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**kedar3223** · 11-10-2011, 09:41 PM

Originally posted by vrugonnab View Post

This thing got the tech like R15 & CBR250 and the quality of components is simply topnotch, so please don't expect to be priced @1.3L.. it may be priced around 1.5 L.. but yeah, I do agree that it will be a run away hit if priced @ 1.3L.

How do you know?

Any ways, not sure but i think BAL will not position this bike as a mass selling product(around 1.3L) but as a niche.Whats with Bajaj launching its new Pulsar range with similar pricing resulting in in-house cannibalism. For me a price of around 1.6L is justified.

**Shubz** · 11-10-2011, 09:46 PM

The prices that we all are haggling about -- 1.1L, 1.3L 1.5L 1.6L are only our figment of imagination based on how other bikes are priced? Do any of these figures have any hint of official backing? just curious. If it is just speculations - there here are my 2 paisas.

BAL may not make this a mango man bike (aam aadmi bike). This will be in a niche segment. For they have a lot of variety as far as bike models are concerned that caters to almost all the segments. Keeping the Yam's and Honda's and others aside, they may position is anywhere they feel right and yet I am sure there will be takers.

**vrugonnab** · 11-10-2011, 09:59 PM

Originally posted by kedar3223 View Post

How do you know?

Any ways, not sure but i think BAL will not position this bike as a mass selling product(around 1.3L) but as a niche.Whats with Bajaj launching its new Pulsar range with similar pricing resulting in in-house cannibalism. For me a price of around 1.6L is justified.

Have a look at the KTM site man!! see what kind of components are going into their bikes.

**chicane1879** · 11-10-2011, 10:15 PM

Originally posted by Hyperion View Post

An R15 v2/Ninja/CBR will appeal to a college goer anyday over a tiny naked. The KTM looks good, but its not
going to have the road presence that these bikes command.

+1

Exactly my thoughts. Like i said before pricing would be the key here. If Bajaj prices it anything around 1.5 lakhs then this bike would have a tough time gaining acceptance.

And also i fear the term 'exclusive' in this context(offering) might mean(point) that the bike fails to gets its share of pie in the market owing to its niche appeal.

**vrugonnab** · 11-10-2011, 11:27 PM

Originally posted by chicane1879 View Post

Exactly my thoughts. Like i said before pricing would be the key here. If Bajaj prices it anything around 1.5 lakhs then this bike would have a tough time gaining acceptance.

And also i fear the term 'exclusive' in this context(offering) might mean(point) that the bike fails to gets its share of pie in the market owing to its niche appeal.

You guys are probably not getting the feel of it by just looking at the pictures. In flesh, this bike really looks like a big bike. After all, the chasis/frame are designed to hold anything from 125cc to 350cc. Do you think only fairing gives road presence?? what about naked bikes from Ducati, then? Naked bikes have their own charm, plus it has it's advantages while riding in city.

Rest assured, it won't be a niche appealing bike, Bajaj is targetting 25-30k units per annum. To get that kind of number, they will have to certainly price it around 1.5 L. But for people who knows their bikes, this will be a very compelling buy if priced between R15 & CBR250. It might even eat into their sales if it's priced at 1.3L.

**Samarth 619** · 11-10-2011, 11:37 PM

While I agree that Naked bikes don't grab as much attention as fully faired bikes, generally speaking,

But when you roar the hell out of the (probably) new "Fastest Indian" around the streets, who will give a damn about the looks?

It would be like the rider is saying, uncle hoga tera baap!

**Satellite.kid** · 11-11-2011, 12:17 AM

Bajaj may put this motorcycle as a niche product or a non niche product. However, how it's taken by the consumer mainly decides whether or not it's really a niche product. I personally believe that irrespective of it's pricing (similar to CBR250 or not), KTM 200 will be as successful or a failed product as it's going to be! KTM's customer will probably remain same in numbers whether it's priced at 1.3 lakhs or 1.5 lakhs. It might have a CBR rivalling top end considering it's power to weight ratio. But then, it's not going to be as comfortable for the rider as a CBR at 100+ speeds due to wind blasts. It's a small factor, but a reasonable biker will consider these type of factors while deciding between KTM or a CBR. I, so far, believe that CBR and KTMs sales will be mostly unaffected after KTM's launch. My cents!

**vrugonnab** · 11-11-2011, 12:24 AM

Originally posted by Satellite.kid View Post

Bajaj may put this motorcycle as a niche product or a non niche product. However, how it's taken by the consumer mainly decides whether or not it's really a niche product. I personally believe that irrespective of it's pricing (similar to CBR250 or not), KTM 200 will be as successful or a failed product as it's going to be! KTM's customer will probably remain same in numbers whether it's priced at 1.3 lakhs or 1.5 lakhs. It might have a CBR rivalling top end considering it's power to weight ratio. But then, it's not going to be as comfortable for the rider as a CBR at 100+ speeds due to wind blasts. It's a small factor, but a reasonable biker will consider these type of factors while deciding between KTM or a CBR. I, so far, believe that CBR and KTMs sales will be mostly unaffected after KTM's launch. My cents!

Guess you are presuming that most of the riding on these bikes happen on highways!! but that may not be the case with most of the buyers. Weekend trips will certainly be there.. but comparatively, most of the times people ride them in cities, where KTM scores lot of marks. Let me assure you "reasonable biker" is very rare in our market.

**Satellite.kid** · 11-11-2011, 12:32 AM

^Obviously KTM is meant to be a killer city motorcycle

But then, say a tourer, would consider those factors definitely. Let's just hope that a 'reasonable biker' would know how to behave once aboard this machine rather than just showing it off like a spoilt kid!

**lockhrt999** · 11-11-2011, 12:53 AM

Originally posted by kedar3223 View Post

How do you know?

Any ways, not sure but i think BAL will not position this bike as a mass selling product(around 1.3L) but as a niche.Whats with Bajaj launching its new Pulsar range with similar pricing resulting in in-house cannibalism. For me a price of around 1.6L is justified.

I don't think Bajaj has invested hundres of crores just to create a niche product. They are on thin ice. They are in no position to play "the game of luck". If this product is not very well received (read: massively), we will definitely see BAL coming crashing down in BSE. Honda or Yamaha can get away with a failed product after investing such huge money, bajaj can't. Remember buying a part of company is a lot different than licensing some technology. No Indian 2-wheeler company has done is before. Lots of things are at stake here.

Originally posted by Samarth 619 View Post

But when you roar the hell out of the (probably) new "Fastest Indian" around the streets, who will give a damn about the looks?

Without fairing, I really doubt it will be the fastest Indian. On the other hand, I think it has potential of being the 'Quickest Indian'.

**Satellite.kid** · 11-11-2011, 01:02 AM

@lockhrt999: Think about it, KTM is almost here and new pulsar range is not very far either. Pulsar will/shall remain killer value for money product meant for MASSES. The upcoming pulsars have been speculated to share technological tit bits with KTM, so they'll be considerably different from anything the current pulsars offer. Still, they'll remain a product meant for masses. Bajaj will target good numbers with these. Having said that, Bajaj can position KTM as a niche product if they may. Because definitely it won't be meant to sell like hot cakes. But as I said, acceptance in the market matters the most.

**Shubz** · 11-11-2011, 01:05 AM

Originally posted by Satellite.kid View Post

@lockhrt999: Think about it, KTM is almost here and new pulsar range is not very far either. Pulsar will/shall remain killer value for money product meant for MASSES. The upcoming pulsars have been speculated to share technological tit bits with KTM, so they'll be considerably different from anything the current pulsars offer. Still, they'll remain a product meant for masses. Bajaj will target good numbers with these. Having said that, Bajaj can position KTM as a niche product if they may. Because definitely it won't be meant to sell like hot cakes. But as I said, acceptance in the market matters the most.

^^+1 to that. They cannot have two kinds of bike as "Bike for masses". One has to stand apart from the other (read new Pulsars). Plus the KTM is being manufactured in India - Not just for the Indian Market. Indian Market is only a part of their global market share.

**shv18** · 11-11-2011, 01:40 AM

the tech specs look great and for a naked bike 25bhp (if bajaj indeed gets the same figures to india) is commendable. However, as discussed all will come down to how bajaj smartly places this bike in terms of price range. No doubt it would be a good performer... but pricing would be the key.

1.3l good VFM but realistically speaking i see this in the range of 1.5l as bajaj always places the bikes in higher figures like they did with the baby ninja..

Cheers

**Digital_shubhi** · 11-11-2011, 02:31 AM

Originally posted by shv18 View Post

the tech specs look great and for a naked bike 25bhp (if bajaj indeed gets the same figures to india) is commendable. However, as discussed all will come down to how bajaj smartly places this bike in terms of price range. No doubt it would be a good performer... but pricing would be the key.

1.3l good VFM but realistically speaking i see this in the range of 1.5l as bajaj always places the bikes in higher figures like they did with the baby ninja..

Cheers

Bcoz Ninja is not made in India.

Price of Duke won't be high...

Just wait for the official info..

**Hyperion** · 11-11-2011, 09:58 AM

Originally posted by antz.bin View Post

I only meant that looking at the Duke 200, the R15v2, CBR250R and Ninja 250R look bland in comparison. And now I must clarify that comparison is to be done when an average joe is riding either bike with zilch riding gear and just a helmet. The rider of the KTM will 'look' younger. Just IMO. So, I dont need to explain it to anyone.

For fully kitted riders, the rules of 'looking younger' change drastically. Again.. IMO.

As for it being priced @1.4l, I don't think so either. I expect it to be bang in the middle of R15v2 and CBR250R if not a bit lower(due to the cost saved by the missing full fairing). So, pricing could be anything between 1.2 and 1.3lac.

Wasnt asking for an explanation. IMO, it has nothing to do with how kitted the rider is. In India, faired bikes always take the cake. Same is the case in US, nakeds just dont sell as much there (an important reason why Kawasaki launched the Ninja 1000 along side Z1000).

The KTM is a very good looking bike but it will never command the same brand value as any of the japs. And India is a brand conscious market.
BTW 1.4L IS Bang in the middle of R15v2 and CBR250R.

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