The 2016 KTM RC390 gets a few mechanical upgrades; engine and styling remains unchanged.

The updated 2016 KTM RC390 has been launched in India. The updates on the bike include a few mechanical ones, whereas the styling remains unchanged from the older model.

The biggest mechanical change is the introduction of a slipper clutch, making it a more forgiving bike to ride when shifting gears aggressively. Also, the engine and gearbox have received minor tweaks in order to improve smoothness.  The 2016 KTM RC390 doesnt come with an on-off switch for the headlight and hence the headlight stays active when the bike is switched on. 

Internationally, the updated RC390 gets an all-new exhaust system - a new stainless steel underfloor pre-silencer which meets a cylindrical aluminium absorption silencer, and now complies to Euro 4 emission norms making it cleaner to run. However, for India this add-on is not available as it would add to costs. It also skips on the 320mm larger disc brake at the front. 

The updated KTM RC390 continues to be powered by the 373.2cc single-cylinder liquid cooled four-stroke engine developing 42.9bhp and 3.57kgm of torque mated to a six-speed gearbox.

The updated RC390 is priced at Rs 2.13 lakh (Ex-showroom, Delhi) 

Courtesy : Autocar

The Aprilia SR 150 will share engines with the Vespa 150cc models.

Piaggio Vehicles (PVPL) is aiming to consolidate its position in the premium scooter market in India. While this sub-segment (models priced above Rs 70,000) currently sees only the Vespa brand, the company is now known to have a plan of adding yet another global brand – Aprilia (via its SR 150 scooter model) in this space by August 2016.

Stefano Pelle, managing director, PVPL, confirmed that the Aprilia SR 150 will share its engine with the Vespa 150cc models – the SXL 150 and VXL 150 – launched last year with price tags close to Rs 90,000 and Rs 85,000 respectively. According to the company website, Piaggio currently sells a total of six scooter models under the Vespa brand including four variants in the 125cc segment and two models in the 150cc scooter category.

“Yes, the engine (single-cylinder, 150cc, 11.5bhp) is the same that goes into the Vespa 150s but it is tuned differently. The transmission is also tuned differently. It shares a lot with the Vespa models,” Pelle said.

The Aprilia SR 150 will also come equipped with a 220mm front disc brake (along with a 140mm rear drum brake), which also hints at the possibility of adding a single-channel ABS system if required in the near future.

Pelle added, “We are in the process of setting up an all-new assembly line for the Aprilia SR 150s. The first batch of production scooters will roll out in a couple of weeks from now.”

Aprilia SR 150 vs Vespa SXL 150

While Aprilia will be another brand positioned in the premium segment, how will it fare against the Vespa siblings?

“I don’t see any brand cannibalisation between Aprilia’s SR 150 and Vespa’s existing 150 models. The segments are completely different. Though they both belong to the premium segment, Vespa is more of a style statement and the Aprilia SR 150 is a sporty, stylish scooter which would certainly appeal to the youth. We will target the 18-28 years age group with the Aprilia SR 150. Now although the core target customers remain the same for the Vespa brand, it is also bought by customers into their late 20s or even 30s. That said, the Vespa models are universal and the Aprilia SR 150 is more male. This would also appeal to buyers who today use a bike and might want to use a scooter tomorrow. It’s a slim, stylish scooter with utility space for storage,” answered Pelle, clarifying that the two brands won’t overlap each other in terms of potential buyers.

In the context of pricing, he mentioned that though Aprilia could be perceived as a more premium brand than Vespa by many, the pricing of the SR 150 could be competitive.

 New Motoplex outlets planned in India

The company is planning to soon open at least three new Motoplex outlets across South India in Hyderabad, Kochi and Chennai.

“India is a key growth market for us and to grow here, step one has to be ready with a reasonable distribution network across the country. By the time the Aprilia SR 150 will hit the roads, the network would have considerably grown. At the same time the Motoplex stores will grow. We have three more Motoplex outlets lined up in the next 2-3 months. We will set up new stores across Hyderabad, Kochi and Chennai. The western and southern markets are the best scooter markets and hence as a potential strategy we will cover these two regions first. We will expand to the rest of India as well. Vespa, on the other hand, continues to be a priority for us as that is our main brand,” said Pelle.

Besides the Motoplex stores, the company currently has around 80 retail outlets. It plans to increase this to 100-105 outlets by August 2016, just in time for the Aprilia's commercial rollout.

The new incoming model is said to have received an overwhelming response from visitors at Auto Expo 2016. 

Courtesy : Autocar

Honda Navi was without a shadow of doubt the highlight for two-wheelers at the 2016 Auto Expo that was held in Greater Noida. We list down the top 7 interesting facts and features of the new mini motorcycle from Honda for the Indian market

The Honda Navi isn’t what it was supposed to be. Let us explain it further. The basic guidelines given to Honda engineers were to make the most affordable Honda motorcycle in the India context. With this new product, Honda was planning to tap the rural market with a bare basic motorcycle. But during development stage, the officials came up with a new prospect. An idea of a mini motorcycle for the urban market which will be different from anything the Indian market has ever witnessed. Thus the Honda Navi was born and we are glad that higher rank Honda officials took a brave decision to give the Navi project the green signal. 

What is it?

With the new Honda Navi, the Japanese two-wheeler giant plans to kick-start an all new segment in the Indian market which is a brave move from Honda which is known to be conservative. The Honda Navi is a combination of motorcycle and scooter but in a scaled down avatar. Let us explain it further, the Honda Navi looks like a motorcycle with its riding dynamics similar to a normal commuter motorcycle. But the powerplant is automatic which means that it doesn’t have a manual gearbox similar to a conventional motorcycle. 

Power & Performance:

The Honda Navi is powered by the same automatic engine as seen on the popular Honda Activa scooter. The 110cc, air-cooled, single-cylinder motor churns out 7.9PS of power at 7,000rpm and 9Nm of peak torque at 5,500rpm. The motor is mated to a CVT transmission. Given our experience with the Honda Activa we can vouch for a fact that the engine on the Honda Navi will be extremely refined and reliable as well. Talking about performance, Honda claims that the Navi can hit a top speed of 81kmph which we feel is a conservative figure. Given the fact that it would be mostly used in cityscape the top whack of 81kmph will be satisfactory for daily commutes.

The Honda Navi used the same powerplant as seen on the Honda Activa so mileage numbers should be similar. But the Navi is almost 10kg (101kg kerb weight) lighter than the Activa which should help in becoming more fuel efficient than the highest selling scooter in the country. It also gets the mileage enhancing HET tech as seen on the Activa which reduced friction among the mating parts and improves thermal efficiency of the engine. While Honda claims 60kmpl for the Activa we feel the Honda Navi will have a mileage figure of more than 60kmpl but the above number needs to be verified and we shall be test riding the Navi next month. Fuel tank capacity is 3.8 litres which should result in a real world range of above 220km on a full tank. 

Suspension & Cycle parts:

Among the most striking feature of the Honda Navi is the employment of telescopic front forks. The telescopic front forks should result in a more comfortable ride quality on the Navi as compared to the Activa. The popular scooter uses trailing link suspension which has a tendency to judder while going through potholes. At the back a spring loaded hydraulic type suspension setup has been used. The frame is based on the Activa but has been redesigned specifically for the Navi and Honda calls it under born type frame. Tyre specs are 90/90 R12 at front and 90/100 R12 at the rear. Braking is done brakes on both the wheels.

Variants & Colour Options:

Apart from the stock variant, Honda plans to introduce the Navi in various avatars. The Honda Navi will be offered in three forms: Navi Street, Navi Adventure, and Navi off-road. Apart from the above variants, Honda plans to offer many customisation kits so that owners can customise the Navi based on their requirements. The Honda Navi will be available in total of five colour options – Patriot Red, Shasta White, Hooper Green, Sparky Orange and Black.

Price & Deliveries:

Honda has priced the Navi at Rs 39,500 ex-showroom Delhi. The above pricing is for the base variant of the Navi while pricing for the other variants hasn’t been announced yet. The Navi can be booked from the dealership or via an android app. The booking amount for the Navi has been set at Rs 1,000. But prospective owners have to be patient as deliveries for the first lot of Honda Navi will only start by March as Honda will start shipping the two-wheeler by end of February from its factory. 

Courtesy :  Zigwheels

Honda Motorcycles and Scooters India dropped a bombshell at the 2016 Auto Expo by announcing that the new CRF1000L Africa Twin will be locally assembled and sold in India later this year

Last year, Honda answered the prayers of enthusiasts worldwide when it launched the CRF1000L Africa Twin internationally. The Africa Twin, a name that has attained cult status in the adventure touring world, is finally back after a hiatus of three years, and Honda has showcased the motorcycle at the 2016 Auto Expo.

But, more than just showcasing the Africa Twin and promising to launch it in the country later this year, HMSI went one step further and gave everyone a pleasant surprise by announcing that the bike would be assembled locally in the country too. This will make the Africa Twin the second large-capacity Honda to be assembled locally, the first being the Honda CBR650F, both a part of Honda’s “Make in India” campaign.

To recap, the 2015 Africa Twin is the spiritual successor to the XRV750 that, in turn, was the successor to the 4-time Paris-Dakar rally champ, the Honda NXR 750. Powered by a 998cc parallel-twin motor the Africa Twin makes 95PS of peak power and 98Nm of torque. That might not sound like particularly high numbers for a litre-class engine, but keep in mind that this is an adventure motorcycle. Honda has extensively tuned the engine for strong and linear power and torque along with instantaneous response throughout the rev range.

Internationally, Honda offers the Africa Twin with two gearbox options: a six-speed manual and a DCT dual-clutch automatic affair, the latter with buttons on the handlebar switchgear for manual shifting of gears. Honda has also provided the Africa Twin with Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC) which offers the rider three levels of control, traction control, and switchable ABS for the rear wheel. The 18.8-litre fuel tank gives the Africa Twin a range of 400km.

Suspended by long travel USD forks upfront and adjustable rear monoshock at the rear, the CRF100L Africa Twin is built to take on any sort of terrain the rider can throw at it. Seat height is 870mm, something that can be daunting to most Indians of shorter heights, but it is adjustable by a fair bit, and the ground clearance is also a whooping 250mm. Mooring it to the ground are 21-inch front tyres and 18-inch rear tyres, anchored by 310mm front discs with four piston calipers upfront and 256mm single piston caliper at the rear.

When it is assembled and launched here later this year, the Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin will compete against the likes of the Triumph Tiger series and the Suzuki V-Strom 1000 in India.

Courtesy :  Autocar

Yamaha MT-09 has been priced at Rs 10.2 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). Will come to India as a CBU.

Yamaha India has added to its big bike line-up with the launch of the MT-09 at the 2016 Auto Expo. The MT-09 will be brought into the country as a full import and has been priced at Rs 10.2 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).

The MT-09 is a middleweight sportsbike that was launched internationally in 2013. Power comes from a three-cylinder, liquid-cooled, four-stroke, 847cc engine that makes 83bhp at 10,000rpm and 8.9kgm at 8500rpm. An aluminium chassis forms the backbone of the MT-09 with USD forks up front and an alloy swingarm with monoshock setup at the rear.

A relatively low seat height and light kerb weight are elements which should help the MT-09 be an easy big bike to ride.   

Courtesy : Autocar