Bikers Blog

Petrol Price Hike - Indians Paying More Than Double Compared to US

2011-05-15T08:42:00.000+05:30

Metal prices, including Gold and Silver are coordinated at the global level. With minor fluctuations, gold and silver cost almost the same in different countries.
But in case of black liquid gold - Petrol, the prices vary so much across nations, mainly due to the Government excise and tax rates and subsidies for fuel.
When the crude oil peaked to $150 per barrel in the United States in year 2008, the price of petrol per liter was increased to INR 50 in India.
But within months, when the price again dropped to $70-80 (by around 50%) per barrel in the US, it was decreased by only around 20% (to INR 40 per liter) in India.
And today, when the price of crude is still in the $90-100 range (per barrel) in the US, here in India we are being charged INR 63 per liter.

Unlike in India, crude oil is priced almost the same across several countries
(latest crude price data by US-EIA: Energy Information Administration):
World Crude Oil Prices

From the above list, it is clearly visible that the price across the listed countries varies from $100-120. And in the United States, it is around $100 at the time of writing this article (Live Oil Price - US)

A US barrel consists of 159 Liters, therefore at the present price of INR 63, a US Barrel of petroleum in India costs INR 10,017 or approx. $222 (taking 1 USD = INR 45 ).
Therefore, today when we are paying Rs.63 per liter of petrol, in the US people are just paying around INR 28 per liter of petrol.

It clearly means that we Indians are paying more than double the price as compared to US and several other countries.

And as petroleum prices also contribute to the cost of almost all other commodities of a country (by adding to the transportation costs), today the cost of living for the common man (read non-politicians) is aiming the sky.

Check DDA Draw Results / Application Status [2010-2011]

2011-04-18T22:24:00.002+05:30

The results of DDA 2010-2011 Housing Scheme are already announced by Delhi Development Authority, and the complete list of successful applicants can be downloaded from this link:

Draw_Result_DDA2010.pdf

Download it & check your application status...Best of Luck :)

Bugatti Veyron To Roar On Indian Roads

2010-10-30T13:14:00.000+05:30

A glimpse of Ferrari raises the adrenaline level of any Indian, the touch of a Rolls Royce gives you the luxury feel of a king and if you are not from a metro city of India, probably you wouldn't even have ever seen a Lamborghini on road.
But now, a car far above these cars in terms of looks, speed and luxury is ready to say "Namaste India", and that's Bugatti Veyron from the Volkswagen Group.

At a top-speed of 407 km/hr and cost of 16 crores (onwards) INR it is faster (fastest car on production that is allowed to drive on normal roads) & costlier than any other car in the India. From Tata Nano to Rolls Royce, Indians have cars to suit all the segments, but Veyron has re-defined top class luxury segment of Indian automobiles.

But the top-speed won't be able to take you to Mumbai from Delhi in 4 hours. I am not blaming the Indian roads for this, the reason is the car itself. According to Forbes India, "The engine will cut out after 55 seconds of hard acceleration. At which point the car will hit top speed. In 12 minutes, she’ll run out of fuel. A good thing, because at top speed the tyres last for just 15 minutes. (Those tyres cost an eye-watering 40,000 euros a set.)"
The Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport car has a huge power of 1001 BHP, which helps it arrive at 0-100km/hr in 2.5sec with a limited top speed of 407kms.

Engine of the car has been joined with a computer controlled, seven speed dual clutch direct shift automatic transmission, which takes a mere 150 milliseconds for gear shifts. Car also includes number of ten radiators for the engine cooling system, for transmission oil, for engine oil, a heat exchanger for the air to liquid inter-coolers.

The reason behind entering the Indian market is of course the successful marketing done by other luxury car companies in India, including Rolls Royce.

"Bugatti has been doing well in America, Europe and the Middle East. Now we see India as an emerging market for us, hence we have decided to bring the car to India," Bugatti Automobiles sales market manager (Middle East, Europe and India) Guy Caquelin told reporters in New Delhi.

Lamborghini Balanced On 4 Tea Cups

2010-09-20T01:13:00.004+05:30

What?
A recurring spectacle at William Ashley's at the Manulife Centre in downtown Toronto, where a vehicle is balanced on four teacups. This time it is a Tesla Roadster. This high-definition video was shot during the Toronto International Film Festival 2009.

Why?
As it was written on the board (in the video), this was done to show the strength of their BoneChina tea cups.

The exact words written on the board:

ASHLEY
How Strong Do You
Like Your Cup Of Tea?

This Lamborghini Gallaardo Supperleggare
is only supported by
4
Wedgwood
Bone China Tea Cups

Designed For Everyday Use!

Check out these video too...

Gears and Gadgets - Eyewear From ZenniOpticals

2010-03-24T22:02:00.001+05:30

For men, watches and eye glasses are more than just a requirement. These are their style statements and so are priced from a few dollars to hundreds or even thousands of dollars. But paying high price for stylish eye-glasses is not always necessary, and that's what is seen at Zenni Opticals.
Today, while going through Eric's Review of Zenni Optical , I came to know what all am I missing all these years by not purchasing my eye wear at Zenni. Their eye glasses start from as low as $8.00 which include not only the basic designs but many stylish frames too. And anyone can find the design of their interest anywhere in the range $8.00-$40.00 easily. The website is professionally designed with eye glasses categorized according to price, frame material, design, women's/men's wear, goggles and new arrivals. Designs vary from rimless, half/full frame, titanium, acetate, stainless steel or mixed metals based eye glasses. Moreover rather than charging $20-$100 for additional features like anti-reflective coating and sunglass color tint, they charge just $4.95. Moreover their shipping charges are also limited to just $4.95 regardless of the quantity of your order.
So, what are you waiting for? Head on to Zenni Opticals and select the one that suits the best, at the lowest possible price.

Mahindra Bolero Clocked A Fantastic Mileage of 35.15 km/ltr

2009-12-08T21:38:00.005+05:30

If you are dropping your plan of purchasing an SUV just because of high maintainance cost, then think again, if you can neatly maintain an SUV like Bolero, then it can deliver you a mileage of 30+ km/ltr diesel.
Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. (M&M) recently organised the Mahindra Bolero Mileage Marathon aimed at highlighting the mileage of this SUV, at Kochi. A total of 32 Bolero families participated in the event which was a special customer-centric initiative.
“The Mahindra Bolero Mileage Marathon in Kochi gave a clear idea on fuel efficiency of this great economical SUV. A testament to this is the winning mileage of 35.15 kms/litre clocked by Mr. Seby K B. The Bolero’s superior value proposition, style and rugged appeal coupled with our customer-centric approach to business have been major contributors to its success over the years,” said Mr. Vivek Nayer, Senior Vice President – Marketing, Auto Sector, Mahindra and Mahindra Ltd.
The Mileage Marathon, covering a distance of approximately 58 kms, was a close contest with the first runner-up, Mr. James C K, clocking an average of 31.35 kms/litre, while the second runner-up, Mr. Jamseer T S, clocked an average of 28.79 kms/litre.
Mahindra Bolero is of course not as muscular as Scorpio or Tata Safari. But considering the initial cost and the maintainance cost, it still has its own place in the Indian SUV market.

Search and Buy Used Auto Parts [A-Z] Online

2009-12-08T02:07:00.001+05:30

Careless driving is too common these days. Whether it's your fault or not, you cannot avoid frequent scratches, dents or even broken parts of your own car while driving it in the busy streets of your city. And even if the vehicle is duly insured, it is not easy to replace the parts every time with brand new parts. So in such circumstances, the best option is to replace the damaged parts with used branded parts. This is a pocket-friendly way of renovating your cars and bikes.
But finding the exact part of your interest is not easy. Although daily hundreds and thousands of cars and bikes are dumped into various junkyards, but there is no accurate database of what is available for re-use and what's not.
But recently Parts Hotlines has started a service in the United States, which makes it easier to search and buy used auto parts online.
Simply visit their website, select your vehicle make, year of manufacture and of course your location...and voila within seconds you will be shown a list of premier auto salvage yards across the country where the used auto parts of your interest are available.

According to the information available on their website, the founders of PartsHotlines.com have been leaders in the discount auto parts industry since 1984, so you can expect a quality service from them. Moreover they have a real time used auto parts database, so if an auto salvage yard enters the used auto part you need into his inventory at 10:00 am and you search for the part at 10:01 am, you'll see that he has the auto part you need. It's that fast and accurate!

Mercedes Benz - A Car For The NxtGen?

2009-10-29T23:05:00.001+05:30

You wouldn't have seen this car on the streets yet. A prototype by Mercedes shows a unique design which is definitely not for the 40+ part of the population with zero knowledge of video games or PC games, have a look on these pictures and decide yourself what's the perfect age group eligible to drive this amazing sedan!

Nothing special???
Now have a look on its interiors...

Neither steering wheel nor the pedals are present. The car has been designed to work only with a joy-stick!

Mahindra Rodeo - TV Commercial

2009-10-06T03:06:00.004+05:30

Mahindra PowerScooters are on the roads...
Check out the 30 seconds video clip below, featuring Mahindra Rodeo:

- Both the Mahindra Rodeo & the Mahindra Duro are 125 cc gearless Power Scooters
with several class defining features

- The Mahindra Rodeo is priced at Rs. 41,299 (ex showroom Pune), while the
Mahindra Duro is priced at Rs. 38,299 (ex showroom Pune)

[Read complete details here]

- The scooters are looking tiny to be called as 'boys toys', but do you think they are too 'girly' or are 'unisexual' just as shown in the commercial? #ShareYourViews

For Your Unexpected Auto Financial Needs...

2009-09-03T10:40:00.003+05:30

Tough times do not warn before coming. And along with the inconvenience of repairing your vehicle, something that certainly adds to the tension is the sudden financial requirements. But if you are a US citizen, then it is no more a problem to arrange all the unexpected financial needs at the click of a mouse. Payday Advance (PayDayOne) is a US based company, subsidiary of ThinkCash, Inc. with offices in Delaware, Nevada and Texas. At PayDayOne, you simply have to fill a form online in a safe and secure way. Upon approval of the form, within a day your account will be electronically credited with the amount you requested.
Requirements to get your loan approved:
You need a job or proven source of income, email address, verifiable phone, checking account in good standing, and you must be at least 18 years of age.

So here are the three simple steps to get your loan quickly online:

Benefits of taking loans from PayDayOne:
- No faxing or waiting in lines
- Great Rate Guarantee
- Secure online loan application
- Apply 24/7 from home or work
- Low credit scores are no problem

Pulsar 220 vs Yamaha Fazer vs Apache RTR 180

2009-08-30T23:16:00.005+05:30

All these three bikes are the upper segment sporty and in the same price range. Although Yamaha is yet to unveil its new bike rumored to be the fastest Indian bike (defeating the present fastest Indian bike - Bajaj Pulsar 220cc DTSi). Compare the features below, and to print / store these details on your PC, you may download this Microsoft .xls (excel) sheet.

So which one are you planning to buy?

Gears & Gadgets : Do You Bid To Shop?

2009-08-30T15:15:00.003+05:30

Bidding is not always paying more than others. The auctions at Rockybid are completely different from the usual auctions. Rather than paying more than the actual price of the product, at the end of the auction you may get the product with as much as 99% discount.
The launch of the website was reported by both Reuters and RedOrbit.

So what's new in their bidding method? Read on...
It's simple:
Unlike e-Bay and other traditional auction sites, where bidding is free, on Rocky Bid you pay for bidding (just $0.75 per bid).
Why should I pay to bid?
Rockybid's auction strategy starts sale items off at $0 and sets a closing date and time for auctions. Each time a bid is placed, the price increases by just $0.01 or $0.15, depending on the auction, and 15 seconds are added to the auction countdown clock. The winner of the auction is the last person to bid when the timer reaches zero.
And what if I lose a bid?
Don't worry, you can use the value of the bids to pay the price of a future winning auction within 30 days
Any good products listed/sold by RockyBid?
Honda Hybrid was sold for $1.24 (given out publicly; video on website).
I.E Nintendo WII for $0.99, Playstation 3 for $1.39, ATv for $0.06. Recently a Gold Bullion was sold for around $120 (including delivery charges) which is worth $1100. So what are you waiting for, start bidding and bring all the products listed on your wish-list to your home.

Harley Davidson - Coming To India

2009-08-27T16:45:00.003+05:30

Last month, Harley-Davidson Inc reported a slump in second-quarter net profit. To come out of the recession blues, Harley has decided to enter the world's second-largest market for bikes - India.

Officially reported by Reuters.

Rs.2500 - Rs.3000 Discount on Yamaha FZ 16 and FZ-S

2009-07-28T20:29:00.000+05:30

No doubt, currently Yamaha-India's sales are almost at an all time high, and it has just added a booster to it.

If you are a student and are planning to buy Yamaha FZ-16 or FZ-S, then you will straight away get a flat discount of Rs.3000

And that's not all, if you are already an owner of any Yamaha bike then simply refer your friends to buy FZ-16 or FZ-S and save Rs. 2500 for your friend and get reward of Rs. 500 for being a loyal customer of Yamaha on every purchase.

Now, Look the same offer in these words:

If you are planning to buy a new Yamaha FZ-16 or FZ-S, then find someone who is already an owner of ANY Yamaha bike (you will find hundreds and thousands of them in your college/office or social networking sites like orkut or online forums like mouthshut.com), and ask them to be your referrer. They will get Rs.500 from Yamaha and you will get Rs.2500 discount on your new bike :)

And remember Offer is valid till 31st August 09

Rs.3000 discount to students.

Rs.2500 discount to referrals.

Bikes Cars and Insurance

2009-07-28T20:21:00.001+05:30

Whether you are new to driving or an expert driver, you cannot avoid getting dents and scratches on your vehicle. And in case of any accident, one thing that pains as much as a physical injury is the cost of repair. And this is exactly where you will get the benefit of auto-insurance. Nowadays claiming your insurance isn't as difficult as it was a few years back. The insurance agents get their own commissions when you claim your insurance, so you can easily expect anywhere between 85-95% reimbursement for the steel parts and around 40-60% reimbursement for the plastic parts. But you must compare different insurance agencies before you select the perfect one for you.
In many countries motorists are classified as high risk for violation of traffic laws or if they are new to driving such as teenagers. Being placed or categorized under these classifications can result in high premium rates for insured motorists that they should not be entitled to. Like most of the people if you are planning to start driving during your student life, then to avoid high risk car (or bike) insurance you must read auto insurance FAQ's and also remember to compare different insurance companies and their schemes before you select the perfect plan for you.

Image credits: insurancetraders.com

Yamaha Fazer - FZ Series Revolutionized

2009-07-21T21:13:00.004+05:30

Yamaha Fazer, inspired by the best performed bikes from Yamaha - FZ 16 and FZ-S, is the new refined FZ product from Yamaha-India. Heads will start turning with it's triple macho design concept.
Technically the bike is not so different from either FZ 16 or FZ S, but Yamaha has certainly corrected the weak point of it's previous releases; the front look. So just have a quick look on these images and pick the right color for yourself.

Vital Motion - For All Your Car Needs

2009-07-01T02:22:00.001+05:30

Whether you want to buy a car, insure it, maintain it or if you want to sell it, you have to look at many aspects. Doing all this without proper guidance is definitely not recommended. And specially when the complete Internet is at your service, then you must not buy, insure or sell your car without reading at least a dozen reviews.
Today I found an interesting website - Vital Motion, a rapidly growing site with reviews of latest cars, important tips on car safety, parts, emergencies, maintenance, car rentals, car insurance tips, reselling etc. (in short - everything you need to know about your car). The website has been neatly categorized, and is easy to navigate according to the categories, which are listed at the top of the website.
At Vital Motion, you'll find reviews of all the latest cars from the big brands like Audi, BMW, Bentley, Volkswagen, Cadillac and many more. You will also find many car driving safety tips, like how to drive during rain, how to mount a bike rack on your car, garage door safety etc. Under the category maintenance, presently they have articles like replacing your car’s fuel filter, how to rust-proof your car, how to replace your own air filter, how to make damaged wheels look new again, how to ship an automobile etc. And you'll also find many articles on various other important topics like myths about car insurance, how much car insurance you need, how to sell your car...so do give a visit to this website to know everything about cars !

Bajaj Pulsar 220cc (2009): Fastest Indian Bike Launched

2009-06-30T23:46:00.001+05:30

Pulsar has done it again...

Whether it's the 'design and looks' or the technology, Bajaj Pulsar is ruling the Indian roads, with it's presence marked in all the major biking segments (150cc, 180cc, 200cc, 220cc).
After remaining silent for quite a few months, Bajaj is back with a real competitive product - the upgraded Bajaj Pulsar 220cc (2009) DTS-i at a challenging price of 70000/- INR (Ex-Showroom Delhi) - clearly it's a competitive price tag against the present 'Lord of the Streets' - Yamaha FZ 16 & FZ-S.

Specifications:

Engine	* Type - 4-Stroke, DTSi, air cooled * Displacement - 220cc * Max Power - 21.04 @ 8500 ps @ RPM * Max Torque - 19.12 @ 7000 Nm @ RP
Suspensions	* Front - Telescopic 130mm stroke * Rear - Nitrox, rear wheel travel 90mm
Brakes	* Front - 260mm Disc * Rear - 230 Disc
Tyres	* Front - 90/90 x 17 - Tubeless * Rear - 120/80 x 17 - Tubeless
Fuel Tank	* Total - 15 litres * 3.2 litres Reserve * 2.2 litres usable
Electricals	* System - 12 v full DC * Headlamp - Low - Projector lamp 55w, High - Ellipsodial lamp 55w
Dimensions	* Wheelbase - 1350 mm * Kerb Weight - 150kg

Available colours: Grey, blue, black and red

Along with the new Pulsar 220cc, Bajaj has plans to introduce two new bikes this year. Addressing a press conference, Bajaj Auto CEO (two-wheelers) S. Sridhar said:

We have been continuously evolving our Pulsar range to provide our customers state-of-the-art products with unmatched performance and technology.

Bajaj Auto also unveiled more fuel-efficient engine series equipped with new breakthrough technology called DTS-Si version 2.0 that incorporates five major innovations. “This makes it the most fuel-efficient engine not only in India but also in the world. The first product powered by this technology will be launched next month,” said Mr. Sridhar.

Check out the official Bajaj Pulsar 220 - The Fastest Indian Website.

Bicycles From National Cycles

2009-06-30T21:12:00.005+05:30

Motorcycles and cars are no doubt making our lives more convenient and easier. But at the same time they are making us lazy too.

So the better alternatives to these motor-vehicles are of course walking and cycling. Cycling unlike walking not only burns your extra calories, but being obviously faster than walking, it can make your family happy too (if you don't mind carrying a couple of grocery items on your bike).
Cycling has lots of benefits for you, right from your general health you can improve your heart, lower your weight and it can even improve your mood too, you just need to get the right bike for yourself.
Cycles with their simple designs, are generally easy to learn and maintain. But that doesn't mean that you do not have more options to select from, while buying a bike.
One sincere advice that I would like to give to all my readers is to avoid purchasing the costly exercise cycles, and better go for a simple bicycle. Remember that, you don't have to compromise on anything if you choose a simple cycle over an exercise cycle, rather you'll get many more extra health benefits. Simply keep on reading this article to know more about cycle-accessories which will redefine your cycling experience.
National Cycles (based in UK) has a good collection of bikes, ranging from road bikes, children's bikes, women bikes to the sporty mountain bikes, jump bikes, folding bikes, BMX bikes and even electric and hybrid bikes. If you are an adventure lover like me, then you must have a look on the sporty mountain bikes. And in case exercising and bringing daily stuff is what all you are planning to do with your bike, then you may simply go with the road bikes (you will have a number of stylish and sporty options here too).

And as I have promised, here's a complete list of cycle-accessories from National Cycles. These accessories include bells, horns, tyres, tubes, bicycle attire, carriers, seats, saddles and even many computerized accessories which will help you to find out how many miles you have traveled and at what speed are you traveling !
So quickly visit the site to select the right bike for you !

An Innovative Concept Of Garage !

2009-06-11T06:23:00.000+05:30

Things can be so simple...but costly too !

TTXGP - First Zero Emissoins Grand Prix !

2009-06-10T23:22:00.003+05:30

What's the first image that forms in your mind, when we call it eco-friendly or a zero-emissions bike? After seeing so many zero-emissions bike models, you would be thinking of a light weight thin and sleek motorcycle, but just have a look on the picture below.

It has got all the macho looks and is ready for the next Grand Prix (starting from 12th June, 2009).

TTXGP is the world's first zero carbon, clean emission grand prix. Held on June 12th 2009 during the Isle of Man TT on the prestigious Mountain Course, the event promises to be the start of great change as we step into the future. 19 bikes from 17 teams, travelling from 6 different countries, will tackle one of the most challenging circuits in the world. This is a race designed to stretch the cutting edge of technology, married with the excitement and speed of open competition, and an ultimate goal of providing alternative, greener transport.

Details at TTXGP.com

Kawasaki Planning to Design Bikes For The Night Riders

2009-06-10T23:05:00.001+05:30

Riding a motorcycle at night is of course not safe, and specially if you are new to biking, then you must avoid driving at night.
But now Kawasaki is coming up with a new technology to make your night riding a better experience.
Kawasaki has developed its own infra-red night vision technology, giving riders a view beyond the range of the bike's conventional headlights. A pair of infra-red cameras are mounted behind the bike's rear-view mirrors, picking out images even in pitch darkness, these work together like a pair of eyes to give a stereoscopic view to the bike's on-board computer. These cameras calculate the distance between the bike and the objects in the front, which is displayed through a LCD screen to the rider.
The technology is of course not new and has already been used in the high end versions of BMW and Mercedes.
You may read the details of this forecoming bike at GizMag.org [source]

Gears & Gadgets |Portable Canopy Huts and Sheds|

2009-06-09T00:18:00.008+05:30

Adventurous trips become more amazing and thrilling when you take your own transport along with you. Of course that doesn't mean your luxury sedan car but definitely a heavy Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV).
But if your trip includes camping and trekking, then finding perfect parking places for your vehicles especially in rough weather, may become a problem for you.
To solve these problems, here's a perfect solution for you. CanopyHut provides portable carports, Garage Screens and other general canopies for you, your family and even for your pets.
The website has a number of products well categorized according to their type and price. You can select from any of these categories: Canopy Sheds, Portable Garages, Carports, Canopies, Canopy Accessories, Replacement Covers, Canopy Pop-ups, Custom Orders, Dog Kennels, Portable Horse Shelters, Garage Screens, Umbrellas. According to the size of tents and the comfort levels the prices start from as low as around $50 and are available for even $1500+.
You may even directly select and send any product from their website to your near & dears, through their gift certificates.

And that's not all, their product range covers party tents, portable buildings, disaster relief tents (can be used in case of natural disasters like hurricane, earth quakes etc.), boat covers and many more types of portable tents. So whether you are planning an amazing adventurous trip, camping tour or may be simply a picnic, you must visit and bookmark this website which can really make your trips more comfortable, tension-free and of course unforgettable.

Mahindra & Mahindra To Launch 100cc 125cc & 150cc Motorcycles Soon

2009-05-03T20:07:00.001+05:30

Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M), which recently bought Kinetic Motors in 2008, has announced that it will enter in all the popular Indian two-wheeler segments market soon.
Presently with only 2 popular four wheeler models viz. Scorpio and Xylo (and less popular Renault Logan and Bolero), this seems to be a wise decision.
The company is expected to unveil its models in the 100cc, 125cc and 150cc motorcycle segments, and also in the ungeared low and high-powered scooter segments.

Anand Mahindra, vice-chairman and managing director, M&M, has been quoted as saying, "Our two-wheeler project is complete; we have already begun marketing the fleet in Bangalore."
The company is expected to unveil models in the 100cc, 125cc and 150cc motorcycle segments, and also in the ungeared low and high-powered scooter segments.
M&M will use the technical expertise of Engines Engineering to develop small yet powerful and fuel-efficient engines for motorcycles. The company is said to be working on a 650cc-750cc petro-fired engine, with Engines Engineering.

Hummer Going Green (Hybrid 2009)

2009-05-02T16:23:00.000+05:30

Raser Technologies (recently added to NYSE-listed companies) which has been building electric motors and developing geothermal electric plants since 2003 is converting these heavy-weight SUVs into a range-extended electric vehicle good for 100 mpg and a range of 40 miles.
Higginson, chairman of Raser Technologies Inc. was at the New York Stock Exchange in New York Friday to display a hybrid version of the Hummer H3, the General Motors Corp.
Hummer well known for it's low fuel efficient engine, is promised to improve by many fold by this new technology. The hybrid Hummer is propelled by an electric motor, built by Raser, which is connected to a four-speed automatic transmission. Power comes from a Raser-built generator that is recharged by a gasoline engine.
With a 90 mph top speed, off-road capability and a lithium ion-battery that's rechargeable in as little as three hours, the SUV is ready to give mileage of more than 100 miles (161 kilometers) per gallon when driven as much as 40 miles a day and can travel 40 miles on electrical power alone. While a 2008 Hummer H3 gets 14 MPG in the city and 18 MPG on the highway, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who owns two Hummers converted to run on hydrogen and biofuels, praised the vehicle at the SAE International World Congress last month, the Detroit News reported.
Although officially not declared, but according to a car-buying Web site Edmunds.com, hybrid Hummer would likely cost about $12,000 to $15,000 more than a gasoline-only model, which has an average listing price of about $33,000.

[via DesertNews]

Mercedes Benz In White Gold !

2009-04-26T02:38:00.003+05:30

Now this is what is called Truly Metallic !

NIBO Dual-Torch Lighter With Compass From BudgetGadgets

2009-03-14T03:37:00.006+05:30

Bikers generally do like adventurous trips, outdoor camping and trekking. And if you are too interested in long drives on your bike, then here's a useful tiny and sporty gadget for you. Nibo dual torch lighter looks extremely sporty, smaller than your cell-phone (dimensions: 2.75"x1.75") and comes with an in built compass (just to keep you on the right path :)
The lighter comes in a stylish mesh-tin box, with a small manual (Multi-language). It has an automatic cap function - perfect to impress your friends. The double-laser flame is fully adjustable (through a screw present at the bottom) and has a universal refilling valve for easy refilling (explained along with pictures in the manual).
The lighter is easy to use with just one hand. A push button on the side of the lighter, flips the lid back, and a blue consistent "jet flame" is produced when the silver plastic igniter is pressed. Whether you need it for a campfire, to ignite a stove or just to impress your friends at parties, it's the perfect lighter you can find. At less than $10, you may gift it to your dear ones too.

You can buy the lighter from BudgetGadgets.com, which is priced at $8.69 for one piece, while they offer discounts if you require more...
And that's not all, you get an ADDITIONAL 5% discount too:
Coupon Code: DM5OFF8 [Only for the readers of Bikers Blog]
And to add to that, Shipping is completely FREE too. [BudgetGadgets-FAQ]

Pros:
Pocketable size
Inexpensive and reliable lighter
Included neck lanyard
Adjustable flame
Water and wind resistant

Cons:
None

Yamaha FZ-S 150cc - 2009

2009-03-09T00:13:00.002+05:30

After a successful launch and marketing of Yamaha FZ-16 last year, now Yamaha-Motor has felt and seen the potential of Indian automobile market. The company not only enjoyed the overwhelming response it got for it's macho bike in the India's favorite segment - 150cc, but it has also looked carefully for features lacking in it's present model and tried to improve it to meet the expectations of Indian youth, and recently launched the the new improved Street Fighter - Yamaha FZ-S. The FZ-S Bike is launched in two attractive colors: Yellow Streak and Silver Tech.

In the words of Mr. Y. Tsuji, CEO & Managing Director, India Yamaha Motor Pvt. Ltd.:

Yamaha has set forward on a journey where each and every product of ours will set a benchmark in the market with its technological superiority, quality & manufacturing excellence and style quotient. The arrival of this new variant FZ-S is a clear illustration of how the market has responded to FZ 16. Our strategic intent is to provide customers with stylish variant to suite his fashion statement and personality.

The bike is a more stylized version that comes with an aerodynamically chiseled windshield, a more aggressively styled headlight design and a carbon-fibre replica instrument console along with new color schemes and sporty graphics. The bike has been priced Rs.2000 higher than it's previous version, at Rs.67,000 (ex-showroom - Delhi).

Accord vs Corolla vs City vs Swift D'Zire vs Jetta - Price, Engine, Power, Torque

2008-12-27T15:59:00.000+05:30

If you want to compare between Toyota Corolla Altis, Honda Accord, Honda City, Maruti Suzuki Swift D'Zire and Volkswagen Jetta on the basis of Engine, Power, Torque and of course Price, then click on the image below to enlarge.

And you can download it as an excel sheet from [Here]

Gears And Gadets - Cabestan Winch Tourbillion Vertical watch

2008-12-25T21:45:00.000+05:30

Wow - It's the first word, I thought of when I saw it's picture. If you think only bikes look good, when they show their parts, then see this watch...

Brainchild of Vianney Halter and the engineering masterpiece of the DMC Group's Jean-François Ruchonnet.
With 1,352 components working together in masterful horological precision [you can see how the parts are working within the watch], driven by a 450 link chain and nickel silver drums. At a price tag of $275,000 to afford the base model, you can add some more to get it slathered in platinum and diamonds at $400,000. Or may be you would like to go for a Merc Benz or a Ferrari.

There are a number of skins available (made of gold and other precious metals) other than the one displayed in the images.

So finally, if are hesitating to buy it like me, then just visit their homepage [Cabestan] to see a lot of information regarding the watch and the parts individually.

Gears And Gadets - Fastrack Eye And Wrist gears

2008-12-23T22:15:00.008+05:30

While the products from Fastrack are so famous in India, but I must say that the Fastrack website, is quite messy and takes a lot a of time to load, moreover the products listing is also done in a very bad way !
I hope they will work on it...
Anyways here are some of the products from fastrack that you may like to wear on, while you are riding your bike.

And if you want any wrist watch from Fastrack, then it is better to take it before 31st December, as they are presently giving a 20-50% off on 60 variants.
This Fastrack offer is available across India, at all World of Titan Stores, Large format stores, Fastrack kiosks in major malls, and leading multi-brand watch outlets. But of course prices (post-discount) are starting from Rs. 555.

Rs 1095	Rs 1495	Rs 1495

Rs 1695	Rs 1995	Rs 1995

Rs 2195	Rs 2395	Rs 2595

Gears And Gadets - Wrist Watches

2008-12-23T21:37:00.002+05:30

While talking about watches, almost the most famous brand across India is of course Titan from Tata.
As you know, that there are many variants available in Titan, but for biking purposes, I would prefer:
Titan Octane

And, Titan WWF Collection

Gears And Gadets - Helmets

2008-12-23T21:09:00.000+05:30

Now helmets are not just safety precautions but are worn by many youngsters as stylish add-ons for their bikes. Whatever the purpose may be, at least the traffic police is happy to see more heads covered with helmets !
While talking about helmets, mainly they are categorized in

Full face;

Open face;

Sporting;

*[The above images are linked to Studds.com]

hybrid;

TVS Apache RTR - Wallpapers cum 2009 Calendar

2008-12-23T15:29:00.003+05:30

TVS Apache RTR Calendar 2009 Wallpapers

Download Them All

TVS Apache RTR 180cc - Menace

2008-12-23T13:26:00.001+05:30

TVS is planning to launch new upgraded version of it's popular bike Apache RTR, with a powerful engine of 180cc as compared to present 160cc engine. The variant called as Apache Menace, is expected to release somewhere in the first half of year 2009. By increasing the engine strength, this will enter the competition against Pulsar 200cc and Yamaha FZ 16, as the expected price is around Rs.78,000 - 80,000.
According to TeamBHP, the bike will retain the basic lines of the current RTR, retaining the basic look of the current Apache. But with no front scoop this time. And for a good reason too, the front is now going to house a semi-full faring that will expose part of the engine and give the bike a sport look. The bike will have a digital speedometer with top speed, 0-60 timer, trips, and other extra functionality plus stunning looks.

SPECIFICATIONS

VEHICLE SUMMARY
Name:	Apache RTR
Model:	180 Menace
Type:	Commuter
Top Speed:	135kph
Fuel Consumption City	28
Fuel Consumption Highway	42

ENGINE SPECIFICATIONS
Displacement:	180cc
Engine:	4 Stroke, EFi
Maximum Power:	18bhp
Gears:	5 Speed
Clutch:	Wet, Multi Plate
No. of Cylinders:	1
Valve Per Cylinder:	2
Chassis Type:	Double Cradle


DIMENSIONS
Length:	2020.00 mm
Width:	730.00 mm
Height:	1100.00 mm

OTHER SPECIFICATIONS
Weight:	130.00 kg
Ground Clearance:	180.00 mm
Fuel Tank:	16.00 ltrs
Wheelbase:	1300.00 mm
Headlamp:	12V 35/35W Halogen HS1, Clear lens with MFR
Wheel Type:	Alloys
Wheel Size:	100/80 R18 mm
Tubeless:	Yes
Colors:	Yellow, Matt Grey & Red

ACTIVE AND PASSIVE SAFETY
Suspension(Front):	Telescopic Forks
Suspension(Rear):	Monotube Inverted Gas Filled Shocks
Brakes:	240mm Disc
Brakes(Rear):	130mm Drum/Disc Optional
Stand Alarm:	Yes

COMFORT AND CONVENIENCE
Fuel Guage:	Digital
Self Start:	Yes
Tacho Meter:	Analogue
Trip Meter:	Digital-1
Alloys:	Yes
Speedometer:	Digital
Passenger Footrest:	Yes
Passenger Backrest:	No
Step-up Seat:	Yes
Pass-light:	Yes
Low Fuel Indicator:	Yes
Low Oil Indicator:	Yes
Low Battery Indicator:	Yes
High Oil Temp. Indicator:	No
Choked Air Filter Indicator:	No

*Specifications from MaxAbout.com

Bajaj And VolksWagen Logos - Almost Same

2008-12-23T01:18:00.000+05:30

While collecting some logo pictures, I noticed a striking similarity between the logos of Volkswagen and Bajaj. It looks certainly something more than a coincidence. After designing the logo, the designers at Bajaj couldn't have missed it's similarity with one of the world leading Auto makers - Volkswagen, or has it been done intentionally ?
Just see the images below:

Here's the normal logo of Volkswagen

Now rotate it by 90°, in counter-clock direction.

Now, just have a look on Bajaj logo

So... any comments ?

Bajaj To Launch A New Bike Every Month From January 2009

2008-12-23T00:51:00.000+05:30

According to Reuters, Bajaj said it would launch a new motorcycle every month from January to attract buyers.

Bajaj said motorcycle and scooter sales dropped 37 percent in November. All vehicles, including three-wheeled motorised rickshaws that rose 13 percent, were down 32 percent. And Bajaj is expecting the fall in sales for December too, as dealers have already piled up their inventories which need to be sold off first. And due to this slowdown Bajaj has lost it's second position to Honda (at least for the month of November, 2008) [From Vicky.in]

To beat the slowdown, group firm Bajaj Auto Finance Ltd is offering a retail finance scheme to buy Bajaj's vehicles at an interest rate of just under 8 percent, Bajaj Auto Ltd said in a statement.

World's Fastest Car - SSC Ultimate Aero TT - New 2009 Model

2008-12-22T23:02:00.001+05:30

Beating the previous Fastest car - Bugatti Veyron, here's the present fastest car on Earth, which says "Life begins at 250...(mph)".

The ultimate Aero has Twin-Turbo V8 Engine with 1183 hp, as compared to Narrow Angle-Aluminum W16 Engine with 1001 hp that of Bugatti Veyron. Surprisingly Aero has been priced at $6,54,400 as against the costly Veyron at $1,444,000.

The speed of SSC Aero has been recorded as 256.19 mph, by Guinness World Records on 13th September, 2007. Whereas that of Bugatti Veyron is 253+ mph. But the 0-60 is done by Veyron in 2.5 secs, which is slightly faster than SSC Aero which is at 2.7 seconds.

SSC Aero 2009
Now, the Shelby SuperCars' Ultimate Aero is receiving several refinements for the 2009 model year. The SSC engineering team equipped the 2009 Ultimate Aero with a 15% increase in horsepower, a revamped front fascia design, and an array of important interior upgrades. The most substantial change is an SSC-designed, 1-piece billet aluminum engine block. A milestone for the limited-production automobile manufacturer, the new block improves structural integrity and oiling capabilities allowing SSC to boost the power output to 1287 horsepower while improving durability.

The new 2009 model is expected to reach 270 mph !

The aggressive nose is redesigned with enhanced aerodynamics to accommodate the 2009 Ultimate Aero's higher top speed, and carbon fiber louvers on the side intakes draw in an additional 20% of air into the radiators for improved cooling. The improvement in overall performance will widen the already sizeable gap between the Ultimate Aero and its competitors. The '09 Ultimate Aero also introduces the AeroBrakeTM a rear spoiler system that deploys under braking situations.

Check Out These High Resolution Wallpapers (Each image is around 3.5 to 4 MB)

TVS Apache RTR 160 RD - with Rear Disc Brake

2008-12-22T22:32:00.001+05:30

The most sporty looking bike from TVS has just got an additional feature added. The new model from TVS Apache RTR has been called as RD, for the 200mm Rear Petal Disc Brake that it offers.The new release is abround Rs. 2,000 costlier than the existing drum brake versions.

[The image shown is not of TVS Apache, but general Rear and Front disc brakes]

Yamaha appoints new India CEO & MD - Mr Yukimine Tsuji

2008-12-22T19:03:00.000+05:30

Yamaha which has just survived it's position in India, with it's launch of FZ 16 and super bikes R15 and R1, has taken another important decision for its Indian operations 'India Yamaha Motor' in less than a year by appointing Mr Yukimine Tsuji as the new CEO and MD.

Yamaha said that Mr Tsuji, currently the manufacturing head at IYM will take over reins from Mr Tsutomu Mabuchi, who is going back to Japan.

On his new assignment, Mr Tsuji, who has been heading manufacturing for Yamaha in India for more than a year said that “Our focus would remain on elevating the biking experience of Indian consumers by providing them the best biking technology available”.

I hope Yamaha International has recognized India's potential in Two wheeler market !

Yamaha FZ 16 Reviews

2008-12-22T16:46:00.003+05:30

As many people are searching for some useful and quick reviews of FZ16, so here some short and perfect reviews collected from mouthshut.
Here's what zipzap.biker says:

Till date I used to believe the two bikes which I had earlier, samurai had the best pickup and the CBZ was the best of all in terms of power and pickup" however the first feeling of FZ16 was " awesome".
The best features to highlight are as follow’s
1) The Headlight : Very bright and clear ...High beam is too good.
2) The rear monocross suspension is too smooth.
3) The front/rear suspension and the disk break are very responsive.
4) The rear tyre (140/60) radial tubeless provides a very good road grip even when the bike is bent on a turn at extreme angles as well as the front tyres.
5) The handle bar is of the right length and desing that provides a very good control.
6) Very good pickup.
7) The digital console is beautifully desingned and can really see the colours comming to life once the ignition key is turned on.
8) smooth engine performance that is enhanced by the small and cute silencer which not only adds to the look but also the performace of the bike and weight balance towards the center.
Last but not the least the styling is superb especially the parking light (front).

Things that can be improved/added
1) Crash gaurd
2) kick start
3) Could have had FI technology and rear disc breaks.

The next user Praste, has although recommended to purchase the bike (gave 5 stars rating to the bike), but has listed some problems that he has faced till now:

The first problem he has reported is that, the company is not providing (doesn't have it in their stock) required amount of spare parts in the showrooms/service centers.
Another big issue is the amount of dust and water that gets kicked up by the front wheel, the engine is bound to get a good amount of sand blasting unless Yamaha provides us with some quality accessories!

The website claims that Yamaha develops products based on customer feedback! Guess what??? There is not link on thier website that allows a customer to provide one!!! How frustrating can that be?

Overall:
Bike --- 5 star
Service(Showroom) - 4 star
Yamaha approachability -- no star!

Siddhart Rane, got a ride on his friend's bike, and has reported his experience in the review, he himself owns a Honda Unicorn, so the readers can see the difference where he got impressed by the bike - as a comparison or advantage over his own Unicorn.

"Amazing!", that’s the only thing I’d been saying when I saw the bike. Then came the good part, my friend handed over the keys, (the key looks great too!, well sculpted!) The riding posture is amazing! It gives you a big bike feel. thump the starter and a great exhaust note welcomes you.

Off we go, since it was evening and rush everywhere, maneuvering the FZ was "freaking amazing!" Also I noticed, its a great torquey bike to ride in the city, in heavy traffic conditions. Awesome low end grunt! even with a pillion, who is almost 6’2", the handling was not twitchy at all.

Overall ;
handling: excellent, pickup: excellent, bring vegetables during peak hours + laundry: No problem! Stoppie: Piece of cake. [Didn’t try, saw overdrive mag, seems easy! ;)]
For the average Joe, I’d say, its a great bike! No doubt what so ever. An amazing, well thought out package for the Indian roads. Weekend long rides must be bliss on this bike.. hoping to ride one soon into the sunset.

Chandar from Maharashtra says:

The front number plate doesn’t gel with the overall physique of FZ-16 as I feel it negates (kills) the attitude and mean looks that is exhibited by FZ-16 to a very large extent!!
The starter and the starting of FZ-16 is the least noisy affair. You will be surprised how easily this bike comes to life at one go and that too without a using a choke!! The bike has no kick mechanism to start and one has to rely only on self-start.

FZ-16 takes gear changing to next level and that too with a single toe lever. One can’t use heel to shift and the disadvantage on this is that the office executives may have their shoes worn out or may look jaded, especially the left one!! The gears have absolutely no false neutrals, no judders, vibration, it’s a spot on and a solid feel that one encounters.

I can simply say that this bike has the best brakes in its class and no one can come near it forget matching it!!

Suzuki Hayabusa - Wallpapers

2008-12-18T14:57:00.001+05:30

Click On The Images TO Enlarge And Save

Kawasaki Ninja - Wallpapers

2008-12-18T14:14:00.002+05:30

Click On The Images TO Enlarge And Save

World's Ex-Fastest Car - Bugatti Veyron

2008-12-13T17:32:00.007+05:30

The two words "World's Fastest" are enough to bring an adrenaline rush in to your body. No matter how the car looks, it's speed is enough to thrill you. But when the looks are as stunning as the technology, then it becomes the perfect mixture of extreme sporting. Bugatti, from VolksWagen is such an example being the world's fastest and also one of the most expensive cars, priced at 1.2 million Euro, or around 8 crores INR (excluding taxes, import duty etc.). And of course this one is definitely NOT for Indian roads, actually very few roads/race tracks around the world are suited for this monster. Powered by a 736-kilowatt (1,001 PS/987 hp) W16 engine, it can reach 408.47 km/h (253.81 mph), believe me 1000 PS is not a joke, that's something like redefining the engine technology, and 400+ speed has to defeat not only the road's friction but also the air friction (A complicated aerodynamic engineering is seen in Veyron). It needs about 1.33 gallons (5 liters) of gasoline per minute, now you may know what does a 1000-horse power means, fuel efficiency is the last thing considered while selecting a sports car :)

The car reached full production in September 2005, and is handcrafted in a factory Volkswagen built near the former Bugatti headquarters in Château St Jean in Molsheim (Alsace, France). It is named after French racing driver Pierre Veyron, who won the 24 hours of Le Mans in 1939 while racing for the original Bugatti company. Two examples of the Veyron are known to have been wrecked since production began.
I have just read an exclusive review in Overdrive magazine, and could not stop myself blogging about, so I am sharing a few points that I found interesting...

Initially to start with, lets check out the engine, or specifically How Hot is the Engine:
The engine requires 10 heat exchangers, but still left uncovered to dissipate as much heat as possible, to name the heat exchangers, they are three coolant radiators, two intercoolers, two air-conditioning condensers, two oil-coolers and one engine-oil cooler.
The first Two and Half seconds, that's it, you are at 100Kmph speed. And in other 15-16 seconds, you will be travelling almost at the speed of sound.

The Veyron, in reverse gear will out-accelerate the McLaren F1.
At top speeds of 400+ Kmph, the tyres last just 15 minutes. At 408 Kmph, Veyron is even faster than a jet (at the time of take-off).

Veyron Fng par Hermes:
It's the limited edition Bugatti Veyron variation, teamed with French fashion house Hermes (for the leather interiors) - costing an additional $4,50,000.

Piaggio MP3 Series

2008-12-01T19:49:00.001+05:30

Piaggio from United States, has made some hybrids of what we individually call as Scooters and motorcycles.
You can also call it as a 3-wheeler, but just have a look at it's picture, it's not our local Auto Rickshaw :)

These new scooters with a completely different look are named as MP3, with variations MP3 250, MP3 400 and MP3 500, which respectively corresponds to their engine's displacement values.

With aggressive styling and performance, the Piaggio MP3 500 is the three-wheeler for people who want to stand out. ‘Safe fun’ is no longer an oxymoron. Two front wheels and a revolutionary parallelogram front suspension together with the new double ignition Master 500ie engine give the MP3 500 very racy performance while remaining exceptionally safe.

According to the company:

The Piaggio MP3 500 streaks away from traffic lights and takes all kinds of terrain in its stride, handling twisty mountain roads and long rides in all safety whatever the weather conditions thanks to its two front wheels commanded by an extraordinary parallelogram front suspension. This revolutionary technical set-up ensures impeccable road holding in all riding conditions, with stability and braking power that no conventional scooter can provide.

The Piaggio MP3 500 is as easy to ride as a traditional scooter, while its incredible stability, especially when cornering and braking, comes from its two front wheels. The introduction of the twin spark system has also made it possible to optimize combustion inside the cylinder, with a reduction in noise and gas emissions.
The bike gives you the ability to lean up to 40 degrees, and may be to do a stoppie too, BUT if you love your bike as much as you love yourself, then do not try what is being shown in the picture :
The MP3 uses regenerative braking technology, the battery can charge in 3 hours, yet the range on battery alone will be in the 10-15 mile range.

Moreover, as you can see in the pictures that, you don't have to put your leg on the ground while you are for the green light :)

2008 - Suzuki Intruder M1800R Launched

2008-11-29T23:53:00.006+05:30

Along with Suzuki's superbike Hayabusa 1300, it has launched an even advanced cruiser bike Intruder M1800R. With a much powerful engine and displacement of 1800cc, this bike will be quite heavy on our soft Indian roads.
Intruder with race proven braking technology has the widest rear-tyre (see the click-able wallpaper below), and one of the biggest pistons... Performance wise the M1800R is the ultimate production cruiser.

Check out the specifications here:

Dimensions
Overall length	2480mm (97.6in)
Overall width	875mm (34.4in)
Overall height	1185mm (46.7in)
Wheelbase	1710mm (67.3in)
Seat height	705mm (27.8in)
Dry mass	319kg (703.3lbs)
Fuel capacity	19.5litres (4.3gallons)

Engine
Engine capacity	1783cc
Type	Four stroke, liquid-cooled, DOHC, 54° V-twin
Bore	112mm x 90.5mm
Compression ratio	10.5 : 1
Lubrication	Semi-dry sump
Ignition	Electronic ignition (Transistorised)
Fuel system	Fuel Injection
Starter	Electric
Transmission	5-speed constant mesh
Drive	Shaft Drive

Suspension
Front	Inverted telescopic, coil spring, oil damped
Rear	Link type, coil spring, oil damped

Brake
Front	Disc brake, twin
Rear	Disc brake

Tyres Size
Front	130/70R18 M/C 63V tubeless
Rear	240/40R18 M/C 79V tubeless

Suzuki Hayabusa 1300 Landed In India

2008-11-28T23:02:00.003+05:30

After Yamaha's 1000cc YZF-R1 and Monster & Multistrada from Italian moto-major Triumph, now it is the turn of Suzuki Motorcycle India Pvt. Ltd. (SMIPL), a subsidiary of Suzuki Motor Corporation of Japan has launched two super sport bikes, Hayabusa and Intruder M1800R, for Indian roads at a price tag of Rs.12.50 lakh.

Hayabusa the world's fastest bike, which got it's maximum popularity through the movie "Dhoom" in India, is finally on the Indian roads officially.

Even in these days of recession, Suzuki aims to sell around 350-400 bikes in one year, i.e. around 1 bike per year.According to the company, it has already got orders for around 38 bikes.

Depending upon the response to these products, Suzuki —among the largest manufacturer of bikes in the world after fellow Japanese makers Honda, Yamaha and Kawasaki—also plans to bring its GSX -R series of motorcycles to India.

“We are currently evaluating the market. A lot of the product launches depend on the market response to the Hayabusa and Intruder, though we are expecting higher demand for the much smaller GSX-R sport bikes, which are in the 400 cc to 600 cc range of engine power,” Mr Gupta said.
Specifications are as follows:

Dimensions and Weight
Overall length	2195mm (86.4in)
Overall width	740mm (29.1in)
Overall height	1170mm (46.1in)
Wheelbase	1485mm (58.5in)
Seat height	805mm (31.7in)
Dry weight	220kg (485lbs)
Fuel capacity	21.0litres (4.6gallons)

Engine
Engine capacity	1340cc
Type	4-stroke, 4-cylinder, liquid-cooled, DOHC
Bore	81mm x 65mm
Compression ratio	12.5:1
Lubrication	Wet sump
Ignition	Electronic Ignition
Fuel system	Fuel injection
Transmission	6-speed constant mesh
Drive	Chain

Suspension
Front	Inverted telescopic, coil spring, oil damped
Rear	Linky type, coil spring, oil damped

Brake
Front	Disc brake, twin
Rear	Disc brake

Tyres Size
Front	120/70ZR17M/C (58W), tubeless
Rear	190/50ZR17M/C (73W), tubeless

Colors available are "Metallic Majestic Gold" and "Metallic Phantom Gray"

For wallpapers, visit this page : Biking2Blogging

Maruti Suzuki's A-Star 2008

2008-11-20T00:58:00.004+05:30

Maruti Suzuki on Wednesday launched its new hatchback A-Star in the Indian market and said it would in four years come out with its first indigenous car.The A-Star will be available at an introductory price ranging from Rs 347,000 to Rs 412,000.

Although Nano was expected to be in the market by now, but which could not fulfill it's promise, for more than one reasons. But that doesn't mean Maruti's new model A-Star will be free from competition, as this year and the year ahead is full of small cars in the Indian 4-wheeler market. i10 from Hyundai, Spark from Chevrolet, and the already present cars like Alto and Swift from Maruti itself.

"We have started the ground work to launch a car which is conceived, designed and developed fully in India," Maruti Suzuki India managing executive officer (engineering) I V Rao told PTI. The company is hopeful of rolling out the car in the next four years, he added. He however, declined to comment whether it would be a small car or a bigger one."We are discussing it internally," Rao said.

A-Star is Maruti's fifth global model which would be manufactured only in India. The company plans to sell 50,000 units in the domestic market, while targets to export 100,000 units.The car would be manufactured at Manesar production facility. A-Star will be powered by a 998cc K10B petrol engine and will be available in three variants in the domestic market. For exports, the company would manufacture A-Star in over 200 variants and sell to around 150 coutures across Europe, the Middle East, Latin America, Asia, Australia and Africa.

The company expects that A-Star would contribute half of its overall export target of 200,000 units by 2010-11.

VEHICLE SUMMARY

Name

A-Star Model

Vxi Car Body Type

Hatchback Segment:A Segment

ENGINE SPECIFICATIONS

Displacement

998cc, 3 cyl, MPFi, KB-series

Engine Type

Petrol

Maximum Power

67 Bhp @ 6200 rpm

Maximum Torque

90 Nm @ 3500 rpm

DIMENSIONS

Length

3500 mm

Width

1600 mm

Height

1490 mm

OTHER SPECIFICATIONS

Seating Capacity

Tyre Size:155/80 R13

155/80 R13

Suspension

MacPherson Strut & Coil Springs

Turning Circle

4.50 mtrs.

Boot Space

129.00 ltrs.

Steering

Power

Brakes

Front Ventilated, Rear Disk

Gears

Manual Ground Clearance

170.00 mm

Fuel Tank

COMFORT AND CONVENIENCE

AC Without Climate Control

Power Windows:

Yes

Central Locking

Manual

Remote Boot

Yes

Remote Fuel Filler

Yes

Rear Wiper

Rear Armrest

Streeing Adjustment (Rake/Reach)

Yes/No

Driver Seat Adjustment

Manual

Music System

CD Player with 2 Speakers

Leather Seats

Door Mirror

Driver Side Manual

Tinted Glass

Rear AC Vent

Folding Rear Seats

Yes

Sun Roof

Buttons/Controls on Steering

Auto Viper

Auto Headlamp

The Eco-friendly car
With Delhi's pollution levels crossing those of pre-CNG days, this car may help a little in controlling it.
Emission from the A-Star not only complies with the Euro 3 (Bharat-3) norms that are operational in 13 Indian cities, including Delhi, but also geared to meet stringent emission norms that will be implemented across Europe in the coming years. The A-Stars CO2 emission will be even lower than 109 gm/km which we had envisaged earlier.

India's Euro 3 norms is 5 years behind those currently enforced in Europe, while Euro 4 norms that are enforced outside the 13 Indian cities are 10 years behind European benchmarks.

2009 Yamaha FZ 1 - Big Brother Of Yamaha FZ 16

2008-11-16T17:52:00.008+05:30

If you were amazed by the looks of so called "Lord Of The Streets", Yamaha FZ 16, then just have a look at this Mega Beast Yamaha FZ 1 - A clear advanced version of FZ 16, with a powerful engine, smoother edges and more muscular looks. Launched by Yamaha Europe. The FZ1 has got heart-pumping knockout performance and it’s got serious attitude on top of that, a lean and mean look that’s all about raw power.

Just have a look on it's specifications too:

Engine
Engine type	Liquid-cooled, 4-stroke, 4-cylinder, DOHC
Displacement	998 cc
Maximum power	110.3 kW (150 PS) @11,000 rpm
Maximum torque	106.0 Nm (10.8 kg-m) @ 8,000 rpm
Transmission system	Constant mesh, 6-speed
Fuel tank capacity	18 L
Oil tank capacity	3.8 L

Chassis
Chassis:	Aluminum die-cast, diamond shaped
Rear suspension system	Swing arm (link suspension)
Front brake	Dual discs, Ø 320 mm
Rear brake	Single disc, Ø 245 mm
Front tyre	120/70 ZR17M/C (58W)
Rear tyre	190/50 ZR17M/C (73W)

Dimensions
Length	2,140 mm
Width	770 mm
Height	1,060 mm
Wheel base	1,460 mm
Minimum ground clearance	135 mm
Wet weight	214 kg / ABS: 221 kg

courtesy: Yamaha-Europe

India Is Voting - You Vote To NoBody

2008-11-15T14:58:00.011+05:30

It is Over in United States, But yet to start in India

People say "you vote you win" and "it is better to vote than to complain", in all your school life you would have studied that:
"Good Citizens - do vote
Bad citizens - do no vote"
If you are a biker and want good roads for biking, then do vote.
But we have seen our country in the hands of Congress and also in the hands of BJP, or whatsoever.... do you really think voting does really work?

So if you think that there's nobody eligible to get your valuable vote, and you consider yourself as a "good citizen", who does always vote, then as usual go to the voting booth this time too, but give your vote to NOBODY.

Section 49-O of the Constitution

Did you know that there is a system in our constitution, as per the 1969 act, in section "49-O" that a person can go to the polling booth, confirm his identity, get his finger marked and convey the presiding election officer that he doesn't want to vote anyone!

Yes such a feature is available, but obviously these seemingly notorious leaders have never disclosed it. This is called "49-O".

Why should you go and say "I VOTE NOBODY"... because, in a ward, if a candidate wins, say by 123 votes, and that particular ward has received "49-O" votes more than 123, then that polling will be canceled and will have to be re-polled. Not only that, but the candidature of the contestants will be removed and they cannot contest the re-polling, since people had already expressed their decision on them. This would bring fear into parties and hence look for genuine candidates for their parties for election. This would change the way, of our whole political system... it is seemingly surprising why the election commission has not revealed such a feature to the public....

Please spread this news to as many as you know...Seems to be a wonderful weapon against corrupt parties in India... show your power,expressing your desire not to vote for anybody, is even more powerful than voting... so don't miss your chance. So either vote, or vote not to vote (vote 49-O) and pass this info on...

Its the official site of Law Ministry. But i cant find any mention of cancellation of candidature, if 49-O is more than winning margin of vote cast. if u read it...

http://lawmin.nic.in/ld/subord/cer1.htm
(Let the page load completely then find (CTRL+F) this on the page - 49-o)

"Please forward this article to as many as possible, so that we, the people of India , can really use this power to save our nation". Use your voting right for a better INDIA .

Chandrayaan 1 - Destination Moon - Mission Accomplished

2008-11-14T20:53:00.005+05:30

It's not bikes this time.
Now India is in the 5 elite countries list, to have it's flag [Moon Impact Probe (MIP)] on Moon.
Chandrayaan today reached the final resting orbit, about 100 kms from the moon. The timing of this proud moment had been specially designed to coincide with Children's Day.Chandrayaan will remain in this orbit for the next two years.
The device inbuilt with three instruments: radar altimeter, video imaging system and mass spectrometer, ISRO has carried out three orbit-lowering moves since the spacecraft entered the lunar orbit on Saturday. The spacecraft, which was launched on October 22, was propelled on its 3,86,000km voyage to the moon in a number of stages, with its orbit being raised progressively towards the moon by activating its liquid motor.
The idea behind flying the tricolour on the moon was of former president and legend space scientist A P J Abdul Kalam, who had suggested the ISRO scientists in an International Lunar Exploration Working Group conference held at Udaipur in November 2004.
The MIP will send the still and digital video graphic pictures to the ISRO scientists that will be used for analysing the surface of the Moon, only natural satellite of our Earth. “The unmanned Chandrayaan-1 spacecraft will map the moon to get an idea about the minerals present there, which is of prime importance,” said ISRO official.
Wait for the pictures to come soon direct from Chandrayaan 1....

Compare : Pulsar vs Apache vs Unicorn vs Hunk vs CBZ Xtreme vs Karizma vs FZ 16 vs R15

2008-11-08T13:30:00.004+05:30

Now that we have a number of bikes in the 150cc to 220cc segment, while selecting a bike from this huge range of options, people get confused even in a single company, and when they visit showrooms of different companies, it only adds to their confusion.
For your convenience and to help you in better selecting the right bike, this post contains the specifications of all popular bikes in the 150cc to 220cc segment.
The bikes are from Bajaj, Hero Honda, Honda, TVS, and Yamaha, namely Pulsar 150cc, Pulsar180cc, Pulsar 200cc, Pulsar 220cc, Hero Honda Hunk, Hero Honda CBZ Xtreme, Hero Honda Karizma, Yamaha FZ 16, Yamaha R15, Honda Unicorn, TVS Apache.
You can compare the following specifications in the pictures below:

Engine and transmission : Displacement, Engine type, Stroke, Power, Starter type.
Physical measures : Front suspension, Rear suspension, Front brakes, Rear brakes, Gear box, Length, Height, Curb weight, Fuel capacity, Reserve fuel volume, Mileage/Fuel efficiency, ex-Showroom price.

Bajaj Pulsars - Click the Image to Enlarge

Hero Honda - Click the Image to Enlarge

Yamaha - Click the Image to Enlarge

TVS Apache & Honda Unicorn - Click the Image to Enlarge

You can download all these details together
in a single file (Excel sheet) from here :
[Download From Here]

Yamaha FZ 16

2008-10-25T22:15:00.008+05:30

LORD of the STREETS is here...

*Update: The reviews I am getting from my online friends (owners of this beast machine) about this bike are truly amazing, guys on other big bikes like pulsars, CBZ xtreme, and even Karizma are turning their heads to have a look of this bike. People who know least about bikes are also amazed by the looks of the bike.
The rear Tyre and silencer are very attractive, and makes the bike more muscular and a true macho machine. The tyres and overall shape of the bike adds to better control of the bike.
Yamaha is easily going to rule the roads for next few months !

And even the visitors on this web page as compared to other pages of this website are almost 10 times in the last 15 days, which shows a heavy demand and a huge popularity of the bike among the people.

As it was already planned, that it's a do or die situation for Yamaha, with heavy losses in Indian bikes market, with very few bikes launched here, so this year Yamaha has brought some real quality products to India from its collection.

After the Yamaha R15, here comes a very stylish product from Yamaha-India. The bike may be proven a strong competition for Hero-Honda Hunk, and also to other Indian bikes of this segment like Bajaj Pulsar. Although the pricing is pretty high at Rs.70K +, but as compared to the looks, features and specs of the bike, it may be proven a threat to many other Indian bikes. Moreover being a 150cc bike, a 40-50 mileage can be expected from it, which is also very advantageous for the bike and will definitely add to the sales of the bike.

The specifications are as follows:

ENGINE
Engine type	Air-cooled, 4-stroke, SOHC, 2-valve
Displacement	153.0cm3
Bore & Stroke	58.0 × 57.9mm
Compression ratio	9.5:1
Starting method	Electric starter
Clutch type	Constant mesh wet multiplate
Ignition type	CDI
Transmission type	Return type 5-speed

CHASSIS
Frame type	Diamond
Suspension (front/rear)	Telescopic / Monocross
Wheelbase	1,335mm
Brake type(front/rear)	Hydraulic single disc / drum
Tire size (front/rear)	100/80-17 / 140/60-R17

DIMENSIONS
Length × Width × Height	1,975mm × 770mm × 1,045mm
Seat height	790mm
Wheelbase	1,335mm
Minimum ground clearance	160mm
Dry weight/Curb weight	126 kg / 137 kg
Fuel tank volume	12 liters
Engine oil volume	1.2 liters

The bike has been priced at Rs.65,000 (ex-showroom), and around 71,500(INR) on-road price.
For a 360° view of the bike, DO visit this page : [See This]

Now you can read reviews of Yamaha FZ 16 here on Mouthshut.com

Yamaha FZ 16 - TV Commercial

Yamaha Branded Deux Ex Machina - Motorcycle Exoskeleton

2008-10-24T23:41:00.001+05:30

It seems, that this month has been dedicated to Yamaha. But this time the bike is completely different from any of its earlier releases, actually it is yet a concept bike.

Recently an eco-friendly gyroscopic bike by a 15 year kid, became quite famous around the Internet (websites) and even among many newspapers around the world. This bike is something similar to that bike as it also doesn't require petrol or any fuel to work, but it works on electricity.
The bike simply had to be worn by the rider. The Yamaha-branded Deus Ex concept is worn as an exo-skeleton with seven artificial vertebra as well as the pneumatically attached helmet. The motor is in-wheel, powered by ultra-capacitors and doped nano-phoshpate batteries similar to those already used in hybrids. It's also capable of 0–60mph in three seconds. Top speed is 75mph with a recharge time of 15 minutes and cycle time of one hour.

Deus ex machina literally means "god from a machine". Jake Loniak, a student of Art Center Pasadena has crammed the combination of motorcycle and tech-skeleton into an awesome looking Yamaha branded Deus Ex Machina. Jake has beyond his wild imagination to design this concept. The vehicle will be powered by ultra-capacitors and doped nano-phoshpate batteries, and it is controlled using 36 pneumatic muscles with two linear actuators set along a spine consisting of seven artificial vertebrae. Even the helmet is pneumatically attached.

[source via Hell for leather]

Suzuki GSR 150 Lanza

2008-10-21T21:16:00.000+05:30

Now almost all the Indian major bike companies have launched their models in the 150cc segment. As we know that only Suzuki was left behind, with only two models Suzuki Zeus and Heat (both in the 125cc segment) for so many years, finally here are they planning to launch a new model Suzuki GSR Lanza 150cc.

As of now, no news is out from them in this regard, so very few information is available through different sources about the bike.

The lanza 150cc boast a bikini fairing with a wolf eyed headlamp similar to the pulsar. The pilot lamps are mounted on each side which increases the aura of the lanza. However the most striking features in the lanza is its muscular fuel tank. Both the speedometer and the trip meter are made digital, and most importantly the bike has a six speed transmission.

The bike will definitely be in competition with Pulsar 150cc, and also with some similarity in appearance with TVS Apache (fuel tank), it may be competitive to it also.

Overall the bike looks good, and sales will of course depend on its prcising and mileage, which will be updated soon on this website.

Relaunch Of Bajaj Platina 125cc

2008-10-11T23:17:00.001+05:30

After the launch of Bajaj XCD-125cc last year, Bajaj auto has planned to completely stop Platina's production, and shift (upgrade) all the 100cc customers to 125cc. But unfortunately with some minor problems in XCD, its sales could not meet their expectations and finally Bajaj Platina 125cc DTS-Si (improved) has been relaunched in four attractive colors, phase wise across the country from end September onwards.

The bike is powered by 125 cc engine and is based on Bajaj's patented Digital Twin Spark - Swirl induction (DTS-Si) technology. And it has many new added features like 125 cc engine, 111 kmpl Mileage, Ride Contro Switch, Electric Start, Auto Choke, Maintenance Free Battery, Anti-Friction DU Bushes in the front fork, SNS Suspension, Twin Pilot Lamps, ExhausTec. Bajaj Platina 125cc DTS-Si is priced Rs.39,000/- ex-showroom.

The pricing has been done very competitively mainly againstHero Honda Splendor 100cc, although it may even affect other 100cc bike models like TVS Star City etc.

Along with this, Bajaj Auto is now expected to launch a dual-fuel motorcycle which will run on CNG or LPG as well as petrol.

For complete specifications, reviews and other details keep a track on this website, as they will be added soon !

Yamaha R15

2008-10-05T08:51:00.000+05:30

Mostly, costly and high end Xtreme sports bikes are considered to have more cubic-capacity (cc / displacement), and therefore are assumed to give less mileage ! That means these bikes need an initial huge amount of money and then further bucks are spent for its fuel requirements...

Now here's a bike from Yamaha India, which has all the looks of a sports bike while having the cubic-capacity equal to that of Pulsar (150cc).

One of the main attractive feature of this new bike from "R" series, are the under cowls that are based on the image of a diffuser, to give them the best form for aero-management. These are not cowls for simply enclosing the engine, but forms composed of blade surfaces that actively control airflow.
The YZF-R15 is the first India-made motorcycle in this class to mount a liquid cooling system for higher engine performance. Liquid cooling has not been use on 100 to 225cc class motorcycles in the past.
The YZF-R15 has a 6-speed transmission too. Even if you have a high-performance engine, the power development is going to be different in the different rpm ranges. The reason for a 6-speed transmission is to be able to make the most of the engineʼs power at any point in the rpm range.

According to Yamaha:

The designs were developed in the same modeling room where YZF-R1 designers worked. Information was shared, ensuring that the R lineage would be transmitted.

The main specifications of Yamaha R15 :

Engine type	Liquid-cooled, 4-stroke, SOHC, 4-valve
Cylinder arrangement	Single cylinder
Displacement	149 .8cc
Bore x Stroke	57×58.7mm
Compression ratio	10.4:1
Maximum power	17PS / 8,500rpm
Maximum torque	15 N.m / 7,500rpm
Starting system	Electric Start
Lubrication	wet sump
Engine oil capacity	1.0 liters
Fuel tank capacity	12 liters
Fuel supply system	Electronic fuel injection
Ignition system	T.C.I
Primary / Secondary reduction ratio	3.042 / 3.000
Clutch type	Constant-mesh wet multi-plate
Transmission type	Return type 6-speed
Gear ratios	1st=2.833, 2nd＝1.875, 3rd:=1.364, 4th=1.143, 5th=0.957, 6th=0.84

Brake type (Front / Rear)	Hydraulic, single disc (Front / Rear)
Suspension type (Front / Rear)	Telescopic / Linked type Monocross

Overall length x width x height	1,995mm x 670mm x 1,070mm
Seat height	790mm
Wheelbase	1,290mm
Minimum ground clearance	160mm
Dry weight / Curb weight	120kg / 131kg

The features can be read here:
Yamaha-R15 Features

For user-reviews you can visit: Moluthshut.com
Wallpapers can be downloaded from Yamaha India Website

And for those who are more interested in bikes of Indian companies can have a look on Bajaj Pulsar Chrome Edition (soon going to be launched) !

Honda CBF Stunner

2008-10-01T22:55:00.000+05:30

The Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India [HMSI] Pvt. Ltd. launched its new Youth targeted bike - Honda Stunner. Honda with previously only two bikes, Honda Shine 125cc and Unicorn 150cc, has now added this new bike to their small collection !

Although in pictures it may not look too sporty, but believe me, once you see it on road, specially the one in black, the looks will definitely put you in doubt about its engine's cubic capacity, as for a regular 125cc the bike looks amazing !
In the picture above you can see the elevated back seat, which really gives a top-class look to this bike...

Honda CBF Stunner Specifications:
Displacement: 124.7cc
Engine: 4 Stroke, Air Cooled, OHC Single Cylinder
Maximum Power: 11Bhp@8000rpm
Maximum Torque: 11Nm@6500rpm
Gears: 5 Speed
Weight: 129.00 kg
Length: 2012mm

Width: 734mm
Height: 113mm
Ground Clearance: 173.00 mm
Fuel Tank: 10.00 ltrs
Carburetor: CV type
Air Filter: Paper type
Suspension(Front): Telescopic front fork suspension
Suspension(Rear): 3 step spring loaded hydraulic shock absorber
Transmission: Constant mesh, 5 speed gear
Brakes (Front): 240mm Disc
Brakes(Rear): 130mm Drum
Both front and rear tires are TubeLess !

Remeber to compare this bike with TVS Flame and Bajaj XCD 125cc
Or you may also have a look at the improved version of Bajaj XCD, known as Bajaj XCD Sprint !

One thing that makes this bike look too sporty is the integrated front body cowl, which can be compared with those of Pulsar 220 or Yamaha R15, the bike is available in three variants:

CBF Stunner Kick-Drum-Alloy - 47,085 (On Road)
CBF Stunner Self-Drum-Alloy - 52,200 (On Road)
CBF Stunner self-Disc-Alloy - 54,090 (On Road)

So with a proper blend of looks and mileage this bikes suits for people less than 6 feet height,and if you are buying a bike for the first time go for the second variant and if you are already a pro-biker then you can ofcourse go for the third one !

Happy Biking !

The prices may vary according to your city : [Check Price In Your City]

For reviews, check here: [Mouthshut.com]

Speeding superbikes

2008-07-05T22:04:00.000+05:30

SETTING ROADS ON FIRE - SPEEDING SUPER BIKES

With the number of Indian millionaires rising, demand for aspirational bikes is likely to swell...

WHILE there is no sign of iconic American superbike Harley Davidson hitting India, the success of Yamaha’s twin superbikes—MT01 and YZF R1, which sold a total of more than 80 units in the past five months—has prompted other bikemakers to line up more products in this category.
Suzuki will launch its famed 1,340cc Hayabusa, GXR 1,000 and Bandit 1,250 bikes in September while Honda will introduce its two superbike models—CBR 1,000 and GLX 1,800—during the festive season in October. Kawasaki is eyeing the market and plans to sell its superbikes through Bajaj Auto’s network.
Yamaha had set an initial sales target of 50 bikes in 2008, but the better than expected sales of its two debutantes has prompted the company to look for other superbikes for the Indian market. Yamaha sales head T Maeda said: “We have sold most of the bikes in smaller cities. Demand for such niche bikes is rising as customers come to know about the various models available. We are looking at increasing our portfolio in this segment to cater to these super rich customers.”
The main trigger for this roadster rush is the government’s emission relaxation on Euro III compliance for Indian roads. “The demand for big bikes is actually more of a hype. We don’t expect big volumes, but it’s an emerging segment and with the number of Indian millionaires rising, the demand for these aspirational bikes will swell. We will introduce Hayabusa because it will showcase Suzuki’s strength as a big bike manufacturer,” said Suzuki Motorcycle India’s vice-president (sales and marketing) Atul Gupta.
For bike aficionados in the country, Honda Motor Company, which is the largest bikemaker in the world, is launching CBR 1,000 and GLX 1,800 in October. Italian major Ducati, which is currently sold in two exclusive showrooms in Mumbai and Delhi, has generated more than 100 queries and secured 10 orders while Kawasaki high-end bikes are expected to roll out from the Bajaj dealer network sometime next year. More than 1,000 high-end bikes are sold in India every year, most of which come as direct imports by the customers.

Audi to launch sports car R8
NEW DELHI: German luxury carmaker Audi on Friday said it plans to launch its latest sports car R8 in the country towards the end of this year. “India is an important market for Audi, and there has been a tremendous interest in the Audi R8 up to pre-orders by our exclusive customers in India, so it was inevitable that we launch the Audi R8 here,” Audi India MD Benoit Tiers said in a statement. The company, however, has not decided about the pricing of the car in India. Audi R8, which has won several awards in Germany and Europe, would be available at the company’s seven exclusive dealerships in Delhi, Gurgaon, Mumbai, Chandigarh, Pune, Hyderabad and Bangalore. The mid-engine Audi R8 would come with 420 hp engine and a displacement of 4,163 cc.

source: Timesofindia.com

Ducati On Indian Roads

2008-05-08T17:35:00.000+05:30

Ducati To Burn Its Tires On Indian Roads

Italy's Ducati Motor Holding announced its entry into India on Wednesday with its full range of premium bikes, priced between Rs15 lakhs to Rs50 lakhs. Ducati motorcycles will first be available through two exclusive showrooms in Mumbai and Delhi.

Eyeing great potential for luxury bikes in India, where tastes are changing from mass-market machines to high-end bikes, Italy's Ducati Motor Holding forayed into the country with its full range of premium bikes.

"We are very impressed with the evolution of the Indian market. It is no longer an emerging market, but a strong economy. I am very proud to officially announce our entry in the Indian market," Ducati Motor Holding CEO Gabriele Del Torchio said.

The company has entered India with the objective to be a market leader in the premium segment, he added.

"We will be importing 50 bikes this year. If we are able to sell these 50 units in the current year, then it will be more than enough," Torchio said.

The company has launched 4 different models within the price range of Rs 15-50 lakhs, with multiple variants....Precision Motor India Pvt Ltd is the sole distributor of Ducati bikes in India.

Flying Motorcycle

2008-04-18T00:12:00.000+05:30

I know about Moller's Skycar (a car that can fly), but flying bike was a surprise for me and I guess will be a surprise for you as well!

Infact, Comagz reports, It will float down slower than a parachute with the engine turned off at any altitude and land in a very small spot with the pilot in complete control. Besides, it requires a very short improvised runway for take-off and landing.

In the photo, former test pilot Larry Neal of Boyd, Texas is shown who created this awesome flying machine called the Super Sky Cycle (basically a flying bike - technically a cross between a motorcycle and an autogyro).

The flying bike goes as fast as 70 mph in the air and 60 mph on the road, and sells for around $25 grand!

World's Most Expensive Bike - Ecosse Heretic Titanium

2008-03-23T22:05:00.002+05:30

Ecosse Heretic Titanium Series - It is the world's costiest motorcycle...

First thought, cost?......it is $275,000 (around INR 11000000), and only 10 units are available worldwide.

So why is it so costly?....Of course everything about it should be special, right? So here are the details :

It features the world’s first all-titanium frame, hence the Titanium Series moniker. Powering it is a 200 horsepower 2,150cc polished billet aluminium supercharged and intercooled V-Twin engine that makes 285Nm of torque, rather insane for a naked bike that weighs about 200kg.

The front suspension system use fully adjustable Ohlins FG700 Superbike Gas with a titanium front axle, while the rear suspension is a fully adjustable Ohlins Racing Shock setup. The bodywork is clear-coated carbon fiber, which includes the fuel tank.

Free Offer :-

Ecosse has offered to sweeten the deal by throwing in a free (and very spiffy) watch with every Ecosse Titanium Series sold - so, frankly, it’s a bit of a bargain if you don’t have a watch. And if that doesn’t convince you, here’s another angle on those mouth-watering triple clamps:

You can purchase the Ecosse Titanium Series from the good burghers at RobbReport.com, to whom we owe picture credits and probably an apology for maybe not taking this bike as seriously as we could. But then we’re not the target market. Incidentally, if anyone out there happens to know somebody who buys one of these, please put them in touch with us - we’d dearly love to hear about the Ecosse ownership experience.

Full specifications for this epic machine can be found here, and the down-at-heel can take a look at some of Ecosse’s “budget” models at the Ecosse Moto website.

Bike Driving Tips - Basics

2008-03-23T14:41:00.004+05:30

Motorcycle Controls
Nearly all motorcycles have standard transmissions, so you must shift them yourself. As on bicycles, motorcycles typically have two brake controls, one for the front tire, and a separate one for the rear tire. Also, motorcycles have on/off switches, starter buttons, a throttle, turn signals, and horns. To control a motorcycle you use both of your hands and both of your feet.

Ignition Switch
Usually located near the instrument cluster, its positions usually include ON, OFF, LOCK, and PARK. The Lock position allows the key to be removed and engages a steering-lock mechanism. When locked, your motorcycle can only move in circles, unless a couple of Samoans pick it up and toss it into the back of their Ford F250. The Park position is a Lock position that also leaves the taillight on. Park is good for draining your battery in about an hour, leaving you no easy way to start your computerized-ignition electronic-fuel-injected electric-start bike. I believe the Park position is actually a clever built-in IQ test.

Clutch lever
This lever operates the clutch. Squeezing the clutch lever towards you with the fingers of your left hand will disengage the clutch and disconnect the engine power from the rear wheel. Releasing the lever will engage the clutch and provide power to the rear wheel.

You will use the clutch when you

* select and change gears
* put the motorcycle into neutral
* carry out some slow-speed maneuvers

To change or select a gear

1. Pull the clutch lever fully to the handlebar
2. Select the gear you need with your left foot
3. Release the clutch lever smoothly to engage the clutch

High beam / Low beam switch
This is used to switch your headlamp between high beam and low beam. You operate it with your left thumb. On high beam you'll probably see a blue light on your instrument panel.

Horn
On most motorcycles, this makes a plaintive bleating sound which can be used to attract sheepdogs and send drunken friends into episodes of spasmodic laughter. On the freeway it's just slightly less effective than spitting.

Turn Signal Switch / Indicator

On most motorcycles you push the button to the left to indicate a left turn, to the right to indicate a right turn, and you push the button straight in to turn off the turn signals. Use your thumb to operate the switch.

Harleys and BMWs have the left turn signal on the left handlebar and the right turn signal on the right handlebar. You push a second time to cancel.

Engine cut-off switch
This allows you to shut off the engine without removing your hand from the handlebar. You operate it with your thumb. When stopping the engine normally, use the ignition switch. You're less likely to leave your keys in the ignition when leaving your motorcycle.

Electric starter
Most motorcycles won't start unless the clutch is pulled in. To start your motorcycle:

1. Check that the engine cut-out switch is on
2. Switch the ignition on
3. Pull in the clutch lever
4. Make sure that the gear selector is in neutral
5. Press the starter button

When the engine starts, immediately release the starter button. You can damage the starter clutch (an expensive little thingy deep inside the engine) by running the starter while the engine is also running.

Front brake lever
This applies the brake to the front wheel. To use it squeeze the lever towards you. Use all the fingers on your right hand for maximum control and stopping power. The harder you squeeze, the harder you brake. To release the brake release the lever.

Throttle
The throttle controls the engine power, exactly like the accelerator pedal in a car.

To speed up the engine twist the throttle towards you. To slow down the engine release the throttle or twist the grip away from you. Most throttles will spring back to a closed position when released. In this position the engine will run at 'idle' speed.

Shift lever foot control
Gears enable you to match engine power to road speed. You use a low gear to start off and a higher gear once you've gained speed. Changing smoothly through the gears is a skill that will improve with practice. The gear selector is usually on the left side of the motorcycle, just in front of the footrest.

The neutral position is when no gear is engaged. Most motorcycles have a green warning light to show when the gears are in neutral.

Gears are selected by lifting or pushing down the gear lever with your foot. Push down for a lower gear. Pull up for a higher gear. When you release the lever, it will return to the center position, ready to select another gear. Most motorcycles have five or six gears. A typical gear pattern is 1-N-2-3-4-5. The N is for neutral, which is selected by either a half lift from 1st gear or a half push from 2nd gear.

Rear brake pedal foot control
This pedal is usually on the right side of the motorcycle, just in front of the footrest. Push = stop.

Instruments

1. Speedometer - tells you your speed.
2. Odometer -total miles since the motorcycle was new.
3. Trip odometer - miles since last reset.
4. Engine trouble light - should be off when engine is running.
5. Neutral lamp - lights up when transmission is in neutral.
6. Tachometer - engine speed in RPM. Don't get into "red."
7. Turn signal indicators - blink when turn signals are on.
8. High beam indicator - blue when high beam is on.
9. Oil pressure lamp - if engine is running, on = bad.

Steering a Motorcycle
Motorcycles work much like bicycles; however they weigh a lot more, so to get maximum performance you have to push and pull harder. This makes it more apparent how they actually work.

On any two wheel vehicle there is a transition speed, which is typically about 2 mph. Most people can't ride a motorcycle or a bicycle below 2mph, so they're unaware of this. Below the transition speed, you steer a motorcycle like a car: you point the front wheel where you want to go. Above the transition speed, you do exactly the opposite: you push on the handlebars to make the front wheel move in the opposite direction, and the motorcycle leans into the curve and starts to turn. This is called counter-steering. This fact is why you fell down on the bicycle the first few times: your brain had to learn to do opposites. Beginners often don't believe these statements, so here's an easy test. Get going about 35-40 mph on a motorcycle on a long straight road without traffic. Remove your left hand from the handlebars. Now using your right hand only, push the right handlebar forward gently. The bike will start to turn to the right. Pull the right handlebar gently towards you and the bike will pick back up to straight, and, if you keep pulling, start to turn to the left.

A very important rule on motorcycles is that you go where you look. If you want to turn, first look towards where you want to go. Next, press on the handlebars. If you want to turn left, press on the left handlebar and the motorcycle will start to lean to the left and turn to the left.

Finally, lean with the bike. Many beginners are very uncomfortable leaning, and want to sit up on top of the motorcycle. This just makes the motorcycle lean further to accomplish the same turn. In normal street riding, you can just lean with the bike at the same angle as the bike and you'll be fine. Some beginners wish they could turn without leaning. Sorry, can't be done: laws of physics. In racing situations, riders get underneath the bike for better control.

Above, we see a racer who is looking where he wants to go, pulling on the left handlebar to continue to turn right, and leaning into the corner - in this case to the point where his knee is on the pavement. You won't be cornering quite this fast in the next few months.

When you're cornering, it's best to hold the throttle on slightly so as to maintain speed, or even very slightly increase speed through the corner. Most bikes work best when they are slightly accelerating. If you suddenly get off the gas, the weight will transfer to the front tire and the bike will turn into the corner very sharply. This is very disconcerting for a beginner. It's best to maintain speed through the corner. This means you have to learn to judge cornering speeds and do your braking before you enter the corner.

That's about all I have to say on steering, because this is a skill you learn from practice, not from reading.

[Source]

Bajaj Auto Ltd. Renamed

2008-03-14T18:38:00.000+05:30

BAL to BHIL

Pursuant to the Scheme, Bajaj Auto Ltd is re-named as Bajaj Holdings & Investment Ltd. New F&O contracts is to be introduced today; futures lot size of 250 shares, options strike priced between Rs 20-2700.

It goes ex-demerger (goes into ND period; out on Mar 24). Auto stock will re-list later ((Technically Bajaj Auto is delisting and Holdings arm is listing).

Bajaj Auto has fixed March 25, 2008 as record date for determining the shareholders of the Company, who would be eligible to receive shares of Bajaj Auto Ltd (new) and Bajaj Finserv Ltd in the ratio of 1:1.

The Hon'ble High Court of Judicature at Bombay has sanctioned the Scheme Arrangement between Bajaj Auto Ltd, Bajaj Holdings & Investment Ltd and Bajaj Finserv Ltd and its respective shareholders and creditors. This marks the successful completion of the demerger process, which was initiated by the Company with the Board approval on May 17, 2007. The demerger reinforces the commitment of Bajaj Auto Ltd group to the businesses of the resulting Companies.

==> Highlights of the Scheme of De-merger :-

(a) Bajaj Auto Ltd (the new name of Bajaj Holdings & Investment Ltd under the scheme) to focus on auto business.

(b) Bajaj Finserv Ltd (BFS) to focus on wind energy generation, insurance, consumer finance, financial products distribution business and new initiatives in financial services space and

(c) Bajaj Holdings & Investment Ltd (the new name of Bajaj Auto Ltd under the scheme) will function primarily as an investment Company and focus on new business opportunities.

Relaunch of TVS Flame (Single Spark Technology)

2008-03-14T16:44:00.000+05:30

TVS Flame - Single Spark Technology

After losing the long technical-legal battle with Bajaj over its new bike Flame, TVS is again brining the same bike into production but with a different engine this time.

The earlier CC-VTi engine had two spark plugs and three valves (first-outlet, second-inlet). At low RPM’s only two valves were functional and the third valve (inlet) became functional at high RPM’s. It was this because of the use of two spark plug for its single cylinder configuration, TVS was asked by the Madras High Court to stop selling and producing the 125 cc Flame. According to Bajaj Auto this was an infringement of their patented DTSi (Digital Twin Spark Plug Ignition) technology.

This time the company incorporated a single-spark ignition engine based on controlled combustion variable timing intelligent (CC-VTi) technology.

The engine has been developed and patented by Austria-based AVL and has been licensed to TVS in India. AVL is the world leader in internal combustion engine technology and develops power train systems. It is a leading provider of technology to the global engine and automotive industry.

Its mileage/fuel efficiency is still not clear with different opinions from different people :-

(1). “There would be no difference in terms of efficiency,” Venu Srinivasan, chairman and managing director of TVS, said. --- according to livemint.com
(2). Apart from the conversion of twin spark plug technology to single spark plug ignition, everything else would be the same in Flame, Srinivasan said. The new version of Flame will give a standard mileage of 60-65 km per litre. --- according to sify.com

The showroom price for the new Flame has been kept at Rs 46,000.

Now the question is : "Will this spark turn to Flame ? "

The company, on Sunday, also entered the three-wheeler market, dominated by Bajaj, by announcing the launch of a 200cc auto-rickshaw named ‘TVS King’ :-

Venu Srinivasan in the new 3-wheeler "TVS King"

Scary Bike

2008-03-11T00:30:00.000+05:30

This Bike Has Surely Met With Some Disaster

Monster Bike

2008-03-09T23:24:00.000+05:30

Its Illegal to ride this Bike on roads

Budget 2008 : Promote More Bikes Sales

2008-03-01T22:17:00.000+05:30

Planning to buy a new bike ? Buy it Now...

The FM, P Chidambaram sprang a welcome surprise, slashing excise duty on small cars and two wheelers from 16% to 12%, in the Budget 2008.

Two-wheeler maker Hero Honda reduced prices by Rs. 1000 - 2400, though Bajaj said it was working on the retail price cut.

So better select and buy your bike before next elections ;)

TVS Flame lost the patent fight with Bajaj

2008-02-18T21:56:00.000+05:30

Flame turned to Fumes

The long battle between Bajaj and TVS finally ended (almost), with a decision going completely against TVS....No booking, No sales and No more manufacturing.

Bajaj will be really happy to win this case as this will definitely bring a lot of new customers towards its would be market leader in 125cc segment - Bajaj XCD. After this judgement Bajaj with already a complete back up against TVS Flame - its plan to introduce new improved - "Bajaj XCD 125cc Sprint", may be delayed (as there's no need to be hurried for its launch).

On the other hand TVS, which already faced many losses this year, had ony left hope was "The Flame", which unforunately has been banned on Saturday to either manufacture or sell, creating even image issues for such a big reputed (third largest indian two-wheeler company) company.

125cc has been a very important & crucial segment for any bike manufacturer in India, with a major group of commuters belonging to middle & upper middle class, people mainly look for initial cost and mileage, and with increasing number of young bikers, they even consider the looks !

Flame with a competitive price (Rs. 45,000 ex-showroom) to any other bike in its range, and with an even better mileage claim of company - 112 Km/L (on road estimated - 80 km/L), and ofcourse the looks - digital speedo, aerodynamic body & disc brakes. But one thing that extinguished the flame - their newly designed CC-VTI engine

In the words of Rahul Bajaj : "This is a landmark judgement. It does not matter who won the case," he told reporters on the sidelines of a conference here. "This case highlights that auto engineering products do not have proper patent procedure, he said, adding this would put forward a procedure for technology patent".

The friendly gesture : "I am happy with the verdict. I have nothing against TVS. Venu Srinivasan (TVS Chairman) is a good friend. It (the case) is a completely commercial subject," Bajaj said.

The Madras High Court on Saturday restrained TVS from manufacturing, marketing, selling and exporting two or three wheelers with an internal combustion engine, including the new Flame 125 or any such engine or product which infringes on Bajaj's patent.

But many people are still saying "The case is still open, for TVS Motors may approach the Supreme Court".

And other possibility : Sources among the auto components suppliers have a suspicion that TVS Motors may have a second engine ready for Flame.

Nano of Indian Bikes - Xenitis Rock 100

2008-02-10T00:15:00.001+05:30

Xenitis Rock 100

The Tata Nano version in bikes went all un-noticed ?
So here's the bike fulfiling most of the Indian common man's needs.

A 100 CC bike giving a mileage of 125 Km/l (company estimated) & priced at just 19,990, with equated monthly installments (EMIs) fixed at Rs 490. Xenitis is the same company which first released its computers at below INR 10,000 (5 years ago) tagged price & laptop below INR 20,000. Xenitis set up its two-wheeler manufacturing plant in West Bengal in April last year at an investment of Rs 300 crore and an installed capacity of 90,000 units per month.

Already, 10,000 units of Xpression have been sold out and the plan is to export bikes to Middle East, Russia, Nepal, Sri Lanka and some African countries.

The new bike Rock100 already has an advance booking of 1,60,000 units and will be available with around 350 motor dealers. The bike is equipped with attractive features like 4-stroke engine, electronic self start and kick start facility, tachometer, gear indicator, aerodynamic headlight with halogen bulbs.

Technical Specifications :
Type 4-Stroke, Single cylinder
Displacement 97.2
Compression Ratio 8.6 : 1
Max. Engine Output 5 kw @ 8500 rpm
Max. Torque 6.5 Nm @ 6000 rpm
Type size and ply rating Front - 2.50 - 18 4 PR /
Rear 3.00 - 176 PR
Wheel Base 1200 mm
Over all Width 740 mm
Over all Length 1930 mm
Over all Height 800 mm
After reading all this we can call this as Nano of Bike's World !

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

Their another Bike at the higher end :

Xenitis Xpression 125CC

Technical Specifications :

Engine 4 stroke, Single cylinder air cooled
Bore x Stroke 56.5 X 49.5 ( mm )
Eng. Displacement 124 cc
Compression Ratio 9.0 : 1
Max. Net Power 10.5 Bhp at 8500 rpm
Max. Net Torque    8.4 Nm at 7500 rpm
Ignition System    CDI
Spark Plug MICOXR5DC
Lubrication Wet Sump , Splashed
Transmission    5 speed constant mesh rotary gear
Front Brake    Hydraulic ventilated discbrakes
Rear Brake    Mech. Expanding shoe & drum type
Fuel Tank Capacity Full 15.0 ltr., Reserve 2.5 ltrs.
Dimensions :

Length    2040 mm
Width    780 mm
Height    1130 mm
Wheel Base    1280 mm
Min. Turning Radius 2165 mm
Ground Clearance    140 mm
Tyre Size : Front : 2.75 - 18, 4PR  Rear : 3.00 - 18, 6PR
Electrical System    12 Volts AC + DC
Head Lamp 35 / 35W Halogen
Turn Signal Lamp    10W
Neutral Indicator Lamp    3W
High Beam Indi. Lamp 3W
Turn Signal Indi. Lamp 3W x 2
Meter console Light 3W
Horn 12 V DC Type 2A
Battery 12 V - 5 Ah
Vehicle Kerb Weight    127 Kg.
Gradeability. 7.2°

Price: Rs 39,000 ex-showroom

The bike comes with five speed rotary gear transmission , 125 cc 4 Stroke all aluminum engine, Die Casted rear grab rail , Ventilated disc brake, Self start, Masculine 15 liters capacity fuel tank, CAT Megaphonic silencer with heat shield, Aluminum die casted pillion foot rest & a Five step adjustable rear shock absorber.

The company has released the bike with a joint venture between Xenitis and China's automobile giant Guangzhou Automobile Industry Group (GAIG).

Now the only point to consider before going for these bikes is the popularity of the brand, and also one need to consider its partner Chinese company - second largest two-wheeler company in China.

12 new bikes from Hero Honda

2008-02-09T23:47:00.000+05:30

Hero Honda planning to launch
12 new bikes in next 18 months

Pawan Munjal, CEO, Hero Honda said it will launch 12 new bikes across entry executive premium segment, reports CNBC-TV18. It is not looking at getting into the passenger car market yet and will focus on two-wheelers and CV business, added Munjal.

“Between the expos of 2006 –08, we had 18 launches. Going forward, in the next 18 months, we have 12 new launches and are looking at all three segments. We have focus on all the three segments and more and more on the premium, the youth and on the youngsters,” said Pawan Munjal, CEO, Hero Honda Motors.

Experts from the exclusive interview with Pawan Munjal:

Quen : What's your focus going to be? Is going to be high volume low margin bikes or is it going to be the other way around as the other manufacturers are moving?
Ans : Our focus has been and will continue to be in all three segments starting with the entry segment, going into the executive segment and finally into the premium segment. You know we’ve had a number of launches in the premium segment and all these launches have done very well for us. The latest one “Hunk” is doing exceptionally well for us.

[ source : moneycontrol.com ]

Heavy Bikes On Indian Roads

2008-01-30T22:10:00.000+05:30

2300 cc Bike on Indian Roads

After Harley Davidson, now its UK's famous bike manufacturer Triumph's turn to run and burn its tyres on Indian roads, by the end of this year.

"We plan to get in a series of models from our line-up," Nick Bloor, whose family owns the Triumph brand, said.
Bloor, the export manager for the company, said Triumph was negotiating with seven to eight firms in India, that includes Bajaj Auto and a lifestyle product maker.
"We are here to formulate a strategy for getting into India and are confident to find a partner by the middle of this year," he said.

The models that the company is planning to launch includes 2300-cc 'Rocket III Touring' cruiser, covered in chrome and infused with Triumph's original and authentic styling.

Urban sports bikes like the 675-cc 'Street Triple' and the amazing 'Daytona 675', that won the Best Supersport in both the Supertest and Masterbike 2007 track tests in Spain, could also come in.

However, with import duty, price could be a deterrent. The Rocket III, the company's flagship product, costs around 12,000 pounds in the UK and would cost you well over Rs 18 lakh after a duty of about 110%

"These products cater to a different and niche segment and we come here with an eye on the future. We feel it is an exciting market with fantastic growth potential," Bloor said.

Modern classics like the 865-cc 'Bonneville' and a deluxe version of the sixties icon, the 'Bonneville T100' could also come in.

"Powered by air-cooled parallel twins, their performance, brakes and fuel injection are tuned to current times, even though they are classic," Bloor said.

So, when are you planning to ride one ?

[ source ]

Bajaj Discover 150CC

2008-01-22T23:59:00.000+05:30

Although a very successful marketing & response to their 150 cc bike "PULSAR", recent price hike in that model due to new added features (digital speedometer, LED tail light etc.), Bajaj has lost some of its customers - who shifted themselves to either Bajaj Discover 135cc or 125cc or to any other company.

To minimize the large price gap between their 135cc Discover & 150cc Pulsar, now they have introduced an improved version of Discover - Bajaj Discover 150cc.

The new features include - a digital speedometer, comparable with that of XCD Dts-Si 125cc.
Back tail light again looks similar to XCD - sleek & LED.

The front engine covers can be compared to that of new TVS Flame 125cc fitted with the front indicators.

The front wheel - ofcourse with disc brake.

But the overall looks are not much different, when compared to its ancestors Discover 135cc & 125cc.

According to the people in AutoExpo'08 the bike may be launched in another 5 to 6 months. So let's wait & watch !!!

TVS X-Fossil

2008-01-18T19:59:00.000+05:30

TVS is all set to launch a new bike in its electric bike's section, But believe me its not like any other small electric moped kind of bikes, but truly stylish both in terms of looks and technically too,

According to Venu Srinivasan, chairman and managing director of Chennai-based TVS, “X-Fossil is a concept bike which we have showcased. We want to show that even electric bikes have the power and style.

“It has already evoked quite a response. We will study the interest shown by customers and consider its commercial production viability,” Srinivasan said.

Although technical details are not much available, as it is still a Concept bike : The bike can attain a maximum speed of 140 Km/hr and it reaches 0 to 100 speed in just 3.2 seconds.

And for its looks, have a look below on the pics :-

The All New Pulsar 220 CC - Chrome Edition

2008-01-15T01:43:00.000+05:30

Bajaj's New Pulsar Edition in 220 cc - The Chrome Edition, displayed at AutoExpo 2008.

Not much information is available about its features but pictures are certainly available :

The All New Bajaj XCD DTSi Sprint 2008

2008-01-14T18:53:00.000+05:30

Although a big success in terms of marketing and sales but with many complaints regarding the quality and features against Bajaj XCD 125 cc, Bajaj has made an all new XCD DTSi Sprint, as a new variant of its previous edition XCD DTS-Si which will hit the market in another 6 to 8 months, here are just some of its improved features :

(1). Improved Digital meter.
(2). Made the back tail light more wider ( but angle's not so perfect.....see the pictures below)
(3). Disc brake included (so it may raise the price too )
(4). Nitrox Suspension ( this is coool )
(5). Larger Alloy wheels

Pictures straight from AUTOEXPO 2008 :

Flame or XCD

2008-01-14T02:12:00.000+05:30

The important fact that all of us are waiting to know is their " fuel efficiency ". According to the person at the TVS section in the AutoExpo2008, the company's claim is 112 km/l as against 109 km/l of that Bajaj XCD (the main competitor of Flame). And when talking of ON ROAD mileage, with XCD being at 65 - 70 Km/l, Flame is excepted to give atleast 70 - 75 Km/l.

Compare them technically below :

ENGINE

Engine [CC] == >
124.8 cc (Flame) --- 124.58 cc (XCD)

Engine Technology ==>
CCVTi, 3 Valve 4 Stroke (Flame) --- Digital Twin Spark - Swirl induction (DTS-SI) (XCD)

Max. Power ==>
10.5 bhp @ 8250 rpm (Flame) --- 9.5 bhp @ 7000 rpm (XCD)

Max. Torque ==>
10 nm @ 6250 rpm (Flame) --- 10.85 nm @ 5000 rpm (XCD)

Gear Box ==>
4 gear constant, mesh (Flame) --- 4 gear constant, mesh (XCD)

Clutch ==>
Multi plate - wet type (Flame) --- Multi plate - wet type (XCD)

Carburettor ==>
MV Type (Flame) --- Side draught type (XCD)

Compression Ratio
10 : 1 (Flame) --- 9.5 (+/- 0.5) : 1 (XCD)

WHEELS & TYRE

Tyre Front ==>
2.75 x 18 (Flame) --- 2.75 x 17 (XCD)

Tyre Rear ==>
3.00 x 18 (Flame) --- 3.00 x 17 (XCD)

BRAKES

Brake Front ==>
Drum - 130 dia. (Disc optional) (Flame) --- Drum type (XCD)

Brake Rear ==>
Drum - 130 dia. (Flame) --- Drum type (XCD)

SUSPENSION

Suspension Front ==>
Telescopic hydraulic fork (Flame) --- Telescopic (125 mm travel) (XCD)

Suspension Rear ==>

Twin tube 5 step adjustable (Flame) --- Swing arm with 5-step

adjustable Shock absorbers with Dual 'SNS' type Spring (105 mm travel) (XCD)

KEY DIMENSIONS

Overall Height ==>
1070 mm (Flame) --- 1200 mm (XCD)

Overall length ==>
2030 mm (Flame) --- 1980 mm (XCD)

Overall Width ==>
760 mm (Flame) --- 760 mm (XCD)

Wheelbase ==>
1320 mm (Flame) --- 1275 mm (XCD)

Ground Clearance ==>
165 mm (Flame) --- 170 mm (XCD)

Kerb Weight ==>
123 Kg (Flame) --- 113 Kg (XCD)

Fuel Tank Capacity ==>
8.0 L (Low fuel warning : 2 L) (Flame) --- 8.0 L (Reserve : 1.8 L) (XCD)

TVS Flame 125CC - Colours

2008-01-14T00:25:00.000+05:30

It's Desire On Fire

TVS Flame - Finally arrived !
Thanks to the AutoExpo 2008 at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi....where the bike was first seen in Northern India. As the bike came out to hit the market after a long judicial fight, people are now very eager to know about this bike as much as possible. Let start with the most basic feature - the outer look or graphics or simply call it colors of the bike.As displayed in the AutoExpo there are presently 4 colours available, as diplayed below :-
1. Red with black
2. Orange with black
3. Yellow with black
4. Silver with black