Weekly Wrap-up: Apache RTR and Victor Launching, Mahindra to launch 125cc scooter, Motorcycles launching at Auto Expo

Two wheeler industry has welcomed the new year with a lot of amazing surprises. Now, the time has come to go through what all has happened during the week. This week, TVS confirmed the launch date of its highest displacement and awaited motorcycle, TVS Apache RTR 200 along with its popular 2016 TVS Victor. The Italians weren't much behind and the Benelli is planning to bring 4 new motorcycles during the Auto Expo, including its first fully faired motorcycle in the country, Tornado 302 whereas the Japanese Giant Yamaha is working on to bring the naked version of YZF-R3, called MT-03 at Auto Expo. Mahindra confirmed the launch of its 125cc Gusto, which might arrive any time soon. Apart from that, the nation's only off-roader champion CS Santosh exited from the Dakar Rally.

Let's find out all the latest happenings during the week:

Honda to Unveil ‘Navi’ at 2016 Auto Expo

The New Year's greeting image on the official website of Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI) reads “Happy ‘Navi’ Year” instead of the usual Happy ‘New’ Year. The font used for the word ‘Navi’ makes it stand out, and the caption on the picture says: “Here to change the way India plays with two-wheels”. As the same greeting image appears not only on the website but also Honda’s social media accounts including Facebook, Twitter and Youtube, we believe it could be referring to the company’s new offering in the scooter segment under the Honda Navi brand name. Read More

BMW S 1000XR to be Launched at 2016 Auto Expo

BMW is planning its official entry in the Indian two-wheeler market with the launch of an adventure tourer, S 1000XR. The bike will be launched at the 2016 Auto Expo which will take place in Delhi next month. The new offering by the company is based on S 1000R and houses an in-line-four block that produces a maximum power of 158.8bhp and a peak torque of 112Nm. The bike features Automatic Stability Control (ASC), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and Dynamic Traction Control (DTC). Moreover, its comes with two riding modes viz. Rain and Road. It will give a tough competition to Ducati Multistrada and is expected to be priced around Rs. 27 lac (ex-showroom). Read More

Fully-faired BMW G 310 R Sibling by TVS at Auto Expo, Code-named 'U69'

Indian two-wheeler giant, TVS is planning to launch its new machine based on BMW G 310 R. Codename U69 this is a fully faired sibling of G 310 R. As, TVS-BMW are already working together on G 310 R both the companies are now also working jointly to develop U69. TVS will manufacture these machines in its Hosur plant, near Bangalore while the BMW Motorrad will take care of all the Research & Development activities. Read More

DSK Benelli to Bring 4 New Models in India in 2016

DSK Benelli superbikes are already doing great in India with their aggressive pricing and the recently launched TNT 25 further strengthened their marketplace in the country. Currently, the company is offering its TNT range comprising of naked sport motorcycles varying from 250cc to 1130cc and a middleweight adventure tourer. Now, the Italian maker is going to expand its Indian fleet in some other segments with 4 new products that are expected to be launched in 2016, some of them could be showcased at the upcoming Auto Expo as well. So, let's have a look on these upcoming Italian superbikes in India. Read More

CS Santosh Out of Dakar Rally over Technical Issues

After facing technical issues during the fourth stage of the ongoing Dakar 2016, CS Santosh is now out of the rally. The navigation tower on Santosh’s bike is broken and the electricals are also shot, owing to which he was left with no option but to not proceed further in the world’s most dangerous off-road rally event. Santosh was riding a Suzuki 450 Rally motorcycle. Read More

Yamaha Might Showcase MT-03 at Auto Expo

In a bid to expand its presence in the entry-level sports bike segment, Yamaha is ready to bring the naked version of its recently launched YZF-R3, named the MT-03. Reportedly, the bike might be unveiled at the upcoming Auto Expo and will hit Indian shores by mid-2016. The company might price it below Rs. 3 lac and bring it here via CKD route. The bike will compete against premium naked offerings such as KTM 390 Duke, Kawasaki Z250, Benelli TNT 300 and the upcoming BMW G310 R. Read More

110cc Hero Passion iSmart Spotted Undisguised

Hero MotoCorp - the country’s largest two-wheeler manufacturer has made it a practice to roll out a bunch of new two-wheelers each year and most of them come are aimed at the fuel-efficiency conscious buyer. In keeping with this, rumours of a Hero motorcycle equipped with iSmart technology have doing rounds on the internet and the same has been spotted undisguised this time. Read More

Confirmed: Suzuki Gixxer 250 to Debut at Auto Expo; Mid-2016 Launch

Suzuki Gixxer 250 or GSX-R250, spy images of which recently surfaced on the internet, is finally making its way to Indian shores soon. If some reports are to be believed, the bike will receive its India reveal at the 2016 Indian Auto Expo and sales will commence by mid-2016. The bike was spotted at a facility in Japan in a production-ready state and seems to share its design philosophy with its elder sibling - GSX-R750. Read More

Bajaj’s Mystery Commuter Motorcycle Spotted Again

Some days back, we had shared spy shots of a Bajaj motorcycle that came across as a hybrid of two bikes - Pulsar and Avenger. Now, we have come across more images of the same and the latest images reveal more interesting details about this mystery machine. The motorcycle captured undergoing testing does not appear to be the production-ready model due to its highly disagreeable body design - the front and rear design seem to be out of sync. Read More

Mahindra Gusto 125 to break cover on Jan 12

Earlier, we reported that Mahindra is working on a 125cc variant of its highest selling scooter, the Gusto. Recently, the Indian two-wheeler manufacturer confirmed the launch of their new scooter codenamed as, the G108, which we believe will be the upgraded version of Gusto. The company will conduct media rides for their upcoming scooter in Lavasa on 12th of this month. If emerging reports on the web are to be believed, the latest entrant to the Mahindra’s scooter fleet will be launched anytime soon. The company will pitch it against the segment leaders, Honda Activa 125 and Suzuki Access. Read More

All You Need to Know About 2016 India Bike Week

The fourth edition of India Bike Week is going to be held on February 19-20, 2016 at Vagator in Goa. This year, the event is expected to include new additions along with some of the old favourites. Organized by 70 EMG (Event Company) and lifestyle television channel FOX Life, this time, it is expected to host more than 12,000 biking enthusiasts from all over the world, including riding clubs and solo riders. In addition to new events, the 2016 IBW will also witness older events such as Finals of Custom Bike Build Off 2016, International Bike Expo and Vintage & Classic Bike Concours which are now considered traditions of the event. Read More

Confirmed: TVS Apache 200 to be Launched on Jan 20; LED Lamps & Fuel Tank Spied

TVS Apache 200 is finally making its debut to India on January 20, as confirmed by the company. Spied multiple times undergoing test runs, this bike will be manufactured at the company’s production facility in Hosur and will directly rival the KTM 200 Duke in its respective segment. Meanwhile, some more spy images of the bike are making rounds online, which show the headlamp unit of the bike along with the two LED positioning lamps and some other details. Read More

TVS Victor to be re-launched in India on January 20

Some reports have confirmed that one of the best selling commuters of its time - TVS Victor is coming back to India on January 20. What is even more interesting is that the company would also be bringing their flagship model Apache 200 on the same day. TVS Victor was launched in India back in the year 2001. Later, the company released its more variants including a 125cc Victor GLX. This bike was noteworthy for the manufacturer as it was the first motorcycle to be manufactured by TVS on its own. Read More

Exclusive: Details of Honda Africa Twin Launch at Auto Expo

With all eyes now on the upcoming Auto Expo 2016 and imminent launches, it’s time for adventure bikers to start saving those pennies, especially Honda fans. The Honda CRF 1000L a.k.a. Africa Twin, will make its Indian debut at the Expo next month. Not only this, if sources are to be believed, the company is going to set up a separate section to showcase the 998cc brute at its display in the Expo. Pricing will play a key role in the motorcycle’s launch, as is evident from the response to the company’s previous big launch, the Honda CBR 650F sport tourer. Read More