The newly launched Suzuki Intruder 150 is the company’s first product after its recent announcement of moving its focus away from the volume segment. Priced at Rs 98,340 (ex-showroom, Delhi), the Intruder 150 directly rivals the Avenger range, although, it commands a more premium price. Here are five things to know about it:

1. Polarising M800-, M1800-inspired design
The polarising bodywork seen on this new motorcycle is heavily inspired from the bigger Intruders – the M800 and M1800. With the large headlamp and long fuel tank, the motorcycle does not look like it shares much with the Gixxer that it is based on. The chunky, flowing design language on the bike isn’t something we are used to seeing in this affordable cruiser segment. Moreover, modern touches like the LED tail-light and the Gixxer-borrowed digital instrument cluster also compliment the motorcycle well. The design is a huge head-turner but also highly polarising and is not for all tastes.

2. It uses a retuned Gixxer motor
Powering the Intruder is the same 154.9cc carburetted mill seen on the Gixxer. It is largely the same but uses a bigger intake and a reworked exhaust on the Intruder. Another mechanical change seen on the entry-level cruiser is the additional tooth on the rear sprocket. These changes and the increase in weight result in the motorcycle gaining a stronger mid-range punch while losing some top-end performance. The responsiveness of the engine, refined gearbox and power figures of 14.8hp and 14Nm of torque remain unchanged. Still, for a bike that looks so big, we’d have liked to see more power and the Intruder starts to run out of breath upwards of 90kph.

3. It has impressive handling characteristics
The Intruder is extremely rider friendly; it can accommodate tall riders and even shorter riders will be comfortable due to its low seat height of 740mm. The cruiser motorcycle is easy to ride at low speeds, but remains stable at a higher pace. The Gixxer-borrowed 41mm forks and seven-step preload-adjustable rear shock have been retuned for the Intruder. The sporty suspension, coupled with the decent level of cornering clearance, makes the motorcycle really impressive on a winding road. In fact, because of the humble power, the Intruder’s handling impresses more than its ability to cruise over long distances at a brisk pace.

4. It gets a reworked Gixxer chassis
The front section of the frame is very similar to the Gixxer, but the gains a completely new subframe. When compared to Gixxer, the bike sees a 75mm increase in wheelbase, owing to a 20mm increase in swingarm length and a new pivot angle. The Intruder also shares its tyres and brakes with the Gixxer. The tyres span 110/70 R17 in the front and 140/60 R17 at the rear. Though quite substantial for a 150cc bike, these tyres look scrawny on the Intruder, thanks to the extensive bodywork above.

5. It gets more features but at a price
The Intruder is feature-rich, with a digital instrument console, an LED tail-light, a rear disc-brake and also single-channel ABS (a standard feature); none of these are on offer on the Bajaj Avenger Street 150. These features are also absent on the Avenger Street/Cruise 220, though it must be noted that the Intruder is priced at Rs 98,340, which is considerably higher than both the Street 150 and Street/Cruise 220 which are priced at Rs 75,000 and Rs 84,000 (all prices ex-showroom, Delhi), respectively.

Courtesy : Autocar

The hugely anticipated TVS Apache RR 310 is going to be launched on December 6 at 11:00 am. By that time, we will have already ridden the bike and will have our first ride report out by 12:30pm once the embargo lifts.

However, TVS has just revealed a new teaser video to build excitement, and that it does! There's quite a lot to gather from the video, starting with the new shade of red, the sharp tail section and what promises to be a striking, Omega-shaped tail-lamp. TVS has resisted flashy stickering on the bodywork and has gone with subtle graphics that reveal the name - Apache RR 310, (not 310S as previously speculated).

Courtesy : Autocar

The engine crankcase looks similar to those on the BMW G 310 R/GS, but they come with raised ‘TVS Racing’ branding. We suspect the bike’s engine will produce similar figures to the G 310s’ that makes 34hp and 27Nm, but there will probably be differences in engine mapping and possibly even gearing. Further stressing on the bike’s athletic abilities are the words, “Race Spec” on the trellis frame, which once more is shared with the BMW G 310s.

And finally, we get a good look at the aerodynamic face, which features striking LED projectors flanked by angular LED DRLs. There's a white racing stripe that runs down the centre and is likely to run across the top of the fuel tank as well, although that's unseen on the video. As we've seen in spy pictures, the RR 310 gets a substantial windscreen that should prove to be useful on the race track and for touring duties. If you look closer, there appears to be the colours of the flag of India positioned vertically on the top right corner of the screen - nice touch that! From behind the screen the angles of the clip-ons suggest a riding position that will be sporty but reasonably comfortable as well.

This video has got us properly excited for what is easily one of the most eagerly anticipated motorcycles of the year. We can't wait to ride it and let you know all about it. Watch this space! 

The BMW F750 GS and the F850 GS were unveiled at the EICMA motorcycle show, in Italy. These new models feature sharper styling, new technology, a monocoque frame and a bigger 853cc engine – an upgrade to their 798cc predecessors, the F700 GS and F800 GS. BMW Motorrad will launch these two motorcycles in India at the Auto Expo in February 2018.

The new 853cc parallel-twin engine is tuned to make different power figures in both bikes – 77hp and 83Nm of torque in the F750, and 85hp and 92Nm of torque in the F850. BMW suggests that the engine’s new 270-degree firing order makes it produce a ‘powerful’ sound. Another big change comes in the form of a new monocoque frame with new suspension geometry and fuel tank position which has moved from the previous under-seat position to a conventional location behind the bars.

The F750 GS and F850 GS get a new fork (an upside-down 43mm one in the case of the F850 and a 41mm telescopic unit for the F750). Rear suspension duties are handled by an aluminium double-sided swing-arm and a monoshock. BMW’s electronic suspension adjustment (ESA) is optional. Both come with ABS, ASC, and ‘Rain’ and ‘Road’ riding modes, as standard. Other optional equipment includes full-LED lighting and a multi-functional instrument cluster.

BMW will launch both these bikes at the Auto Expo 2018 in February. Both bikes will come to India via the CBU route but they will be the most affordable bikes in the German manufacturers current line-up for India and should be priced competitively against the Triumph Tiger 800 range – which is also due for replacement in India, next year. We expect there to be a price difference of around Rs 1.5 lakh between the two models.

Courtesy : Autocar

Having set up shop in India in 2013, Triumph has 14 dealerships across the country and 16 models on sale.

Iconic premium motorcycle marque, Triumph Motorcycles, has completed four successful years in India. Triumph made its Indian debut with a range of motorcycles at the Auto Expo, back in 2012. On November 28, 2013, Triumph launched ten new motorcycles and its journey in India has been an impressive one, to say the least.

The bike maker's current line-up for India includes five categories – Modern Classics, Roadsters, Supersports, Adventure and Touring, and Cruisers – with a total of sixteen models on sale. With an enviable accessory range, each of these models can be customised to varying degrees and this contributes to Triumph’s appeal as a premium, aspirational brand of motorcycles. A strong dealer/service (Experience Centres, in Triumph speak) network has seen the manufacturer build a customer base of over 4,500, and with more such centres scheduled in the next year, this is only set to increase. In 2018, an Experience Centre is expected to begin operations in Goa, which is a growing market for premium motorcycles. 

At present, Triumph assembles most of its range at its Manesar facility and this has helped keep its pricing competitive and often lower than that of its European and Japanese rivals. In addition, Triumph has also supported rider-training academies such as the California Superbike School and RACR, and has initiated its own off-road training programme called the Triumph Tiger Trails.

The bike maker is currently gearing up for a 2018 launch of its recently unveiled Speedmaster, which is a twin-seat spin-off on the Bonneville Bobber, featuring revised steering geometry and a larger, 12-litre fuel tank, among other tweaks that make it more cruiser-like. 

Courtesy : Autocar

The Honda PCX Electric scooter is set to go sale in Asian markets in 2018.

Honda has taken the wraps off an all-new electric scooter at the Tokyo motor show, called the PCX Electric. The scooter is meant for urban environs and is 1,923mm long, 745mm wide and 1,107mm tall.

The electric scooter is powered by a 1.33hp electric motor and gets a detachable lithium-ion mobile battery pack named Honda Mobile Power Pack, which has been developed independently.

The Japanese two-wheeler brand also had the PCX Hybrid on display at the motor show. It possess an independently developed hybrid system that uses a high-output battery and ACG starter to assist the internal combustion engine.

Both the PCX Electric and Hybrid are expected to launch in Asian markets including Japan in 2018.

While there is no official confirmation from the bike maker, both scooters could find a place at the upcoming Auto Expo in New Delhi, where electric mobility is the theme of the hour. 

Courtesy : Autocar