Benelli's high-value TNT, the 600i now also available as the LE, a limited- edition model.

Benelli, along with DSK Motowheels, already offer a comprehensive fleet of premium bikes in India, with engines in the capacity range of 300cc to 1130cc. There's a pair of popular, well-priced 600s – the TNT 600i and 600 GT, both deploying desirable in-line four-cylinder engines, in different states of tune. The 600i is a sportier naked bike, with sharper handling and an exciting exhaust note, while the 600 GT is a more comfortable, softer sounding and better-suited to touring motorcycle, even available with panniers.

The in-line four-engine powered 600cc space is a segment only recently on the move in India, with Honda having just brought in their CBR 650F, an excellent but overpriced motorcycle. The Benelli TNT 600i LE offers altered cosmetics with new gold colours, matching clutch and front brake levers, other than which it will continue to with the same engine and chassis as the 600i. It's a four-stroke, in-line four motor packing in liquid-cooling, fuel-injection, four-valves per cylinder and dual overhead camshafts. The gearbox is six-speed.

The Benelli TNT 600i LE makes 80.5bhp at 11,500rpm, with 5.3kgm of torque stepping in at 10,500rpm. Twin underseat exhausts give this 600 a distinctive, sporty look. The limited-edition bike uses a tubular steel frame that meets a beefy alloy swingarm at the rear. Braking is via a twin 320mm disc setup in the front, and single disc at the rear.

The Benelli TNT 600i LE has been priced at Rs 5.66 lakh (ex-showroom, Pune) with 60 bikes to be sold.

Courtesy : Autocar

The Honda Activa has crossed the one million sales milestone, in just five months of this fiscal year 2015-16. The milestone shows the huge demand for the product.

Honda sold 10,01,350 units of the Activa showing a growth in sales of 20 per cent for the manufacturer. The sales of the scooter have grown tremendously this year even despite overall sales growth of the Indian two-wheeler industry being a bit dull.

Keita Muramatsu, President and CEO, Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India Pvt. Ltd. (HMSI) said, “We are excited to have started the festive season on a high note, with Activa creating a hat-trick as the No. 1 selling two-wheeler of India for three consecutive months. From reactivating the scooter segment in India in 2001, Honda’s iconic Activa has slowly started penetration in rural India. Further, with the improvement in rural infrastructure in future we expect that scooter contribution has the potential to go up further.”

The Honda Activa alone contributes to 51 per cent of sales in the scooter segment in India. Last month, HMSI sold 2.17 lakh units of the scooter alone showing the steep demand for the two-wheeler in India. Despite being joined by many new scooters from different manufacturers, the Activa still remains to be the preferred choice for Indian consumers. At present, there are three models of the Activa on sale- the Activa-i, Activa 3G and Activa 125.

Courtesy  : Bikewale

Bajaj calls it ‘Fear The Black’ edition, in a throwback to the same edition of the Pulsar 180.

The Pulsar RS 200 has definitely helped Bajaj strike a chord with customers looking for a step up from commuter-class motorcycles, and the company has now launched a new paint scheme for the bike. Dressed in all black, this RS 200 is called the ‘Fear The Black’ edition. It looks a lot more aggressive, and is a throwback to the late 2000s, when the Pulsar 180 was launched in the ‘Fear The Black’ edition.

While the engine and a couple of other mechanical parts carry the same bronze paint, majority of the bike is finished in black, while there are some nice red and grey accents to add character. Of the recently launched RS 200, AS 200 and the AS 150, only the AS models are available in a black paint scheme. With the sportier RS now available in all-black, one could expect the AS models too to get it soon.

The RS 200 gets a single-cylinder 199.5 cc liquid-cooled fuel-injected engine that churns out 24.2bhp and 1.9kgm of torque, mated to a six-speed gearbox.

The ‘Fear The Black’ edition will be on sale alongside the red and yellow paint shades, at no extra cost.

Couresy : Autocar

Hero will launch the new Duet and Maestro Edge scooters on September 29th. Both the scooters will be powered by a new engine and will be loaded with features

The Hero Maestro Edge has undergone both cosmetic and mechanical changes. The front fascia has been completely redesigned to give it a more rakish and sporty design language. The creases on the mudguard and front fascia look premium.  The instrument cluster is a redesigned part-digital while it features a LED tail lamp unit. Another new addition is the stubby exhaust muffler, alloy wheels and 3D badge on the rear panel. It was expected that Hero will debut the new 125cc motor in the Maestro Edge but that isn’t to be and it will feature a new 110cc scooter. The new motor has been developed by AVL for Hero and the air-cooled unit churns out 8.4PS and 8.3Nm of peak torque while power output is marginally higher than the older Honda unit torque figure is lower.

Fuel efficiency numbers haven’t been announced but expect it to be in the range of 55-60kmpl (claimed figure). Another notable addition is the telescopic front forks which should help the Hero Maestro Edge deliver good ride quality. Braking is done by drum brakes at both the ends while Integrate Braking System will be standard. Talking about features, the Hero Maestro Edge gets tubeless tyres, 12-inch alloy wheels, engine immobilizer and optional mobile charging unit and under seat lamp. The Hero Maestro Edge is expected to carry a sticker price of around Rs 53,000 (ex-showroom). 

As the name suggests the new Hero Duet will be a unisex offering. The styling of the Hero Duet isn’t radical and has been kept sober to appeal to the masses. It does get a part-digital-part-analogue instrument console to help it set apart from its rivals. The Hero Duet will most likely be its new entry-level scooter for the Indian market. It will be loaded with features like external fuel filler, mobile charger and tubeless tyres. Talking about powerplant, it will be powered by the same 111cc motor as seen on the new Maestro Edge. Braking will be done by drum brake at both the ends. The Hero Duet features telescopic front forks as opposed to the trailing link unit as seen on the Honda Activa 3G. The Hero Duet is expected to be priced around Rs 50,000 (ex-showroom). ZigWheels will be present at the launch event and will also be riding both the scooters. Watch this space for updates and review report.

Courtesy : Zigwheels

The updated H-D line-up features five models; prices start at Rs 4.52 lakh.

Harley-Davidson has announced updated versions of three of its Dark Custom motorcycles – the Iron 883, Forty-Eight, and Street 750. In addition, the American manufacturer’s new line-up will feature a broad range of performance and styling enhancements across the range. The company has also confirmed the return of the Road King.

Updates on the new Iron 883 include an all-new front suspension and an adjustable rear suspension, lighter mag wheels and improved seating. The Forty-Eight gets new mag wheels, a larger front end with 49mm forks, a new adjustable rear suspension and seating. The new Street 750 model is equipped with new front and rear braking systems.

Previously only seen on H-D touring bikes, the High Output Twin Cam 103 engines will now be available on all Softail motorcycles – the Fat Boy, Heritage Softail Classic, and Breakout. The Heritage Softail Classic also receives refreshed styling for 2016.

All 2016 Sportster models will feature all-new front and rear suspension which pair emulsion coil-over shocks with new front cartridge forks, and new seats.

Speaking about the new line-up, Pallavi Singh, director (Marketing), Harley-Davidson India said, “This is another historic year for Harley-Davidson. We’re raising the bar on Dark Custom motorcycles with the new Iron 883, Forty-Eight and Street 750, the purest expression of the design. And we’re extending our lead in touring with the return of the Road King and redesign of the popular Heritage Softail Classic.”

The prices for the update versions are as follows:

Street 750 - INR 4,52,000 (ex-showroom, Delhi)

Iron 883 - INR 7,37,000 (ex-showroom, Delhi)

Forty-Eight - INR 9,12,000 (ex-showroom, Delhi)

Heritage Softail Classic - INR 16,60,000 (ex-showroom, Delhi)

Road King - INR 25,00,000 (ex-showroom, Delhi)

Courtesy : Autocar