Innholdsfortegnelse for June 2018 i BIKE India

THERE’S A NEW ADDITION TO THE RECENT SPATE OF ELECTRIC TWO-wheeler launches, with India-based Artem Energy Future announcing that they have a new scooter in development. They claim that this scooter, called the Artem M9, will be the ‘safest scooter in the world’. They make this claim because the scooter will come with cameras and a radar that will ensure 360-degree awareness up to 100 metres. The safety tech is explained by Naveen Deepak Germanene, Co-founder & CTO of Artem, ‘Proximity warnings are relayed to the rider through a smart helmet as well as through vibration feedback on the handlebars. Emergency braking can be automatically and safely activated using Artem’s proprietary “EDB” (Electro-Dynamic Braking) technology which reverses traction force for safer stops while simultaneously being gentle on brake wear.’ Apart…

SUZUKI MOTORCYCLE INDIA HAVE launched their latest naked motorcycle, the GSX-S750, priced at Rs 7.45 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). This new streetfighter comes with the heart of the legendary K5 GSX-R750 sport bike. This is Suzuki’s first sub-1,000-cc big bike in the Indian market and we think it’s about time the Japanese manufacturer joined in the burgeoning middleweight segment. Performance of the engine — a compact, DOHC, liquid-cooled, inline four — has been toned down for street duty and it makes 114 PS and 81 Nm in the current state of tune. The design, similar to the larger GSX-S1000, features sharp, aggressive lines and minimalistic bodywork, typical of today’s streetfighters, with a relaxed, forward-canted riding position. The Suzuki GSX-S750 features three levels of traction control, ABS, a full-digital dash and comes…

TYPICALLY, WHEN WE THINK OF the latest, most impressive-looking motorcycle designs, we tend to focus on the ones with an abundance of bodywork. Whether it’s the sensual flowing lines of a Ducati Panigale or the explosive drama of a Kawasaki Ninja H2, each project gave the designers plenty of freedom and acres of plastic on which to ply their art. The more minimal the bodywork, the less there is for designers to work with and aesthetics become a matter of proportion and attention to detail, rather than extravagant sculptural exploration. So when it turns out the two designs that have most grabbed my attention recently have both been naked bikes, they deserve some recognition. First up is the Kawasaki Z900RS. This model hardly pushes the design envelope, with forms that…

A SWELTERING AFTERNOON, mercury level inching closer and closer to the 40° Celsius mark, and a big V-twin American cruiser to shoot. I am quaking in my riding boots at the prospect of having my thighs cooked as I ride through congested city streets on a big-displacement bike made for eating up the miles on open roads. These big, imported bikes have a certain reputation for getting a little too hot to handle on Indian city streets, and I didn’t want to fall victim to the effects of this reputation. Usually, big and bad powerful bikes result in an almost puppy-like unbridled enthusiasm from yours truly, but the effects of global warming have well and truly tempered (pardon the pun) the enthusiasm, with a healthy dose of trepidation entering the…

I ’VE JUST RETURNED from a long vacation and my workout regime is in complete disarray. And looks like I am going to miss my gym session again today — blame the early morning photo shoot. But I’m not complaining because I will be astride the new Monster 797. One look at it, and you know that the design remains true to the first Monster that was launched some 24 years ago. Yes, the same one that kick-started this segment, and over the years, no other manufacturer has managed to match the magic of the Italian — old-school and pure muscle. Round headlight, curvaceous fuel tank, bare trellis frame, minimalistic rear... simple and beautifully executed. And, in this particular red paint, it appears even more gorgeous. I swing my leg…

THE VERY FIRST VERSYS was added to the Kawasaki lineup back in 2006 as a replacement for the ageing KLE 500, the Japanese brand’s dual-purpose bestseller for over a decade. Powered by Kawasaki’s proven 650-cc parallel twin mill, the original Versys 650 made a healthy 60 PS, could hit close to 200 km/h on the highway and, with a pliant suspension and generous ground clearance, wasn’t shy of the rough stuff. While the old KLE was more capable off-road, the Versys always had a clear on-road bias, making it more appealing to a wider audience; one that wanted a tough-looking, capable motorcycle, but wasn’t necessarily interested in serious off-roading. The moniker is a play on the words “versatile” and “system”, and the Versys 650 has since personified this character, equally…

THE LITTLE MV’S NAME is 350 GT and, at first glance, I had expected it to live up to those initials. High handlebars, a relatively large dual seat and that aristocratic “MV Agusta” name on its tank combined to make this GT seem as much of a Grand Tourer as any elderly parallel twin with a capacity of just 349 cc could possibly be. But as the little maroon-and-white twin charged along the narrow country lanes, its engine revving hard, its exhaust note rolling across the fields, and its taut handling and powerful braking making it as much fun in the bends as on the straights, that GT designation seemed more than a little misleading. If this bike is a Tourer at all, it’s one with a distinctly sporty heart.…

MotoGP Three races in, and it had become almost painful to witness the continued struggles of Lorenzo at Ducati. A measly six points from the first three outings were a sorry showing for a rider of his ability. The continued whispers linking his name with Suzuki for 2019 underlined his current struggles to adapt the GP18 to his laconic high corner-speed style. But his effort was never lacking. Free practice had seen a welcome return to form and, deciding to fit Michelin’s soft front tyre — a gamble as track temperatures peaked at 113 degrees Fahrenheit — on the grid, the Majorcan’s strategy for the 25-lap outing soon became clear. It was vintage Lorenzo from the off, the number 99 claiming an early lead with a close pack of Pedrosa,…

THE NEW TRIUMPH TIGER 1200 XCx, to take its full name, is the new avatar of the larger Tiger family, sporting the 1,215-cc three-cylinder motor. Over 100 changes have been made, including revisions to the engine, the addition of a slew of electronic rider aids such as traction control and cornering ABS, five riding modes, as well as more contemporary equipment such as LED lighting with daytime lights, full-colour TFT information display, and electrically adjustable screen. The bike is now five kilos lighter than its predecessor. There are also over 50 different accessories on offer. Like its 800-cc sibling, the 1200 also gets a familiar variant structure. There is now the off-road/ adventure oriented XC range and the more urban-biased XR series: XR, XRx, XR T , XRx Low, XCx,…

THE JD POWER 2018 INDIA TWO-WHEELER Customer Service Index (2WCSI) Study measures customer satisfaction with an OEM’s after-sales service experience at authorized service centres and for the third consecutive year, TVS have ranked the highest in customer satisfaction. This study proves that customer service is more relevant to after-sales satisfaction than vehicle servicing, with amenities such as air-conditioned waiting rooms and internet access having a major impact to customer satisfaction. The 2018 2WCSI Study is based on feedback received from 7,436 two-wheeler owners in 45 cities across India and examines overall satisfaction across five factors: vehicle pickup, service adviser, service quality, service facility, and service initiation. Overall customer satisfaction is measured on a 1,000-point scale. TVS scored exceptionally well across all five parameters with a score of 784, which is…

HERO MOTOCORP, INDIA’S LARGEST TWO-WHEELER MANUFACTURERS, RECENTLY took the digital route to sell genuine spare parts for their current line-up and also a few discontinued models. The new website (www.hgpmart.com) has a smart layout that is easy to navigate. There is a big search bar on the home page that allows one to search for the part, using the part name or number or VIN. One can order parts such as wheels and suspension, clutch and brake systems, engine and transmission parts, body parts, and even electrical components from this website from the comfort of one’s home. The website is a great tool for people looking to order parts for motorcycles like the previous generation Karizma, Ambition, Achiever, Hunk, Ignitor, and even the Hero Honda CD 100 SS. This is…

THE EMISSION NORMS THAT BECAME effective in April 2017 forced the Ducati Monster 821 off the Indian two-wheeler market; now it is back. The new BS IV-compliant Monster 821 has been launched in India at an introductory price of Rs 9.51 lakh (ex-showroom). The new design pays homage to the first-ever Monster, the M900. Additionally, it also comes bearing a few features borrowed from the big Monster 1200. Notable among them include the new headlight and fuel tank, and the silencer borrowed from the Monster 1200 R. For the first time, the Monster 821 comes equipped with a colour-TFT display with support for Ducati Multimedia System (DMS), a gear indicator, and a USB port under the seat. The new bike features the same liquid-cooled, 821-cc Desmodromic Testastretta 11° engine; however,…

TVS HAVE LAUNCHED A SPECIAL EDITION of the Apache RTR 180, called the Race edition, which is only available in the middle variant and comes equipped with front and rear disc brakes but without ABS. It is priced at Rs 83,233 (ex showroom, Delhi), making it about Rs 500 more expensive than the standard RTR 180. This special-edition model comes in Pearl White body colour with racing-inspired graphics, a 3D TVS logo and an updated instrument console. Mechanically it remains identical to the existing model and is powered by a 177.4 cc single-cylinder engine producing 16.62 PS at 8,500 rpm and 15.5 Nm of torque at 6,500 rpm.…

Who We Are: Mohammad Muneer, Anup Joshi, and Fawaz Ahmad of Guns Motorcycling Riding: The Bajaj Pulsar 200 NS, Bajaj Avenger, and Bajaj Pulsar 180 Route: Delhi ― Ambala ― Kharar ― Roopnagar ― Una ― Kaloha ― Kangra ― Matour ― McLeod Ganj THIS TIME WHEN THE mountains beckoned to us, we craved not just to ride but glide too. To glide above these majestic mountains — the best name that popped up was Bir–Billing. This beautiful village in the lap of the Dhauladhar mountains is a haven for paragliders. Billing, a village about 15 km from Bir, is the world’s second highest paragliding take-off platform 8,000 feet above sea level and offers among the world’s finest conditions conducive to paragliding. We planned a three-day ride from Delhi to…

THERE’S A SENSE OF frustration as I reach a crossroads where the sandy dirt track I’ve been riding meets a tarmac road. The track continues invitingly on the other side, through more spectacular Spanish scenery… but if I don’t turn the Africa Twin Adventure Sports round and head back right now, I’ll miss my slot at the end of the queue for launch photos. This isn’t part of the official route; just a few extra solo kilometres grabbed amid the downtime of a modern media event. But already the Adventure Sports has impressed enough to make me wish I could cross that tarmac and keep going for a few more hours of off-road adventure, to see how well this new derivative of Honda’s Africa Twin lives up to its name.…

SUZUKI HAVE had a strong presence in the Indian premium bike market and their flagship Hayabusa has found many takers in the subcontinent. Other imported offerings from the Japanese company include the behemoth M1800R Intruder cruiser, the adventurous V-Strom 1000, the track-focused GSX-R1000, and its naked, litre-class cousins, the GSX-S1000 duo. Suzuki had so far neglected bikers looking for entry-level premium bikes at a reasonable cost, but all this changed last week with the launch of the GSX-S750. Taking design cues from the larger GSX-S1000, the 750 is definitely an attractive motorcycle. The sharp headlight and twin position lights, ensconced within that aggressive bikini fairing, give this motorcycle a striking face, while further back those plastic tank extensions that taper down to either side of the radiator add bulk, giving…

SINCE ITS INITIAL LAUNCH IN 2015, the Honda CBR650F has been the go-to bike for anyone wanting an easy-to-ride, fully-faired, four-cylinder motorcycle, with a sporty look and comfortable riding position. The fact that being a Honda, it is ultra-reliable is an added bonus. Now, for 2018, the Japanese manufacturers have refreshed this motorcycle with a more aggressive front end, louder exhaust and new suspension components. Honda have done well to retain the instantly recognizable silhouette of the CBR650F, but have made several cosmetic changes to give the bike a fresh look. The headlight is now a lot more angular and fully LED, while the fairing has been shortened along the sides to provide a clear view of that excellent four-cylinder engine. The engine, too, gets a new look, courtesy those…

MY LAST RIDE ON a Honda VF1000R was back in 1984 when the big V4 was brand-new, but as soon as I reach a clear main road and wind open the throttle, the memories come flooding back. Suddenly, in my mind’s eye I’m on the VF’s press launch near Johannesburg, riding down endlessly empty roads in the South African sunlight astride the world’s most technically advanced and glamorous superbike. All these years later, the VF1000R still seems fast and classy, with a smooth and sophisticated feel so typical of a Honda V4. With clear tarmac ahead, the elderly bike surges forward on a torrent of torque that feels hugely impassive now, let alone all those years ago. When I reach a roundabout, the VF1000R carves through with remarkable composure —…

ASSEN Race One The fourth round of the 2018 WSBK championship proved to be an exciting one as Kawasaki Racing Team’s Jonathan Rea went on to equal Carl Fogarty’s record of 12 wins at TT Circuit Assen. As the lights went out, Rea was lightning-quick to take the lead from the third row. His blistering pace was matched only by local hero and Pata Yamaha rider, Michael van der Mark, who was right on Rea’s tail for much of the race. Rea led for a good seven laps before van der Mark overtook the defending champion. However, van der Mark could lead only for a couple of laps before being overtaken by Rea in the exact same corner and in the exact same manner. From here, Rea never looked back…

MAHINDRA CREATED QUITE A STIR IN THE two-wheeler industry when they acquired the licence to the iconic Jawa brand name. Although there hasn’t been much movement in the Indian market since this acquisition, Europe has witnessed steady sales of Jawa bikes all along. The latest in that line is this retro-cool 350 with an old-school bikini fairing and a “Special” moniker. Based on the Jawa 350 OHC that’s already sold there, the Special comes with a four-stroke air-cooled 343.5-cc parallel twin producing 23.11 PS at 5,250 rpm and 32 Nm at 4,250 rpm and it is mated to a four-speed gearbox. The motorcycle weighs 170 kg and comes equipped with ABS and a long-range 17-litre fuel tank. The café racer style seat and classic spoked wheels along with the aforementioned…

THE BOLOGNA-BASED MANUFACTURERS HAVE ALWAYS BEEN CONSCIOUS ABOUT rider safety. In an effort to further improve safety levels, Ducati have defined their strategy until 2025; it is called “Safety Road Map 2025”. They have already begun acting on this strategy by extending Bosch Cornering ABS to their whole product range. The next step in this long-term goal is the implementation of ARAS (Advanced Rider Assistance Systems) on their upcoming motorcycles. This system comprises advanced assistance systems designed for enhanced rider safety via sensors, which also include radar. The primary function of the radar-based system will be to alert the rider about potential hazards in his/ her surroundings and to predict and prevent a collision. The radar at the front will manage adaptive cruise control and allow the rider to set…

HONDA MOTORCYCLE AND SCOOTER India have launched a new DLX variant of the Dio, priced at Rs 53,292 (ex-showroom). The scooter comes with a slew of new features, including new graphics and dual-tone paint job, gold-coloured rims, a fully digital instrument console with service reminder, LED headlamp, Honda’s Combi-Brake System, and an optional mobile phone charger. Apart from these, the Dio remains mechanically unchanged from the earlier model. It is powered by the same 109-cc engine that continues to produce 7.93 PS at 7,000 rpm and a peak torque of 8.91 Nm at 5,500 rpm. At 104 kg, the DLX variant weighs one kg more than the previous model.…

INDIAN MOTORCYCLE HAVE LAUNCHED THEIR flagship luxury tourer, the Roadmaster Elite, at Rs 48 lakh (ex-showroom). The new Roadmaster Elite encompasses everything the company has come to represent: enjoying the open road from the comfort of a classic saddle with a thundering V-twin munching miles, not to mention the tank logos in actual 23-carat gold leaf. The rider console, so to speak, is quite a spread, providing all the information you really need on the ride. Additionally, the Ride Command system puts various functions within easy reach of the rider’s fingertips using the 7.0-inch touchscreen. Information includes vehicle status, vehicle info, trip meters, ride data, Bluetooth, and navigation. In terms of hardware, the Roadmaster Elite gets it all: standard ABS, Pathfinder LED lights, keyless-go, genuine leather seats, remote-locking saddlebags and…

SIDI PERFORMER BOOTS Performer, the new entry-level sport boots from Italian footwear specialists Sidi, is the ideal set of boots for the sporty rider who occasionally hits the track. Reinforced toe and heel boxes keep your feet safe, while the tough nylon shin deflector plate provides added protection higher up. With double stitching in all high-stress areas, replaceable toe sliders, and strategically placed plastic ankle protector caps, these boots are a sturdy yet comfortable alternative to more expensive full-fledged race boots. FORMA AKIRA 7 BACK PROTECTOR This CE-approved Level 2 back protector comes in two parts: an upper spine protector with shoulder straps and a lower back protector that uses an elasticised waist strap. Either of the components can be used individually or combined together for thorough coverage. The back…

The launch also included the chance of a brief off-road ride on the updated standard Africa Twin, albeit one wearing the road-biased tyres that both models come with, rather than the knobblier rubber we’d used for the Adventure Sports. Watching the first rider slide off on the muddy first bend of the photo session route confirmed the value of the Sports’ crash-bars, even if the only damage was to the clutch lever. Despite its lack of grip, the standard Twin had a slight advantage in weighing 11 kg less when fully fuelled, and having a 50-mm lower seat, so smaller riders in particular are likely to find it more manageable. For shorter journeys on the road, it arguably has the edge, especially if you prefer the lower standard screen. But…

WELL, THAT’S THE MT-09 sorted, then. I’ve just flicked the new MT-09 SP through the first series of sun-kissed bends in the hills of Portugal’s Algarve, and the realisation has suddenly dawned: its suspension felt superb. That’s the first time the cornering ability of Yamaha’s feisty naked triple has impressed remotely as much — dating back to the original model that led the firm’s comeback in 2013. Few bikes have arrived to such devastating effect as that first MT, with its enthusiastic 847-cc three-pot engine, light weight, and abundance of madcap character. As with a lovable Labrador puppy, its failings were easily overlooked; in the Yamaha’s case not a tendency to pee indoors, but a snatchy throttle and under-damped suspension that marred the otherwise agile handling. Throttle response was quickly…

THERE WAS A TIME when the 150-cc segment had a couple of bikes and no convoluted sub-genres that all sort of encroached on each other’s territory and twisted around the corridors of your confused cranium. Those were simpler times. Today, you have entry-level, mid-range, premium, super premium (now, with added ABS goodness), naked, half-faired, fully-faired... almost too many to keep track of! This intense division is testament to how our country’s populace has taken to these versatile pocket-rockets that are also easy on the pocket and elevated this segment to one of the most popular in the two-wheeler market. This division also means that you can’t toss all the 150-160-cc bikes in the market into one pot and then stir it up. Instead, you have to pick and choose and…

MotoGP Marquez had already decided that the safest way to deal with the first race since Argentina was to get out front and stay well away from everyone else; which is exactly what he did. He was second into the first corner behind Iannone and took the lead braking into Turn One. And that was that. By lap four he was a full second ahead of Iannone; by lap 10 (half-distance) the gap had grown to 4.8 seconds, over Viñales, and on the penultimate lap he was 7.5 seconds ahead, before cruising to the flag, 3.5 seconds ahead of his compatriot. Who knows what he might have done if anyone had been able to put him under pressure? ‘My strategy was clear,’ he said. ‘We worked all weekend to try…