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**Aryan** · 03-26-2009, 01:22 PM

During this period when the economy is really not doing so well, what with recession and all showing it's angry face, I wonder if launching any new machines would actually be viable for the companies.

I hope that the Ninja 250R which is in the pipelines for far too long, finally gets launched sooner rather than later. But, looking at the downwards spiral of the economy, I have my own set of doubts!

**ken cool** · 03-26-2009, 01:40 PM

Originally posted by Aryan View Post

During this period when the economy is really not doing so well, what with recession and all showing it's angry face, I wonder if launching any new machines would actually be viable for the companies.

I hope that the Ninja 250R which is in the pipelines for far too long, finally gets launched sooner rather than later. But, looking at the downwards spiral of the economy, I have my own set of doubts!

When the economy is on a downturn, that is the moment to invest. As for the "Bigger" bikes, the company really does not have to invest "much" other than setting up a network of service in major SS. Besides that, there is not much to do. They have modest targets of 100 pieces/year (intelligent speculation) which they will meet and exceed since the buyers of these bikes are not becoming very poor with the global meltdown. Promotion and distribution of such bikes is not much of a problem economically speaking. Bureaucratically speaking, it is another story altogether.

Whereas, for the Ninja250, if they are going in for the CKD route, that requires money for investment. And they need ROI. And ROI will come in only in volumes. How many of us will buy a 250CC bike worth 3L. Not many I am pretty sure. Just to remind readers that the Comet GT250 cost 1.78L OTR in NCR. They all sold out. But there were just around 300 to be sold in a year. Kawasaki is probably looking at a longer lasting programme I presume. They do not look like fly by night operators. Hence this delay I suppose.

**Sarvajit** · 03-26-2009, 02:01 PM

Originally posted by ken cool View Post

When the economy is on a downturn, that is the moment to invest. As for the "Bigger" bikes, the company really does not have to invest "much" other than setting up a network of service in major SS. Besides that, there is not much to do. They have modest targets of 100 pieces/year (intelligent speculation) which they will meet and exceed since the buyers of these bikes are not becoming very poor with the global meltdown. Promotion and distribution of such bikes is not much of a problem economically speaking. Bureaucratically speaking, it is another story altogether.

Whereas, for the Ninja250, if they are going in for the CKD route, that requires money for investment. And they need ROI. And ROI will come in only in volumes. How many of us will buy a 250CC bike worth 3L. Not many I am pretty sure. Just to remind readers that the Comet GT250 cost 1.78L OTR in NCR. They all sold out. But there were just around 300 to be sold in a year. Kawasaki is probably looking at a longer lasting programme I presume. They do not look like fly by night operators. Hence this delay I suppose.

Yes Dada, that looks like the reason why Bajaj changed his mind&decided not to assemble the Ninja here. But the puzzling thing is: Bajaj has announced that they will be bringing it as a CBU&pricing it above 2 lakhs. Does the 105% duty charge not apply for the Ninja? Considering it is 4000$ abroad, how can he manage to price it just nominally above the international price inspite of importing as a CBU is my Golden question!
I guess we have to wait&watch.

**pranay** · 03-26-2009, 03:08 PM

Originally posted by Sarvajit View Post

Yes Dada, that looks like the reason why Bajaj changed his mind&decided not to assemble the Ninja here. But the puzzling thing is: Bajaj has announced that they will be bringing it as a CBU&pricing it above 2 lakhs. Does the 105% duty charge not apply for the Ninja? Considering it is 4000$ abroad, how can he manage to price it just nominally above the international price inspite of importing as a CBU is my Golden question!
I guess we have to wait&watch.

Can someone clarify the duty charge regarding Thailand. I have read somewhere that India-Thailand have a treaty/pact where duty for import/export is less. Maybe that might help Bajaj reduce the prices. I am not sure about this, so please don't take my word for it.

**sukant08** · 03-26-2009, 03:29 PM

Originally posted by pranay View Post

Can someone clarify the duty charge regarding Thailand. I have read somewhere that India-Thailand have a treaty/pact where duty for import/export is less. Maybe that might help Bajaj reduce the prices. I am not sure about this, so please don't take my word for it.

There is a free trade agreement between India and Thailand. If its not product specific and if automobiles are included in it, then the tax applcable will be 30% AFAIK.

**crazy_rahul** · 03-26-2009, 06:57 PM

Originally posted by ken cool View Post

From my ride of the Fz1, it is one HELLUVA ride. My take is, if you wanna buy a good powerful bike with lots of low end power, for street and a lot of strain-free touring with enough power not to be overwhelmed by the likes of over-zealous Scorpio owners who want to swipe you off the road coz you own a "show-off" bike, close your eyes and buy this machine. The one I test rode had a K&N job done with full exhaust system which meant that it had 165+ Bhp. But despite that, I felt that it is one very good machine for Indian roads, comfortable, non-aggressive, quite ergonomic, seating posture like the p220 (almost identical really) and a lot of fun. But I still feel that I need a fairing. Especially for cruising at higher speeds, for me as well as for the pillion. A comfortable biker is a happy biker, especially if you are touring long distance.

@Ken: well could the same thing be said for CB1000r.. if these bikes are to be compared what would be a better choice..? i have been planning for a cb1000r.. should i go for it or wait for the FZ1?? ur views would be highly appreciated

**ken cool** · 03-26-2009, 07:09 PM

Originally posted by crazy_rahul View Post

@Ken: well could the same thing be said for CB1000r.. if these bikes are to be compared what would be a better choice..? i have been planning for a cb1000r.. should i go for it or wait for the FZ1?? ur views would be highly appreciated

I have not ridden the CB1000R. Cannot comment on that one. Sorry. But I do feel that they would have similar ride characteristics. Just that the Yamaha is 20 odd Bhp more powerful. Which I am not sure would make much of a difference for the kind of use that you will put this bike to. Just check the Torque figures, and finally what I do feel is that one buys the bike that one is loyal to or often by looks. Coz performance wise, they would be all quite similar.

**crazy_rahul** · 03-26-2009, 07:25 PM

Originally posted by ken cool View Post

I have not ridden the CB1000R. Cannot comment on that one. Sorry. But I do feel that they would have similar ride characteristics. Just that the Yamaha is 20 odd Bhp more powerful. Which I am not sure would make much of a difference for the kind of use that you will put this bike to. Just check the Torque figures, and finally what I do feel is that one buys the bike that one is loyal to or often by looks. Coz performance wise, they would be all quite similar.

well thats what exactly i had made my mind on cb1000r.. the looks!
i am quite as attracted to cb1000r at the way it looks.. it really appeals me and 1 of the foremost reason to decide on it.. though FZ1 has quite a huge fan following.. i have known people who actually swear by its ride and handling.. CB1000r being a relatively new entrant if compared wit FZ, I haven't got any first hand review on it.. hence was confused out of the two..

**Sarvajit** · 03-26-2009, 07:30 PM

Originally posted by sukant08 View Post

There is a free trade agreement between India and Thailand. If its not product specific and if automobiles are included in it, then the tax applcable will be 30% AFAIK.

Yes, I have also heard about this FTA between India&Thailand. If 30% is the case, then Bajaj's price is 2.6 lakhs. So, how much will he give it to us for? 3 lakhs? I for one wouldn't pay that much for a 250cc!

**pulsar_flame** · 03-26-2009, 11:29 PM

@all is there any possibility's of 600cc hits in our roads ? because all these sbk's are started to arrive in our country so is there any hope for 600cc ?

**VijayKrishna** · 03-27-2009, 01:20 AM

[:yawn]...logged in to xbhp after a long time...headed to tvs menace thread...good news there...so game is on between tvs and yamaha

...

**e@udec0logne** · 03-27-2009, 01:40 AM

Wht abtg FZ1 Fazer

To all the well informed here,

Is there any possibility or a hope of FZ1 Fazer variant (wid the fairing/ windscreen) of getting launched. I read in a couple of blogs and bikeindia portal about a possible launch of the FZ1 via SKD route. but any info regarding the Fazer variant of it?

**Sarvajit** · 03-27-2009, 08:41 PM

I had been to Probiking again today. They seem to be less informed than us about the Ninja. The excuse they give for it is: The higher-ups are not divulging info.to them as it could be used by rival companies!

**viv.nomad** · 03-27-2009, 08:48 PM

HONDA kindly launch rhinocorn next time ...

**Anupam Shrivastava** · 03-28-2009, 01:05 AM

In Dubai I saw a honda bike named Twister? any information on this bike the bike looks good and powerful.

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2009 Speculation thread: What bikes could be launched?

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