(Click on the images for full size view)

Photos taken by Aryan @ Xbhp.com . Please get permission from him before using these photos .

]]> http://blog.neo999.com/auto-expo-08-bajaj-pulsar-220-dtsfi-chrome-and-black-version/feed/ 71 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/bajaj-to-build-water-cooled-engine-platform-for-125-and-250-cc-bikes/ http://blog.neo999.com/bajaj-to-build-water-cooled-engine-platform-for-125-and-250-cc-bikes/#comments Mon, 05 Nov 2007 21:24:30 +0000 nEo http://blog.neo999.com/bajaj-to-build-water-cooled-engine-platform-for-125-and-250-cc-bikes/ Bajaj after joining with Europe’s second-largest sport motorcycle maker – KTM , plans to develop water cooled engine platform for 125 and 250 cc bikes.

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

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.”