Ducati Panigale V2 launched at Rs 16.99 lakh

Ducati has launched its first BS6 motorcycle in India, the Panigale V2, at Rs 16.99 lakh (ex-showroom, India). The new Panigale V2 replaces the 959 Panigale in Ducati’s portfolio and is now the entry point into the Italian manufacturer’s supersport line-up. At this price, the Panigale V2 is nearly Rs 1.7 lakh dearer than the 959 Panigale, which was priced at Rs 15.3 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).

• Ducati Panigale V2 launched at Rs 16.99 lakh
• Deliveries to begin soon
• Gets an additional 5hp compared to the 959 Panigale for a total of 155hp
  

The new Ducati Panigale V2 is based on the outgoing 959 Panigale, but features a number of improvements. To begin with, the styling is inspired from the new Panigale V4 and in many ways it looks like a scaled-down version of it, replete with the single-sided swingarm. On the whole, the V2's sharp and aggressive styling is a big highlight.

Underneath the skin, however, the V2 is similar to the 959 Panigale as it shares the same frame. Only the subframe is all-new, in order to accommodate the raised tail section. The 43mm Showa big-piston fork has also been carried forward, but features revised internals, whereas the Sachs monoshock at the rear has a 2mm longer shock and a softer setting on preload.

Moving to the engine, the Panigale V2's  955cc Superquadro, twin-cylinder unit is based on the 959 Panigale's but has been upgraded to meet Euro5/BS6 emission norms. In the process, Ducati has managed to squeeze out 5hp more – the engine now produces 155hp at 10,750rpm and 104Nm of torque at 9,000rpm. The engine is paired to a 6-speed gearbox and a bi-directional quickshifter is now part of standard equipment.

 

 The V2's IMU-based electronics suite consists of cornering ABS, anti-wheelie control and engine brake control, and just like the 959 Panigale, the motorcycle comes with three ride modes – Race, Sport and Street.

Like almost every other Ducati sold in India, the Panigale V2 will come in as a CBU from the company’s manufacturing plant in Thailand. We had the opportunity to ride the Panigale V2 at its international launch in Jerez earlier this year, and you can click here to read about it.

At Rs 16.99 lakh, the premium that the Ducati Panigale V2 demands over the 959 Panigale puts it in a segment above. In this space, it rivals litre-class motorcycles like the BMW S 1000 RR, prices for which start at Rs 18.5 lakh.

Honda Hornet 2.0 launched at Rs 1.26 lakh

The Honda Hornet 2.0, a new motorcycle from Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI), has been launched in India at a price of Rs 1.26 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). Read on to know more about it.

• Based on Honda CB190R
• Gets a USD fork
• Has a 142kg Kerb weight
  

The new Hornet 2.0 marks Honda India's foray into the 180cc-200cc segment and boasts of muscular styling, a new chassis and a few segment-first features.

Design

To begin with, the new Honda Hornet 2.0 is based on the Honda CB190R that's sold in international markets, albeit with most of its body panels changed, including the headlamp and tail-light.

The Hornet 2.0 looks like a proper street fighter, with its sharp LED headlamp, beefy tank and sleek tail section. The tank extensions look seamlessly integrated and add to the visual mass. One design aspect that will remind you of the Honda Hornet 160R is the X-shaped tail lamp.

Moving on to equipment, the Hornet 2.0 is the only motorcycle in its segment to feature a USD fork, and it's finished in a contrasting shade of gold. The motorcycle also has a reverse LCD instrument cluster (a Honda staple these days) that also features a gear position indicator, service due indicator and battery voltmeter. Users can also customise the brightness level, with manual adjustment up to five levels.

Other noteworthy features of the Honda Hornet 2.0 include a LED indicators, hazard lamps and a sealed chain that Honda claims requires less frequent maintenance.

Engine specifications

Powering the Honda Hornet 2.0 is a new 184.4cc, air-cooled, fuel-injected, single-cylinder engine that develops 17.2hp at 8,500rpm and 16.1Nm at 6,000rpm. These figures are slightly higher than 160cc motorcycles and just below that of some 200cc ones, but considerably lower than the 200cc bikes from TVS and Bajaj.

What should work in favour of the Hornet 2.0, when it comes to performance is its 142kg kerb weight. For those curious, the Hornet's power to weight ratio is 121.12hp per tonne.

Chassis

The Hornet 2.0  is based on a new diamond frame, and Honda promises light and agile handling. Along with the USD fork, there's an adjustable monoshock at the rear.

The bike rides on new alloy wheels, shod with a fat 110mm tyre at the front and a 140mm tyre at the rear.

Braking duties are carried out by a 276mm front petal disc and 220mm petal disc at the rear. The bike is equipped with single-channel ABS only.

Availability and colours

The Honda Hornet 2.0 will be available from the first week of September 2020. The colour options include Pearl Igneous Black, Matte Sangria Red Metallic, Matte Axis Grey Metallic and Matte Marvel Blue Metallic.

Revolt to open Mumbai showroom on August 30

Revolt Motors is all set to open its first showroom in Mumbai on August 30, 2020. The company made the announcement via a countdown timer on its official website.

• Revolt RV300 and RV400 will be available

• RV400 is the premium version

• Monthly subscription plans start from Rs 2,999 per month

While Revolt had began operations in August 2019 in Delhi, the brand now operates in a total of six cities – Mumbai, Pune, Chennai, Ahmedabad and Hyderabad.

Revolt's Mumbai showroom (also called Revolt Hub) will be located at 332, Chunawala Plaza, Andheri West. The company planned to open the showroom in March 2020, however, the COVID-19 crisis led to delays.

At present, Revolt Motors has two electric motorcycles in its portfolio – the RV300 and the RV400. The former is the base model while the latter is a more premium model with plenty more bells and whistles. A notable feature on offer is the Revolt mobile app, which comes standard on both versions and enables the owner to track the bike, check trip history and even start up the motor.

In terms of specifications, the RV300 features a 1.5kW hub motor and a 2.7 kWh lithium-ion battery. Claimed range is 180km in Eco mode. The RV400, on the other hand, runs on a 3kW, frame-mounted motor and has a 3.24kWh lithium-ion battery. The RV400 has an ARAI certified range of 150km and a top speed of 85kph. Claimed battery charging time is 4.5 hours.

The Revolt motorcycles are only available via monthly subscription plans. The Revolt RV300 is available at a monthly fee of Rs 2,999 (for 36 months plus Rs 2,999 as a one-time booking amount) while the RV400 costs Rs 3,999 per month (for 38 months plus Rs 3,999 for the one-time booking amount).

With the RV400, Revolt offers a host of introductory benefits such as unlimited battery warranty (8 years or 1,50,000km), free maintenance benefits (3 years or 30,000km), product warranty (5 years or 75,000km) and insurance (1-year company-owned, 5 years third-party).

Kawasaki Vulcan S BS6 launched at Rs 5.79 lakh

Kawasaki has completed upgrading its 650cc platform to BS6 emission norms with the launch of the BS6-compliant Vulcan S cruiser.

• 649cc motor now BS6-compliant
• Gets a new colour scheme, but no other changes
• Price is up by Rs 30,000 compared to the 2019 model
  

The BS6 Vulcan S is priced at Rs 5.79 lakh (ex-showroom, India), which is a Rs 30,000 hike over the price for the Black colour 2019 model. The 2019 version was also available in a Black/Orange colour scheme, which cost Rs 5.59 lakh. For 2020, the Vulcan S gets a new colour scheme called Metallic Flat Raw Graystone – this will be the only option for now.

The rest of the bike remains the same. The BS6 Vulcan S does not get a new TFT display or a LED headlamp seen on the BS6 versions of the Kawasaki Ninja 650 and Kawasaki Z650. In BS6 form, the 649cc parallel-twin puts out an identical 61hp at 7500rpm, while torque has seen a negligible fall from 63Nm to 62.4Nm. All other figures remain the same, including the 705mm seat height and 235kg kerb weight.

The BS6 Vulcan S will continue to be offered with Kawasaki’s Egrofit system that allows customers to tune the handlebar and footpeg position to their liking, while different seat shapes are also available. Bookings are now open at all Kawasaki dealerships.

Vespa Racing Sixties to launch on September 1

Piaggio has just announced that the Racing Sixties edition – which is based on the BS6-compliant Vespa SXL 150 – will launch on September 1.

• Limited-edition Vespa Racing Sixties to launch on September 1
• Based on the SXL 150, the limited-run model features the same engine and hardware
• Gets new graphic scheme inspired from racing liveries of the 1960s
  

Back in February, Vespa had unveiled the Racing Sixties at Auto Expo 2020. While it shares its internals with the SXL 150 the limited-run version gets cosmetic changes that, as its name suggests, are inspired from racing liveries from the 1960s. The scooter was scheduled to launch in March – a month after it was first showcased – but it didn’t happen due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

What does the Racing Sixties look like?

The base colour on the Racing Sixties is white. There’s contrasting red-and-gold graphics towards the front and the sides, along with matching gold-coloured wheels. The white-coloured piping on the seat matches the scooter’s base colour; t’s another nice design touch. Components like the headlight surround, mirrors and exhaust shield are finished in matte black. The special edition gets a smoked windscreen that sits above a new LED headlight.

Are there any mechanical differences?

Powering the Racing Sixties is a BS6-compliant, 150cc, three-valve, fuel-injected engine that makes 10.4hp at 7,600rpm and 10.6Nm of torque at 5,500rpm. Braking is handled by a 200mm disc up front and a 140mm drum at the rear. ABS is also part of standard equipment on the scooter. Speaking of equipment, the Racing Sixties is also fitted with an under-seat light and a USB charger.

How much will the Racing Sixties cost?

The standard BS6-compliant SXL 150 has a Rs 1.26 lakh price tag. The Racing Sixties is expected to cost more, but not by a significant amount. We expect the scooter to be priced at around the Rs 1.3 lakh mark.

Honda Hornet 2.0: 5 things to know

The new Hornet 2.0 marks Honda India's foray into the 180cc-200cc segment. In order to compete on an even footing, it sports aggressive styling, a new platform and a few segment-first features.

New platform for India

The Honda Hornet 2.0 uses a new platform for India. The bike does not share its frame and other components with the CB Hornet 160R. Instead it borrows hardware from the CB190R sold in international markets. A quick comparison reveals that both, the Honda Hornet 2.0 and CB190R use 184.4cc engines mated to 5-speed gearboxes. Both bikes also have the same 9.5:1 compression ratio. Other similarities come in form of the diamond frame, brakes, tyre sizes and the suspension. The kerb weight and wheelbase have minor differences – 2kg and 1mm, respectively.
 

Aggressive and handsome design

While the bike is quite similar to the CB190R mechanically, it’s quite different when it comes to the design. The motorcycle does share the CB190R’s silhouette, but it also carries the aggressive design from the CB Hornet 160R forward. Each body panel appears to have been restyled, including components like the headlight and tail-light. The first thing you’ll notice are the sharp tank extensions that tie-in well with the rest of the bodywork. Another design highlight is the faux vents, which are positioned below the pillion seat. A neat design touch is the X-shaped tail-light; this was a signature element of the previous Hornet in India.
 

Performance between 160cc and 200cc

Despite using the same air-cooled, two-valve engine as the CB190R, Honda has managed to churn out more power and torque for India. The Hornet 2.0 puts out 17.2hp and 16.1Nm as compared to the CB190R’s 15.8hp and 15.3Nm figures. The company managed this while also making the engine BS6-compliant. To give you an idea of where the Honda stands on paper, it is closer towards the powerful 160s in India than the 200s. For reference, the TVS Apache RTR 160 4V makes 16hp and 14.12Nm, while the Bajaj NS160 makes 17.2hp and 14.6Nm. While the Bajaj makes the same power figure, the Hornet 2.0 still has the advantage when it comes to torque.

However, 200cc offerings like the TVS Apache RTR 200 4V – with a 20.5hp/16.8Nm engine – and the Bajaj Pulsar NS200 – powered by a 24.5hp/18.5Nm unit – have a big advantage on paper. The BS4 Hero Xtreme 200R also boasts slightly higher performance figures, but it also comes at a significantly lower price than the Hornet. We will probably see the Hero’s price go up with the shift to meet BS6 norms, but it’s still expected to be considerably lower than the Honda Hornet 2.0’s price.

Promises sure-footed dynamics

The Hornet 2.0's biggest USP is its upside-down fork. This fork setup is a first in the segment and usually found on more premium motorcycles. T. In addition, the Hornet 2.0 also has the widest tyres in its segment. The 110/70 front and 140/70 rear tyres underline the fact that Honda has prioritised good riding dynamics, even if it might come at a small expense, in terms of fuel-efficiency.
 

Priced nearly on par with 200cc bikes

At Rs 1.27 lakh, the Hornet 2.0 comes uncomfortably close to more-powerful 200cc offerings like the NS200 (Rs 1.29 lakh) and RTR 200 4V (Rs 1.28 lakh). The Hornet 2.0 also misses out on features like a four-valve head, liquid or oil-cooling, a 6-speed gearbox, dual-channel ABS, radial tyres or Bluetooth connectivity, all of which can be found at this price point.

That said, it will come with Honda’s legendary brand name as well as the promise of punchy urban performance and good riding dynamics. However, specifications only tell part of the story and we can’t wait to find out what the Hornet 2.0 is like in action. Stay tuned.

Ather Series 1 Collector’s Edition revealed

Ather has revealed its Collector’s Edition version of the 450X and is calling it the Series 1.

• The Series 1 is already sold out
• Deliveries are set to begin in November
• It gets a unique colour scheme and near-transparent side panels
  

The Bengaluru-based electric two-wheeler company has finally revealed its Series 1 that was first announced with the 450X back in January.

Ather Series 1 design details

Special to the Series 1 is its unique colour scheme that the company says is glossy black colour that has golden metallic flake in it. It also has minimal red highlights, including a racing stripe, wheel decals and its exposed trellis frame finished in red.

Speaking of the trellis frame, more of it is now visible because the side panels on the Series 1 are made from a special near-transparent polycarbonate material. Ather says this is the first time something like this is being used on a production two-wheeler. However, Ather still has to get the dyes ready, which is why the customers will only get the panels in May 2021. The company will install them at no cost.

Ather Series 1 specifications

Underneath, the Series 1 is identical to the 450X, it uses the same 3.3kW/6kW (continuous/peak) motor that produces 26Nm of torque (up from the 450's 20.5Nm). While the claimed top speed remains the same at 80kph, the 0-40kph acceleration time has now improved from the original Ather 450's 3.9sec to 3.3sec – this is most likely in the scooter's new Warp riding mode.

The range has gone up as well; the scooter now has a claimed range of 70km (up from 65km) in Ride mode. The range in Eco mode, meanwhile, has gone up by 10km, to 85km. The larger lithium-ion battery on the 450X does require more time to charge, it now takes 3hr 35min to get to 80 percent and 5hr 45min to get to a 100 percent from zero.
What about the other features?

Like the 450X, the Series 1 also gets the updated instrument cluster. While it uses the same Android-based operating system, it does feature minor updates indicating that it’s a Series 1 and not a 450X. While the screen continues to be a 7.0-inch unit, it gets 4G LTE and Bluetooth 4.2, like the 450X.

Ather has said the Series 1 will only be available to those who pre-ordered it in January. The company hasn’t revealed the number, but said it has fewer than 10,000 bookings. The owners of the Series 1 will also not be charged for service for the first year of ownership. Its price was the same as that of the 450X.

Where can you buy an Ather?

Earlier this year, Ather announced that it plans to expand its presence to 10 cities across India –Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Coimbatore, Kochi, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Pune. However, going by the response it has received so far, Ather has added Kozhikode to the list. This takes the total number of cities in Ather's Phase One expansion plan to 11.

Benelli Imperiale 400 available with low EMI scheme

The BS6 Benelli Imperiale 400 is now available with a new low EMI scheme.

• Low EMI of Rs 4,999 available for the motorcycle
• Imperiale 400 can be booked with low down payment of Rs 6,000
• Its 374cc engine develops 21hp and 29Nm of torque
• Benelli Imperiale 400 low EMI scheme details

The Benelli Imperiale 400 is available with a low EMI of Rs 4,999 and financing of up to 85 percent. The minimum booking amount for the Benelli Imperiale 400 is Rs 6,000.

The BS6 Benelli Imperiale 400 was launched a couple of months ago at a starting price of Rs 1.99 lakh, which is a massive Rs 20,000 hike over the BS4 motorcycle. Currently, it is the only BS6 motorcycle in Benelli's Indian portfolio.
BS6 Benelli Imperiale 400 specifications

The Imperiale 400 is powered by a 374cc, single-cylinder, fuel-injected engine that develops 21hp at 6,000rpm and 29Nm of torque at 3,500rpm. While the power and torque figures are identical to those of the BS4 engine, the RPMs at which they peak is 500rpm and 1,000rpm lower, respectively.

The chassis, suspension and wire-spoke rims have been carried forward from the BS4 motorcycle.
BS6 Benelli Imperiale 400 colours

The motorcycle is available in the three colours – Silver, Black and Red. The Black and Red colour are available for a premium of Rs 11,000 over the Silver Imperiale 400.

As far as competition goes, the Benelli Imperiale 400 goes up against the Royal Enfield Classic 350 and Jawa 42.

Triumph Trident nears production

Triumph Motorcycle has just revealed, that the Trident concept that was first showcased back in August, is now in the final stages of testing.

• Triumph Trident India launch in early 2021
• Will use a three-cylinder engine
• Gets a brand-new steel frame

The Triumph Trident

Triumph is creating a step for people to enter its naked motorcycle universe at a price point below the Street Triple range. This brand-new street naked motorcycle was showcased as a concept in August, but nothing about its specifications has been revealed.

The concept that was showcased was fully white, but this iteration is clad in camouflage test livery, giving us a better idea of what the final product will look like. Unlike the concept, this test mule also features production-spec hardware, like the wheels and full exhaust system. When the concept was unveiled, Triumph mentioned that the Trident will feature a swingarm mounted hugger for the number plate and that can be seen on this test mule.

Triumph has also shared an image of a rider atop the motorcycle and it has revealed that the Trident will be a rather compact offering.

Triumph Trident engine

It’s the engine that Triumph believes will truly set the Trident apart from the competition. This will be the first triple-cylinder motorcycle in the segment, the others being the Kawasaki Z650 and Yamaha MT-07, with their parallel-twin engines, and the Honda CB650, with its inline-four motor. Triumph says that the Trident's Street Triple-inspired engine has an advantage over its rivals, as it can offer the low-end grunt of a twin as well as the top-end rush of a four-cylinder engine. It’s possible that this motor will be based on the 660cc engine from the 2020 Street Triple S, but the changes it will come with and whether it keeps the displacement figure is unclear at the moment. 

Triumph Trident launch

Triumph has already said that the Trident will launch, early next year. Considering that the bike is in its final stages of testing, we could see a full unveil, later this year. We know that the 2021 Triumph Trident will be made in Thailand and that spells options for the Indian arm. Triumph India could avail the benefits of the Thai Free Trade Agreement (FTA) or assemble the motorcycle in India itself. Whatever route they might choose, a price tag of Rs 6.5-7 lakh (ex-showroom) would help the Triumph Trident to generate interest in India.

BMW R18 to launch on September 19

The BMW R18 cruiser will launch in India this week. BMW Motorrad India began accepting bookings for the R18 cruiser back in April (for Rs 1 lakh), and over the last month has made its way to dealerships across the country. A dealer we spoke to said the price is expected to be revealed on September 19 and that both variants, Standard and First Edition, will be available here.

    BMW R18 India launch this week

    Will be available in Standard and First Edition variants

    Dealers say the R18 is expected to be priced around Rs 22 lakh

What do we know of the R18’s engine and powertrain?

There’s a lot to talk about BMW’s latest addition to the cruiser segment, but the massive 1,802cc, air and oil-cooled engine that powers the R18 is its crown jewel. This engine is the largest ‘boxer’ engine manufactured by BMW Motorrad. Another mechanical aspect that really sets this BMW apart is the use of an exposed drive shaft; this is similar to the old BMW cruisers from which the R18 draws inspiration. 

Can you customize your R18?

BMW is offering a wide range of customisation options that tweak the bike’s design to suit individual tastes. This includes custom-made seats, exhausts, side panels, and even a handlebar, giving you the opportunity to transform this motorcycle as per your liking.
Does the R18 have any modern electronics?

The R18 has three riding modes, Rain, Roll and Rock; a fun take on the usual Rain, Road and Sport. In addition, there's switchable automatic stability control (ASC) and engine drag torque control or MSR. The latter prevents rear-wheel slip under hard acceleration or aggressive downshifts. BMW also offers a reverse gear driven by an electric motor. This will probably come in handy, since the R18 tips the scales at a solid 345kg.

How are the two variants different?

Like we mentioned above, BMW will offer the R18 in two trims, Standard and First Edition. The First Edition gets extra chrome elements, a Blackstorm metallic paint shade, and a seat badge with a 'First Edition' clasp on the chrome cover. It also includes some more intricate additions like a tank emblem with copper letterings, copper screws, a pair of gloves, as well as a screwdriver to fix the emblem on the tank. Additionally, the First Edition will also feature hill-start assist, heated grips and cornering headlights.

What price can we expect the R18 to launch at?

At the moment, it isn’t clear how aggressively BMW plans to price these bikes. The challenges of the pandemic have led Triumph to price the Street Triple R quite aggressively, and it will be interesting to see if BMW Motorrad India takes a similar direction. Dealers we spoke with said they expect the bike to be priced around the Rs 22 lakh mark (ex-showroom, Delhi).

Confirmed: Honda to launch Royal Enfield rival on September 30

Earlier this week, Honda revealed that it will launch a brand-new motorcycle in India on September 30. Today, the manufacturer shared with us the exhaust note of this upcoming motorcycle in a rather unique way.

    Upcoming 300cc-plus Honda motorcycle to rival Royal Enfield

    Will be a brand-new motorcycle for India

    To launch on September 30

The audio clip is of an exhaust note that sounds exactly like that of a Royal Enfield’s signature thump. It reveals what the bike sounds like while starting up, at idle and as it accelerates through the gears. Listen to the clip below and tell us what you think.

It’s no secret that Honda has been developing a motorcycle to take on Royal Enfield and, at the end of this month, we will finally get to see what it’s come up with. Given what it sounds like, we are almost certain to expect cruiser motorcycle styling from this upcoming Honda.

This also leads us to believe that it could be a 350cc bike if Honda really wants to take on the REs. Interestingly, the upcoming Honda motorcycle launches just before the brand-new Royal Enfield Meteor is expected to go on sale.

Given the more modern technology that the Meteor 350 is expected to feature, it’s going to be this Honda's most direct rival.

We are given to understand that this will be a never-seen-before motorcycle designed specifically for our market. It will be interesting to see whether the bike is based on an all-new platform or if it uses a modified version of something like the Honda Rebel 300 that is sold overseas.

However, considering that the Rebel is based on a modern liquid-cooled platform borrowed from the Honda CB300R, it is quite possible that this new bike will be based on a completely new platform.

This new bike will be retailed out of the Honda Big Wing dealer network. The Big Wing network has been designed for premium products and this new bike will be the most affordable motorcycle sold from it. Honda announced in November 2019 that it planned to aggressively expand the Big Wing network to 75 cities across India.

MV Agusta announces partnership with QJ-Motor

MV Agusta Motor has announced a new strategic partnership with QJ-Motor Co for the distribution of the brand’s motorcycles in China.

    QJ-Motor will initially handle distribution of MV Agusta in China

    It is expected to add 21 stores within a year

    Industrial developments are expected at a later stage

The QJ Group is one of the most prominent two-wheeler manufacturers in China, with extensive commercial presence in the region.

The agreement will initially concern the distribution of MV Agusta models through a network of flagship stores across the country, providing the highest standards of service to Chinese customers. At a later stage, the partnership will also have important developments on the industrial front, and collaboration in that sense is presently being defined.

After the successful launch phase in collaboration with Fekon Co, who was instrumental in the introduction of MV Agusta motorcycles in China, QJ will now take over the 7-existing mono-brand stores and expand the sales network with an additional 21 stores within 12 months and service centres with the objective of rapidly and significantly incrementing MV Agusta’s presence and visibility on the Chinese market. 

QJ has an impressive track record and considerable experience in managing international prime brands.

Timur Sardarov, CEO, MV Agusta Motor said, “I am thrilled about this agreement with QJ for the second phase of our expansion into the Chinese market. It is a very ambitious long-term partnership that will make MV Agusta the number one Italian premium motorcycle brand in China in the next 5 years. We are also developing a further, important collaboration on the industrial front, which we will announce shortly.”

Dongshao Guo, General Manager of Qianjiang Motor Co commented, ”We hope that in the future we could work together to bring in for the Chinese customers more high-performance motorcycles that are fashionable, easy to handle, and fun to ride. We aim to make motorcycle travels freer, greener, and more passionate.”

Ather 450X Collector's Edition launch on September 25

Ather Energy is all set to launch the Ather 450X Collector's Edition on September 25, 2020.

    Ather plans to install 10-15 fast-charging points in each city

    Adds Kozhikode to the list of cities in Phase One expansion

    Deliveries of the Ather 450X to begin in November 2020

What is the Ather 450X Collector's Edition?

The Bengaluru-based start-up says that the Ather 450X Collector's Edition is the company's way of thanking those who bestowed faith in the brand and the 450X scooter by booking it, despite not knowing the specifications or price. 

The Ather 450X is an even more feature-packed and powerful version of the standard Ather 450 and was launched in January 2020.

Powering the Ather 450X is a 3.3kW/6kW (continuous/peak) motor that produces 26Nm of torque (up from the 450's 20.5Nm). While the claimed top speed remains the same, at 80kph, the 0-40kph acceleration time has now improved from the Ather 450's 3.9sec to 3.3sec because of the scooter's new Warp riding mode. The scooter is also lighter than the 450 by 4kg, weighing in at 108kg (kerb). To know more about the Ather 450X, click here.

The company adds that the special-edition Ather 450X is a celebration of its principle of developing purposefully designed, high-performance products.
Ather’s expansion plan includes one more city

Earlier this year, Ather announced that it plans to expand its presence to 10 cities across India –Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Coimbatore, Kochi, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Pune. However, going by the response it has received so far, Ather has added Kozhikode to the list. This takes the total number of cities in Ather's Phase One expansion plan to 11. 

 
Ather’s charging infrastructure plan

As part of the expansion plan, Ather is working towards setting up a wide network of fast chargers across the previously mentioned cities. The company has already begun identifying locations such as malls, coffee shops, restaurants, tech parks, and offices.

Ather says it intends to set up at least 10-15 fast charging points in each city, as part of the Phase One expansion plan. At present, the company has installed 52 Ather Grid points in Chennai and Bengaluru. These can be accessed not only by Ather users but also by those with electric vehicles from other brands.
When will deliveries for the Ather 450X begin?

Ather will begin deliveries of the new Ather 450X from November 2020 onwards, across the country.

New Ducati Scrambler 1100 launched from Rs 11.95 lakh

 Ducati India has launched the new Scrambler 1100 Pro at Rs 11.95 lakh and the Scrambler 1100 Sport Pro at Rs 13.74 lakh. Bookings for the new Ducati Scrambler 1100 have begun across dealerships.

    1100cc L-Twin makes 86hp at 7,500rpm and 88Nm of torque at 4,750rpm

    Ducati Traction control and Bosch cornering ABS are standard on both variants.

    Sport Pro variant gets Öhlins suspension and lower handlebars

Two variants based on the same platform

The new Ducati Scrambler 1100 Pro and 1100 Sport Pro are based on the same platform, and therefore share the same trellis frame and Euro 5/ BS6-compliant engine. The 1,079cc, air-cooled, L-Twin makes 86hp at 7,500rpm and 88Nm of torque at 4,750rpm. The new Scrambler Pros also get a revised exhaust system that also helps in meeting the stringent BS6 emission norms.

What’s the difference between the Ducati Scrambler 1100 variants?

In terms of styling and equipment, both the Ducati Scrambler 1100 Pro models get an improved seat and a repositioned number plate holder that sits lower. The Sport Pro gets a special matte black paint as well.

The Ducati Scrambler 1100 Sport Pro is the higher-spec model and is distinguished by its lower handlebars, with cafe racer-style bar-end mirrors and premium Öhlins suspension. The Scrambler 1100 Pro gets a slightly lower-spec Marzocchi front fork and Kayaba monoshock.

What safety features do the Ducati Scrambler 1100 variants offer?

In terms of safety, both motorcycles get Ducati Traction Control or DTC, Bosch cornering ABS and three riding modes – Active, Journey and City.

Both motorcycles feature Brembo brakes. At the front, there are two 320mm discs with Brembo M4.32 monobloc, radially mounted calipers, while at the rear, there is a 245mm disc with a single caliper.

TVS Apache RTR 200 4V with single-channel ABS launched at Rs 1.23 lakh

 TVS has just launched an addition to the Apache RTR 200 4V family and this bike costs a little less than the current one.

    The RTR 200 now gets a single-channel ABS variant

    Dual-channel model will continue to be available

    All other specifications remain the same

What’s new in this addition to the Apache RTR 200 4V line-up?

The TVS RTR 200 4V has thus far been available with a dual-channel ABS system only, but the company has just launched another variant that will be available with a single-channel system. TVS calls this a Super-Moto ABS system and it will work only on the front wheel, which means the rider can lock up the rear under braking.

What remains the same in the Apache RTR 200 4V with single-channel ABS?

There are no other changes to the bike, and it will be offered in the same colour schemes – Pearl White and Gloss Black – as its sibling. The TVS RTR 200 4V is powered by a 197.75cc, single-cylinder, four-valve oil-cooled engine that develops 20.5hp at 8,500rpm and 16.8Nm or torque at 7,500rpm.

With the switch to BS6, the RTR 200 4V received a small makeover that included a new full-LED headlamp. Another addition was TVS’ Glide Through Technology, which essentially lets the bike move forward at a steady speed while filtering through traffic. We recently conducted a full road test review of the Apache RTR 200 4V and you can read about it here.

 

How much will the Apache RTR 200 4V with single-channel ABS cost?

TVS has priced this new variant at Rs 1,23,500, which is Rs 5,050 less than the RTR 200 with dual channel ABS. The Apache RTR 200’s chief rival is the Bajaj Pulsar NS 200, which is available only with a single-channel ABS and is priced at Rs 1,29,722. Another closely matched rival in terms of specifications is the newly launched BS6 Yamaha FZ25, but that bike has been priced much higher at Rs 1.52 lakh.

BMW M 1000 RR unveiled

BMW Motorrad has taken the wraps off the new M 1000 RR, a homologation special motorcycle that is based on the BMW S 1000 RR superbike.

    First BMW M division motorcycle

    999cc engine develops 212hp at 14,500rpm and 113Nm at 11,000rpm

    Kerb weight is 192kg, lighter than stock S 1000 RR by 5kg

The new BMW M 1000 RR is the first motorcycle to roll out of the company's hallowed M-division, a dedicated facility that for the longest time has been making high performance variants of BMW's cars. The M 1000 RR is a homologation special, designed to meet FIM WSBK specifications and is road-legal as well.
What are the BMW M 1000 RR design changes?  

As we've said earlier, the BMW Motorrad M 1000 RR is based on the sleek and angry-faced S 1000 RR, and hence shares most of the body panels.

The most obvious difference between the two motorcycles are the new carbon fibre winglets. BMW calls them M-winglets and these have been tested and developed using BMW Group's wind tunnel and on a race track. The winglets provide a maximum aerodynamic downforce of 16.3kg at 186mph or 299kph.

One advantage of the downforce generated by the winglets is that it helps reduce the tendency to wheelie under hard acceleration, that in turn minimises the intervention of traction control. The winglets also help pin the front wheel down into the tarmac during hard braking and improve stability in corners.

Besides the wings, the paintwork gives the M 1000 RR a distinct appearance with the characteristic BMW M colours slathered across the bodywork.

The M1000RR also gets a new, taller windscreen that BMW claims reduces wind resistance and helps the rider tuck in neatly.

In terms of equipment the motorcycle's 6.5-inch TFT screen has a special starting animation with an M logo. It also gets an OBD interface that can be used with an activation code for the M GPS data logger and M GPS laptrigger, available with the Performance pack. More on that later.
M 1000 RR gets more power

The engineers at the BMW M-division have infused their magic into the standard S 1000 RR inline-four engine by making some interesting changes. However, the ShiftCam technology with variable valve timing and lift has been retained, albeit with shorter intake funnels to improve top end performance. Is this related to air intake or the valve train?

The BMW M 1000 RR's 999cc engine uses new 2-ring forged pistons and each piston is lighter by 12g. The titanium connecting rods are 2mm longer and lighter, each weighing a mere 85g. BMW has also employed slimmer and 6 per cent lighter rocker arms, revised the intake port geometry, used titanium valves on the exhaust side and raised the compression ratio to 13.5:1. All of these changes result in a 5hp increase in power over the S 1000 RR and a redline that's pushed to 15,100rpm from 14,600rpm on the S 1000's engine.

The specs stand at 212hp at 14,500rpm and 113Nm at 11,000rpm. More importantly, the M engine produces more power than the S, between 6,000rpm and 15,100rpm; particularly relevant for the race track. The gearing too has been altered by adding one tooth on the rear sprocket, to increase the total count to 46 teeth.

This along with the lighter Akrapovic titanium full system exhaust, that helps shave 3.7 kg off the total weight, contribute to improved performance.

How fast is the BMW M 1000 RR?  

The result of all those changes to the engine is 0.2s faster time to get to 100kph from standstill while the 200kph barrier is breached 0.4s quicker than the S 1000 RR. It may not seem like a lot in the real world but on a racetrack, mere tenths could be the difference between a good or bad result.
What about the electronics suite?

The M 1000 RR, expectedly, is kitted with a vast array of electronic aids. For starters, there are five ride modes, Rain, Road, Dynamic, Race and Race Pro. The 'Race Pro' has three levels that allow tuning of the IMU-based traction control and wheelie control settings as well as the engine brake settings.

The motorcycle also gets launch control, bi-directional quickshifter, Hill Start Pro and a pit lane speed limiter as standard.

What about the M 1000 RR chassis?

Along with improving the engine, the engineers have also tweaked the chassis to enhance the handling.

The BMW M 1000 RR's chassis is based on the S 1000 RR's, with the frame made of aluminium. The steering geometry has been optimised, with a flatter steering head angle at 66.4 degrees and reduced fork offset, by 3mm to 26.5mm. Besides this, the wheelbase has also been increased from 1441mm to 1457mm, achieved by employing a longer swingarm. The pivot point of the swingarm can be adjusted in keeping with the need to alter the geometry to suit a particular race track.

While that takes care of one aspect of the chassis, BMW also went on a mission to shave as much weight at possible. The M 1000 RR tips the scales at 192kg (kerb) only and that's mainly because of the lighter exhaust and standard M carbon wheels that are 1.7kg lighter than the aluminium ones on the S 1000 RR. Regular Pro model also gets carbon wheels

The brakes have been developed in association with Nissin and the calipers are finished in an M-divison specific blue paint. These calipers are lighter and bite on to thicker discs than those on the S 1000 RR.

With the changes made to the chassis and the lighter weight, BMW claims improved performance, drivability and agility around a racetrack.

M performance package

For those who want more than what the new M 1000 RR offers in standard trim, the M competition package provides a vast range of components to kit out the motorcycle.

The list includes the M GPS laptrigger software and the corresponding activation code, M milled parts package, the M carbon package as well as a 220 g lighter swing arm. You also get BMW's new DLC-coated, maintenance-free M-Endurance chain while the passenger package includes a tail-hump cover. The cost of the M-performance package is a whopping Rs 3.82 lakh.

Price and competition

With all the exotic components and extra performance on offer, BMW Motorrad has managed to price the M 1000 RR quite well. In international markets, the M 1000 RR is priced at £31,000 (Rs 28.86 lakh) which is nearly double the price of the standard S 1000 RR sells at a base £15,590 (Rs 15 lakh)

That said the BMW M 1000 RR is much cheaper than the Ducati Panigale V4R that sells at £ 35,141 or (Rs 32.89 lakh), its direct, homologation special rival.

Whether BMW Motorrad launches the M 1000 RR in India remains to be seen.

Official: Harley-Davidson to discontinue its business in India

It’s been rumoured for a while, but Harley-Davidson USA has just announced that it will officially end its business operations in India

    The international statement says that both sales and manufacturing will be concluded in India

    This comes as part of Harley-Davidson’s Rewire business strategy

    The move will terminate around 70 jobs

Is Harley-Davidson shutting down in India?

That appears to be the case. Over the past few months, Harley-Davidson has been announcing multiple cost-saving measures as part of its new Rewire business strategy. The latest news is the biggest so far and the American company has just reported to the Securities and Exchange Commission of USA that it will be ending its sales and manufacturing business in India.

What does this mean for Harley-Davidson India's customers?

Following the international statement, Harley-Davidson India has just released a statement of its own that states it will close its manufacturing plant in Bawal, Haryana and “significantly reduce the size of its sales office in Gurgaon”. The Harley-Davidson India press release continues, “The company is communicating with its customers in India and will keep them updated on future support. The Harley-Davidson dealer network will continue to serve customers through the contract term.”
But this may not be the end of Harley in India

Harley-Davidson has recently celebrated ten years in India and there is a vibrant Harley-Owners-Group or HOG community in place. While Harley-Davidson is clearly  wrapping up its own business here, there are some signs that this may not be the last time a Harley-Davidson motorcycle is sold in India.

For starters, the press release shared by the Indian subsidiary is titled “Harley-Davidson Rewires business model in India”. If you read between the lines, it means that Harley-Davidson may not officially be present in India anymore, but the company is evaluating other options.

We have been hearing of rumours for a while now that Harley-Davidson looking for an Indian partner and this could be just the reason why. Just as premium international brands like Ferrari, MV Agusta and others have no official company owned business presence in India, Harley-Davidson could also sell motorcycles and provide support to existing customers via an Indian business partner.

The manufacturing plant certainly will shut down permanently, and that might just spell the end of the Street 750 model as well. But it might be a little too early to call it curtains closed on Harley-Davidson in India.

We have reached out to Harley Davidson officials for a statement and will update this space as we learn more.

Benelli working on 10 new engines

 Following its strategic partnership with MV Agusta, Benelli has revealed plans for a 1,000cc four-cylinder bike and the revival of its old 900cc triple.

    Upcoming Benelli engines to classify into four families

    Presentation reveals a total of 10 engine variants

    Three-cylinder TNT 899i to be revived

Earlier this week, MV Agusta Motor announced a new strategic partnership with QJ-Motor Co – Benelli’s parent company in China – for the distribution of the brand’s motorcycles in the latter’s home country.  Benelli plans to eventually expand its line-up with numerous motorcycles and multiple engine layouts. As part of the partnership, it will also initially distribute MV Agusta’s products in China, and later include the Italian bike maker in its engine research, development, and product co-operation activities.

Now, what looks like a presentation of Benelli’s upcoming plans has surfaced online, revealing that the manufacturer plans to have four engine families in the future.

Imperiale 530 to be powered by single-cylinder, air-cooled engine

At the bottom of the line there’s a range of single-cylinder, air-cooled engines in 250cc, 380cc and 530cc versions. We already know that an Imperiale 530 is in the works, and now we know that this is the engine that will power it.
New Benelli parallel-twin

Currently, Benelli’s parallel-twin line-up includes 300cc, 500cc and 750cc engines. This presentation reveals that 400cc, 700cc and 900cc parallel-twin engine are also under development. It remains to be seen whether these engines will sit alongside the existing platform or take the place of the aforementioned parallel twins. Either way, it’s likely that it’s these units that will power the upcoming TRK 800 ADV and a Leoncino Cross based on the existing model.
Reintroduction of Benelli TNT 899i and new three-cylinder engine

Benelli once had a three-cylinder engine in its portfolio. It’s this unit that powered the Tornado Tre and TNT 899, which was once sold in our market as well. This engine platform was laid to rest when Qianjiang acquired Benelli but is now making a comeback on none other than the TNT 899i.

Four-cylinder Benelli motorcycle still some time away  

The presentation also revealed new four-cylinder engines – a 650cc unit and a 1,000cc unit. At the moment, Benelli’s only four-cylinder engine is the 600cc unit used on the TNT600i and the SRK 600 that was seen earlier this year. The 650 engine is likely to be an upscaled version of the existing motor, following a slight bump in displacement to balance out any power loss that has been incurred by the transition to comply with Euro 5 norms. There are no details, yet, on the litre-class engine.
Are there any details on when these upcoming Benelli bikes will launch?

Not at the moment. However, the presentation that leaked earlier this year did confirm that bikes like the TRK800 adventure bike, a new 600RR and the Imperiale 530 were to launch this year. That said, it’s likely this has been delayed due to the pandemic.

Suzuki V-Strom 160 patent image leaked

Suzuki along with its Chinese partner Haojue is developing an entry-level, 160cc adventure motorcycle that appears to be the basis of the new V-Strom 160. At least that's what can be inferred by the design of the motorcycle, after looking at the patent images that were leaked recently.

    Designed by Suzuki's Chinese partner, Haojue

    Design hints towards a Suzuki V-Strom 160 in development

    162cc, single cylinder engine makes 15hp and 14Nm

Suzuki V-Strom 160 design details

The motorcycle in the images seems to have borrowed design cues from Suzuki's V-Strom 1050 that in turn is inspired by the legendary Suzuki DR Big motorcycle.

The prominent beak at the front looks like the big Suzuki V-Strom, while the vertically stacked headlamp is most likely going to be an all-LED unit. We expect the indicators and tail light to be LEDs too.

Above the headlamp, there is a large windscreen, which should be adjustable, given the application of the motorcycle. Other notable design elements include a high mounted handlebar with integrated handguards. Also, expect a full digital instrument cluster, going by today's standard.

When viewed from the side, you'll notice the beefy tank with neatly integrated extensions. The stepped single-piece seat is wide and spacious, while the ergonomics should be upright enough for long highway stints.

Moving to the rear, the sleek tail section with a large grab handle has an integrated luggage rack. Speaking of luggage, there are slots visible below the rear seats to attach panniers.

The bike rides on multi-spoke alloy wheels, indicating its road biased setup, however, it is difficult to point out the exact wheel sizes at this point. Also notice the wheel-spoke mounted disc, a la the Honda CB 300R. The bike is expected to feature single-channel ABS.

As far as suspension is concerned, expect a basic telescopic fork and rear monoshock setup, the latter being adjustable for preload.

 Suzuki V-Strom 160 engine details

It looks like the powertrain is borrowed from the Haojue DR160S that is sold in China, apparent when you compare the engine architecture. And just to be clear, this motorcycle has nothing to do with the Gixxer 150 sold in India.

The Haojue 162cc fuel-injected, single-cylinder engine makes around 15hp at 8,000rpm and 14Nm of peak torque at 6,500rpm. These figures are expected to remain the same in the 160cc V-Strom as well. That said, it will be interesting to see the kind of gearing that'll be employed.
Will the Suzuki V-Strom 160 be sold in India?

If this motorcycle makes it to production, Suzuki may sell the V-Strom 160 in China and position it above the Haojue model. It may also introduce V-Strom 160 in a few markets outside China. However, the chances of the motorcycle making it to India are bleak.

That being said, it'll be interesting to see if Suzuki India explores the option of using this baby V-Strom platform to develop a 250cc ADV for India. The idea of using the existing Suzuki Gixxer 250 engine (that makes 26.5hp at 9,300rpm and 22.2Nm of torque at 7,300rpm) would be ideal to keep costs in check.

At present the 200cc-250cc segment is witnessing a lot of action, with the impressive BS6 Hero Xpulse 200 and the soon to be launched KTM 250 Adventure. Suzuki, for sure, would like to have a slice of this pie.

2020 ‘Bonnie Build-off’ contenders revealed

The contenders for this year's Triumph 'Bonneville Build-Off Challenge' have been unveiled. The bikes were submitted by Triumph dealers from around the UK and the bikes can now be viewed and voted for online.

One of our favourites is the military-style Bonneville, inspired by the 70th anniversary of VE Day. It’s been built by Bristol dealers Fowler’s and it’s one of the nine finalists in the event. Called the VE Day Commemorative Bike, it’s been built by Fowler’s master technicians Tony Crocker and Sam Upton. Based on a Bonneville Bobber the custom machine uses a combination of vintage, military-inspired themes with modern mechanicals and accessories.This is the second running of the competition after its successful debut in 2019 as won by Laguna Ashford. New for 2020 is a dedicated contest microsite that features a selection of photos and details about all the bikes.

And while the overall winner will again be decided by public vote, another new addition is the creation of four secondary awards, chosen by a panel of Triumph-riding celebrities.

 

The Design Award will be chosen by architect and TV presenter George Clarke; the Inspiration Award by Olympic cyclist Victoria Pendleton; the Paint & Custom Award by custom builder Jody Millhouse of Thornton Hundred and the Retail Choice Award by Triumph UK’s General Manager Devron Boulton. Other entrants, which can be seen in all their glory on the microsite, include a flat tracker by Norfolk Triumph, faired Speed Racer by Edinburgh Triumph and a Scrambler by Triumph North London, plus 'Reggie’s Café Racer' by Oxford Triumph, the 'Thruxton BB' by Bevan & Sons of Cardiff, the 'Spitfire' by reigning Triumph dealer of the year A1 Moto of York, the 'Speed Twin JLC' by Triumph West London (formerly Jack Lilley’s of Ashford) and 'Crushed Ice' by Destination Triumph.

For Triumph, Devron Boulton said: "The diversity and quality of the custom builds this year really showcases the boundless possibilities we have to personalise this classic bike, using our huge range of genuine Triumph accessories."

The 'Bonneville Build-Off' microsite went live on September 16, voting is open until October 14 and the winners will be revealed on October 28.