Honda officials said that they plan to launch four new two-wheelers in the remaining four months of 2015

Honda Motorcycle & Scooter (HMSI) plans to launch four two-wheelers in the next four months as it aims to further consolidate its position in the country. "We plan to launch four models, including a mystery product in the rest of the year," HMSI Vice President sales and marketing Y S Guleria told PTI. The company, which is the leader in scooter segment, has already launched 110cc bike Livo and flagship model CBR 650 in the country.

The company also expects this year's festive season to be better than previous years. "We expect 4-5 per cent year-on-year growth this festive season as we are running full capacity," Guleria said. He added that the company expects motorcycle sales to get a push from rural areas during the festive season. When asked about the impact of strike on the company, Guleria said: "Our Manesar plant has been closed today due to strike call given by trade unions."

The company would look as to how to work out a way to overcome loss for the strike period, he added. The company's Manesar unit produces around 5,600 two- wheelers a day, translating to around 16 lakh units a year, he added. Normal life was today affected in various parts of the country as 10 central trade unions went on a day-long nationwide strike to protest against changes in labour laws and privatisation of PSUs.

Courtesy : Zigwheels

Two peppy Vespa 150's join the stylish Italian scooter-makers existing premium India lineup.

Vespa continues to soldier along bravely in the Indian scooter market, carving its own premium niche. The Italians know a thing or two about style, and this is what the young in India company has focused on from day one, manufacturing pleasingly retro looking scooters from their state-of-the-art factory in Baramati, maintaining a premium feel that’s unmatched. Vespa already has in India, the LX 125, the VX 125 which is the same basic scooter with a front disc brake, and the Vespa S, another 125cc scooter with more masculine lines.

Piaggio's India savvy Managing Director, Stefano Pelle along with soccer star and Vespa brand ambassador Alessandro Del Piero have introduced new 150cc scooters to the Indian line-up, the Vespa VXL 150 and SXL 150, offering refreshing new styling, attractive and Vespa typical funky colour schemes, along with a digital instruments console. This duo settle into the envious position of becoming the only 150cc scooters today sold in India.

The button-started new Vespa VXL and SXL scooters offer a four-stroke, 150cc, single-cylinder, air-cooled and carburettor fed, 3-valve engine. Power output is 11.5bhp at 7,000rpm, while maximum torque is 1.17kgm at 5,500rpm. Both the VXL and SXL offer CVT transmission, allowing for hassle free, gearless riding. In addition to these larger capacity powerplants, Vespa is also offering the VXL and SXL in 125cc, signature three-valve engines, as already offered with their existing model lineup.

The VXL and SXL are held together by Vespa trademark, monocoque steel frames, tailored to excel in urban India. Riders are seated in a comfortable, upright riding position. There are single-sided, hydraulic shock absorbers as on most Vespa scooters, with coiled-springs in front, as we've experienced on earlier scooters work flawlessly, and scooter typical hydraulic monoshocks at the rear, with engines used as stressed members of the frame. 

Tyres on the VXL and SXL are lower profile than offered on any Indian scooter, tubeless, made by Maxxis with exciting new tread patterns. The new 150s offer a larger diameter, 11 inch front rim for easy manoeuvrability. Both scooters are equipped with 200mm drilled front disc brakes, working together with 140mm drum brake units at rear.  

The Vespa VXL is priced at Rs 84,641, while the SXL will retail for Rs 88,696. Likewise, you can buy the 125cc variants of these scooters for Rs 77,308 (VXL) and Rs 81,967 (SXL), all prices ex-showroom in Pune. In the words of Stefano Pelle, all these new Vespas are "pakka" manufactured in India, with virtually 100 percent localisation achieved at the Baramati facility. 

Specifications
Vespa VXL 150/ SXL 150

Price                            Rs 84,641-88,696 (ex-showroom, Pune)

On Sale                       Now            

L/W/H                         1770/690/1140mm

Wheelbase                  1290mm

Engine layout                Single-cylinder, air-cooled, four-stroke

Displacement                150cc

Power                                11.5bhp at 7000rpm

Torque                              1.17kgm at 5500rpm

Power to weight          100.9bhp per tonne

Specific output            76.7bhp per litre

Gearbox                           CVT

Front suspension           Single side

Rear suspension            Monoshock, stressed engine

Front brake                  200mm disc

Rear brake                   140mm drum

Wheels                           5-spoke alloy

Rim size (f-r)                11-10 inches

The Triumph Tiger 800 XCA will have the same mechanicals and cycle parts as the off-road oriented Tiger 800 XCx but will have more standard equipment, including heated rider and passenger seats and LED fog lamps

The Tiger 800 XCA also features aluminium pannier rails making it ready to tour with optional Expedition luggage set. The Tiger 800 XCA will be powered by the same second generation liquid-cooled in-line three 800cc engine, which makes 95PS power and equipped with traction control, switchable ABS, and ride-by-wire throttle with programmable rider modes. The Triumph Tiger 800XCx currently retails for Rs 13.3 lakh (ex-showroom) and we expect the Tiger 800 XCA to be priced around Rs 15-16 lakh (ex-showroom).

Courtesy :  Zigwheels