Few dealers have started accepting bookings of the upcoming Yamaha R3 prior to its official launch. The Yamaha R3 is expected to be priced around Rs 3 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi)

The Yamaha R3 has to be among the most highly anticipated launches of 2015. The new performance motorcycle from Yamaha will make its Indian debut on August 11th and ZigWheels have also been invited for an exclusive ride of the R3. Although, the official launch of the Yamaha R3 in India is scheduled next week few dealers have started accepting booking for the upcoming motorcycle. The booking amount for the Yamaha R3 is Rs 30,000 and according to our sources the new Yamaha R3 will cost Rs 3.5 to 3.6 lakh (on-road Mumbai). This means that the Yamaha R3 will be priced around Rs 3 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi) and the above confirmation will be made on the day of the launch. Talking about deliveries expect the first lot of the new Yamaha motorcycles to hit Indian roads by second week of September during Ganesh Chaturthi. It is also rumoured that Yamaha has dropped ABS which is standard in the international-spec model from the Indian version of Yamaha R3 to price the bike aggressively. 

The Yamaha R3 will be the new locally assembled flagship offering for the Japanese two-wheeler giant in the Indian market. In terms of styling the Yamaha R3 is similar to its 250cc sibling with sharp and edgy lines that should appeal to the masses. Powering the Yamaha R3 is a 321cc, parallel-twin, liquid-cooled motor churning out 42PS at 10,750rpm and peak torque of 29.6Nm at 9,000rpm. The mill is mated to a 6-speed constant mesh gearbox. In terms of power output, the Yamaha YZF-R3 sits between its arch rivals the Kawasaki Ninja 300 (39PS) and the KTM RC 390 (43.5PS). Braking is done by disc brakes at front and rear while it is rumoured that ABS wouldn’t be offered on the India-spec motorcycle. Watch this space for more updates

Courtesy : Zigwheels

For now, only the buying company's name has been released. All assets required to produce EBR bikes are part of this deal.

Eric Buell Racing was sold at an auction recently for a mere USD 2.25 million (approximately Rs 14 crore). In 2013, Hero MotoCorp had paid a lot more at Rs 159 crore to purchase a 49.2 percent stake in EBR. In addition, an extra Rs 17 crore was paid to purchase EBR’s consultancy arm. At the auction, official records showed that EBR had $20.8 million (Rs 132 crore) in assets and $20.4 million (Rs 130 crore) in liabilities.

EBR was sold to a company called Atlantic Metals Group LLC, and no other details of the company were revealed by the court. This deal includes all assets necessary to manufacture EBR bikes, like the tools, machinery and the inventory of remaining bikes and spare parts. Valuable intellectual property is also part of this deal. No official statement has been released by Eric Buell or the buyers.

Courtesy : Autocar

TVS Motor’s Chairman - Venu Srinivasan has officially confirmed the launch of new TVS Apache 200, and a couple of other new models like a four-stroke moped and the reintroduction of its commuter brand TVS Victor in India

At the recently held Annual General Meeting (AGM) of TVS Motor, company Chairman Venu Srinivasan confirmed that in the next six months the much awaited new TVS Apache will be launched in India. The 2015 Apache will be the largest capacity motorcycle ever produced by TVS Motor in India, and will be powered by a 200cc motor. Srinivasan also said that TVS Motor will introduce a new four-stroke Moped and would also reintroduce TVS Victor commuter within the above mentioned timeframe.

The upgraded TVS Apache has been anticipated since the company showcased the TVS Draken x21 250 concept during the 2014 Auto Expo. In the meantime, competition took advantage and launched a slew of vehicles in the sporty 150-200cc motorcycle segment of India – such as Bajaj Pulsar AS 150 and 200, Suzuki Gixxer 155, refreshed Yamaha FZ FI and KTM RC 200. This week Honda showcased an interesting new model – Honda CB Hornet 160R during the 2015 RevFest. 

And though it’s not official yet, but the new TVS Apache 200 should be launched during this festive season, simply to make up for the lost ground. Company executives also told the media during the 2015 AGM that TVS will be launching some models in the festive season, which further strengthens the chances of the new TVS Apache 200 being launched before October 2015 in India.

The details about the new TVS Apache 200 is still sketchy, but going by a few pictures of test mules posted online by TeamBHP, it seems that the new model will come powered by a new 200cc single cylinder, air-cooled petrol engine. The motor could be mated with a 6-speed gearbox, come equipped with fuel injection and produce peak power just under 25PS. 

Often the final production tends to vary from the test mules, so we expect the new Apache 200 to come with a sharp but minimalistic design. It will get sporty clip-on handlebar, digital instrument console, headlamp with LED daytime running lights and probably a split seat to complete the sporty stance. Disc brakes in front and rear could be offered as standard.

At the back the TVS Apache 200cc will get a pair of sleek indicators, LED taillight, monoshock suspension and a conventional up-swept exhaust. With the recent tie-up between Michelin and TVS Srichakra we won’t be surprised to see the next-gen Apache to be running on specially developed soft compound performance tyres. In terms of safety features, the 2015 TVS Apache 200 would offer ABS as an option.

Courtesy : Zigwheels

Honda has announced that the CB Trigger has been discontinued from the Indian two-wheeler market. The 150cc bike will be replaced by the soon to be launched Honda CB Hornet 160R

While the Revfest event was all about showcasing upcoming products and launching the Honda CBR650, officials of the Japanese two-wheeler manufacturer also made an important announcement. Honda announced that it has discontinued the CB Trigger from the Indian two-wheeler market. This move really doesn’t come as a surprise because the CB Trigger was positioned as a premium 150cc offering but with the new Honda CB Hornet 160R coming into the picture it was an evident shift by Honda. The Honda CB Trigger was launched as a replacement to the CB Dazzler in 2013 but despite being a good motorcycle, it could never achieve the success attained by the erstwhile Unicorn.

One of the main reasons for the CB Trigger not performing with respect to sales as expected by Honda can be the pricing of the bike and the Japanese two-wheeler giant have to blame themselves for the poor run of the CB Trigger in the Indian two-wheeler market. Another aspect for the withdrawal of the Honda CB Trigger from the Indian market is cited to be the revised emission norm (BS IV) that is expected to come into effect next year. Production of the Honda CB Trigger would be continued as it is still in demand in export markets. Talking about features, the Honda CB Trigger was the first Honda motorcycle in India to offer all-digital instrument console and was equipped with optional CBS, disc brake at front and rear, viscous air filter and tubeless tyres. It was powered by a 149cc, air-cooled motor producing 14.5PS of power and 12.5Nm of torque. The Honda CB Trigger was priced between Rs 68,667 to Rs 78,234 (ex-showroom Delhi).

Courtesy : Zigwheels

It's the sportier-looking twin of the Honda CB Unicorn 160; to be launched Diwali 2015.

Honda has long positioned the Unicorn as a premium commuter, which was good on almost all fronts. Recently, the company gave the motorcycle a larger heart too, replacing the 150cc unit with a 160cc one. Although a great performer, the Unicorn missed out on an important factor — sportiness. Now Honda has taken the wraps off of the CB Hornet 160R - a sportier, more aggressively styled twin of the Unicorn.

The Hornet gets a shorter single-piece handlebar, a new headlight unit and plastic bits on the tank to add muscle to the overall appearance; the stubby silencer with an aluminum-finished shroud adds to the look. There's also the aluminum-finished grab rails for the pillion. Stopping the bike are petal discs on the front and the rear, which work together through Honda's combi-brake system.  Front suspension is taken care of by a telescopic pair of forks, while the rear suspension duties are performed by a mono-spring. The wheels on the CB Hornet 160R are 10 spoke alloys on the front and the rear.

The engine is the tried and tested Honda 160cc unit. We expect the performance to be the same as the CB Unicorn available in the market, however this can be confirmed only once we get to test the CB Hornet 160R for our extensive review.

Upon launch, the Hornet is expected to compete with other motorcycles such as the Yamaha FZ-S V2.0 and will try to dethrone the current class-leader – the Suzuki Gixxer, in the 150-160cc class, performance and naked motorcycle segment.

Courtesy : Autocar