Piaggio may launch Fly 125 by Diwali [Upcoming Scooter]

When Piaggio first announced price of Vespa at Rs. 66,000 ex-showroom, I had a question in my mind that how Piaggio will utilize its 15,000 per month plant capacity and why company is aiming to double it next year. However, there are certain reports which suggest that Piaggio may launch Fly 125 by Diwali, which supports company’s installed capacity utilization.  According to the reports Piaggio is planning to launch Fly 125 scooter at a price of around Rs. 50,000 by Diwali to boost volumes.

Upcoming 2012 Scooter in India: Fly 125

Fly 125 is already marketed in the international market.  Fly 125 is a very light and compact scooter. It comes with 124cc single cylinder 2-valve, air cooled LEADER engine which produces maximum power of 10.5 bhp and maximum torque of 10Nm. It comes with automatic CVT transmission. It will have class leading fuel efficiency for Indian version. It comes with rigid steel tube frame which ensures safe and precise riding.

It comes with telescopic hydraulic shock absorber for front suspension while the rear suspension has twin hydraulic shock absorbers with preload adjuster. It comes with 12 inch wheels and tubeless tyres. It has 200 mm disc brake (we may find drum brake on Indian version) at front while the rear has 140mm drum brake. It has fuel tank of 7.5 liters which means less fuel station visit. It also offers plenty of under seat storage. It also has front glove box for carrying your accessories. Apart from this Piaggio offers 33 liter top box (optional) for carrying extra luggage. The instrument panel comes with clock and calendar.

At the price of Rs. 66,000, Vespa scooter is at least 40-50% expensive compared to the competition. Due to its high price, there are very few takers of this scooter in India despite the mileage and looks advantage over the competition.  If reports are correct than Fly 125 will definitely bring huge volumes as Piaggio is a pioneer company in scooter and Fly 125 will have an advantage of better fuel economy, looks, advanced technology and competitive price.

Fly 125 Technical Specifications

Engine Type	Single cylinder 2-valve Air-cooled 4-stroke
Cylinder Capacity	124 cc
Bore X stroke	57 x 48.6 mm
Max power at shaft	7.8 Kw (10.5 HP) at 8,000 rpm
Max torque	10 Nm at 7,000 rpm
Starting	Electric
Transmission	“Twist and Go” Automatic Transmission (CVT) with Automatic Clutch
Chassis	Steel Tube with reinforced plates
Front suspensions	Ø 32 mm telescopic hydraulic fork
Rear suspensions	Hydraulic single shock absorber, spring pre-load adjustable to 4 positions
Front brake	Ø 200 mm disk, floating calliper with twin pistons
Rear brake	Ø 140 mm drum
Front tyre/rear tyre	Tubeless 120/70-12”, Tubeless 120/70-10”
Length	1870 mm
Width	735 mm
Wheelbase	1330 mm
Seat height	785 mm
Dry weight	112 kg
Fuel tank capacity	7.2 litres
Max speed (km/hr)	94 km/h*
Emissions	Euro 3
Accessories	Windscreen, 33 liter top box, Chain lock
Colors	Blue Midnight, Black shine,  Excalibur silver, Binaco Polare

Yamaha selects DDB Mudra for Ray campaign

Yamaha showcased “Ray” scooter for India at Delhi Auto Expo 2012 in January. The company is now planning to launch the same before Diwali. As a first step the company has finalized the creative agency as DDB Mundra for Ray campaign. This is the firstgearless scooter from Yamaha for India which will have unisex appeal.  It is to be noted that scooter sales are growing at much faster pace compared to motorcycles from past few years in India.

Roy Kurian, National Business Head, India Yamaha Motor, said “The pitch process began three months ago. We were looking for an agency which could deliver an integrated strategy in terms of both creative and execution to help build on the stylish and sporty image of Yamaha Ray. In DDB Mudra Delhi, with its strength in ATL, BTL, experiential and digital platforms, we found a perfect partner.”

Vandana Das, President, DDB Mudra Group, said, “We are very excited with this win. We had a full-fledged integrated approach to the brand launch. We look forward to partnering India Yamaha Motor in making Yamaha Ray a big success.”

New 125cc Gearless Scooter in India: Yamaha Ray

Although Yamaha has not announced anything on the price and technical specification front, it is expected that Ray will get a 125cc engine and will be priced around market leader Activa. The company has already started testing Ray before its official launch. Yamaha has very successful models in terms of gearless scooter in South East Asia. Let’s see how it performs in India.

Despite slowdown Bajaj Auto maintains its margin for the first quarter

Bajaj Auto yesterday announced its first quarter result of the financial year 2012-13. The first quarter remains difficult for Bajaj Auto in terms of motorcycle sales due to export issues and weak domestic demand. The company reported jump of 1% in profit after tax for this quarter. The company reported profit after tax of 718 crore against 711 crore last year for the same quarter.

Total sales went up by 4%. The company reported sales of 5,048 crore against 4,850 crore last year for the same quarter. It is to be noted that the company has reported increase in EBITDA (operating margins) despite lower sales of three wheelers. The company reported operating EBITDA of 19.4% for this quarter against 19.1% last year for the same quarter. The company sold 1,078,971 units for the first quarter down by 1% against 10,92,815 units last year for the same quarter.

Total motorcycle sales stood at 9,82,623 units  up by 2 % compared to 9,63,051 units last year for the same quarter. The company has reported negative sales of 1% for the first quarter in the domestic market. It sold 6,18,489 units compared to 6,23,175 units for the last year same quarter. Exports went up by 7% compared to last year. The company exported 3,64,134 units in comparison to 3,39,876 units last year for the same quarter. The company might have reported better export number if the sales were not down in Sri Lanka due to duty rise and Egypt due to political instability.

According to Bajaj Auto press release “Demand in domestic market remains subdued. Domestic market witnessed a growth of ~6%. Bajaj Auto, in contrast, witnessed a flat sale. The above statistics is based on the billing numbers as reported by the manufacturers. However, on tracking the retail numbers, there seems no significant change in company’s market share at retail level. “

The company also reported below segment wise report in the press release.

Sports segment: Contributes ~16% of total domestic volumes. Bajaj Auto continues to dominate this segment with a market share of ~46%. The newly launched generation next Pulsar 200 NS, which will open at Pan-India level shortly, would further strengthen company’s leadership position.

Commuter-Deluxe segment: This is the largest contributor to domestic volumes, ~64%. The segment witnessed a growth of ~3%. In contrast, Bajaj Auto declined by 16% and has a market share of ~18%. To address this, Bajaj Auto has planned new launches in this segment. The Discover 125 ST was launched in mid-June and has received very good response.

Commuter-Standard segment: Contributes ~20% of total domestic volumes. Bajaj Auto grew by 34% as against an industry growth of 22% and now enjoys a market share of ~29%.

The first quarter of the financial year 2012-13 has remained difficult for the company. The company hopes that this is worst quarter of the financial year 2012-13 and the company will have better quarters going ahead. The company said that new product launches will help to drive sales in upcoming quarters. The company also has planned a new product launch around September – October. Let’s see how Bajaj Auto will perform in upcoming quarters.

Triumph aims BMW with Trophy 1215cc Sports Touring Motorcycle

Triumph motorcycle of UK is now ready to create its own space with new Trophy 1200 in German’s BMW Motorrad dominated sports touring motorcycle segment.  Triumph has launched Trophy 1200 to take on BMW R 1200 RT , K 1600 GT and K 1600 GTL. Triumph revealed this motorcycle at the Tridays festival held in Austria.

The new Triumph Trophy has been powered by 1215 cc, three cylinder, shaft driven engine which produces maximum power of 132 bhp at 8,000 rpm and maximum torque of 120Nm at 8,900 rpm. The gear ratio are designed in such a way that the sixth gear will last long for better crusing. Trophy 1200 comes in two options, Trophy and Trophy SE. Trophy is standard model while SE is advanced and high tech model of Trophy 1200 which has features like electronically adjustable suspension, ride by wire throttle, traction control system, electronic cruise control, Tyre pressure monitoring system, ABS, sophisticated audio system, heated seats and grips, electronically adjustable wind screen, Triumph Dynamic luggage system,  GPS system and number of features.

It comes with longest service interval of 16,000 kilometers for the best service interval in sports touring motorcycles.  Triumph dynamic luggage system offers space of 31 liters which is enough for carrying stuffs. It also ensures that you have better handling and ride experience as the luggage adjusts itself while driving. According to Triumph, “In fixed luggage systems, large loads cause small movements and vibrations in the chassis – these can actually de-stabilise the bike and cause weaving. The trophy’s system prevents this, keeping the bike stable. This makes the ride much more comfortable for riders and passengers.”

Triumph Trophy Price

Triumph has definitely done lot of homework before rivaling in sports touring segment against BMW Motorrad . The motorcycle is expected to hit showroom by January 2013. Triumph has not announced any pricing detail yet, however it is expected that it will undercut BMW’s base model pricing. Let’s see how it works against already established and well known BMW brand.

Triumph Trophy Technical Specification

Engine and Transmission
Type		Liquid-cooled, 12 valve, DOHC, in-line 3-cylinder
Capacity		1215cc
Bore/Stroke		85 x 71.4mm
Fuel System		Ride by wire, fuel injection
Exhaust		Stainless steel 3 into 1, side mounted stainless steel silencer
Final Drive		Shaft Drive
Clutch		Wet, multi-plate
Gearbox		6 Speed Constant Mesh
Oil Capacity		4.0 litres (1.1 US gals)
Chassis, Running Gear and Displays
Frame		Aluminium beam twin-spar
Swingarm		Single-sided, cast aluminium alloy with shaft drive
Wheel	Front	Cast aluminium 5-spoke 17 x 3.5in
	Rear	Cast aluminium 5-spoke 17 x 6.0in
Tyre	Front	120/70 ZR17
	Rear	190/55 ZR17
Suspension	Front	WP 43mm upside down forks, manually adjustable rebound damping, with 130mm travel. <br />SE – WP 43mm upside down forks, electronically adjustable rebound damping (sport/normal/comfort) with 127mm travel.
	Rear	WP monoshock with remote oil reservoir, manually adjustable hydraulic preload, manually adjustable rebound damping, 120mm rear wheel travel. (SE electronically adjustable hydraulic preload, electronically adjustable rebound damping.WP monoshock with remot
Brakes	Front	Twin 320mm floating discs, Nissin 4-piston calipers, linked brakes (front brakes partially activated by rear), ABS (non-switchable)
	Rear	Single 282mm disc, Nissin 2-piston sliding caliper, ABS (non-switchable)
Instrument Display/Functions		Dual analogue gauges and trip computers, range to empty indication, service indicator, gear position indication, air temperature, frost warning, accessory heated seats/grips status display, cruise control (SE Audio system information, TES/TPMS status).
Dimensions and Capacities
Length		2235mm (87.9in)
Width (handlebars)		975mm (38.4in)
Height without mirrors		1435mm (56.5in) – 1555mm (61.2in)
Seat Height		800mm (31.5in) – 820mm (32.3in)
Wheelbase		1542mm (60.7in)
Rake/Trail		27.0º / 119.0mm
Fuel Tank Capacity		26 litres (6.9 US gals)
Wet Weight (ready to ride)		301kg (662lbs)
Performance (measured at crankshaft to 95/1/EC)
Maximum Power		134PS / 132bhp / 99kW @ 8900rpm
Maximum Torque		120Nm / 89ft.lbs @ 6450rpm

 
Trophy SE Enhanced Audio System

• 2 x 20W speakers with digital signal processing and 3-band (bass, mid-range and treble) equalization
• Automatic volume control (AVC) adjusts volume based on bike speed
• USB port, flash drive, MP3 player support
• iPhone and iPod compatible (selected devices)
• FM/MW/LW radio tuner with 15 pre-sets per band
• RDS functionality, alternative frequencies (AF)traffic alerts (TA) regional tuning (RG)
• Programme type tuning (PTY)
• Auxiliary input allowing sat nav to play through the audio system
• Bluetooth 2.1+EDR giving output to up to two compatible head sets
• Incoming phone call support (compatible phone and headset required)
• Low voltage detection shuts down power automatically to preserve battery the new triumph trophy.

Color Options:

• Lunar Silver
• Pacific Blue

Optional Accessories:

• Molded Tank Bag
• Heated Rider and Passenger Seats
• CNC Machines GPS Mounting Kit (designed for Garmin Zumo 660)
• Quantum Coated Touring Screen
• Tire Pressure Monitoring System
• Powered Top Box (55 liter; will swallow two full-face helmets; eatures a 12V charging socket; color matched to bike; fully waterproof; keys to match motorcycle ignition)

TVS to Surprise with Array of New Motorcycle and Scooter Launches

The Indian two–wheeler market is the right proof for Darwin’s theory of ’Survival Of The Fittest’. While every single company is eyeing for the top slot, the slow movers are forced to stay away from this competition as the customers tend to support these top contestants to a very greater extent.

It is not only the Honda and Bajaj that are giving a tough fight to other manufacturers in this competition. TVS Motors is also creeping in slowly with its set of newly framed strategies. On one side you find the company getting geared up to tie up with the German giant – BMW Motorrad to come up with whole new basket of technologies and advancement. On the other the company is concentrating on more fuel efficient engines predicting the future of these cleaner technologies.

TVS Motors has also decided to come up with more products in the market, besides upgrading its existing portfolio. TVS Motors has allotted a budget o0f close to 400 crores of INR for this cause. This is seriously a mind boggling figure considering the stiff competitio0n it faces from the Japanese giants.

It is also reported that TVS is currently working on two whole new concepts built right from ground zero that would be the trump cards for the company in the coming future. It is expected that these two models (which we’ve no idea as of now whether they are scoots or bikes) will incorporate the latest technology in terms of coming up with a greener and a cleaner environment.

The highlight of this post is the fact that TVS Motors is forecasting around six new launches in the years to come. This will also include bikes in the quarter litre segment which will make use of BMW’s aid in building engines for TVS bikes. While the Quarter litre segment is literally heating up, this year should just be ideal for the company to step in into this segment. However these bikes are only expected to hit the roads by 2014-15.

Commenting on this, Mr. Vinay Harne, President, NPI, TVS Motor Company said, “Currently we produce only up to 180 cc and below; we will be entering the bigger bikes segment. There is a trend of moving towards bigger bikes; while the numbers are small, the growth is quite high.”

Right now the Apache RTR 180 is the highest displacement bike that the company offers for its Indian customers. This was in fact the first Indian bike to come up with ABS (Anti – Lock Braking System) installed.

The Economic Times has reported: While the company is mum on the exact engine configurations, one engine family will be used across the existing product range; and another will go beyond 200 cc and perhaps even beyond 250 cc. When questioned on a specific engine category of 250 cc, Harne said: “Yeah sure that range and then bigger ones.”

The new breed of engines that is in the conceptual stage is expected to be environment friendly by controlling the Green-House emissions by as much as 20 percent. This reduction in emission will also consistently aid in delivering better fuel efficiency to the bike. It is also believed that TVS has worked closely with international players like AVL and Ricardo to develop these new engines.

In the meanwhile, TVS has also been working on Continuous Auto – Transmission that would enable TVS bikes to be ideal for city commutes.  By September of this year, the trial runs for these bikes should begin. Let’s wait to see what this South Indian giant is up to.

Another interesting piece of info that is worth sharing here at this point of time is that TVS is seriously considering the launch of its hybrid scooter – ‘Qube’ that was the show–stopper in Delhi Auto Expo earlier this year. The company is considering all possible measures to get this model production ready. The pricing of this model is expected to be in the band of 55 to 60 thousand rupees. Though it is priced at a premium, it is expected to be a unique player in the market considering its performance. The only issue being that the company should be able to develop a niche market exclusively in the hybrid scooter segment.

Mr. Harne added, “We have done a lot of things to reduce costs- effective material, reduced weight, adopted a low-cost manufacturing process, and the whole controller is locally developed.”

Let’s not get into things that are really far from us. Guess what the plan is for this year. Two whole new bikes and one scoot is what TVS Motors has got for its loyal set of fans. However, we’re not aware of the displacement and the segment that these models would fit into.

In the Financial year of 2012, TVS Motors’ share in the two–wheeler market had seen a major dip with a numerical figure of 14 per cent. But seeing the way TVS Motors is all set to progress in the next couple of years’ time, it is sure that the company will see great heights in terms of sales and performance

Bosch To Open Express Bike Service Centers All Across India

Hi Readers! As you know Bosch is among the world’s finest auto component makers, they are now all set to enter the Indian two wheeler service industry and pioneering it. Recently, as a part of their service footprint expansion in India they have introduced workshop concept for motorcycle industry.

As a part of their strategy they are already planning to open two wheeler service centers throughout the country. As the component maker announces its foray in the two wheeler industry, they have already opened 10 EBS (Express Bike Service) outlets in Coimbatore city following the lines of sole service center in Delhi.

Bosch Vice President S.Murlidharan said that the company plans to open as many as 50 outlets throughout the country by the end of 2012 with 10 outlets in the important cities. Murlidharan was of the view that these service outlets are aimed at filling a huge service network gap in the country.

Murlidharan also said that the no of EBS service centers could go up to 500 in the future since the company has already got 500 car service centers throughout the country. The company will aim to provide good service to multi brand two wheelers and offer various high quality and genuine two wheeler parts and equipments. Further he said that the company itself is a manufacturer of the auto components and thus the quality will remain high as far as meeting the benchmark standards are concerned.

Murlidharan was of the opinion that though the prices of petrol are uncertain these days in India, there will be a massive increase in the two wheeler service space in tire II and III towns including the rural areas and thus the company sees a lot of scope in the industry. Lastly speaking on the future of the initiative; Mr. V.P said that the company is under stages of planning for 24*7 mobile service centers in the future.

Therefore one could say that the company has its vision and mission clear and that is to serve the two wheeler space. We wish Bosch all the very best and hope that they will serve our bikes better.

Exclusive Scoop: Bajaj Boxer BM100 Spied Testing in Pune

We published the first clear pictures of Discover 125ST unveiling a lot of details about the bike. Here we are, with an even smaller Bajaj product – Boxer BM100.

A few months back Bajaj brought the entry level Boxer brand again in India with the launch of 150cc Boxer BM150 at an immensely competitive price tag of Rs 42,000. The bike was positioned as a rugged, powerful and fuel efficient motorcycle predominantly for the rural market. We are not sure about the number of units sold, but considering the queries and interest our readers send, we have not seen much of an interest in the bike despite a powerful engine.

And then we come across this new prospect which raises a few interest points. We spied this bike Boxer BM100 around Dehu Road Pune. This bike BM100 is the smaller sibling of BM150 and as is evident, it is powered by a 100cc DTSi mill taken fromDiscover 100 with a single spark plug. BM100 is capable of producing a maximum power output of 7.6bhp and a peak torque of 7.5Nm.

It should be noticed that Bajaj already sells Boxer BM100 in international markets and with this scoop we strongly feel that Bajaj is preparing this product for the Indian market. From the scoop pics the following are the important observations:

1. This doesn’t have the front visor over the headlamp which the BM150 has
2. Gets Bajaj’s SnS (Spring in Spring) suspension which are found in Bajaj’s low cost bikes
3. Also gets, dual-sided carrier-cum foot-rests

If this comes to India, expect it to be priced under Platina. That means at an ON-ROAD price of lesser than Rs 40,000 this would be the cheapest motorcycle in India.

…And Bajaj Continues Testing the Pulsar 200NS and Discover 125ST

Bajaj has launched both the Pulsar 200NS and Discover 125ST in the market for sale. However, both the bikes are still under test and could be spotted roaming around in Pune. While this might be testing specific to some parts or possibly the regular endurance tests that manufacturers carry out.