Honda to Launch the New CRF250L On/Off-Road Motorcycle in Japan

 Honda is all set to launch its new 250cc on/off road model CRF250L in Japan. It will start to sell this motorcycle from the month of May. This motorcycle looks similar to Honda Brio (Hero Impulse in India) but has some new features according to Honda. This motorcycle offers smooth riding in various environment be it urban or off road riding.  We may see some possibility of this model in India launch in future since it offers good mileage. Here is the complete review of this motorcycle according to Honda.

 Honda is marketing this motorcycle with slogan of “‘New On & Off Gear, your right buddy on the road’ to make ‘On’ (daily life) more convenient and ‘Off’ (weekends) more enjoyable.” The development team, by pursuing total balance and driving stability to the utmost, created a vehicle that enables a broad spectrum of users from beginners to experienced riders to enjoy the sheer fun of handling the machine.

Two Wheeler Brands (Models) Which Ruled the Last Decade in India

We published the news that Bajaj Pulsar has crossed five million marks. But there is a question that which are the brands which have ruled Indian two wheeler market in last decade?  Here is the list of brands which have ruled the Indian two wheeler market.

Hero Splendor:  The king of the two wheeler brands not only in India but across the world. There is no motorcycle in India yet which has surpassed the sales of Splendor. Splendor was launched in the year 1994 and it became an instant hit for Hero Motocorp formerly known as Hero Honda since it was launched when motorcycle era was started. It took 10 years for Splendor crosses five million mark which it crossed in the year 2004.

Top 5 fuel efficient 125cc bikes in India: In pictures!

 

Bajaj Discover: Mileage – 68 kmpl

Hero CBZ Xtreme vs Bajaj Pulsar 150 DTSi vs Honda CB Unicorn: Which 150cc bike to buy?

We pit three affordable fast commuters that have been around for a while but still notch up impressive sales numbers. Which is the right one for you? Read on...

                                                           Honda CB Unicorn
The 150cc segment in the country has fast emerged from being a premium pocket to a volume segment and leading the bandwagon are three extremely successful and potent motorcycles, namely, the Bajaj Pulsar 150 DTSi, the Honda Unicorn and the Hero CBZ Xtreme. We pit them together and find out which one is the best in the class. All of these three have been in our nation for a long time now but have affirmed different avatars in the past few years. The Unicorn has witnessed successful sales in our nation and has earned a well deserved name for being the most reliable 150cc bike in its class. The CBZ Xtreme on the other hand is designed to woo the younger generation with its stylish body, integrated side indicators and the step up seat. The Pulsar has been around a long time now, but has never rested on its laurels, it has reformed and improvised all through out. This particular Pulsar, the 150, has not seen many changes since a while now, but that is probably because the company is focusing on its bigger siblings the Pulsar 200NS and the 220 et cetera.
When it comes to cornering and all round performance the CB Unicorn surely takes the cake as it produces the most horsepower and also will be at the head of the game, marginally, but it sure will. What we like about the Pulsar though is the bike is made for practicality on all fronts, and it looks good too along with all that jazz, so along with the cheapest bike in the segment retailing at Rs 64,497 ex-showroom, Delhi the Pulsar’s ridability keeps us very satisfied as the bike will handle majestically even at 25km/h from the fifth gear onwards, which is a boon in city traffic conditions. Both the CBZ Xtreme and the CB Unicorn share the same Honda 150cc engine DNA. The Unicorns gearbox will get a standing ovation from us as we are appalled by its smoothness and tact free qualities.

                           
                                                           Hero CBZ Xtreme
The Pulsar has a very attractive function which is the illumination in the switch gear. A fancy yet unnecessary function which you may actually use the first few days of you purchasing the bike, but eventually one does get used to where the switches are placed on the handles and you may forget the function existed, until someday your enthusiastic friend points it out to you. Nevertheless the Pulsar has gone through quite a few makeovers and Bajaj can very rightly call it India’s most performance oriented bike which is entirely home grown and it offers young enthusiasts a chance to live the dream and wake up also very briefly, but what counts is the chance. The jazziest of the lot, the Xtreme is a sure eye catcher and now with its new wheels and design it does stand out a lot too. The Unicorn is a sure pleaser that does not knock you out but urges you to live to ride each day again as that perfectly set up mono-shock suspension and the comfortable seat induces a tonne of confidence into the rider and we love that. The Unicorn retails at Rs 63,046, ex-showroom, Delhi. The Pulsar 150 at Rs 64,497 ex-showroom, Delhi while the Hero Xtreme at Rs 64,063 ex-showroom, Delhi.   

                                                 Bajaj Pulsar 150 DTSi
 Our pick would be the Honda Unicorn if a person is looking for a mature grown up bike that punches hard when it wants to, the Bajaj Pulsar 150 if a person wants absolute value for money and easy on the pocket after market sales not to mention the comfort it offers along with its aggressive paint scheme and body. The CBZ extreme is no hooligan but we like its guts because it is a good looker as well as a very potent machine with regards to in-town rideability. So first decide on what you want from a motorcycle and then take the plunge. Happy and safe riding!

Honda Replaces Bajaj’s No.2 Spot in March 2012 Sales!

Honda has been one of the most aggressive companies in the world. As soon as it made an entrance as Honda Japan’s fully owned subsidiary despite their presence with their Indian JV partners Hero (as the erstwhile Hero Honda) which is the world’s largest two wheeler manufacturer company, it became evident that Honda wants to play and play hard.

Their recent split with their partners Hero despite being an immensely cash rich company also suggested that Honda wants to play solo. And here they are doing it in style! A few months back they trounced TVS Motors for the 3rd spot in monthly sales. And as soon as March 2012 sales were out, there was a big surprise which was awaiting the auto industry. Honda had beaten Bajaj Auto and stood at the second spot in the domestic monthly sales, just behind Hero MotoCorp.

Though it’s too early to predict anything but looking at the way things are moving and considering that Honda is all set to release there next mass commuter , the 110cc entry level Yuga motorcycle, things do seem in favor of Honda.

On the March months denounce by Honda, Rajiv Bajaj admitted, “Obviously, we cannot replicate Honda but can still be the best by being different. We cannot ape them but are trying to have our individual brands established strongly.” This is a very admitting statement from Bajaj, since Honda is huge in terms of experience of serving varied markets and obviously its technical expertise.

However, on the other side Bajaj also has (and had) a few aces up its sleeves:

March 2012 was the best month in terms of sales for Bajaj
In this month Bajajs’ Pulsar completed its milestone of 5 million sales.
Bajaj has the next generation Pulsar ready and the first model, Pulsar 200NS is almost ready to hit the roads. This bike has received a big go from all the bigwigs.
We have also caught the next generation Discover testing and it is sure to play the role of a mass seller.
We also have a few bikes lined up from KTM and Kawasaki, which obviously would not help much in sales numbers but would definitely push the brand value.
Bajaj’s business model ensures it has leading profit margins.
Honda’s sales predominantly consist of scooters where Bajaj is completely absent.
Whichever way does the tide turn, whoever becomes the second biggest seller..all we, as customers, need are better and technically sound products at affordable prices. All this competition of one company snatching each other position in the market is bound to get us supreme products at competitive prices.