Indian Autos blog

Looks like Yamaha could pip Honda in making the world’s first hybrid motorcycle.

Introducing the Yamaha-Toyota “Prius” powered by a 20bhp petrol engine coupled to an electric motor.

The hybrid motorcycle dubbed Prius, will use a water-cooled engine – the 250cc horizontal single-cylinder through a smart ECU, sends power to the wheels and the generator, which will give the battery juice.

The vehicle is still in the testing phase with improvements incorporated based on the continuous feedback.

Harley-Davidson Motor Company will begin selling motorcycles in India in 2010, said its president and chief operating officer, Matthew Levatich. The company has begun the process of picking dealers and is constructing a subsidiary in Gurgaon, near the country’s capital Delhi.

Matthew Levatich said his mission was to lay a strong base in India to help play a long innings in the country. He said India is a vital part of the expansion plan for the company which is seeking a “global reach.”

Just like any other auto company, Harley will spend its initial time importing bikes, accessories and other rider gear until it gets a clear picture of its demands here. India’s booming economy and rapidly evolving infrastructure has evoked interest in Harley Davidson to set shop here.

The company’s initial approach is to import its motorcycles, accessories and riding gear, and it will then evaluate how best to evolve its approach as Harley-Davidson’s business grows here.

Although a lot of other things we discussed, frankly it was boring. He explained how Harley’s riding experience is magnificent and how unique his motorcycles were and how his motorcycles are going to lead India into its next era of motorcycling.

Not very realistic considering most motorcycles sold in the country are 100cc commuters. In the world of Nanos and Altos, it’s like saying the Rolls Royce brand with its CBUs is going to carry India forward into the next era of driving.

The company has begun the process of identifying initial dealers in Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Punjab State.

Let’s see how they price it. It won’t be in the mid 60 thousands to take on the Bajaj Avenger. That is for sure.

Has the little Ninja finally made it to India? I think so.

The Kawasaki Ninja 250R was snapped when on display at a Bajaj Probiking showroom in Pune. In the recent past, Bajaj had displayed the unreleased Pulsar variants in a similar manner, to collect feedback from its customers.

The performance motorcycle section of Indian automobiles has been one of the most booming segments in India. We have seen bikes from Yamaha RD 350 and Yamaha RX100 to bikes like the HH Karizma and Yamaha R15. Although day by day we are improving in the field of technology and so many bikes are being improved and launched by different manufacturers each year there is still one category of motorcycles which I feel is being neglected and not being explored.

I mean there are still not many options available when it comes to the cruiser bikes in India.

click through to read Naz’s problems

Yamaha have come up with a new version of Yamaha YZF-R15 in terms of colors and graphics. This new makeover adds a punch to the sporty looks of the bike. However there has been no change in any other aspects of the, other specifications of the bikes remain the same.

The Yamaha YZF R15 is now available in four new colors namely “Impact Yellow”, “Midnight black”, “Sunset Red” and “Racing Blue.”

Yamaha has introduced the much desired yellow color which I’m sure will boost up the sales of this bike, till now some of the dealers used to paint the bike in yellow on the customer’s demand charging a few extra Ks for the paint job.

click through for full report

Yamaha owners, listen up -

Yamaha India introduces a contest where you have to click a picture with your Yamaha and you may get a chance to spend six nights and seven days in Japan with your loved one. There are also some mp3 players, cell phones and cameras to be won.

To be eligible for the prize, you need to click an image and enter in one of the categories listed below:

• Best Background & Yamaha
• Me & My Yamaha
• Yamaha at World Heritage

The last date for submission of entries – 31^st august.

To know more follow the link below

https://epoint.yamaha-motor-india.com/photo-contest/

After viewing endless number of TV Ads and its making, hearing people rant about its ‘racing DNA’ and improvements, I decided to test ride the new TVS Apache RTR 180. I have ridden Apache RTR 160, I was impressed by its performance which boosted my expectations for this new 177.4 cc bike.

The new Apache RTR 180 develops an impressive 17 bhp @ 8500 rpm, though the absence of fuel injection was a bit of a disappointment.

I got a titanium grey bike for the ride and I was set to fly. Here are my observations of the bike -

click on the post title to read Naz’s evaluation

The age of diesel engines for motorcycles, some believe began (and ended) with the Royal Enfield Bullet Taurus. It needed a backbone made of steel, and teeth of titanium to bare the vibrations and harshness of riding one. If you were driving near one, you needed ear plugs.

While diesel engine have evolved to such a level that it terrorizes the gasoline engine’s existence, its application has began widening. Now Yamaha has put its head out and it could be the first manufacturer to offer diesel engines of 2-wheelers commercially.

Yamaha has filed patents for a new family of motorcycle-size turbodiesel engines in both inline-four and twin-cylinder layouts.

Obviously a diesel engine is heavy and big. Packaging needs to be thought out and that’s what these patents deal with. The arrangement of the different parts is matched to a 2-wheeler’s structure, for example the intercooler is placed above the engine saving space and the bike’s fuel tank is moved backwards.

Hit the jump to read the pdf document that explains this innovation in detail