TVS motor company unveiled the Akula 310 concept at the Auto Expo 2016. A thoroughbred track machine that celebrates 33 years of TVS as a factory team, the Akula 310 gained much publicity at show. Buoyed by the response, TVS started working on the production spec of the motorcycle soon. Emerging reports indicate that the motorcycle is nearing to the launch that can be expected by March 2017.

The Akula 310 will be the second product from the TVS-BMW Motorrad alliance for manufacturing a sub-500cc motorcycle from 2013. The first model is the BMW G 310 R and the Akula 310 will be based on the former. TVS Motor's CFO Chief Financial Officer S G Murali said, "We will launch the first product (from the tie-up) by February or March" reports Business Standard.

TVS has already started producing BMW motorcycles at its Hosur facility. Production of the Akula 310 is also expected from the Hosur plant.

The Akula 310 has been developed with the technical knowhow of the BMW Motorrard and taking inputs from the TVS factory race riders. The Akula 310 will be powered by a 310cc engine capable of producing 34bhp of power and mated to a six-speed gearbox. This is the same engine that also powers BMW G 310 R.

TVS claims the bike would sport a high performance engine breathing through a forced air fed air box that gives the engine a high rev peak capability. The concept showcased featured USD forks, stiff space frame chassis as well as lightweight carbon fibre bodywork. Other features include a digital speedometer, on board gyro cameras and a steering damper for additional stability. These are expected to continue in the production-spec as well.

The Akula name refers to shark in Russian. Production-spec has also rumoured with the names Raptor and Apache 300.

Source  : TVS Akula 310 based on BMW G 310 R platform to be launched by March 2017

The sub-Rs 1 lakh motorcycle segment in India is arguably in its best ever phase simply because of the number of options that are available for the probable buyer. There are some wonderful value for money commuters, boldly styled street-nakeds and even full-faired motorcycles that promise to give you a proper performance. But when you have so many options to choose from, deciding on the one that’s right for you can take a lot of time and energy.

We have put together a list of the top motorcycles that fall under the price tag of sub-Rs 1 lakh and promise great value for money. These motorcycles are also targeted at a wide range of audience and being unable to choose a favourite, the list is in no particular order.

TVS Apache RTR 200 4V

1.       
TVS Motor Company’s Apache line-up has been built with the sole purpose of delivering performance at a budget. But given that there is an ever-increasing love for 200cc motorcycles in India, they came out with their most powerful motorcycle right now – Apache RTR 200 4V. We tested it out comprehensively during our review and found out that not only is it their best Apache yet, it is a great package overall.

It is available in several variants and starts at a price tag of Rs 89,200. As you go higher in the variant chain, you will get options like Pirelli Diablo Rosso II Tyres and dual-channel ABS. Inclusive of which, the bike will cost you around Rs 1 lakh (all prices ex-showroom, Delhi) and we recommend going for these add-ons as they not only improve the performance of the bike but also makes it safer under extreme scenarios.

2. Suzuki Gixxer

 
Suzuki Motorcycles is the maker of the likes of legendary motorcycles like the Hayabusa and the GSX-R1000, and from its stable, comes the Gixxer. That’s quite a lot of expectations to live up to and the Suzuki Gixxer does that and more. Powered by a 155cc engine, the Gixxer delivers enough grunt and power to make your everyday commute pleasant and that’s not it, the bike has strong built quality and an impressive fit-finish throughout. To top it all, it has a very competitive starting price at almost Rs 78,000 (ex-showroom, Delhi)

There’s also the Suzuki Gixxer SF if you are one of those that preferred full-faired motorcycles over street nakeds and both of these models recently received the blessing of fuel-injection and rear disc brake variants. Something that we highly recommend going for.

3. Bajaj Avenger

 
There’s always been a very selective segment of buyers in India who have preferred the comfort of a cruiser right from the days of the Yamaha Enticer. Currently, if you want to lay your hands on a cruiser then there’s nothing better than the Bajaj Avenger. The bike has received a mid-life update recently and feels a lot more refined to ride than before and is arguably one of the most comfortable offerings in the sub-Rs 1 lakh segment and that ranks quite high in terms of preferred characteristic of a motorcycle for a lot of buyers. There’s no surprise then, that Bajaj has been getting good sales numbers from the Avenger.

Available at a base price of almost Rs 77,000, the Avenger comes with a 150cc engine at its heart. There’s also the bright chrome-filled ‘Cruiser 220’ and the handsome ‘Street 220’ variants available for almost Rs 87,000 that come with a bigger, more powerful 220cc engine.

4. Honda CB Hornet 160R

 
The Honda CB Hornet 160R is the second street-naked motorcycle to make it to our list and there’s a very good reason behind it – looks. Now, if you are spending this kind of money, you would want your motorcycle to look good and right now, there’s isn’t any better-looking street-naked motorcycle in this price segment. It is powered by a 162cc engine that delivers 15.5 horsepower and 14.8 Nm of torque which makes the bike feel quite punchy during those quick overtakes.

It has a starting price of Rs 80,000 and the one with the ‘Combi-Brake System’ or CBS will cost around Rs 85,000 (all prices ex-showroom, Delhi). What CBS does is that it applies both the brakes in a definitive ratio for efficient braking even when you are using just the front brakes or the rear brakes, making it safer than the base variant as the chances of locking up a tyre under intense braking is lesser and the brake force is distributed. We recommend going for the CBS variant.

5. Bajaj V

 When Bajaj announced the concept of V, which is, taking the metal that was used in the legendary INS Vikrant and using it to make a motorcycle, the company had definitely caught everyone’s attention. But they went on to sell 1 lakh of these motorcycles in just four months, and that says a lot about the product itself. There’s no denying that the Bajaj Pulsar is undoubtedly their most popular offering in the Indian market but what V did, was to give potential Bajaj customers another option to look at and stand apart from the massive number of Pulsars on the road.

It is powered by a 149.5 cc engine that delivers 12 horsepower and 13 Nm of torque and is available at Rs 62,000 (ex-showroom, Delhi). It is the second Bajaj in our list of top 5 motorcycles in under Rs 1 lakh in India and that’s because the products from the company are backed by a large number of dealerships and service networks along with the ease of access to spare parts, which clearly works towards the advantage of the BajajV.

At the end of the day, all these motorcycles are really good at what they were intended to be. What it comes to down to is what kind of a riding experience that you are looking for and what your usage of the motorcycle is going to be. Do you agree with our list or have any suggestion? Make sure you put them in the comment section below.

Source : Top 5 Bikes to Buy in Less Than Rs 1 Lakh in India; Your Worthy First 'Premium' 

When the Honda Navi was launched at the 2016 Auto Expo, it ended up being the focus of everyone’s attention. Well apart from the attractive pricing it was unlike any other two-wheeler on sale in the country. Within two months of deliveries commencing, the Navi crossed the milestone of 10,000 units sold. And it continues to sell like hot cakes.

Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI) has announced that the Navi has crossed the 50,000 units sold milestone. The Navi has achieved this feat within six month of deliveries commencing. Commenting on its success, Yadvinder Singh Guleria, senior vice president, sales and marketing, HMSI said, “With Navi Honda has been successful in creating a new segment in the Indian two-wheeler industry.”

The Honda Navi is powered by a 110cc single-cylinder engine which makes 7.83PS and 8.96Nm of torque. It is available in Street, Adventure and Off-road trims. With prices starting from Rs 42,824 (ex-Mumbai) it is one of the most affordable two-wheelers in India. In terms of dimensions, it measures 1,805mm in length, 748mm in width and has 1,286mm wheelbase. It gets a 156mm ground clearance and is lighter than the Activa by 7kgs.

Speaking of the Honda Activa, we have compared it with the Honda Navi and found the latter to be light and agile but with a different weight distribution. Heck, we have even compared the Navi to the Honda Grom.

Source : Honda Navi crosses 50,000 units in sales in India
 

Anyone looking for an electric bike will be spoiled for choice this fall with a host of models on the market from various manufacturers. Here are a few things to look out for when shopping for an e-bike.

Model

It's important to pick a model that's designed for the kind of use you have in mind. For more comfort when riding around town, look for a city e-bike with an upright position, and high, close handlebars. This lets the rider see far ahead while keeping their arms relaxed.

In recent years, more versatile models have landed on the market, based on the design of hybrid bikes. Here, the rider's position is more inclined, combining pleasure with practicality for commuters. These two kinds of electronic bikes usually come with practical accessories such as a luggage rack or a built-in antitheft device, and they are ideal for day-to-day use.

Some brands also make models suitable for all kinds of use and leisure activities. These tend to be lighter, with the slim wheels of a mountain bike, and they don't come with any accessories. They're aimed at sporty users and thrill-seeking riders.

Battery

Another key point when choosing an electric bike is the battery. An e-bike battery can be recharged in a few hours from a regular mains socket, and weighs an average 3kg. Some batteries can be removed, making the bike easier to transport.

There are three main types of battery. Lead-based batteries are the cheapest option, but they're heavy and sensitive to changes in climatic conditions. Nickel-cadmium batteries are lighter but have battery memory issues, so performance can suffer if they aren't completely depleted prior to charging. Lithium batteries stand out as the best choice, but they're the most expensive.

All three kinds come in various models, offering varying levels of power and range. A 36 volts/400 amp-hour battery offers sufficient electric assistance for several hours' riding.

Motor

The location of the bike's driving force, its motor, is also worth considering. Before the 2010s, e-bike motors were usually located on the wheels, making them cheaper and easier to install. When riding, the feeling is a bit like having someone pushing your back. The difference in power between two pedal strokes isn't really that noticeable, and it doesn't really matter if the motor is on the front or back wheel, especially for city riding. However, riders have noticed a lack of grip on unstable, rougher terrain when the motor is on the front wheel.

An e-bike with a pedal-based hub motor feels more like riding a regular bicycle. Certain recent models take the concept further with a system of sensors measuring speed, pressure and rotation to help the motor adapt to the cyclist's needs.

Assistance

E-bikes fall into two categories. Some come with an electric motor that responds to just one factor: whether or not the rider is pedaling. The level of assistance is therefore constant and can be adjusted via a control module. These modules can be fixed or removable, with LEDs or digital displays, allowing the cyclist to change the level of help they get from the electric motor.

A more advanced system used in higher-end models offers "proportional" assistance, monitoring the rider's pedaling and adding a certain amount of assistance. This is determined by several sensors, which evaluate the pressure exerted on the pedals and the level of difficulty the user faces. This makes for improved responsiveness from the motor and lower power use.

Gears

Cyclists also expect speed and adaptability from a bike's gear transmission. For a sporty feel and no loss in output, some electric bikes use derailleur systems for changing gears.

Models designed for city riding tend to use a gear hub system. Linked to the pedal motor, this gear system requires the user to stop pedaling to change gear, which can take some getting used to. But this practical solution protects the chain and avoids problems with derailment or chain jumping.

Source :  Five things to consider when choosing an e-bike

KOLKATA: Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India on Wednesday inaugurated its 900th Honda Authorised Exclusive Dealership taking its total dealership network to 4,800 spread across the country. The company plans to further increase its network by adding 500 more touch points, totalling the number to 5,300 before this financial year end. The move is part of Honda’s vision to expand its footprint across the country.

Over the last five years, Honda has been aggressively expanding its network foothold in the hinterland. This fiscal witnessed an addition of more than 300 touch points, 80 per cent of which has been exclusively in the rural and semi urban locations only. 

Elaborating on the expansion plans, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India senior vice president, sales & marketing Yadvinder Singh Guleria said: "We have grown exponentially in the last 15 years of existence in India, in terms of sales, penetration in smaller towns is a critical part of our India strategy.

" He further added, "along with rapid capacity expansion, introduction of new products across categories and strengthening our network in the metro and urban locations, we are now focusing on increasing our foothold in the semi urban and rural areas. Honda is now extending its reach to the last mile with 80 per cent of the touch points added this financial year being only in the semi urban and rural locations. We are confident that our growing network will cater to the increasing demand for Honda 2Wheelers and realise higher customer satisfaction in terms of services provided by Honda network." 

Having witnessed phenomenal growth in customer demand over the years, Honda has strengthened its position in the Indian two-wheeler industry. The company continues to ramp up its dealership network, production capacity, while offering the best quality products and experience to its customers. 

Source :  Honda strengthens its dealership network in India