Pitching the Dominar 400

Front page ad for Bajaj's Dominar 400. Go hyperriding!

Recent reports suggest Dominar's not selling in numbers that Bajaj may have anticipated, expected and estimated. Royal Enfield's Classic just clocked sales of a whopping 60k+ motorcycles last month, May 2017.

Bajaj hasn't hidden its intention of taking some market share of this growing category and competing with Royal Enfield's motorcycles. That snow-clad-mountain visual in the background seems to suggest just that.

Am wondering what happened to 'Dominate The Night' which showed city-roads at night as the territory of Dominar! You see, if we take the message literally, it might even mean Dominar's good for riding in the city at night, some other bike may be better for day-time traffic riding. I may be over-interpreting. But then, may be not.

Dominar suddenly seems to have chucked the nights and city-roads for days and highways. That may not be an issue though. Whatever folks promoting Dominar say, buyers of the bike will ride when and where they like to or have to ride. The question is, does the categorizing and positioning and messaging by the marketing folks make it any easier for riders to choose Dominar 400 over RE's motorcycles? Are they making it difficult? If only it were easy for the agency folks to offer a glove like expression for the motorcycle that is Dominar 400. One that really trades punches with the Classic.

Look at the message again! Hyperriding? If ever there's been a motorcycle on Indian roads that can claim and rightfully boast 'Hyperriding' that's the KTM Duke, with the exception of Yamaha RD350 discontinued ages back. You read about Indian motorcycles on whichever forum or platform, and that's what you come to know.

I like the term 'Hyperriding'. KTM says 'Ready To Race' alright. But folks understand those terms to mean the same. One can go do the surveys and researches to validate this.

Dominar isn't 'Hyperriding'. Do they mean riding on high altitudes as 'Hyperriding'? Oh dear! Do they mean adventure riding at high speeds as 'Hyperriding'? My guess is as good as yours.

Some other comments... For me, that perimeter frame is an eye-sore-like design element. And those tail-lights give an impression it's a Pulsar. Over-all design reminds one overwhelmingly of Pulsar 200NS. Or rather, just makes it look like a bigger Pulsar. And all the PR for the 2 odd years that preceded the launch of Dominar, established it as a bigger Pulsar.

Now whenever I hear Mr Rajiv Bajaj speak, I like it. And so let this be a reminder. Sir, the perception building started way before the motorcycle was christened as Dominar. It's Pulsar!

But then what's Pulsar? Definitely male! Bajaj tried to tag it with India's No.1 Sports Bike. But then, after KTM, the Sports Bike thing doesn't stick to Pulsar.

Consider this.

Dominar 400! Definitely male!

Does that ring in the ears?

Let me think of other alternatives, since a lot of water has already passed by. I can't undo the flow. Let's say you really want to offer a great alternative to RE's motorcycles... RE's are known to be not-so-reliable in spite of the new platform. So, here you go.

Dominar 400. Hyper-reliable Highway Rider!

Or

Dominar 400. Damn fast. Damn dependable!

Or something more courageous.

Dominar 400. Dad on the Highway!

When I reflect on pitching motorcycles for the highway, I am cautious since even RE's motorcycles are typically ridden in cities or at best just around cities. Highway riding is still leisure and still a very small number. Another try!

RE's are known to be slow and loud. So here you go.

Dominar 400. Not that loud, but real fast and real good!

Or something more direct.

Dominar 400. Fast. Not just phat-phat-phat.

Is it really Dominar 400 vs Classic 350?

For Benelli TNT 300 wins the battle against these two bikes. But, of course, the price difference is mighty and most wouldn't even consider it as a competitor (perhaps rightly so). India is very very price-sensitive. 3L+ for a motorcycle is a big sum. Anyone reading this should surely test-ride the Benelli.

The Pulsar Pandemonium

I've been wanting to write about this for a pretty long time. But I needed a prod I guess to finally write.

Verbatim from bikeadvice.in:

The company’s Managing Director, Rajiv Bajaj, in an interview to Money Control has revealed that they will launch the 2017 range of Pulsars very soon. The timeline given is “between now and December (2016)“. Without naming any specific model (from the existing range), he informed that these will get “significant changes in both their appearance and performance“.

I've observed the improvement in performance of a Pulsar in the avatar of 200NS. But it's the appearance that has confounded me the most for quite some time.

Let me indulge in the appearances and draw my inferences keeping in mind the announcement above.

Here's the look that folks have come to admire and adopt over time. 

Here's 200NS. Compare this with the one above.

And then here's RS200. All 3 have been amusingly (at least for me) called Pulsars.

And then here's the Pulsar that won't be called a Pulsar any more but that folks have been eagerly waiting for as the big Pulsar and that has also been widely shown and talked about as the biggest Pulsar yet. On earlier occasions it's was called Pulsar CS400. Off late, they were calling it Pulsar VS400. Now we hear it won't be Pulsar at all. And that open's my speculative mind.

So going by appearances, CS400 has a good number of similarities with 200NS. No? Have a look at them yet again. The second pic and this fourth pic.

Now if the motorcycle in the fourth pic isn't called a Pulsar, I would say even the one in the second pic shouldn't be called a Pulsar. And if Pulsar 200NS would no longer be a Pulsar, then the Pulsar as seen in the 1st pic is going to stay the quintessential Pulsar. But we've been given to know that Pulsar will see significant changes in appearance and performance.

If the significant change of appearance in the fourth pic isn't a Pulsar any more, then are we expecting a completely new Pulsar look which isn't yet captured in any of the 4 pics shown above? In which case, the Pulsar 200NS look will also likely be discontinued for its blatant similarity to the non-Pulsar 400VS.

I also don't fathom any great relationship between the appearance in the first pic and the one of RS200 in the 3rd pic. Which means even that isn't the future look of Pulsar either. Which means even that is going to be discontinued. Or am I going way too speculative?

While the earlier Pulsars -150, 180 and 220 - all seem to be well-liked even now, the recent ones and the publicity-garnering pics and announcements have kind of messed up Pulsar, the brand, the look, the essence.

Time to come clean. I would be happy to see a new non-200NS, non-VS400, non-RS200 appearance for Pulsar. I haven't seen any spy-shots so far on these lines, so my thinking could be just very wildly speculative. But I trust Bajaj to spring pleasant surprises more than any other motorcycle company in the country. Let's keep a close watch.

Riding Mojo

Have followed the Mahindra Mojo story ever since it was announced 5 years back. Was glad to know its about eventual launch with very much the same design that was shown so many years back. And finally was able to check it out in my city.

The bike is huge. Fit and finish felt good. White and red colored bike felt far far more pleasing to the eyes than the black one.

The default sound of the engine is really good. But for the one that I test-rode, they had removed the mufflers so that it could sound even louder. The sales guy explained, people want louder sounds in order to feel like a heavy bike. I can understand his point since I hear so many superbike riders rev their bikes real hard as they cross the busy street outside.

The sitting posture is upright. I am not a fast rider so I could barely take it beyond 60kmph in the little stretch I rode the Mojo for. Yes, the bike felt really really stable. I am not surprised so many Mojo riders and reviewers feel good on the highways.

These days I often look for nimbleness whichever bike I test-ride. The worst point about this bike is the one that strikes the most to the onlooker. Yesss, the twin-headlight console attached to the handle-bars section of the motorcycle. To me the console felt way too heavy, and so the handle-bar has a certain heft which doesn't lend itself to nimble handling. Again, it could just be a matter of habit but I felt the same problem when I rode the Pulsar 200NS and when I used to ride my Bullet way back in 2006-07. Mojo has been developed as a tourer, and on the highways, I suppose, one wouldn't have to handle in the way that one does in city conditions. When seen that way, it might not look like such a big drawback. But I prefer lightness and nimbleness when it comes to swing-arms whether for within-city-riding or highway riding.

Since I have been riding the Yamaha FZ for 5 years now, I obviously do find it a great motorcycle for city riding. Way before I bought the FZ, I got a chance to ride the R15 for quite a few days soon after it was launched. I still remember the experience. And now I understand how well designed these motorcycles are. On occasions, especially on widely spaced roads, they might feel just slightly under-powered but they are so amazing to handle. I've test-ridden the Duke200 as well and I have a similar impression regarding its handling. So nimble.

Two points about motorcycle handling I realize. No matter the bulk of the motorcycle in totality, the handle-bars or swing-arms should feel nimble. Obviously it contributes when there are fewer things attached to the handle-bars section of the motorcycle. And when it comes to city-riding, 200cc is just about the right (safe and enjoyable) capacity for even enthusiasts.

I've to test-ride the Pulsar 200AS now. And am eagerly waiting for KTM's 200cc adventure version for India. Hoping it'll be out soon. I've saved some money for a new motorcycle.

Yamaha Fascino, Unicorn 160, Benelli TNT 300 and Bajaj V

This happens to be the first post since Sep 2014. Even I am surprised. Apart from my hyper occupation with my venture, in spite of a string of motorcycle launches in the interim I just couldn't find the motivation to write about any motorcycle.

But even so, I did go to test-ride some of the new launches.

I went to Yamaha to test-ride Fascino. I was told I can only admire its looks, there was no scooter available for test-riding. So much for Yamaha's push to make a mark in the scooter market.

I test-rode the Honda Unicorn 160. Felt it has a good sweet engine but no looks whatsoever. Tyres felt rather thin and didn't seem to fit the proportions of the bike. Of course, my familiarity with the sight of my red FZ daily doesn't help me see any motorcycle with thin tyres favorably I suppose.

I also test-rode the Benellis. 250 and 300 both.

I first tried the 250. It felt good. Big and, of course, with quite a bit more power than my FZ. I was about to leave when the sales-guy at TNT offered me to test-ride the 300 as well. And 300 felt amazing. Super-smooth and such good sounding. So much better than the 250. But the price difference also turned out to be really big.

Both motorcycles however felt quite heavy for city riding. When I compare them to the Duke 200 and even the Duke 390, I don't think the Benellis are as nimble. The Duke 390 has that 6th gear which you just can't get into when riding in city conditions but very nimble I would say.

Why did I write this summary sort of post btw. I wrote it for V.

I ride in and around the city quite a bit. Amidst all the launches, this comes closest in terms of styling (though a little less on power) if the purpose is to enjoy city-rides. I have read this is a torquey bike. Just a couple of days back also checked the newspaper ad, so I suppose it's in the showrooms. Hopefully, a test-ride's available. I am gonna go and post my impressions soon.

A little review basis my test ride of Suzuki Gixxer

The sales guy (the one you see in the pic with a rotund tummy) sees my red FZ, greets me and tells me, "FZ bhool jaoge Sir aap!"

I take the Gixxer for a spin. I have one word for the Gixxer. Smooth.

Pick-up was good, stance felt very good, gear-changing super-smooth. Sound was alright. Gixxer felt just the right size and very nimble.

When I ride my FZ, people give it a look, even after so many years, and after so many FZ's on the road. Not one guy looked at the Gixxer. Having said that, the Gixxer is a good looker. Nicely designed tank with recesses and a very pleasantly different looking exhaust muffler. The design has the right proportions. I don't like the cowl on which 'Gixxer' is written.

White won't be fun though. Red is the color. Second-best, the grey that I saw on display.

Post the test ride, I picked my FZ again. FZ felt great. The FZ 2.0 should be pitched against this one and checked.

First experience of the Yamaha FZ-FI

 

Just been to the Yamaha showroom near ISRO, Ahmedabad. Here's the little story.

I enter the showroom and meet this lady who greets me, "Yes Sir?" And I tell her that I want a test-ride of the newest FZ model.

She says, "Sir, test-ride is not available for the new model."

That doesn't cheer me and I look around at the displayed motorcycles to find the particular model.

Pointing to the one parked nearest to me, she adds, "Sir, this is the latest model."

I retort, "No! This is not the latest model. This is the older one. I want to see the one that has just been released."

Not giving up, lady responds, "Sir, everything is new in this model..." I stop listening to her. Watch where she was pointing out and tell her in plain simple words, "Madam, this is not the one. I own an FZ and I know this is certainly not the new one."

At this point, a man sitting on the chair nearby interjects and tells her, "Show him the FI model."

I ask again, "Is it not available for test-ride?"

Lady replies, "No Sir, if someone's new motorcycle is ready for delivery, we can give you a test-ride." I say to myself, "Wow!"

Another guys approaches me and tells me to accompany him downstairs to their stock-yard.

That's when I spot the one shown in the pic.

My conversation with him is inconsequential barring the fact that he mentioned this model FZ-FI will give a mileage of 45kms per litre easily. That sounds pleasant, no?

He mentions that the muffler also emits a different sound now. And I latch upon the opportunity to poke him to switch the engine on. He does and I was happy to hear the sound. Punchier and more pleasing than the sound that my 3-year old FZ emits.

The tank's shape has been changed a bit but it retains the beefiness and size. In the pics I saw online, the exhaust-muffler looked a bit over-done but it looked good in actual.

All else looked just in right measure. The split-seat and the tyre-hugger.

I felt and expressed this earlier, and I want to tell you again, the FZ is the best-designed and the best-looking, the best-built, and for me, also the best-performing motorcycle yet, given the Indian conditions and Indian motorcyclists' pockets.

People can debate, for that's what it's all about, but FZ is far far better than the Pulsar or the Apache, and in over-all impact, any day better than the Honda Trigger/Dazzler.

What do I mean by best-performing? Let me just add a few words here. I am a 50-80km/hr rider. In that range, the FZ feels very solid, smooth and sure-handler. Given its apparent bulk, it turns and twists without any unease.

Having said that I also feel that if FZ comes out with a variant with an engine-capacity between 200cc and 250cc, it would be the only motorcycle to desire in this country. I've ridden the KTM 200, and loved it.

Pulsar 200NS Not A Great Ride After All

The first time I rode the 200NS was right after its launch in Ahmedabad. Wasn't really a long one and I didn't get off the bike very convinced. The bump in power was palpable but over-all feeling not great. Felt unusually bulky and the fit and finish not to my liking.

I rode the 200NS again just a couple of days back. This one, a neighbor's bike. This gentleman upgraded from a Pulsar 150 to Pulsar 200. He just mentioned in one of the little conversations we strike often that he was really getting tired when he rode his 200NS in areas with dense traffic. He said, there was some problem with the handle-bar. Awkward to manoeuvre, felt heavy.

I asked him to let me go take a ride. He offered me to keep the bike for a couple of days and see how I felt.

Next day early morning post the conversation, I took the bike for a spin. This was longer than the earlier one. The instant I took a couple of turns I felt what he felt. And I recollected the earlier test-ride also. Straight-line acceleration is good but the bike feels unusually bulky, the handle feels heavy. Doesn't inspire confidence at turns, specially even at low speeds.

I wouldn't buy this bike. Has serious issues with normal everyday biking. 

Pulsar CS400, my next bike

So this motorcycle makes me resume my motorcycle-blogging again. And it also kind of pokes me to save some money again so that I am able to buy a new bike again.

They call such bikes Street Fighter and such names. Hell, who's fighting?!?! For me this will be the cruiser. Something that I can drive around the town and to other towns at a leisurely speed.

Indeed, since the machine-specs are likely to match the Duke390's, I am convinced this bike is going to give me a high and take Pulsar to greater heights too. Also a perfect upgrade from my current beauty, a red FZ150.

Vespa test-ride review

 
I just test-rode the recently launched Piaggio Vespa. And this is a short review.

First things first, the scooter is top notch in quality, fit and finish. If someone's wondering what the hell are they charging 77k (on-road price in Ahmedabad) for, this is one of the reasons. And it does feel like it will serve the rider for many years faithfully without hurting the eye and without losing the luster.

The pick-up is awesome. So sprightly. Yes, the 125cc capacity is well utilized. The meter responds to the rider's whims on the accelerator. It's just 114kgs in weight and yet feels real solid.

Lovely colors. Must make every morning a riding pleasure. Very cool extra accessories which do justice to the design. Just the one on the front mud-guard isn't so appropriate.

Here's a limiting point of this two wheeler. It's not tiny but it's what you call 'not-sufficient' for two well-built adults. I am talking of people like me. Height around 5'10" and with average build. No, it doesn't lack in power. It will merrily take the two of you around without a fuss but the over-all size of the scooter is such. Though the seating is comfortable, it doesn't let the body stretch. Perhaps that's the story of every scooter. And of course, I am so habituated with motorcycles...

If you've got the money and scooter's what you need, Vespa will be money very well spent.

Yes, you'll forget Activas and Dios and Accesses and Duros. Promise.

TVS Poopache! Oops, sorry Apache!

So TVS manages to do this. Words don't fail me right now but then to criticize also there must be some motivation, right? :)

Pulsar 200NS took the entire industry by surprise it seems. Of course, other brands would love to respond. More so, once the bike gets launched. But a response like this is hilarious. Beats Karizma ZMR hands down in the ugliness quotient.

Looks like TVS has nothing new right now to offer. And looks like they are just out of their slumber to realize that they are way too behind now to save themselves from sinking to the bottom. Definitely looks like every department at TVS is trying hard to show that they are really working hard.

Criticism apart, what should TVS have done? Technological battles - twin-spark and triple-spark and so on - aside, there are quite a few ways to counter the threats from other brands. If, as is apparent, design is what they want to defend with, they can't overload themselves with 'design'. Heavier the armor, greater the chances of slow reflexes.

If all other bike-makers are launching fairing-driven designs, there's a chance to reveal a cool without-fairing design. If they are launching aggressive-looking naked bikes, there's a chance to launch a classy-looking naked bike.

Who's bloody heading the TVS design and marketing departments? And where's the lost CEO?

KTM Duke 200 glimpses

Sharing some pics I clicked at the Kanjurmarg Probiking showroom this aftenoon.

Pictures do not necessarily give an idea of the size of the bike. So here's with a rider with a good build and average height. Around 5'8" or 5'9".

Has a great stance I would say. Reminded me of my FZ16. The bike's really burly. Fit and finish is top notch. Comparable to (or I would say at par with) the R15. Here's how the engine looks. Again nothing like we typically see on Indian bikes.

They don't allow test-rides yet. Test-rides from mid-february. But I did switch on the engine and revved it a little. The sound's perceptibly different and louder than the current crop of bikes. I shouldn't say loud. It howls.

I was also informed that the bike's gonna have a mileage between 25-30kms/litre and that one shouldn't expect anything above 30kms/litre since it's a street bike and has a short-stroke.

One HOWLER of a bike!

Vespa 125 India

Pic from http://www.it.vespa.com/

These Vespas were showcased at Auto Expo 2012. Delightful. Both, yellow and red. This site estimates the price to be 55k. What do you think? Would you buy? Going by the looks, it's almost the Beetle of scooters, no? If it comes out at that price, it's gonna sell like hot cakes. I assume the fittings are just the same as seen in the pics.

Impulse is just not impulsive - a test-ride review

Picture courtesy: http://www.heromotocorp.com/impulse#

Just went for a test-ride of Impulse from the newly christened Hero Motocorp.

Well, I knew that the engine is the same that's planted in CBZ Xtreme and Hunk. But the styling captivated me enough to check it out and ride.

Well, the showroom guy, who must be anywhere around 75-78 kgs, also sat behind :(. Since Hero has styled it like an off-roader and calls it a transroader, I was expecting - in spite of my prior knowledge of the engine - that the bike will pull rather sprightly. It doesn't. It runs like a typical 150cc. I don't believe that!

On the positive side though, the fit and finish is great. The build quality impresses. Color-schemes are super. However, these are a given I suppose for the money that one pays to own one.

Tyres and spokes are definitely the kind that can serve well on a rough patch. Stance is good too. But given its apparent character (going by the styling) and Hero's desire to position it as a transroader, Impulse really disappoints. The engine needed to be more responsive for sure, so what if it's a 150cc.

I own an FZ. And it feels more responsive than the Impulse.

What disappoints me about Hero is this half-hearted attempt; surely it is more than the sticker-jobs that it is typically known for. But it is still half-hearted and exposes Hero's limitations in engineering. Impulse is an eye-candy. But stops just at that. Doesn't back it up with performance. Is the intention to just take in the moolah without doing the hard work?

Hero might just lose another battle in spite of taking the lead and popularizing a new category of bike.

A test ride review of Boxer BM150

Day before in the evening, I checked out the Boxer BM150 in person.

Was pretty excited with anticipation. But no sooner did I see the handlebar and the speedo-console, my excitement vanished. The build quality as judged from the handlebar is rather pathetic; I'm aware it's meant for the rural terrain. There are two aspects to build quality: symmetry/balance and the feeling of sturdiness. I found both lacking.

Paint-job is rather dull. Splendor looks better any day and perhaps also feels better.

I went for a short-ride any way. The bike is sprightly in its pick-up and that's the only good part. The sound is nothing spectacular. Yes, the seat's fairly broad and comfortable. And there's accessory for carrying heavy stuff.

Not very different from any 100cc bike for rural folks. But I'm sure everyone, whether urban or rural or wherever, want a great build.

On the new Bullet's thump

Just read this article 'Biting the Bullet' in BT dated 27th Nov 2011. Sharing the most interesting bit:

But the new engine, unlike the old, had hydraulic tappets, a new engine arrangement, new metal and fewer moving parts. Obviously it did not produce the vibrations and the beat of the old, but international experts were consulted and sound mapping carried out for over 1,000 hours to ensure it produced maximum rhythmic vibrations possible and a beat, which was 70 per cent of the amplitude of the original.

It further says:

After much testing, the silencer was extended to capture, to the extent possible, the throb of the old engine.

Now that's how we sustain a brand. Great job! Innovation in mechanics to please the senses in the same old ways. Lovely.

Yamaha R15 v2.0 vs Honda CBR250

Happened to visit Yamaha showroom today. Was eager to check the new R15. Remarkable is what I can. The fit and finish of the bike reeks of quality from the tiniest nut to the big sporty fairing.

Ever since the launch, lot of enthusiasts pointed out the thin rear tyre. Now, it's really becoming. The width now is 130mm. For a comparison, the width of an FZ16 rear tyre is 140mm. That's how wide the rear-tyre of the new R15 is.

The styling is top-notch. When I say this, I can tell you that all pictures circulating on the web do not do justice. You have to see it in person.

I also happened to visit a Honda showroom couple of days back. Here are some pics of the CBR250.

To my mind, without a doubt, R15 beats CBR250 in matters of styling and build-quality. A lot of enthusiasts have also felt that.

Now, if thinking of buying a affordable new sporty bike, which one of the two should one opt for? I've ridden R15 on quite a few occasions. Haven't yet tested the CBR250. Surely, power makes a difference in our riding experience. I, for one, prefer to cruise at a safe speed instead of shooting off the block as if the earth is crumbling behind me. Even if I buy a CBR250, I wouldn't ride it like mad. R15 gave me a lot of happiness. Choice would be mighty tough. CBR250 might just about win.

First bits on Bajaj Boxer 150cc

Impressive! Yes, I haven't gone nuts. I like what I see. Had I not bought my FZ16, would've seriously considered this one. Neat lines. Stripped, almost. Classic curvy fairing with the head-light. 150cc for 42k. Nice!

I would do two things though. Change the silencer to a straighter one, preferably in chrome. Also remove the carrier at the rear.

One more thing. I might change the handle-bar to a flatter one.

Great buy, this. Wanna test-ride one soon.

Some pics of my Yamaha FZ16, the cruiser!

Look good, no? :)

It's a looker from all angles.

Slightly changed angle. The bike looks meaty. Hunk keeps talking. This one's understated and yet commands a presence.

I think very few bikes match the stance that FZ offers. It corroborates the claim 'Lord of the Streets'. More than that, the stance also makes riding extremely easy and pleasurable. I would venture to say that the stance itself makes this bike so fit for cruising - far better than Avenger 200 which I used to own at one point in time. I owned a Bullet Machismo as well some 3 years back and I can say that the stance of this bike is better than that offered by a Royal Enfield Classic or even an Electra. Don't believe me? Check them out.

Bullet, I must admit, has a lot going for it now. Great looks, great stance, much better engine and the greatest sound. Avenger in comparison is diminutive and ridiculous as a cruising machine. In fact, Avenger is a shame. Hopeless braking, rather unbecoming pick-up. The only thing that might appeal to one and all is the look. Power notwithstanding, an FZ offers a far enriching cruising experience than an Avenger. And even when compared with a Bullet, at around 60-65kmph, FZ would fare and feel better as a cruiser.

Eye-candy!

The bike feels so stable and well-grounded; the word 'Lord' fits so well.

This is my favorite pic!

Lean Beast

One of the things that has kept my life interesting for the last 2 months. The longest ride has been 45 kms so far. With company I might go farther.