Dream bikes, the fruit of Italian ingenuity and creativity, and destined to become new points of reference on the international market, are ready to take the spotlight at EICMA 2009, the 67th edition of the International Motorcycle Exhibition, taking place at the Fiera Internazionale di Milano in Rho, from 10 – 15 November.

Before the unveiling of the 2010 line-up, the new Ducati Corse logo was presented to the international press, an evolution of the historic brand in the form of a new graphic, following on from the launch of the new Ducati logo at last year’s EICMA show.

A press conference, eagerly anticipated and rich in content, took place immediately prior to the official opening of the trade show. Gabriele Del Torchio, President of Ducati Motor Holding, met with representatives of the international media to present the company’s recent sporting and commercial results, confirming the Italian manufacturer’s strength and performance, despite the difficulties that the sector is currently experiencing.

“In 2009 Ducati has faced a year of important challenges but also one of important opportunities,” stated Gabriele Del Torchio, President of Ducati, during the conference. “The challenges arrive from a market that has entered a significant worldwide slump and where the segment in which we operate could have dropped by 35% by the end of this year. In this scenario Ducati knew how best to react, so much so that our shares have continuously grown and in 2009 we will register a record share of 7.2% on a worldwide level. This result was achieved by sticking strictly to the objectives we had set ourselves, in relation to the company’s three fundamental pillars. Firstly, product, with the 2010 innovations the clearest demonstration of how we have followed an intelligent plan for continuous renewal. Then the distribution network, constantly renewed and reinforced to improve and expand the service. Thanks also to the recent opening of stores in Shanghai, Mexico City and in Vietnam, Ducati today distributes in 80 countries of the world. Last but not least, the brand. We continue to work on the recognition of our brand name, and above all, on the role that Ducati has as an ambassador of Italian style across the world, a factor that is of fundamental value to us.”

Claudio Domenicali, General Director of Ducati Motor Holding, then presented the many new bikes lining-up in Ducati’s 2010 Model Year.

“We are present at EICMA with a series of important innovations, in accordance with our strategic industrial plan,” declared Claudio Domenicali, Ducati’s General Director, while presenting the 2010 Model Year. “The new Multistrada 1200 provides Ducati with an important opportunity to penetrate what is, for us, a completely new market segment, with a totally innovative concept, in terms of performance, usability and technological content. Four bikes in one, with four different riding modes, traction control and electronic suspension but, most importantly, a true Ducati, in its style, design and advanced technology, derived directly from Ducati’s racing experience on tracks across the world. The Hypermotard 796 e 1100 evo, the new “Corse” liveries for the 1198 S and 1198 R, as well as countless technical and style updates, complete the 2010 line-up of which we are so proud.”

2010 Special Editions celebrate the historic Ducati Corse logo change and two world titles in Superbike and Superstock. The 1198 S Corse Special Edition and 1198 R Corse Special Edition, both equipped with factory team-style aluminium fuel tanks, Ducati Traction Control and a special celebratory Ducati Corse livery, now complement the lightweight and agile 848 now in Dark colour scheme, the awesomely powerful 1198, and the high-spec 1198 S to complete the 2010 Superbike model line-up.

2010 Ducati 1198R Corse Special Edition (click to enlarge)

2010 Ducati 1198S Corse Special Edition (click to enlarge)

We will soon be covering various other 2010 models from Ducati’s stable, in the coming days.

Speaking to the press, HMSI president and CEO Shinji Aoyama said: “We are developing a new 110cc bike for India. It is the largest segment, and we want to tap this entry-level market with aggressive price and innovative product. Our bike will be entirely different from the current breed of 100cc bikes. We are not looking at high volumes, but want to satisfy customers looking for quality and products, and avoiding any direct competition with Hero Honda,” he said, adding that, “It would be a full-fledged bike at an attractive price. It is not going to be a commuter motorcycle just because it will be part of the 100cc plus segment. It will be sporty for sure but the direction in style is somewhat different.”

Expected to be priced at around Rs. 45,000, the 110cc motorcycle from Honda would be introduced in India at Auto Expo 2010.

It remains to be seen whether Honda would be able to replicate its success story with Stunner and grab a significant portion of commuter motorcycle segment in India, which at the moment is dominated by Hero Honda.

It ensured that Yamaha won the Triple Crown for the second year running after Rossi took the Riders’ title, Fiat Yamaha the Teams’ and Yamaha the Constructors’. Yesterday’s result also sealed Lorenzo the runner-up spot in the Championship in just his second year in MotoGP. Between them the Italian and the Spaniard have taken ten wins and a further seventeen podiums, Yamaha’s most successful year ever in MotoGP.

With pole-man Casey Stoner crashing on the warm-up lap the first corner shuffle saw Dani Pedrosa take the lead followed by Toni Elias, Rossi and Lorenzo, who quickly passed Rossi to re-take third. The first few laps were a mini battle between the Yamaha team-mates as Lorenzo fought to hold off Rossi and look for a way past Elias at the same time. He passed his fellow Spaniard in the last sector of lap three and Rossi followed quickly in his footsteps, overtaking Elias on the brakes into turn one on the fourth lap. A huge slide by Lorenzo soon after however left the 22-year-old unbalanced and shaken up and Rossi went through, leaving Lorenzo to take a bit of time to find his rhythm again.

The World Champion set off after Pedrosa and for a little while looked like he was gaining but Valencia is a notoriously tricky track to make up ground on and in the end he was content to chase home the Spaniard for second place, his best result at Valencia since 2004. Lorenzo finished just three tenths off Rossi but was delighted to seal second in the championship in front of his home fans.

As well as Yamaha sealing the Triple Crown and filling the first two spots in the championship, a brilliant performance from Tech 3 rider Colin Edwards today saw him take fourth and ensure fifth place in the championship, the top non-factory rider. Yamaha wild-card Ben Spies finished a brilliant seventh in his first MotoGP race on the M1 and James Toseland finished 12th in his farewell race for the team.

2009 MotoGP World Champions

MotoGP 2009 Valencia Results
1. Dani Pedrosa (SPA) Repsol Honda 46′47.553
2. Valentino Rossi (ITA) Fiat Yamaha Team + 2.630
3. Jorge Lorenzo (SPA) Fiat Yamaha Team + 2.913
4. Colin Edwards (USA) Monster Yamaha Tech 3 + 32.515
5. Nicky Hayden (USA) Ducati Marlboro Team + 34.585
6. Toni Elias (SPA) San Carlo Honda Gresini + 34.888
7. Ben Spies (USA) Sterilgarda Yamaha Team + 37.706
8. Andrea Dovizioso (ITA) Repsol Honda + 38.364
9. Mika Kallio (FIN) Ducati Marlboro Team + 42.491
10. Alex De Angelis (RSM) San Carlo Honda Gresini + 43.689
11. Randy De Puniet (FRA) LCR Honda MotoGP + 46.018
12. James Toseland (GBR) Monster Yamaha Tech 3 + 50.226
13. Alex Espagaro (SPA) Pramac Racing + 57.168
14. Loris Capirossi (ITA) Rizla Suzuki MotoGP + 1′06.877
15. Chris Vermeulen (AUS) Rizla Suzuki MotoGP + 1′11.701
16. Gabor Talmacsi (HUN) Scot Racing Team MotoGP + 1′14.405
17. Marco Melandri (ITA) Hayate Racing Team + 1′33.425

2009 MotoGP Championship Standings
1. Valentino Rossi (ITA) Fiat Yamaha Team 306
2. Jorge Lorenzo (SPA) Fiat Yamaha Team 261
3. Dani Pedrosa (SPA) Repsol Honda 234
4. Casey Stoner (AUS) Ducati Marlboro Team 220
5. Colin Edwards (USA) Monster Yamaha Tech 3 161
6. Andrea Dovizioso (ITA) Repsol Honda 160
7. Toni Elias (SPA) San Carlo Honda Gresini 115
8. Alex De Angelis (RSM) San Carlo Honda Gresini 111
9. Loris Capirossi (ITA) Rizla Suzuki MotoGP 110
10. Marco Melandri (ITA) Hayate Racing Team 108
11. Chris Vermeulen (AUS) Rizla Suzuki MotoGP 106
12. Randy De Puniet (FRA) LCR Honda MotoGP 106
13. Nicky Hayden (USA) Ducati Marlboro Team 104
14. James Toseland (GBR) Monster Yamaha Tech 3 92
15. Mika Kallio (FIN) Ducati Marlboro Team 71
16. Niccolo Canepa (ITA) Pramac Racing 38
17. Gabor Talmacsi (HUN) Scot Racing Team MotoGP 19
18. Alex Espagaro (SPA) Pramac Racing 16
19. Sete Gibernau (SPA) Grupo Francisco Hernando 12
20. Ben Spies (USA) Sterilgarda Yamaha Team 9
21. Yuki Takahashi (JPN) Scot Racing Team 9

Speaking to the reporters, Vice-President, sales and customer care, Mahindra 2 wheelers, Mr. Sanjiv Mittal said the company was working on motorcycle models and the first one would be launched in 2010.

While the erstwhile Kinetic Motor Company Ltd. did have a few motorcycle models in its portfolio and even imported Hyosung Comet and Aquila motorcycles, since the takeover last year, Mahindra 2 Wheelers had only kept scooters in its portfolio

This particular commercial would start appearing on TV channels quite soon and till then you can watch it here first and share your views regarding the Duro ad and the scooter itself.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Powered by a 19.8bhp UCE Engine, the Classic 350 replaces the older Enfield Machismo and will be sold at a price tag of Rs. 98,800 (Ex-Showroom, Delhi).

Speaking at the press conference held in Delhi, Mr. Siddhartha La, MD and CEO, Eicher Motors said, “Royal Enfield has an extremely rich heritage of practical leisure motorcycling for a over a hundred years. At its core has been a harmonious integration of design and technology towards delivering excellent ride ability at all speeds and riding conditions. With the Classic 350, we have have taken this ideology and refined it further to deliver a sublime and timeless retro-chic look with a highly responsive engine and chassis. This goes on to give the rider an exhilarating ride, regardless of whether s/he is going to office in the morning or for an adventure to the Himalayas or even around the world.”

“We will use this philosophy and the UCE platform to design and introduce a wide range of motorcycles over the next 3 years to span a variety of motorcycling genres such as classic sports, touring etc. The classic 500 and 350 are the start of a new era where Royal Enfield is creating an alternative language of motorcycling globally which is unhurried yet responsive, pleasing to all senses, highly practical yet emotional and romantic. Our passion is to build motorcycle that continue in the traditional of creating that special bound between a rider and his mare, which can never be replicated in a chariot.”

Royal Enfield Classic 350 spcifications
Engine: Single Cylinder, 4 Stroke, OHV, SI Engine, Aircooled, Twinspark
Displacement: 346 CC
Bore x Stroke: 70 mm x 90 mm
Maximum Power: 19.8 bhp @ 5250 rpm
Maximum Torque: 28 Nm @ 4000 rpm
Ignition: Digital TCI Carburetor
Ground Clearance: 140 mm
Width: 800 mm
Wheel Base: 1370 mm
Length: 2150 mm
Height: 1080 mm
Tyres Front: 3.25 – 19
Tyres Rear: 110/90 – 18
Electrical System: 12 Volts – DC
Head Lamp: 60 W / 55 W, HALOGEN
Front brakes: Hydraulic Disc Brake (Disc dia 280mm)
Rear brakes: Foot Operated 153 mm Single Lead Internal Expanding
Front suspension: Telescopic, Hydraulic Damping, Stroke 130 mm
Rear suspension: Swing Arm With Gas Shock Absorbers, Stroke 80mm

The Royal Enfield Bullet Classic 500 EFI is also the most technologically advanced motorcycle to roll out of the Royal Enfield factory at Chennai. Featuring a fuel injected, 499cc, single cylinder UCE (Unitary Construction Engine) four stroke engine. The Bullet Classic 500 EFI also happens to be the most powerful Bullet in production, producing 27.2bhp at 5250rpm and a whopping 41.3Nm of torque at 4000rpm.

The Royal Enfield Classic 500EFI also marks a shift away from the 19” wheels, which are common to all other Royal Enfields and sheds them in favor of the more generic 18” wheels, with the rear tyre now coming in a 110/90×18 size while the front one is shod with 90/90×18”.

Speaking at the press conference held in Delhi, Mr. Siddhartha La, MD and CEO, Eicher Motors said, “Royal Enfield has an extremely rich heritage of practical leisure motorcycling for a over a hundred years. At its core has been a harmonious integration of design and technology towards delivering excellent ride ability at all speeds and riding conditions. With the Classic 350, we have have taken this ideology and refined it further to deliver a sublime and timeless retro-chic look with a highly responsive engine and chassis. This goes on to give the rider an exhilarating ride, regardless of whether s/he is going to office in the morning or for an adventure to the Himalayas or even around the world.”

“We will use this philosophy and the UCE platform to design and introduce a wide range of motorcycles over the next 3 years to span a variety of motorcycling genres such as classic sports, touring etc. The classic 500 and 350 are the start of a new era where Royal Enfield is creating an alternative language of motorcycling globally which is unhurried yet responsive, pleasing to all senses, highly practical yet emotional and romantic. Our passion is to build motorcycle that continue in the traditional of creating that special bound between a rider and his mare, which can never be replicated in a chariot.”

Although the Enfield 500 EFI has come to India a year after its European launch, we feel it is a step in the right direction and hopefully Royal Enfield would start launching new models first in India, after getting a good response for the Classic 500 EFI.

Royal Enfield Classic 500 EFI Specifications:

Engine: Single Cylinder, 4 stroke, air cooled OHV
Capacity: 499cc
Bore x Stroke: 84 x 90 mm
Compression ratio: 8.5: 1
Fuel system: Electronic Fuel Injection
Ignition: Digital Electronic ignition
Starting: Electric start
Maximum power: 20.3KW (27.2bhp) @ 5250rpm
Maximum Torque: 41.3Nm @ 4000rpm
Clutch: wet multiplate (7 plates)
Primary drive: 3/8” duplex chain (102 pitch) and sprocket
Gear box: constant mesh 5 speed
Battery: 12v, 14 AH
Headlamp: 12V, 60/55W
Frame: tubular steel
Suspension (front): telescopic, hydraulic dampers
Suspension (rear): swingarm with gas filled shock absorbers
Brakes (front): disc brake single 280mm disc with 2 piston caliper
Brakes (rear): drum brake (152mm)
Tyre (front): 90×90-18”
Tyre (rear): 110×80-18”
Length: 2160mm
Width: 800mm
Height: 1050mm
Wheel base: 1370mm
Fuel tank capacity: 13.5liters
Weight: 187kgs

As earlier reported, HMSI has lost Rs. 300 crores owing to this issue and now has a backlog of 1.4lakh vehicles.

With the labour issue now resolved, HMSI has also ramped up its production capacity to 15 lakh units a year and daily production is expected to touch 4,700 units.

In statement issued to the media, company said, “The ongoing negotiations with the labour union have progressed well. The long-term wage settlement (LTS) process has been concluded. The LTS was signed on October 28 by the management and union in the presence of the Labour Department. HMSI is now in full gear to achieve the production targets set for the current financial year. This will reduce the waiting period of Honda products and help the company to serve the customers in the best possible manner.”

So all those who have been waiting eagerly to take delivery of HMSI vehicles, you might just get the delivery of your vehicle soon.

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Speaking to the media, Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India President and CEO, Shinji Aoyama said, “Early yesterday morning, we started operating the new assembly line, which is the third one in our plant. To begin with, the third line would have a daily production of 300-400 units and we hope to take it to 1,000 units daily after some weeks. We hope to reach full normalcy in production within next 2-3 days. But the current backlog is about 1.4 lakh units with a waiting time of a little over a month”

Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India has also stopped taking fresh orders for some of its models, as the  go slow policy by majority of its 5500 workers and labor unrest at its spare parts vendors have cut its production capacity by half and this has lead to a order backlog of 1.4lakh vehicles.

Honda has also lost Rs. 300 crores since August, when the labor dispute first began.