2009 Speculation thread: What bikes could be launched?

[fast_ferocious]

That will be actually quite cool by the way! Unicorn's engine in a Stunner's body, Why not? That'll be a great combo

But I am sure it's gonna have enough power upgrade to take on the latest offerings in the 150cc segment (minus R15). After having ridden Unicorn quite enough, I personally feel that what it just needs is a sportier riding position to enable it to go faster on corners! Its already quite fast in its category, but the commuterish riding position gives the impression otherwise, that's it!

+1 there

Actually, come to think about it, the same Stunner is an international bike with Fi abroad. So they might not fiddle with that design or chassis. But then again, if they can fit the Fi in the 150 and make it 6 gears, then maybe,.....hmm....

A good wishlist!! 6th gear only useful if there's an increase in power. We do not want anymore cosmetic updates after the FZ's and Pulsars, do we?

[MG]

it doesn't have the practicality of a scooter. there wont be as much space under seat if at all there is. and the space between the handle and the seat (footboard?)... in scooters, it easy for ladies to sit on the seat. but for this its not like that. and not to forget the ease of transporting gas cylinder

^^+1.

@satelitekid-Honda and power upgrade doesn't sound well atleast on Indian context.

[spinz]

Looks like the Ninja is here:-

Bajaj to Launch Kawasaki Ninja 250R Bike in India Soon ~ Auto News India, Automobile Industry News, Automotive News India - Autoblogs.in

[skyknight19]

Looks like the Ninja is here:-

Bajaj to Launch Kawasaki Ninja 250R Bike in India Soon ~ Auto News India, Automobile Industry News, Automotive News India - Autoblogs.in

Kawasaki Ninja will be introduced as a completely-built unit. Bajaj owns nearly 30% stake in KTM. The company plans to introduce more bikes from Austrian maker KTM and bigger bikes like Duke and RR will be assembled in the local facility, therefore they will be highly affordable.

However, Bajaj will be importing the Ninja as CKD (completely knocked down) units from Thailand to save on custom duties. DOHC 249cc parallel twin cylinder engine offering good mass centralization and improved handling are the main highlights of the new bike.

the "news" contradicts itself....

[sukant08]

This is an age old news. Its been rehashed on this website. I think Ravi Bajaj had said about the May launch way back in Feb-Mar, and since then lots of Bajaj executives have been tentatively mentioning year-end as the date !!

This article obviously has taken lot of inputs on the Ninja from a UK-US perspective. I mean they have mentioned about it being entry level and being a good road sports bike !! That is true for the west , but a 250-twin producing 32odd BHPs is definitely not entry level in India !!

I guess the only thing positive in this Ninja saga right now, is that Baja executives are still saying the the thing will be launched eventually !!

Realistically thinking I'd guess year end will be a good point to release the bike, recession will have eased up, enuff time to train the pro-Biking techs, festive seasons and biking season will be in full swing (at least here in the south) !!

[pads]

Pro Biking guys out here in Hyd dnt even have any idea about Ninja's launch....... and the same news is coming again n again...... lets wait till year end...... lets see.......

[ken cool]

I mean they have mentioned about it being entry level and being a good road sports bike !! That is true for the west , but a 250-twin producing 32odd BHPs is definitely not entry level in India !!

Why do you say that this is not a good entry level road sports bike in India? If this is not, then what is!

Pro Biking guys out here in Hyd dnt even have any idea about Ninja's launch....... and the same news is coming again n again...... lets wait till year end...... lets see.......

Yeah. Keep waiting! 10 years down the line, Bajaj would have developped there own 400 cc twin by then, I would be riding a Road King and Sunny would be doing a Castrol Roadtrip to the Moon and back!

[pranay]

How's this for today's events...

I decide to call up Khivraj Bajaj, Kasturba Road, Bangalore.

Me: Hi, I was interested in Kawasaki Ninja...
Reception lady: Sir, this is Bajaj Showroom. [Hangs up the phone.]

I call again...

Me: Excuse me, I was referring to the Ninja that Bajaj said was going to launch this year....
Reception lady: 1 minute sir...[A minute later, I hear a guy's voice]
Bajaj Guy: Yes sir?
Me: Is Bajaj going to launch the Ninja?
Bajaj Guy: We have no news from Pune about this, sir.
Me: So when can I expect it?
Bajaj Guy: Sir, you could try calling after three months... [Now, I hang up the phone.]

[bprags]

How's this for today's events...

I decide to call up Khivraj Bajaj, Kasturba Road, Bangalore.

Me: Hi, I was interested in Kawasaki Ninja...
Reception lady: Sir, this is Bajaj Showroom. [Hangs up the phone.]

I call again...

Me: Excuse me, I was referring to the Ninja that Bajaj said was going to launch this year....
Reception lady: 1 minute sir...[A minute later, I hear a guy's voice]
Bajaj Guy: Yes sir?
Me: Is Bajaj going to launch the Ninja?
Bajaj Guy: We have no news from Pune about this, sir.
Me: So when can I expect it?
Bajaj Guy: Sir, you could try calling after three months... [Now, I hang up the phone.]

Guess what her reply might be when you ask abt KTM? Katoom what katoom .

[insanebiker]

That will be actually quite cool by the way! Unicorn's engine in a Stunner's body, Why not? That'll be a great combo

I too hope they do that , but they WONT.

After having ridden Unicorn quite enough, I personally feel that what it just needs is a sportier riding position to enable it to go faster on corners! Its already quite fast in its category, but the commuterish riding position gives the impression otherwise, that's it!

Sorry to say that it is the slowest of the lot of the current crop of 150's , minus the HH Acheiver may be! Even on paper it is almost a BHP less than most of the 150s.

[pulsar_flame]

@ken one thing will be sure sunny would be doing road trip from moon to earth !

[sukant08]

Why do you say that this is not a good entry level road sports bike in India? If this is not, then what is!

Arre sire, you have totally flipped the semantics of my sentance !!

I wasn't talking bout good or bad, (its definitely very good) I meant a 32 BHP bike is definitely not entry level in Indian context. Because if you see the article in question, it clearly mentions about the entry level positioning of the bike, which is not true for India !!
I mean how many 32 BHP small - medium capacity bikes do we have in India ?? none !!
Also an entry level sports - road bike in Indian context is R15 and the RTR !! And the Ninja will be the next iteration ! Wich is y i am clamouring for the Ninja, so that we have a linearly progressive product line up. I mean for example an R15 or a P220guy, after riding it for 3 years, what bout him ? Whats his upgrade path ? A 12 lakh superbike ? Not everyone will be able to take that jump !!

Now some wud say in 3 years lots of other products will come to and be manufactured in India, and they will. But that doesn't mean we cant have the Ninja now !! Its always better for pple to have a choice.

Yeah. Keep waiting! 10 years down the line, Bajaj would have developped there own 400 cc twin by then, I would be riding a Road King and Sunny would be doing a Castrol Roadtrip to the Moon and back!

HH wud still be selling Karizma R !! (I kno tis joke has becum so stale !!
My bad !! )

[insanebiker]

HH wud still be selling Karizma R !! (I kno tis joke has becum so stale !!
My bad !! )

Not as stale as HH's sticker and red paint upgrades though

[Satellite.kid]

Sorry to say that it is the slowest of the lot of the current crop of 150's , minus the HH Acheiver may be! Even on paper it is almost a BHP less than most of the 150s.

With equally skilled riders, Unicorn is noticeably faster in corners than the P150. Only problem which won't let you ride it faster or lean more in corners is the lowered footpegs. Otherwise, with just a sportier riding position and rear set footpegs it can be ridden faster with same power figures!

[pranay]

With equally skilled riders, Unicorn is noticeably faster in corners than the P150. Only problem which won't let you ride it faster or lean more in corners is the lowered footpegs. Otherwise, with just a sportier riding position and rear set footpegs it can be ridden faster with same power figures!

I agree. In fact, a modded uni with rearsets, clip ons and stickier rubber, all with the stock engine will do great on the track I believe. Chassis geometry with the monoshock is well sorted in that bike.

I cannot say the same in a straight line though.