2009 Speculation thread: What bikes could be launched?

[chauhan_saurabh]

This may be an OT; still...

why hasnt the suzuki's GS-150R making any waves ??

Going by the Specs..i guess it should give a decent run for the money for RTRs, CBFs, and FZs..

Suzuki Motorcycles Review - GS150R Motorcycles

Many reasons:
- No major ad campaign. Poor marketing I must say. Look at the ads for FZ.
- AFAIK, Delivery hasn't yet started.
- They didn't allow many test rides, which really help in creating word of mouth as the publicity channel.
- Suzuki's dealers(as per my exp) suck big time, worse that Yamaha dealers(they also suck).

Suzuki will have to do something for these things else it will be yet another good 150CC bike and will remain as a slightly bigger/better sibling of Unicorn .

[bprags]

Bajaj to roll out KTM bike by May- Two-wheelers-Auto-News By Industry-News-The Economic Times

The country’s second-largest two-wheeler maker Bajaj is expected to roll out the first of its KTM in India to coincide with the festive season this year, reports Our Bureau.

According to company officials, KTM bikes, initially launched as completely knocked down (CKD) kits , will happen by the second half of the next fiscal. However, for Bajaj Auto, excitement with the niche high-end bikes will begin in mid-May, when the Kawasaki Ninja 250R is expected to hit the roads.

Its price tag is expected to be in the range of Rs 2.5-3 lakh, company officials said. Bajaj Auto MD Rajiv Bajaj has been quoted as saying that the Kawasaki Ninja 250R would come in as a CBU product, priced at over Rs 2 lakh. Meanwhile, the major is rolling out its latest offering, the XCD 135 cc DTS-Si bike, which is available with drum brakes.

Vikalp Kapoor, regional manager, two-wheeler sales, Maharashtra, said the bike, fitted with disc brakes, will come into the market by the weekend. It is priced at Rs 47,000, ex showroom Pune. The entry-level XCD 135cc bike is priced just Rs 2,000 more than the XCD 125 cc, at Rs 43,000.

Bajaj Auto’s move to strengthen its position in the value segment will see the launch of two bikes over the next 4-5 months, starting with a 125 cc bike by March-April and another by May-June.

[satyenpoojary]

Ah ha.. just when I got a call from Yamaha that my R15 will come by saturday....

[mithun.08]

Ah ha.. just when I got a call from Yamaha that my R15 will come by saturday....

No need of regretting buddy, they say its a competitor for FZ.. not R15

[pranay]

As the news itself suggests that it will be something on the same line as that of stunner, so what all we can except is a sporty looking 150 with a little more power on tap, but the main differentior here could be PGM-Fi.
And one thing for sure it wont be amining at R15 squarely, but FZ 16 could surely be in sight, when launched this may lock horn with FZ in premium 150 segment (R15 is super premium 150).

I agree with the two points there. PGM-Fi is a good step forward by Honda. Now, I hope they also go a bit bold with the performance value.
And looking at the Glamour price, I think this will be a premium 150.

[satyenpoojary]

The first one seems like a P220 concept, the second looks like a new concept... I was told about a concept called Mantic which will be Bajajs first premium streek bike with KTM.... and to my wonders the bikes tank gills read the same words! Thelast one seems like a Discover design....

[Praful]

I think this will be a premium 150.

^^ Very true!

PGM-Fi does not come cheap and I hope these guys justify the additional cost that one pays with more updated bike!

[chauhan_saurabh]

Don't we have anyone from Honda onboard who can suggest some indication for tentative dates, price and specs ?

[Andante]

Drat, just when I am making up my mind in favor of 220 and some rumor like this leaks out. (Honda is the one brand I trust.) However, I doubt it will be a stunning performer. Honda is probably going to be aiming for the commuter market, since that's where they make their profits.

[MACH50]

Whats the difference between HH Glamour and HH Glamour PGMfi ???
Price and throttle ease,nothing else...........no super performance though bike got heavier.
Now that is what is gonna happen to Unicorn.............okay instead of sticker jobs it will get sports cosmetics....................But is this what we really expected to be Unicorn's descendent??????????!!!!!!!!!.....after so many years and that to at a high price??

Honda should bring in the CB150R instead of fuel injected Uni.We need a Fi on the ZMA and that would be useful..........

[46 the Greatest ever]

xbhp Sherlock Holmes at it again!!! that is, commenting and giving expert comments on the motorcycle that hasn't been launched yet!

Its true that Honda is coming out with a sporty CBF150 with PGM-FI. So let it see the light of the day first!! It will be a different bike and not a sporty Unicorn, alright! Just hold ur horses before giving expert comments...it will be much more than a commuter, as it is also confirmed that Honda is testing a 120 section rear with MRF, so hold...

[skyknight19]

found this info.. hope it turns out to be true...

The world's second largest two-wheeler maker Yamaha and India's second biggest bike maker Bajaj are in for some interesting competition. CNBC-TV18's Sumantra Barooah reports that even though they may be miles apart in sales, Bajaj is working on a new strategy to defend its position in the premium bike market and protect itself from the Japanese onslaught.
Three of the five more bikes that Rajiv Bajaj will launch by September will be in the premium segment. Their job will be not only to enhance Bajaj's position but equally importantly defend it from the latest and forthcoming onslaught of Yamaha and protect its brand image of maker of fast and sexy bikes. which it already showcased with its launches in 2008.

So, wait for a new avatar of the Pulsar and another all new model.
Rajiv Bajaj, MD, Bajaj Auto, says, "In classic marketing language, this is called a defence strategy where a company like Bajaj, which is the dominant leader with 50% share at the premium end. All we need to do is to defend that territory like all Hero Honda needs to do is to defend a 100cc motorycyle territory in the mind of the customer."

Yukimino Tsuji, MD and CEO, India, Yamaha Motor, says, "Rajiv Bajaj is innovative man and has great management people. They are leading the Indian motorcycle market and are taking risks to expand the market. We, on the other hand, want to establish our very basic market and then we can think of going to the next step."
As each of them ups the ante, the Indian motorcycle market is likely to see a big change in its composition, which currently is dominated by mainly commuter-focussed bikes.


source : Yamaha's bikes create a splash, Bajaj goes on the defensive

[diffuser911]

Whatever happened to the ZMA F-I version?? I was expecting a Feb launch, going by the words of others, but no TV ads, not even scoops on the net .

[mithun.08]

Whatever happened to the ZMA F-I version?? I was expecting a Feb launch, going by the words of others, but no TV ads, not even scoops on the net .

Your still waiting for ZMA F-I.. Good to know that

[Obsessed]

And whatever happened to TVS Menace!!