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      in Bike

      Kawasaki Ninja 300 Arrives At Dealer Showroom – First Look Walkaround

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      2021 Kawasaki Ninja 300 BS6. Image – Vinod Nareshan
      The updated Kawasaki Ninja 300 will rival the likes of TVS Apache RR 310, Suzuki Gixxer SF250 and the upcoming KTM RC 390

      Ninja brand of motorcycles from Kawasaki holds a very special place in the hearts of all speed-loving biking enthusiasts from India. The updated Ninja 300 has started reaching dealerships across the country.
      In the latest pics, a dealership in India is shown formally revealing the latest iteration of baby Ninja. Its launch price has been set at Rs 3.18 lakh (ex-showroom) which is Rs 20,000 more than the previous BS4 model. On road Mumbai price is Rs 3.68 lakh.
      2021 Kawasaki Ninja 300 BS6
      Overall Styling
      The updates on the new Ninja are very limited, subtle and only limited to minute cosmetic variations. In terms of design, there is not much difference between the BS6 and BS4 models. Most design elements of the previous version of Ninja 300 have been carried forward to the recently launched iteration of the bike.
      This includes a twin-pod headlight cluster, a muscular fuel tank, split-style seats, aggressive split headlamps, a chrome heat shield on the muffler, upswept exhaust and front blinkers on the fairing. The unveiling at dealership and a short video walkaround of the new Kawasaki Ninja 300 can be seen below. Video is credit to Vinod Nareshan.
      [embedded content]
      Large ventilation holes on Ninja 300 are inspired by the brand’s flagship ZX-14R. It also gets three new colour options which give the motorcycle a fresh appeal. These are- Lime Green, Candy Lime Green and Ebony.
      The first one is our pick since it gets a white engine cowl on its underbelly with red accents which are definitely the highlight to watch out for in the new Ninja 300. The riding stature is as usual leaning forward and it sports a minimalist design at the tail section.
      Mechanical Specs
      Mechanically, the new Ninja 300 is every bit identical to its predecessor. It is built on a tube diamond steel frame which is suspended on 37 mm telescopic forks at front and a preload-adjustable mono-shock at rear.
      2021 Kawasaki Ninja 300 BS6
      Stopping duties are carried out by 290mm and 220mm petal disc brakes at front and rear with power delivered by dual-piston calipers on both ends. Safety net is provided by dual-channel ABS as standard. It retains the semi-digital instrument console.
      Coming to its powertrain, the faired race machine draws power from a BS6 compliant 296cc, parallel-twin, liquid-cooled engine that could push out 38.4 bhp of power at 11,000 rpm and 27 Nm of peak torque at 10,000 rpm. It is paired with a 6-speed gearbox with a slip and assist clutch for quicker and smoother gear shifts. The same engine-gearbox combination is also likely to be offered in Versys X300 which is expected to be the Japanese bikemaker’s next big launch. More

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      Bajaj Platina 110 ABS Launch Price Rs 66k – Rs 1k More Than H Gear

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      Bajaj Platina 110 ABS
      Platina is the first 110 cc commuter motorcycle in India to get ABS

      In a move that could make rivals sit up and take notice, Bajaj has launched its popular Platina 110 motorcycle with ABS. This will be a segment-first feature that could attract customers looking for improved safety.
      As per rules, ABS is mandatory only for two-wheelers above 125cc. For below 125cc motorcycles, it is mandatory to have combined breaking system (CBS). Platina 110 current model has CBS. It has 240mm disc at the front and 110 mm drum brake at the rear with CBS. The ABS variant will have single-channel ABS integrated with the front disc brake.
      Bajaj Platina 110 ABS other updates
      To ensure that the ABS variant does not become too pricey, Bajaj has downgraded some of the features available with current model (Platina H-gear). For example, the semi-digital instrument console has been replaced with a completely analogue unit. Platina 110 ABS has analogue speedometer and odometer unit on the left, which also displays the ABS icon. On the right, there is analogue fuel gauge along with other standard indictors.
      In comparison, the semi-digital instrument console on-board Platina 110 H-gear model has features such as trip meter, gear shift indicator, low battery indicator and clock. Another cost cutting measure is a standard sticker that replaces the 3D ‘Platina’ logo on the fuel tank.
      Bajaj Platina 110 ABS
      To create a distinct identity for Platina 110 ABS variant, Bajaj has introduced some visual updates. Key among them is white coloured alloy wheels.  It is to note that other Bajaj motorcycles such as the premium Pulsar RS and NS range have this type of styling. In other updates, turn indicators have been replaced with sleeker units and there is ‘ABS’ branding in gold shade.
      Bajaj Platina 110 ABS engine
      Bajaj Platina 110 ABS will continue using the 115.45 cc, single cylinder, electronic injection engine that is capable of generating 8.6 PS of max power at 7000 rpm and 9.81 Nm of peak torque at 5000 rpm. It is mated to a 5-speed gearbox.
      Suspension system will also be the same as earlier; telescopic units at the front and Nitrox gas canister based rear suspension. Bajaj Platina 110 ABS will continue to offer superior comfort to users, which has been one of its primary USPs.
      Bajaj introducing a premium safety feature in its 110 cc monocycle is commendable. However, it remains to be seen if the strategy translates into sale volumes. Platina 110 ABS is priced at Rs 65,926 while the current model H Gear retails at a starting price of Rs 64,685 (ex-showroom, New Delhi). Price is an important factor in this segment, so not all customers may be willing to pay a higher price.
      Mr Sarang Kanade, President – Domestic Motorcycles Business Unit, Bajaj Auto Ltd said, “The new Platina 110 ABS offers unmatched safety by offering riders complete control over unforeseen braking scenarios. We hope that millions of Indians who ride across varying terrains & roads of the country would take cognizance of the need to keep themselves & their loved ones safe and upgrade to the best-in-segment braking technology. The brand Platina has an unmatched proposition of Comfort with over 7 million satisfied customers as a testament to its segment-leading attributes and now with the addition of ABS, it remains a generation ahead of its competitors.” More

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      in Electric Cars

      Tata Nexon Electric Removed From Delhi EV Policy Subsidy List

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      Tata Nexon Electric Subsidy Removed
      Tata Nexon EV de-listed from Delhi EV Policy subsidy eligibility until further notice

      There’s no denying that if one were to opt for an electric car, the options in India are limited to the point of being disadvantageous for the buyer. You either buy this, that, or that. Nothing more. And now trouble seems to be brewing in this limited scope. 
      The matter first surfaced in February 2021 when the company was given the opportunity to counter complaints raised. When it comes to EVs, Delhi has for long been wanting to lead the charge where EV adoption is concerned. This translates into actual benefits for electric car buyers.
      One is offered a purchase incentive of 10 grands per kWh of battery capacity. The max incentive is capped at Rs 1.5 lakhs and is available to the first 1,000 electric cars to be registered in Delhi. Additional benefits include Road Tax, and reg fee waivers. Under the Delhi EV incentive policy, Tata Nexon EV ZX+ was approved.
      ARAI test result
      As is rampant in marketing material, and media information, Nexon EV single charge drive range is stated at 312 kms. A vehicle owner refuted the claim saying his car never provided a range of more than 200 kms. He did follow all advice offered by the dealership (Treo, Safdarjung Enclave) in question. No amount of effort resulted in range improvement. Tata Motors was issued a show cause notice, and a rep countered the matter at hand.
      Mr Gahlot, Cabinet Minister, Govt of NCT of Delhi
      In short, Tata says the Tata Nexon EV got 312 kms on a single full charge during mandatory testing by ARAI. There’s no subjective representation of range of kms on a single charge. Its vehicle has a minimum range of 140 kms as per norm, which also serves as an eligibility criteria for said Policy. Actual range varies on independent factors including use of AC, driving pattern, real-time traffic conditions, and on-ground conditions, User familiarity with new tech is also mentioned. Tata Motors implies that as customers get familiar with the EV, results improve in 4-6 weeks. 
      Tata Motors assertions
      Reasoning furnished by Tata Motors was found to be non-satisfactory.  The body determined that while ARAI testing of 312 kms has value, it’s not sufficient to undermine the complainant’s result, which is based on actual and real time experience. ARAI isn’t responsible for granting each and every Tata unit will function optimally and the particular piece and model could be faulty.
      Despite the situation having come to a head, Tata Motors hasn’t taken any corrective measure to disprove the component by involving any independent third party. A recent post on social media saw a Doc discuss the EVs range in an adverse manner. Which means, this is not an isolated incident, and the ruling body finds merit in the second complaint made by a responsible person in society.
      Pending further investigation
      In simple words, the ruling says, ‘Such a vehicle isn’t expected to perform in a manner, which isn’t in the interest of the very objective behind the said policy.’ Given the situation, the manufacturer can’t be allowed to benefit from the subsidy, as Tata Motor’s is essentially undermining it. The governing body’s stance is clear and looks to be safeguarding customer interest. As a conclusion, if strict action isn’t taken, general public maybe discouraged to rely on range claims made by OEMs. And this is a basic buyer expectation.
      Complainants’ claims as well as assertions made by Tata Motors will now be verified by a specially constituted committee before a final decision is made. In the meantime, until a final report is pending, and to prevent further adverse fallout on the EV policy and its clearly outlined objectives, the situation necessitates the suspension of the Tata Nexon EV listing.

      Tata Nexon Subsidy De-listed from Delhi EV Policy

      Tata Nexon Subsidy De-listed from Delhi EV Policy

      Tata Nexon Subsidy De-listed from Delhi EV Policy

      Tata Nexon Subsidy De-listed from Delhi EV Policy More

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      in Bike

      Okinawa Electric Motorcycle Oki 100 Launch Soon – First Teaser Released

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      Okinawa Electric Motorcycle Teaser
      Save for the battery cells, all the other components of the electric bike will be sourced locally

      Okinawa Autotech showcased the Oki 100 electric motorcycle in the form of a prototype in 2018 Auto Expo. At 2020 Auto Expo, the fast growing electric two wheeler brand announced that its first motorcycle will be launched in the festive season. However, just like several other cases, the Okinawa Oki 100’s launch plans were hampered by the pandemic crisis. Now that the market is recovering, the brand has teased the production version which is set to be launched soon.
      Okinawa Oki 100
      The Okinawa Oki 100 is a compact commuter electric motorcycle which derives its styling inspiration from the Ducati Monster. The LED headlamp, red painted trellis frame, the pseudo fuel tank, and the tailpiece have obvious resemblance to the Italian middle-weight street fighter.
      Compared to the prototype, the production version which has been teased seems to miss out on a few items in a bid to keep the costs in check. For example, the LED turn indicators have been done away with in favor of conventional halogen units. The company earlier confirmed that the Oki 100 will offer connectivity features with a dedicated smartphone app.
      Specifications
      Without revealing the final specifications of the production version, Okinawa earlier stated that the motorcycle will have a top-speed of 100 kmph (hence the 100 in its name) and it will be heavily localized. In fact, save for the battery cells, all the other components will be locally made.
      Okinawa Electric Motorcycle Teaser
      Capacity of the lithium ion battery pack has not been revealed yet but expect the electric commuter to have a range of up to 150 km on a single charge. For reference, the prototype which was showcased in 2018 was powered by a 60 Ah 73 V battery pack which was capable of charging in two hours through a fast charger. The motor was a 3.3 hp unit. Okinawa hinted that the final production version is most likely to have a different battery and motor combination but the key performance figures would remain intact.
      The compact electric motorcycle is equipped with telescopic front forks, monoshock rear suspension, alloy wheels, front and rear disc brakes (could be offered with single-channel ABS), fully digital instrument console, and a belt drive.
      Rivals and price
      With a near 100% localization right from day one, the Okinawa Oki 100 motorcycle is expected to be competitively priced. A starting price of around INR 1 lakh (ex-showroom) would be an attractive proposition.
      Competition will come from the likes of Revolt RV400 which is already in the market and the upcoming Tork T6X which is likely to be introduced later this year. The Okinawa Oki 100 will be manufactured at the company’s Rajasthan plant. The electric commuter motorcycle is expected to widen Okinawa’s audience base significantly. More

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      New Bajaj Pulsar 160 NS Spied Testing – Launch Likely In 2021

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      Image – Jupiter Lobo
      The new Bajaj Pulsar NS 160 gets significant cosmetic revision while the hardware appear to be retained

      The Bajaj Pulsar NS family of street fighters aged rather well. Started its innings with a 200 cc variant almost a decade ago, the NS nameplate later spawned a popular 160 variant with identical styling. The competition has come up with modern and better equipped compact displacement naked motorcycles, prompting Bajaj Auto to revisit the drawing board.
      New Bajaj Pulsar NS 160 spotted testing
      A prototype of what appears to be the next generation Bajaj Pulsar NS has been spotted testing on the public road for the first time. The air-cooling fins on the engine block strongly indicate that this is a 160 cc variant. The tyre sizes, thin front telescopic forks and box section swing arm also point towards the smaller engined variant.
      The revised bodywork appears to be production ready but the finer details are concealed by the camouflage. The most significant visual change is the fuel tank which now features longer extensions. The headlamp is also completely new with a compact projector unit and a redesigned casing.
      The tailpiece continues to retain familiarity but we expect the taillight to undergo revision. It is reasonable to assume that the new Bajaj Pulsar NS 160 will receive an updated fully digital instrument console. Spy images are credit to automotive enthusiast Jupiter Logo.
      Image – Jupiter Lobo
      Specifications
      The time proven 160.3 cc air / oil-cooled single-cylinder motor is expected to be carried forward. The underbelly exhaust has been done away with in favour of a conventional canister in a bid to meet the stricter emission standards. In its current avatar, the motor produces a healthy 17.2 hp and 14.6 Nm of torque, and is mated to a 5-speed gearbox. Changes, if any, are likely to be nominal.
      The perimeter frame, suspension and braking setup appear to have been carried forward without any changes. The sporty compact displacement naked motorcycle is equipped with 17-inch alloy wheels, front and rear discs with single-channel ABS.
      Bigger engined variant on its way?
      It is only a matter of time before the Pulsar NS 200 receives a successor and it is expected to adopt the bigger 250 cc liquid-cooled motor from the Dominar. A bigger engine would help create a sufficient distance from its 160 cc sibling in terms of market positioning and pricing, while also strengthening the brand’s quarter liter lineup.
      Rivals
      The new Bajaj Pulsar NS 160 will be pitted against the TVS Apache RTR 160, Hero Xtreme 160R and Yamaha FZS-FI. The brand pull and a modern design should give the new naked Pulsar an edge over its rivals. We expect the new motorcycle to be ready for the market sometime in the second half of this year to take advantage of the festive season. Expect a marginal increase in the price from current INR 1.10 lakh (Ex-showroom). More

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      2021 Harley Davidson Pan America 1250 Adventure – Production Spec Unveiled

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      2021 Harley Davidson Pan America
      The new Harley Davidson Pan America 1250 locks its horns with BMW R1250 GS, KTM 1290 Adventure and BMW Multistrada

      Harley Davidson has officially revealed its flagship adventure motorcycle Pan America 1250. A direct rival to BMW R1250GS, Pan America 1250 was first announced three years ago and is part of the manufacturer’s new product expansion strategy.
      Available in two variants standard and Special, Pan America 1250 is a completely new bike that has been designed and developed from scratch. The engineering team of H-D has crafted this bike keeping in mind the utility and ability of iconic American adventure motorcycles.
      Design
      Speaking of its design, Pan America sports a design that is completely unique to contemporary adventure tourers. The most attractive highlight being the flat LED headlight beam which can cover a very wide aperture of what’s ahead.
      Two-piece split seats, upswept muffler and exhaust pipes finished in gold are other attractive highlights. The bike has been predominantly covered in matte finishes.
      2021 Harley Davidson Pan America
      Mechanical Configurations
      The ADV is underpinned by an exposed frame with a bolt-on rear subframe and a cast-aluminium swingarm that shrinks unsprung weight. The suspension setup is a fully adjustable one from Showa that has been tuned for preload, compression and rebound damping at both, front and rear ends.
      At front it gets 47mm USD forks while the rear gets a mono-shock, both having an impressive travel of 190mm. Special variant is equipped with a semi-active unit that automatically adjusts the damping and riding style in accordance with road conditions.
      Braking power is received from Brembo radial monobloc four-piston calipers which are chewed down by twin 320mm discs at front and a single 280mm disc at rear. It rides on 17-inch front and 19-inch rear 5-spoke alloy wheels that are wrapped around by tubeless tyres of 120/70 and 170/60 profiles respectively.
      2021 Harley Davidson Pan America
      Underneath that sturdy frame is an all-new 1250cc V-Twin DOHC engine that spits out 150 bhp at 8750rpm and a peak torque 128 Nm at 6750 rpm. It is mated to a six-speed gearbox with a slipper which unlike its BMW nemesis, sends power to the rear wheels rather than front.
      The engine also performs more duties than just producing energy. It has been integrated as a stressed member of the chassis and has been bolted to the front frame, mid-frame and tail sections.
      2021 Harley Davidson Pan America
      Features on offer
      Being a flagship, it comes with a bunch of electronic aids to enhance its off-road and ride capabilities. These include ride-by-wire, cornering ABS, traction control system and multiple riding modes namely- sport, rain, road, off-road and off-road plus. Riders also get the option to customise an off-road mode for themselves that lets them configure TCS, ABS, torque delivery, throttle response and suspension settings as per their preference.
      These can be selected through the bike’s 6.8-inch TFT touchscreen unit which is compatible with navigation, Bluetooth connectivity for calls and music. However, the touchscreen gets disabled once the bike starts moving and then it needs to be toggled through the switchgear. Other features on offer include an adaptive LED headlight, cruise control as standard and heated grips on the Special trim.
      2021 Harley Davidson Pan America
      Even though the American bikemaker has quite independent operations in India, this new adventure tourer is expected to make it to Indian shores at a later stage and retailed by Hero MotoCorp. Harley has priced this new beast at £14,000 ( equivalent to INR 14.27 lakh) for the base variant and £15,500 (Rs 15.80 lakh) for the Special variant. More

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      Honda CB350RS Road Sailing 350cc Motorcycle Launch Price Rs 1.96 Lakhs

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      2021 Honda CB350RS
      Aiming to add more options in 350cc segment, Honda has launched CB350RS Cafe Racer in India – RS stands for Road Sailing

      With its sporty profile, Honda CB350RS will appeal to the young generation and folks looking for quick sprints across city streets. The motorcycle can also add a lot more agility and power to everyday commutes. Price of Honda CB350RS starts from Rs 1.96 lakhs, ex-sh. Two variants are on offer, one in monotone red colour and the other in yellow / black dual tone colour.
      Honda CB350RS design
      As compared to CB350 that makes liberal use of chrome elements, CB350RS has a largely blacked-out profile. This is evident in the front forks, front and rear fenders, rear shock absorber springs and exhaust canister. CB350RS is also sleeker, as compared to its roadster sibling.
      2021 Honda CB350RS
      Another key difference is the slightly aggressive riding stance. Other key features of CB350RS include round headlamp, misses out on clip-on handlebar, sculpted fuel tank, semi-digital instrument console, single-piece seat, and upswept exhaust. Both single-tone and dual-tone colour options are available for Honda CB350RS.
      Honda CB350RS powertrain
      CB350RS utilizes the same engine as that of HNess CB350. The 348cc air cooled, single cylinder engine is capable of generating 21 bhp of max power and 30 Nm of max torque. It is mated to a 5-speed gearbox.
      2021 Honda CB350RS
      CB350RS borrows other hardware as well such as half duplex cradle with telescopic front forks and twin hydraulic rear suspension. Braking duties are performed by 310 mm disc at the front and 240 mm disc at the rear. Dual-channel ABS is offered as standard.
      2021 Honda CB350RS
      Honda CB350RS features
      Talking about features, the list is largely the same as that of CB350. The cafe racer gets Honda Smartphone Voice Control system (HSVCS), Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC), assist and slipper clutch, side stand with engine inhibitor, turn-by-turn navigation, hazard switch and engine start/stop switch. The instrument console displays a range of information such as gear position indicator, battery voltage meter, average mileage, real time mileage and distance to empty.
      Honda will be hopeful that CB350RS turns out to be just as successful as CB350 classic roadster. While CB350 may still be far behind its primary rival Royal Enfield Classic 350, its market response has been pretty decent. As may be recalled, CB350 recently achieved the 10k sales milestone. It is now the primary volume generator for Honda BigWing dealerships.
      2021 Honda CB350RS
      Together, CB350 and CB350RS can further boost sales numbers. Honda is continuously working to expand its BigWing dealerships, which will be a positive factor for these motorcycles. Royal Enfield may command 85% market share in this segment (200cc-350cc), but that doesn’t seem to make any difference to Honda’s ambitious plans. In the future, it is possible that Honda may introduce other new products in 350cc space such as a scrambler, special editions, etc. More

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      in Bike

      Honda CB350RS Scrambler Rendered In 4 New Colours – Black, Red, Yellow, Blue

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      2021 Honda CB350RS Black – Render
      Honda BigWing might expand this range of India-made classic motorcycles with different engine configurations in future

      Honda teased the upcoming iteration of Honda H’Ness CB350. This version of CB350 will likely be called CB350RS. It is likely to be a scrambler derivative based on CB350 classic roadster. This bike is slated to be launched on February 16 and ahead of its launch, a digital rendering of the same has been created by Pratyush Rout.
      This digitally rendered image of CB350RS as a scrambler gives an idea of what this upcoming bike could look like. It has been imagined in four production-spec colours of Black, Red, Yellow and Blue. A bit of the inspiration has been carried forward from the CB1100RS as well as the officially revealed teasers by the company.
      Design Highlights
      Other parts of it have been curated very realistically. This includes a slimmer seat at rear for the pillion just as revealed in the teaser. Apart from this, other design highlights from this digitally imagined render include a chopped off fender at front, a horizontal tail section, engine assembly cowl and a clip-on handlebar.
      Rest of the details are very similar to the current retro-styled classic roadster. Since it is expected to be a sportier version of H’Ness CB350, it is expected to feature an aggressive seating position thanks to clip-on handlebars. USD forks in the front and rear-set footpegs as shown in this rendered image.
      2021 Honda CB350RS Red – Render
      In the final production model, we could expect it to receive a black treatment instead of chrome accents. Instead of a single-piece of grab rails, it gets side bolted pillion grab rails. The teasers show a new cantilevered tailpiece with a compact LED taillight and mudguard mounted license plate and indicators.
      Engine Specs & Features
      Mechanically, this iteration of CB350 will be identical to its classic roadster sibling although suspension setup might be slightly tweaked for sportier performance. It will be powered by a 348cc unit single-cylinder, air-cooled unit which cranks out 21 bhp and 30 Nm of peak torque.
      This unit will be mated to a 5-speed gearbox with an assist and slipper clutch. It will be built on a half-duplex cradle frame suspended on a telescopic front fork and twin rear shock absorbers.
      2021 Honda CB350RS Yellow – Render
      In terms of features as well, this bike is expected to offer the same equipment as offered in H;Ness CB350. This includes an all-LED lighting setup, a semi-digital instrument cluster, USB charging, Bluetooth connectivity, Navigation, dual-channel ABS and a first-in-segment Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC).
      We expect prices of the new CB350RS roadster to hover around Rs 2.00 lakh (ex-showroom) and will exclusively be sold through the brand’s BigWing dealerships. Honda 2Wheelers India is currently looking to expand its BigWing network in the country and we expect to see an expansion of the India-made BigWing lineup of motorcycles in the near future.
      2021 Honda CB350RS Blue – Render More