TVS Akula 310 (Apache RTR 310) Spotted Testing in India

Good news for all TVS Akula 310 (Apache RTR 310) fans! TVS Motor has finally begun testing the much anticipated Akula 310. The test bike was spotted testing again in India. The company has confirmed that the two-wheeler manufacturer is very likely to launch the fully-faired Akula 310 as Apache RTR 300 in India later this year. When contacted, TVS officials refused to confirm any launch date, but according to the sources, the Akula 310 will be most certainly launched later this year.

The Akula 310 (Apache RTR 300) will be powered by a 313cc liquid-cooled, single cylinder engine jointly developed with BMW Motorrad. The same engine will also power the new BMW G310R, BMW Motorrad's smallest displacement motorcycle and one developed at the TVS Motor Company plant near Hosur in Tamil Nadu.

BMW Motorrad is expected to announce the launch of the G310R sometime in the second half of this year. The TVS Akula 310 (Apache RTR 300) is expected to be launched soon after. The BMW G310R's engine delivers 34bhp and develops 28Nm of peak torque, we believe the power figures will be altered for the production version of the Akula 310 (Apache RTR 300), owing to a slightly different state of engine tuning.

Unveiled as a concept at the Auto Expo 2016, the all-new TVS Akula 310 (Apache RTR 300) will be the first fully-faired motorcycle to be launched by the company. With the powerplant from the BMW G310R, the Akula has been indigenously designed and developed by TVS. What has also been promised by TVS is that the Akula 310 will be a near-track-focused motorcycle which will be something similar to what the KTM's RC series offered. So expect a taut chassis and sharp handling.

In the concept version, the bike's fairing, tank and other panels were crafted from carbon fiber with a very aggressive and sharp styling. Sadly the production version will miss out on the carbon fiber bits to keep costs competitive. That said, we believe there will be no compromise on quality and the bike is also likely to retain most of the aggressive styling cues of the concept version. Moreover, there will be some extensive usage of strong and light-weight aluminum bits as well, which translates into a lighter overall weight.

The concept version of the bike came with equipment like - USD forks, radial calipers, aluminum sub frame, stiff space frame chassis, cast alloy swing arm, digital console, and a steering damper for additional stability. Although, we cannot promise that you'll see all of these features in the production version as well but dual channel ABS could be a part of the feature list.

Read More: TVS Apache RTR 200 4V launched in India

Read More: 2016 TVS BMW G310R Spotted Testing Again in India [EXCLUSIVE]

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2017 KTM 390 Duke Spotted Testing in India

The Austrian company KTM, seems all set to showcase a redesigned version of the RC390 at the 2016 EICMA Motor Show in Milan this November, as according to a recent reports, the redesigned motorcycle was caught testing for the first time on Indian roads on the Mumbai-Pune highway just a few months after the news of the bike's presence at Bajaj Auto’s Chakan plant in Maharashtra created a buzz in the Indian motorcycle industry. The bike was earlier spotted undergoing road tests in Europe. The presence of the bike in India indicates that the launch of the same could happen anytime in the first half of next year. As far as pricing is concerned, due to addition of loads of new features, it is expected that the latest version could be priced at around Rs 10,000 to 15,000 more over the current 390 Duke.

From the picture of the heavily camouflaged 2017 390 Duke we can confirm that the upcoming motorcycle will adopt an all-new design language. Key highlights of the new design language indicate that the headlight unit has been redesigned with a much sharper and petite unit with a slit to separate the multibeam headlamp. The instrument cluster is now relocated and mounted directly on the handlebar instead of on the headlamp unit. The fuel tank also has been redesigned while the tank extensions are longer and overlap the USD forks. It is also rumoured that the switchgear has also been changed and it will feature an all-digital console based on the new 690 Duke’s unit. The frame of the bike has also been redesigned while the rear section is smaller in comparison to the existing model with integrated taillight unit which was seen in the test mule. Also instead of the underbelly exhaust, the 2017 KTM 390 Duke will feature a conventional exhaust muffler to comply with the new Euro 4 norms.

The 2017 390 Duke carries over a revised version of the current model’s 373.27 cc single-cylinder liquid-cooled engine which currently develops 32 kW (44 hp) and 35 Nm of torque. Modifications may bring increased power and torque and more control on their delivery thanks to incorporation of ride-by-wire technology. Reports say a few more mechanical changes, such as a second counter-balancer shaft for the engine, ECU update and cooling system improvements, are also on the cards.

Enjoy the video below!

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Royal Enfield Continental GT with a 750cc parallel twin engine spotted testing

India's favourite cruiser manufacturer, Royal Enfield, has been spotted testing a 750cc parallel twin engine bolted onto a modified Continental GT's chassis, in Spain. Moreover, if reports are to be believed, the engine could make it to production by the end of 2017. A few months ago, the same engine was also spotted on a Classic 500 that had been modified to carry the new engine.

As it is evident from the spy shots, the engine bolted to the chassis is substantially bigger than the single cylinder used by the current Continental GT. This calls for a few updates so that the chassis can accommodate a bigger engine and the added weight.

Other details which we were able to spot are in the above image is an oil-cooled radiator unit and a small oil filter at the base of the engine. Since it's a parallel twin motor, it features dual exhaust pipes, similar to the Triumph Bonneville Classic range. The motor is also said to be a carburetted one, forcing us to believe that it will make it to the Indian market first and then will it be exported to other countries, because using a fuel-injected engine is not mandatory in our country, courtesy lenient emission norms and that a motorcycle running carburettors will simply be non-conforming to Euro IV emission norms and therefore, won't be allowed to run on European roads.

There has been no word from Royal Enfield regarding the bike's launch or power figures. Though, if we were to guess the power figure, we would bet on a figure that lies in the ballpark of 40PS. Good enough to get any bike enthusiasts drooling, especially when the price is expected to be competitive. Why, you ask? Simply because it is Royal Enfield.

Siddhartha Lal, CEO Royal Enfield, stated, "Royal Enfield is the most profitable motorcycle company in the world in terms of percentages and we are thinking broader and thinking globally as we want to be the world leader in the middleweight sector."

India still remains the largest market for Royal Enfield, with over 4.5 lakh units sold domestically. With the likes of Triumph, Harley-Davidson et al, Royal Enfield is keen on stepping up its game and not simply resting on laurels. The bike has been developed at the Royal Enfield Technology Centre in Leicestershire, United Kingdom.

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Hero Splendor iSmart 110 Launched At Rs 53,300

Hero MotoCorp, India’s largest two-wheeler manufacturer, has introduced a new motorcycle in its successful Splendor series. Priced at Rs 53,300 (ex-showroom, New Delhi), the Splendor iSmart 110 is the latest addition to the company’s product portfolio. The new motorcycle is apparently the first product to be indigenously developed by Hero after its split with Honda. The Splendor iSmart 110 made its first public debut at the 2016 Auto Expo in February.

The Splendor iSmart 110 has been styled with an evolved design language along with fresh colour schemes. It features black alloy wheels, split rear grab rails and a semi-digital instrument cluster. The motorcycle is also equipped with Automatic Headlamp On (AHO) for better visibility/safety of the rider. Notably, the riders will not have the option of switching it off. 

As the name suggests, the motorcycle is powered by an 110cc air-cooled, single-cylinder TOD (torque on demand) engine that is capable of producing 9.4PS of power and 9Nm of peak torque. Power is transmitted to the rear wheel via a 4-speed transmission. 

Hero MotoCorp has equipped the motorcycle with its i3S (Idle Stop and Start System) technology that was first featured in the Splendor iSmart. The i3S technology is programmed to switch off the engine after the bike has idled in neutral for five seconds, after which the rider depresses the clutch lever to engage gear automatically and start the motorcycle, which in turn helps save fuel. The Splendor iSmart 110 comes with 130mm drum brakes at the front while the rear gets a 110mm unit.

In the current 110cc commuter segment of motorcycles, the Hero Splendor iSmart 110 will be seen competing against the rivals of the Honda Livo, Yamaha Saluto RX and the new TVS Victor.

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DSK Benelli TNT 600i ABS Launched in India

DSK-Benelli has officially launched the 2016 TNT 600i with switchable ABS in India priced at INR 5.73 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). The naked street-fighter first equipped with ABS first made its public appearance at the 2016 Auto Expo earlier this year and the upgrade comes in-line with the company's announcement. The ABS equipped version is priced at a INR 40,000 premium compared to the outgoing version and dealerships across the country are already accepting bookings for the model at a token amount of INR 40,000-50,000.

With the addition of ABS, DSK-Benelli will phase out the non-ABS version of the TNT 600i that is currently on sale. The most affordable four-cylinder motorcycle in the country, the Benelli TNT 600i uses a 600cc liquid-cooled engine equipped with fuel injection that churns out 85.07bhp of power at 11,500rpm and peak torque of 54.6Nm at 10,500rpm. The motor comes paired to a 6-speed gearbox.

For the 2016 model year, the Benelli TNT 600i ABS gets no visual changes. The street-fighter is built on a semi-Trellis tubular steel frame with a cast aluminum chassis at the rear. The Italian offering differentiates itself with extended tank shrouds at the sides, bulbous headlamp cluster and the under seat exhausts. Suspension duties are performed by inverted telescopic forks up front, while the rear gets a monoshock setup.

Talking about braking performance, the Benelli TNT 600i uses 320mm dual discs up front and a single 260mm single disc brake at the rear. With ABS now onboard, riders will find hard braking more confident, especially under emergency situations. Benelli had also showcased the ABS equipped TNT 600 GT at the expo this year and the tourer is expected to get the safety feature very soon.

DSK-Benelli made its foray into the Indian market a little over a year ago and is one of the fastest growing premium motorcycle brands in the country. At the 2016 Auto Expo this February, the company announced that it will be introducing four new products later this year, most awaited of which are the Tornado 300 full faired bike and the TRK 502 adventure tourer. The company operates out of 16 dealerships across India, which are expected to reach 20 by the end of the 2016 calendar year.

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2016 TVS BMW G310R Spotted Testing Again in India [EXCLUSIVE] [VIDEO]

Showcased at the 2016 Auto Expo in February this year, the BMW G310R was spotted testing yet again on Bangalore-Chennai highway near Hosur in South India, wearing a blue shade and without any camouflage. The model seen in the images is identical to the one displayed at the expo. Having made its global debut late last year, the G310R is one of the most awaited motorcycles in the quarter-litre segment and will be the first product to come from the much talked about TVS-BMW alliance.

The G310R isn't just BMW's access card to the volumes friendly quarter-litre segment globally but has helped TVS to improve its technological prowess. The street-fighter has been built with the engineering and R&D teams of the German auto giant, whereas the Indian manufacturer will be producing the bike and exporting it globally from its Hosur based facility. The Indo-German partnership is expected to spawn more products in the future under both brands. The bike spotted testing is the international variant and had sports both TVS and BMW Logos Together.

The BMW G310R uses a 313cc single-cylinder DOHC engine tuned for 34bhp at 9500rpm and 28Nm of torque at 7500rpm. The motor comes paired to a 6-speed gearbox. BMW has also suggested several innovations on the G310R that gets twisted cylinder head with a canted cylinder, making for a better air and fuel mixture, while the compression ratio is tuned to accept all kinds of fuel quality.

In terms of design, the triangular headlamp cluster continues to take an imposing stance on the bike, complimented with the bulbous fuel tank, additional side fenders, and the step-up single seat. The styling of the bike is based on the on the flagship S1000R street bike. The wide handlebars and centre-set footpegs result in a comfortable riding posture while a short wheelbase provides for easy maneuverability.

Some of the highlights of the TVS BMW G310R includes, 41mm thick USD (upside down) forks up front and a mono-shock unit at the rear, Michelin tyres hugging the 17 inch 5 spoke alloys, 300 mm front disc with 4-piston fixed caliper and 240 mm rear disc with 2-piston floating caliper, LED side indicators, center stand, 12V charging socket, while ABS will be offered as standard. Incidentally, the BMW G310R spotted on test did not have an ABS ring, hinting that the bike maker could introduce a non-ABS version as well of the motorcycle, in a bid to command a lower asking price.

According to the test rider of the bike, the BMW G310R weighs 158.5kg, has a top speed of around 160kmph, the mileage figure for the BMW motorcycle is between 25 to 28 kmpl (the figures though remain to be tested) and it has a fuel tank capacity of 11 liters. Production of the BMW G310R has commenced with the first lot of motorcycles being exported to international markets from next week onwards. Also, the Indian-spec BMW 310R will have few alterations but exact details on the same aren’t available as of now.

Pictures of the bike undergoing testing without camouflage signals the fact that the BMW G310R will be launched soon in our two-wheeler market. We expect that the bike will be launched in India during the festive season and it will be sold through official BMW Motorrad dealerships that are scheduled to start operations in Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai and Ahmedabad by end of 2016. Meanwhile, expect to see more of the G310R spy shots emerging online. The BMW G310R is expected to be priced around Rs 2.5 lakh ex-showroom and will rival the likes of the KTM Duke 390, Mahindra Mojo 300, Benelli TNT 300 among others.

Watch the Video below!

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Image and Video Courtesy: Navin Kumar

Bajaj Pulsar CS400 Launching Soon

Bajaj Pulsar CS400 Concept

Breaking: Bajaj Auto has confirmed that it will be launching the two new motorcycles later this year in the country with one of them being the much awaited Pulsar CS 400. Speaking about its new product launch programme, Bajaj Auto President (Business Development & Assurance), S Ravikumar said, "We are planning to launch an upgrade for the Platina and a totally new Pulsar at the top-end in the next quarter."

While Ravikumar wasn't open about the name of the new Pulsar being launched, the CS 400 is our best guess and the bike maker's big ticket to the performance two-wheeler space. The updates are expected to be mediocre to the Platina, it's the launch of the Pulsar CS 400 that fans have been eagerly waiting for. The Pulsar CS400 (Cruiser Sport) was first showcased at the 2014 Auto Expo in Delhi as a concept and has been caught testing multiple times in the recent weeks.

The heavily camouflaged test mule reveals little in terms of aesthetic changes but the bodywork, LED tail lights and headlamp cluster indicate that the changes will be minimal compared to the concept. The spy shots also reveal a midship exhaust unit along with  illuminated switch-gear and twin instrument console (one located conventionally on the handlebar, while the other digital display unit was located on the fuel tank, similar to the Ducati Diavel).

Showcased for the first time at the Auto Expo 2014, the Pulsar CS400 could be Bajaj's next big Pulsar launch. When launched the Bajaj Pulsar CS400 will be the most powerful and the most expensive Pulsar to be sold. The Bajaj CS400 is a street fighter similar in many aspects to its smaller sibling- the 200NS.

The motorcycle is expected to be powered by the KTM Duke 390’s engine. The motor in question, a single-cylinder, liquid-cooled, fuel-injected 373 cc unit develops 43.5 PS at 9,000 rpm and 35 Nm of torque at 7,000 rpm, and is paired to a 6-speed gearbox.

Similar to the KTM, the Bajaj Pulsar CS400 could come equipped with features like ABS, a slipper clutch, a fully digital instrument cluster, LED taillights, alloy or aluminum footpegs and (projector \ optional) LED headlight with an option of an always-on headlight feature. Talking about the price tag, honestly, not much is known about the superbike for now, but we estimate the superbike to cost around INR 2 Lakh.

That's all we know about the Bajaj CS400 for now so stay tuned for more updates!

Triumph Thruxton R Launched in India

Triumph Motorcycles today launched the new, 2016 Thruxton R café racer in India priced at Rs 10.9 lakh (ex-showroom). Currently, the flagship model in the British motorcycle marque's Bonneville range, Triumph Thruxton R comes with a whole new style package and a more powerful engine as well, which, the company says, makes it the ultimate café racer. We rode it in Portugal a couple of months back and were truly impressed with the bike's performance. With this launch, the 2016 Bonneville range is finally complete in India, which already includes the new Street Twin and the Bonneville T120. In fact actress and bike enthusiast, Gul Panag was also at the event to receive her new Triumph Bonneville T120.

Now there is a standard Thruxton as well in Triumph's new global line-up, but Triumph India decided to bring the more feature rich Thruxton 1200 R, which gets some hi-spec equipment as well. It packs a new 1200cc parallel-twin engine that belts out 96bhp at 6750rpm and a very meaty peak torque of 112Nm at 4950rpm. Transmission duties are handled by a six-speed gearbox. Now it is the same engine the powers the new Bonneville T120, but what's different about this particular motor is that it comes with a "low inertia" crank, which allows the same 1200cc engine rev more freely, so you can easily reach redline while accelerating through the gears.

In terms of looks, there are no prominent design changes, but the bike has become a bit beefy and as we said earlier the bike does come with new, better styling. The suspensions have been painted gold in color that acts as a contrasting effect to the bike's retro color schemes. Moreover, you also get an all-new headlight design with DRL, LED taillight, 3D dual clocks on the instrument panel and a neat silver paint job.

The equipment list is also impressive as the bike comes with a number of modern features like - ride-by-wire with three different riding modes - rain, road and sport - switchable ABS, switchable traction control, torque assist clutch, and liquid cooling. The braking duties are handled by twin floating Brembo disc with monobloc calipers at the front and a single disc at the rear. As for the suspension setup, the bike comes with fully-adjustable Showa big piston forks at the front and fully-adjustable Ohlins twin shocks for the rear. Source

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New Triumph Street Triple 765 Spotted Testing

Triumph has recently updated the Bonneville range and the Thruxton in its modern classic series. Now, from the recently spied images, Triumph is gearing to equip the 2017 edition of the Street Triple with a more powerful engine. Apart for the new powerplant, the spied motorcycle has received few minor updates. The company had conducted an online survey around a year ago in which it concluded that the next version of the Street Triple will feature a more powerful engine and be offered in different variants.

The 2017 model is likely to be called the Street Triple 765 for the added 90cc capacity to the existing model. Looking at the image, the engine gets different clutch and engine covers confirming the change to be extensive. Other parts like the bolt patterns and the change in the overall engine block design means it is not the same engine with an enlarged bore. 

Apart from the engine, other noticeable changes are a slightly redesigned seat and new grab rails. The rear view mirrors are now located at the bar ends instead of the conventional position. One of the prominent changes that can be observed is the new swingarm design.

The test mule spotted had the exhaust canister located underneath the motorcycle in spite of the new emission and noise regulations. The exhaust unit will have the catalytic converter and the silencer besides each other. The production vehicle will come with the stubby exhaust end-section that finishes just behind the foot-pegs.

As mentioned above, the motorcycle will be introduced in 4 different variants. While the base model will get Nissin axial brakes and Kayaba suspension components, the 'R' model will receive radial Nissin braking components and Showa forks. Moving to the 'RT' model, the bike will get the same setup as the 'R' version but will be more inclined to a touring arrangement with an option for a half-fairing. The top of the line 'RS' variant will come with Öhlins suspension and Brembo brake calipers.

Although the Indian version of the Street Triple is detuned compared to the international variant, the new engine of the Street Triple 765 will be available in three different tunes. The Triumph Street Triple is likely to hit showrooms by mid-2017 in the international market followed by its launch in India by the end of the year. Source

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2016 Honda Activa-i With New Colours Launched in India

Introducing its seventh model for the 2016 calendar year, Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI) has launched the updated Activa-i in India with prices starting at INR 46,596 (ex-showroom, Delhi). The updated scooter gets three new color options including Pearl, Trance Yellow and Candy Jazzy Blue on the standard variant, whereas the Deluxe version is now available in Imperial Metallic Red. There are new decals as well while the scooter does not get a price hike.

Cosmetically and mechanically, the Honda Activa-i gets no changes. The existing three colors - Pearl Amazing White, Orchid Purple Metallic and Black continue to be on sale alongside the new ones. Power comes from the same 110cc single-cylinder, air-cooled, HET (Honda Eco Technology) engine that is tuned to produce 8bhp of power at 7500rpm and 8.74Nm of peak torque at 5500rpm. The motor is paired to a V-Matic transmission. The scooter is equipped with Honda Eco Technology (HET) for improved fuel efficiency.

Speaking on the dispatch of the 2016 Honda Activa-i scooters, Yadvinder Singh Guleria, Senior Vice President - Sales and Marketing, HMSI said, "In line with our strategy to surprise our customers by adding freshness to our products regularly, the 2016 Activa-i is Honda's seventh new model of 2016. With this, we are confident of driving rapid scooterization of two-wheeler industry."

With the exception of the recently launched Navi, the Honda Activa-i is the smallest two-wheeler you can pick from the Japanese manufacturer and is targeted at young riders, quite opposite to bulkier full-sized Activa 3G. The entry-level scooter segment is full of options including the TVS Scooty Zest, Hero Pleasure, Suzuki Let's, among others and the minor update will help Honda keep its products relevant amidst competition.

HMSI has had an interesting year as it has rolled out updates for its existing products. That said,the Navi certainly stole the show with its innovative design and also holds the credit for being completely created by the company's Indian R&D division. The remainder of the year will see the bike maker roll out updates for more of its products while a handful of new launches are also planned. Source

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Indian Motorcycles Launches the Scout Sixty in India

The Scout Sixty has been in coming for quite some time now and Indian Motorcycles has finally launched it in India at a price of INR 11.99 lakh (Ex-showroom, Delhi). The Scout Sixty will be available in three colours of Thunder Black, Red and Pearl White. Deliveries will begin in July, 2016. The Scout Sixty is now the most affordable Indian you can buy.

It is positioned just below the Scout. True to the craftsmanship, reliability and legendary agility of the Indian Scout, the all-new Indian Scout Sixty shares almost everything with its elder sibling - the identical chassis, suspension, brakes and core engine, barring the new 60 cubic inch engine. It gets a 999cc V-Twin engine that pumps out 76bhp of power and 88.8Nm of torque at 5,800rpm. The engine comes mated to a silky smooth, easy-to- shift 5-speed transmission.

Pankaj Dubey, Managing Director, Polaris India Pvt. Ltd said, "The legendary heritage of the Indian Scout is carried forward in the All-New 2016 Indian Scout Sixty. Expertly balanced and lightweight, the bike has won the hearts of bike enthusiasts around the globe. I am quite sure that the introduction of the All-New 2016 Indian Scout Sixty in the Indian market will help us grow in terms of volumes in the fast-growing luxury commuter category."

On the other hand, Steve Menneto, President of Motorcycles for Polaris Industries, said "The Indian Scout has been a stunningly successful introduction for us, with balance, performance and maneuverability that appeals to a broad swath of riders here in America and around the globe,"

Not shy on performance, the all-new Indian Scout Sixty features a black seat, matching black frame and wheels, a seat height of 25.3 inches allows for sure-footed comfort at stops, and the low centre of gravity ensures agile cornering, precise balance and overall rider confidence and control.

What is interesting is the fact that Indian will be offering more than 200 accessories to choose from for your Scout Sixty. Customers can choose from a variety of seats, handlebars, foot peg relocators to allow the motorcycle to be tailored to fit each rider, saddlebags, wire wheels and quick-release windscreens give owners virtually unlimited freedom to customize their rides.

At INR 12.87 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), The Indian Scout is approximately INR 88,000 more expensive than the Scout Sixty. What you miss out is on a bigger 1,1131cc engine that produces 99bhp and 97.7Nm. Rest everything remains the same, including the brakes, chassis and the suspension. Source

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MV Agusta Diablo Brutale Unveiled

If you have been a fan of the Brutale 800 by MV Agusta then this one-off Diablo Brutale is bound to make your jaws drop even more. Based on a special project to celebrate 'Made in Italy', the Diablo Brutale has been put together by Italian motorcycle manufacturer MV Agusta in a joint partnership with tire manufacturer Pirelli.

As mentioned above this single unit pays tribute to the design, craftsmanship, sportiness and high technology of the latest supersport tire, the Diablo series from Pirelli. Both the companies have been working synchronically from a long time. MV Agusta from 2011 has been using only Pirelli tires for all the motorcycles it manufactures.

The new Brutale 800 is a continuation of the first model that dates back to 2011. The Brutale is viewed by many enthusiasts as an ageless design from the Italian stable that continues to amaze even when compared to other modern motorcycles. Similarly, the Diablo Rosso III is the latest supersport tire in the Diablo series by Pirelli. The tire brings racetrack technology to the streets offering a higher level of grip and long-lasting performance.

Coming to the Diablo Brutale, the motorcycle comes doped in matt black-finished paint that acts a background for the luminous red accents referring to the tire logo. The 'thunder' groove thread pattern is the tire's trademark and has been depicted on the tank, front fender and on both sides of the tail. The Pirelli brand logo and the 'D' of the Diablo take its place on the tank on the motorcycle beside the MV Agusta emblem. The side walls of the Pirelli Diablo Rosso III on the motorcycle also receive special customization treatment with red color graphic work. Source

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New Triumph Scrambler Spotted Testing

The latest Triumph prototype motorcycle has been spotted testing on the road and spy shots of the motorcycle reveal Triumph's new Scrambler - based on the Street Twin. Triumph's outgoing Scrambler lacks ABS as well as Euro IV emissions certification, so it's only logical that the British motorcycle manufacturer updates the model.

The new Triumph Scrambler is based on the 900cc Street Twin (the entry-level Bonneville) and the prototype revealed in the pictures is nowhere near the finished motorcycle, but give an idea about how the new Scrambler will look like. The engine, chassis and most of the bodywork come from the Street Twin, but there's a trademark 'Scrambler' high exhaust, wire wheels and dual sport on-road, off-road tires. The Street Twin uses alloy wheels and street-oriented tires as well as upswept exhausts.

Triumph already offers a Scrambler Inspiration Kit for the Street Twin, but it's quite different to the parts seen on the prototype. For example, the Vance & Hines exhaust offered on the Scrambler Inspiration Kit is also a high exhaust, but offers just a single silencer and no catalytic converter. The Scrambler version being tested has a clearly-visible catalytic converter and twin end cans to meet road noise limits.

Credit: Visordown

The engine is the same 900cc liquid-cooled, parallel-twin used on the Street Twin, so it makes around 55bhp and a maximum torque of 80Nm at just 3230rpm. Power is lower than the current Scrambler but the new engine makes more torque and is spread out over the rev range, giving it a lot of punch across the usable rev range. So far, there's been no word on a possible launch date, but we expect the Scrambler to be unveiled later this year.

Triumph has already launched the new Street Twin and Bonneville T120 in India. The café racer in the new Bonneville series, the Thruxton R will be launched in about a month or so. Currently, Triumph doesn't offer the Scrambler in India, so we aren't sure whether the new Scrambler will be made available in India. Source

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Indian Chieftain Dark Horse Unveiled

Indian Motorcycles expanded its product portfolio by launching the new Chieftain Dark Horse. The new motorcycle is a combination of the Chieftain bagger and the blackened out Chief Dark Horse custom. The motorcycle looks similar to the Chieftain but the bling chrome parts have been replaced with a stealth black finish giving it a mean looking stance. The underpinnings have remained unchanged, though.

Powering the new Chieftain Dark Horse is the acclaimed Thunder Stroke 111 V-twin power plant, cranking out 102.4lbft of torque at just 2,600rpm. The power figures haven’t been officially announced but according to reports, it’s around 96PS. The motor has been mated to a 6-speed transmission. The cast aluminum has been carried forward but now gets a satin black finish instead of buffed or chrome finish as seen on the new Chieftain. Having said that, the grips, floorboards, fenders and panniers have a dollop of chrome on them.

Also, the motorcycle is a single seater which means there’s lot of space at the back for panniers. The Indian Chieftain Dark Horse comes loaded with goodies like sound system with Bluetooth connectivity, cruise control, tyre pressure monitoring system, keyless ignition, electronically adjustable windscreen and many more. Braking is done by disc brakes on both the wheels while ABS is standard. The bike tips the scale at 364kg.

The Indian Chieftain Dark Horse has been priced at Rs 19.6 lakh in the UK market which makes it almost Rs 1.6 lakh cheaper than the standard Chieftain. We can expect the new Indian Chieftain Dark Horse to be launched in India by the end of 2016 with a sticker price of around Rs 32 lakh ex-showroom. Source

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Harley-Davidson Roadster Motorcycle Unveiled

Harley-Davidson expanded their Dark Custom portfolio by introducing the new Roadster cruiser motorcycle. The styling of the Harley-Davidson looks like a mash up of the new Sportster 1200 and the Forty-Eight which isn’t a bad thing as both are good looking motorcycles. According to Harley designers the new bikes design language has been based on different customisation that its clientele had done on the Sportster range of bikes. The standout design elements on the new Harley-Davidson Roadster include dual exhaust pipes, drag-style handlebar, stubby mudguards and the “walnut” gas tank. Another interesting visual element are the interlacing spoke cast aluminium wheels that look smashing and have been specifically developed for the new Roadster.

They run on 120/70 R19 on front and 150/70 R18 section tyres. The rake angle has been set at 28.9 and the American bikemaker claims a lean angle of 30.8 degrees on right, and 31.1 degrees on left hand side. Seat height is relatively low at 785mm. Another noticeable addition are the 43mm dia USD front forks which according to Harley-Davidson offer more suspension travel than any other bike in the Sportster range at 4.5 inches. The rear twin-shock unit offers 3.2 inches of travel.

Powering the bike is the 1,200cc Evolution V-twin motor as seen on the Harley-Davidson Forty-Eight. Harley hasn’t divulged power figures but rather has focused its attention on the 103Nm of peak torque made available at 3,750rpm. Braking hardware is also better as it gets equipped with twin 300mm front discs while ABS is standard fitment. The semi-digital instrument console has also been updated with a larger digital panel compared to its siblings. 

The Harley-Davidson Roadster will be offered in four colour options - Vivid Black, Black Denim, Velocity Red Sunglo and two-tone Billet Silver/Vivid Black. The new cruiser motorcycle has been priced between aproximately INR 9.6 lakh to 10.1 lakh in the UK market. We can expect the Harley-Davidson Roadster to go on sale in India by second half of 2016 with a price tag of around Rs 10 lakh ex-showroom. Source

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Yamaha MT-07 Tenere Spotted Testing

The MT-07 Ténéré (pronounced Ten-a-ray) is going to be Yamaha's latest product in the middleweight adventure segment. The bike was recently spotted testing somewhere in Europe. The bike, as the name suggests, is based on Yamaha's 'MT' platform and borrows the technical bits from its naked roadster, the MT-07. The Ténéré series is Yamaha's answer to Triumph's Tiger series. These bikes are purpose built for adventure touring on both on and off roads.

The bike seems to be loaded with all the requisite 'adventure' bits like inverted long travel suspension, dual discs, rear monoshock, upright riding position and the likes. The exhaust is placed high so that wading through water won't be a problem. The spoke wheels and tyres are also look like they're designed for off-road use. Expect a fairly large fuel tank hidden underneath that quarter-fairing. The parallel twin, 680-odd cc engine might also be tweaked for bottom-end torque for those much-need shove when off-roading. It is protected by a bash plate as well. The frame also looks like it's 'Pannier- ready'.

Spy Shot

There's no official announcement about the launch date, although even if it is launched, it'll only be for the international markets. Looks like Yamaha has been playing it safe and is content with their sport and naked offerings. Lets hope Yamaha ditches their 'top-down' approach and comes up with an adventure version of the MT-03. After all, our Indian 'roads' don't need litre class behemoths. A nice, punchy sub 500cc adventure would be perfect for this country. I'm sure many will agree on this. If rumour mills are to be believed, KTM may probably come up with one, before Yamaha. Source

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Bajaj Pulsar RS400 launch in Diwali

According to the folks at ZigWheels the Bajaj Pulsar RS400 will be launched by Diwali this year. The above piece of information has been shared to them by company officials. The Bajaj Pulsar RS400 will be the second offering from the Bajaj family to employ the new 375cc power plant as the Bajaj CS400 sports cruiser will be the first bike to debut the new engine. In terms of styling, the new Bajaj Pulsar RS400 will remain similar to its 200cc sibling but with different colour and graphic options to distinguish both the motorcycles similar to the KTM RC390 and RC200.

The main highlight of the new bike will be its engine. The 375cc single-cylinder, liquid-cooled motor will be borrowed from the KTM RC390 but will be tuned to suit the dynamics of the new motorcycle. Also, we can expect Bajaj engineers to employ triple spark on the new motor to give it that Bajaj Auto character. Expect the engine on the Bajaj Pulsar RS400 to produce around 41PS of peak power and maximum torque rating being in excess of 30Nm. The powerplant will be mated to a 6-speed transmission and it will be interesting to see whether Bajaj endows their flagship offering with a slipper clutch or not.

The perimeter frame is likely to be carried forward and should endow the new motorcycle with good handling dynamics similar to its 200cc sibling. We also suspect that Bajaj will stick with MRF tyres to keep the cost of the bike as low as possible. The frame will be suspended on telescopic front forks and a mono-shock unit at the back. Braking will be done by disc brakes on both the ends. Currently ,the Bajaj Pulsar RS200 gets a single-channel ABS system as an optional extra but whether the Bajaj Pulsar RS400 will be offered with a dual channel ABS system remains questionable.

Bajaj has always been very aggressive about pricing and we can expect the same with the new Bajaj Pulsar RS400. Part sharing with other motorcycles in its product portfolio will also play a crucial role. All said and done we can expect the Bajaj Pulsar RS400 to be priced around Rs 1.6 lakh ex-showroom Delhi for the base variant.

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2016 TVS Scooty Pep Plus Launched in India

TVS Motors has launched the 2016 edition of its popular Scooty Pep Plus at INR 42,153 (ex-showroom, Mumbai) with new colour schemes and graphics. The fresh colour options have been spread across four series namely - Ecosmart Series (Nero Silver, Nero Blue), Starlet Series (Frosted Black, Dazzling Blue, Vivacious Purple, Sassy Pink, Gorgeous Grey), White N Whacky Series (Perky Pink, Passion Purple, Blush Red) and Babelicious Series (Princess Pink).

The Scooty Pep plus features the same mechanical components. As for other general specifications, the new Scooty Pep Plus comes with a kerb weight of 95kg and has the same wheelbase of 1230mm along with a ground clearance of 135mm. The scooter gets 110mm drum brakes both at the front and the rear.

The updated edition of the Scooty Pep plus is powered by the 87.8cc air-cooled single cylinder, Ecothrust petrol engine that develops 5PS of power and 5.8Nm of peak torque. The engine has been updated with a multicurve ignition system, throttle force reduction system for improved pickup. Power is transmitted to the rear wheels via a CVT gearbox. Also, the scooter now comes in two riding modes - Economy mode (achieves better fuel efficiency) and Power mode (better pick-up and higher top-speed). The fuel tank capacity of the scooter is 5 litres and is claimed by the company to returning a mileage of 65kmpl.

Along with the standard warranty of one year for the Scooty Pep Plus, TVS is also offering an extended warranty of five years on the scooter. The manufacturer is also offering a 60 minute Express Service for the scooter across selected authorised outlets. Source

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