Hero launched the new Duet scooter at Rs 48,400 (ex-showroom Bangalore). The Duet employs full metal body and has a claimed mileage figure of 63.8kmpl and will rival the likes of the Honda Activa 3G, TVS Jupiter, Yamaha Ray and Suzuki Lets

Hero MotoCorp Ltd expanded its scooter portfolio and launched the new Duet scooter in India. Hero had showcased the new Duet earlier this month and hinted at a festive season launch. The Hero Duet has been priced at Rs. 48,400 for the LX version and Rs. 49,900 for the VX version (both pricing are ex-showroom Bangalore). The Hero Duet is based on a new platform and comes with full metal body. The Hero Duet will be the second scooter to employ a non-Honda engine and will be powered by a indigenously developed 110-cc air-cooled, 4-stroke single cylinder OHC engine, producing a maximum power output of 8.5PS at 8,000 rpm and maximum torque of 8.3 Nm torque at 6,500 rpm. Hero claims that the Duet scooter has an overall mileage of 63.8kmpl which is among the highest for scooters on sale in India. Also Read: Hero Duet First Ride Review

Speaking at the launch, Pawan Munjal, Chairman, MD and CEO, Hero MotoCorp, said “We have now expanded our scooter portfolio with the launch of the new scooter Duet. The Duet and Maestro Edge scooters – the first of the products developed by our own in-house R&D team - mark a significant step in Hero’s journey. The Maestro Edge has already proved to be a blockbuster since its launch earlier this month. Now with Duet in the market, we are confident of further strengthening our presence in the scooter segment.” 

Talking about features, the Hero Duet scooter gets equipped with semi-digital instrument console, mobile charging port, boot light, tubeless tyres and side stand indicator. The Duet also gets external fuel filler cap which is an useful addition. The new Hero scooter gets benefit of telescopic front forks and braking is done by drum brakes on both the ends with Integrated Braking System. The new Hero Duet will be available in the following shades of Candy Blazing Red, Pearl Silver White, Grace Grey, Matte Nature Green, Panther Black and Vernier Grey (Non-metallic). 

Courtesy : Zigwheels

5 new Bonnevilles set to replace the current classic bike, offered with two new engine platforms.

You’ll see some of these Bonnevilles launched in India around the coming Indian Auto Expo, all available with substantially more potent engines, displacing 900cc or a full-blown 1200cc, in parallel-twin layouts, with liquid-cooling and fuel-injection.

Unsurprisingly, styling for all the new Bonnies shall remain retro, just as stately, a throwback to the ‘days of the Raj’ if you like, with new generation, sturdier tubular steel frames holding them together.

The most affordable Bonnevilles are to be the Street Twin, certain to be the most popular of the lot in India. The Street Twin is easily distinguished by means of its 10-spoke alloy rims, as well as black for much of the lower bike, including a handsomely detailed engine and wheels. Also offered with the Street Twin are a set of smoothly profiled, brush finished exhausts, that we heard sounding exciting and throaty. Expect aggressive pricing for the Street Twin, close to the present day Bonneville, while offering so much more. The Street twin is powered by a four-stroke, 900cc, parallel-twin powerplant, running 4-valves per cylinder, and making 8.16kgm of maximum torque, as Triumph has managed to extract at an amazingly low 3,200rpm.

There’s plenty of punch across the rev range we are told, on the Street Twin, as well as all other new Bonnies. So, expect the Street Twin to live up to its name, to excel with easy rideability in the mess of urban Indian traffic. Torque is 18 percent more than the present day Bonneville.

You also get ride-by-wire throttle management, and a 270 degree firing order between the cylinders, with a 6-speed transmission. Triumph tells us the new Street Twins offer a 36 percent bump-up in fuel-efficiency, despite the promise of more exhilarating performance. There’s also an improved riding saddle, slimmer ‘waist’ line, and longer travel suspension.

And if that wasn’t enough, the Street Twin won’t feel a budget Bonnie, Triumph walking the extra mile to load up their new motorcycle with goodies like a switchable traction control system, a slip assisted, lighter feel clutch, and also switchable ABS brakes. The Street Twin comes with a single disc rotor in front. In terms of features, the Street Twin gives you a gear-indicator, USB socket and engine immobilizer.

Next up is the T 120, a modern day Bonneville that leans more towards retro style, on which attention-to-detail takes a noticeable step-up. The T 120 comes with wire-spoke wheels, and generous splashes of chrome. Then there are also bright and shiny peashooter exhausts with unmistakable old-school shape, and twin disc brakes in front.

The Bonneville T 120 also comes with twin-pod instruments. Triumph has worked to improve ergonomics on all 2016 Bonnevilles.

The T 120 offers a big leap in terms of performance, thanks to a four-stroke, 8-valve, 1,200cc, parallel-twin powerplant, that’s pleasantly gruff and grunty to the ear. The bike makes a hefty 10.7kgm of maximum torque, again at an astonishing 3,100rpm. There’s a 270 degree firing order, with torque output 54 percent up from todays Bonnevilles.

Just like the Street Twin, the T 120 comes with a ride-by-wire throttle and six-speeds, plus slip-assisted clutch. Also twin riding modes of ‘road’ and ‘rain.’ The engine-cooling system has been smartly optimized to leave a minimal impact on retro styling, undoubtedly to be thoroughly put to the test when the bikes are ridden in India.

The T 120 provides the luxury of heated grips for comfortable riding on winter mornings, with three-level heating, apart from a USB charging point. There’s even cruise-control, although optional.

There’s a twist in the T 120 tale, namely the T 120 Black. This variant adds more black, contrasted smartly by a dark brown seat and matte graphite shades.

Expect the Bonnevilles above to offer a comfortable, upright riding position, as you can count on being a big differentiator between these and the sportier Thruxton, up next.

The upgraded Thruxton and Thruxton R models look stunning, styled to thrill for 2016, and generously equipped by Triumph with really top drawer specifications plus all the equipment you could wish for. Beautiful detailing can be seen in a finely crafted Monza style fuel-filler cap, and nifty bar end mirrors. Although held together by spokes, the 17-inch Thruxton wheel rims are alloy constructed, just like the swingarm.

Extras on the up-market Thruxton R include a colour matched seat cowl, buffed steering headstock and clear anodized swingarm.

Triumph has worked to not only make the new, lower and meaner bikes look high performance, but also go like high performance machines.

The Thruxtons come with a specially tuned, four-stroke, 8-valve, 1,200cc, parallel-twin powerplant. Features within include higher compression, a lighter crankshaft and revised airbox. The Thruxton spec engine delivers 11kgm of maximum torque, twisted out at a sportier 5,000rpm. The liquid-cooled engines offer ride-by-wire throttle control, and suitably styled throttle bodies to match the motorcycles retro character. The gearbox is 6-ratio, supported by a torque assisted clutch.

The Thruxton R comes with stainless steel exhausts without catalytic converters for added oomph, a more aggressive hot-cam and washable air-filter. Apart from this, Showa made big-piston upside down front forks, Ohlins fully adjustable suspension at rear and Pirelli Diablo Rosso Corsa Tyres. The floating twin disc brakes in front are chomped on by monobloc construction Brembo calipers.

The 2016 Thruxtons have three riding modes, ‘road, ‘rain’ or ‘sport’, that delivers instant response. Also, you get switchable traction control and ABS for the brakes.

From all this, on paper, its crystal clear Triumph has gone out of their way to ensure each of these new Bonneville bikes are no-compromise engineered to rock their market space. While rides of the new Bonnies will confirm these early impressions, British biking seems like it could be headed right back to its very best. Back to the Bonnevilles that is! While surely but steadily riding straight ahead. Once accomplished, Triumph can rightfully stake claim to having singlehandedly managed this comeback.

Courtesy : Autocar

Kawasaki showcased the Z125 officially prior to its debut at the 2015 Tokyo Motor Show; the new motorcycle is the smallest displacement bike in Kawasaki’s current portfolio

Kawasaki has unveiled the Z125 prior to its official debut at the 2015 Tokyo Motor Show in Japan. The new Kawasaki 125cc motorcycle will be offered in two variants – Z125 and Z125 Pro. The new Z125 is the first mini motorcycle from the stables of the Japanese two-wheeler giant and will compete against the Honda MSX 125 and Grom. The Kawasaki Z125 will be restricted to Japanese and Asian markets and is highly unlikely to make it to our shores officially. The Kawasaki Z125 might be small in size, but it packs a solid punch with respect to styling. The design of the motorcycle has clearly inspired by the higher displacement Z-series motorcycles with chiselled fuel tank, under belly exhaust, tank extensions and a petite tail section with Z-shaped LED tail lams. 

The 125cc, air-cooled, single-cylinder motor produces 9.5PS of max power and the bike tips the scale at just 101kg. The Kawasaki Z125’s powerplant will be mated to a 4-speed automatic transmission while a 4-speed manual does duty on the Kawasaki Z125 Pro. The puny Kawasaki motorcycles also get good cycle parts like, USD front forks, monoshock suspension and disc brake at both ends to provide stopping power. It will be available in three colours – Candy Lime Green, Metallic Graphite Gray and Candy Burnt Orange. The Kawasaki Z125 has been priced at Rs 1.4 lakh in the Japanese market. 

Courtesy : Zigwheels

Bajaj Auto has officially announced that it will launch the new range of Avenger on 27th October 2015. In fact, the new models have started reaching at dealerships. The range will have a total of three motorcycles including a new 150cc entry-level model and two 220cc DTS-i equipped versions.

In a recent interview with a couple of leading news channels, Mr Rajeev Bajaj confirmed that there will be at least three new models in the Bajaj Avenger 2015 range. Though he didn’t reveal the model line-up, there could be three models in different capacities. According to reports, there will be two trims – Street and Cruise – in the new lineup that will be powered by the same 220cc DTS-i engine. It’s the same engine that does duty to the existing model. Having said that the third model will be the new Bajaj Avenger 150 entry-level cruiser.

In this article, we’ll tell you about the 220cc siblings that the company will launch alongside the Avenger 150.

Bajaj Avenger 220 Street & Cruise Price

The new Bajaj Avenger 220cc range, Street and Cruise, is likely to be priced around Rs. 82,000 to Rs. 90,000 (ex-showroom, Delhi).

Launch Date of 2015 Bajaj Avenger Models

The company has announced to launch the updated Bajaj Avenger range on October 27, 2015 at an event in Mumbai.

Mileage

Since the Avenger Street and Cruise retain the same old 220cc DTS-i engine, we expect it to return almost same mileage i.e. around 40kmpl.

Also Read: Bajaj Avenger 150 Launch Date, Price, Mileage, Specs and Images

New Bajaj Avenger 2015 Picture Gallery

The new Avenger 220 ‘Cruise’ looks more or less similar to the current model albeit with lots of chrome elements and new body graphics. It features an updated instrument cluster with analogue and digital meter, a high-set handlebar with slightly different design, new fuel tank and exhaust, back support for pillion rider and new seats with better cushioning.

On the other hand, the 220 Street’s all-black treatment renders it a stylish look. The 2015 Avenger 220 Street shares its design cues with the Street 750 such as black alloy wheels and blackened engine and exhaust. It also gets a new digital instrument cluster, black handle bar, black rear view mirror and new graphic treatment. The bike also features red and silver stripes on side panels, as seen on the Pulsar Demon Black Edition.

With the new models, the home-grown bikemaker aims to increase the sales of the Avenger from 4,000 units a month to 20,000 units per month. Powering the Avenger’s current generation is a 220cc motor that delivers a maximum power of 19.9bhp and 17.50Nm of torque. It’s the same powertrain that does duty to the Pulsar 220. And we expect the new range to feature the same engine in the existing state of tune.

Besides the Bajaj Avenger 2015 range, the company is also planning to bring inRS400,  CS400,  150NS and 180NS. According to reports, the company is also working on an all new motorcycle brand. Though he didn’t reveal the exact plans, we think it could be a premium one. Interestingly, the company is also planning to make its re-entry into the scooter category.

Top speed – 120kmph (expected)

New Bajaj Avenger 2015 Rivals – Royal Enfield Thunderbird

Mahindra has finally launched the much awaited Mojo. But to makes space for itself in the market, the Mojo will have to hold its own against some stiff competition like the KTM 200 Duke, Honda CBR250R, and the Royal Enfield Classic 500.

Earlier this month, when we got our hands on the Mahindra Mojo it was clear that the bike’s dynamics would suit the touring junta. Comfortable riding dynamics, a decent powerplant and a large 21-litre tank – are all characteristics of an able touring machine. But then for an enthusiast there are a lot of options in the market that serve the same purpose, the KTM 200 Duke, Honda CBR 250R and the Royal Enfield Classic 350. So where does the Mahindra Mojo stand against these?

1.)    Engine: First things first, the heart. The Mahindra Mojo is powered by a 295cc single cylinder unit that makes 28PS and 30Nm. The power plant has a strong mid-range which makes it ideal for highway cruising. This engine comes mated to a 6-speed gearbox. The Mojo tips the scale at 160kg but we feel some of the weight could have been reduced by using a single exhaust instead of a twin.

The KTM 200 Duke – although it displaces just 199.5cc - makes almost as much power as the Mojo. At 19Nm though, the torque rating isn’t as high. It must also be noted that the 200 Duke produces its peak power and torque a lot higher up the rev range than the Mojo. While the overall figures of the KTM are similar to the Mojo, it gains an edge in terms of weight. At 136kg, the KTM 200 Duke is 4 kg lighter than the Mojo.

The Honda CBR 250R sports a 249.6cc single cylinder unit that makes 26.5PS and 22.9Nm. Just like the Mojo, the CBR 250R too makes its peak power around the 8,000rpm mark. The torque on the baby CBR comes in at around 7,000rpm. The CBR 250 weighs 162kg which is not only considerably higher than the 200 Duke but also 2kg more than the Mojo.

Although the Royal Enfield Classic 500 isn’t quite the same segment as the others in this comparison, it is priced at around the same mark. Moreover, considering we are looking at touring machines, the Royal Enfield Classic 500 is one of the much loved offering in this price bracket. So here goes... The RE Classic 500 produces 27 horses of power from an engine displacing 499cc. But the highlight of the motorcycle is in its torque rating. The Classic 500 churns an insane 41Nm of torque which is considerably higher than all its rivals in discussion. However it must also be noted that the 190kg Classic 500 is the heaviest in this comparison.

2.)    Features:

Apart from the Royal Enfield Classic 500, all three motorcycles come with a disc brake at the front as well as at the back. The Mojo and the 200 Duke also gain some brownie points as they are fitted with upside-down forks up front. The CBR 250R and the Classic 500 on the other get standard telescopic front forks. Of the four bikes, the Classic 500 is the only one that doesn’t get a monoshock setup at the back.

The Mojo gets a semi-digital console that displays a lot of information. It can track your 0-100kmph time, record your top-speed aside from the standard speedo, tacho, and tripmeters. The CBR 250R too employs a semi-digital console but isn’t as informative as the one on the Mojo. Moreover the digital screen is pretty small and can get difficult to read. The KTM 200 Duke uses an all-digital console. It has all the standard information that one would expect and a shift light, something that is missing on all the other bikes. The Royal Enfield Classic 500’s analog cluster is the least informative of the lot. It doesn’t come with a tachometer or even a trip meter. In fact, it even misses out on a fuel gauge.

The KTM 200 Duke is the only bike to get ABS as standard fitment. While the CBR 250R does get it as an optional fitment, the Mojo and the Classic 500 don’t even offer it as an option.

3.)    Price: In terms of price, the KTM 200 Duke is the cheapest of the lot at Rs 1.43 lakh. The recently launched Mahindra Mojo will set you back by Rs 1.58 lakh which is just Rs 4,000 cheaper than the Royal Enfield Classic 500. The CBR 250R starts at Rs 1.59 lakh for the Std version and goes right up to 1.93 lakh for the ABS version with the Repsol livery.

Courtesy : Zigwheels