Saturday, October 27, 2007
Kawasaki GTR1400 First crash video
Here's the first crash on the all-new Kawasaki GTR1400 – courtesy of some French mates of ours at top motorcycle magazine Moto Journal.
The testers were at the launch of the bike last week, then set out to film a mickey-take of French TV show Turbeauf.
Turbeauf is one of France’s longest-running Top Gear type shows and is well-known for testing large cars in America – hence the parody of a cosseted journalist enjoying the high-flying fruits of his job abroad.
During the video you’ll see the test rider fall asleep during the briefing, heading out to the American restaurants for some essential foreign food, falling over in a pedalo and taking you for a tour of his hotel suite. Note the sunglasses that are kept on throughout (you may even be able to spot the price tag still attached).
At the end of the shoot, the idea was to fake a spill in order to wrap things up neatly for the parody – but while the camera was still rolling, test rider Zef Enault thought he’d grab the chance to try out the GTR through some more ‘enthusiastic’ turns.
The sounds of broken fibreglass and grinding metal can be heard very clearly – every panel on the bike was wrecked in the fall.
Luckily, Enault was not hurt and limped away to make his excuses to Kawasaki bosses further down the road… turn the sound up and stay with the movie until the end for the crunching crash.Source:- MCN
Motegi MotoGP reaction:.. Bridgestone`s delight at Casey Stoner’s MotoGP victory
Casey Stoner's MotoGP title has made Bridgestone boss Hiroshi Yamada a happy manBridgestone boss Hiroshi Yamada hailed Casey Stoner and Ducati as the Japanese tyre company celebrated a historic milestone in yesterday’s Japanese MotoGP.Casey Stoner’s sixth place in a rain-hit Twin Ring Motegi clash secured him a first premier class success after Yamaha’s Valentino Rossi’s disastrous 13th.And the Aussie also secured Ducati’s first MotoGP triumph in only their fifth year in the premier class.There were also huge celebrations at Bridgestone as they won a MotoGP world title for the first time, which was made all the more sweeter as it came on home soil in Japan.An emotional Hiroshi Yamada, who was in tears at the end yesterday’s 24-lap race, said: “It was a fantastic day and I really have no words to describe it.“I’m very happy we have done this achievement with Ducati, because they joined us when perhaps we were not the best tyre in MotoGP. This is the third year and I’m sure without Ducati we would not have had such good results, that’s 100 per cent sure.“I want to say thanks for their effort and their great decision in 2004 to work with us.”Hiroshi Yamada said he had got so emotional after the race as his mind cast back to some dark days for Bridgestone in MotoGP. One of the worst moments was when Shinya Nakano suffered a tyre blowout at 200mph on the Mugello straight in 2004.Since then Bridgestone has grown in prominence in MotoGP, and this season they have emerged into the dominant tyre brand, winning 10 races against Michelin’s five.Yamada said: “I remember many things from the past, bad things that happened to us.“Many people worked together with us and I remembered all the faces of these people and all the effort they put in after bad memories like Mugello in 2004 with Shinya’s big crash.“My head was spinning. When Casey crossed the line I was so happy. It was a very difficult race and hard to know what was going on.“Before the race in the wet I had confidence in Casey but when it started to dry out then I didn’t know what was going to happen.“Once Rossi passed Casey I though ‘shit, we are not going to win the championship in Japan.’ But God was on our side.”Source:- Motorcyclenews
Super Pulsar 150 SP
Dont get shocked. what u see in these pics is a Pulsar with The engine from Honda NSR 150 SP, liquid cooled two-stroke, six speed and produces 39.5 bhp.This bike is made by A bike enthusiast 'Rajkumar'. Hats-off to him for making such a awesome bike. It has great Power right from the word go and pulls strongly right through the rev range with no lag when you shift a gear. Will easily leave a RD 350 HT behind.
This is the donor bike - Honda NSR 150 SP
TVS takes lead in DTS-i patent war
TVS motor has filed a defamation suit against Bajaj Auto in Bombay High Court and another suit in Madras High Court under the patent law. With this, TVS has taken the lead to begin the legal war with its rival, Bajaj Auto.Earlier this week, TVS filed a Rs 250-crore defamation suit in Bombay High Court against Bajaj Auto’s allegation of infringement (by TVS) of intellectual property rights on technology that is used in most Bajaj bikes. TVS has also filed another suit under the Indian Patents Act in Madras High Court to counter Bajaj’s claims on patent violation or infringement by TVS.Soon after TVS unveiled a range of new products on August 30, 2007, Bajaj had alleged that TVS had used its digital twin spark ignition technology ( DTS-i) in the latest models, including the 125-cc bike, Flame, that was showcased by TVS on the occasion.In turn, TVS declared if the “malicious and reckless charge” was not withdrawn by Bajaj, it would file a libel suit for Rs 250 crore. TVS also said it would ensure, by appropriate legal means, that Bajaj did not interfere with its use of its in-house VTi technology, on the basis of which TVS has already announced new launches commencing November.Now that TVS is preparing for the launches in November and December, it has filed the Rs 250-crore defamation suit in Bombay High Court. When contacted by ET, a senior TVS Motor official confirmed filing of the suit.“As of now, we do not know what will be the reaction from Bajaj and also when they will react,” the official added. TVS has also filed another suit in Madras High Court to counter its rival’s charge that TVS had copied its patented digital twin spark ignition technology in the 125-cc TVS flame slated to be launched in December. TVS’s contention is that it is a “groundless threat”.TVS’s stated stand on the technology issue is that “the patent rights claimed by Bajaj Auto for its Internal Combustion Engine is not for ‘twin spark plugs’ per se. It is for the use of twin spark plugs in two valve engine.” On the other hand, TVS technology is a combination of its in-house developed innovative technology VTi and use of AVL’s patented 3 valves technology in engine.In line with its stand, TVS Motor in August this year, moved an application before the Intellectual property Appellate board, Chennai, to revoke the patent granted to Bajaj Auto on the ground that patent claimed by Bajaj is a known prior art.Sources in Bajaj Auto said the company has not yet received any paper or communication from the court. The company would study the papers and take necessary action to defend itself before the court of law.Source:- Economictimes.indiatimes
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Hero Honda completes Two Crore bikes in India..!!
India’s (and also the World's) largest two-wheeler manufacturer, Hero Honda Motors Ltd (HHML) has launched its two crore (20 millionth) bike in the country.According to the company press release (Dated: October 12, 2007):,
"The 20th million motorcycle was unveiled at a glittering ceremony here today, by Mr. Brijmohan Lall, Chairman, HHML, Mr. Pawan Munjal, MD & CEO, HHML, and Hero Honda brand ambassador and Bollywood superstar Mr. Hrithik Roshan."Mr. Pawan Munjal, says
There are not many countries in the world with a population of two crore people, and here we are – a Company with an unprecedented customer base of two crore, and growing.In a country of a billion people, it signifies a Hero Honda bike in every 50 people.This achievement is indeed reflective of the brand loyalty and the trust that Hero Honda has built amongst its customers over the years.”
To commemorate this achievement, Hero Honda has announced a campaign called "Hero Honda Country", which aims to touch the hearts and minds of customers across the length and breadth of the nation (which basically means that Hero Honda wants to reinforce its nunber one position in the minds of the India consumer).As part of the campaign, an event called "HERO HONDA BIKE-A-THON" has been flagged-off simultaneously from eight cities – Srinagar, Kolhapur, Katihar, Kolkata, Kakinada, Kanyakumari, Chennai and Mangalore. The bikers, riding a range of Hero Honda bikes, will traverse thousands of kilometers, before converging near Delhi towards the end of this month.Great going Hero Honda. But how about setting aside a few crores of Rupees for an R&D of your own..?? Agreed matching the Honda Technology isn't easy but what if tomorrow Honda decides to part ways.
source: indian2wheels.blogspot.com
"The 20th million motorcycle was unveiled at a glittering ceremony here today, by Mr. Brijmohan Lall, Chairman, HHML, Mr. Pawan Munjal, MD & CEO, HHML, and Hero Honda brand ambassador and Bollywood superstar Mr. Hrithik Roshan."Mr. Pawan Munjal, says
There are not many countries in the world with a population of two crore people, and here we are – a Company with an unprecedented customer base of two crore, and growing.In a country of a billion people, it signifies a Hero Honda bike in every 50 people.This achievement is indeed reflective of the brand loyalty and the trust that Hero Honda has built amongst its customers over the years.”
To commemorate this achievement, Hero Honda has announced a campaign called "Hero Honda Country", which aims to touch the hearts and minds of customers across the length and breadth of the nation (which basically means that Hero Honda wants to reinforce its nunber one position in the minds of the India consumer).As part of the campaign, an event called "HERO HONDA BIKE-A-THON" has been flagged-off simultaneously from eight cities – Srinagar, Kolhapur, Katihar, Kolkata, Kakinada, Kanyakumari, Chennai and Mangalore. The bikers, riding a range of Hero Honda bikes, will traverse thousands of kilometers, before converging near Delhi towards the end of this month.Great going Hero Honda. But how about setting aside a few crores of Rupees for an R&D of your own..?? Agreed matching the Honda Technology isn't easy but what if tomorrow Honda decides to part ways.
source: indian2wheels.blogspot.com
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Yamaha sets out to wow Indian enthusiasts
Yamaha sets out to wow Indian enthusiasts with a slew of superbikes
From standstill to say about 60 kph, the Yamaha YZF-R1 seems barely even alive. It’s like the engine’s off. Even heavy trucks seem to keep pace with this superbike on the Delhi-Jaipur highway. But not for long, soon the trucks will be a distant memory.
With its light weight, stupendous power output and gorgeously slinky looks, the R1 can’t be anything else but Yamaha’s flagship machine. Stay on the throttle and this near-300 kph capable missile begins to wake up. At three-digit speeds, there is so much performance in reserve that sometimes you actually have to talk yourself into experiencing some of that potential. From idle in second or third, open the throttle gently but firmly and the world goes into an instant superfast rewind. Numbers come up with ludicrous intensity on the clear digital dash, while the vanishing point is hurled right inside the helmet, coming to rest gleefully on the very tip of your nose. It’s that fast. And we’ve more than half of the near-190 bhp peak power still left over to play with. Seriously impressive, eh?
But the fabulous R1 was just for starters. Yamaha Motor India decided to whet our appetites by whisking us off for a ride on not one or two, but seven superbikes. The gleaming line-up of seven motorcycles included two YZF-R1s, one in gorgeous 50th Anniversary yellow, a menacing black YZF-R6, a catty-eyed red YZF-R6S, a tall TDM900, a gigantic FJR1300, a highly attractive Yamaha-blue XJR1300 naked, and the sole cruiser, a pale gold Drag Star 1100.
Yamaha said the purpose was simply to open the CBU door a crack by allowing us (and vicariously, you!) to get a feel for what superbikes are capable of, what they feel like on Indian roads and through our rather chaotic traffic and so forth. From the start, they were clear that the R1 apart, none were anywhere close to India launch prospects, and were simply meant to allow us to experience different formats, styles, engine configurations and so forth.
Yamaha intend to launch the R1, the new 2008 model, with gold wheels, by-wire throttle and super-cool variable intake length gadgetry before the year is out. The company is figuring out the warranty and service aspect of the launch as you read this. While the pricing is yet to be finalised, the manufacturer is confident that it will fall around the Rs 10 lakh mark – that’s the US MSRP multiplied by our rather inflated 110 per cent import duties, levies and charges.
Most of the motorcycle enthusiast community in India may not have the resources to actually purchase these bikes at such stratospheric prices, but that precisely is what makes dreams so important, so poignant and so worth living for, right? Here then is what we sampled over three days.
The two R6s were there purely because they are such exciting motorcycles to ride. With redlines set at sky-high near-15,000 rpm levels, 120-odd bhp of power on tap, these two are total maniacs. The new R6 more so, thanks to its single-point fast-at-the-track focus. The R6S is actually a bit cheaper and I, for one, can actually imagine commuting happily aboard one. But as it stands, the 800cc or more rule (remember the mangoes for Harleys business?) makes the R6 and its ilk a very remote launch possibility.
Of the rest, not out-and-out sporty machinery, the XJR is extremely interesting. Its almost-100 bhp 1300cc inline-four is air-cooled, makes bags of torque and makes the XJR at once thrilling and chilled out to ride. The upright riding
position, easy manoeuvrability and legendary reliability make it a great India-ready motorcycle. This is the bike to commute on, really, and you could throw in more than a spot of relaxed (or speeded-up) touring.
The other two motorcycles, the TDM900 and the FJR1300 are less interesting to us directly, but perfectly capable machines on their own. The TDM is a road-biased adventure tourer of sorts, with a 90 bhp parallel twin engine that offers relaxed, torquey performance. It looks taller than it is, and the unstressed engine should take our conditions in its stride. The FJR, with its potent 145 bhp inline-four, on the other hand, is a full-on sports tourer, which comes with factory optional luggage, a penchant for inhaling big miles and an electric-adjustable windscreen. Both are thrilling to ride, but need a sort
of clear maturity on the riders part that we’re not ready for yet, I think.
Missing from this line-up, come to think of it, are two big ones. The FZ1 (and its sibling, the half-faired FZ1 Fazer) has not been talked about, but would be my pick for an all-round Indian superbike. The bike is based on the R1, has 150 bhp (to keep throttle wringers engaged for decades), looks superb in the 2007/08 guise and has won fans for its ability to go fast, feel good at slow speeds, and if really necessary, carry the groceries home without grumbling as well. I certainly would have loved some saddle time on one.
The other omission is the MT-01. This 1670cc V-twin powered ‘torque sportster’ is all about high design and real-world riding. And this is the second motorcycle Yamaha intend to launch in India. The launch could coincide with the R1, or come within a month or two. We were fortunate enough to snag an MT-01 for a ride, so for details on this motorcycle, do check out the October issue of Business Standard Motoring.
As you can imagine, launching these complex machines in India will be quite a task on the service front. Yamaha say they are working with hand-picked dealerships in the selected towns – where the big bikes will be sold – to train service personnel to handle the machines. Yamaha aims to offer full warranty and service support, and being an official launch, the finance companies should help open the doors to many a dream.
And Yamaha isn’t alone with big bike market ambitions either. Suzuki is working on its own CBU import programme, with the flagship GSX-R1000 (R1 competitor) and the famous GSX-R1300 Hayabusa likely to see a simultaneous launch by the end of this financial year. Honda, too, are seriously working out how they will play the big motorcycle game and once more, their flagship tourer, the venerable (and gigantic) 1800cc Gold Wing and the supersports demon, the CBR1000RR Fireblade are the rumoured names. Bajaj, who have so far denied any interest in the CBU game, are now rumoured to be in talks with Kawasaki and will eventually work out Team Green’s CBU plan as well. While that rounds off the Big Four, KTM and Ducati are also reportedly interested in the Indian market, which has taken easily and abundantly to high-end luxury products and specialised leisure brands.
But the superbike programme is not without an ulterior motive. While per unit margins on these bikes could be high, low volumes come with the territory, at least for now. Yamaha intends to use its international performance image in India – using the superbikes as leverage – to sell its new line of enthusiast oriented mass-products that should enter showrooms by early 2008.
Motorcycle sales have flagged in the lower segments, but premium segment sales have risen without a break, and more manufacturers are looking to enjoy the upper-end of the market. Many supercar makers also believe that Indians will be buying fairly exotic machinery within the next five years, and superbikes would be the natural extension of that trend.
Of course, to anyone who has been lucky enough to open the throttle on one of these machines, all of those intangibles are simply not important. The mindblowing performance is enough to justify all the dreaming that has gone on till now, and all the scrounging that is sure to follow.
From standstill to say about 60 kph, the Yamaha YZF-R1 seems barely even alive. It’s like the engine’s off. Even heavy trucks seem to keep pace with this superbike on the Delhi-Jaipur highway. But not for long, soon the trucks will be a distant memory.
With its light weight, stupendous power output and gorgeously slinky looks, the R1 can’t be anything else but Yamaha’s flagship machine. Stay on the throttle and this near-300 kph capable missile begins to wake up. At three-digit speeds, there is so much performance in reserve that sometimes you actually have to talk yourself into experiencing some of that potential. From idle in second or third, open the throttle gently but firmly and the world goes into an instant superfast rewind. Numbers come up with ludicrous intensity on the clear digital dash, while the vanishing point is hurled right inside the helmet, coming to rest gleefully on the very tip of your nose. It’s that fast. And we’ve more than half of the near-190 bhp peak power still left over to play with. Seriously impressive, eh?
But the fabulous R1 was just for starters. Yamaha Motor India decided to whet our appetites by whisking us off for a ride on not one or two, but seven superbikes. The gleaming line-up of seven motorcycles included two YZF-R1s, one in gorgeous 50th Anniversary yellow, a menacing black YZF-R6, a catty-eyed red YZF-R6S, a tall TDM900, a gigantic FJR1300, a highly attractive Yamaha-blue XJR1300 naked, and the sole cruiser, a pale gold Drag Star 1100.
Yamaha said the purpose was simply to open the CBU door a crack by allowing us (and vicariously, you!) to get a feel for what superbikes are capable of, what they feel like on Indian roads and through our rather chaotic traffic and so forth. From the start, they were clear that the R1 apart, none were anywhere close to India launch prospects, and were simply meant to allow us to experience different formats, styles, engine configurations and so forth.
Yamaha intend to launch the R1, the new 2008 model, with gold wheels, by-wire throttle and super-cool variable intake length gadgetry before the year is out. The company is figuring out the warranty and service aspect of the launch as you read this. While the pricing is yet to be finalised, the manufacturer is confident that it will fall around the Rs 10 lakh mark – that’s the US MSRP multiplied by our rather inflated 110 per cent import duties, levies and charges.
Most of the motorcycle enthusiast community in India may not have the resources to actually purchase these bikes at such stratospheric prices, but that precisely is what makes dreams so important, so poignant and so worth living for, right? Here then is what we sampled over three days.
The two R6s were there purely because they are such exciting motorcycles to ride. With redlines set at sky-high near-15,000 rpm levels, 120-odd bhp of power on tap, these two are total maniacs. The new R6 more so, thanks to its single-point fast-at-the-track focus. The R6S is actually a bit cheaper and I, for one, can actually imagine commuting happily aboard one. But as it stands, the 800cc or more rule (remember the mangoes for Harleys business?) makes the R6 and its ilk a very remote launch possibility.
Of the rest, not out-and-out sporty machinery, the XJR is extremely interesting. Its almost-100 bhp 1300cc inline-four is air-cooled, makes bags of torque and makes the XJR at once thrilling and chilled out to ride. The upright riding
position, easy manoeuvrability and legendary reliability make it a great India-ready motorcycle. This is the bike to commute on, really, and you could throw in more than a spot of relaxed (or speeded-up) touring.
The other two motorcycles, the TDM900 and the FJR1300 are less interesting to us directly, but perfectly capable machines on their own. The TDM is a road-biased adventure tourer of sorts, with a 90 bhp parallel twin engine that offers relaxed, torquey performance. It looks taller than it is, and the unstressed engine should take our conditions in its stride. The FJR, with its potent 145 bhp inline-four, on the other hand, is a full-on sports tourer, which comes with factory optional luggage, a penchant for inhaling big miles and an electric-adjustable windscreen. Both are thrilling to ride, but need a sort
of clear maturity on the riders part that we’re not ready for yet, I think.
Missing from this line-up, come to think of it, are two big ones. The FZ1 (and its sibling, the half-faired FZ1 Fazer) has not been talked about, but would be my pick for an all-round Indian superbike. The bike is based on the R1, has 150 bhp (to keep throttle wringers engaged for decades), looks superb in the 2007/08 guise and has won fans for its ability to go fast, feel good at slow speeds, and if really necessary, carry the groceries home without grumbling as well. I certainly would have loved some saddle time on one.
The other omission is the MT-01. This 1670cc V-twin powered ‘torque sportster’ is all about high design and real-world riding. And this is the second motorcycle Yamaha intend to launch in India. The launch could coincide with the R1, or come within a month or two. We were fortunate enough to snag an MT-01 for a ride, so for details on this motorcycle, do check out the October issue of Business Standard Motoring.
As you can imagine, launching these complex machines in India will be quite a task on the service front. Yamaha say they are working with hand-picked dealerships in the selected towns – where the big bikes will be sold – to train service personnel to handle the machines. Yamaha aims to offer full warranty and service support, and being an official launch, the finance companies should help open the doors to many a dream.
And Yamaha isn’t alone with big bike market ambitions either. Suzuki is working on its own CBU import programme, with the flagship GSX-R1000 (R1 competitor) and the famous GSX-R1300 Hayabusa likely to see a simultaneous launch by the end of this financial year. Honda, too, are seriously working out how they will play the big motorcycle game and once more, their flagship tourer, the venerable (and gigantic) 1800cc Gold Wing and the supersports demon, the CBR1000RR Fireblade are the rumoured names. Bajaj, who have so far denied any interest in the CBU game, are now rumoured to be in talks with Kawasaki and will eventually work out Team Green’s CBU plan as well. While that rounds off the Big Four, KTM and Ducati are also reportedly interested in the Indian market, which has taken easily and abundantly to high-end luxury products and specialised leisure brands.
But the superbike programme is not without an ulterior motive. While per unit margins on these bikes could be high, low volumes come with the territory, at least for now. Yamaha intends to use its international performance image in India – using the superbikes as leverage – to sell its new line of enthusiast oriented mass-products that should enter showrooms by early 2008.
Motorcycle sales have flagged in the lower segments, but premium segment sales have risen without a break, and more manufacturers are looking to enjoy the upper-end of the market. Many supercar makers also believe that Indians will be buying fairly exotic machinery within the next five years, and superbikes would be the natural extension of that trend.
Of course, to anyone who has been lucky enough to open the throttle on one of these machines, all of those intangibles are simply not important. The mindblowing performance is enough to justify all the dreaming that has gone on till now, and all the scrounging that is sure to follow.
Yamaha sets out to wow Indian enthusiasts
Yamaha sets out to wow Indian enthusiasts with a slew of superbikes
From standstill to say about 60 kph, the Yamaha YZF-R1 seems barely even alive. It’s like the engine’s off. Even heavy trucks seem to keep pace with this superbike on the Delhi-Jaipur highway. But not for long, soon the trucks will be a distant memory.
With its light weight, stupendous power output and gorgeously slinky looks, the R1 can’t be anything else but Yamaha’s flagship machine. Stay on the throttle and this near-300 kph capable missile begins to wake up. At three-digit speeds, there is so much performance in reserve that sometimes you actually have to talk yourself into experiencing some of that potential. From idle in second or third, open the throttle gently but firmly and the world goes into an instant superfast rewind. Numbers come up with ludicrous intensity on the clear digital dash, while the vanishing point is hurled right inside the helmet, coming to rest gleefully on the very tip of your nose. It’s that fast. And we’ve more than half of the near-190 bhp peak power still left over to play with. Seriously impressive, eh?
But the fabulous R1 was just for starters. Yamaha Motor India decided to whet our appetites by whisking us off for a ride on not one or two, but seven superbikes. The gleaming line-up of seven motorcycles included two YZF-R1s, one in gorgeous 50th Anniversary yellow, a menacing black YZF-R6, a catty-eyed red YZF-R6S, a tall TDM900, a gigantic FJR1300, a highly attractive Yamaha-blue XJR1300 naked, and the sole cruiser, a pale gold Drag Star 1100.
Yamaha said the purpose was simply to open the CBU door a crack by allowing us (and vicariously, you!) to get a feel for what superbikes are capable of, what they feel like on Indian roads and through our rather chaotic traffic and so forth. From the start, they were clear that the R1 apart, none were anywhere close to India launch prospects, and were simply meant to allow us to experience different formats, styles, engine configurations and so forth.
Yamaha intend to launch the R1, the new 2008 model, with gold wheels, by-wire throttle and super-cool variable intake length gadgetry before the year is out. The company is figuring out the warranty and service aspect of the launch as you read this. While the pricing is yet to be finalised, the manufacturer is confident that it will fall around the Rs 10 lakh mark – that’s the US MSRP multiplied by our rather inflated 110 per cent import duties, levies and charges.
Most of the motorcycle enthusiast community in India may not have the resources to actually purchase these bikes at such stratospheric prices, but that precisely is what makes dreams so important, so poignant and so worth living for, right? Here then is what we sampled over three days.
The two R6s were there purely because they are such exciting motorcycles to ride. With redlines set at sky-high near-15,000 rpm levels, 120-odd bhp of power on tap, these two are total maniacs. The new R6 more so, thanks to its single-point fast-at-the-track focus. The R6S is actually a bit cheaper and I, for one, can actually imagine commuting happily aboard one. But as it stands, the 800cc or more rule (remember the mangoes for Harleys business?) makes the R6 and its ilk a very remote launch possibility.
Of the rest, not out-and-out sporty machinery, the XJR is extremely interesting. Its almost-100 bhp 1300cc inline-four is air-cooled, makes bags of torque and makes the XJR at once thrilling and chilled out to ride. The upright riding
position, easy manoeuvrability and legendary reliability make it a great India-ready motorcycle. This is the bike to commute on, really, and you could throw in more than a spot of relaxed (or speeded-up) touring.
The other two motorcycles, the TDM900 and the FJR1300 are less interesting to us directly, but perfectly capable machines on their own. The TDM is a road-biased adventure tourer of sorts, with a 90 bhp parallel twin engine that offers relaxed, torquey performance. It looks taller than it is, and the unstressed engine should take our conditions in its stride. The FJR, with its potent 145 bhp inline-four, on the other hand, is a full-on sports tourer, which comes with factory optional luggage, a penchant for inhaling big miles and an electric-adjustable windscreen. Both are thrilling to ride, but need a sort
of clear maturity on the riders part that we’re not ready for yet, I think.
Missing from this line-up, come to think of it, are two big ones. The FZ1 (and its sibling, the half-faired FZ1 Fazer) has not been talked about, but would be my pick for an all-round Indian superbike. The bike is based on the R1, has 150 bhp (to keep throttle wringers engaged for decades), looks superb in the 2007/08 guise and has won fans for its ability to go fast, feel good at slow speeds, and if really necessary, carry the groceries home without grumbling as well. I certainly would have loved some saddle time on one.
The other omission is the MT-01. This 1670cc V-twin powered ‘torque sportster’ is all about high design and real-world riding. And this is the second motorcycle Yamaha intend to launch in India. The launch could coincide with the R1, or come within a month or two. We were fortunate enough to snag an MT-01 for a ride, so for details on this motorcycle, do check out the October issue of Business Standard Motoring.
As you can imagine, launching these complex machines in India will be quite a task on the service front. Yamaha say they are working with hand-picked dealerships in the selected towns – where the big bikes will be sold – to train service personnel to handle the machines. Yamaha aims to offer full warranty and service support, and being an official launch, the finance companies should help open the doors to many a dream.
And Yamaha isn’t alone with big bike market ambitions either. Suzuki is working on its own CBU import programme, with the flagship GSX-R1000 (R1 competitor) and the famous GSX-R1300 Hayabusa likely to see a simultaneous launch by the end of this financial year. Honda, too, are seriously working out how they will play the big motorcycle game and once more, their flagship tourer, the venerable (and gigantic) 1800cc Gold Wing and the supersports demon, the CBR1000RR Fireblade are the rumoured names. Bajaj, who have so far denied any interest in the CBU game, are now rumoured to be in talks with Kawasaki and will eventually work out Team Green’s CBU plan as well. While that rounds off the Big Four, KTM and Ducati are also reportedly interested in the Indian market, which has taken easily and abundantly to high-end luxury products and specialised leisure brands.
But the superbike programme is not without an ulterior motive. While per unit margins on these bikes could be high, low volumes come with the territory, at least for now. Yamaha intends to use its international performance image in India – using the superbikes as leverage – to sell its new line of enthusiast oriented mass-products that should enter showrooms by early 2008.
Motorcycle sales have flagged in the lower segments, but premium segment sales have risen without a break, and more manufacturers are looking to enjoy the upper-end of the market. Many supercar makers also believe that Indians will be buying fairly exotic machinery within the next five years, and superbikes would be the natural extension of that trend.
Of course, to anyone who has been lucky enough to open the throttle on one of these machines, all of those intangibles are simply not important. The mindblowing performance is enough to justify all the dreaming that has gone on till now, and all the scrounging that is sure to follow.
source:BSmotoring
From standstill to say about 60 kph, the Yamaha YZF-R1 seems barely even alive. It’s like the engine’s off. Even heavy trucks seem to keep pace with this superbike on the Delhi-Jaipur highway. But not for long, soon the trucks will be a distant memory.
With its light weight, stupendous power output and gorgeously slinky looks, the R1 can’t be anything else but Yamaha’s flagship machine. Stay on the throttle and this near-300 kph capable missile begins to wake up. At three-digit speeds, there is so much performance in reserve that sometimes you actually have to talk yourself into experiencing some of that potential. From idle in second or third, open the throttle gently but firmly and the world goes into an instant superfast rewind. Numbers come up with ludicrous intensity on the clear digital dash, while the vanishing point is hurled right inside the helmet, coming to rest gleefully on the very tip of your nose. It’s that fast. And we’ve more than half of the near-190 bhp peak power still left over to play with. Seriously impressive, eh?
But the fabulous R1 was just for starters. Yamaha Motor India decided to whet our appetites by whisking us off for a ride on not one or two, but seven superbikes. The gleaming line-up of seven motorcycles included two YZF-R1s, one in gorgeous 50th Anniversary yellow, a menacing black YZF-R6, a catty-eyed red YZF-R6S, a tall TDM900, a gigantic FJR1300, a highly attractive Yamaha-blue XJR1300 naked, and the sole cruiser, a pale gold Drag Star 1100.
Yamaha said the purpose was simply to open the CBU door a crack by allowing us (and vicariously, you!) to get a feel for what superbikes are capable of, what they feel like on Indian roads and through our rather chaotic traffic and so forth. From the start, they were clear that the R1 apart, none were anywhere close to India launch prospects, and were simply meant to allow us to experience different formats, styles, engine configurations and so forth.
Yamaha intend to launch the R1, the new 2008 model, with gold wheels, by-wire throttle and super-cool variable intake length gadgetry before the year is out. The company is figuring out the warranty and service aspect of the launch as you read this. While the pricing is yet to be finalised, the manufacturer is confident that it will fall around the Rs 10 lakh mark – that’s the US MSRP multiplied by our rather inflated 110 per cent import duties, levies and charges.
Most of the motorcycle enthusiast community in India may not have the resources to actually purchase these bikes at such stratospheric prices, but that precisely is what makes dreams so important, so poignant and so worth living for, right? Here then is what we sampled over three days.
The two R6s were there purely because they are such exciting motorcycles to ride. With redlines set at sky-high near-15,000 rpm levels, 120-odd bhp of power on tap, these two are total maniacs. The new R6 more so, thanks to its single-point fast-at-the-track focus. The R6S is actually a bit cheaper and I, for one, can actually imagine commuting happily aboard one. But as it stands, the 800cc or more rule (remember the mangoes for Harleys business?) makes the R6 and its ilk a very remote launch possibility.
Of the rest, not out-and-out sporty machinery, the XJR is extremely interesting. Its almost-100 bhp 1300cc inline-four is air-cooled, makes bags of torque and makes the XJR at once thrilling and chilled out to ride. The upright riding
position, easy manoeuvrability and legendary reliability make it a great India-ready motorcycle. This is the bike to commute on, really, and you could throw in more than a spot of relaxed (or speeded-up) touring.
The other two motorcycles, the TDM900 and the FJR1300 are less interesting to us directly, but perfectly capable machines on their own. The TDM is a road-biased adventure tourer of sorts, with a 90 bhp parallel twin engine that offers relaxed, torquey performance. It looks taller than it is, and the unstressed engine should take our conditions in its stride. The FJR, with its potent 145 bhp inline-four, on the other hand, is a full-on sports tourer, which comes with factory optional luggage, a penchant for inhaling big miles and an electric-adjustable windscreen. Both are thrilling to ride, but need a sort
of clear maturity on the riders part that we’re not ready for yet, I think.
Missing from this line-up, come to think of it, are two big ones. The FZ1 (and its sibling, the half-faired FZ1 Fazer) has not been talked about, but would be my pick for an all-round Indian superbike. The bike is based on the R1, has 150 bhp (to keep throttle wringers engaged for decades), looks superb in the 2007/08 guise and has won fans for its ability to go fast, feel good at slow speeds, and if really necessary, carry the groceries home without grumbling as well. I certainly would have loved some saddle time on one.
The other omission is the MT-01. This 1670cc V-twin powered ‘torque sportster’ is all about high design and real-world riding. And this is the second motorcycle Yamaha intend to launch in India. The launch could coincide with the R1, or come within a month or two. We were fortunate enough to snag an MT-01 for a ride, so for details on this motorcycle, do check out the October issue of Business Standard Motoring.
As you can imagine, launching these complex machines in India will be quite a task on the service front. Yamaha say they are working with hand-picked dealerships in the selected towns – where the big bikes will be sold – to train service personnel to handle the machines. Yamaha aims to offer full warranty and service support, and being an official launch, the finance companies should help open the doors to many a dream.
And Yamaha isn’t alone with big bike market ambitions either. Suzuki is working on its own CBU import programme, with the flagship GSX-R1000 (R1 competitor) and the famous GSX-R1300 Hayabusa likely to see a simultaneous launch by the end of this financial year. Honda, too, are seriously working out how they will play the big motorcycle game and once more, their flagship tourer, the venerable (and gigantic) 1800cc Gold Wing and the supersports demon, the CBR1000RR Fireblade are the rumoured names. Bajaj, who have so far denied any interest in the CBU game, are now rumoured to be in talks with Kawasaki and will eventually work out Team Green’s CBU plan as well. While that rounds off the Big Four, KTM and Ducati are also reportedly interested in the Indian market, which has taken easily and abundantly to high-end luxury products and specialised leisure brands.
But the superbike programme is not without an ulterior motive. While per unit margins on these bikes could be high, low volumes come with the territory, at least for now. Yamaha intends to use its international performance image in India – using the superbikes as leverage – to sell its new line of enthusiast oriented mass-products that should enter showrooms by early 2008.
Motorcycle sales have flagged in the lower segments, but premium segment sales have risen without a break, and more manufacturers are looking to enjoy the upper-end of the market. Many supercar makers also believe that Indians will be buying fairly exotic machinery within the next five years, and superbikes would be the natural extension of that trend.
Of course, to anyone who has been lucky enough to open the throttle on one of these machines, all of those intangibles are simply not important. The mindblowing performance is enough to justify all the dreaming that has gone on till now, and all the scrounging that is sure to follow.
source:BSmotoring
Yamaha sets out to wow Indian enthusiasts
Yamaha sets out to wow Indian enthusiasts with a slew of superbikes
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