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      2021 KTM RC 125 Side View Spied – Pillion Seat Higher Than R15 V3?

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      2021 KTM RC 125 / RC 200. Image – ChinmayKTM will launch a completely revamped RC lineup in India which includes RC 125, RC 200 and RC 390 sometime during the course of this year
      KTM had commenced trial production of the next generation RC 200 at the end of last year. We expected the updated faired motorcycle to make its debut by the first quarter of this year. However, there are no signs of the motorcycle as of now.
      Although, on a couple of instances, the new RC 200 has been spotted testing on Indian roads in recent months which suggests that the motorcycle is still in its developmental phase. Another set of spy shots of the upcoming faired sports bike has emerged online where a test mule is seen conducting pre-launch tests.
      RC 200 Revised Styling
      Even though the prototype was wrapped under heavy camouflage, we could notice certain design aspects which had been taken over from RC 390. One thing is for sure, that the upcoming RC range will wear a completely different top hot compared to its predecessor.
      The biggest variation noticed is the single-piece headlamp as opposed to a twin-pod headlamp cluster. The halogen unit is flanked by a similar LED DRL strip on its borders. In addition, it also gets a taller windscreen and new LED turn indicators which are integrated onto the wing mirrors.
      2021 KTM RC 125 / RC 200. Image – Chinmay
      The revised windscreen has been designed not only to provide better protection from the wind but also to enhance its aerodynamic properties. The new split seating setup is certainly not as attractive as the previous model but looks more convenient and hopefully more convenient.
      The spy shots indicate a more compliant riding position which includes handlebars fitted closer to the rider and center set footpegs that offer an upright riding stance. Other notable changes witnessed are redesigned 5-spoke alloy wheels finished in Electric Orange, slimmer fairing and proper split grab rails. Pillion seat has been raised significantly.
      New Features
      In addition to all the updates mentioned above, the upcoming RC 125 / 200 also gets a new underbelly exhaust setup and a new rear subframe. Previous spy pics also revealed that the bike will get new body graphics and decals that will accentuate its sporty appeal. The latest spy pics also reveal a new and larger TFT digital instrument console which is expected to feature smartphone connectivity via Bluetooth.
      2021 KTM RC 125 / RC 200. Image – Chinmay
      RC 200 Updated Design
      Not only RC 200 but the Austrian bikemaker is looking to completely overhaul its entire RC lineup in India including RS 125 and RC 390. Latest spy shots of RC 390 also suggest a completely revamped design. The new generation faired sports bike also features a heavily redesigned front end with dual projector headlamps being replaced by a single headlamp unit. However, unlike its smaller sibling, it gets a full LED lighting setup.
      Like RC 200, front fairing of RC 390 also looks revised which gives it a sharper look and improved aerodynamic efficiency. The shape of the fuel tank has been altered too which also seems to have improved rider ergonomics. The split seat setup of RC 390 is uncannily similar to its smaller sibling although the pillion seat still looks very inaccessible for its height. RC 125, on the other hand, is likely to wear a similar look to RC 200 which would feature a compact fairing.
      2021 KTM RC 125 / RC 200. Image – Chinmay
      Updated RC Lineup Powertrain
      As far as performance is concerned, all three motorcycles are expected to carry forward their respective powertrains. RC 125 will be powered by a 125cc, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine which pushes out 14.5 bhp and 12 Nm of peak torque. RC 200 will draw its power from a 199.5cc, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine that pumps out 24.6 bhp and 19.2 Nm of torque.
      And finally, RC 390 would derive its energy from the same 373cc single-cylinder, liquid-cooled motor that churns out 44 bhp and 35 Nm of torque. While RC 125’s motor is likely to be paired with a 5-speed transmission, the other two are expected to be offered with a 6-speed gearbox. All three bikes will be built on a Trellis frame suspended on USD WP forks at front and a mono-shock unit at rear. More

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      Harley Davidson 300cc Segment Roadster Leaks – Rival To Royal Enfield

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      Harley Davidson 300cc Roadster. Image – Cycle World.Harley Davidson recently quit independent operations in India and has entered into an agreement with Hero MotoCorp for sales and service
      Earlier in 2019,  Harley Davidson had confirmed its partnership with Chinese bikemaker Qianjiang, the parent company of Italian brand Benelli. Although there were no official updates regarding the projects to be undertaken by this joint venture, speculations indicated that a new entry-level roadster would be developed under the iconic American brand.
      Further, it suggested that this naked motorcycle would be based on Benelli 302S and would specially cater to developing markets of Asia. Late last year, Harley revealed the 338R Street Tracker concept based on 302S but with a different heart altogether. Many believed that this bike could be the American bikemaker’s upcoming naked streetfighter.
      Now, images of a new concept have emerged online that looks more like a typical Harley Davidson and this concept might eventually supersede the 338R Street Tracker idea. Design sketches courtesy of Qianjiang reveal a more conventional cruiser motorcycle which reminds us of a signature Harley Davidson style. Although branded as QJMotor, the bike’s Harley-esque styling cannot be overlooked.
      New Motor
      The documents revealing the concept model also accompany some images and information regarding its specifications. The major highlight being a 296cc V-twin motor which has been rated at around 30 bhp. This power figure might not be exceptionally high but its relatively low kerb weight of 163kg would mean a healthy power to weight ratio and spirited performance.
      Harley Davidson 300cc Roadster. Image – Cycle World.
      Design Highlights & Inspiration H-D Iron 883
      Named as SRV300, the teaser images show that the motorcycle takes evident design inspirations from Harley Davidson’s most popular cruiser Iron 883. Other than a water-cooled, overhead-cam V-Twin motor with a neatly fitted radiator and upside-down forks at front, the model closely resembles the iconic American bobber with a similar design philosophy.
      The motorcycle stands on all-black alloy wheels that feature polished highlights on the edges of the black-painted spokes. Also, the guard for the belt drive gets a holed look similar to a Harley.
      Some other highlights which the QJ SRV300 shared with its American cousin are a typical low stance, a low saddle, tapered handlebar, forward-set footpegs, teardrop-shaped fuel tank and a round headlamp. Although everything is scaled down. For instance, alloy wheel sizes are 16-inch for front and 15-inch for the rear while wheelbase has been pegged at 1400mm. The documents reveal that it can clock a top speed of 80 mph (around 130 kmph) and its safety kit includes ABS.
      Harley Davidson 300cc Roadster. Image – Cycle World.
      This iteration of the SRV300 bobber, as indicated in the documents, would be retailed as a ‘QJ’ branded motorcycle. Only the Chinese manufacturer could reveal if the bike is a product of its partnership with Harley. There is no mention of an exact launch timeline or price. We guess we have no option but to wait for further details to emerge regarding the upcoming cruiser. Once launched, it will be a perfect rival to motorcycles from Royal Enfield.
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      2021 Bajaj Pulsar 150 New Matte Red Colour Twin Disc Variant Launch Soon

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      2021 Bajaj Pulsar 150 – Matte Red ColourBajaj Auto will soon launch new colour schemes on Pulsar 150 and Pulsar 180 models
      Recently, we reported a new colour scheme for the 2021 Bajaj Pulsar 150. As it appears, the Moon White Edition was presented in the single disc variant while the twin disc variant gets a new colour scheme using the same colour combination although in different proportions. Pulsar 180 is seen with new blue colour.
      Updated Cosmetics
      In another video by Jet wheels, the split seat, twin-disc variant of Pulsar 150 is shown with a three-one paint scheme just like the Moon White Edition except in this case the most prominent colour being matte red instead of white. The predominant red paint is complemented by contrasting shades of black and white.
      2021 Bajaj Pulsar 150 – Matte Red Colour
      The unique colour combination makes for very tasteful and attractive body graphics. The front of the motorcycle, as usual, is covered in a black shade which is complemented by the tri-colour graphics.
      The front fender has been painted in gloss black with a carbon fibre finish. Similar carbon fibre treatments are seen on the central toolbox panel and rear fender. It rolls on blacked-out alloy wheels which get a white colour stripe on its rims. Mechanical components such as the engine-gearbox assembly, central body panel, exhaust pipe and engine guard have been finished in matte black.
      2021 Bajaj Pulsar 150 – Matte Red Colour
      Just like the Moon White Edition, mechanical components such as the engine-gearbox assembly, central body panel, exhaust pipe and engine guard are painted in black. Additionally, design of the ‘150’ branding on the rear fender is also revised slightly.
      Most of the body components have been given matte-black finish treatments while some of its components such as an exhaust cover, pillion grab rails and a clip-on handlebar.
      Mechanical Specs
      In terms of specifications, it is powered by the same BS6 compliant 149.5cc air-cooled single-cylinder fuel-injected motor which is able to generate and is linked to a 5-speed gearbox. The hardware setup of this new colour variant is also identical to the existing model.
      [embedded content]
      The frame of the bike is suspended on conventional telescopic forks at front and dual springs with adjustable preload at rear. Braking setup in this model consists of disc brakes at both ends with rotors of 280mm and 230mm dia at front and rear respectively.
      In terms of features, it still gets a part-digital and part-analogue instrument console. It gets a halogen headlight with an LED taillight and turn indicators. Safety net is provided by a single-channel ABS as standard across the range. It is expected to be priced at a premium of Rs 2000-3000 over the regular twin disc variant of Pulsar 150. Upon its launch, it will continue to be pitted against the likes of TVS Apache RTR 160, Honda Unicorn, Yamaha FZS Fi. More

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      Bajaj Pulsar 180 Blue Colour Launch Soon – Detailed First Look

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      2021 Bajaj Pulsar 180 – New Blue Colour
      Bajaj dominates 150-200cc segment and Pulsar 180 is one of its bestsellers

      Known for its powerful performance, Bajaj Pulsar 180 2021 model gets new colour option of Blue. The bike also gets sporty graphics to enhance its overall look and feel. Current model of Pulsar 180 is available in only Black Red colour option. Bajaj has also added new colour to Pulsar 150.
      2021 Bajaj Pulsar 180 new colour and features
      Bajaj has chosen a dark matte blue shade for 2021 Pulsar 180, which enriches its dominating character. For a sportier appeal, the bike gets new dual-tone black and white graphics. These can be seen on the headlamp cowl, engine cowl, fuel tank, side panels and rear tail section. The new graphics looks much better as compared to the graphics on the existing Black Red variant.
      2021 Bajaj Pulsar 180 – New Blue Colour
      Another cosmetic update is glossy sticker on the front mudguard. In line with the overall theme, the bike also gets white colour alloy wheel decals. For a more intense look, the exhaust heat shield has been blacked out. The exhaust heat shield comes in chrome finish on existing Pulsar 180. All these changes have helped enhance the motorcycle’s road presence.
      Features that are same as earlier include the stylish LED tail lamp, semi-digital instrument cluster, sporty split seats, upswept exhaust, split rear grab rails and sleek tail lamps.
      2021 Bajaj Pulsar 180 – New Blue Colour
      2021 Bajaj Pulsar 180 engine
      Powering 2021 Bajaj Pulsar 180 is the same engine as earlier. The 178.6 cc, air cooled, DTS-i Fi unit is capable of generating 17.02 PS of max power @ 8500 rpm and 14.52 Nm of peak torque at 6500 rpm. This is mated to a 5-speed gearbox. As per user reviews, Pulsar 180 has fuel efficiency of around 40-45 kmpl.
      Most other mechanical parts are also the same as earlier. The bike has telescopic front suspension with anti-friction brush and Nitrox rear shock absorber with 5-way adjustability. Pulsar 180 has disc brakes at both ends (280 mm front and 230 mm rear), integrated with single channel ABS.
      2021 Bajaj Pulsar 180 price
      With the updates, 2021 Bajaj Pulsar 180 is expected to become pricier. The current model is available at a starting price of Rs 1.08 lakh (ex-showroom, New Delhi). 2021 Pulsar 180 will continue to rival the likes of TVS Apache RTR 180, Honda Hornet 2.0 and Hero Xtreme 160R.
      [embedded content]
      2021 marks a new innings for Pulsar 180, as it was reintroduced earlier this year in February. As may be recalled, Bajaj had discontinued Pulsar 180 in 2019 and replaced it with 180F. The new model is around 7k cheaper than Pulsar 180F.
      In the future, Bajaj will be expanding the Pulsar range with Pulsar NS250 and RS250. These will share their engine and platform with KTM 250 Duke. More

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      2021 Bajaj Pulsar 150 New White Colour At Dealer Showroom – Launch Soon

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      2021 Bajaj Pulsar White Colour
      Apart from revised cosmetics, the Moon White Edition of Bajaj Pulsar 150 is identical to the regular model in terms of specs and features

      Bajaj Pulsar is arguably one of the most popular sporty commuter range of motorcycles in India along with its arch nemesis TVS Apache. Out of all different iterations Pulsar 150, is the most sold model wearing the ‘Pulsar’ branding. The Chakan-based two wheeler manufacturer is all set to introduce a new colour scheme in India soon.
      A video uploaded by Jet wheels on YouTube takes a walk around this upcoming new variant of Pulsar 150 which sports this bright new colour scheme. This edition of the entry-level sports commuter bike is called Moon White Edition and comes with a lovely dual-tone paint scheme with shades of white and black which are complemented by red accents.
      2021 Bajaj Pulsar White Colour
      Updated Aesthetics
      The red highlights on the motorcycle accentuate the motorcycle’s sporty appeal. Along with the unique paint option, this variant of Pulsar 150 will also receive attractive body graphics. Apart from this, the front mudguard receives carbon fibre stickering with a gloss black treatment given to it.
      It stands on blacked-out alloy wheels which also get red stripes on its rims. Mechanical components such as the engine-gearbox assembly, central body panel, exhaust pipe and engine guard are painted in black.
      [embedded content]
      More carbon fibre treatments are seen on the rear fender and toolbox cover. In addition, design of the ‘150’ branding has also been altered slightly. While the entire body receives matte finish components such as its clip-on handlebar, exhaust cover and pillion grab rail are finished in gloss black. It receives the same part-digital and part-analogue instrument cluster.
      Faux carbon fiber sticker
      Specifications
      In terms of specifications, this upcoming Moon White Edition will be identical to the regular Pulsar 150. It features the same 149.5cc air-cooled single-cylinder fuel-injected motor which produces 13.8 bhp and 13.4 Nm of peak torque and is paired with a 5-speed gearbox.
      The new variant also uses the same hardware setup which consists of telescopic forks at front and dual springs with adjustable preload at rear. The braking setup comprises a standard disc brake at front with the option of either a drum brake or disc brake at rear. Safety net is provided by a single-channel ABS as standard.
      2021 Bajaj Pulsar White Colour
      Apart from the new colour option, Bajaj offers six colour schemes on Pulsar 150 range. In addition, the company offers three neon colour options- neon red, neon yellow and neon silver for the updated Neon series. This new Moon White Edition is expected to be priced at a premium of Rs 2000-3000 the existing Pulsar 150 range. Pulsar 150 competes against the likes of TVS Apache RTR 160, Yamaha FZ-S Fi and Honda Unicorn. More

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      Honda CB500X India Launch Price Rs 6.87 L – As A CKD

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      2021 Honda CB500X launched in India via CKD route
      India-spec Honda CB500X is similar to its international counterpart and gets the same 471cc parallel-twin motor

      With the recent expansion of the BigWing network in India, Honda is looking to expand its footprint in the premium segment of motorcycles in the country. It launched a classic retro-style motorcycle in the form of H’Ness CB350 which has been a huge success considering its limited availability.
      This was followed by a scrambler version of H’Ness called CB350 RS which recently made its debut in the market. Now, the Japanese automaker has launched its first mid-displacement adventure tourer in the form of CB500X which will also be retailed exclusively through BigWing chain of dealerships.
      The adventure motorcycle segment has surely gathered pace in recent months with attractive new offerings from several brands. Currently, this segment boasts of entry-level ADV motorcycles like Hero Xpulse 200, Royal Enfield Himalayan, BMW G 310 GS, KTM 250 Adventure and 390 Adventure.
      Design
      In terms of design, it looks like a proper contemporary adventure tourer with a tall adjustable windscreen, a big fuel tank, a stepped-up seat, an upswept exhaust and staggered spoke alloy wheel shod by all-terrain tyres. As far as features are concerned, it will boast full LED lighting, a fully digital LCD instrument cluster and dual-channel ABS.
      Honda CB500X – India Spec
      Mechanical Specs
      In terms of mechanicals, it is powered by a 471cc parallel-twin, liquid-cooled DOHC motor that pushes out 47 PS of maximum power at 8,500rpm and 43.2 Nm of peak torque at 6500rpm. This unit is linked to a six-speed gearbox with a slipper and assist clutch for quick gear shifts. The frame is suspended on 41mm telescopic forks at front with 150mm of travel and a nine-position preload adjustable mono-shock at rear with a travel of 135mm.
      It rides on 19-inch front and 17-inch rear alloy wheels with 110/80 and 160/60 section of tyres respectively. Braking duties are handled by 320mm front and 230mm rear disc brakes. Going by these numbers, it looks as if it is more of a road-biased adventure tourer. Globally it is considered one of the best adventure motorcycles in its segment.
      India Price
      In India, CB500X will rival Benelli TRK 502. It is brought to the country as a Completely Knocked Down (CKD) unit and is priced from Rs 6.87 lakh (ex-sh, Gurgaon). This makes it an affordable option for those who do not want to the more powerful Kawasaki Versys 650. Bookings of Honda CB500X are open from today at Honda’s premium big bike dealerships – BigWing Topline & BigWing across India.
      Mr. Yadvinder Singh Guleria, Director – Sales & Marketing, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Pvt. Ltd., said, “Driven by the passion of fun riders in India and further strengthening our offerings in the mid-size premium motorcycle segment, CB500X will entice adventure enthusiasts who believe in exploring unconventional trails. This machine serves as a companion for city rides and is beast on unraveled paths. The parallel twin-cylinder engine offers easy-to-access power and plenty of torque. Together with tough adventure styling, long-travel suspension, a tall windscreen and more, CB500X invites you to Live Unlike the Others.” More

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      Royal Enfield Tops Clean Manufacturing Test With BMW, Honda, KTM, Yamaha, Suzuki, Kawasaki, Ducati

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      Royal Enfield motorcycles are manufactured at company plant in Chennai, India.
      Japanese motorcycle manufacturers along with their European counterparts are considered clean enough barring those from Italian manufacturers

      Ever wondered which bike manufacturer has the cleanest running motors. No, we are not exactly talking about emission standards of a motorcycle which are very much equal thanks to emission standards. We are talking about the preciseness of the company’s manufacturing process which results in minimum quantities of impurities getting through an engine from an assembly line.
      Test by FortNine
      FortNine recently collaborated with a laboratory that evaluated similar criteria for various car makers across the world. The lab tests the first service oil from various manufacturers and checks the presence of impurities of different magnitudes and sizes which are a result of less than a perfect manufacturing process.
      A similar evaluation was conducted for several motorcycle manufacturers. FortNine collected first service engine oil from twelve random brands of motorcycles and sent them to the labs for testing. These brands are Royal Enfield, BMW, KTM, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Honda, Triumph, Suzuki, Harley Davidson, Aprilia, Ducati and Yin Xiang.
      The results which arrived recently, around seven months later, might be a little surprising to motorcycle enthusiasts, especially those from India. Royal Enfield has beaten the rest, and managed to top the list in the clean manufacturing process test.
      Clean Manufacturing Test Result – Credit FortNine
      Quantity & Nature of Impurities
      The impurity measured were of various sizes with particles ranging from less than 5 micrometres to 100 micrometres. The laboratory even tried evaluating larger particles but some of the samples were so messed up that they formed alliances with smaller sized impurities which made it hard for scientists to make an accurate reading. However, readings taken were pretty consistent for impurity particles of all sizes. Take a look at the detailed test video below.
      [embedded content]
      While impurities such as carbon and metal shavings are expected to be part of any automobile assembly line and likely to trickle into an engine, the findings suggested presence of other uncommon impurity materials such as cloth fibre, sand, plastic, chips of wood and others. 100ml of each sample was tested for the quality of engine oil, the presence of carbon content in it and the magnitude of impurities.
      Yin Xiang Performs Worst
      However, impurities in the Chinese manufacturer Yin Xiang’s sample were so large and frequent that scientists could only test 25ml of the sample and multiplied the result into four. No wonder that the manufacturer recorded over an astounding 11.88 million impurity particles in its sample which measured less than 5 micrometres. Two Italian manufacturers Aprilia and Ducati were the next with impurities worth 2.3 and 1.8 million respectively.
      Clean Manufacturing Test Result – Credit FortNine
      Iconic American motorcycle brand Harley Davidson also did not have a favourable result as it fared just a little better than its Italian counterparts. Rest of the makers were considered as clean enough at least for now. While most motors will not have a problem complying with stricter emission norms in future, the Italians and the Chinese manufacturers will have their task cut out.
      Royal Enfield-Cleanest of All
      The surprising part was that the list was topped by none other than India’s Royal Enfield which had the least number of impurity particulates in its sample. Therefore, it is considered to be one of the cleanest motors, if not the cleanest, in the world.
      Currently, lead is used to manufacture spinning parts of motorcycles which is soft enough to absorb impurities rather than grinding them. However, stricter emission norms will ban use of heavy metals which means no more lead. This will pose further challenges to manufacturers in coming days More

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      Honda CB350 Recalled Over Defective Transmission Component

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      File photo of CB350 at service. Image – Abhinav Bhatt.
      The recall campaign will kick start on March 23 and the concerned customers will be notified by the company thorough telephone, SMS or email

      The Honda CB350’s strong run has suffered a minor setback in the form of a voluntary recall. Honda Motorcycle Scooter India (HMSI) has announced a recall of CB350 units that were manufactured between 25th November and 12 December.
      Honda CB350 recall
      The company has not revealed how many units were affected by the recall but considering that the production was constrained during the early phases of the launch, we don’t expect the numbers to be very high. It has come to light that a wrong grade of material was used in on of the retro-classic roadster’s transmission components. To be precise, the 4th gear on the countershaft is the potentially problematic component.
      While HMSI maintains that no failure or incidents related to the defect has been reported till date, the material mix up could lead to a bit of issues as the vehicle ages and the component undergoes more and more work cycles.
      When does it start?
      The recall campaign is set to commence on 23rd of March through Honda’s BigWing premium motorcycle dealerships across the country. The defective component in question will be replaced free of cost.
      Honda CB350
      The dealership should be contacting the concerned customers in the coming days. If you happen to own a Honda CB350, you can visit Hondabigwing.in website and check if your motorcycle is covered by the recall campaign or not by entering your VIN number in the dedicated section.
      The recall does not affect the recently launched derivative, the Honda CB350RS. Despite retailing its 350 family of motorcycles only through limited number of outlets, Honda has managed to quickly dispatch 10,000 units in a short span of time. The company is sitting on a healthy number of orders as well.
      Specs at a glance
      The Honda CB350 is the Japanese brand’s answer to the immensely popular Royal Enfield 350 family. Designed and developed specifically for the Indian market, the retro-classic roadster is equipped with a 348 cc motor which is tuned to deliver 21 hp and 30 Nm of torque. The performance figures are in the ballpark of the touring segment. The engine is paired with a 5-speed gearbox.
      Salient features include LED headlamp, assist and slipper clutch, digi-analog instrument cluster with smartphone enabled voice control system, dual-channel ABS, alloy wheels and so on.
      While a recall this early in its market run could be seen as a chink in its armor, we don’t expect this issue to adversely affect the popularity of the motorcycle of its appeal. It will continue to rival the Royal Enfield Meteor 350 and Classic 350. Royal Enfield is also preparing a sporty roadster that could go by the name Hunter 350. More