Bike-manufacturer Triumph’s entry into the Indian two-wheeler market has been making the rounds for a long time now. According to rumours, Triumph motorbikes may be available in the market as soon as the 2013 festive season. However, we are slightly skeptical of these rumours, given the history of ups and downs of Triumph’s attempts at foraying into the Indian scene.

The 2012 Auto Expo witnessed the famous British marque’s announcement of aggressive pricing for a model range of seven big-bikes. However, not much has happened since then with the only worthwhile news being that of an upcoming factory located [...]

Engineers at the LFA Works that produced the Lexus LFA supercar, have had a lot of time on their hands since the 500th and last LFA rolled down the production line in December 2012. Now we know what all those carbon fibre experts have been doing with the world’s best Carbon Fibre machinery in their free time. They’ve been working on bicycles, called the Lexus F Sport. Now obviously, these aren’t your everyday go-to the market bicycles. There will be only 100 units in total and each will cost US $10,000 each.

The black-and-white one-seater is very hi-tech, which it [...]

In order to appeal to a larger audience, Bajaj has launched a variant of the Discover 125ST. It’s called the Discover 125T, where the lack of the ‘S’ makes all the difference.

The Discover 125T is a lower-spec variant of the relatively premium Discover 125ST. Both bikes are aesthetically identical, with the only visual differences being changes to the tank graphics, and the absence of a tyre hugger. Mechanically, the Discover 125T is powered by the same 124.6cc, four-stroke, single-cylinder, air-cooled engine. However, the 125T makes slightly less power; 12.3 bhp at 9000rpm

Peak torque remains the same at 1.1 kgm on the 125T, however it’s [...]

Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India has launched the Dream Neo commuter motorcycle. The Dream Neo is the manufacturer’s first motorcycle to come equipped with Honda Eco Technology (HET).

The four-stroke, air-cooled and single-cylinder 110cc engine comes mated to a four-speed gearbox, which is operated via a heel-and-toe shifter in an all-up pattern. The carbureted motorcycle is good for 8.25 bhp of maximum power at 7500rpm.

The motorcycle features an analogue speedometer and fuel gauge, a pass-light flasher, an 8-litre fuel tank, and a hinge-less fuel filler cap. The base model comes [...]

Honda’s CBR250R sports bike has been a success since it was launched on Indian soil in 2011. Honda has now announced that customers can buy the CBR250R in its Repsol race livery at a higher cost. The Repsol CBR250R will be a special edition on sale for a short period ot time, and available only in limited numbers.

Initially the motorcycle was offered in three paint schemes, red, silver and black. Later on Honda decided to bring its famous Fireblade inspired Pearl Heron Blue. We will also see a white paint scheme for this bike priced at Rs. 1,62,091 for the standard variant and Rs. 1,91,636 for the ABS variant (both [...]

Globally famous marques Indian and Victory are going to set up shop in India sometime in 2014. Minnesota based Polaris Industries is planning to bring both their motorcycle brands after witnessing the success of similar motorcycles such as Harley Davidson. Polaris India Pvt Ltd is headed by Indian two-wheeler industry veteran Pankaj Dubey who plans as managing director to import the new motorcycles in via the CBU route. Contrary to popular belief, Indian and Victory motorcycles will sell from independent showrooms, not sharing space with ATVs from the same parent company.

It is unknown when the brands will be launched, [...]

The much-awaited KTM 390 Duke can be yours now for Rs. 1,80,000 (ex-showroom, Delhi). Bajaj Auto and KTM launched the attractive streetbike today and is expecting a good response from the Indian market. The 390 Duke is aggressively styled with  minimalistic body work and an exposed bright orange trellis frame, giving it a very typical KTM look and feel.

The 390 Duke is powered by a four-stroke, single cylinder, 373.2cc engine putting out maximum power of 43bhp at 9500 rpm and peak torque of 3.57kgm at 7250 rpm. The engine is fuel-injected, liquid-cooled and operates using a quartet of valves driven by a twin camshaft. This big Duke gets a six-speed gearbox that shifts in a [...]

It’s happy days for MS Dhoni’s Mahi Racing Team India as both its riders, Fabian Foret & Kenan Sofuoglu, finished on the podium in the sixth race of the World Supersport season at Portimao in Portugal. Foret managed to pass two riders in the opening stages after starting from fourth place on the grid and took the lead in the latter half of the race due to the incredible pace of the Mahi Racing bikes. He was overtaken by eventual winner Sam Lowes on Turn 11. Foret tried his best to take back the lead but was unsuccessful in his bid and had to settle for a second place finish. 

Reigning champion Sofuoglu had finished [...]

Little known manufacturer Mission Motorcycles has announced the launch of two electric superbikes, the R and RS. This means that for about Rs. 17 Lakh (before duties) you can now ride at speeds comparable to 600cc racing bikes albeit using the power of electricity only.

Mission R

Mission Motors was founded in 2007 with the goal of building and selling high performance electric motorcycles. However, when its original design, the Mission One, didn’t achieve enough demand, the company switched to selling electric components and drivetrain development. It [...]

Royal Enfield, the maker of iconic motorcycle Bullet, launched its next generation Thunderbird (500 & 350) cruiser motorcycles, as well as a range of accessories in Mumbai on Wednesday.

Developed on an all-new platform, the new Thunderbird 500 is priced at Rs 1,82,571. The Bullet-maker will also be rolling out a range of accessories.

[quote]By next year, the company plans to increase it two-wheeler capacities by 50% to 1,50,000 bikes a year. “Eicher is currently selling 1000 units of Thunderbird 350 in a month. The waiting period for other [...]

Brammo’s electric Empulse is now finally ready and undergoing production, for the 2013 release model Empulse and Empulse R. The Empule will come standard with a six-speed gearbox, a max speed of 100 mph. The company now promises a fast recharge of 3.5 hours, the Empluse will now sell for US $16,995 (Rs. 9,11,000). There’s also the Empluse R, apremium model that will go on sale for $18,995 (Rs. 10,18,000) in June.

The Empulse R’s exterior body is made out of carbon fibre while the empales retains the plastic shell construction.

Piaggio Vehicles Pvt. Ltd, the Italian motorcycle maker, unveiled the Vespa scooter at the 2012 Auto Expo. Vespa was started in 1946 and since then, the company have sold more than 17 million units worldwide. Piaggio plans to bring this iconic brand back to India with a new spirit. Piaggio have set up a new facility at Baramati for Vespa’s production, where they plan to manufacture with initial capacity of 150,000. The Vespa will hit Indian roads in April 2012 and will initially be available in 35 main cities.

The company showed off its [...]