with black exhaust. This could be Thunderbird 650 like Thunderbird 350 and 500 which had chrome exhaust.Royal Enfield Thunderbird 650The test mule looks production-ready and doesn’t get any camouflage too. This hints us that a launch may be closer than we’d have hoped. This test mule looks like the lower-spec variant as creature comforts like pillion backrest, windscreen, rear luggage rack and saddle stays are missing. All these were present on test mule spotted testing abroad. Royal Enfield is likely to offer these features in higher variants though just like it did with Meteor 350.The source also claims that the exhaust note had more bass than Continental GT 650 and Interceptor 650. This might be due to a different exhaust system. It will borrow the same 648cc parallel-twin that does duties on Continental GT 650 and Interceptor 650. Royal Enfield may retain the same throttle map or introduce a new one for this cruiser to suit its laid-back personality.Features & LaunchRoyal Enfield Thunderbird 650 test mule was spotted donning a twin-pod instrument cluster. The main unit is larger and houses an analog speedometer and tachometer and a small LCD screen within it showing trip info, fuel level and other info. Beside it, we find the tripper screen for navigation. Other features spotted on the test mule include single disc brake at both ends, USD fork setup at front and twin shocks at the rear. We expect it to get dual-channel ABS as standard.Coming to the launch, Royal Enfield has a lot on its platter right now. For starters, they have the Hunter 350 launch planned for August. Looking at the production-ready-looking test mule, we can’t help but predict that Royal Enfield might launch its middleweight cruiser by the end of this year. When launched, it might bear Super Meteor 650, Thunderbird 650 or Thunderbird X 650 name. Prices could be in the Rs 4 lakh range, making it the most affordable 650cc cruiser on offer.Source More

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      New Royal Enfield Meteor 350X Variant Spied Ahead Of Launch

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      The new variant will be sold alongside the variants that are already on sale today2022 Royal Enfield Meteor 350XLooks like Royal Enfield is on a spree of launching motorcycles with a ton of motorcycles currently under testing. Most expected launches are Meteor 650, Shotgun 650, Himalayan 450, 450 Scram, Hunter 350, new Bullet 350 and then a new variant of Meteor 350 too.Meteor 350 is one of Royal Enfield’s most popular motorcycles on sale in India. It strikes a right balance between price and performance while offering decent cruise ability too. We had covered this in the past predicting that the new variant of Meteor 350 will be a sportier version like Thunderbird’s X variants. But the new spy shot reveals very little changes to the motorcycle.New Meteor 350X VariantLooking at the spy shot, we are hard pressed to spot any additions or deletions Royal Enfield is going for. But there aren’t any. Everything we see on the new spy shot, already exists on the Meteor 350 that is on sale in India. But when we see closely, the changes start to fall in place.Royal Enfield’s Meteor 350 currently gets 3 variants. Fireball, Stellar and Supernova. Stellar and Supernova get classic colour shades and chrome exhaust to add retro flair. On top of colour differences, Stellar adds a backrest for the pillion and on top of it, Supernova adds a front windscreen. Base Fireball variant gets a sporty appeal with black finish on the entire motorcycle except for the red fuel tank.New Royal Enfield Meteor 350X Variant SpiedIf a customer wants a sporty look, he doesn’t get features like a windscreen and pillion backrest. If they go with these features, the sporty appeal is replaced with retro charm and the chrome bling. There was never a middle ground and that’s where this new variant will come in. In the spy shot, it gets a black rear mudguard, black exhaust and everything like on Fireball but it also gets a pillion backrest. This combination didn’t exist before.New Royal Enfield Meteor 350X can be expected to come with Fireball’s colour scheme along with Supernova’s features like a pillion backrest and a windscreen at front. For the sake of variety, Royal Enfield can also throw in sporty tyres and a slightly stiffened suspension to match the visual sportiness of the Meteor 350.Specs & LaunchThe new variant is expected to be launched in the coming days. We expect some styling changes, new colours and along with it, some new design elements can be deleted or added based on the flavour Royal Enfield is eyeing for.Meteor 350 is a well-sorted package in terms of powertrain and chassis. It is based on the company’s new ‘J’ platform and gets the new 349 cc JD1 engine by Royal Enfield. It makes 20.2 bhp of power at 6100 RPM and a healthy 27 Nm of torque at 4000 RPM. This engine is coupled to a 5-speed transmission. The new variant is expected to retain the same powertrain and chassis. When launched, it will lock horns with Honda CB350RS and classic cruisers from Jawa, Benelli Imperiale 400 and Yezdi Roadster. Also expect a slight price premium over the current top-spec Supernova variant. More

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      New TVS Retron LED Headlight Leaks – Or Is It Zepplin R?

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      TVS has not revealed much about this upcoming vehicle to be revealed on July 6thTVS Retron MotorcycleTVS recently revealed a new teaser stating that it was going to launch a new vehicle on July 6th. The teaser had a ‘T’ insignia that looked like a DRL of a vehicle. The invite also had a hashtag saying ‘New Way Of Life’. This had us scratching our heads because TVS somehow has the capability of sneakily getting a product launched without getting papped at all. We have seen this with TVS’ Raider launch.We previously predicted that it could be a Zeppelin R that was recently trademarked or a Creon electric scooter or a lifestyle adventure-tourer based on the RR 310 platform. But with the LED headlight getting leaked, we have a clearer picture about TVS’ upcoming launch on July 6th.TVS Retron Retro-Themed BikeDo you know what is common between Royal Enfield motorcycles, Yezdi motorcycles, Jawa motorcycles, Yamaha FZ-X, Honda H’ness CB350, Kawasaki Z650RS and Street Twins from Triumph? They’re all retro-themed modern motorcycles and they have one design element that is quintessential and screams retro, a round headlight.Round headlight is that design element that has stood the test of time. It is one of the most timeless design elements and will stay that way for centuries to come. TVS’ new headlight is also round and the way it is shaped and sized, makes us easily discard the possibility of it being on a scooter. We just don’t see it happening. It is, no doubt, a fitting element on a retro-themed motorcycle by TVS.TVS Retron MotorcycleTVS had trademarked the name Retron, likely for the launch of a retro-themed motorcycle. TVS has also trademarked the name Zepplin R. We have seen India’s thirst for retro-themed motorcycles and a cruiser bike like Zeppelin R is a hard sell in India. The hardships of a cruiser bike are visible as we recently saw Suzuki discontinue its Intruder 150 cruiser motorcycle in India.Considering the T shaped LED DRL, we think it makes more sense to be on a Retron. Additionally, in new TVS vehicles, there is this new design trend, where you get to see the shape of one of the letters from the name, inside the LED DRL. Happened with NTORQ, and more recently with Raider. Retron as the letter T, which is the shape of the LED DRL in a new leaked photo and the launch invite. Interestingly, sometime last year, a test mule of a TVS Retron was spied.New Way Of LifeTVS also has a hashtag saying ‘New Way Of Life’ and this could mean a lot of things for Retron. For one, it might get an adventure-tourer avatar like Hero XPulse 200, Royal Enfield Himalayan 411 and Yezdi Adventure or a scrambler avatar like Yezdi Scrambler, Royal Enfield Scram 411, or even the smaller FZ-X.New TVS Retron Motorcycle SpiedWe have seen the rise in popularity of adventure tourers and scramblers in India and a lot of Indian motorcycle manufacturers have jumped on this bandwagon. We can easily see a manufacturer like TVS in a segment like this as it never created a product catering to adventure-tourers or scramblers before.TVS currently has a lot of platform choices for basing the Retron on. But the most probable options are the 200 cc 4V engine found on Apache RTR 200 4V and its flagship 312 cc engine doing duties in Apache RR 310. If the upcoming adventure-tourer or scrambler version of Retron is based on the former, it will compete with the likes of Hero XPulse 200 4V and if based on the latter, it takes the fight to the big dogs like Yezdi and Royal Enfield bikes. Either way, July 6th will be one hot event from TVS.Source More

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      Tata Safari Spied With Green No Plates – First Safari Electric SUV?

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      Tata Motors is the leading electric vehicle maker in India – They have plans to launch many new electric SUVs in the futureTata Safari Electric SpiedTata Safari Electric! Already? Hold your horses. We know Tata Safari Electric is exciting news and it looks like a good proposition too. But not a lot is known about this mysterious vehicle that has been spotted somewhere in Jodhpur, Rajasthan. It does look like a finished product, as good as any other Tata Safari bought from an authorized dealer. But we think that it isn’t the case at all.After a bit of searching the number plate across multiple vehicle databases, it was revealed that it still showed as XZA+ variant with 2.0L Kryotec BS6 engine. But the number plate is green, which indicates that it is an EV. So why is a Tata Safari that is registered as a diesel on the RTO database, wearing a green no plate? Here are some explanations for this confusing spy shot of Tata Safari Electric.Tata Safari Electric SpiedAs we all know, Tata Safari only gets a 2.0L Kryotec diesel engine sourced from Stellantis (formerly, Fiat-Chrysler) that makes 168 bhp and 350 Nm. Tata Motors has been testing the Safari with a petrol engine too and on the test mule, you will see a red number plate. It’s because in India, every single test mule, EV or not, is given a red number plate.  Only the finalised product that is sold for private use, get the usual number plates from RTO. White board with black font indicates a PV (passenger vehicle), yellow board with black font indicates LCV (light commercial vehicle) and HCV (heavy commercial vehicle). Whereas a black board with yellow font indicates self-driven rental vehicles. EVs get two different types of number plates where the board is green for both and if the vehicle has a white font, it is an electric PV and if the font is yellow, it is an electric CV.  Tata Safari EV Spied with green no plateThe Tata Safari electric spotted has a green board with white font indicating that it is an electric PV. But Tata never launched it. If you suspect that it is a prank of some sort or the owner is committing fraud, that does not seem to be the case as the number plate is a properly embossed number plate with non-removable bolts with RTO’s hologram too. It doesn’t look like a fake number plate at all.  Tata Safari EV – What is it?The car looks like it actually is an EV as registered by the RTO. But it is not a test mule undergoing testing by Tata as it doesn’t have a red number plate. This might be the work of a third-party that has developed an EV conversion kit for Safari. We don’t know the name of the company as of now. But developing an EV conversion kit is no mean feat.Electronics and electricals are one of the most complicated aspects of vehicle development. The entire electric harness has to be custom-built with proper voltage architectures in mind. Then comes the hassle of battery placement, motor placement, mass centralisation, weight distribution, centre of gravity, interior packaging with the new battery in place, battery weather sealing, battery cooling solutions, battery management system tuning, modifications to brakes and suspension to accommodate the extra weight and a million more aspects. It is not an easy task of just taking out the engine and stuffing batteries in its place.Tata Safari Electric Spied – New Safari EVWe have seen EV conversion kits like this before too. Our bet is that Tata Safari Electric conversion kit is being developed by someone, with good resources to back them up. The car in question seems to be a piece of demonstration for investors, bankers or even Government officials. This company seems like they first bought a Tata Safari XZA+ and then converted it into an EV and then got it re-registered as an EV from RTO. If that is the case, Tata Safari Electric range could be somewhere in between 300-500 kms. Whatever it is, it looks promising. If you happen to have more details, please get in touch. More

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      2022 Bajaj Pulsar 150cc New Gen Motorcycle Spied Near Pune

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      New-gen Pulsar motorcycles will be built on the same platform, as utilized for Pulsar N250 and F2502022 Bajaj Pulsar 150cc New GenMost Pulsar motorcycles have proved to be a success on the sales front and the trend continues with Pulsar N250 and F250. Launched in October, the biggest Pulsars have registered sales of more than 10k units. This is the fastest sales milestone ever recorded in the 250cc motorcycle segment.In the near future, Bajaj will be using the new platform to update its other Pulsar motorcycles as well. It includes Pulsar 125, 150 and 160. These are already bestsellers and their next-gen versions can further improve overall user experience. The updates will be spread across both visual enhancements as well as performance improvements.2022 Bajaj Pulsar 150cc New GenEarlier this year, spy shots of the new gen 125cc Pulsar as well as N160 Pulsar had emerged. Now, spy shots of 2022 Pulsar 150 have been shared online. It was spied near company plant in Pune. New-gen Pulsar 125, 150 and 160 are expected to get styling updates similar to that of Pulsar 250. The 250 twins come with sharp, aerodynamic design, which ensures a dominating street presence.Further enhancing the looks are sporty graphics in contrasting dual-tone colours. Some of the key features include LED projector headlamp, sculpted fuel tank, sharp belly pan, split seat design and compact stylish exhaust.2022 Bajaj Pulsar 150cc New GenOf course, new-gen Pulsar motorcycles will have their own distinctive features and styling. However, the core DNA will come from Pulsar 250 twins. New-gen Pulsar 125, 150 and 160 will also be able to accommodate advanced features that may not be possible to implement on existing models.2022 Bajaj Pulsar 150cc New GenJust for reference, Pulsar 250 twins are offered with new infinity display for better clarity and improved aesthetics, assist and slipper clutch, USB mobile charging port, gear indicator and distance to empty. In terms of safety, Pulsar 250 twins have been equipped with larger 300 mm front and 230 mm rear disc brakes with ABS. The bikes utilize an upgraded suspension for better control and handling. Larger tyres also help improve rider confidence.New-gen Pulsar 125, 150 and 160 engineTalking about the smallest Pulsar first, the new-gen model will most likely get an air-cooled, single cylinder, 4-stroke motor. Power and torque output will be largely in the same range as the current model that generates 11.8 PS of max power and 10.8 Nm of peak torque. However, the engine is likely to be tweaked to deliver improved response and higher fuel efficiency.2022 Bajaj Pulsar 150cc New GenNew-gen Pulsar 150 and 160 are also expected to use an updated version of their existing engine. Pulsar 150 has a 149.50cc motor that generates 14 PS / 13.25 Nm. Pulsar 160 is powered by a 160.3 cc motor that makes 17.2 PS and 14.6 Nm. New-gen versions of these bikes will have improved overall ride dynamics and possibly some additional mileage as well.Suspension systems on-board these new-gen Pulsar motorcycles can be updated to ensure smoother rides and user comfort. With the updates, a proportional price hike can be expected. Even then, Bajaj will ensure that its new-gen Pulsars continue to be the most value for money bikes in their respective segments.Source More

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      Oben Rorr Electric Motorcycle Spied – Testing Continues Post Launch

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      Oben Rorr will lock horns with other electric motorcycles like Revolt RV400 and Tork KratosOben Rorr Electric Motorcycle SpiedOben Electric became the latest entrant of locally bred electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing startups when the company introduced its first product- Rorr, earlier in March this year. The Bengaluru-based startup has already announced prices of the upcoming electric motorcycle at the time of its unveiling.Even after official price announcements there is no clarity on when deliveries of the electric bike will commence. In fact, latest spy shots suggest that Oben is currently carrying out pre-launch road tests for the Rorr electric motorcycle.Oben Rorr electric motorcycle SpiedAt the time of its launch, it was revealed that Oben would start conducting test rides for Rorr from May 2022 and deliveries of the electric motorcycle are expected to begin later in July. However, at this moment, it seems this deadline may be breached. Bookings for Oben Rorr are currently open at a token amount of Rs 999.Looking at the spy images, it appears as though the bike is being tested in a controlled environment probably somewhere in Bengaluru. This should indicate that there is plenty of time before the bike actually starts hitting the public roads. Another crucial aspect noticed is that a majority of body panels of the test unit were wrapped under camouflage. However, most of the details seem to be identical to the prototype which made its debut earlier this year.Oben Rorr Electric Motorcycle SpiedGetting into details of its design, Rorr gets a futuristic styling with minimal body panels. It receives a round LED headlamp with an integrated circular LED DRL, split-style seats, a raised tail section and split grab rails for a pillion. Battery pack is placed underneath the faux fuel tank. The bike rolls on 17-inch multi-spoke blacked-out alloy wheels that enhance its sporty appeal.Features, Hardware, Powertrain SpecsAs far as features go, Rorr has been equipped with an LCD instrument console that comes with smartphone connectivity via the Oben app. In terms of hardware, configurations are on par with its immediate rivals. Suspension setup comprises conventional telescopic forks upfront and a mono-shock at rear. Stopping duties are handled by disc brakes at both front and rear ends. However, it misses out on ABS.Oben Rorr is powered by a mid-ship mounted electric motor that produces 13.41 bhp and 62 Nm of peak torque. This electric motor drives the rear wheel through a belt drive and a single-speed gearbox. The motor derives its energy from a 4.4kWh lithium Ferro phosphate battery pack that is placed inside a die-cast aluminium casing. The battery pack comes with an IP67 rating.Prices of the Rorr electric motorcycle start from Rs 99,999 (ex-showroom, Maharashtra including FAME II and state subsidies). In Delhi, it has been priced at Rs 1.03 lakh; in Gujarat, it is priced at Rs 1.05 lakh; in Rajasthan it is Rs 1.15 lakh; whereas in Karnataka, Telangana and Tamil Nadu it is priced at Rs 1.25 lakh. More

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      2023 KTM 390 Duke New Gen Spied In India For First Time

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      While next-gen KTM 390 Duke will debut later this year in international markets, launch in India is likely in first half of 20232023 KTM Duke 390After launching updated versions of 390 Adventure and RC 390 in May, KTM has started working towards introducing new-gen 390 Duke in India. KTM 390cc bikes are currently the top selling KTM bikes in the country. They are also the most exported KTM bikes from India. All KTM and Husqvarna bikes are manufactured at Bajaj Auto’s Chakan facility near Pune.While new-gen 390 Duke was earlier spotted on road tests in Europe, this is the first time it’s been seen in India. The test mule was fully camouflaged and appeared close to production-ready form. It is evident that the bike packs in a range of updates for a sportier look and feel.KTM 390 Duke Next-Gen stylingFront fascia of new-gen 390 Duke has been updated with a more aggressive headlamp. Functionality of the headlamp will be retained, which is claimed to offer improved visibility in low light and dark conditions. The bike can be seen with new tank shrouds that are much sharper as compared to that of current model. Towards the tail section, the bike appears to have added some new panels. Overall, the bike’s design aesthetics seems to be closely following its larger sibling, the 1290 Super Duke R.Beyond the skin, the bike can be seen using an updated cast aluminium subframe. This again appears similar to that of larger capacity Dukes. Swingarm has also been updated with a new, asymmetrical unit. The current model has the standard, flat bar swingarm design. Some features like the lightweight alloy wheels have been borrowed from KTM’s updated RC range.In other updates, placement of the front disc has been changed to right side. The bike has been equipped with an underbelly exhaust, which enhances its sporty profile. The current model utilizes an upswept exhaust that comes in dual-tone black-metallic finish.With these changes, KTM appears to be targeting multiple improvements. It includes reducing the bike’s weight and enhancing control and handling. With improved power to weight ratio, performance could also get a boost.New TFT consoleNew-gen KTM 390 Duke will have an updated TFT display with revised layout. It can now display more information, as compared to the one used with current model. It is possible that new features like turn-by-turn navigation could be added. Some new connectivity features could also be on the cards. Another update could be emergency brake light system, which activates during hard braking. In this situation, all indicators are flashed at the same time to warn other road users.While the engine casing seems new, it is not certain if there will be any direct performance improvements. The current model is powered by a 373.2cc liquid cooled motor that generates max power of 43.5 hp and peak torque of 37 Nm. It is mated to a 6-speed transmission. The engine is integrated with a quickshifter and slipper clutch. With the updates, new-gen KTM 390 Duke price could exceed the Rs 3 lakh mark. The current model is available at a starting price of somewhere around Rs 2.90 lakh. More

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      Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 Scram And ADV – Spied Together

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      One can expect the new Himalayan 450 to be an improved product in almost every respectRoyal Enfield Himalayan 450 Scram and ADVRoyal Enfield is right in the middle of modernizing its entire product portfolio. After getting the Meteor up and running, the retro-classic specialist has turned its attention to renovating the Himalayan adventure tourer. RE is also busy developing a new variant of its 350 cc family in the form of Hunter 350.New Royal Enfield Himalayan 450Pre-series prototypes of next gen Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 have made a habit of getting photographed while they are on a mission to accumulate crucial test miles. This time, the new adventure tourer was captured along with what appears to be its scrambler sibling (we will talk about it later). Spy shots are credited to automotive enthusiast Karunakaran.As the development process progresses, the prototypes are inching closer to production version, and we like what we see. New RE Himalayan 450 appears to be enjoying a significantly improved level of perceived quality. Hardware enhancements come in the form of a new frame which is expected to be sturdier (better off-road performance), new inverted front forks and an all-new 450 cc single-cylinder liquid-cooled motor.Nothing much is known about the engine as of now but we bet it will have much better output figures than the outgoing 411 cc air and oil-cooled unit which develops a rather modest 24 hp and 32 Nm of torque. It is also being said that the new engine will offer ride-by-wire technology which will enable ride modes. The RE loyalists would definitely love the boost in highway performance the new heart promises to bring on board.Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 ADVOther noteworthy changes include a larger fuel tank which will translate into improved range, wider and more comfortable 2-piece seats, a digital instrument cluster which is likely to incorporate smartphone connectivity of turn-by-turn navigation and an array of provisions for touring accessories. The motorcycle appears to have retained its predecessors 21-inch front and 17-inch rear spoke wheels shod with dual-purpose tyres.Royal Enfield Scram 450 in the making?Interestingly, the Himalayan 450 was accompanied by another test mule. In the earlier post, we mentioned this motorcycle as Hunter 350. But that is not correct. Hat tip to our readers for the help. This new test mule is believed to be a scrambler version of the new Himalayan 450 ADV. Upon launch next year, the H450 twins are likely to have a similar setup on offer by RE, like the current Himalayan 411 and Scram 411.New Royal Enfield Scram 450 seems to be equipped with suspension setup (front gets conventional forks, against USD on ADV version), frame and engine identical to those of the former. The circular headlamp, simple instrument dial, flat handlebar and heavily contoured single-piece seat makes it a textbook scrambler. This variant adopts 17-inch alloy wheels with dual purpose tyres and a conventional telescopic front forks instead of the adventure tourer’s upside-down setup. The scrambler variant also features a different fuel tank.Royal Enfield Scram 450 HimalayanGiven that developing a new liquid-cooled engine ground up comes with a huge investment, it makes sense to maximize the return by employing it in more than just one product. We won’t be surprised if RE’s new mid-size motor finds itself on-board more products in addition to the new Himalayan and its Scrambler derivative.We expect RE to debut the new Himalayan 450 sometime later this year, probably at EICMA 2022 in Milan in November. The Scram 450 is also expected to debut at the same event, if not, it will follow in a few months’ time. With vast improvements and state-of-the-art technologies, the Indian adventure tourer will be a much more appealing prospect than its predecessor not only in the domestic market but also in the international markets. More