MV Agusta Bestiale goes production

The MV Agusta Bestiale concept motorcycle attracted lots of attention when it was unveiled at last year's Paris Show, and now finally it has been confirmed this radical conversion is to go into production as a conversion kit.The designer of the striking MV Agusta Bestiale prototype has exclusively confirmed to MCN that the concept will go into production. A kit will be offered to convert existing MVs.

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TVS Launches flame

TVS Motor Company on Wednesday launched the new 'TVS flame 125cc' with a Three-valve dual induction system utilizing universally accepted single spark plug ignition, in the Kerala market.

Speaking to reporters on the occasion, R Chandramouli, Senior Vice President, sales, TVS Motor Company, said "The engine of the new TVS Flame has been specially developed, patented and licensed to TVS motor company by AVL, Austria, the world leaders in internal combustion engine technology."

New TVS Flame 125^^^

The ex-show room price of the bike is Rs 46,000.

At the launch function, the keys of two bikes, which were sold, were handed over to the owners by Chandramouli.

The styling of the new TVS flame was inspired by the "delta wing" design found in the latest "fighter jets". He said this styling gives the bike a unique finish while creating superior "aerodynamics".

The bike boasts of 'several style statements including deltaedge headlamps with two position lamps,' he said.

The motorcycle conforms to future emission norms, BS-III norms to be applicable in 2010, he said.

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BIKE India April 2008 Issur Out

1. 2008 Litre class shooutout
The 1000cc Jap machines slug it out. And there is a surprise winner!

2. 125cc Shootout
5 125cc bikes fight for the title

3. KTM RC8
Bike India rides the Bike heading our way.. soon

4. Yamaha YZF R125
Bike India rides the baby missile. If this ones so good, we wonder how the R15 will be.

5. Poster
The winner of the litre class shootout is on the poster this time.

6. Balu the biker
BIke India gets in touch with a different breed of bikers.

7. Engine singh
Engine Singh..well, well - a newcomer here, he did help us a lot. Read more about him.

8. 2nd part of Yamaha Tech
Read what goes into making the R15 the most technologically advanced Bike around.

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Gulf Oil launches new Gulf Pride 4T Plus 10W30

Gulf oil has now launched its New Gen 4 stroke motor cycle oil Gulf Pride 4T Plus 10W-30, a synthetic blend 4 stroke motor cycle engine oil. The product is targeted at motorcycles from leading players like Hero Honda in the Indian market, to start with. As the technology is adopted by other leading motorcycle manufacturers, the product is expected to gain even more acceptance across the country. In addition to India, it will also be positioned in other Asian markets, where the Gulf brand is currently marketed

Gulfs New Gulf Pride 4T Plus 10W-30 is designed to offer motorcycle owners with the Pentatec Advantage. In addition to three basic features of regular motorcycle engine oils available in the Indian market today, namely Superior Engine and Gear Protection, High Temperature Protection and Superior Clutch Performance, Gulf Pride 4T Plus, SAE 10W-30 has two very specific advantages, which clearly sets it apart from any other motor cycle oils present in the Indian market today.

While explaining the benefits of Gulf Pride 4T Plus 10W-30, Gulf Vice President and Gulf Oil International`s Global Technology Manager, Dr. Y P Rao commented, "Gulf Pride 4T Plus 10W-30, has been a result of extensive research and development and incorporates an unique technology. It also exceeds API SL and JASO MA2 requirements. Motorcycle owners will now get five advantages with our Pentatec advantage feature in this new product

1. Smooth Acceleration Advantage
2. Gear Protection Advantage
3. Cleaner Engine Advantage
4. Longer Oil Life Advantage
5. Fuel Saving Advantage"

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Hero Honda got HUNKED

The new Hero Honda Hunk 150

So guys. Here is the much hyped Hero Honda Hunk. All were expecting a 160 or 180cc Bike and Hero honda has presented a repackaged CBZ Xtreme.

new Hero Honda Junk..oops!.. HUNK - Looks a lot inspired from TVS Apache RTR and Flame. Hmm, looks like someone is watching TVS closely.

This bike really reminds me of TVS Flame

Hunk uses same chassis of CBZ Xtreme but adds in some more muscle and gets rid of that ugly CBZ xtreme bikini fairing. The company has launched two variants of the Hunk , kick-start and self-start. While kick-star would be available at Rs 55,000, the self-start model which is priced at Rs 57,000.


Dont look at the spec sheet because specs are same as CBZ Xtreme. It still uses the same 150cc engine and churns out 14.2Bhp.

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Bajaj`s new bike Exceed

Bajaj Auto Ltd., India's No. 2 motorbike maker, plans to make 20,000 new motor bikes in September and raise output beyond 50,000 in December or January, its managing director said on Thursday.

Bajaj, which is in preliminary talks with French car maker Renault on making "very competitive" vehicles in India, is betting a new motorbike will perk up flagging sales and bolster its higher-margin range.

Bajaj's new 125 cc bike, called Exceed, is aimed at weaning customers from its lower-margin 100 cc bikes, which compete in an extremely price-sensitive and crowded market dominated by leader Hero Honda Motors Ltd.

"We are now clearly focused on the bigger bike. We are not going to fight to retain share in 100 cc," Rajiv Bajaj told reporters at the launch of a new engine technology for the bike.

The new engine technology for the bike, called DTS-Si, is an upgrade of its DTSI technology, or digital twin spark ignition.

"More than a third of the motorbike market is 125 cc and above, where the margins are 15-20 percent. On 100 cc bikes, we don't make money," Bajaj said.

To start with, he said the company would make 20,000 units of the new bike in September at its Aurangabad plant in Maharashtra, which would be ramped up to 50,000 units.

Production would be further raised when the company starts making the new bike at its plant in Uttarakhand some time in December or January, Bajaj said.

Initially, the company would concentrate on the domestic market, but would look at exports beyond 2007/08, he said.

At 0953 GMT, shares in the company were down 1 percent at 2,286.30 rupees in a Mumbai market that was down 1.2 percent.

Bajaj, which has more than a third of India's motorbike market -- the world's biggest after China -- had cut its output by 20,000-30,000 units a month following a drop in demand due to high interest rates that led consumers to postpone purchases.

Sales of Bajaj motorbikes in the fiscal year that started in April are down 12 percent from the same period a year earlier.

It has said it expects sales to revive from September, with the new bike and purchases spurred by the festival season.

In May, Bajaj split its manufacturing and finance operations, and in July restructured its auto business, creating separate units for R&D, engineering, two-wheelers, commercial vehicles and international business.

Source:- In.reuters

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Motorcycle gear: very important

Motorcycle accidents can be deadly. 45 percent of motorcycle accidents in India occur without any other vehicle involved. It doesn't matter if you're experienced or not, driving a motorcycle can be dangerous.

Whether you lose control or are involved in an accident your protective gear can help save your life. A local Lufkin bike owner says you have to be properly covered. "When I'm on my bike I always wear my helmet, my jacket and my gloves, just for the extra protection," vikhyat told me.

But he says most people stop at that and that leaves a large part of your body uncovered. "Your pants are another big thing," he says, "Don't wear shorts. wear your jacket and at least have jeans on." By wearing all the protective gear, you're protecting your life. And vikhyat says, you just can't take chances. So if you're going to ride a bike, make sure you have all the necessary accessories.

There are many places in India from where u can get quality riding gear, like http://www.planetdsg.com or KRP from Delhi, u can also get quality riding gear from a good bike accessories.

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Striped warrior: TVS Apache RTR 160 - Hands on

At long last, a racing black stripe and red rim rings boldly announce TVS`s fresh approach to motorcycling.

Bring out the hair dye, carve out a tattoo and pull up some low-waist jeans and you conjure up the carefree youth of today.Dive into his mind and it doesn`t take an Einstein to realise that his needs from a bike are rather unique - his machine has to be a rebel, zippy and also one that won`t dent his pocket. The all-new Apache RTR 160 is TVS Motor Company`s effort to meet this young indian head-on.

New Digital Speeedo

Why Abadon an image that`s nicely accepted? The RTR looks very similar to its predecessor, yet it infuses an extra dollop of sporty character into the original Apache platform. Styling changes are few but well executed, like a racy Ford GT like stripe bisecting this sharply chiselled bike from head to tail.There`s also the black theme thats fast becoming de regueur across bike segments. Move closer and RTR delights with thin prinstripes running along the wheels as well as bright rear suspention springs. The new Apache instruments are digital, with the rev counter remaining analogue. Twin trip recorders, a fuel counter, time-clock, digital speedometer, odometer, neutral icon, high beam icon, turn signal icon, low fuel warning, low battery warning,
and even a service due warning icon are on offer within this amber backlit display. And voila!, its cockpit is far smarter, with clip-on handlebars and all-alloy steering clamp section bearing the new RTR logo. Highlights include smart mirrors, fantastic alloy-finished levers and adequate grips (sweet!), while switchgear remains standard.

Fancy alloy footpegs and rear brake lever lend a touch of class

Classy touches are an alloy brake pedal and alloy footrests. The Apache RTR retains an identical fuel tank and body panels, but has now upgraded to clear lens turn indicators, and an LED tail-light system on its raised butt. The rear fender and silencer exit area are altered while the numberplate region is now illumnated.

RTR 160`s smart looking aloly finish levers.

The old Apache motor adopts a new cowl and has undergone major changes, to up capcacity from previous 147.5cc to 159.7cc on the new RTR. The larger capacity RTR uses a short-stroke mantra to become quicker-revving. This air-coled and twin-valve unit has recieved several internal tweaks, including attention lavished on its inlet and exhaust ends, clutch and gear processes as well as the combustion chamber. The gearbox remains a 5-speed unit, shifting in the ubiquitous one-down and four-up patters the RTR 160 differing from the Apache 150 to use a sporty toe shift lever.

All-new 159.7cc short stroke engine

Thumb the RTR motor to life at idle speeds and its apparent much fine-tuning has gone into achieving a perfect and powerful exhaust beat. The clutch feels well weighted, and completely judder-free even when strained to launch the bike hard for quick acceleration. gearshifting is efforless too. The new RTR 160 shares gear ratios with the Apache 150, filling them better with its now 15.2Bhp peak power developed at 8500rpm. while our stint with the bike was limited to few hours, the RTR felt like it accelerated convincingly faster than all its smaller 150cc segement rivals. RTR is acronym for Rapid Throttle Response and the bike lives up to its name with its quick response from any region in powerband. Power delievery kicks in close above idle, building viciously with a small step in its mid-range as revs rise to a scream when pulling towards the red line. The short-stroke motor holds high revs with ease and loves being given the stick. We were pleased to find the new RTR offering enough oomph to still display stout pull while shifting from 4th to 5th gear just under its red-line at speeds hovering around 100kmph
mark. We have yet to strap any test gear to the new bike, our guess is that it should achieve a top-whack somewhere close to 115kmph. Vibes seemed to be isolated to bearable limits, no doubt helped by the RTR`s use of rubber mounting for its footrests.

Ergonomics are unlike any 150cc, with the RTR 160`s footrests being clearly rear-set, and its clip-on handlebars dropping the rider significatly lower than on the Apache 150. Its worth mentioning the riding position can be slightly altered using simple tools to shift the handlebars a few millimeters. Tall riders will enjoy the `bars set slightly further away from them.

New gas charged rear shocks

These changes make the rider sit further into the riding saddle which helps the inner thighs grip the tank surface in a better manner. Riders who don`t like sporty bikes will be advised to skip the RTR 160 and stick to bikes like Honda Unicorn and Hero Honda Achiever.

With its added power, the RTR stretches its twin-downtube frame closer to its limits, and wheelbase on the new bike is up to 1300mm, with the use of a 17-inch front rim and 18-inch rear, loaded with TVS rubber. Kerb weight is enarly the same, while suspention front and rear has been reworked extensively to embrace the new sporty character, but remains similar format front telescopic forks and twin gas-charged rear shock absorbers mated to a rectangle section swingarm . While our purely trackside experience on the RTR was too brief to pass concrete judgement on its ride quality, this TVS felt like it was set on sporty and firm side, with impoved straightline stability and sure-footed and neutral cornering manners.

Petal front disk brake makes its debut in India

Brakes have been beefed up considerably, with massive 270mm petal disk used in front, and rear retaining its 130mm drum. Brake feel is potent and razor-sharp, the bike managing to hold a straight line even under heavy emergency stops. A petal disk arrangement helps the disc rotor disperse heat faster and makes its appearance in India for the first time

Seen overall, the Apache RTR 160 makes a clear disvergence from TVS' Philosophy. Rather than half-hearted job trying to keep everyone happy with sporty as well as little commuter-friendly personality bliend in, this model makes a bolder
statement. The RTR is not here to please the commuter. This TVS is clearly going to delight the discerning biker, with racy styling, a relatively large bore, quick revving short-stroke powerplant and sporty riding stance. the Latest Apache should become the sought-after true-blue sports bike among its competitors- and lends itself nicely to the phrase 'race on Sunday, sell on Monday'.

Pics and review from Auotocar India May 2007

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2007 BMW K1200R Sport tested by MotorcycleUSA

I have been a big fan of website 'MotorcycleUSA' right from the first time i saw there site. This time they have brought us a full blown roadtest of 2007 BMW K1200R Sport. The latest Inline-Four offering from BMW, the K1200R Sport is a versatile mount which they took for a 1000-mile test ride on the freeway, backroads, and track.


REad the full roadtest of 2007 BMW K1200R here:- MotorcycleUSA

The new Sport is a half-faired hybrid of its K-series siblings - the K1200S and K1200R.

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Can-Am Spyder:

The Can-Am Spyder roadster from BRP (Bombardier Recreational Products) is the first 'on-road' vehicle from the company. BRP have Previously produced jetskis, sport boats, snowmobiles, ATV's, go-karts and outboard motors etc.

The Can-Am Spyder looks damn neat.

The three-wheeled Can-Am Spyder, with two wheels in the front and one wheel in the rearlooks great. The Can-Am Spyder roadster is powered by a 990cc V-Twin engine designed and manufactured by BRP-Rotax, with its unique Y-shaped design.

José Boisjoli, president and CEO, BRP said "Our Can-Am Spyder roadster is the next dimension in open-road riding. A true paradigm shift, the Spyder roadster offers a balance of performance and peace of mind with features like the Vehicle Stability System (VSS), engineered in conjunction with Bosch, which includes anti-lock brakes, traction control and stability control systems."

Millenium Yellow

The Can-Am Spyder is aimed at more mature riders or "weekend warriors", those who want the thrill of open air motoring at a more intense level than a convertible car can offer, but slightly more refined than the experience found on a motorbike.
However there will probably be a lot of other people who are attracted to the Can-Am Spyder because of its unique character and head-turning design.

The BRP Can-Am Spyder roadster is built around a Surrounding Spar Technology (SST) frame, featuring a minimalist steel centre beam surrounding the engine. This construction technique minimizes the weld points for greater structural strength, and the light, slim frame offers further benefit by improving the handling and lowering the center of gravity.

Connected to the 106 horsepower 998 cc Rotax V-twin engine equipped with electronic fuel system management is a manual sequential 5-speed gearbox, complete with reverse, and designed specially for the Can-Am Spyder. Final drive is via a carbon-reinforced drive belt.

The BRP Can-Am Spyder roadster also features multiple ECU's (Electronic Control Units) which monitor a variety of functions including wheel slippage and digitally encoded security information. The vehicle also features ABS, traction control, stability control with roll-over mitigation, and a dynamic power steering system.

Full Moon Silver

Instrumentation featured on the Can-Am Spyder include; speedometer, tachometer, fuel gauge, trip meters, engine temperature, ambient temperature and gear position.

Initially, for 2007, the BRP Can-Am Spyder roadster is offered in a choice of two colors, Millennium Yellow of Full Moon silver.

Soure:- Diseno-art

U can read road-test here:-
Motortrend
MotorCycle-USA

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