Indian Motorycle reviews , more !

HERO MAESTRO SCOOTER REVIEW

2012-05-13T10:08:00.003-07:00

Hero Maestro review, test ride

We take Hero MotoCorp’s “male” scooter – the Hero Maestro for a quick spin around the city.

May 11, 2012

DETAILS

Make Hero MotoCorp
Model Maestro
Edition 2012

The scooter segment in India is witnessing a noticeable transition. Manufacturers are now competing to give individuality to these utilitarian rides. Basic convenience of twist-and-go riding and storage space for daily needs is being complemented with sharper styling and more features as Honda’s recent Dio, Suzuki’s new Swish 125 and Piaggio’s Vespa LX 125 have shown. Once again the industry leader Hero MotoCorp has defined its scooter by the sex of the rider; after the Pleasure, Hero’s new Maestro is trying to tempt the males.

The Hero Maestro appears as a sober looking scooter sporting conservative creases on its front apron and vast side panels. The front mudguard is well rounded while the front apron cleanly houses the clear lens indicators. The handlebar shroud features a bold headlamp and the rear view mirrors with two-tone casing lends the front profile a bit of style. The wide instrument panel is easy on eyes as it houses three pods – one each for analogue speedometer, a backlit LCD information screen and the regular warning lights. On the handlebar section, the palm grips are impressive. Quality of switches and brake levers feel good too. However, the rear brake has a locking clamp which is inconvenient to operate. Maestro is equipped with a shuttered ignition key slot for safety. The setup includes a manual latch which can be pushed to lock the key access even in the absence of the key. This means that even if you forget to close the safety shutter after parking your scooter and you are not carrying the keys, you can still push the latch (which has a one-way movement) to shut the key access manually.

Sit on the scooter and you would instantly realize what the company means by positioning it as the scooter for males. The flat floorboard is big in size which along with the bag-hook placed below the seat can be used to transport small goods. There is enormous amount of legroom which can easily accommodate taller riders. The glove box does not come as a standard option with the scooter; the Maestro gets the voluminous scooter-typical underseat bay. The vast side panels sport a boldly written ‘Maestro’ and lead to the tail section of the scooter which includes the brake light cluster and stylish rear grabs.

The scooter is powered by a four-stroke, single-cylinder, 109cc engine which generates smooth, vibe-free power. It quickly pulls from the stationery state with refinement and it churns out 8.09bhp at 7500rpm and a peak torque of 0.92kgm at 5500rpm. The transmission is the scooter favoured CVT.

The Maestro deploys dual linked shock absorbers in front and a single shock absorber at the rear. The scooter uses a steel fabricated underbone type chassis with the engine as the stressed member. The ride quality is comfortable with the suspension effectively doing their job. Also, the seat provides soft padding to the rider and the pillion against the road undulations. Braking is via 130mm drum brakes which use Honda’s combi-brake system (CBS).

The Hero Maestro comes at a price of Rs 44,000 (ex-showroom, Delhi) and is now available in six colour options – blue, green, red, white, black and silver.

Fact File

Price Range (in lakhs)*

Ex-showroom price

Rs 44,000 (ex-showroom, Delhi)

Engine

Fuel	Petrol
Installation	Single-Cylinder 109cc
Power	8.2bhp at 7500rpm
Torque	0.92kgm at 7500rpm
Power to weight	74.5bhp per tonne

Transmission

Type

Variomatic

Chassis & Body

Wheels	Pressed steel
Tyres 90/100 x 10 F/R

Hero Honda Pleasure Review

2012-05-13T10:05:00.001-07:00

This is the first time I am doing a review and road test of a Scooter, and I hope to do more soon. HeroHonda Pleasure is the first scooter launched by Hero Honda in competition to the Scooty Pep and Honda Activa. The price of this two wheeler is around Rs.36.5k (ex-showroom) in Delhi. The high pricing is because of the 100cc engine and the bike positions itself in the premium scooter segment.

Looks: I would boldly say that this scooter is the best looking one in India so far. Of course, many would argue that no one can beat Scooty Pep in the looks, but haven’t you got bored by it. I can see a Pep in every street in every city! Hero Honda Pleasure is designed in such a way that it is a perfect blend of a cute and yet a high capacity powerful scooter. It does not look fat like Activa or Suzuki Access and it does not look tiny either.

The only area which I wish to edit a little is the rear handle for the grips, looks a little too big I guess. The bike comes in nine colours, perhaps the only two wheeler in Hero Honda’s stables with so many colour options. You can have a look at the colour variantshere.

Performance: Hero Honda has rightly named the bike. It is actually a Pleasure to ride this bike. The engine is so smooth and silent that I can hardly believe it is on after a few minutes of driving. Definitely sounds better than the engine of Pep. The throttle response is not the best in class. While scooters like Honda Dio immediately respond to the twist in the accelerator, Pleasure takes a 1-2 second gap to respond in acceleration. The pickup and stability are quite good. The dashboard is neatly laid out. The speedometer indicates a green area between 30kmph and 50kmph which indicates minimum fuel consumption.

Features: Hero Honda Pleasure has a puncture resistant tuff up tube, which risists sharp objects through a ceramic layer which is placed on top of the air component in the tube. There is a nice compartment below the seat which is comfortable enough to hold a helmet. Though it does not feature an internal light like the Pep, it is still good.

You get a nice glove box in the front which helps in holding small shopping items and books or notes. A glove box is actually meant to keep gloves, but through time the word has come up for general utility box! You also get a hook for suspending shopping bags which will be situated behind your legs below the seat.

Conclusion: I would have bought this bike if I was a girl. It is a real Pleasure to own one. Even though TVS, Honda and Suzuki has competing models, I would recommend Hero Honda, the company which holds more than 60% market share in India and known for reliability and good customer service through the ages. The bike has a 2 year warranty (for upto 24,000kms) and six free services.

Hero Honda Pleasure Specifications:

Engine: 102cc, 4 Stroke, Air Cooled OHC
Maximum Power: 7.10ps@7000rpm
Maximum Torque: 7.85nm@5000rpm
Weight: 104.00 kg
Ground Clearance: 125.00 mm
Fuel Tank: 10.00 ltrs
Wheelbase: 1240.00 mm
Brakes: 130mm Drum brakes for both

More Cool Stuff:

Hero Honda Passion Plus Review

2012-05-13T10:03:00.002-07:00

Alright, review time again. This time it is the Hero Honda Passion Plus. Even though I am not a fan of 100cc bikes, I have a special attachment towards Passion, because it was the bike which I decided to buy before I owned the Karizma. Hero Honda’s engineers have really worked well on the design. The bike looks beautiful from every angle. Passion Plus is designed with three things in mind… looks, looks, looks. The sticker design has been changing as the years pass by, but the basic design remains the same.

Hero Honda claims the Passion Plus to be a ‘Whole new world of style.’ And they are not kidding. When you look at the various colors that the bike has, you will understand that they are serious about it. Gone are the times where you buy a black, red or blue colored bike. Passion comes in six variants of multicolor designs. I feel that the best is ‘black and sport red‘, which has a black doom with red stickers and red tail with black stickers. That’s the color which they use for the TV commercial and the fastest selling variant. If you want to see more variants, visit the official website and click Colors.

The Passion has the same engine as that of the other 100cc counter parts from Hero Honda. There is nothing much to talk about the performace because its just a new wine in an old bottle. When I drove the bike, I felt just like when I tried Splendor NXG, except for the fact that I was driving a better looking bike. The tank is little bigger and better suited for people who feel Splendor is small for them. The dash board features the speedometer with a yellow backdrop as seen in the new Karizma R.

Some of the highlights that I cannot miss to mention are… the all black engine, alloy wheels and body colored hand grips. The black engine nicely merges with the overall look of the bike. I wonder why so many bikes still have the aluminum shaded engine. The bike costs Rs.49,000 on road. You can save Rs.3000 if you do not want the allow wheels, but I do not recommend spoke wheels because it will spoil the beauty of the bike.

If you are a student, never even think of buying Splendor, which is for aged people, he he! If you want a bike from one of the largest two-wheeler manufacturers from the world, if you do not want to spend too much and yet have cool looks, if you want great mileage so that you need not keep asking your dad for filling the tank every week (like I do)… then what are you waiting for? Passion Plus is your choice!

Passion Plus Specifications:

Displacement: 97.2cc
Maximum Power: 7.50ps@8000rpm
Maximum Torque: 7.95nm@5000rpm
Gears: 4 Speed
Clutch: 159
Weight: 116.00 kg
Ground Clearance: 159.00 mm
Fuel Tank: 12.80 ltrs
Wheelbase: 1235.00 mm
Length: 1980.00 mm
Width: 720.00 mm
Height: 1060.00 mm

Additional Resources:

Hero Honda Passion Pro Review

2012-05-13T10:01:00.002-07:00

I'am the proud owner of the GLEAMING Black Passion pro . ! This is the best bike if you want to have style with performance .! Not only this , this bike has been rewarded for being one of the most FUEL EFFECIENT bike . YOU should go for it as it will flaunt your style and Passion pro means STYLE STYLE AND STYLE with performance . !

Here are the specifications :-

Hero Honda Passion Pro Specifications

Overviews

Engine Type : Single cylinder
Displacement : 97.2 cc
Compression Ratio : N/A
Maximum Power : 7.37 HP (5.4 kW)) @ 8000 rpm
Maximum Torque : 7.95 Nm (0.8 kgf-m or 5.9 ft.lbs)
Cylinder Bore : 50 mm
Stoke : 49.5 mm
Ignition : DC-Digital CDI with TCIS- Throttle Controlled Ignition System
Starting : DC-Digital CDI with TCIS- Throttle Controlled Ignition System
Wheel Base : 1235 mm
Tyre Size : 2.75 x 18 - 4 PR / 42P 3.00 x 18 - 6 PR / 52P
Wheel Type : 18 x 1.60 -Spoke Wheel & AlloyWheel
Efficiency

Fuel Efficiency : 69 kmpl
Fuel Capacity : 7.5L
Fuel Reserve : 2 L
Fuel Type : Petrol
Charging Duration : N/A

Dimensions

Length : 1980
Height : 725
Width : 1075
Ground Clearance : 165
Saddle Height : N/A
Curb Weight : 116(kick) 119(self)
Total Weight : N/A
Weight Carrying Capacity : N/A
Chassis : N/A
Safety

Brakes : Front Drum - InterN/Al expanding shoe type-130mm Disc - 240mm Dia Disc Rear - InterN/Al expanding shoe type-130mm
Suspension : Telescopic Hydraulic Shock Absorbers Swing Arm with 5stepAdjustable hydrolic shock absorber

Drive Train

Clutch : Multiplate Wet
Gear Box : 4 Speed constant mesh

HERO HONDA SPLENDOR PLUS REVIEW

2012-05-13T09:52:00.002-07:00

Hero Honda Splendor Plus Specifications

Overviews

Engine Type : 4Speed
Displacement : 4Stroke SingleCylinder AirCooled OHC
Compression Ratio : 97.2 cc
Maximum Power : 8.8:1
Maximum Torque : 7.5@8000 BHP@RPM
Cylinder Bore : 7.2@5000 Nm@rpm
Stoke : 50 mm
Ignition : 49.5 mm
Starting : Electronic
Wheel Base : KickStart
Tyre Size : 1230 mm
Wheel Type : Front 2.75 X 18 - 4 PR / 42P Rear 2.75 X 18 - 6 PR / 48P
Efficiency

Fuel Efficiency : N/A
Fuel Capacity : N/A
Fuel Reserve : 75 kmpl
Fuel Type : 10.5 litre
Charging Duration : 1.4 litre

Dimensions

Length : N/A
Height : 1980 mm
Width : 1045 mm
Ground Clearance : 720 mm
Saddle Height : 159 mm
Curb Weight : N/A
Total Weight : 109 kg
Weight Carrying Capacity : N/A
Chassis : N/A
Safety

Brakes : N/A
Suspension : Front Internal Expanding shoe type 130mm Rear Internal Expanding shoe type 130mm

Drive Train

Clutch : N/A
Gear Box :N/A

Hero Honda Splendor Pro

2012-05-13T09:50:00.001-07:00

Hero Honda Splendor Specifications

Overviews

Engine Type : 4 stroke Air-cooledSingle cylinder OHC
Displacement : 97.2 cc
Compression Ratio : 8.8:1
Maximum Power : 7.37 HP (5.4 kW)) @ 8000 RPM
Maximum Torque : 7.95 Nm (0.8 kgf-m or 5.9 ft.lbs) @ 5000 RPM
Cylinder Bore : N/A
Stoke : N/A
Ignition : Electronic
Starting : N/A
Wheel Base : 1230 mm
Tyre Size : 2.75 x 18-4PR
Wheel Type : N/A
Efficiency

Fuel Efficiency : N/A
Fuel Capacity : 11 litres
Fuel Reserve : 1.4 litres
Fuel Type : N/A
Charging Duration : N/A

Dimensions

Length : 1950 mm
Height : 1040 mm
Width : 720 mm
Ground Clearance : N/A
Saddle Height : N/A
Curb Weight : N/A
Total Weight : N/A
Weight Carrying Capacity : N/A
Chassis : N/A
Safety

Brakes : Front Brakes Drum type Rear Brakes Drum type
Suspension : Telescopic hydraulic fork

Drive Train

Clutch : N/A
Gear Box : 4-speed constant mesh

Hero Honda Splendor NXG Review

2012-05-13T09:46:00.002-07:00

Hero Honda Splendor NXG Review

I did test drive the Splendor NXG. Did you know Hero Honda named it as NXG implying it is for the next generation? This deluxe segment bike comes priced at 42k approximately for the alloy wheels version and has so many similarities to the old Splendor, although, it is a little lighter than its older brother. Ever since its launch Splendor NXG is giving its competitor Platina from the Bajaj a chase for its money. However, TVS Star City is the one that Hero Honda would be looking at seriously and gearing its arsenal to beat the competition in this segment.

Splendor is a bike designed to give fuel economy, reliability as well as low cost for maintenance. Well, the Splendor NXG is expected to leverage the strengths of the largest selling bike brand carry forward the same with advantages. I can say that Splendor NXG is an overhauled version of the Splendor to make it more youth appealing as regards to looks and style.

Splendor comes in about 5 colors and varying stripe combinations. Styling though looked a little better. The wheels are 5-spoked aluminium alloy type, which of course come as optional. The headlight is big and stylish trapezoidal multireflector type that gives bright light at low speeds as well, because of powerful battery and this gives the direct current high beam that is not dependant on the rpm of the engine. The taillight is big and improved by looks as compared to old splendor. Although, Splendor NXG looks much similar to its elder brother, the improved side decals, rear and front cowl and new sleek instrument panel with a trip meter and the fuel tank (capacity of about 10 liters) that has a knee grip mold and new and improved visor give the bike more stylish looks.

Hero Honda says that the 97.2cc Splendour NXG has a new engine altogether. Hmm…..cant believe! The power of Splendor’s engine is 7.7 ps at 7500 rpm, and it is marginally improved over the Splendor Plus. Maximum torque is about 7.6 nm and The motor looks like it’s the same one as that in the CD Dawn version and let me tell you, that it does sound nice and does not noise out too much as well even on a long drive. What I liked the most is the low end torque of the engine to give a no-noise drive even at 20 kmph in the fourth gear; and guess that sets Hero Honda apart from other bike manufacturers. The Splendor NXG has a smooth gearshift complying with the industry standards.

The bike has drum brakes and kick start options with a ground clearance of 160 mm. But the wheelbase is 1230 mm and it should have been improved. Probably Hero Honda wanted to keep the bike weight under 110 kg. The maximum achievable speed is about 90 kmph and the mileage is about 75 for city and highway combined and that is laudable!

The downside of Splendor NXG, I feel, is wanting of an electric starter and I think TVS Star City has done brilliant to give one at almost the same cost. If ever Bajaj has to give any competition probably they should come with a 90cc bike offering features of Splendor NXG at less than 40 k cost! What say?

Splendor NXG Specifications:

Engine: Aircooled single cylinder 4 stroke OHC
Displacement: 97.2 cc
Maximum Power: 5.67 KW (7.7 PS) @ 7500 RPM
Maximal Torque: 7.7 N-m @ 6000 RPM
Gear Box: 4 Speed
Brakes: Internal Expanding Shoe Type 130 mm (Front) 110mm (Back)
Tires: Front: 2.75 x 18, Rear: 2.75 x 18

Hero Honda Glamour 125cc Review

2012-05-13T09:44:00.000-07:00

Hero Honda Glamour 125cc Review

Hero Honda Glamour is a perfect blend between the higher end so called sporty bikes and lower end 100cc bikes. Today I had the Glamour 125cc delivered to my home for a test drive.

Hero Honda Glamour 125cc

Styling: The bike stands out with its unique design in the hood. Aerodynamically shaped air pockets on both sides of the head lamp adds to the head turning effect of the bike.

With sporty stickering on the sides and optimum overall size of the body, the bike will be appealing to majority of the Indian audience. The grooves in the tank are perfectly blended even for a 6 foot tall man to accommodate his knees with comfort. The size of the tank is not too big nor too small. Perfect. The fuel switch is significantly different than other bikes, big and easy to handle.

The sides of the tails looks like it is adopted from former Ambition 135. The tail lamps are also perfectly designed, not too aggressive nor too plain.

Performance: The bike has a 4-speed gear system, all in one way. Great for city riding. If you are finding it difficult for changing the gears in one down, four up system, you would love Glamour. The 125cc engine gives a very good job of giving a smooth ride at higher speeds. This is primarily because of the positioning of the engine. Note that unlike other bikes, the piston in the engine moves back and forth instead of up and down. So it is natural that the vibration is reduced in this case.

Before talking about performance I shouldn’t hide the fact that many users have reported poor mileage for Hero Honda Glamour. On an average the mileage of the bike is 45 – 50 kmpl. But after 3 months of regular servicing, you should get more than 50 kmpl for sure. Some have reported 60kmpl constant mileage.

The dash board has three dials as shown above. The most viewed speedometer is placed at the center prominently which I appreciate. No digital display! May be in the next version of Glamour we can expect one. Cute fuel indicator and other leds.

Verdict: If you are buying a 125cc bike, you most probably will upgrade it after a few years of use. So before you buy, don’t just think about the performance, but consider the give away aspect. Hero Honda and Honda bikes have better resale value than Bajaj and TVS. The engines are more durable and gives good performance even after years of use.

Mr.Ganesh who owns a glamour says “Hi! I have been using Hero Honda Glamour for the past 1.5 years and travelled arround 25000 Km. But still I am feeling as a new bike. Because the bike has great pick up, smoothness, good looks and control on any speed up to 100. Fuel consumption is good. It is depends upon our driving. I am totally satisfied with this bike.”

Pros: Looks, Smoothness, Quality

Cons: Varying mileage across different units

Hero Honda Glamour Specifications:

Displacement: 124.7cc
Max power: 9bhp at 7000rpm
Max torque: 1.05kgm at 4000rpm
Specific output: 72.17 bhp per litre
Valve gear: 2 per cylinder, sohc
Compression ratio: 9.1 : 1
Ignition and fuel: Electronic CDI, carburettor
Tyres front: 2.75 x 18 inches
Tyres rear: 3.00 x 18 inches
Front Brakes: 215mm disc/130mm drum
Rear Brakes: 130mm drum
Length: 1995mm
Width: 735mm
Height: 1095mm
Wheelbase: 1295mm
Fuel tank capacity: 13.6 litres
Kerb weight: 125/129 kg

Hero Honda Hunk Review

2012-05-13T09:42:00.000-07:00

Engine

Type	Air cooled, 4 - stroke single cylinder

Displacement	149.2 c.c

Max. Power	10.6 kW (14.4 Ps) @ 8500rpm

Max. Torque	12.80 N - m @ 6500 rpm

Bore x Stroke	57.3 x 57.8 mm

Carburettor	C.V Type

Compression Ratio	9.1 : 1

Starting	Self Start

Ingnition	AMI – Advanced Microprocessor Ignition System

Engine oil capacity	1.2 Litres

Engine oil grade	SAE 10 W 30 SJ grade

Transmission & Chassis

Cluch	Multiplate wet

Gear box	5 Speed constant mesh

Chassis Type	Tubular, diamond type

Suspension

Front	Telescopic hydraulic shock absorbers

Rear	Swing arm with nitrox GRS (Gas reservoir suspension)

Brakes

Front Brake	Dia 240 mm Disc

Rear Brake Disc	Dia 220 mm

Rear Brake Drum	Dia 130 mm

Wheels & Tyres

Rim Size Front	18 x 1.85, 5 spoke cast wheels

Rim Size Rear	18 x 2.15, 5 spoke cast wheels

Tyre Size Front	2.75 x 18 – 42 P, Tubeless tyres

Tyre Size Rear	80 / 100 X 18 - 47 P, Tubeless tyres

Electricals

Battery	12 V -4 Ah, MF battery

Head Light	12 V -35 W / 35W - Halogen bulb (Multi – reflector type)

Tail Stop Lamp	12 V -0.5 W / 4.1W LED lamp

Turn Signal Lamp	12 V -10 W (Amber bulb) x 4 nos. (Multi – reflector clear lens)

Dimensions

Length	2080 mm

Width	765 mm

Wheelbase	1325 mm

Saddle Height	795 mm

Ground Clearance	145 mm

Fuel Tank Capacity	12.4 litres (Minimum)

Reserve	2.2 litres (Usable Reserve)

Kerb Weight	146 kgs

Minimum Turning	2.20 mtrs.

Karizma Fi

2012-05-13T09:34:00.002-07:00

HeroHonda Karizma Fi - The Return of the Dangerous

HeroHonda Karizma, a long time winner of Indian bikes which has conquered the first place with its Style and Majestic appearance until Pulsar200 was released. Even after better bikes arrived it still has a name in the Hearts of Indians.

When the rivalries started increasing the company was just cool and simply upgraded the bike to minute level to meet the conflicts. Now the time has come since the International Level bikes started approaching Indian Markets. Rumours have been started that Top Heroes Bajaj, TVS and HeroHonda started preparing their new competitive Engine. Out of which TVS authority released the news about its Apahe RTR 180 menace.

Bajaj disguised Disover 150 with its old pulsar engine. So a secret lies behind.

Most astonishing rumour that came out was the HeroHonda was now preparing for its Upgraded Karizma and Going to brand it with "Fi".Specifications: Karizma R (Expected Karizma Fi)

Engine Capacity: 223cc (same)
Engine Type : 4 stroke SOHC Engine(same)
Output Power: 17bhp@7000rpm (more than 21bhp@7500rpm)
Engine Torque: 18nm@6000rpm(more than 20nm@6000rpm)
Weight: 150kgs (same)
Tank Capacity: 15Ltrs(16Ltrs)
Gear:5 speed(not confirmed)
Body Type: Single Cradle, Diamond(same)
Top Speed: 125kmph (more than 130kmph)

Other Features which are in Rumours:

HeroHonda is also keenly working on Digitalising its bike(upgrading current Microprocessor system)
Dual Discs(am not sure)
Digital Cockpit(If its true, Bike will have 100% success)
Top Speed: 145kmph(Honda CBR150R - 160kmph)

So I hope that the Karizma Fi will be the most dangerous answer from HEroHonda to its rivals.

Lets Hope for the Best from HeroHonda again.

Cheers!!!

Pulsar vs Karizma - Which is the Best?

2012-05-13T09:32:00.000-07:00

Pulsar vs Karizma - Which is the Best?

It is a long time rival between the Great Karizma and the Rocking Pulsar.

From the year 2003, the competition between P180 and Karizma started. P180 however hard it fought with Karizma.

Pulsar 180 which has an output power of 15Bhp was refined to an unbeatable 16.51Bhp but Karizma had still 16.7Bhp(New Karizma has 17Bhp - so what? new pulsar 180 also produces 17Bhp)

But because of the higher cubic capacity of the engine and better engine torque Karizma stays ahead of Pulsar 180.

But Bajaj has not stopped and launched P200 with 18Bhp(1Bhp more than KarizmaR) which overtook Karizma in all means.

Pulsar 220 was not released concentrating on Karizma. Karizma can be compared only with Pulsar 180 and 200.

Pulsar 220 has latest ergonomics, design style and fairing much better than Karizma but not the Majestic appearance that Karizma has from its beginning.

I'm not opposer of Karizma but the engine needs up gradation to withstand in the current Market situation.

To be frank Pulsar is 4 steps ahead (Distinctly Ahead) than Karizma. May be the new Karizma Fi might overtake the Pulsar 220Fi but before that pulsar launched its new fastest again Pulsar220i with bigger carburetor with unbeatable speed.

So its not worthwhile delaying the time lines for the release of a new bike.

Until or Unless Karizma releases a new bike (Provided it should be better than at least Pulsar 200 in its engine performance) Karizma in not better than Pulsar.

Hero Honda CBZ Xtreme Atft

2012-05-13T09:19:00.002-07:00

Hi Everyone!

Now we will have a look on HERO HONDA's CBZ EXTREME ATFT 150 cc . Here goes my review.

Styling and Design

To me it’s a handsome looking bike. Many of you would disagree but give it a close look and trust me you won’t hate it at least. Head lamp looks conventional and its nothing new compared to the earlier.

CBZ, But I like it very much didn’t like the first generation Hero Honda CBZ Xtreme’s headlamp though. Except for the headlamp I have to admit the rest of the bike looks amazing. I too personally don’t like the front indicators merging with the headlamp; it would have looked good if it were externally set.

To me the rear LED backlight and indicators are just awesome. I also like the silencer; exceptional split grab rail and the handlebar with glossy finish. There is one very big letdown and that is the fuel knob, it is just too simple hate it.

Fit and finish is typical Hero Honda class finish, Console looks good and ok not anything amazing, though I don’t mind being all analogue but always like analogue RPM meter with digital speedometer like the one used in RTR’s or Dazzler’s.

Style and Design: 4.5/5

Gears and Brakes

My Hero Honda CBZ Xtreme has clocked 2200kms till now. Till my first 1000kms gear shifting was hard but not too hard, finding neutral was easy. But after 1000kms gear shifting has become smooth but certainly not as smooth & slick as the FZ’s. It doesn’t mean gear shifting is worst; it’s very good and won’t irritate you no matter how you use it but don’t think its silent you can hear a sound when you shift gears.

Front disc brake does its job well but not exceptionally like FZ’s front disk or RTR’s roto petal disk. I wish if it had more bite but there’s one thing that it doesn’t lock up the wheels easily so less skidding. Front disc brake is just ok and rear drum brake is good and provides adequate stopping power.

Gears and Brakes: 4/5

Comfort and Handling

The comfort level I have found in this bike is just awesome. The wide seat provides enough space and it’s not too soft and not too hard thus providing you great touring experience. I have done four 250 trip till now and never have any back ache or any uncomfortable experience. The seating position also aids in this section, it is just too different missing in any other bike (at least I felt so) with rear set foot pegs and it really amazes me. It is such that you can drive by keeping your back straight but you can easily crouch too.

You are just too comfortable on it and can enjoy every seconds riding it that’s my guarantee to you, but short people may have hard time riding it. Handling in one word is fantastic, bike may look big and heavy (actually it is, carb weight 143kg) but once you ride it all of it vanishes in an instant. When I first rode it I said to myself “why is it so light?” Cornering is fun, to me its corner demon sometimes I think it can read my mind.

Trust me in heavy traffic or highway Hero Honda CBZ Xtreme is a gem of its own. Its handling at 100KMPH is very much agile and easy. The stock MRF Tyres provide excellent grip but not the best, the rear 100 section tyre may look skinny to some people but it does its job quite well. Some may complain about the rear shock absorbers but it’s not as severe as they say. The stock setup is stiff for better handling at high speed though I found it too soft so set it one step stiffer.

This suspension is adjustable and those who are having tough time thinking why it is too hard then just set it softer and you’ll have a comparable better suspension like the gas charged suspension but not like unicorn’s mono suspension. I don’t think you won’t like the stock setting of the rear suspension if you are riding solo and want better stability at high speed but if you want pillion rider’s comfort then you have to set it softer.

But if the pillion is heavy then don’t bother doing anything, if you cross any speed breakers the suspensions tend to hit the threshold and you will hear a THUD kind of sound though people say this problem vanishes after some thousand kilometers. CBZ Xtreme’s small turning radius also helps in better handling such as taking U turn and don’t worry for your pillion; the big rear seat will take care of it.

Comfort and handling: 5/5

Engine and Performance

I always wanted a bike which will have smoothness along with great power delivery and CBZ Xtreme’s unicorn derived retuned motor provides just what I wished for. Its smoothness is not like the unicorn but enough to make you smile. 12.8NM Torque and 14.4PS of power delivery is smooth through the available rev ranges.

To me the exhaust note is like music to my ears whenever I drive my bike I listen to it closely. Take it to red line in each gear and it will transform the music into excellent roar. Want to rip it? It goes to 9K RPM at ease and hits 10K RPM but engine becomes harsh after 8K rpm but remains most of its smoothness. It can run at 30KMPH at 5th gear without any hiccups but not at 20KMPH as many would say.

I won’t say it needs lesser gear shifts but I will say it is happy if you take it over 3000rpm and you know it doesn’t have mammoth torque like the FZ. Throttle response is amazing feels like this rush won’t end. You’ll definitely have adrenaline rush if you take it from 5k rpm to 8.5k rpm. I won’t say it doesn’t have vibrations, it does have vibrations at the range of 65-75kmph but after then it vanishes but the vibration is so much negligible.

You are definitely going to have great touring experience without any Boredom or tiredness. I hit a top whack of 127KMPH after I completed my run-in and it goes to 100kmph really fast, you won’t notice it until you look at the speedometer.

At high speed there’s a slight vibration only at handle bars and foot pegs but not anything to disturb your enjoyable riding. Sorry but I just can’t find anything wrong with this engine. Don’t worry if any bike overtakes you, the one who overtakes you will enjoy vibrations, loud uncomfortable engine and exhaust note and you’ll enjoy the smoothness and comparatively less vibration free ride trust me and one more thing we all know how much reliable this engine is.

Engine and Performance: 5/5

Mileage

Currently I’m getting 44kmpl inside the city and 52kmpl on highway under sane riding and 38kmpl inside the city and 42 on highway under insane riding. I expected less than this so very much happy with it.

Mileage: 4.5/5

Pros:

Smooth & reliable engine
Solid build quality
Excellent handling and comfort
Crisp throttle response
Very good tourer
Smooth gearbox
Less maintenance

Cons:

Conventional styling
All analogue console
Mileage is less than its counterparts
Absence of gas charged shock absorber
Not as smooth as unicorn

Verdict:

CBZ Xtreme is for those who want comfort smoothness Hero Honda’s reliability along with very good power delivery in a 150cc bike and not to mention it is a very low maintenance hassle free bike. About the mileage factor some may have to compromise with it knowing that its rivals are capable of giving more mileage but CBZ Xtreme’s overall features mentioned above can be compensated for this.

Though it’s been many years since the birth of this bike, it can still give a tough fight to its rivals. To me it’s a kind of all rounder it gives you everything but can’t do anything exceptionally. Many may want only raw power then there’s RTR many may want pure smoothness with reliability then there’s Unicorn many may want style & fun then there’s the FZ many may want all of them compressed in a single package then there is Hero Honda CBZ Xtreme.

- Prince Joshi

Hero Honda Karizma R Ownership Review by Faizan

2012-05-13T09:11:00.001-07:00

Hi friends! My name is Faizan and I am 22 years old. I am pursuing my engineering degree in computer science. I was very fond of gizmos and autos by a very early age. I was just 5years old when I owned my first A-von bicycle and I used to ride it like my elders did on roads with their motor cycles. But I always desired to make my feet relax and let hand do all the work on acceleration. And by time passing on, it was a summer day, when I was 9years old and my uncle asked me if I would like to ride his motor cycle. It was my first experience with motorcycle named Hero Honda Sleek despite the fact that my feet were not able to reach the gear pad and the brake pedal.

And it was then I developed passion for bikes. From my 8th standard, I used to ride different bikes often but none of them belonged to me. Hero Honda CBZ was the first bike that I ever desired to own in my teen age. But my parents never allowed me to own one as they were afraid to loose me. Seems funny, but accidents were more frequent those days. Many a times, we friends used to skip school and go for bike ride. One of my friends owned CBZ, black in colour and we guys rocked the boulevard roads. When I was done with my matriculation, I insisted my father to let me posses one. My passion for bikes was approaching extremes. But my father never agreed and one day delivered a LML NV scooter at home. It was annoying but later on, pretty enjoyable on the same. I always tried extreme and I made it to speed up to 100kmph. It was when I was in higher secondary.

But as soon as I stepped into engineering college, it seemed embarrassing for me to ride a scooter. May be a trend in some areas, but it was humiliating for a youth rider in my place. So I finally decided to go for a bike now. I was grown up enough and it was easy for me to convince parents for a bike. And finally they agreed. Time was to choose a bike for my future times. Discussed a lot with friends, searched forums and blogs and finally opted to go for Hero Honda Karizma, Karizma R. I owned it in early 2008. It was my first semester of degree.

So let me share my experience with Karizma R here at BikeAdvice…

I have been riding my Karizma for about 2 years and experienced a lot about this machine. It is best, but some may feel only its worse part. As how you ride bikes, you can decide what type of bike you should own. Ultimately Karizma was the best machine I could get from Indian domestic bike market at some affordable price. I have not many miles on my bike, less than 10k actually but I have studied it as it was my engineering subject.

Engine: Engine has many parts which are all equally responsible for its efficiency, power, durability and strength. Many people just assume engine capacity in cc’s as the important factor of power. But it is never true. Power and torque are two more aspects to be concerned. Karizma R has an engine of 223cc (often written as 225cc) in capacity and >17bhp in power.

Speed: The meter displays a top speed of 200kmph. It can never touch so, but a real biker on the back of Karizma can swing the needle 160 degrees. I have crossed 140kmph many times and I never experienced shiver from the bike. But avoid such speed on when you are not accompanied at rear. This is because bike’s weight is just 150kgs and not enough to manage stability at extremes. Bike is set to gain 60kmph in just 3 and a half seconds. And you can top 100kmph in 3rd shift at ease. It is not on booklet but my own experience with bike.

Brakes: First of all, foot brakes are blended perfect so as to avoid skids and front disc brake is not like of Bajaj bikes, which can cause accidents at instant action. Combo of rear and front brake together will always let you have complete control over machine.

Body And Design: Karizma is one of the tall and long bikes of nation, so perfect for those who are round about 6’ tall like me. Body seems carved in the shape of tiger and graphics are featured for sports and racing look.

Handling: Handling is always easy when handle is not attached to wisor body.So light and swift. But the rotate angle of handle is not wide. So hard to turn in narrow ways.

Mileage: Karizma serves you as you will ride it. Mileage can vary on your riding. Rash riding and topping speed burns oil litre just after 15 to 20 kms but riding highways round at 60kmph can make your mileage touch 35 to 40/ltre. This can be further enhanced with good engine oil and proper servicing after regular intervals.

Reading my words till now must have put you in consideration that is this bike then a perfect bike according to Faizan. But no! Demerits are there as in every case of two wheeler machine and not yet worked on by Hero Honda. Even New Karizma ZMR is accompanied by some of them.

The main disadvantage of the bike is its rear tyre. It is not a big concern for those who live in posh areas and don’t need to ride tough and muddy roads. The grip is the actual concern. The tyre is not having good grip in the centre of circumference. It makes it to skid on slippery roads and very difficult to lean on curves with such low width tyres.

Another thing is that, it lacks leg guard. It may be a disadvantage for many but not for me at least. I met 3 accidents in these two years riding Karizma and my legs were never severely injured. Infact bike is designed for perfect safety.

Horn that bike is accompanied from showroom is not suitable for bike. So, most of the Karizma riders, prefer to replace it before going for first ride. One more fault which I have seen in many other Karizmas beside my own that its wisor is never stable and keeps on vibrating at high speeds. The demerits and merits may vary from rider to rider as per likings and disliking but faults would never. And few of them are above which I have analyzed myself.

Conclusion: A verdict about Karizma on my behalf is:

A bike that can rule roads; has a pick up that is unmatched with any other in Indian domestic market (except Kawasaki ninja), great with style; not to worry on overtakes, very good shock absorbers, bad on curves and acceptable on for mileage. This may be short but if any other query regarding Karizma R. You are most welcomed to ask and I would love to answer you.

Thanks for reading my bike history and experience till last word!

Regards
Faizan

KARIZMA ZMR 2011

2012-05-13T08:59:00.001-07:00

KARIZMA ZMR the one and only bike which looks most Dangerous and Huge . It can be called as the HUGE INDIAN MONSTER MOTORBIKE . It looks Gleaming in all the colours but one of the most Excellent Paintjob i seen in Black Metallic colour and it looks more Dangerous in Black Colour .

First of all , If you want to look awesome and unique in the crowd then you should only go for the all new Above all KARIZMA ZMR . One reason behind it is i personally saw Karizma Zmr very few times in comparison to all bikes !

"BUYING A KARIZMA ZMR IS JUST SIMILAR TO HAVING A FIGHTER PLANE"

Isn't truth ? The KARIZMA ZMR purely resembles to a Fighter jet which is much aggressive and waiting to fight and win !

KARIZMA ZMR have been added a different body cowl to the previous edition KARIZMA R which makes it new and unseen before .!

The Digital Instrumental Cluster

The Best, I would say. If at all you want to see an even better looking instrumental cluster in an Indian bike it is in the hand of Hero Honda only. An amazing piece of work I would say. Just turn the key on and The Karizma ZMR displays ‘Hi Welcome on board the Karizma ZMR. Fasten your helmet and fly safe. Bon Voyage.’

KARIZMA ZMR is design for TOTAL STYLING and for best value of one's money .

Braking

This is the area of concern when it comes to reviewing Hero Honda bikes. The front tyre sports a 276 mm diameter disc and at the tyre, it is a 240 mm diameter disc. But the braking is again not so damn precise, as against many of the other bikes in the market.

I expected sharp braking effect which this bike failed to provide me with. Aesthetically, both the front and the rear discs are Astra gold touched making it a noticeable feature and is really a good move from Hero Honda.

Suspension

The Karizma ZMR is equipped with Telescopic Hydraulic Shock Absorbers in the front and the Hero Honda’s flagship Gas Reservoir Suspension at the rear.

ENGINE

Karizma ZMR sports an air-cooled, 4 stroke, single cylinder engine. The displacement capacity is 223cc making it the bike with the highest displacement in India till before Honda CBR 250R’s launch. The bike is capable of producing a maximum power of 13.15kW @ 7000 RPM and a maximum torque of 18.35Nm @ 6000 RPM.

However, for its price, the company could have provided a liquid cooled engine. I wish, the next generation Karizma sports one such engine. But the oil cooler solves the problem of engine overheating, which a tourister kind of bike should never experience. The bike has a multi plate wet clutch with a five speed gear box.

The bike sports a PGM-FI, which stands for Programmed Fuel Injection. This ensures that Karizma offers decent fuel efficiency, despite its large engine displacement.

Lights and Electricals

The 12V, Multi reflector Halogen bulbs in the headlamp gives us the confidence to ride in nights without any fear. The tail lamp is fitted with LED lamps making it look great at nights. The electric start is not a kind of feature touch as we had mentioned while reviewing Hero Honda Hunk. But that has got absolutely nothing to grumble about.

As with the case of other Hero Honda bikes, this bike also does not house a basic ‘Engine Kill Switch’. I could not come up with a proper reason why Hero Honda engineers are not concentrating on this small switch at all.

Sensors in Karizma ZMR

Engine Oil Temperature Sensor
Intake Air Temperature Sensor
Throttle Position Sensor
Crank Position Sensor
Oxygen Sensor
Manifold Absolute Pressure Sensor

Riding Experience

First thing I want to tell you here is the fact that touching 100 kmph mark is absolutely a cakewalk for this bike. No struggles to do that. The initial pick up is almost close to excellent. The riding position offers good support to the back; highly suited for long rides. Though, the distance between the seat and the clip on handlebar is pretty large and one has to stretch a little, it is still fine.

This bike is almost 30kg heavier than the Yamaha YZF R15. This makes it slightly difficult for new users to handle this. Karizma ZMR enables pillion riders to have a comfortable journey at times of long drives. So it is a big nod for this bike from pillion riders too.

However, the size of the rear tyre could have been widened, thereby offering better road grip.

Colour Schemes

Available in the market with a set of 4 gorgeous colour schemes namely Vibrant Orange, Spot Light White, Panther Black Metallic and Candy Blazing Red.

PRICING FACTOR

Priced at 1.10 lakh, you get a big macho bike with great capabilities that also offer you a style statement.

Cheers!!!

(Oops! sorry to mention the Runner - None other than the Karizma ZMR Fi - cos he has the best styling and he was designed to rule.

even though he has not won the Best Bike of the Year.

He is the "King Bike of the Year"

Cheers again!!!Cheers!!!

(Oops! sorry to mention the Runner - None other than the Karizma ZMR Fi - cos he has the best styling and he was designed to rule.

even though he has not won the Best Bike of the Year.

He is the "King Bike of the Year"

Cheers again!!!

CONS OF THE BIKE

However, I observed a minor flaw with the bike here. The gear lever goes further down even after putting the bike in the 1^st gear. Similarly, the lever goes further up after the 5^thgear. There is still free play left with the gear lever. This should be resolved for hassle free riding.

Engine Oil- How to choose the best one for your bike

2012-05-13T08:01:00.001-07:00

Hi All, This time lets speak about the engine oils. Everyone owning a bike has their concern towards choosing the right engine oil for their bikes. Even for Indian Bikes Review we could see that most of the comments are regarding the same. Well! coming to motor cycle engine oils, we have not worried much since most of the bikes in indian market hold tiny engines (compared with other grown countries). However situaion is not the same nowadays as the demand for performance is growing more from the consumer perspecive even pro-sports bike started to show their faces in our market. Meanwhile the engine oils for the tiny engines also has slowly improved in standards and proved worthy enough to suit indian motorcycles. We have many brands for Engine oils alone such as Castrol, Shell, Elf, Mobil, Motul, etc... because of these many brands in market choosing the right engine oil is always a confusion particularly when we can't find our usual engine oil in shop. Let me support our friends who need help in this part Viscosity is the most important attribute for any engine oils (20w40). For new engines: 1. 20w40 oil for normal engine size (<125cc) 2. 5w40 to 15w40 for bigger size (>125cc) For old engines: 1. choose engine oil with high viscosity 20w50 (<125cc) 2. For bigger engines make it 10w50 Next, standard plays an important part. Generalising the standard API SL will be the base and greater (API SM or even higher standard) can be used. This standard helps corrosion resistance, preventing sludge formation and make engine healthier even in long runs. Additional advice: 1. Never change engine oil brands frequently (use same brand engine oils) 2. Change engine oils every 3000kms to 3500kms (If fully synthetic - contact seller for the life of engine oil) 3. Frequently check engine oil levels every 1000kms (Especiall when you use engine oils with lower viscosity, when the level decreases switch o engine oil with higher viscosity. For more info. or queries feel free to comment in this post. Cheers!!!

The All new Audi A4

2012-05-13T04:36:00.000-07:00

Audi A4 Ex* Showroom Price

Rs 27,69,000^* - Rs 37,72,000^*

Audi A4 Saloon full 9 point review

Performance

4 out of 5 stars
Most A4s are sold with diesel engines, and our favourite is the 134bhp 2.0 TDIe – it’s powerful enough for the job and makes the most economic sense. There are other 2.0-litre units that get progressively stronger (141bhp, 161bhp and 175bhp), the most powerful of which is so strong that it makes the heavier 3.0 V6 seem rather pointless. If you can’t countenance diesel power, the 1.8 and 2.0 TFSI petrol units deliver swift performance.
Ride & Handling

3 out of 5 stars
Although it doesn't live up to Audi's billing as a sporty car to drive, the A4 is good enough, with well balanced handling and lots of grip. The steering weights up at speed, but has a rubbery feel. However, ride comfort is the A4’s Achilles Heel: all too often the car seems to make a meal of apparently smooth surfaces.
Refinement

4 out of 5 stars
On the whole, the A4's cabin is quiet. Road- and suspension noise aren't a problem. Most of the engines are quiet, too, but the 1.8 petrol becomes gruff when worked hard. The large door mirrors also create a little too much wind noise at speed.

MotoGP India: World championship of Motorcycle racing comes to India – Begins March 2013

2012-05-13T04:29:00.000-07:00

India is all set to witness the MotoGP, the premier Motorcycle Racing World Championship beginning March 2013, the news has been confirmed by various sources and it appears that India will play host to the opening round of the MotoGP Racing championship at the Buddh International Circuit, earlier the same circuit created history by organizing the first ever F1 Grand Prix Race in India, now with MotoGP, it will bring the 63 year old sports event to India.

Indian MotoGP 2013

Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM), the federation which manages MotoGP Events has officially declared that India will play host to the inaugural race of the MotoGP 2013 season at the 5.141km racetrack in Greater Noida, Delhi NCR.
Last year Lorenzo became the first MotoGP rider to lap Buddh International Circuit(BIC) in Greater Noida, “It’s been great to visit the Buddh International circuit today,” said Lorenzo, “the track is very modern and wide. I think it is quite prepared and ready to be on the calendar [MotoGP].”
In 2011, Mahindra became the first Indian manufacturer to enter the MotoGP championship with the new Mahindra Racing team.
In another related news Buddh Int. Circuit Managers are also in talks to hold the WSB Series Event (World Superbike Championship) in 2013, exciting times ahead for the Bike Racing Fans in India.

Is Akshay Kumar the new Brand Ambassador of Honda Bikes in India?

2012-05-13T04:27:00.003-07:00

There are reports that Akshay kumar has recently inked a deal with a Honda worth Rs. 50 crore. According to this deal Akshay Kumar will remain brand ambassador for the Honda motorcycles for five years. This is one of the biggest deals in Bollywood and snatches Rs. 10 crore a year for Akshay Kumar, he recently did a comeback with his super hit film Housefull 2, after his toughest career phase.
Bollywood apart why we are interested in the news is because of association with Motorcycle Company. There is no such official announcement which motorcycle company has endorsed Akshay Kumar but there is a high probability that it is HMSI (Honda Motors and Scooters India ltd). The reason why we believe the same is because of Honda’s plan on its Brand makeover. Earlier it was reported that Honda is going to spend Rs. 100 crores for its mass media campaign which is going to start with the launch of Honda’s upcoming motorcycle Dream Yuga. The company identified two personalities one from bollywood and one is cricket. However the company intended that it will go with one brand ambassador only. Now, this is a clear indication that the company has already identified brand ambassador, as Dream Yuga is going to launch on 15^th May.
Further, Amir Khan is associated with Mahindra two wheelers and Salman Khan has now associated with Suzuki Motorcycle. Hence, there are much more chances that it is Honda only. Also the announcement of signing deal and launch of Dream Yuga is happening together. However, as there is no official announcement from the company we cannot say anything as if now. Let’s see who become brand ambassador for Honda?

HMSI to launch Dream Yuga on 15th May [Upcoming Honda Bikes 2012]

2012-05-13T04:25:00.003-07:00

It seems that May is the month which companies have selected for their new bike launches this year. After Suzuki Hayate launch and Bajaj Auto’s announcement of launch of all new motorcycle on 14^thMay. HMSI is going to launch it’s Dream Yuga on 15^th May. Honda showcased Dream Yuga in the Delhi Auto Expo 2012. This is Honda’s first mass market motorcycle which will compete with erstwhile partner Hero Motocorp’s mass motorcycle Splendor and Passion. The price will be announced on the same day. It is also to be noted that Bajaj’s all new motorcycle will be launched just one day before Honda Dream Yuga launch which was similar story in May 2010 with launch of Discover 150cc and Honda CB Unicorn Dazzler.
Dream Yuga is powered by 110cc single cylinder engine which can generate maximum power of 9 bhp. Honda claims fuel efficiency of 72 KMPL which is 10% higher compared to Splendor and Passion. Further it offers more power compared to Splendor and Passion. It comes with latest and highly engineered engine which is specifically designed for Indian conditions. It will have tube less tyres and tuff up tubes which is first time seen in commuter segment. Apart from this it will also have maintenance free battery and vicious air filter similar to Honda CB Twister.
Dream Yuga looks sober commuter motorcycle and it will definitely appeal masses. It will have five color options. The Dream Yuga name is derived from the Honda’s flagship model Dream D which was invented by Honda’s founder Soichiro Honda in 1949. The motorcycle became instant hit and it was established as mass market motorcycle. Honda wants to repeat similar story with Dream Yuga. It is going to play an important role in Honda’s vision for becoming number 1 two wheeler manufacturer in India by 2020.
Honda Dream Yuga Price in India
Although the pricing of motorcycle is not announced it is expected to be in range of Rs. 40,000 to 45,000 Ex-showroom for kick start version. The Self start version will come as an option and will cost some extra thousand more on kick start version. We expect Honda to price this motorcycle at Ex-showroom price of just above Rs. 40,000 for kick start and Rs. 43,000 for self start version. Let’s see how it is priced. But one thing is sure that Splendor’s true competitor has now arrived. It’s interesting to see who will win here latest is best or old is gold?

Suzuki launches the Affordable 112cc Bike Hayate in India, Starts at Rs. 40,162

2012-05-13T04:22:00.001-07:00

Suzuki Motorcycles has launched its much awaited affordable, high mileage 110cc motorcycle Hayate. The company has officially announced its inaugural launch in Maharashtra and has priced the motorcycle very competitively in India. The kick start version is priced at ex-showroom 40,162 while the self start version has been priced Rs. 2,000 more compared to the base version. The bike name Hayate has been derived from Japanese word which means “Fresh Breeze”.
Suzuki Hayate: Affordable Bike with High Mileage 60-75km/litre
Suzuki Hayate has 112cc 4-stroke air cooled engine which generates maximum power of 8.4 PS and maximum torque of 8.8 Nm. It has got 4 speed transmission gear box. The engine has been designed to deliver excellent fuel efficiency which is trump card of commuter segment. It is available in five color options Pearl Mirage White, Metallic Lush Green, Pearl Mica Red, GL Sparkle Black and Metallic Flint Grey. Suzuki Motorcycle has endorsed Salman Khan as a brand ambassador for Hayate. The company is aiming to sell around 10,000 units of this motorcycle.
Anand Thakur, head of national sales (SMIL) said, Maharashtra is an important market for Suzuki motorcycles. We see the Hayate securing a significant and distinct space for itself in the Indian motorcycle market by serving the needs of the first time motorcycle owner and people with regular commuting needs. The Hayate is a great option for customers looking for both uncompromising technology and value for money. We believe that Suzuki and Salman together will make an emotional connect with all sections of customers that Suzuki’s range of two-wheelers reaches out to.
It is to be seen how this motorcycle will perform against Hero Splendor, Passion, Newly launched Discover 4G, Honda’s upcoming Dream Yuga. It is also evident that the price war has started in 100cc segment. Bajaj Auto has priced its new Discover at Rs. 42,000 for the same reason. The heating up competition in 100cc segment will benefit customers only as they will have now better product at competitive price.

Bajaj India hikes Pulsar and Platina Prices by 1% [Bajaj Bikes Prices 2012]

2012-05-13T04:20:00.001-07:00

Country’s second largest two wheeler, Bajaj has hiked its flagship motorcycle Pulsar and entry level motorcycle Platina prices by 1% all over India. The price hike has been taken in response of rising input prices from past couple of months. Due to increase competition Bajaj Auto was not able to increase prices for a very long time though the Input cost has increased. Bajaj Auto has not hiked the price of Discover as there are many new launches lined up by competitors in this month.

Earlier, country’s largest two wheeler manufacturer Hero Motocorp. announced price hike of Rs. 500-1,000 among its key products. It is fact that input cost has gone high in past couple of months but due to sluggishness in the demand and increased competition two wheeler companies are hesitating to increase the price. It is also to be noted that the price hike is more prevalent in Entry level segment and premium segment.
Bajaj Auto has increased only Pulsar and Platina prices because they are strong brands in their segment. Platina now has established as low cost, low maintenance and high resale value. In fact Bajaj Auto has seen significant jump in the demand of Platina in past one year. The shipping volume has jumped from the 30,000 per month to 50,000 a month average. This is a sign that a good product is always appreciated in the Indian two wheeler market. Pulsar is a leading brand in premium segment and price hike does not affect that much.
There is a competition heating up in Rs. 40,000 (ex-showroom) segment where most of the motorcycle sold in Indian two wheeler market. Hence, we may not not see any price hike in this segment in near future. It is interesting to see that how new products from Honda and Suzuki perform. At the end of the day consumers are going to benefit with better products at low prices.
Bajaj 2012 Pulsar Price in India
Pulsar 150cc DTSi old price: Rs. 62,100 approx.
Pulsar 150cc DTSi New 2012 Price: Rs. 62,720. approx.
Bajaj 2012 Platina Price
Platina 125 old price: Rs. 38,000 approx.
Platina 125 New 2012 Price: Rs. 38,380 approx.

Bajaj Auto to launch all new motorcycle on May 14th [Upcoming Bikes 2012]

2012-05-13T04:12:00.003-07:00

Bajaj auto is going to launch new Discover in the middle of May 2012 .

Mr. Rajiv Bajaj MD, Bajaj Auto and Mr. K Srinivas, Vice President two wheeler sales will showcase the all new motorcycle to the media in Delhi on 14^th May.

K Srinivas earlier announced that the all new motorcycle will be showcased to media in the middle of May and it will hit showrooms from the month of June. The new all new motorcycle is expected to be the all new Discover which was spied last month. It is expected that this motorcycle will have monocross suspension and other class leading features for the first time in this segment.

It seems that the all new Pulsar and Discover will hit the showroom simultaneously. It also seems that the pricing of Pulsar 200NS will be announced at the launch of new Discover as media will definitely question about the availability of Pulsar 200NS in showroom and it’s ex-showroom price. So get ready for another exciting motorcycle from Bajaj Auto.

Hi , Starting the TechnoImpulse !!!!

2012-05-13T03:30:00.003-07:00

HI Visitor ,

This is Prince and i'm creating this Blog about what i love Bikes , computers , and much more technology stuff !!!

If you love Technostuff then this is the right place for you .... !!!! :-) .

Basically , i created this blog for writing reviews about various Indian Motorcycles , Cars , Computer , and much more Technostuff!!!

This blog is under construction and it will take a few time to built !

So , i hope you will enjoy reading TechnoImpulse , my blog .!

--- With Best regards ,
PRINCE JOSHI

TechnoImpulse

Indian Motorycle reviews , more !

HERO MAESTRO SCOOTER REVIEW

Hero Maestro review, test ride

We take Hero MotoCorp’s “male” scooter – the Hero Maestro for a quick spin around the city.

Fact File

Hero Honda Pleasure Review

Hero Honda Passion Plus Review

Hero Honda Passion Pro Review

Here are the specifications :-

Hero Honda Passion Pro Specifications

HERO HONDA SPLENDOR PLUS REVIEW

Hero Honda Splendor Plus Specifications

Hero Honda Splendor Pro

Hero Honda Splendor Specifications

Hero Honda Splendor NXG Review

Hero Honda Splendor NXG Review

Hero Honda Glamour 125cc Review

Hero Honda Glamour 125cc Review

Hero Honda Hunk Review

Karizma Fi

HeroHonda Karizma Fi - The Return of the Dangerous

Pulsar vs Karizma - Which is the Best?

Pulsar vs Karizma - Which is the Best?

Hero Honda CBZ Xtreme Atft

Styling and Design

Gears and Brakes

Comfort and Handling

Engine and Performance

Mileage

Pros:

Cons:

Verdict:

Hero Honda Karizma R Ownership Review by Faizan

KARIZMA ZMR 2011

The Digital Instrumental Cluster

Braking

Suspension

Lights and Electricals

Sensors in Karizma ZMR

Riding Experience

Colour Schemes

Engine Oil- How to choose the best one for your bike

The All new Audi A4

Audi A4 Ex* Showroom Price

Audi A4 Saloon full 9 point review

Performance

Ride & Handling

Refinement

Buying & Owning

Quality & Reliability

Safety & Security

Behind The Wheel

Space & Practicality

Equipment

MotoGP India: World championship of Motorcycle racing comes to India – Begins March 2013

Is Akshay Kumar the new Brand Ambassador of Honda Bikes in India?

HMSI to launch Dream Yuga on 15th May [Upcoming Honda Bikes 2012]

Suzuki launches the Affordable 112cc Bike Hayate in India, Starts at Rs. 40,162

Bajaj India hikes Pulsar and Platina Prices by 1% [Bajaj Bikes Prices 2012]

Bajaj Auto to launch all new motorcycle on May 14th [Upcoming Bikes 2012]

Hi , Starting the TechnoImpulse !!!!