Royal Enfield saw a need in the market for an urban cruiser, and this is the result: the Thunderbird 500X. It gets a driveline similar to the regular Thunderbird 500, but there are a few changes. One, it is available in bright, single-tone colours in the same vein as the Classic Redditch series. The 500X is available in light blue or bright orange. The handlebar is a flatter, wider one, which helps with manoeuverability in the city. It gets all-black treatment, which extends to the alloy wheels. This is the first time a Royal Enfield has been shipped with alloy wheels and tubeless tyres from the factory. It gets the same 499cc fuel-injected single-cylinder air-cooled engine from the Thunderbird 500. It generates 27.2bhp and 41Nm and transmits it via a five-speed gearbox. The wheels are a 19-inch front and an 18-inch rear. There are disc brakes at both ends, with a 280mm front disc and a 240mm rear one. The seat of the Thunderbird 500X has been changed it is a more modern-looking one. The riders seat is wider, and the pillion seat is smaller. The pillion backrest has also been left out. The pricing of the Tbird 500X makes it the most expensive single-cylinder Royal Enfield on sale today. The Royal Enfield Thunderbird 500X competes with the likes of the Bajaj Dominar 400 ABS and UM Renegade Sports S directly. Bikes like the KTM 250 Duke and TVS Apache RR310 are priced similarly, although their target audience is a very different one.
The Classic 500 motorcycle is a part of Royal Enfields Retro Street series. The bike sports retro styling that distinguishes itself from the rest of the motorcycles on the road today. The Classic range is the highest selling motorcycle in Royal Enfields range. Dont be surprised if a dealer asks you to wait for six months before you get your bike. The Classic 500 is powered by a 499cc single-cylinder Twinspark engine that produces 27.2bhp at 5250rpm and a maximum torque of 41.3Nm at 4000rpm. This engine is mated to a five-speed gearbox that transfers power to the rear wheel via a chain drive. It gets Keihin electronic fuel injection, helping the motorcycle deliver linear power and torque. It gets both an electric as well as a kickstart. A rear disc brake and ABS have recently been introduced to the range
The Royal Enfield Classic Desert Storm features a unique sand paint scheme reminiscent of the First and the Second World War era - a time when Royal Enfield motorcycles were among the common form of utilities for soldiers in the desert. Since its based on a standard Classic 500, the Classic Desert Storm uses the same fuel injected 500cc, single cylinder, 4-stroke engine producing 27.2bhp of power at 5,250rpm and 41.3Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm. It is mated to a five-speed gearbox. The tank is finished in post war era graphics, helping create a vintage look. At the back, the Desert Storm features a short silencer for that 1950s look. Royal Enfield, however, says it is available as an optional accessory and for off-road use only. Strangely, there are no other changes to the Desert Storm from the standard Classic models, like different tyres, to make it off-road capable. A rear disc brake is now standard.
The Suzuki Access 125 is the flagship commuter model in the companys scooter lineup. Apart from revising the chassis and powertrain, Suzuki has retained the universally appealing but slightly bland looks for the Access. The front of the new Suzuki Access 125 gets a new fascia thanks to the redesigned apron and headlamp, while the side profile gets curvy body panels
Suzuki has committed to developing its motorcycle range in the 150+ segment. They already have the Gixxer streetbike and the Gixxer SF, its fully faired sibling. The cruiser format is represented by this, the Intruder. The name as well as the styling is derived from the M1800R, the cruiser that among other things, had the widest rear tyre on a production motorcycle when it was launched. The Intruder shares its powertrain with the Gixxer a 155cc 14.6bhp motor powers the rear wheel via a five-speed gearbox. Fuel injection is available as an option. The rear tyre is the widest in the segment, at 140mm, and that feeling is echoed when you sit on the motorcycle those tank extensions make the Intruder feel a whole lot wider than it is, and it thus feels like a whole lot more motorcycle as well. The seat is also a lot wider than a standard seat, but it is very low as well, offering confidence and comfort to the cruiser aficionado. The Intruder does look odd from certain angles that tail lamp and surround echoes the GSX1300R Hayabusa, but most people will not pick that for design inspiration to begin with. The exhaust design looks great from a distance but close up the daylight behind the mesh at the tip doesnt look good. However, if a modern 150cc cruiser is what youre looking for, you cant currently do better than an Intruder on looks or handling.
Suzuki has committed to developing its motorcycle range in the 150+ segment. They already have the Gixxer streetbike and the Gixxer SF, its fully faired sibling. The cruiser format is represented by this, the Intruder. The name as well as the styling is derived from the M1800R, the cruiser that among other things, had the widest rear tyre on a production motorcycle when it was launched. The Intruder shares its powertrain with the Gixxer a 155cc 14.6bhp motor powers the rear wheel via a five-speed gearbox. Fuel injection is available as an option. The rear tyre is the widest in the segment, at 140mm, and that feeling is echoed when you sit on the motorcycle those tank extensions make the Intruder feel a whole lot wider than it is, and it thus feels like a whole lot more motorcycle as well. The seat is also a lot wider than a standard seat, but it is very low as well, offering confidence and comfort to the cruiser aficionado. The Intruder does look odd from certain angles that tail lamp and surround echoes the GSX1300R Hayabusa, but most people will not pick that for design inspiration to begin with. The exhaust design looks great from a distance but close up the daylight behind the mesh at the tip doesnt look good. However, if a modern 150cc cruiser is what youre looking for, you cant currently do better than an Intruder on looks or handling.
It may be the highest-selling two-wheeler in the Indian market, but Honda hasnt stopped the evolution of the Activa. The latest set of updates that make up the 5G are more than merely cosmetic. The front apron gets chrome accents, but the LED headlamp will draw your attention first. The top-spec Deluxe variant even gets a digital display below the analogue speedometer; it now shows the fuel gauge, odometer and trip meter and a clock in the digital part of the instrument cluster. The Activa 5G also gets the new ignition key slot from the Grazia, which has the provision for the seat release. At the heart of the Activa 5G is the same 109cc engine which delivers 8bhp and 8.8Nm of torque. The engine is mated to a CVT transmission. It still rides on the archaic trailing-link front suspension and a rear monoshock. The brake setup consists of drum units at both ends with a combi braking system being offered as standard. A disc brake is not offered, even as an option. The Activa 5G is available in eight paint schemes blue, white, red, silver, black, grey brown and yellow. It shares the market space with the TVS Jupiter, Hero Maestro Edge and the Yamaha Fascino.
Suzuki Gsx-s750
The Suzuki Intruder FI is identical in every way to the carburetted Intruder 150 with the single exception of it being fuel injected. It has the same wide body that makes it appear to be a much larger motorcycle, the same plush, wide seat, and the handling derived from the Gixxer. The 155cc single-cylinder engine is expected to have the same power and torque output at 14bhp and 14Nm through a five-speed transmission. Discs at both ends take care of braking duties, and single-channel ABS is standard. The FI commands a Rs 4000 premium over the carburetted Intruder at the ex-showroom level. It rivals the Bajaj Avenger 180 Street.
The V-Strom 650 is a middle-weight adventure tourer from Suzuki. Based on the, V-Storm 1000, which is the companys flagship adventure tourer, the V-Storm 650 too carries forward the same design philosophy sporting a beak-like front fairing with vertically stacked headlamps and an adjustable windscreen. The bikes instrument console features an analogue tachometer paired with a multi-function, illumination adjustable display that offers the rider a wealth of information. In the 2019 edition, Suzuki added hazard lamps and side reflectors to the motorcycle. The motorcycle has been built around a strong yet light-weight aluminium twin-spar chassis, featuring integrated mount points for panniers. It also comes with spoke wheels shod with tubeless radial dual-sport tyres. The motorcycle rides on 43mm adjustable telescopic forks up front and a monoshock with rebound and preload adjustment at the back. For braking, the motorcycle comes with 310mm twin-discs at the front and a 260mm disc at the back, with ABS as standard. Powering the middle-weight motorcycle is a 650cc liquid-cooled V-twin that is capable of producing 71bhp and 62Nm. The motor comes with rider aids like three levels for traction control, Easy Start System and Low Rpm Assist. Transmission duties are handled by a 6-speed constant mesh gearbox. The V-Strom 650 XT is available in two colours - Champion Yellow and Pearl White Glacier
Honda Cb Unicorn 160
Honda Navi
Suzuki Dr-z50
Suzuki has been making the V-Strom in Japan since 2002, although it introduced the model in global markets only by 2009. The V-Strom is a dual purpose adventure bike which incorporates design elements from other Suzuki models. It even borrows the fuel injection system from the track-bred GSX-R models. Suzuki launched the V-Strom 1000 in India in February, at the 2014 Auto Expo. The brand also makes a smaller-engined version the V-Strom 650. The latter, however, is not in the offering for the Indian market at present due to customs regulations. The V-Strom 1000 is powered by a 1037cc, V-twin, four stroke engine. This big displacement liquid cooled engine is mated to a 6-speed gearbox. The dual purpose model offers an adjustable windscreen, inverted telescopic front forks, a rear monoshock and dual disc brakes at the front. Even the India-spec model comes with ABS as standard. Suzuki is currently selling the V-Strom in two colours only: Candy Daring Red and Pearl Glacier White.
The Mahindra Mojo is now available in two variants, and the UT300 is the base version of the two. It ditches a few premium bits for more conventional ones in the endeavour to achieve a lower price. It gets conventional front forks instead of upside down ones, and the left silencer has been dropped for a single silencer design. The only tyres available are MRF Zappers as well. The engine remains a liquid-cooled one but ditches the fuel injection in favour of carburettion. The UT300 is an attempt by Mahindra to make the Mojo appeal to a wider audience, one that also looks at other touring-capable machines like the Royal Enfield Thunderbird and Thunderbird X.
Mahindra Gusto Scooter
The Honda CB Unicorn 160 is a premium 160cc motorcycle, which has been aimed at a young breed of audience looking for a stylish commuter motorcycle for use on a daily basis. The CB Unicorn 160 fills in the void which was created in Hondas line-up, when it discontinued the CB Dazzler, a few years ago. The premium 150cc segment is full of muscular motorcycles, and the CB Unicorn isnt any different. Cosmetically, the CB Unicorn 160 carries influences from the Honda CX-01 concept which was unveiled at the 2014 Auto Expo as well as the CB Trigger. The fuel tank gets a muscular design while the headlamp gets a bikini fairing. Most of the electrical components have been shared with the CB Unicorn and the CB Trigger, which should help in cutting development/manufacturing costs. The CB Unicorn 160 is powered by a 163cc single-cylinder engine, which produces 14.7bhp and 14.6Nm of torque. While these figures might be higher than what the 150cc engine in the CB Unicorn produces, Honda has managed to extract better efficiency figures out of the rebored 163cc engine . The engine is mated to a five-speed transmission.
The Honda CB300R is based on the CBR300R but the styling is based on the current CB1000R, which means a neo-retro café-racer type look that is quite fetching. It has a 286cc single cylinder liquid-cooled engine that generates 30bhp and 27.5Nm. All-LED lighting and CBS with ABS are some of the features that the CB300R has. The fuel tank holds 10 litres, and the kerb weight is a low 143kg. The brakes are radially mounted 4-piston calliper in the front and a floating calliper at the back. Tyre sizes are familiar ones: a 110mm wide front and 150mm wide rear. The suspension is quite conventional with inverted forks in the front, and has only preload adjustment for the rear.
The CBR650F will be replaced by this, the CBR650R. That change of a single letter isnt quite enough to convey just how many changes have actually been made to Hondas middleweight sportsbike. The R makes it a little more aggressive, and that is reflected in the styling. It looks like a baby Fireblade now, which is excellent. There is aggression in the new riding position as well - the handlebars are lower and 30mm further forward, and the footpegs have been moved 3mm back and 6mm higher. The seat is a split seat, which means the riders seat is bolted on. This will give the rider more feel. The engine also delivers 5 per cent more peak power with a redline that is 1000rpm higher, totalling 98bhp at 12,000rpm. The CBR650R is thin on electronics, with just ABS. The CBR650R will compete in concept with the likes of the Kawasaki Ninja 650, another 650cc faired sportsbike. But in reality, it will be closer in character to the Triumph Street Triple, although that is not a faired machine.
The Destini 125 marks Hero's entry into the premium 125cc scooter segment. It borrows styling cues from its younger sibling, the Duet 110 with its masculine bodywork along with sharp lines throughout. Hero is offering the scooter in two variants; LX and VX. While the LX rides on steel rims, the VX gets 5-spoke alloy wheels. Furthermore, it also gets chrome garnishes on the front and side panels which the LX variant substitues with silver finished components. Additionally, the VX is also equipped with a USB charging port, boot light and dual-tone seat as standard. The Destini 125 gets a handlebar mounted headlamp and turn indicators positioned on its front apron; both with conventional lighting. Both variants also get an external fuel filler cap and the i3S system which helps in conserving fuel. It gets an analogue speedometer with a small digital unit that displays trip meter, odometer, and fuel level as standard. The Destini 125 is powered by a 124cc engine that puts out 8.7bhp and 10.2Nm of torque. This unit is mated to a CVT gearbox. Braking is handled by drum brakes on both ends with a combined braking system (CBS) as standard. Meanwhile, suspension duties are taken care of by telescopic front forks and a linked monoshock at the rear. Hero is offering the Destini 125 in three colour schemes- white, red and black with an additional maroon colour for the VX variant. The scooter faces direct competition from the Suzuki Access 125 and Activa 125 in the country.
