Innholdsfortegnelse for December 2020 i BIKE India

THIS IS KTM’S SECOND LAUNCH IN THE small-capacity adventure segment along with its elder sibling, the 390 Adventure. The segment itself has been gaining momentum now with five motorcycles in the 200-cc to 400-cc category, all of which offer something a little unique. The story would seem to continue with the 250 Adventure as it does sit smack-bang in the middle in banking circles with the two Indians lighter and the two Europeans heavier on the wallet. Its price tag of Rs 2.48 lakh (ex-showroom) is tempting indeed. The 248-cc DOHC, four-valve, single-cylinder heart of this motorcycle beats at a rate much liked in motorcycle conversations when ridden on the 250 Duke. Figures of 30 hp and 24 Nm of torque are capable yet forgiving digits for the learner and…

DUCATI RECENTLY REVEALED THE 2021 iterations of several models, including their most practical fully faired motorcycle, the SuperSport 950. The new bike features all-new bodywork, bringing it visually closer to the flagship Panigale line-up, with an aggressive headlight design and new side fairings. The 937-cc V-twin motor remains unchanged, except for BS6 compliance, and continues to churn out 110 hp and 93 Nm of twist. Other updates include a hydraulically actuated clutch, a new-age electronics package featuring a six-axis IMU and three riding modes, and a full-colour 4.3-inch TFT rider interface. The 2021 version of Ducati’s XDiavel power cruiser will be available in two new colour schemes, namely the Dark and Black Star. The XDiavel Dark follows a long line of similarly designated models, starting with the 1998 Monster 600…

THERE IS BITTERSWEET NEWS FOR THE FANS OF THE ICONIC YAMAHA YZF-R6. Yamaha have decided not to axe the motorcycle from their line-up but there are fewer reasons to rejoice about it. Unlike before, the R6 will now be sold as a track-only motorcycle since it is no longer road-legal; primarily because it does not meet the modern emission standards. Although India was never an official market for the R6, the motorcycle did have its fair share of enthusiasts here. The new track-only R6 is called the “R6 Race” and it will also receive a Genuine Yamaha Technology Racing (GYTR) kit from January 2021. The kit comprises a GYTR electronics package with a lightweight wire harness, programmable ECU and AIS (Air Intake System), and an Akrapovič titanium race exhaust.…

THE TRIUMPH TIGER 850 SPORT IS A MORE ACCESSIBLE VERSION OF THE FAMED TIGER SERIES. THE design is identical to that of the new Tiger 900 but is distinguished by the new colour schemes and the 850 Sport graphics running along the large fuel-tank. The engine is the main change in this motorcycle and has been made with the intention of offering riders a more accessible and manageable delivery of usable power and torque. The 888-cc, liquid-cooled, in-line three-cylinder motor puts out 85 hp at 8,500 rpm and a peak torque of 82 Nm at 6,500 rpm.It features a modular frame with a bolt-on aluminium rear subframe and bolt-on pillion hangers. The suspension set-up comprises 45-mm Marzocchi upside-down cartridge forks with 180 mm of travel at the front and a…

INDIAN MOTORCYCLE HAVE LAUNCHED THEIR 2021 RANGE WITH CRUISERS, bobbers, tourers, baggers, and that sweet flat-tracker all seeing daylight. The American giant’s range starts with the Scout series, their entry-level motorcycle, albeit available in a number of styles such as the much-loved “Bobber”. Customers can look forward to the Indian Chief Vintage cruiser or Challenger series for the fan of the “Bagger”. The Roadmaster will keep most touring riders happy and in comfort, and all three come with their “Dark Horse” editions as well. The Indian Roadmaster and Chieftain are available in an Elite trim. The sportier rider has the option of the adrenaline-pumping flat-track inspired Indian FTR 1200.…

A NEW AND IMPROVED NINJA HAS BEEN LONG OVERDUE FOR THE KAWASAKI WorldSBK team. Although their main man, Jonathan Rea, won the title yet another time, it was not as easy as his previous outings. The team faced strong competition from their rivals, particularly Ducati. Rumours were afloat about a new ZX-10RR and the good news is that the motorcycle has broken cover at the WSBK Jerez test. Well, it has done more than that — in Rea’s capable hands, it even topped the charts on the second day. From what we know so far, the biggest changes appear to be in favour of more aerodynamic proficiency while tweaks have been made to other areas. The revised engine will meet the latest emission standards. As for numbers, the ZX-10R develops…

HAVING HAD OUR TASTE OF THE WILD side of Odisha with a visit to Tikarpada during the previous leg of this journey, we couldn’t wait to see what other secrets the state’s dense forest cover had in store. So, we headed straight for the Similipal Forest Reserve. Before venturing into the forest, though, we learned about the legendary tigress of the same name and the equally legendary Indian Forest Service officer, Padmashri Saroj Raj Choudhary, who raised her and kept a pet python and hyena alongside. Stories of the bond between the tigress Khairi and Choudhary are amazing and well known across the country. Choudhary is also highly regarded in the wildlife and conservation world, having done a lot for this space, including the establishment of the Similipal Tiger Reserve…

During a recent visit to the MV Agusta factory on the banks of Lake Varese in northern Italy, we had an opportunity to chat with MV Agusta’s Russian-born CEO, Timur Sardarov. Here are the excerpts from that interview THE FORMER LONDON-BASED international businessman who now lives in Italy took over MV Agusta in December 2018 from the Castiglioni family as once again the historic brand faced financial uncertainty. Over the last few years, there has been a clear injection of cash and urgency, as MV Agusta have stepped up their game, delivering more new models than ever before. As we face the uncertainty of the current COVID-19 pandemic, we managed to grab half an hour of Sardarov’s precious time. Thank you for taking time to chat with us. We appreciate…

A DIGIT ON THE DASHBOARD, GLIMPSED ROUGHLY A QUARTER of an hour into my ride, summed up the extraordinary, arguably unprecedented focus of the CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP. I’d been enjoying a thrash on curving main roads with fairly light traffic, blasting past plenty of cars and not exactly hanging about. Then I slowed slightly, glanced down at the instrument panel, noticed the number 3 at centre-left and realised that I hadn’t yet got the ’Blade past third gear. Which might sound like feeble riding on my part, except that at the Honda’s 14,600-rpm red-line in third it would be travelling at over 270 kilometres per hour! On most roads, in other words, half the gearbox is not really required. And what might seem surprising is that right now, having delivered…

I MAGINE BEING THE SMALLEST (and one of the youngest) members in a family of global repute in a particular field for 40 years. Such is their prowess that people still speak of the heroics that your predecessors performed. For someone like that, winning among their peers is not as tough a job as earning a place in the tribe. The clan in question here is the Gelände Straße or GS, one that has produced icons such as the R 80 G/S to the R 1250 GS. These motorcycles are internationally acclaimed for their go-anywhere ability and some adventurers have even circumnavigated the globe astride GSs. So, in this road test, we will be putting the G 310 GS to the test to see if it has what it takes…

CHAPTER 2020 OF “MOTORING AS WE Know It” speaks volumes about electric vehicles and the pages fill rapidly as electric mobility begins to take huge strides, with more of them confidently making the transition from pretty concepts to practical everyday options. Now we bring you the what’s what of one of the best ones this year had to offer, the Ather 450X. Waiting at a traffic light astride the Ather 450X, I felt like the odd one out. All the vehicles around me were making noise, vibrating a bit, and giving off enough heat to cause a mild haze. My choice of wheels did not vibrate or give off heat and when it moved, it produced a low-pitched whine instead of a growl or a roar. Odd one in a…

MotoGP The 2020 MotoGP season had a shorter calendar due to COVID-19; however, it did turn out to be one of the closest seasons in recent years. Arguably, in part due to the now ex-reigning champion, Repsol Honda Team legend Marc Marquez, missing the season following his injury in the first round. Nevertheless, the other talented motorcycle racers put on a great show for the fans of the sport around the world. We stood with four races to go and the championship still up for grabs. Several riders could lay claim but a surprise came up in the form of Joan Mir of Team Suzuki Ecstar. Mir had been having a stellar season with consistency being the keyword. The championship favourite, Fabio Quartararo of Petronas Yamaha SRT, had quite the…

Spell Out the Difference, Please I’m sure you’ve got the Meteor 350 bike at hand. The only question is whether the engine is completely different from the previous one or just like the old Royal Enfield Thunderbird’s. Will it be comfortable to run at a constant speed of 100 km/h and free from vibrations? Sarada Shankar, via social media Hello, Sarada, Yes, we do have the Royal Enfield Meteor 350 parked in our garage. To answer your  question, yes, the engine on the Meteor is markedly different from the unit on the old Thunderbird. The new engine is a 349-cc air-oil-cooled SOHC unit, whereas the old UCE in the Thunderbird was a 346-cc air-cooled OHV construction. The bore and stroke on both units are different, too: the UCE had 70…

Ducati’s flagship Panigale family of sport bikes have a new member with the introduction of the Panigale V4 SP, marking the return of the Italian marque’s SP suffix. Short for Sport Production, these two letters haven’t been used on a Ducati superbike since 2012 and have made a return for the 2021 line-up. The Panigale V4 SP sits just below the WSBK homologation-spec V4 R and is powered by the same 1,103-cc, 214-hp Desmosedici Stradale motor that we know from the standard Panigale V4 and V4 S; although it gets a few components from the more expensive V4R and Superleggera models. These include the STM EVO-SBK dry clutch, carbon-fibre wheels, winglets, and front mud-guard as well as the Superleggera’s 330-mm discs with Brembo Stylema R calipers up front. Other trick…

HONDA HAVE LAUNCHED THE 2021 ITERATION OF THEIR FAMED 1,000-CC super naked. They haven’t given it a thorough rework — the engine, chassis, and transmission remain exactly the same — but the new CB1000R does get some choice upgrades. These include a few tweaks to the headlamp, which is raked sharper, a new set of stylish alloy wheels, and some changes to the body panels as well. Other updates include a new five-inch touchscreen dash with integrated voice control through Honda’s new Smartphone Voice Control System. Furthermore, as part of the 2021 CB1000R package, Honda have announced a black edition which sees the bike in a stealthy all-black avatar, but nothing else changes except for this darkened cosmetic treatment. Since the previous-gen CB1000R is one of the marque’s products at…

BENELLI HAVE UNVEILED TWO MID-SEGMENT MOTORCYCLES, THE LEONCINO 800 and Leoncino 800 Trail, which are expected to arrive in India next year. It may be recalled that the Leoncino 800 was first showcased at EICMA 2018. The Benelli Leoncino 800 is powered by a 754-cc twin-cylinder motor that produces 75 hp and 68 Nm. Indeed, these power figures aren’t really troublesome for bikes like the orange scalpel, but sit plum with Yamaha’s MT07 and, with aggressive pricing, Benelli could have a winner. In addition to the Leoncino 800, Benelli also have revealed the Leoncino 800 Trail, which is styled towards being a scrambler. The Trail comes with a little more ground clearance and suspension travel as well as an upswept exhaust, spoked wheels, and dual sport tyres.…

IT LOOKS LIKE THE NAME “FIERO” IS DESTINED TO BE BROUGHT BACK TO life. TVS have applied for a trademark for “Fiero 125”, which means that they will resurrect the motorcycle as a 125-cc offering to round off their line-up. Currently, the manufacturer does not have a product in that segment to directly rival its competition. Their last stint in the 125-cc space received lukewarm response with the Phoenix 125. However, going by the well-packaged models launched by the brand recently, we can expect the new motorcycle to be on top of its game. Considering the other options in that space, we may expect the TVS Fiero 125 to be a premium commuter that will take on the likes of Bajaj Pulsar 125.…

HEN I WAS 17, I HAD THREE POSTERS ON MY W wall: a white Lamborghini Countach, Pamela Anderson in a swimsuit, and a Britten motorcycle. If I were 17 again, I would add a poster of the MV Rush to my collection, because this is the poster bike of 2020, assuming 17-year-olds still have posters. Maybe, it’s the screensaver of 2020. Either way, the Rush is a stunning bike and when it was unveiled at EICMA in November 2019, jaws hit the floor. The Rush is a limited-edition run of 300 units of the already highly acclaimed MV Brutale 1000RR. And when your base bike is already hugely desirable, you’re not going to be far off the mark with the special; in fact, it’s a bit like giving a supermodel…

I T HAS BEEN MANY DAYS AND THOUSANDS OF KILOMETRES SINCE we swung a leg over the capable Hero Xtreme 160R and embarked on this mission to explore the unseen side of Odisha which, as the state claims and we now believe, is India’s best kept secret. So far, we have ridden through the southern and western regions of this beautiful state and every memory I collected on the way will retain a special place in the timeline of my life. Allow me to take you through the sights and adventures we came across when we pointed the Hero Xtreme 160R’s nose in a northeasterly direction. The action resumes at the Similipal National Park where we began the day with a tour through the reserve and, although the animals kept…

FAR AWAY FROM THE MADDENING CROWD, across the hills and streams is where it dawned that the wait for the Meteor 350 has been worth it. This new model isn’t just appealing to Royal Enfield aficionados, but also to people who love the thrill of motorcycling and adventure. I’m not even a traditional Royal Enfield enthusiast and yet I say so. Why? Let me explain. This, as you know, is the replacement for the much-loved Thunderbird 350 and it is evident in the silhouette. But the Meteor is a completely new motorcycle and there’s plenty to set them apart. Based on the newly developed “J” platform, which promises to underpin several other new Royal Enfields, this has a completely different rider geometry. The foot-pegs are pushed towards the front, there…

IN 2018, THE MOTORCYCLING WORLD WAS shaken up by Royal Enfield with their 650 twins. That beautiful moment had motorcycle manufacturing board rooms abuzz, trying their best to figure out a way to stand ground against the onslaught of the Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 and its sibling, the Continental GT 650. However, a 650-cc, twin-cylinder, back-to-basics machine that ticked every box in the motorcycle mind, parked in one’s garage without the sale of one’s organs, is a ridiculous task to better. Therefore, the Interceptor 650 would continue to reign supreme. Now, however, with current emission norms in force, the question is whether there are any noticeable changes in the BS6-compliant version of this award-wining motorcycle. As far as the visual consense is concerned the answer is nope, not in the…

IT HAS BEEN SOME MONTHS AND A FEW thousand kilometres since I began using the Maxxis Extramaxx tyres that were sent to us for testing. In case you missed the previous report, this pair of rubber are the M6233 front (110/70-17) and the M6234 rear (140/70-17). Both hoops are tubeless and are constructed using aramid fibre (material that Maxxis claim goes into making bulletproof vests). To be honest, the tyres have been nothing short of bulletproof during their time on my Yamaha YZF-R3. Following the initial break-in mileage, they have been subjected to everything from city commutes and highway riding to corner carving and this also involved some wet-weather outings. My motorcycle initially had mismatched tyres at either end and the performance they returned was abysmal. So, when I got…

Moto2 Four races to go and Moto2 was as close as ever. The championship was too close to call with the four riders vying for glory: Luca Marini and Marco Bezzecchi of Sky Racing Team VR46, Enea Bastianini on the Italtrans Racing Team machine and Sam Lowes of Marc VDS. All the aforementioned riders were gunning for the championship title. Aragon, Spain, saw Sam Lowes take the victory ahead of Fabio Gianantonio on the Lightech Speed Up bike and Enea Bastianini the final place on the podium. Luca Marini had a forgettable GP, finishing in 11th place, hurting his championship position. Marco Bezzecchi had a worse day with a crash early on, resulting in his championship title hopes slipping away. However, the young Italian, Bezzecchi, would come back in the…

This Diwali I am planning to buy a new bike. My budget is within Rs 1.38 lakh. My height is 5.5 feet. In a year I will be riding only for 65 to 75 days, that is, during my vacation only. I work within the Indian armed forces. Please suggest a motorcycle suitable to my purpose. S Hainary, via social media Dear Hainary, You will be able to buy a 200-cc bike within your budget. The TVS RTR 200 4V and the Bajaj Pulsar NS 200 are good options. Test-ride both and see if you are comfortable on them. If not, a cruiser like the Suzuki Intruder 150 and the Bajaj Avenger are also within your price range and their low saddle height will ensure that reach isn’t an issue.…

THE ALL-NEW DUCATI MULTISTRADA V4, A sports-tourer with that beautiful brute of an engine, has been officially launched by the Bologna motorcycle brand. This is the Italian company’s attempt at the best ‘Multi’ ever, which is indeed a big task considering the regular Multistrada line-up is by no means a slouch. What we have here is Italian styling, ergonomics for the long haul, and that V4 heart, all of which amount to synonyms of the word “exciting”’. The Ducati Multistrada V4 is made available in three variants: Multistrada, Multistrada S, and Multistrada S Sport. All three Ducati Multistrada V4’s will be powered by a 1,158-cc Granturismo V4 motor that makes 170 hp and 125 Nm of torque. The bike weighs in dry at 217 kg and boasts of maintenance intervals…

THE BRITISH MANUFACTURER OF ELECTRIC CYCLES LAUNCHED A LINE OF commuter segment e-bikes and even performance wear in India. The new Skellig series will be made available in three variants: Skellig, Skellig Lite, and Skellig Pro. The Skellig Lite is the most reasonable e-bike by GoZero at Rs 19,999, offering a range of 25 kilometres from a 250-W drive motor. The Skellig and Skellig Pro are priced at Rs 24,999 and Rs 34,999 respectively, with the Pro variants getting a massive upgrade of range. In addition, GoZero Mobility have also launched their make.fit clothing range which starts at Rs 899. Customers may order either the Skellig series or make.fit products on GoZero’s website or even on Amazon.…

AFTER A GAP OF ALMOST 22 YEARS, THE Trident has made a comeback. The Triumph Trident 660 will be hitting showrooms across India in early 2021. The pre-bookings are open across all Triumph India dealerships and customers may book the motorcycle with an initial amount of Rs 50,000. This booking amount on the Trident 660 is fully refundable until the price announcement of the motorcycle. Additionally, Triumph are also offering a special finance scheme for the Trident 660 wherein customers can bring home this new roadster at an EMI of just Rs 9,999. This offer is however for a limited period only. With the Trident 660, Triumph Motorcycles will be entering the premium middleweight roadster category. Powering it is a 660-cc, liquid-cooled, three-cylinder engine that produces 80 hp at 10,250…

TRIUMPH MOTORCYCLES HAVE INTRODUCED A NEW PRE-OWNED motorcycle warranty programme, called “Triumph Approved”. The programme allows owners of used Triumph motorcycles to avail of a one-year unlimited mileage warranty applicable to the company’s entire range. Apart from the warranty, customers of the programme will also receive one year’s roadside assistance, a certified vehicle quality check, complete service history, and vehicle history. Motorcycles will be put through a stringent series of checklists in order to ensure customer’s satisfaction and ease of mind.…

BMW HAVE REVEALED A NEW CONCEPT ELECTRIC SCOOTER, THE DEFINITION CE 04, which sports a very futuristic design. BMW have also stated that though this is a concept, the company is very close to being production-ready for this almost “bobber”-like e-scooter. The BMW Definition CE 04 will be an urban electric scooter fitted with a large storage, courtesy of the battery sitting very low, which, in turn, will also improve the centre of gravity, thus facilitating better handling. BMW have nicknamed the project “Plugged to Life” and, as one can imagine, it will offer all the bells and whistles for connecting reality and the digital craze of the future.…

Royal Enfield Meteor 350 Royal Enfield have launched the Meteor 350, priced between Rs 1.75 lakh and Rs 1.90 lakh (ex-showroom). This is an all-new motorcycle based on the company’s brand-new J-platform. Positioned as a cruiser motorcycle with a raised handlebar, wide seat, and foot-pegs that have been set forward, the new model replaces the Thunderbird 350 and it will be offered in three variants: the Fireball, which is the entry-level variant, followed by the Stellar and, finally, the top-end Supernova. Powering the Meteor is a new BS6, 349-cc, single-cylinder, air-cooled, fuel-injected engine which puts out 20.5 hp at 6,100 rpm and a peak torque of 27 Nm at 4,000 rpm. There’s a new twin-downtube spine frame chassis and the suspension set-up comprises a 41-mm fork at the front, and…

APRILIA’S RS 660 IS SO GOOD, YOU have to question why this hasn’t been done before. A fun, light usable sport bike which isn’t too radical or extreme, that is attractive to young and new riders alike, and has a plethora of sophisticated rider aids to keep you safe on the road or track… Where have you been? As much as 100 hp from a usable parallel-twin motor that has character and punch on the road, placed into an easy-going chassis, then covered in sexy bodywork and given just-about-affordable price — what is not to like? I wish I had come up with this idea. We’re told the supersport market is dead and, yes, sales show a monumental decline in this class over the last two decades, but these exciting,…

DERIVED FROM SUZUKI’S LEGENDARY GSX-R MODELS , THE GIXXER line-up in India comprises two naked streetfighters and two fully faired motorcycles. The 250-cc market has been growing apace over the last few years and the Gixxer 250 and SF 250 have proved to be major contenders in that space. We were very impressed by the BS4 Suzuki Gixxer SF 250 when we got a chance to ride it at the launch which took place at the Buddh International Circuit in Noida. With some race-spec modifications, the Gixxer SF 250 is also used by the manufacturer in its one-make championship series. Let’s take a look at what makes these machines so special. Both these motorcycles have been built on a diamond frame from the 150-cc models and have been reinforced with…

SOME ELDERLY FOLK WHO remember the 1950s will tell you that the decade was a more civilised time than today. Behaviour was better, dishonesty was rare, and the commercial pressures that cause so many of modern society’s problems had yet to manifest themselves. Don’t believe a word. When the UK bike press was let loose on the new 1954-model T110 Tiger for the first time, Triumph made every effort to ensure that their machine had a chance to shine. Bernal Osborne, editor of the influential Motorcycling magazine, was allowed out on the 650-cc sportster and, after a morning spent on the roads around Triumph’s factory at Meriden, he returned to declare himself impressed by its smooth, flexible parallel-twin engine. Osborne was then treated to a long lunch with no less…

Hero Xpulse 200 Everyday Hero The white 2020 Hero Xpulse 200 recently joined our long-term fleet and has since been my daily ride to and from work. The revised 199.6-cc oil- and air-cooled motor is so much more refined than its predecessor and, in an interesting twist, this BS6-compliant model actually posted marginally better acceleration figures than the outgoing BS4 bike. While the well-damped suspension at both ends works very well off road, it is a boon over Pune’s countless potholes and speed-breakers — I can now glide over them with the throttle wide open, wasting no time when already late for work. Although mostly relegated to commuter duty, the Xpulse doubles as a fantastic trail companion when exploring the outdoors over the weekends, coming into its own over the…

Moto3 Moto3 madness is always something to put a smile on one’s face. Three abreast into corners and impossible to pick a winner until the line is common here. However, the championship leader, Albert Arenas, on the Solunion Aspar Racing Team machine had ransacked the grid during the first half of the season. The Spaniard rode immaculate races, giving him a big lead in the championship initially. However, with a few mishaps coupled with brilliant performances by Ai Ogura on the Honda Team Asia motorcycle and Tony Arbolino of Rivacold Snipers Team brought the championship title fight down to the last few races. The second leg of Aragon saw Ogua and Arbolino finish in ninth and tenth respectively, with Arenas taking fourth. The win went to Jaume Masia on the…