Yamaha Delays Fazer 250 Launch
Yamaha had earlier disclosed its plans of launching two new bikes during the festive season, one of which would beat the Bajaj Pulsar 220 to take the crown of the fastest Indian motorcycle has postponed the launch of the Fazer 250. With alot of bikes expected to be launched in the 250cc segment, Yamaha doesn't want to the be the first to enter.
"We are not thinking of launching a bike in that (225-250 cc) range this festival season," Yukimine Tsuji, MD and CEO, Yamaha India said. "We will launch a bike that would not only be the fastest in India, but it would be the fastest in the world," Sanjay Tripathi, division head of product planning and brand management of Yamaha India said.
[Via: motorbeam]
Yamaha, Hero Honda, Suzuki and TVS log growth in sales
Yamaha India has reported an increase of 63% in its sales during August 2009, at 19,508 units, as compared to 11,974 units sold in August last year. The company has bookings for over 12,000 units for its latest bike that was launched in India recently - the 150cc Fazer.
Hero Honda reports an increase of 35.88% in sales during August this year, at 415,137 units, as compared to 305,516 units sold in August last year. 'With sales of more than four lakh units, August 2009 has been a month of record sales for Hero Honda,' said Anil Dua, senior VP (marketing and sales), Hero Honda.
Up next is Suzuki, which logged a 17.68% increase in its two-wheeler sales in India during August this year, at 13,030 units, as against 11,072 units sold during August last year. According to Suzuki, its latest offering in the Indian market - the GS150R - was the main reason behind this increase in sales.
And finally, TVS Motor, which saw its total two-wheeler sales go up by 11%, at 126,842 units during August this year, as against 114, 321 units sold during August last year. TVS sold 51,127 motorcycles and 28,582 scooters in the domestic market during August 2009. The company also exported 11,747 two-wheelers during August this year, a decline of 35% over last year's figure for the same month.
[Via: indiaautomotive]
Mumbai Police To Patrol On Yamaha FZS
The Maharashtra Government is not impressed with the bland looking bikes used by the Mumbai Police. Forget speed, style is the new mantra for Aamchi Mumbai's Police force who want nothing but the stylish Yamaha FZ-S.
Thus the government plans to arm our city cops with 500 new bikes which will not only make them slightly faster but alot cooler too. The main reason for procurement of the bikes is the imitation of Europen and American police forces who have tool kits, walkie-talkie, ammunition, etc on board with them.
Via: motorbeam]
Prices Of Racing Kit Parts For R15 & FZ16
Muffler Kit (for FZ16 and R15) - Rs. 16,000/- includes : -
- Racing Exhaust System
- Exhaust Pipe
- Bracket Kit Exhaust
Engine Kit (for R15) - Rs. 31,000/- includes : -
- ECU
- Cam Shift
- Muffler Kit
Body kit (for FZ16 and R15) - Rs. 20,000/- includes : -
- Brake Caliper Bracket
- Brake Disc
- Brake Hose Front
- Brake Hose Rear
- Front Brake Master Cylinder
- Step Plate
Kawasaki to move motorcycle production from Japan to Thailand
According to a Bloomberg report, Kawasaki will start shifting the production of some of its medium-sized and large motorcycles from Japan to Thailand, from next year. The aim would be to take advantage of lower costs and cheaper labour in Thailand. Kawasaki isn't the first major motorcycle manufacturer to go to Thailand - Triumph already has two manufacturing facilities in that country.
Kawasaki remains the only Japanese two-wheeler manufacturer that still hasn't managed to set up operations in India. The company does have some kind of an agreement in place with Bajaj Auto though, and the latter is expected to launch the Kawasaki Ninja 250R in India before the end of this year.
[Via: indiaautomotive]
Chennai to host Petronas Asian Road Racing Championship
After more than a decade's hiatus, the country is all set to host an International circuit racing event- The Petronas Asian Road Racing Championship, one of the continent's most prestigious racing event for motorcycles. The racing events will be collectively held under the banner of 'Sidvin Festival of Speed'.
The fourth round of the Petronas Asian Road Racing Championship (ARRC) will be held at the Madras Motor Sports Club (MMSC) race track at Sriperumbudur, Chennai from 3rd to 6th of September 2009. The first three rounds were held in Malaysia, Japan and Indonesia in April, May and June respectively earlier this year.
There will be two racing categories, the 600 Supersports and the Underbone 115cc, with two races in each. Chalermpol from Thailand currently leads the 600cc class while Fitriansayah of Indonesia leads the table in the Underbone 115cc class. Indian riders, Preetham Dev Moses K Rajini and Dilip Roggers have already confirmed participation in the 600cc category. The final two rounds of the six round event will be held at the Zuhai Circuit, China in October and December.
Also held concurrently will be the Round 3 of the UAM Asia Cup of Nations. In this, two riders each from eleven countries including India will race each other on identical 125cc Honda Stunner bikes. More than 20 riders are expected to race under their country's flag.
With the best riders from all over Asia landing in Chennai, the action is going to be really hot. Plan your weekend and don't miss it because this is as good as it gets.
Donor passes for the races will be available Madras Motor Sports Club, Guru Mansion, 1st Floor, 123/1, TTK Road, Alwarpet, Chennai 600 018. Telephone: 44 2499 0998.
[Via: BIKEINDIA]
Rossi among top five most paid athletes
Who says motorcycle racing isn't a paying career? The recent figures from Sports Illustrated reveal that MotoGP star, Valentino Rossi is the fifth most paid athlete in the world. His earnings stand at a staggering US$ 3,50,00,000 or 170 crore rupees per annum!
This amount includes salary, bonuses, endorsement incomes and appearance fees. Rossi was placed seventh last year but improved his standing this time and shares the fifth position with F1 champ Fernando Alonso. Just to make our readers understand how much he earns, the Italian MotoGP rider's yearly earnings can fetch him more than 2000 brand new 2009 Yamaha R1s.
[Via: BIKE]
Bajaj Auto sales show marginal decline in July 2009
Bajaj Auto has reported a negligible decline (less than 0.5%) in its motorcycle sales during July this year, at 168,163 units, as compared to 168,971 units sold in July 2008. The company's total two-wheeler sales declined from 169,971 units in July 2008 to 168,731 units in July this year. Exports improved marginally, from 67,253 units in July 2008 to 68,585 units during July this year.
Bajaj's total sales (including three-wheelers) in July this year stood at 192,835 units, as compared to 193,704 units in July 2008. According to a company press release, Bajaj expects its performance to improve over the next few months. The company is also expected to launch a new entry-level commuter bike in the 100-125cc segment, though there is still no word on when it'll launch the much-awaited Kawasaki Ninja 250R.
[Via: indiaautomotive]
New bike from Bajaj in four months time
Bajaj India is going to launch a new bike in next four months. The new bike would be Bajaj's attempt to put some speed breakers in the path of the Splendor and Passion motorcycles from Hero Honda, which rule the roost.
Bajaj has a meager 9% market share in the 100cc segment while its rival Hero Honda has 80%. It had launched the Discover 100cc motorcycle last month to give it some hope of moving ahead and not losing more to HH. The 100cc segment contributes to one-third of the total motorcycle market in India.
Hero Honda's 100cc models are CD Dawn, CD Deluxe, Splendour, and Passion while Bajaj has just the Discover and Platina. Naturally, progress will happen only if Bajaj fattens its line-up. With the new launches, Bajaj hopes to inch towards its previous overall 2-wheeler market share of 36%, which now has slipped to 21%.
[Via: IAB)
IYM, SMI sales up 46.85% and 20.35% in July 2009
Yamaha Motor India reported a 46.85% hike in its sales during July this year, at 17,316 units, as compared to 11,792 units sold during July 2008. IYM recently inaugurated its new manufacturing facility at Surajpur, in UP, and also launched a new variant of the FZ16 - the Fazer 150. In the meanwhile, Suzuki Motorcycle India also registered an increase of 20.35% in its sales during July this year, at 12,585 units, as compared to 10,457 units sold during July 2008.
[Via: indiaautomotive]