Kawasaki

Best auto news from around the world.

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Bajaj Kicks back again

Bajaj Launches the all-new Pulsar 200NS.

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Monday, April 23, 2007

Pics and specifications of Apache 160














































































Overdrive reports that The engine is super smooth and with the increased wheelbase handling is awesome and predictable....
The vibes which were the main bugbear of the apache 150 if in deed have been eliminated and this bike simply rocks.

Full ride report is coming soon.......................

The specs:-
TVS Apache RTR 160

ENGINE
4 Stroke, 159.7 cc, Single
Maximum Power: 11.19 KW (15.2 bhp) @ 8500 rpm
Maximum Torque: 13.1 Nm @ 6000 rpm
Bore x Stroke : 62mm x 52.9 mm
Compression Ratio: 9.5:1
Carburettor: Mikuni BS-26
Valve train: 2 Valves, single cam
Valves per cylinder: 2 Valves
Power to weight ratio: 111.76 bhp / ton
Starting: Electric & Kick Start
Idle speed : 1400rpm
Ignition: IDI-Dual mode digital ignition
Engine oil capacity: 1000 ml

TRANSMISSION

Clutch : Wet, Multi-Plate
Primary reduction: 65/21
Final reduction: 44/13

CHASSIS
Type: Double Cradle

SUSPENSION
Front: Telescopic Forks, 105mm Stroke
Rear: Monotube Inverted Gas filled shox (MIG) with spring aid
Castor angle: 25.5°
Trail length: 81.3 mm

BRAKES

Front: 270 mm Petal Disc
Rear: 130 mm Drum

WHEELS AND TYRES
Rim size (Front): 1.85 x 17”
Rim size (Rear): 2.15 x 18”
Tyre size (Front): 90/90 x 17”
Tyre size (Rear): 100/80 x 18”
Tyre make: TVS Tyres

Fuel tank capacity: 16.0 lit
Reserve: 2.5 lit
Useable reserve: 1.7 lit

DIMENSIONS

Length: 2020 mm
Width: 730 mm
Height: 1050 mm
Wheelbase: 1300 mm
Saddle height: 790 mm
Ground clearance: 180 mm

WEIGHTS

Kerb weight: 136 kg
Weight distribution: Kerb (F/R) 60/76 kg
Laden (F/R) (Solo - 65kg) 79/122 kg

PERFORMANCE (TVS claimed)
0-60 kph: 4.80 seconds
0-100 kph: 17.69 seconds
0-100 m: 7.91 seconds
0-400 m: 19.70 seconds
30-80 kph (4th gear): 11.84 seconds
30-80 kph (5th gear): 15.68 seconds
Maximum speed: 118 kph

Source:- http://rearset.blogspot.com and Top gear
View more pics on :- http://rearset.blogspot.com

Saturday, April 21, 2007

Hayabusa gets supercharged

Massively-powerful turbo Hayabusas might normally be the realm of American tuners but Japanese tuner Active has created its own take on the theme for the Tokyo Motorcycle Show.

The firm has opted against the normal turbocharger in favour of a Rotrex supercharger, cranking power up to over 250bhp. The supercharger is plumbed into a one-off air intake plenum, offering up to 14lb of boost, and the engine breathes through a titanium Akrapovic exhaust system.

Unlike the usual dragbike-inspired American specials, the Active machine is designed to look subtle, with no extended swingarm or massive rear tyre. In fact, it’s gone the other way, and in an effort to prove you can have massive power without ruining the handling, the firm has opted to add lightweight Galespeed wheels to reduce unsprung weight. The bike is finished off with a subtle matt black paint scheme, and carbon-fibre inserts in the front fairing where the indicators normally are.


Source:- MotorcycleNews

Bigger, Faster, Meaner,,, The big bikes are coming


With the government allowing import of all Euro III emission norms compliant bikes of 800cc and above, nearly all the super-luxury motorcycle manufacturers, including Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki and Harley Davidson, are planning to ply their roadsters on Indian roads. The government's move came last week as a quid pro quo for allowing exports of mangoes to the US in return for Harley Davidsons.

Bikes can be imported by individuals, companies and firms or original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) who have manufacturing and service network in India. Commerce and industry minister Kamal Nath also said the government is looking into suggestions to reduce the 60% import duty (and 43% of other surcharges) on such bikes.

The industry appears set to lap up the relaxed norms though the industry remains anxious about the exact demand which is projected to be in the wide range of 6,000-12,000 bikes per annum. Yet, with each costing between Rs 7-10 lakh, it could create a new segment of between Rs 420 crore to Rs 1,200 crore. Currently, Royal Enfield is the only domestic player producing high capacity bikes of between 350-500cc. Its costliest product, the 350cc Thunderbird, sells at Rs 93,200. But with disposable income on the rise and the economy booming at close to 8.5%, these bike makers hope demand would be better than what they expect.

Since the iconic bike maker Harley Davidson has been lobbying with the government to ease import norms for at least two years, imported Harleys will most likely ply on Indian roads before the end of 2007. Sources say Japanese automaker Suzuki Motorcycles has also finalised import of its 1000cc Sportster GSX-R 1000 (Rs 9 lakh) and the 750cc GSX-R750 (Rs 7 lakh). A decision on this is expected within May. However, Suzuki Motorcycles India vice president, marketing, Atul Gupta, said, “We have not yet decided which bigger bikes have to be brought into the country. We are still studying the notification issued by the commerce and industry ministry and will take a final decision within 30 days as to which product has to be launched and when.”

Compatriot bike maker Yamaha too is planning to capitalise on the new norms by tapping the high-end sports bike market with its MT01 (Rs 8 lakh) and YZF R1 (Rs 10 lakh). It is believed to have firmed up plans to roll out these bikes by the end of this fiscal.

Another motorcycle manufacturer and Honda’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Honda Motorcycles and Scooters India Ltd (HMSI), would also launch completely built units (CBUs) of higher capacity (500 cc) motorcycles in the next few years. It may even assemble these bikes within the country to avoid high import duty of over 100%. “We aim to be present in every segment of the domestic two-wheeler market and hence plan to launch higher displacement bikes (above 500cc),” said Y Aoshima, president and CEO, HMSI.

But Pradeep Saxena, senior vice president, TNS Automotive India, is not very bullish. “The landed price range of these motorcycles would start at around Rs 5 lakh and hence the customers for that are very limited. The super bike market would not be more than 1,000 units per annum.”

There are brands like Ducati and Harley which would find customers easily but not all, added Saxena. But a company such as Honda which already has a wide network of dealers and an on-going business, would also sell a good number of bikes, he added.

Still, other major sports bike makers - like BMW—aren’t very bullish on the Indian market yet. Motorcycles are still used in India as a means of transport. Our luxury and high-end bikes are too costly to be launched in the Indian market and that is why we have not yet decided to bring our bikes here. But if there is demand, we may take a call,” says Peter Kronschnabel, president of BMW India.

Though bike aficionados in the country have reasons to cheer, but are they willing to pay for the super bikes? The cheapest Harley, for instance, costs Rs 4 lakh, as much as the cost of two Maruti 800s. Nearly everybody is hoping consumers will begin to separate luxury from utility. After all, not only are global bike makers eyeing the segment, even home-grown two-wheeler manufacturer Bajaj Auto is planning to launch higher capacity bikes in technical collaboration with Kawasaki. There 1st Bike will be the Kawasaki Ninja 250 and they will be launching a 300cc and 400cc Pulsar somewhere around next September. The concept model will be showcased on 2008 Auto Expo.



Source:- FinancialExpress

Tuesday, April 10, 2007

Bajaj to launch CNG two-wheeler this month

After successfully demonstrating the CNG technology in three-wheelers, leading automobile manufacturer Bajaj Auto Ltd (BAL) is extending it to two-wheelers with a planned launch within this month.

"We are on schedule for a CNG two-wheeler. Something in this line will be launched this month," Bajaj Auto Managing Director Rajiv Bajaj told reporters here yesterday.

He, however, declined to specify whether it would be a motorcycle or a scooter, besides the engine capacity as well as possible price points.

BAL's foray into the CNG two-wheeler category will mark a new chapter after it had proved its mastery of the technology in the three-wheeler category.

Bajaj also said that the company has developed a direct injection two-stroke three-wheeler and about 50 of them are running on Pune roads on a pilot project.

Asked if that technology could also be extended to two-wheelers, he said it was premature to comment.

BAL had earlier said the company was developing dual fuel three-wheelers, which will use an alternative fuel besides CNG/LPG. (Agencies)

Source:- ChennaiOnline

Bajaj Auto to launch 250 cc plus bikes

Bajaj Auto is all set to launch 250 cc-plus motorcycles in technical collaboration with its Japanese partner Kawasaki Motor shortly, Rajiv Bajaj, MD, Bajaj Auto said. These would be branded as Bajaj and would be sold through Bajaj dealers.

He, however, declined to give further details but said that a few bikes would be launched over the next two months. Asked if the company planned to import higher capacity bikes and sell in the domestic market he replied in the negative. He also declined any move to partner with Yamaha India on any project. Bajaj Auto currently sells its bikes in export markets like the Philippines though Kawasaki’s marketing network. The upcoming motorcycles would compete with the completely built units (CBUs) of Yamaha, Suzuki and Honda.

Honda Motorcycles and Scooters India Ltd (HMSI) will also launch completely built units (CBUs) of higher capacity (500 cc) motorcycles in the next few years. Recently the company had said that it may assemble these bikes in the country to avoid the high import duty of 110%.

Source:- FinancialExpress