suzuki zeus

Suzuki Zeus bike launched

The 125 cc Suzuki Zeus motorcycle will be priced around Rs 46,000.

BY A CORRESPONDENT
May 22, 2006

Suzuki Zeus, the latest bike from Suzuki Motorcycles India Pvt Ltd has been launched. The 125cc single cylinder Suzuki Zeus comes at a price of f Rs 46,084. The bike had a soft launch earlier this year.

Besides Suzuki Zeus, Suzuki India has another motorcycle in the Indian market, called Suzuki Heat. Both Zeus and Heat are part of Suzuki's attempts to come back to the Indian market, which it had left in the late 90s. During its earlier Indian coming, Suzuki partnered TVS for its two-wheeler business.

Suzuki Zeus will be available in three colours, the company said. These are Candy Antares Red (19A), Metallic Titanium Gold (YM3) and Pearl Nebular Black (YAY). To manufacture Suzuki Zeus and Suzuki Heat, the company has invested Rs 200 crore at its Gurgaon manufacturing plant. The production capacity of the plant is 100,000 bikes per annum.

Some of the features of the Suzuki Zeus motorcycle include the stylish instrument cluster with odometer, gear shift indicator, long and inclined seat with a helmet holdet. The front brakes of the Suzuki Zeus are disc brakes, while the rear brakes are drum-types. Below and infront of the engine is a stylish under cowl, offering extra protection to the engine. Suzuki Zeus is a kick-start bike.

The 125-cc bike market is the most crowded 2-wheeler segment in India. Suzuki Zeus and sibling Suzuki Heat will have an uphill task traying to carve out market share in this category.

Suzuki is hoping that its established leadership in the small car segment and the accumulated goodwill will help it make a mark in the Indian bike segment.

SUZUKI ZEUS MOTORCYCLE: SPECIFICATIONS:

ZEUS - 125X SPECIFICATIONS
Dimensions And Dry Mass
Overall length 2040 mm
Overall width 770 mm
Wheelbase 1240 mm
Ground clearance 155 mm
Overall height 1125 mm
Dry mass 114 kgs
Engine
Type Four-stroke, Air-cooled,OHC
Number of cylinders 1
Displacement 124 cm3 (cc)

Compression ratio 9.6:1
Carburettor VM18
Air cleaner Non-woven fabric element
Starter system Kick
Lubrication system Wet sump
Transmission
Clutch Wet multi-plate type
Transmission 5-speed constant mesh
Gearshift patterm 1-down, 4-up
Chassis
Front suspension Telescopic, Coil spring, Oil damped
Rear suspension Swing-arm type, Coil spring, Oil damped
Front brake Disc brake
Rear brake Drum brake (130 mm)
Front tyre size 2.75 -18.42P
Rear tyre size 3.00-18.52P
Electrical
Ignition type Electronic Ignition (CDI)
Spark plug NGK
Battery 12V 9.0kC (2.5 Ah)/10HR
Headlight 12V 35/35W
Brake light/Tail-Light 12V 21/5W
Fuel Tank : Capacities
Including reserve 12.0 L
Reserve 2.1 L

Yamaha Alba

YAMAHA ALBA 106 – Got It!!!

Indian roads will soon witness yet another style statement by Yamaha Motor India Pvt. Ltd. Ranking amongst India’s leading bike makers; Yamaha today announced the launch of its latest bike – the all new Yamaha Alba 106.

The unique design of Yamaha Alba 106 blends youthful style with thoughtful decency. Overall the bike gives an image of robustness and solidity. Giving it a sturdy, macho image are the muscled tank, well-built side and rear panel. While the exciting graphics with the smooth flowing design give the bike its stylish, super cool looks.

With Alba 106, Yamaha has expanded its range beyond the hardcore bikers’ bikes. As per the company sources, the reasonably priced Alba 106 is a low maintenance bike with high fuel efficiency that enhances its value-for-money appeal.
I've just received some info that says the aforementioned motorcycle will be launched shortly in various Indian cities on various dates and times (I kid you not). But the Pune launch is definitely on April 12. Which, imagine my surprise, was yesterday. In the international market, there appears to be an ATV that is eponymous (always wanted to use that word in my blog... there, done).

From what I can tell, that's the 100cc bike that will hopefully replace the Crux (as opposed to run harder beside it). If the market is anything to go by, expect TVS Star or Bajaj Platina matching or exceeding specs. The Alba will be interesting mostly because it represents the new Yamaha face attacking the old problem – volumes. The Alba should give us a good first hand view of how Yamaha intends to resurrect its Indian operation. If they were to come out and say something on the lines of 'the performance commuter that'll thrash the competition', and offer more power in a trade in for a little economy, I will be in their camp. If it turns out to be another template commuter...

Okay, since I typed that in, I've had a new filling in of information. The Alba will, as I feared, run parallel to Crux. Strike one. Now I'm waiting for the details to come... stay tuned.

And here, is the full press release. Now, this is a fairly hilarious document, so please try and control yourselves. Oh, and since I won't insert any comments below, I'll say my piece here. Strike Two. Strike Three. You're out. Okay sorry, I could not resist, so I've emboldened some of the stuff I found funny.
Since the bike has been designed for daily commuting, special emphasis has been given on shaping it for the maximum comfort of the rider. That is why, Yamaha Alba 106 boasts of new aerodynamic cowl, well-sculptured tank, and broad seat for comfortable riding of the pillion rider too. The ideal ergonomics of seat, handlebar, and knee recess on the petrol tank – are all designed for comfortable riding by giving the right posture to the rider.

Keeping the Indian driving conditions in consideration, Alba 106 has perfectly spaced gear ratio for driving in congested conditions without changing gears repeatedly.

At the heart of the machine is the Yamaha’s ever reliable 106cc engine, which gives good combination of torque and mileage leading to less strain on the engine and therefore longer life. Adding style to Alba’s strength are its super cool features, including the innovatively designed indicators and tail light.

Bullet

Don't worry, I am not going to delve on what a Royal Enfield is or its heritage. Being one of the oldest 2 wheeler brands around on this planet, enough has been said at many places (including on this site). So, what's this article all about?

It’s about a loaned Royal Enfield Machismo 500, its torque and eating other Indian motorcycles for breakfast on the open roads.

Styling:
It’s the same. The Machismo styling which is the very similar to the original Royal Enfield Bullets, nothings changed but for small 500 stickers. It's been called many things; AVL 500, Machismo 500, A-500 etc. Loads of chrome as usual, but let’s get on to more important stuff.

Chassis:
No changes to the geometry or handling for this new RE bike. By no changes I mean, no rake or trail or wheelbase or any other change. This is not a bad thing if you think about it, as the current motorcycles are stable and pose no serious problem to the regular user. I was thinking that the test bike may land up with a crash gaurd and that I would need to remove it in the morning before heading out.

All this with the restrictive silencer and a BS29 carb. With these changed into a more easy breathing silencer and/or a better carb, the perfomance could be improved.

The motorcycle I got had over 2,000kms on it and the engine looked spotless, without any oil leaks, even after the trashing I gave it over the distance of about 140kms in all.

Speeds:
Initial acceleration is greatly improved thanks to about 24bhp that the motorcycle makes. 100kmph which is a very comfortable touring speed in India comes quickly and the engine does not feel the strain. At this speed, if you need to overtake quickly, all you need to do it open the throttle and the bike lunges forward to 120kmph.

While testing out in the open highway, I managed to get it up to an indicated 135kmph. At about 125 kmph the motorcycle is stops accelerating fast and needs a bit of coaxing to get it there. At about 130kmph, the windblast is quite significant on the body he best part in this section is the way the motorcycle moves between 60-100kmph. It needs only a few seconds to reach there and anyone who rides on the highways (in India again) knows how badly you need to slow down and accelerate again due to a million variables. This is where this engine really excels and saves you the problem of down shifting and up shifting too many times. Remember our dear friend Torque? He's at play here, making life and overtaking effortless.

Brakes:
Could have been better. The motorcycle makes more speed and has not lost any significant weight over the A350. Then why the same brakes? This is one thing that I really felt needed addressing, more than anything else. The brakes are not bad, but when you manufacture a bike that is quick, it just deserves better brakes.

Gearbox:
The standard 500 never got the 5 speed gear box which it so desperately could have done with. Thankfully the AVL 500 comes with the 5 speed gear box, which in itself is such an improvement over the standard 4 speeder. This is the same 5 speed gearbox that is on the A350 too.

Electricals/ Switch gear:
Ignition is now TCI, not the points that were on the older 500s or the CDI which were on a few of the motorcycles (including mine). ts standard 12v, but did not get to check out the lights since I didn't have the bike with me after dark.
The switch gear has changed (at least from my T'bird) and thankfully does not require me to go to the gym, for example to use the pass beam. The switches positioning has also changed which makes it more comfortable to use.

Mileage:
The motorcycle returned a mileage of about 40kms to about Rs.100 of normal petrol, which is slightly less than 2 litres. How ever this was during the highway runs and climbing up and down Nandi Hills. Pretty respectable.

Comfort:
The seating comfort is the same as the older Machismos and compared to my El Vibrato Thunderbird, this motorcycle felt really smooth and vibrations seem to be reduced significantly (significantly from a RE angle). I am not sure if this is due to some improvement for the A500s or a common feature of all RE motorcycles coming these days, it's a good thing!

Conclusion:
At about 1.11 lakhs

This motorcycle is something Royal Enfield should have released a long time ago, since they had it ready for a while. Well, better late than never! Now with the other manufacturers planning on bigger motorcycles, only time will tell how long the A500 will enjoy its stay at the top of the performance heap.

Apache

TVS new Apache RTR 160

An upgraded Apache

TVS will launch an upgraded version of Apache and the new 160cc variant of Apache is named as Apache 160cc RTR (Racing Throttle Response). Unlike the other manufacturers this is truly an upgraded bike i.e. not only stickering. TVS has turned its ears to the customer’s complaint in some sense and it carries forward some of the boon of the existing Apache for its new offering.

What’s new in styling?

TVS designers have sculpted not designed the Apache. No changes are made as far the front fairing, fuel tank, tail piece and chain cover is concerned. Yet the unchanged tank and tail piece will come in a superb yellow, red, matte grey, silver and black. Let’s see what’s new?

• new engine cowl
• A neat racing stripe runs all the way from the top of the tail lamp to the tip of the front fender and also on the tacho.
• Design upgrades on levers, pedals, grips, bar-end dampers, lights, dash.
• Hero Honda Xtreme type split grab rail
• Bajaj Pulsar type LCD speedometer
• Apart from the LCD speedo, the new dash includes two trip meter, clock, odometer and fuel gauge and an analog tachometer.
• Aircraft type fuel tank lid
• Leaf shaped rear view mirror
• LED tail lamp
• New aluminum foot pegs and aluminum levers

Not just new design here’s new heart too..

The new Apache RTR is powered by a 159.7cc engine which develops maximum power of 15.2bhp at 8500 rpm (1.3bhp less than Pulsar 180cc) and a peak torque of 13.1Nm at 6000 rpm (little greater than pulsar 150cc and Hero Honda CBZ Xtreme). The new engine is not just an overbore of the Apache’s 150cc engine. The engine’s stroke was cut down to 52.9 mm and then the bore grew to 62 mm. Sadly, notchy and much complained Apache gearbox has been retained.

TVS claims the new Apache 160cc RTR can make a top speed of 118kph and can reach 60kph in 4.8s and 100kph in 17.7s.

Changes in the chassis:

Wheelbase is increased to 1300mm from the current 1260mm to accommodate 40 mm longer rectangular swingarm. This is to increase the stability of the bike. The bike gains 2kg (yet lighter than Unicorn and CBZ Xtreme) and the suspension is retuned. But whether the new apache 160cc RTR will have the superb agility possessed by its sibling has to be tested. The two-way adjustable clip-on handlebars are really a nice offering. TVS also joins the India’s first tag, Apache 160cc RTR features 270mm petal disc brake at the front.

Technology at a glance – new petal disc brake design:

The petal disc design is found mostly in dirt bikes. TVS must have inherited the petal design from its racing bikes for its new apache 160cc RTR. New petal disc design brakes provides better cooling and warp resistance, reduces unsprung weight (they are lighter than traditional disc brake) and its wave shape helps in easy cleaning of the brake pads. All of these results in more efficient braking and hence increased stopping power of the Apache. This kind of disc’s design is a proved one and it is also seen in sports bikes such as Kawasaki Ninja ZX – 10 R. Yet, the efficiency of petal design in wet conditions is questionable, if solid disc is offered as optional as in major sports bike it will be a welcome offer.

Pricing and the launch:

The 150cc Apache is the cheapest in its category and hence TVS has the advantage of pricing the new Apache 160cc RTR against other manufacturer’s 150cc products. The new Apache 160cc RTR is expected to be priced around Rs60,000. TVS may launch the new Apache in May itself.

update: here’s the TVS apache RTR 160 promo video

Gladiator

This bike is all set to Re – establish Yamaha as the performance king here in India

Overdrive reports that the 165cc motorcycle shall develop around 16.5 PS and complete a 0 – 60 sprint in less than 5 seconds. Overdrive also reported in its Jan issue, that Yamaha has already sent the bike for homologation.

The bike comes in two tone color, and superb looking engine guard (Something that many riders do as an after market mod). The bike seems to have a very sporty riding position, which can be inferred from the handles, and the rear peg position. The bike does not have a mono shock (Not evident from the pic), and is most likely to have gas/liquid filled shocks. I would have preferred this bike to sport a mono shock, which would add more to its international appeal.

Many of us in India had been expecting such a bike, from Yamaha after their RX and RD series of two stroke engine bikes, but what came from them was not up to the mark, or rather I say at time not up to the competition either. Many of their bikes like Crux R, Fazer, and Libero haven’t been able to make a mark in the market as their earlier bikes did. Off late their Gladiator has been a good product and is certainly the best bike in its class, more for the reason that it gives a big bike feel, and one does feel that it should have had a 150cc engine below the tank.

So Yamaha have answered to all of us, although it’s a bit late considering the last big launch was the RD 350. All hopes alive that this bike is ‘Truly Yamaha