Bike Forest

Piaggio Vespa LX125

2013-03-15T23:57:00.001-07:00

Piaggio has priced the Vespa LX125 at Rs. 78,300 (on-road price, Mumbai), which is not cheap by any means. Similarly powered scooters come for atleast Rs. 25,000/- cheaper and offer similar features too.

The Vespa has made its third re-entry in India, but this time the parent company Piaggio has gone solo. The scooter is positioned as a life-style product and is available in only one variant - LX125.
The Vespa scooter doesn't look like other conventional scooters. The design is iconic and retro. In order to maintain this styling, the company has gone for form over function but that seems to have worked very well.
The Vespa uses a monocoque steel high rigidity body structure. The vehicle has very good paint quality and there is high use of chrome as well. There is no excessive bulging at any angle.

The Vespa has made its third re-entry in India, but this time the parent company Piaggio has gone solo. The scooter is positioned as a life-style product and is available in only one variant - LX125.
The Vespa scooter doesn't look like other conventional scooters. The design is iconic and retro. In order to maintain this styling, the company has gone for form over function but that seems to have worked very well.
The Vespa uses a monocoque steel high rigidity body structure. The vehicle has very good paint quality and there is high use of chrome as well. There is no excessive bulging at any angle.

The Vespa has made its third re-entry in India, but this time the parent company Piaggio has gone solo. The scooter is positioned as a life-style product and is available in only one variant - LX125.
The Vespa scooter doesn't look like other conventional scooters. The design is iconic and retro. In order to maintain this styling, the company has gone for form over function but that seems to have worked very well.
The Vespa uses a monocoque steel high rigidity body structure. The vehicle has very good paint quality and there is high use of chrome as well. There is no excessive bulging at any angle.

KTM second bike in India 390 Duke

2013-03-15T23:43:00.001-07:00

KTM will launch its second bike in India, the 390 Duke, which will be priced around Rs. 2 lakhs.

Yamaha Ray: Scooter of the Year in NDTV Car and Bike Awards.

2013-03-14T22:31:00.005-07:00

Yamaha Ray: Scooter of the Year in NDTV Car and Bike Awards.

Ducati Monster 795: Motorcycle of the Year above 500cc In NDTV Car and Bike Awards.

2013-03-14T22:28:00.001-07:00

Royal Enfield Thunderbird: Motorcycle of the Year above 250cc.

2013-03-14T22:24:00.002-07:00

Royal Enfield Thunderbird: Motorcycle of the Year above 250cc. The company also won the 'Two Wheeler Manufacturer of the Year' award.

bike of the year in NDTV Car and Bike Awards.

2013-03-14T22:20:00.000-07:00

Pulsar 200 NS have been named the bike of the year, at the NDTV Car and Bike Awards. Renault India emerged as the 'Car Manufacturer of the Year', while the 'Two-Wheeler Manufacturer of the Year' award went to Royal Enfield.

Bajaj Pulsar ranks first in the list of most popular bikes.

2013-03-14T02:01:00.000-07:00

Presenting the most popular bike in the country no prizes for guessing the most popular bike in the country. Even after a decade the drum rolls Bajaj Pulsar Series ranks first in the list of most popular bikes.
This series of bikes has taken Bajaj up and away to the top and helps Bajaj stay put at that position. The riders just don't seem to get enough of this range. This might not be a favourite amongst the bike enthusiasts but the general public seems to love this to no limit.
The series has a range of bikes starting from 135 cc, 150 cc, 180 cc to 220 cc. The newly unveiled Bajaj Pulsar 200 NS will soon be added to this list.The bike is ever so glorious in a price range of Rs 52,997 to Rs 100,000 approximately. The first Pulsar model was the 150 cc one and since that launch Bajaj has not looked back.Till April 2012, Pulsar has sold more than five million units. This number in itself says a lot about the bike. Whether you personally like the bike or not, the numbers are continuing to make Bajaj Pulsar very happy and the popularity of this bike is simply unmatched.

Yamahar Fazer stands at number two

2013-03-14T01:57:00.000-07:00

Yamahar Fazer, the bike that says 'No distance too far' stands at number two. The bike has a displacement of 153 cc and looks that makes it stand apart.
The bike is a decent ride overall with a power of 14Ps and a mileage of 43.4 kmpl in the city. The bike starts from a modest price of Rs 72,000 approximately (ex-showroom, New Delhi). The bike goes up to 108.8 kmph and accelerates from 0 to 60 in merely 5.2 seconds.
The brand has been associated with John Abraham for quite some time now. This association has helped Yamaha build a place in the minds of the bike enthusiasts. Okay, maybe most of the hardcore riders wouldn't be affected by a brand ambassador but by and large the number of people who associate the brand with the endorser is too huge to ignore.

Hero Karizma is at number three

2013-03-14T01:53:00.001-07:00

The splendid looking Hero Karizma is at number three in my list. The bike has a sporty stance with 223 cc displacement and a torque of 18.35 Nm at 6000 rpm.
The top speed delivered by the bike is 125 kmph.
This sports bike has had an association with the ever so popular adventure game MTV Roadies and the partnership still continues making this bike even more desirable amongst Indian youth.
It's a lusty beauty available at a price of Rs 75,100 approximately (ex-showroom, New Delhi). It has two variants, the Hero Karizma R and the Hero Karizma ZMR. ZMR is the successor for R.
The differences between the two bikes are the design of fairing, a different headlight, digital speedometer that is not available in the R. ZMR has the rear disc brakes and rear swing arm suspension that are missing in the previous version.
The new ZMR has a fuel injection system instead of the carburetor. This bike was launched in 2003 and created the magic and trend of sportsbikes in India. Before Karizma's advent, sports bikes weren't as popular.

Fourth position is the Bajaj Discover.

2013-03-14T01:51:00.001-07:00

At the fourth position is the Bajaj Discover. Recently, within the span of a month Bajaj launched the Bajaj Discover 100 4G and Bajaj Discover 125 ST. The price range for Bajaj Discover is Rs 41,736 to Rs 47,030 (ex-showroom, New Delhi). Bajaj Discover with their 'Discover India with the power of 1 litre' positioned Discover as one of the most fuel efficient bikes in their specific segment, making them very popular.
The company claims mileage of the bike is 82 kmpl in the city. In 2008, the 100 cc segment Discover DTS-Si sold about 1,00,000 units within the first 50 days of its launch. It was this bike that helped Bajaj make its standing in the commuter segment.
With Pulsar's launch that happened a decade ago, Bajaj redefined biking in India. With the continuous launches of the Discover series, is Bajaj trying to stay 'Distinctly Ahead'? Only time can tell...

The ride of the royals is at number five

2013-03-14T01:49:00.002-07:00

The ride of the royals is at number five. The majestic Royal Enfield Classic 500cc and 350cc are one of their kind. The aura of this bike is far superior to any other. No matter how hard I try to be unbiased it shows itself up; this is one of my personal favourites. Now this is a bike which has a lineage of over 64 years, since 1948 when it first went into production.
This bike isn't one of the best bikes in terms of mileage but the respect and command it demands and receives is what brings this bike in this list of top 10 most popular bikes.

Royal Enfield Classic -- truly, 'born of a rich heritage and bred with royal elegance.'

number six is the Yamaha YZF R15.

2013-03-14T01:46:00.001-07:00

Riding at number six is the Yamaha YZF R15. Now here is a 150 cc bike which has the looks of a sportsbike.
The company claims and we don't differ much. This bike delivers environmental performance making it a perfect bike for 'Urban Supersports' (I didn't create this phrase, Yamaha did. I am merely restating it here). The price of the delicious looking machine is Rs 1,08,000 approximately (ex-showroom, New Delhi).
The looks are enhanced by the splendid colours that the bike comes in with. The smart Racing Blue, the mystical Midnight Black, the stunning Sunset Red along with the WGP 50th Anniversary Limited Edition bike, which in breathtaking combination of white and red and the Special Edition Fiery Red, look at any of these and if you don't drool then look again, because you surely will.
It's a fantastic looking bike in this segment and once you drive it you would know where did the tag line 'Yes Yamaha!' come from.

The Bajaj Platina 125 DTS-Si at the seventh position

2013-03-14T01:43:00.001-07:00

The Bajaj Platina 125 DTS-Si, introduced in September 2008 is at the seventh position on the popularity charts. With sales of more than 30,000 units per month this bike is second to none other.
This 124.58 cc bike offers an impressive mileage of 70-80 kmpl. Bajaj Platina has a top speed of 91 kmph.

Ride control feature with this bike helps in controlling/tuning the speed according to the riding condition, and thus helps in bettering the fuel economy. Another benefit of the bike is that there is minimum need for gear change.
At a Rs 35,524 (ex-showroom) the Bajaj Platina 125 DTS-Si proves to be a pocket-friendly bike for the pocket-conscious people.

at number eight

2013-03-14T01:40:00.001-07:00

Honda CB Shine, the common man's ride, is at number eight on the list of 10 most popular bikes in India.
The bike first came into existence in 2006 under the HMSI banner. Honda and Hero bikes at the last three positions show that even if the split has affected both the companies they are still as good individually and soon enough they might prove dangerous to each other and others in the market.
Coming back to the bike, it is a 124.7 cc bike which delivers a mileage of around 65 kmpl and is priced at around Rs 51,409.

Disc brakes, tubeless tyres, easy handling, superior comfort, decent looks; Honda Shine has it all.

At number nine we have the Honda Stunner

2013-03-14T01:35:00.001-07:00

At number nine we have the Honda Stunner which starts from Rs 56,000 approximately (ex-showroom, Delhi).
The 124.7 cc bike with a power of 11 Bhp at 1000 rpm, torque of 11 Nm at 6500 rpm and a mileage of 52 kmpl, looks masculine which, if the positioning is to be believed, is an attractive, eye catching machine for the girls. No wonder, the popularity is high!

Hero Ignitor has very similar looks and a lot of features match too, but the Stunner wins in two basic aspects: maintenance and acceleration.Honda Stunner has the Viscous Air Filter which helps in lowering maintenance costs and demands. Hero Ignitor can go from 0 to 60 in 6.2 seconds whereas Honda Stunner can go do the same in 5.3 seconds.Now, I don't know about the effects of the bike on the girls, but the low cost and acceleration certainly will lure the guys.

CBZ Xtreme is at the 10th position

2013-03-14T01:32:00.002-07:00

Hero MotoCorp CBZ Xtreme
Hero MotoCorp CBZ Xtreme earlier known as Hero Honda CBZ Xtreme is at the 10th position on the popularity chart. The bike was introduced in 2008 and has been an icon for style and good looks ever since.
After the sad breakup -- okay not literally break up but this just adds to the melodrama -- the bike is in the market under the Hero MotoCorp umbrella.
The 149.2 cc bike has decent looks, fair mileage of about 43-45kmpl, a power of 10.6 kw and a torque of 12.80 Nm.No doubt the bike looks decent (you might differ though but everyone is entitled to an opinion) and gives a decent performance too... but the 'Live off the Edge' and the stylish calligraphic 'Xtreme' campaign is a little over the top for this bike.

Premium bike of the year

2013-03-11T23:41:00.001-07:00

Premium bike of the year
This is a category that we expect to see a lot of growth in. Here, we consider motorcycles that are not cheap but are assembled in the country. That meant the contenders were the Kawasaki Ninja 650R, Honda CBR 250R, Hyosung GT650N and the GT650R.

These are not your average commuters nor are they extreme superbikes - they offer practicality combined with ample performance.
Of the ones you see above, the bike that simply trounced the competition was the... KAWASAKI NINJA 650R.
Affordability, ease of use, performance - the Ninja 650R has it all in spades!
A sensible riding position for everyday use combined with enough power to keep things interesting for a long time to come, the 650R ticks all the right boxes. Including the one that says you don't have to pay big money to have big fun.
Congratulations, Bajaj Auto, for expanding the Ninja family the right way.
Image Courtesy: Kawasaki

Imported Bike of the year

2013-03-11T23:37:00.003-07:00

Import bike of the year
These are motorcycles that are imported officially into the country and the choice is pretty good!
Look at the list of contenders for this award:
BMW K1300R, BMW R1200GS, BMW S1000RR, Ducati Monster 796, Ducati Multistrada, Harley Davidson 48 and the Suzuki Bandit.Any of these machines could win the award because each one of them comes with terrific strengths. But for us, there was the one motorcycle that would stand head-and-handlebar above the rest, and that was the... BMW S1000RR.

Once considered the domain of the Big Four, this radical Beemer simply blew them all away.
This astonishing bike takes its Japanese competition head-on - and wins!
It's a razor blade on two wheels, and a true game changer. Incorporating cutting-edge engineering and technology, the S1000RR surprised us with its relatively affordable price.
For the money it asks, you get the best superbike till date.

Image Courtesy: BMW

Bike of the year

2013-03-11T23:30:00.001-07:00

Bike of the year

IMPULSE

Congratulations, Hero MotoCorp
For a market that's considered the second-largest for two-wheelers in the world, until now the segment was dominated by
eco-commuters - and it still is.
But the market is changing, and it is getting fragmented.
Finally, consumers are getting more to choose from.
Unlike the Car of the year category, this one didn't have as many contenders, though it will rapidly change from next year onwards.
However, for this year, there were three main ones that made it to the shortlist - the Hero Impulse, the Honda CBR 250R
and the Bajaj Boxer 150.
Of this trio, there could be only one winner, and that was the... HERO MOTOCORP IMPULSE.
From the very manufacturer of the eco-commuters comes, like a breath of fresh air, the Impulse.
The Impulse is the bold new face of Hero MotoCorp.
The company is now revitalised and dynamic and leading the charge is its on/off-roader.
This bike is a true segment-buster - in fact, it's a segment creator, treading new paths literally! For the price it is asking, it offers good build quality and excellent fuel efficiency too.
And even if you are doing nothing extreme off the road (which it easily manages), it makes for a sprightly urban commuter as well. What more do you want?
Congratulations, Hero MotoCorp - we look forward to more exciting bikes from you, if the Impulse is anything to go by.

New Bajaj Pulsar 200NS G

2013-03-11T01:26:00.002-07:00

New Bajaj Pulsar 200NS G

Mahindra two wheelers

2013-03-11T01:22:00.002-07:00

Mahindra Two Wheelers, a new entrant to the market and part of the Mahindra Group, unveiled two brand new motorcycles, the Centuro and Pantero.

Both bikes are equipped with a brand new engine which was developed at the company’s research & development (R&D) centre in Pune, over a period of 18 months.

The bikes, unveiled on Friday night, would be powered by the new 110 cc MCi-5 (Micro Chip ignited 5-Curve) engine and would roll out from the company’s factory at Pithampur near Indore.

The company said the Pantero would be launched in a fortnight in limited geographies to start with, while the Centuro would be launched about a month thereafter. The product prices would be announced closer to the launch date.

Duke

2012-04-17T02:59:00.002-07:00

Bollywood-Forest: release on 3rd feb-2012

2012-01-31T03:04:00.000-08:00

Bollywood-Forest: release on 3rd feb-2012

New Bajaj Pulsar Specifications

2012-01-31T01:18:00.000-08:00

Technical Specifications -

2012 BAJAJ PULSAR 200NS

Engine

Type SOHC - 4V - Liquid Cooled
Combustion system Triple spark
Ignition system Independent spark control through ECU
Crankshaft Type Integral
Max Power 23.52 PS @ 9500
Max Torque 18.3 Nm @ 8000
Bore 72 mm
Stroke 49 mm
Displacement 199.5 cc
Fuel system Carburettor, UCD 33
Air filter Paper element
Exhaust system Exhaust TEC enhanced centrally mounted

Vehicle

Frame Type Pressed steel Perimeter Frame
Wheel Base 1363 mm
Length x height x width 2017 mm x 1195 mm x 804 mm
Seat ht-Rider 805 mm
Ground Clearance 167 mm
Vehicle Kerb weight 145 kg
FAW/RAW 72/73 kg
Fuel Tank capacity 12 L

Suspension

Front suspension Telescopic Front Fork with Antifriction Bush Dia 37
Rear Suspension Nitrox Mono Shock Absorber with piggy back gas canister
Brakes - type
Front Petal Disc with floating caliper
Rear Petal Disc with floating caliper

Brake Size

Front Dia 280 mm Disc
Rear Dia 230 mm Disc
Tyres
Front 100/80 - 17, 52 P, Tubeless
Rear 130/70 - 17, 61 P, Tubeless

Rims

Front 10 spoke 2.5 x 17, Alloy
Rear 10 Spoke, 3.5 x 17, Alloy
Performance
Max Speed 136 Kmph
Acceleration
0-60 kmph 3.61 sec
0-100 kmph 9.83 sec
Braking performance
Braking Distance - Both brakes (60 - 0 Kmph) 16.33metres
Electricals
System DC Ignition
Battery 12V 8AH VRLA
Head Lamp HS1 35/35W
Tail/Stop Lamp 0.3/3 W, LED

New pulsar image

2012-01-30T04:56:00.000-08:00

New Bajaj Pulsar 2012 Image