Posts Tagged ‘superbikes’

The rules that comply with importing bikes in India

Wednesday, February 24th, 2010

The speed machine definitely is loads of thrills that the Indian bikers would love to speed on. In particular, the new wave of craze for super bikes was kick-started through our very own Bollywood machos. John Abraham wooed the whole chunk of bike lovers riding the super bike Suzuki Hayabusa in Dhoom.

And, of course ardent bike lovers are not ignorant of the International brand of bikes that are making a way into our country. It is because of the heavy price tags these bikes are just at the reach of the elite. Despite the price factor these heart-thumping machines have earned a good number of connoisseurs who yearn to own one of these splendid vehicles.

And yes, getting these bikes imported on to the Indian soil can be quite a task; undergoes various stages of rules and regulations stipulated by the Government of India. Apart from the huge price you actually pay up for the vehicle per se, you will not quite own the vehicle until you clear the charges levied on the bike by the Indian Government for the process of importing your apple of the eye.

If you are looking to import a sparkling new bike then you will need to cough up 105% duty and if it is a second hand vehicle then be ready to shell out as much as 100% duty, although the 2001 the Exim Policy has cleared quantitative restrictions on the used bikes that have to be imported.

Guidelines to import brand new super bikes in India
• The brand new bike you wish import should not be assembled or manufactured in India.

• Ensure that you bike has not been sold/leased/loaned before getting imported to India.

• Make sure that the bike was not used in other nation as a registered vehicle prior to the process of importing.

• The bike to be imported must have a speedometer, photometry of the headlamps, and the most important thing the vehicle should belong to the nation of the manufacturer.

• Your new bike should also meet the provisions and rules of Motor Vehicle Act, 1988, exactly on the date of import.

• The new bikes can enter into the country only through custom ports of Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai

Guidelines to import used bikes in India
• Prior to the import the bike has to be sold/loaned/leased and should be a registered to be used in any nation of course according to the laws pertaining to that particular country.

• Remember that the second hand bike cannot be more than three years old from the manufacturing date. It is compulsory that the bike has to sport a speedometer and photometry of the headlamps.

• The used bike must follow the rules and provisions as stipulated under the Moot Vehicles Act of 1988 and the bike will delivered only on the Mumbai port.

• It is also important to note that the roadworthiness of the second hand bike that is imported and it is a hard and fast rule that the bike should have a roadworthiness of at least five years, which includes an assurance to deliver service facilities in the India for the stipulated 5-year period.

The importers are solely responsible in providing reliable information of the bike’s roadworthiness and also attest a certificate provided by any testing agency, which is recognized by the Government of India.

Some of the testing agencies in India include: VRDE or Vehicle Research and Development Establishment in Ahmednagar, the Automotive Research Association of India in Pune and a few other testing agencies that are specified by the Central Government.

Mahindra Concept Vehicles

Thursday, January 28th, 2010

Mahindra2Wheelers showcase their concept vehicles at the New Delhi Auto Expo 2010

The recently ended 10th edition of International Auto Expo New Delhi was embraced by auto makers around the world, and Indian two-wheeler manufacturers left no stone unturned and have showcased their new product line up and high-tech products to the auto connoisseurs. The two-wheeler behemoths that took part at the Auto Expo and added gleam and glam at the 10th Auto Expo include: TVS Motors, Royal Enfield, Hero Honda, Bajaj Auto, Yamaha, Suzuki, Honda, Harley Davidson, Mahindra 2 Wheelers, BSA Motors, Hero Electric, Ultra Motors, Yo Bykes, Vibgyor Vehicles, Emmel Vheelers, Tara International, etc.

This article we will discuss about the Mahindra coverage as regards the two wheeler segment. Their pavilion span across 2,000 sq. m. rocked at the 10th Auto Expo 2010, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi.

Mahindra has a distinction of being the only Indian automobile company to straddle the road transport ecosystem they showcased wide array of vehicles which included two wheelers, three wheelers, Sports Utility Vehicles, Utility vehicles, Light Commercial Vehicles and trucks. The products showcased echoed the company’s commitment to embrace future technology, innovative automotive solutions while respecting the environment.

Especially, 2009 has been that milestone year for Mahindra & Mahindra as it forayed into the highly competitive two-wheeler market.

The company already made a buzz in the market with new marketing strategies after acquiring the Kinetic Engg. And, should their commitment for addressing consumer interests is well received by Indian consumers, they will in sometime assume a significant place in the fast-growing Indian as well as the global two-wheeler segment.

Mahindra & Mahindra showcased some exciting products at the Auto Expo 2010. The Mahindra 2 Wheelers displayed 2-stroke 125cc concept scooter and a 4-stroke racing-concept 125 cc bike in addition to their selling domestic range of scooters the Mahindra Flyte, Mahindra Duro and the Mahindra Rodeo.

Mahindra concept bike

The Mahindra concept bike looked amazing to say the least and has a 125cc power mill which can generate a maximum power and torque of 53 bhp (you’ve read that right) and 32 Nm, respectively. The bike has electric start option and should the specs displayed be believed the bike can touch max speed of 245 kmph; well that means faster than the fastest.

The bike sports digital console and features Brembo brake system in the front and the rear (they are actually mono disc type). As regards the suspension the front is an inverted Paioli fork and the rear a monoshock Paioli fork. With a big fuel tank (13.5-liter capacity) the bike has a wide 1245mm wheel base. Definitely the bike is worth looking forward to.

As for the Mahindra 2 Wheelers concept scooter, it runs on a 2-stroke engine which has 124cc displacement. The engine churns power of 8 hp and generates 9 Nm of peak torque. The scooter is claimed to touch 120kmph of maximum speed. Both the front and the rear are fitted with mono disc type brakes. The scooter has a 7-liter petrol tank and it has auto start and kick start options with automatic transmission drive in its kitty.

The scooter as such looks like a radically styled one and a little offbeat too, but should Mahindra2Wheelers start production of their concept machines, they should well drive away Pulsars and Apaches off the Indian roads; so handsful of work for the new kid in the 2-wheeler market

Is India Ready For Super Bikes?

Thursday, April 16th, 2009

First off, what are the features that qualify a bike into the league of super bikes?
Its great looks peppered up with advanced technology and of course the mind-blowing speed that will vroom with a heavily loaded price. This is what a super bike means to any biker!

With all the high-end qualities, super bikes have slowly made an entry into the Indian two-wheeler market. In the recent times, we have seen super bikes from Honda, Yamaha and Suzuki bikes foraying and there are also rumours about Ducati making a second innings in India.

Although the makers of these super bikers are braced up to reach the rich segment of the country, in the present situation the local bike-making companies are seeing a sharp fall in the sale of two-wheelers in addition which is also attributed to the economic slowdown. In this scenario it will be interesting to see how the big guys make an impact on the market.

Past Performance of the Super Bikes in India
The first two-wheeler company to enter India was BMW in the 80’s in association with the Hero group. They had a nasty blow because they did not survey the Indian market thoroughly despite the fact that they were backed by the Indian company. Yamaha and Ducati the big players of the field failed quite drastically with their super bikes launches in India previously. Statistics show that Yamaha managed to sell only 73 bikes in the time span of 7 months that amounts to a mere 1% of its entire revenue earned in the country. Even the Ducati Motors failed to shine in the market with its super bikes priced between 15-50 lakh rupees. The hefty price tags make them mere show pieces with seldom any takers.

Reason for the failure of Super bikes
As indicated by the chief of Ducati motor the super bikes are exuberantly priced because of the various advanced equipment that goes into the making of the bike and this factor makes it unaffordable in the Indian market. The other reason could be the customers are quite satiated with the Indian Royal Enfield; they have not outgrown from this feeling and accept a high-end bike as yet. It will certainly take some time for the super bikes to see a considerable growth in volumes.

Present situation
Indian bike-making companies are tying up with international brands to launch high-end bikes in the country. But the companies cannot afford to get carried away with their strategy; they need to consider the fact that the Indian consumer is price conscious and will shell their money only on the deserving product. They also have to worry about the grey market, which provides an easy access to the super bikes.


But on a positive front there are experts who feel that it will easily take 5 to 7 years for the super bikes to firm their ground here. The super bike basically caters to people with luxurious life style and there is reasonable section of consumers who possess high disposable income. In India bikes still dominate the automobile industry and considering this fact there could be a demand for the super bikes in the days to come. Besides all this the basic challenge still sustains and the two-wheeler companies need to shift gears and modify their strategies to suit the Indian consumer market, which is surely an uphill task and only time will decide the fate of these bikes.

Suzuki Launches Hayabusa and Intruder in India

Wednesday, November 26th, 2008

Suzuki Motorcycle India Pvt. Ltd. launched the super bike Hayabusa and cruiser Intruder in India . With this launch, Suzuki has again proved its metal in the Indian market one more time. The entire focus of the launch was to deliver dazzling technology and performance to exhibit that they have now raised the bar in the motorcycle industry with superior technology and innovation.

These bikes have been reigning the international market for long. Both Hayabusa and INTRUDER are seen as ultimate machines and are known for their powerful engines and style. Launch of both the bikes in each other’s company unanimously was thrilling and electrifying.

Acknowledged as the legend in the league of sports bikes, Hayabusa is so unique that it requires its own new classification: Ultimate Sport. This motorcycle is so exciting that is has developed a devoted following around the world. It combines seemingly effortless acceleration, wind-cheating aerodynamics, sporty handling, timeless style, long distance comfort and unlimited excitement.

suzuki hayabusa

The machine has a muscular four- stroke, four cylinder and liquid-cooled DOHC engine. It has an overhauled oil capacity of 4.0L, fully transistorized ignition and radial mount breaks in the front. The bike sports the new advanced digital fuel injection system with three way selectable engine mapping to suit personal preferences.

The Hayabusa’s instrument cluster features a set of four analog gauges, including step-motor—driven tachometer and speedometer, fuel meter and coolant temperature meter. It comes with wind-cheating, wind-tunnel-developed aerodynamic shape, and the giant weights 220kg.

Hayabusa is likely to be seen in four titillating colours; Solid Black / Metallic Majestic Gold and Pearl Nebular Black / Metallic Phantom Gray.

Introducing to the Indian market, a new level of excitement on the roads, INTRUDER M1800R is a style statement in itself. One look is all it takes to tell that INTRUDER M1800R is not an average cruiser. The most striking feature of this model is an all-new 1783cc, v-twin engine, liquid cooled with DOHC and digital fuel injection.  Presenting to you the new classic look with an engine designed to produce a massive wave of tractable power and responsive torque starting just off idle and reaching to redline.  The bike has an unmatched combination of the latest high-performance technology and a unique, exciting style.

suzuki intruder

The INTRUDER M1800R is simply the most powerful cruiser Suzuki has ever produced. It comes to you in a new look worth dying for and an ultimate appeal which would leave you drooling over; in Pearl nebular Black and candy Dark Cherry Red.

The launch of these bikes has proven to be worth a wait in the Indian market, as the bikes epitomize power, style and technology as one and that’s Suzuki. The launch drew the maximum attention of the people in hoards. Quite predictable, as none would have missed the chance to see the legends coming face to face.

The bikes have been launched in 7 cities – Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai, Pune, Mumbai and Ahmedabad. The bikes are priced at Rs 12.5 lakh ex-showroom and the company hopes to sell 300 units of both bikes in a year.

Source: moneycontrol.com

Demand for super bikes likely to swell

Saturday, July 5th, 2008

NEW DELHI: While there is no sign of iconic American superbike Harley Davidson hitting India, the success of Yamaha’s twin superbikes—MT01 and YZF R1, which sold a total of more than 80 units in the past five months—has prompted other bikemakers to line up more products in this category.

Suzuki will launch its famed 1,340cc Hayabusa, GXR 1,000 and Bandit 1,250 bikes in September while Honda will introduce its two superbike models—CBR 1,000 and GLX 1,800—during the festive season in October. Kawasaki is eyeing the market and plans to sell its superbikes through Bajaj Auto’s network.


Yamaha had set an initial sales target of 50 bikes in 2008, but the better than expected sales of its two debutantes has prompted the company to look for other superbikes for the Indian market. Yamaha sales head T Maeda said: “We have sold most of the bikes in smaller cities. Demand for such niche bikes is rising as customers come to know about the various models available. We are looking at increasing our portfolio in this segment to cater to these super rich customers.”

The main trigger for this roadster rush is the government’s emission relaxation on Euro III compliance for Indian roads. “The demand for big bikes is actually more of a hype. We don’t expect big volumes, but it’s an emerging segment and with the number of Indian millionaires rising, the demand for these aspirational bikes will swell. We will introduce Hayabusa because it will showcase Suzuki’s strength as a big bike manufacturer,” said Suzuki Motorcycle India’s vice-president (sales and marketing) Atul Gupta.

For bike aficionados in the country, Honda Motor Company, which is the largest bikemaker in the world, is launching CBR 1,000 and GLX 1,800 in October. Italian major Ducati, which is currently sold in two exclusive showrooms in Mumbai and Delhi, has generated more than 100 queries and secured 10 orders while Kawasaki high-end bikes are expected to roll out from the Bajaj dealer network sometime next year. More than 1,000 high-end bikes are sold in India every year, most of which come as direct imports by the customers
Source: economictimes.timesofindia.com