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Latest photos of Yamaha FZ 150.

“A bike which can beat any production bike in India from any stable ,in a quarter mile, in a straight line, at the corners and in traffic” – The Yamaha YZF R15

Yamaha YZF R15 is a india specific bike hosting an 150cc engine which was designed for just one thing – Performance! A bike which can be said as the fastest in Indian Bikes. Although the engine details are secret YZF R15 have several first-in-Indian-bike features.

Packed full of state-of-the-art technologies, the new YZF-R15 boasts performance worthy of a supersport model and a body design that evokes the image of the YZF-R series and gives visual expression to the quality of its ride. It is truly an embodiment of Yamaha’s desire to bring customers a model to help them “Enjoy riding”.

The new YZF-R15 makes full use of the MotoGP race experience and YZF-R series supersport bike development technology and know-how acquired by Yamaha Motor over the years to create a 150cc supersport bike that offers users to truly “Enjoy riding” in a full range of situations, from around-town riding to touring on winding roads and even aggressive riding on the circuit.

Yamaha YZF R 15 is the first model for the Indian market designed in the true supersport image and featuring a high-level balance of enjoyable running performance on winding roads, enjoyable performance and riding comfort with a tandem passenger and agile handling through crowded city traffic. The body has been designed to show at a glance that this is a “R series bike” and to give visual expression to technology feedback from the 10 years of YZF-R series development since the series debut in 1998. In this way, it is a direct expression of Yamaha’s motorcycle development ideal of “Exciting Performance & Stylish Design” in the 150cc class.

(YSF R15 in Delhi Auto Expo 08)

Thanks to Payeng for the Photo (www.2wheelsindia.com)

It is based on totally race technology with which MotoGP bikes runs, technology with which R1 is built. It is India’s first 150cc 4 valve engine. It is India’s first Bike with forged pistons. It is India’s first Bike with a Diasil Cylinder. It is India’s first Bike with the Deltabox frame, again based on the R1. And it is India’s first Bike with a 6speed gear box.

It is Fuel Injected and will hit the market in June 2008 .The rear tyres though are only a mere 100, MRF uses imported Soft compound to give it better grip than similar sized tyres.

We can expect a prize of INR 80000/- for a beast like this. Never care for the CC. I hope it will have 20+ bhp and a top speed somewhere near 140kmph. I repeat , I HOPE!

Main Features

(1) A newly developed 150cc liquid-cooled, 4-stroke, SOHC, single-cylinder fuel-injected engine
(2) An all-aluminum “DiASil Cylinder” produced by an exclusive Yamaha casting technology
(3) Eco-friendly performance that clears the next-phase Bharat 4 emissions standard
(4) The “Deltabox frame” known for excellent rigidity balance
(5) Impressive “2-eye” multi-reflector headlight design in the YZF-R series image

Confirmed Specs :

- Fully Faired
- Rear Disc Brake
- 150cc
- Liquid Cooling
- Delta Box Frame
– Forged aluminum pistons
- 6 Hole type Fuel Injector

- High capacity air cleaner/filter

- Yamaha accessories including riding gear
- 6 speed transmission
- R1 Style Instrument Console
- 10,500 RPM Red line

Specs as shown in Yamaha Site -

• Tyre Front: 80/90 – 17 inch tubeless
• Tyre Rear: 100/80 – 17 inch tubeless
• Brakes: Front- Disc, Rear- Disc
• Fuel Tank: 12 Litres
• Wheelbase: 1290 mm
• Min Ground Clearance: 160 mm

The PowerHouse:

yamaha-r-15-photo-engine

The Speedo Console (Check the Red Limit! ) :

yamaha-r-15-photo-console

The Frame:

yamaha-r-15-photo-frame

Twin Lights(Like in R1):

yamaha-r-15-photo-head-light

Launch Date : June/July (Expected date) Released!!

Price : 1,07,000 Rs. ( On Road Price , Kerala)

]]> http://blog.neo999.com/auto-expo-08-yamaha-r15-150cc/feed/ 375 http://blog.neo999.com/auto-expo-08-bajaj-blade/ http://blog.neo999.com/auto-expo-08-bajaj-blade/#comments Thu, 10 Jan 2008 20:00:11 +0000 nEo http://blog.neo999.com/auto-expo-08-bajaj-blade/ Apart from Discover 150 and XCD Sprint , Bajaj showcased the new Blade Scooter in Auto Expo 08. Blade was shown in 2006 auto expo , but this one is refined version with discs in front. Blade is expected to hit the market in 2008.

Photos taken by MG_Biker180 (xbhp) .Posted with Permission.Please get permission from the original photographer before copying the pic.

]]> http://blog.neo999.com/auto-expo-08-bajaj-blade/feed/ 11 http://blog.neo999.com/auto-expo-08-bajaj-discover-150/ http://blog.neo999.com/auto-expo-08-bajaj-discover-150/#comments Thu, 10 Jan 2008 19:15:53 +0000 nEo http://blog.neo999.com/auto-expo-08-bajaj-discover-150/ Bajaj unleashed two new pure desi bikes in Auto expo.Discover 150 and XCD Sprint.

Discover 150 styling is just OK.Tried to make it aggressive. But to me, it looks like overdone. But , what about pulsar 150 now? Are they going to stop the production? Or following herohonda by confusing customers with more than one model with same engine capacity. Engine is 150 cc 14.1PS @ 8500r.p.m(ie. 12.3 NM @ 6500r.p.m) which makes it clear that Discover 150 is a commuter friendly 150cc bike

Photos taken by MG_Biker180 (xbhp) .Posted with Permission.Please get permission from the original photographer before copying the pic.

The XCD Sprint was rumored to sport 4 valve head. And it is!! Yes. The XCD has a
4 valve 12.5PS @ 9000r.p.m Engine. (ie. 10.3NM@ 6500r.p.m) . Detailed post will follow soon…

Speedo Console

Tail – Thats Unique!

Photos taken by MG_Biker180 (xbhp) .Posted with Permission.Please ask permission from the original photographer before copying the pic.

]]> http://blog.neo999.com/auto-expo-08-bajaj-xcd-sprint/feed/ 45 http://blog.neo999.com/two-strokes-may-strike-back-bajaj-again/ http://blog.neo999.com/two-strokes-may-strike-back-bajaj-again/#comments Mon, 07 Jan 2008 11:04:52 +0000 nEo http://blog.neo999.com/two-strokes-may-strike-back-bajaj-again/ Another new attempt to take share of the two wheeler market by Bajaj Auto ! They are planning to re-introduce two stroke bikes in Indian Market. First of all Two strokes are all about higher torque , faster pickup and better vehicle stability due to the smaller engine.Then, why any company is not selling two stroke bikes in india? The reason is the strict(Yes it is! Emission norms are strict in India compared to many developed countries) emission norms in India. Two strokes are notorious for the pollution it creates. But what made Bajaj to introduce two strokes again in a country with such strict restrictions? Its the GDi . GDi stands for Gasoline Direct Injection . The technology is superior with increased mileage and substantially less emission compared to older two strokes. This technology was invented 60 years back during World War 2 to use in war planes. Later it was developed and polished by giants like Bosh and even Mercs for four stroke car engines.

The benefits of direct injection are even more pronounced in two-stroke engines, because it eliminates much of the pollution they cause. In conventional two-strokes, the exhaust and intake ports are both open at the same time, at the bottom of the piston stroke. A large portion of the fuel/air mixture entering the cylinder from the crankcase through the intake ports goes directly out, unburned, through the exhaust port. With direct injection, only air comes from the crankcase, and fuel is not injected until the piston rises and all ports are closed.

Bajaj has already launched Three wheelers with GDi engine .The engine also meets the stringent emission norms with 50% lower carbon monoxide ((CO) and 25% lower hydrocarbons and nitrous oxides (HC+NOx) .

As said in economic times by a senior Bajaj Auto executive -

“It is a big leap in the two-stroke technology and we are working to get it on our bikes and other two-wheelers. The gasoline direct injection (GDi) engine has substantially lower emissions than even alternate clean fuels like CNG and LPG. Additionally, it has lower operating costs than four-stroke technology that currently dominates the bike market.”

Bajaj Auto is likely to customize the GDi technology for its two-wheeler products in the next few months. The two-stroke engine had been a success in the past due to its higher torque (power), faster pickup and better vehicle stability due to the smaller engine. In GDi technology, the fuel is injected through a common rail fuel line directly into the engine’s combustion chamber where it is completely burnt unlike the conventional carburettor-run two-stroke engine which leaves out unburnt fuel and results in higher emission.

If that happens, i am sure that we still have a large section of youth who loves to hear that two stroke sound! Count me also!

The alliance with KTM covers joint development of street bikes for both Indian and overseas markets and will complement Bajaj Auto’s efforts to hammer out a deal with another European motorcycle brand, Triumph.

- Economic Times

is generally a dirt/offroad bike maker , and if bajaj successfully allies with Triumph, we may see another face of Bajaj with dirt and power bikes.Already strong in Indonesia and Brazil , Bajaj is now eying European Market.So , now Bajaj can sell KTM bikes here as well as KTM will promote Bajaj bikes in Europe and US. We have to wait and see how our Pulsars will be treated by Europeans.

The supposed Model to be launched here : “Mika Kallio KTM 125″ an 125 cc road bike.

 The bike looks aggressive and is a hot selling model in EU. The price will be a question. Even though its 125 cc , the price will be above 80ks

“Next year is of Mobiles!”

Analysts, gurus, and pundits point to massive device adoption overseas. Google, Yahoo, and Microsoft continue to invest heavily in mobile technology, including ad serving, testing different monetization schemes and ad formats. But mobile needs to become material and more of consumer behavior influencer for more people before marketers claim successes.I’m still concerned about the mobile browser’s applicability as an ad platform for a large portion of search marketers. Lets discuss why I think mobile search still faces some serious hurdles for many advertisers.

Where Mobile Search Advertising Works

Clearly, people use mobile search when they need information on the go. If it’s a commerce-related search, there’s an opportunity to simultaneously meet the searcher’s needs and the marketer’s objectives. Local businesses, particularly restaurants, bars, movie theaters, and retailers, can present their location or business information to consumers when they’re actively searching and proximal to their location. However, not all searches with regional or geographic intent are suitable for mobile ad platforms.

As retail Web sites’ interfaces and content become more mobile-friendly, including product-availability searches at specific store locations, mobile use may increase. Still, significant issues remain that the mobile ad industry must solve, including:

Ad-format challenges. What’s the right ad format for mobile devices? Banners don’t render the same across all devices. This is partially due to different screen aspect ratios, as well as browser compatibility challenges that make Firefox/IE incompatibilities seem quaint.

Ad-payment/monetization issues. User behavior on mobile devices is different. Often users want to engage in a call, so PPC (define) doesn’t make sense as an ad vehicle. Pay per call has much of the trackability PPC does, a feature that will appeal to many marketers as well as consumers.

Click to call, a close cousin to the pay-per-call platform, requires users to enter their number to have the switch initiate the call. This presents a poor user experience in the current mobile environment. SMS-based calls to action have some significant opportunities, particularly when combined with offer codes and coupons.
Clearly, we’ve reached critical mass among early mobile search adopters. If the price for larger-screen phones falls within consumers’ reach in their next phone-upgrade cycle, we may see a dramatic uptick in mobile search. But before pursuing mobile search advertising for your business, think about its value to you and mobile consumers. Are they worth more or less than stationary consumers? Atleast not yet .

The Commerce Ministry today notified that import of motorcycles up to 800 cc engine capacity or above subject to compliance to Euro III emission norms.

Individuals, firms and original equipment manufacturers with service networks would be allowed to import these bikes.

The relaxation followed an agreement reached at the India-US Trade Policy Forum meeting here.

“We have reached an agreement… now Harley Davidson motorcycles can be imported while Indian mangoes will be available in the US markets,” Commerce and Industry Minister Kamal Nath said.

“Indian mangoes are only a few days away from the shipment,” US Trade Representative Susan Schwab said.

The king of fruit has not been allowed to enter the US market due to various non-trade barriers and the last hitch of radiation testing is being addressed. A radiation testing facility is being set up in Mumbai on a cost-sharing basis.

Though bikes in India have to meet strict norms, Harley Davidson and other motorcycles of higher engine capacity have been given a liberal treatment. But they would have to meet at least Euro III norms.

The government has done away with the need for conducting homologation checks for these bikes. These tests are essential to see if imported vehicles meet Indian regulations. In place of this, test certificates of accredited agency will suffice.

In the past, India had taken a tough stand on import of Harley Davidson, citing the American bike maker’s inability to meet emission norms here.

The cruiser is considered a ‘must-have’ for the rich and the famous across the world.

Although, Harley will sell its bikes in India, it has maintained that the bikes will not be manufactured anywhere outside the US so as not to dilute its ‘Made in America’ exclusivity.

“The company’s overall promotional budget for 2007 will go up by 20-25 per cent as compared to that of last year’s. We have spent between Rs 1-2 crore on Pulsar’s new advertisement,” Bajaj Auto Marketing General Manager Amit S Nandi said here today.

Bajaj, which sold 39,675 units in 2006-07, would have a production capacity of 3.5 million bikes by 2007-08, he said.

The company, which claims to have 60 per cent market share in 150 cc and above segment, is coming up with an executive bike by next quarter. “The new bike will be in 100-150 cc range and will be priced in the affordable segment,” Nandi said.

The 200 cc bike, which was launched in the country in February, would soon be exported by the year end. “The export of the new Pulsar should happen this year itself,” he said.

When asked about the expected sales of the 200 cc bike, targeted at 18-24 year age group, he said, “The growth in sale might be good but not exponential.”

The 200 cc targets metropolitan markets and the northern part of the country, he said. Bajaj’s 200 cc new advertisement has been shot in Malaysia but given a Latin American look.

Admitting that sales in 100 cc segment had slowed down in March, Nandi said, “Sales in 125 cc have been good but not in 100 cc. But still we are not planning to exit the 100 cc market at present.”