Volkswagen’s premium car division, Audi has agreed to buy iconic Italian motorcycle manufacture, Ducati Motor Holding for US$ 1.12 billion.

This would be Volkswagen Group’s first foray into the two wheel segment and another jewel in the crown which already includes big names like Audi, Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini etc.

Earlier there was news that our own, Hero Motor was planning to acquire a stake in Ducati, but this news has somewhat dampen the spirit of many, who were waiting to see the implication of another Indian Company acquiring stake in another international automobile brand.

While there is no word yet on when Audi would complete the process of buying Ducati or for that matter what their future plans are for Ducati, we just hope that it includes widening Ducati’s presence in India, especially considering that Audi has recently become the second largest luxury car seller in India.

Audi to buy Ducati is a post from: Indiaon2wheels, India's first online motorcycle magazine

BMW Motorrad India has today launched its entry level eduro motorcycle, BMW F650 GS in India today at an ex-showroom price of Rs. 9.99 lakhs.

Powered by a water cooled in-line twin cylinder 800cc engine producing 71hp @ 7000rpm and 75Nm of torque @ 4500rpm, BMW F650 GS is no slouch and can easily keep a good pace both on and off the road, however it has been launched at a price premium that we feel only a select few would be willing or for that matter, can afford to pay.

This is a real shame, considering that fact that bikes like BMW F650 GS are perfect for touring in India and can easily cope up with even the worst roads India has to offer and could have easily filled the void which exists at the moment.

But then again, BMWs don’t come cheap and this one costing nearly the same as a Japanese liter bike is no different!

BMW F650 GS Technical Specifications

• Technical data relate to the unladen weight (DIN)
• ¹⁾ According to guideline 93/93/EWG with all fluids, fuelled with at least 90% of usable tank volume
• ²⁾ Unladen weight without fluids

BMW F650 GS launched in India is a post from: Indiaon2wheels, India's first online motorcycle magazine

Bajaj Auto today unveiled the all new Bajaj Pulsar 200 Naked Sports bike in India.

Powered by a liquid cooled 3 sparkplug 200cc 4st engine with 4 valves producing 23.52bhp@9500rpm and 18.3Nm of Torque at 8000rpm, the new Bajaj Pulsar 200NS not only marks a new chapter in the history of Pulsars and motorcycles in India, but also washes away the assumption that Bajaj Auto was planning to plonk 200 Duke’s engine into the Pulsar lineup!

Add a radical new design and chassis setup with a monoshock rear suspension (first in Pulsar lineup) and 280mm disk upfront and a 230mm at rear, and one knows that Bajaj Auto has gone all out in ensuring that the new Bajaj Pulsar 200 NS not only adds value to the existing Pulsar lineup, but takes the game one step further and shows the seriousness with which the R&D team at Bajaj Auto takes the Indian Motorcycle Market.

Coming out with products which not only support previously unused technology in the Indian market, but are also very much a VFM proposition.

Having said that, Bajaj Auto hasn’t yet divulged the pricing of Pulsar 220NS yet and is planning to officially launch the bike in April.

2012 Bajaj Pulsar 200NS Technical Specifications:

Engine Type: SOHC 4 valve Liquid Cooled
Combustion system: Triple spark plug
Ignition system: Independent spark control through ECU
Crankshaft Type: Integral
Max Power: 23.52 PS @ 9500
Max Torque: 18.3 Nm @ 8000
Bore: 72 mm
Stroke: 49 mm
Displacement: 199.5 cc
Fuel system: Carburettor, UCD 33
Air filter: Paper element
Exhaust system: Exhaust TEC enhanced centrally mounted
Frame Type: Pressed steel Perimeter Frame
Wheel Base: 1363 mm
Length x height x width: 2017 mm x 1195 mm x 804 mm
Seat height: 805 mm
Ground Clearance: 167 mm
Vehicle Kerb weight: 145 kg
Fuel Tank capacity: 12 L
Front suspension: Telescopic Front Fork with Antifriction Bush Dia 37
Rear Suspension: Nitrox Mono Shock Absorber with piggy back gas canister
Front Brake: Petal Disc with floating caliper 280 mm
Rear Brake: Petal Disc with floating caliper 230 mm
Front tyre: 100/80 – 17, 52 P, Tubeless
Rear tyre: 130/70 – 17, 61 P, Tubeless
Front Rim: 10 spoke 2.5 x 17, Alloy
Rear Rim: 10 Spoke, 3.5 x 17, Alloy
Max Speed: 136 Kmph
Acceleration: 0-60 kmph 3.61 sec, 0-100 kmph 9.83 sec
Braking Distance: Both brakes (60 – 0 Kmph) 16.33metres
Electrical System: DC Ignition
Battery: 12V 8AH VRLA
Head Lamp: HS1 35/35W
Tail/Stop Lamp: 0.3/3 W, LED

Bajaj Pulsar 200NS Unveiled is a post from: Indiaon2wheels, India's first online motorcycle magazine

Mr. Rajiv Bajaj, MD, Bajaj Auto today announced to the media, the scheduled launch of the 2012 Bajaj Pulsar, which will be done in Mumbai on the 30th of this month.

While he refused to divulge any more information regarding it, there was hint that some of the bits which had gone into the development of the KTM 200 Duke, could possibly make their way into the new Pulsars, especially since the R&D team which worked on the KTM 200 Duke is pretty much the same as the one working on the Pulsar lineup.

Add to this, in one of the slides at the press launch of KTM 200 Duke, Bajaj Pulsar 200 was shown as one of the motorcycles in the premium bike segment, while it might just be a presentation error; rumors are abuzz that Bajaj could possibly bring back the Pulsar 200 with engine bits meant for the 200 Duke!

Of course, everything would be clear in a matter of days and we will know, what Bajaj has planned for customers of Bajaj Pulsar in 2012, especially since it was announced that Pro Biking Showrooms will now be converted to KTM Showrooms and Pulsar and Avenger would no longer be sold at the Pro Biking Showrooms.

Bajaj to launch 2012 Pulsar this month! is a post from: Indiaon2wheels, India's first online motorcycle magazine

After stunning India with a handsomely priced KTM 200 Duke in Delhi today, KTM’s CEO Stefan Fierer today announced to the public, their intention of launching a 350cc version of Duke next year, in a bid to enhance its position in India and add to its global portfolio more lower capacity motorcycles in the naked and street bike segment.

Mr. Stefan Fierer also hinted that a faired version of KTM 200 Duke might be on the cards as well along with higher capacity motorcycles, which KTM is planning to bring to India soon.

KTM to launch 350cc Duke is a post from: Indiaon2wheels, India's first online motorcycle magazine

KTM today launched the KTM 200 Duke in Delhi at an introductory and mouthwatering price of Rs. 1,17,500 Ex-Showroom Delhi.

KTM 200 Duke is powered by a 200cc liquid cooled single cylinder 4st engine and develops 25hp @ 10,000rpm and 19.2Nm of torque at 8,000rpm and is mated to a 6 speed gearbox. Which for a motorcycle weighing in at just 126 kilogram and with a relatively compact frame, translates into a revvy and aggressive street bike, perfect for slicing through traffic and for wheeling starts at red lights (not that we condone such practice).

KTM 200 Duke would be available through 32 exclusive KTM showrooms across 30 cities in India (KTM also plans to open one in Nepal), and will have 40 dedicated service centers as well. These showrooms and service centers would be none other than the rebranded Probiking Showrooms which Bajaj owns currently and which would now be rebranded as KTM Showrooms, where only KTM Motorcycles and Accessories, along with the Kawasaki Motorcycles will be sold.

KTM is also planning to bring a whole plethora of KTM branded accessories and riding gear, which would be sold through the KTM showrooms.

KTM is also planning to launch higher capacity motorcycles in India in the coming months and would be launching new products each year, in an effort to carve out a niche for itself in the growing premium motorcycle category in India.

KTM 200 Duke launched in India is a post from: Indiaon2wheels, India's first online motorcycle magazine

TVS Motor Company has launched the 2012 variant of the 110cc motorcycle, TVS Star City.

2012 TVS Start City features dual tone body colours, clear indicators, an all-new stylish headlamp and will come in six new colour combinations and is priced at Rs. 38,650 (Ex-Showroom Delhi).

Press Release from the Company

India’s No 1 selling 110cc motorcycle, TVS Star City, just got better, with the launch of a feature packed 2012 edition. For the first time, TVS Star City will now be available with executive segment features such as dual tone body colours, an all-new stylish headlamp and will come in six new colour combinations. Another executive segment feature would be the inclusion of clear indicators. New refreshing dual tone graphics will include ‘Electric Green’, ‘Bold Blue’, Red Blaze, ‘Gold Spark’, ‘Silver Strike’ and ‘Crimson Flash’.

According to TVS Motor Company’s President-Marketing, H S Goindi, “This new motorcycle is a winning combination of executive class features and vibrant styling. The backing of high fuel efficiency and toughness will make TVS StaR City a much sought after motorcycle.”

The engine of the new TVS StaR City deploys TVS Motor Company’s indigenous revolutionary CVTi (Continuous Variable Timing Ignition) which facilitates superior pickup and boosts performance without compromising on mileage. This is achieved through a unique combination of swirl and tumble motion that generates very high in-cylinder charge motion, almost three times more than the conventional port designs. Under standard test conditions and as per ARAI certification, TVS StaR City returns a mileage of 83.9 kilometers per litre. The base version TVS StaR City 110cc starts at Rs. 38,650/- (Ex Delhi) with a five-year warranty asserting high quality assurance.

All black alloy wheels, elegant styling and a comprehensive backlit speedo add to the style quotient of the new TVS StaR City. The bike is also equipped with an econometer by way of which the rider can ensure optimal mileage. High quality ride handling and easy maneuverability augmented by high performance shock absorbers make the TVS StaR City a tough yet powerful motorcycle that can be ridden with ease on any terrain.

2012 TVS Star City Launched is a post from: Indiaon2wheels, India's first online motorcycle magazine

Gulf Oil along with Top Fuel Bike, is bringing the fastest drag bike to India, along with 5 times European Drag Racing Champion, Ian King.

In an event which is scheduled to be held in India, between 11th to 15th December 2011, Indian Motorcycling Enthusiasts will get to witness the power of 1585cc inline-4 PUMAEngine in all its glory, as puts a whopping 1500bhp to the rear wheel and propels the bike to 97kmph in less than 0.7 seconds and to 402.8kmph in under 7 seconds!

Watch this space for the complete schedule and detailed coverage of the event and in the meanwhile, visit www.kingracing.com to get a taste of what is to come!

Fastest bike on the planet, coming to India! is a post from: Indiaon2wheels, India's first online motorcycle magazine

Bajaj Auto has managed to sell over 10 million (1 crore) motorcycles fitted with its patented DTS-i engines.

DTS-i was first introduced by Bajaj Auto in its Pulsar brand of motorcycles in 2003 and was later incorporated in to the Discover portfolio.

DTS-i engines incorporate two spark plugs as against the single spark plug in other two wheelers. A single spark plug engine provides a spark at only one end of the combustion chamber while the DTS-i engine provides two – one each at either end of the chamber, resulting in faster and more efficient combustion with almost no wastage of precious fuel. The end result is superior performance without any compromise on mileage.

Commenting on the occasion, Mr. K. Srinivas, President Motorcycle Business, said, “We started using the DTSi technology on the Pulsar and eventually used it in all the Discover models. This technology has contributed substantially to our leadership in the Sports segment and also in creating a differentiated offering in the commuter segment. At a time when fuel prices are sky rocketing our DTS-i technology has proved extremely beneficial to our customers”

Bajaj Auto sells 1 crore DTS-i motorcycles is a post from: Indiaon2wheels, India's first online motorcycle magazine

Honda Motorcycles and Scooters India (HMSI) today introduced Dazzler Deluxe in India at Rs. 66,198 (ex-showroom, Delhi).

Honda Dazzler Deluxe is a variant of their 150cc motorcycle, Honda Dazzler and features the same engine as the standard variant, which will continue to sell along side the deluxe variant.

While the performance and technical specifications of the Dazzler Deluxe are same as the standard variant, the Deluxe variant does features dual tone seat, new rear view mirrors, handle bar end weights, 3D emblem, digital meter and front & rear disc brakes.

Honda Dazzler Deluxe is available in Pearl Sunbeam White with Red stripes and Black with Grey stripes and is priced Rs. 1,000 more than the standard variant and would be available for booking from the end of November.

Honda introduces Dazzler Deluxe is a post from: Indiaon2wheels, India's first online motorcycle magazine