Yamaha Motor Launched FZ-S And Fazer Special Edition

Ahead of the upcoming festive season, Yamaha India has launched special editions of its FZ S & Fazer motorcycles. The bikes see refreshed styling in terms of new paint finishes & body graphics. They will also be available in an all new battle green colour.

The bikes come with the same 153cc engine good for 14bhp.

Roy Kurian, vice president, sales & marketing, Yamaha Motor India Sales Pvt. Ltd. said, “The launch of the special edition of the FZ series is a clear illustration of how the market has responded to our motorcycles in this series. Our strategic intent is to provide customers with stylish new variants of the FZ series to match his personal style. These bikes have been instrumental in catapulting our sales to an all new level. We have kept the essence of FZ series bikes intact while altering the aesthetics to exemplify the masculine feeling these tough machines are known for. We are confident that these variants too will be an instant hit among the biking enthusiasts.”

The special editions of the FZ S & Fazer are available at Rs 74,385 & Rs 79, 485 respectively (all prices ex showroom, Delhi).

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Review And First Ride Of New Honda Dream Neo

Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India has just augmented its bike line up with the addition of the Dream Neo. Part of Honda’s Dream series, the Dream Neo is the manufacturer’s first motorcycle to get HET, or Honda Eco Technology. The Dream Neo is aimed at fuel efficiency conscious customers looking for a reliable daily commuter, & will sell alongside the Dream Yuga & CB Twister in the competitive 110cc commuter bike segment.




True to a commuter bike, Honda’s Neo is conservatively styled, its angular headlamp housed in a simple bikini fairing. Instruments are likewise simple, showing the rider an analogue speedometer & fuel gauge, both of which are easily legible. Palm grips are soft & switchgear on the Neo is Honda typical, as found on several Honda commuter bikes here, these including a pass light flasher.

The Neo’s 8 litre fuel tank feels slender, & comes with a hinge less fuel filler cap. The base model Dream Neo comes with 18 inch wire spoke wheels while higher variants are available with six spoke alloy wheels, in black. The Dream Neo’s engine, frame & exhaust are also finished in black. At the rear, the Neo uses a simplistic tail light & jaded looking tubular grab handle. Overall quality & fit & finish are however up to the mark, as expected on any Honda motorcycle, & the Neo faces no issues here.

The Dream Neo shares its HET enabled, four stroke, 109cc, air cooled & single cylinder engine with the Dream Yuga. There’s a four speed gearbox, operated via a heel and toe shifter in an all up pattern. The carburetted motorcycle makes 8.25bhp of maximum power at 7500rpm. The clutch feels light, & works with good progressive feel as apt on a city commuter like this. Power delivery is step free, & the engine pulls well from low in the powerband, making this an easy motorcycle to ride in urban India.

The 105kg Dream Neo uses a single downtube tubular frame, using its engine as a stressed member. For suspension, the Neo uses telescopic front forks & a set of hydraulic rear shock absorbers, coupled with a sturdy rectangular section swingarm. The Neo seats its rider in a commuter friendly, upright & comfy riding stance & provides its rider a well thought out ergonomic triangle. Ride quality is decent, & it’s also a light & nimble handling motorcycle in city. Barring the base model Neo, other variants ride on tubeless tyres, which provided us with sufficient traction in wet & dry conditions. Honda has equipped the Dream Neo with 130mm drum brakes front & rear, with no option of a disc brake available.

The Dream Neo is available in three variants, kick start/ drum brakes/ spoke wheels for Rs 43,150, kick/ drum/ alloy for Rs 44,150 & a top of the line self/ drum/ alloy variant priced at Rs 47,240 (all prices ex showroom, Delhi).

So, priced about the same as several rivals including Hero MotoCorp’s Splendor Pro & Passion X Pro, Suzuki’s Hayate, TVS’s Star City 110 & the recently launched Mahindra Pantero & Centuro, the Neo does show promise as a well rounded bike with Honda’s proven quality.

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Indian Mototcycle Royal Enfield & Actor Farhan Akhtar Organised ‘Bhaag Milkha Bhaag’ contest

Royal Enfield & actor Farhan Akhtar held a contest for their fans, where in the winner was handed the keys to the very same Desert Storm ridden by the actor in his latest movie, Bhaag Milkha Bhaag. Participants had to share a life story that involved victory, passion, courage & hardships faced. Haminind Singh from Srinagar emerged victorious & took possession of this celebrity motorcycle.

The Royal Enfield motorcycle used in this film is similar to the one actually used by Milkha Singh while serving in the Indian Army. Royal Enfield even removed the front disc brake on the Desert Storm & replaced it with a drum brake to make the bike look more authentic in the film.

The campaign was made to showcase the spirit of memorable journeys by Royal Enfield.

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Italian Company Piaggio Is Launching New Vespa Scooter Soon

Italian two wheeler specialist Piaggio has confirmed they are working to bring India the Vespa S scooter. Piaggio has recognized a strong potential in the Indian two wheeler market for its premium scooters, to cash in on which they are gradually expanding their product portfolio in our market. After the LX125 automatic scooter arrived here last year, Piaggio recently introduced the Vespa VX, in essence the LX125 with a front disc brake & smart new colours. In addition to which we recently learnt the stylish & super premium Vespa 946 scooter is slated for an India launch.

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Test Ride and Review of Royal Enfield Thunderbird 500

Royal Enfield first launched its Thunderbird cruiser in 2002. & the latest variant of the Thunderbird 500 was first seen at this year’s Indian Auto Expo. We’ve recently ridden the latest T’bird on the Bangalore Ooty highway to bring you this first impression.

An immediately visible change is a new headlight featuring a projector lamp. Stylish new instruments display an analogue speedometer & tachometer, with a digital display including a clock also in place. The new grips feel decent & both control levers have a solid, meaty feel to them. A hazard warning switch is standard, making for a Royal Enfield first.

The fuel tank is larger, well proportioned with its filler lid offset at the top. & you now have the option of removing the pillion seat to increase luggage room. The 500 also gets a revised exhaust, LED tail lamp & RE logos for its foot pegs.

The latest Thunderbird borrows its 499cc, single cylinder, air cooled & four stroke engine from the Classic 500. The large capacity engine belts out a trademark Royal Enfield thump. There’s ample low & mid range power, but peak power output at 27.2bhp could be more, given such a large capacity engine. The T’bird 500 is good for a top speed of 130kph, but feels best when cruising at speeds of between 80 100kph. A five speed gearbox shifts in the one down, four up pattern.

The riding saddle is comfortable, & the rider’s footpegs have been shifted forward, making for a more comfortable cruising experience.

The T’bird 500 employs a single downtube frame, with an oval section swingarm used at rear. There’s also a 240mm disc brake at rear, working with a 280mm single front disc for improved stopping power.

Royal Enfield has priced the new Thunderbird 500 at Rs 1,82,571 (on road, Mumbai). See the first ride report in our shortly releasing Nov 2012 issue for more details.









Fact File
Price Range (in lakhs)*
Ex showroom price Rs 1,65,708 (Ex showroom, Mumbai)
Engine
Fuel Petrol
Type Single cylinder, air cooled, four stroke, 499cc
Power 27.2bhp at 5250rpm
Torque 4.17kgm at 4000rpm
Power to weight 139.5bhp per tonne
Transmission
Gearbox 5 speed, 1 down, 4 up
Dimensions
Length 2060mm
Width 790mm
Height 1205mm
Wheel base 1350mm
Ground clearance 140mm
Chassis & Body
Weight 195kg
Wheels Wire spoke
Tyres 90/90x19 inches(f), 120/80x18 inches (r)
Suspension
Front Telescopic forks
Rear Dual gas charged shocks, oval section swingarm
Brakes
Front 280mm disc
Rear 240mm disc
Economy
Tank size 20 litres

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Bajaj Discover 100cc is coming Dec 2012

Rajiv Bajaj, Managing Director of Bajaj Auto has unveiled in an interview with Executive Editor, Bloomberg UTV, Mini Menon that his company is burning the midnight oil to shortly introduce a new Discover. The latest Bajaj is confirmed to be a 100cc model, & aims to make it big in this high volumes segment of the market.

The Discover 100 is being built upon the recently launched, well received Bajaj Discover 125ST platform. Expect the 100 to sport similar styling to the handsome 125ST as pictured here, while both bikes shall share several key components. We know the new 100 will be generously equipped, using similar features as found on the 125ST, suitably tweaked for a 100cc commuter bike. The four stroke, air cooled & single cylinder, 100cc engine will be tuned to deliver excellent performance & fuel efficiency for this segment.

We’d expect to see upmarket kit like alloy wheels & a front disc brake available with the upcoming Discover 100, with Bajaj being clear in their strategy to ensure the Discover 100 does not become just another 100cc commuter bike, but a 100 that actually offers the best technology & specifications for its class.

The Discover 100 will slip into showrooms around this December priced around the Rs 50,000 mark, offering a whole lot more than its rivals for not so much more money.

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TVS Phoenix 125 launched

TVS has launched its Phoenix 125 motorcycle.

The Phoenix 125 comes with a new 125cc EcoThrust engine that TVS claims comes with excellent pickup & best in class fuel efficiency.

Speaking at the launch, Venu Srinivasan, chairman, TVS Motor Company said, “We have developed an all new engine for this motorcycle. It complements several unique features to ensure ‘premium ride quality’. With this launch, we hope to increase our market share in the segment. This launch also completes our motorcycle product portfolio.”

The motorcycle features a fully digital speedometer with an amber backlight, a digital fuel gauge, low battery reminder, trip meter, service reminder, soft texture grips & soft touch switchgear. The company has also equipped it with hazard lamps to enhance rider safety. A rotopetal disc brake, LED pilot lamps, an all black engine, alloy wheels & a stitched dual texture cushion seat are also present.

On the mechanical front, the Phoenix 125 comes with a five step adjustable ‘series spring’ suspension & a high response damper. An electric starter fires up the four speed powertrain Phoenix 125 that puts out 14.7bhp at 8000rpm. TVS claims the motorcycle has a fuel economy of over 67kpl under standard riding conditions.

The motorcycle is available in five dual tone colours: Moroccan Red, Alaskan Green, Helsinki Black Silver, Belgian Black Red & Oxford Grey.

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Piaggio's Vespa LX 125 review and test drive

Vespa’s return to India comes in good time, when the scooter market here is showing healthy growth & ample promise. The LX125 is well suited to India.

Everything was beginning to seem picture perfect, till Vespa announced the LX125’s unusually high price. Let’s find out whether the Indo Italian newcomer has what it takes to justify asking a premium over its rivals.

Design

Arguably the best looking Indian scooter, the Vespa LX125 is perfectly proportioned, its smoothened, timeless lines having been well received ever since first seen back in the 1940’s.

It’s rounded front apron runs a smart border, above which sits a rounded clear lens, halogen headlight that brightens up inky nights. The new Vespa has top quality, elegantly formed switches that incorporate push to cancel indicators, comfortable palm grips & machined alloy brake levers that rank among the best on any Indian scooter.

A let down is Vespa having omitted a rear brake lock clamp on the LX125. We however like how the voluminous front storage bin sits flush in the panel beneath the steering, opening with a light push of the ignition key into its slot. Detailed engineering has gone into both stands for this scooter, the LX being easily propped onto its main stand, & the side stand deploying an auto return feature.

The LX enjoys many perfectly evolved design touches, with even little details being properly addressed.

Sold in several options of trendy bright paint jobs, the Baramati built Vespa comes with good overall quality & smart fit finish.

Performance

The button started LX125 is powered by a four stroke, single cylinder engine that displaces 125cc. The Vespa is the only Indian scooter to breathe through 3 valves.

This air cooled powerplant is carburetted unlike several fuel injected Vespa’s available worldwide. Maximum power is 10.06bhp made at 7500rpm, & peak torque, 1.08kgm delivered at 6000rpm.

The LX’s CVT transmission works seamlessly, saving riders the added chore of working a clutch & gearshift. The new engine emits a creamy smooth power delivery, with a refined, buzz free feel. Performance is adequate, the 0 60kph dash completed in 10.07 seconds. In the city, the LX125 is peppy enough for zippy traffic signal getaways.

Ride & Handling

Vespa scooters have often used a monocoque chassis, the LX125 showing off a rigid, steel structure on these lines. The scooter’s seat is plush & roomy, with the riding position feeling just right, comfy, upright & with the handlebar set at the correct height.

Ride quality is good, even when riding with an adult pillion or negotiating poor roads & the LX is light & stable to ride.

The Vespa corners just as well as any scooter on 10 inch rims. A weak front brake proves the single biggest letdown on the Indian LX125 & is a safety hazard that needs urgent addressing, for it provides inadequate bite, as well as stopping power. Given the scooter’s high price, Vespa would do well to offer the LX125 with a front disc brake.

The LX125 comes shod with grippy MRF rubber front & rear.

Fuel Economy

The LX125 proves frugal for an automatic, 125cc scooter, returning 40.7kpl during our testing in real world, Indian city riding conditions, this improving a bit when testing on the highway, where it gave us 42.1kpl.






Verdict

Vespa's new scooter is a well rounded package. The LX125 is just as stylish as it gets on a scooter. This is unquestionably going to be the scooter members of the fairer sex will aspire to reach college astride, having said which, affluent male businessmen could also want to be seen on one. Barring its ineffective front brake, the LX rides & handles fine too, which leaves just one hurdle it is sure to find hard to overcome, its Rs 70,000 on road price, which makes this India's most heavily overpriced scooter, hands down.

Tech Specs

Fact File

What it costs
Ex showroom (Delhi) Rs 66,000 (ex Maharashtra)
Engine
Fuel Petrol
Installation Inclined from vertical
Type 125cc Single cylinder, 3 valve air cooled, four stroke
Compression ratio 10:1
Power 10.06bhp at 7500rpm
Torque 1.08kgm at 6000rpm
Power to weight 88.2bhp per tonne
Transmission
Type CVT
Dimensions
Length 1770mm
Width 690mm
Height 1140mm
Wheel base 1290mm
Chassis & Body
Weight 114kg
Wheels 3 spoke alloy
Tyres 90x100x10 inches (Front & rear)
Suspension
Front Single side shock, trailing arm
Rear Monoshock
Brakes
Front 150mm drum
Rear 140mm drum
Performance
0 20 1.57
0 40 4.38
0 60 10.07
0 80 19.00

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Spy pics of Next-gen Bajaj Discover

Avid Autocar India reader, Ninad Kashikar has just clicked these early & detailed spy pictures of an undisguised, next generation Bajaj Discover undergoing testing. However, the new bike will not replace the current Discover, but will instead be sold alongside it.

As seen in the pictures, the new Discover gets a comprehensive styling makeover. The new front headlight cluster now has minor chrome inserts, & although revised, this new design does show off its Discover family lineage.

A big change on the new, approximately 125cc Discover is a gas filled mono shock rear suspension system, a premium feature that is unheard of in the Discover segment. The Discover 125 will compete head on with the likes of Hero MotoCorp's Splendor motorcycles, Honda's CB Twister, Stunner & upcoming Dream Yuga, TVS's StarCity commuter bikes as well as all other rival 125cc bikes currently sold in India.

Expect Bajaj to launch their new discover very shortly.

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Carmaker Audi buys bikemaker Ducati for 1.12 billion USD

German luxury carmaker, Audi, has agreed to buy Italian bikemaker, Ducati, for a sum of 1.12 billion USD. Audi will also inherit all of Ducati’s current financial liabilities.

Volkswagen owned Audi were earlier negotiating with Ducati owner Investindustrial to buy out the Italian exotic bike maker, but it has now culminated to a deal. The marriage of the two automotive giants fits well with Audi’s ambitious ‘Project Eagle,’ aimed at elevating VW to becoming the world’s largest auto manufacturer.

Earlier, Andrea Bonomi, Investindustrial head had stated that Ducati was looking for a world class industrial partner for its future growth & wanted to sell the iconic brand for one billion Euros.

The purchase will make Ducati the 11th brand in VW’s portfolio. Ducati sold 42,000 motorcycles through 2011 & commands a nine percent share in its segment. The company has been making all the right moves over the past few years, launching segment leading motorcycles like its versatile Multistrada 1200, the Diavel power cruiser & 1199 Panigale race replica.

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First Look of New Vespa LX 125

The Vespa brand enjoys a history in India, as erstwhile collaborators with LML making geared scooters that were popular at one time. Like all good things however, the LML JV was dismantled in 1999, Piaggio having setting up a spanking new manufacturing unit at Baramati in 2007.

Piaggios first scooter here, the LX 125 is set to launch on schedule later this month. The Vespa LX 125 is an automatic, retro looking scooter, paying tribute to the original 1946 Vespa with retro styling. It’s a compact vehicle, with plenty of rounded curves & a cute, headlamp, flanked by chrome rear view mirrors. The front apron sports a centre cowl, reminding of scooters from the past, apart from a chrome grille that houses the horn. The front apron is otherwise clean & smooth, incorporating a set of tall, rectangular indicators. An angular front mudguard guards the front suspension & five spoke alloys.

The LX employs a rounded instruments cluster with a speedometer, fuel gauge, low fuel warning light, tell tale lights & a digital clock. Switchgear looks modern. Inside the apron sits a petite glove box, capable of gobbling up a few knick knacks. There’s a ridged footboard below. The seat seems wide, & should provide comfort for both, riders & their pillion. A large under seat storage bay is present. Behind the seat sits a functional looking grab handle, while the LX 125 rear end is smartly contoured, retro but simple with an edgy stop lamp & turn indicators. Its all metal body should endure the LX 125 with robustness, as opposed to most Indian plastic body scooters of today. Fit finish & quality on the scooters to leave Baramati remains a question mark.

The LX 125 for India will deploy a 124cc, four stroke, fuel injected, air cooled single cylinder engine. 125cc is a favourite displacement for Vespas, the famous firm having often given their vehicles similar capacity engines over six decades. Peak power output is 10.7bhp at 8250rpm, while maximum torque produced at 6500rpm is 0.97kgm. An automatic CVT transmission, coupled with decent power & torque should endure the LX 125 with ample performance & convenience in Indian traffic conditions.

The scooter uses a load bearing steel chassis with welded structural supports holding its engine in place. Front suspension is a single side, linked arm with hydraulic shock absorber & coil spring, while at rear sits a hydraulic monoshock. The LX 125 uses a purposeful 200mm front disc brake, with a conventional 110mm drum behind.

Pricing is yet to be announced, & shall hold the keys to the LX 125’s success in India. Indication point at premium positioning, so expect the LX 125 to cost a bit more than its competition. Has the Indian scooter market evolved enough to accept a premium scooter like this? Are Indians prepared to shell out the extra buck it takes to make lifestyle statements aboard scooters?

Time, & the Autocar India road test will tell the truth.

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New BMW’s affordable GS is for India

BMW is readying the F650 GS from its ever popular adventure family for launch in India. The name could lead you to think back to the mid nineties, when another BMW, the big single engine powered Funduro, launched here courtesy the Hero group. The F650 GS is however a very different animal as compared to the Funduro, that was a bike ahead of its time. Unlike the Funduro’s big single, Rotax developed engine, the GS’s trellis frame holds a more potent, four stroke, liquid cooled, 798cc parallel twin motor that is shared with the 85bhp F800GS. Power for the F650 GS is although capped at a milder 71bhp.

At idle the F650 GS’s fuel injected BMW powerplant settles into a smooth rhythm with a muted, bass rich exhaust beat. The saddle of this near 200kg motorcycle is considerably high, enough to make the bike feel a shade daunting at first. But get it off the stand & going, & you find yourself towering above everything else on the road in a really commanding position. This confidence inspiring seating position will work its charm on you fairly quickly, as the light action, cable operated clutch makes it easy for a rider to tap deep into the parallel twin engine’s smooth & uncomplicated performance.

Our brief test ride proves the GS is a capable work horse, ever willing to trot slowly without kicking up a fuss. The BMW is flexible enough to allow you to pull smoothly forward from a patient 30kph in third gear without any stuttering or fuss. Start using your right wrist with enthusiasm however, & the GS transforms into a stallion, breaking into a thundering gallop in a flash. 71bhp of creamy smooth power & a healthy 7.6kgm of torque prove really rewarding to use, ample whether in the city or gunning the F650 GS out on the highway.

The versatile motorcycle’s wide handlebar & comfy upright riding position makes it easy to ride & maneuver around on our crowded roads. It comes as no surprise the GS’ telescopic front suspension & monoshock rear setup are capable of thundering over the worst surfaces with complete authority. It feels as though the F650 GS barely registers any of India’s commonly found lumpy tarmac or potholes, making this a truly ideal motorcycle for daily use in our demanding conditions. Ride quality remains remarkably flat always, with as much comfort on offer as possible despite such varying road conditions. Another praiseworthy asset to the F650 GS is it maintains all this solid composure despite when riding with a full size adult as pillion.

While BMW’s off road enthusiasts may bemoan a conventional chain being used for final drive instead of a shaft, & alloy wheels (17 inch front & 19 inch rear wrapped with capable, German Metzeler rubber) the GS is more than capable of handling any terrain you dare to ride over. The ABS brakes felt reassuring, this important safety feature certain to reduce the stress of riding this new motorcycle.

The baby GS is a well rounded motorcycle that can be ridden daily, & everywhere, provided the standard seat height of 820mm doesn’t scare you away. The F650 GS goes on sale in May 2012, backed by the proven after sales & service care provided by Navnit Motor’s, BMW Motorrad’s Mumbai based importer. The ABS equipped F650GS is expected to launch at an attractive Rs 8 10.5 lakh on road price in Pune.

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Two wheeler prices may go North

In a show of insufficient support to India’s flourishing private sector, the Government Of India’s Union Budget 2012–13 proposes hiking two wheeler excise duty from ten to twelve percent; an inexplicable move that can only trigger price hikes across the industry, as two wheeler manufacturers are left little choice but to pass their increased cost burden on to buyers.

The government has meanwhile also failed to provide relief to what are already sky high import duties levied on imported motorcycles brought in as completely built units (CBU), semi knocked down (SKD) &ncompletely knocked down units (CKD), unreasonably choosing to keep duty unaltered for these products, with 60 percent duty absorbed by the Government on every CBU model, &n30 percent for all CKD bikes.

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Ducati has unveiled the Monster Diesel.

Italian bike manufacturer Ducati has unveiled a restyled Monster 1100EVO called the Monster Diesel. The Monster Diesel gets a coat of army green paint in matte finish with black treatment for its prominent trellis frame, exhausts, wheels & front forks, while the front brake calipers are now yellow. Ducati has also launched a collection of slim fitting biker jackets, various apparel & accessories. The Monster Diesel will be available at Ducati stores globally from this July.

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New Honda CBR150R Bookings are now open

Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI) has commenced bookings for the CBR150R, simultaneously beginning production of the bike at Manesar.

The Japanese two wheeler major aims to roll out a first batch consisting of approximately 750 bikes by the end of March 2012. The CBR150R is powered by a 149.4cc, four stroke, single cylinder engine which delivers 18bhp. The bike features a six speed gearbox & will be offered in four colours.

Though pricing remains undisclosed, we expect the latest CBR bike to be attractively priced within Rs 1,20,000. Meanwhile, Honda sales counters continue to bustle with 43,000 bookings accumulated for the new Dio scooter, in the six weeks since its launch.

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Yamaha's first Scooter The Ray Launches by diwali

India Yamaha Motor plans to launch their first scooter, the Ray by Diwali. Displayed as a prototype at the Auto Expo, the stylish, small capacity (100-125cc) scooter targets the fairer sex.

Roy Kurian, national business head, India Yamaha Motor has stated ongoing capacity expansion at Yamaha’s Surajpur (Uttar Pradesh) factory shall conclude this year, following which Yamaha’s yearly production will reach one million units from six lakh units today. Yamaha is simultaneously scouting for land in the south to put up another manufacturing facility.

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Review and first ride of new Ducati monster

Almost a quarter of a million Monsters have sold around the world since its 1993 introduction. So, how many of the next quarter of a million Monsters are to be powered by Ducati’s new Monster 795 for Asia? A quick ride brings us closer to the answer.

Ducati isn’t beating around the bush. The Monster might be the most affordable Ducati in Asian markets by a fair margin, but it’s still no less a Ducati by any yardstick. Instantly recognisable as a Monster, the 795 is manufactured in Bologna & assembled in Thailand, with stringent quality control ensuring it lives up to Ducati’s standards of quality  &  fit finish.

The 795 is a hybrid; a combination of two existing Monsters. The chassis of the entry level 696 offers convenience for shorter riders thanks to a lower seat height. Repositioned handlebars (sourced from India!) ease the forward lean ergonomics  &  the foot pegs are likewise repositioned. At the heart of the iconic motorcycle sits the 803cc, Desmodromic valve train equipped motor from the Monster 796. Ducati knows this combination is best suited for Asians  &  Indians. A double sided alloy swingarm helps keep costs competitive.

The lower seat makes shorter riders feel at home immediately,  &  the bike is furthermore manageable thanks to its 167kg weight. Wide handlebars provide good leverage, 

and the V twin engine outputs a familiar Ducati throb with strong midrange grunt on tap. The Monster blasts to an indicated 94kph in first gear, 138kph throttle pinned to the stop in second while third is good for near 180kph. There’s no shortage of performance from this 87bhp powerplant. And the wholesome package of superb dynamics  &  potent brakes makes it effortless tapping into  &  getting to grips with the Ducati’s sporty genes on the right road.

The Monster 795 aims to be exciting  &  practical. While handling is light  &  easy, the engine sometimes feels snatchy at low speeds  &  prefers being left on the boil. And this could be a bit of an issue if you want your Monster to commute to work in Mumbai city traffic every day. Keep its engine revving high on the highways  &  now you’ve got a better idea of where the 795 can truly excel. Ride quality is pliant  &  capable of soaking in the bumps with a sporty firmness.  Despite its altered seating position however, the Monster is still not the most ideal long distance touring motorcycle, as its stance remains sporty  &  can extract a toll on an unfit lower back.

No, it may not feel quite at home in every surrounding, but the Monster 795 has its heart in the right place. Performance, styling  &  the India introductory Rs 5.99 lakh price tag make it pretty tempting. We hear this is just the first salvo fired towards India from Bologna & simply can’t wait for what’s next.  

Fact File

Price Range (in lakhs)*

Ex-showroom price

Rs 5.99 lakh

Engine

Fuel	Petrol
Type	803cc, L-Twin cylinder, 2 valve per cylinder Desmodromic, air cooled
Bore/stroke	88x66mm
Power	85.82bhp at 8250rpm
Torque	7.95kgm at 6250rpm

Transmission

Type

6-speed

Dimensions

Wheel base

1450mm

Chassis & Body

Weight	167kg
Wheels	3-spoke light alloy 3.50x17, 3-spoke light alloy 4.50x17
Tyres	Front-120/60 ZR 17 Pirelli Angel ST, rear-160/60 ZR 17 Pirelli Angel ST

Suspension

Front	Marzocchi (43mm upside-down forks)
Rear	Progressive linkage with preload and rebound Sachs adjustable monoshock

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Test ride and full review of New Hero MotoCorp Impulse

The Hero MotoCorp's new Impulse is the 1st bike to wear a Hero MotoCorp badge & the company has boldly gone ahead to kick start a new on-off road segment with the bike.

The motorcycle looks piece. It's long & black mudguard is like a beak, above which there is a high headlamp. Wide handlebars come with knuckle guards to keep mud far from your hands when riding in rough, while just behind, the fuel tank comes clad with the large scoops. As every go anywhere bike must be, the bike is tall with a high seat that purposefully pulls over the tank. The Impulse has come with a big LED tail light.

Powering the Impulse there is a 149.2cc, 4 stroke, air-cooled & single cylinder engine, which generates 13.2bhp of power & 1.36kgm of torque. The Impulse uses a 5-speed gearbox which shifts smoothly in the universal, 1-down, 4-up pattern. This engine offers a good low & mid range punch.

The Impulse is no poser. You get a massive 245mm ground clearance which comes armed with long stroke front suspension & a special high pressure gas charged rear damper. To improve the ground clearance, its exhaust loops around engine before exiting besides the pillion seat. The metal brake operating pedal is having a serrated finish which offer's a maximum grip in the muck. The rear sprocket have a solid plate which prevents the chain from slipping when riding through a rough terrain. The Impulse uses a high tensile steel which ensures that this chassis & swingarm are more stronger than the conventional bikes.

A highlight to the new Impulse is a sense of confidence that you can take on any terrain astride the motorcycle. A good upright riding position & wide handlebars which give the bike very comfortable seating position & make it much easy to steer. The double cradle frame is a robust & it aids handling. Capable suspension & meaty tyres tackle indian roads as well. On a smooth test track the Impulse feels sure footed, quickly changing the direction with a forgiving feel that soon gives the rider enough confidence to start sliding the motorcycle.

Off the road, a big 19 inches front rim easily clambers over the obstacles. The bike is effortlessly able to soak in a beating & its 17 inches rear rim with a 110/90 Ceat rear tyre offers a enough purchase.

The bike is undoubtedly well suited to our roads. It can tackle college trips or office commutes over the pathetic roads without batting the eyelid, just as easily doubling up as a leisure bike to chase dirt trails with. The Impulse is sure to hold much appeal for urban as well as rural bikers with its fun, hardy & a confident nature.

The company has priced the motorcycle well at Rs 66,800 (ex-showroom,New Delhi) & the bike enters Indian showrooms from last week of October onwards.

Fact File

Price Range (in lakhs)*

Ex-showroom price

Rs 66,800 (ex-showroom, Delhi)

Engine

Fuel	Petrol
Type	149.cc single-cylinder, air cooled, four stroke
Power	13.2bhp at 7500rpm
Torque	1.36kgm at 5000rpm
Power to weight	98.5bhp per tonne

Transmission

Type	5-speed, 1 down, 4 up

Dimensions

Length	2100mm
Width	820mm
Height	1160mm
Wheel base	1360mm
Ground clearance	245mm

Chassis & Body

Weight	134kg
Wheels	wire spoke
Tyres	Front 19inch, rear 17inch

Suspension

Front	Telescopic forks
Rear	Monoshock

Performance

0-20	1.07
0-40	2.67
0-60	5.59
0-80	10.44
0-100	21.07

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