Honda Motorcycles and Scooters India dropped a bombshell at the 2016 Auto Expo by announcing that the new CRF1000L Africa Twin will be locally assembled and sold in India later this year

Last year, Honda answered the prayers of enthusiasts worldwide when it launched the CRF1000L Africa Twin internationally. The Africa Twin, a name that has attained cult status in the adventure touring world, is finally back after a hiatus of three years, and Honda has showcased the motorcycle at the 2016 Auto Expo.

But, more than just showcasing the Africa Twin and promising to launch it in the country later this year, HMSI went one step further and gave everyone a pleasant surprise by announcing that the bike would be assembled locally in the country too. This will make the Africa Twin the second large-capacity Honda to be assembled locally, the first being the Honda CBR650F, both a part of Honda’s “Make in India” campaign.

To recap, the 2015 Africa Twin is the spiritual successor to the XRV750 that, in turn, was the successor to the 4-time Paris-Dakar rally champ, the Honda NXR 750. Powered by a 998cc parallel-twin motor the Africa Twin makes 95PS of peak power and 98Nm of torque. That might not sound like particularly high numbers for a litre-class engine, but keep in mind that this is an adventure motorcycle. Honda has extensively tuned the engine for strong and linear power and torque along with instantaneous response throughout the rev range.

Internationally, Honda offers the Africa Twin with two gearbox options: a six-speed manual and a DCT dual-clutch automatic affair, the latter with buttons on the handlebar switchgear for manual shifting of gears. Honda has also provided the Africa Twin with Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC) which offers the rider three levels of control, traction control, and switchable ABS for the rear wheel. The 18.8-litre fuel tank gives the Africa Twin a range of 400km.

Suspended by long travel USD forks upfront and adjustable rear monoshock at the rear, the CRF100L Africa Twin is built to take on any sort of terrain the rider can throw at it. Seat height is 870mm, something that can be daunting to most Indians of shorter heights, but it is adjustable by a fair bit, and the ground clearance is also a whooping 250mm. Mooring it to the ground are 21-inch front tyres and 18-inch rear tyres, anchored by 310mm front discs with four piston calipers upfront and 256mm single piston caliper at the rear.

When it is assembled and launched here later this year, the Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin will compete against the likes of the Triumph Tiger series and the Suzuki V-Strom 1000 in India.

Courtesy :  Autocar

Yamaha MT-09 has been priced at Rs 10.2 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). Will come to India as a CBU.

Yamaha India has added to its big bike line-up with the launch of the MT-09 at the 2016 Auto Expo. The MT-09 will be brought into the country as a full import and has been priced at Rs 10.2 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).

The MT-09 is a middleweight sportsbike that was launched internationally in 2013. Power comes from a three-cylinder, liquid-cooled, four-stroke, 847cc engine that makes 83bhp at 10,000rpm and 8.9kgm at 8500rpm. An aluminium chassis forms the backbone of the MT-09 with USD forks up front and an alloy swingarm with monoshock setup at the rear.

A relatively low seat height and light kerb weight are elements which should help the MT-09 be an easy big bike to ride.   

Courtesy : Autocar

The open-top hatchback will arrive by April 2016 and will be sold as a CBU; Clubman to be launched later in the year.

In our November issue, we broke to you the news about the arrival in India of two new Minis, namely the New Clubman and the Mini Convertible. The carmaker has now confirmed the news with an official announcement.

The Convertible, as the name suggests, is the drop-top version of the classic hatchback that’s already on sale in India. It will be the only convertible version here amidst its competition, namely the Volkswagen Beetle, Mercedes-Benz A-class, BMW 1-series and the Fiat Abarth 595 Competizione. It is set to arrive on our shores by April 2016 as a Completely Built Unit (CBU).

The Clubman is the biggest ‘Mini’ ever. The estate from the small car marque is unmistakably Mini in its styling, however, comes with the practicality of five proper seats and loads of storage space. It will be launched in its second-generation avatar and will be launched in India after the Mini Convertible. Internationally, the car is available with 1.5- and 2.0-litre petrol engines. However, the engine options on the India-bound car remain unknown.

Courtesy : Autocar

The mystery two-wheeler that Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India has been teasing for quite some day is the Honda Navi.  The Navi was launched on the inaugaral day of the Auto Expo 2016 – the Motor Show – at a staring price of Rs 39.500 (ex-showroom, Delhi). Honda Navi opens up an all-new segment in the Indian two-wheeler segment and will attract young buyers, said the company.  It looks like a cross between an adventure bike and a commuter motorcycle.

Honda Navi is the first 100 per cent Honda R&D India model. The made-in-India & made-for-India Honda Navi was conceptualised, designed and developed entirely in India. The Honda Navi is available in a total of five colour options – Patriot Red, Shasta White, Hooper Green, Sparky Orange and Black.

Available in three variants – Street, adventure & off-road, the Navi comes with several customisation options, which means that a buyer can build it as per his or her need and taste

While the design of the Honda Navi may not excite many, the company believes that its unconventional design is its uniquness. It’s very mechanical & clean, which offers both convenience and performance to a rider.

Powering the Honda Navi is a 110cc, single-cylinder engine that, mated to an automatic gearbox, develops 7.8bhp at 7000rpm and 9Nm at 5500rpm. This engine is probably the same that does duty on the Honda Activa. Measuring 1805mm in length, 748mm in width, 1039mm in height and 1286mm in wheelbase, the Honda Navi is quite a compact two-wheeler.

The high ground clearance of 156mm further ensures that it handles all sorts of Indian terrains with quite ease. The bike weighs 101kg and has a fuel tank capacity of 3.8-litre.

Honda Navi Specifications

Engine – 110cc, single-cylinder
Transmission – Automatic (V-matic)
Maximum power – 7.8bhp at 7000rpm
Maximum torque – 9Nm at 5500rpm
Front tyre – 90/90 – 12-inch
Rear tyre – 90/100 – 10-inch
Brakes – 130mm drum both at front & rear
Frame – Under born type
Suspension – Telescopic at front & Spring-loaded hydraulic at rear
Top-speed – 81kmph

Courtesy : The Financial Express