If you would put that way, then Bajaj followed the footsteps of TVS and Hero.

Hero+ Honda and TVS+Suzuki are much older alliances than Kawasaki/KTM-Bajaj!!

Most people do.. Like the recent comments of how the DRL/eyes of the beast on the 2012 RTR seems inspired from the "wolf eyes" of the Pulsar UG III.

By the way Hero + Honda, TVS + Suzuki were Joint Ventures... and in all probablity TVS won't get into another Joint Venture with any company.

This. Both TVS and Suzuki suffered a lot when their JV broke up, going from a position where their bikes were the best in all espects to companies today almost struggling for survival in the market.

I don't think that the situation is so bad. But yes, both companies (TVS and Suzuki) are very much capable of doing much much better.

Figure of speech

But compare 1992 TVS-Suzuki partnership era (Shogun The Boss) and today. Back then they were totally dominating the streets.

What I personally find really amusing is the fact that TVS needs more refinement and better tech in their bikes (suzuki has lots of that) while Suzuki needs more visibility, service centers and dealerships (TVS has lots of that). Doesn't that seem absolutely lol-worthy ?

Update: December 3, 2012
Fast losing its halo, Chennai-based TVS Motor Company took another crack at the executive segment of India’s two-wheeler market with a new launch, the Phoenix, hoping for a revival. TVS said it hopes to finalise a technology agreement with premium automobile manufacturer BMW Group for developing high end motorcycles by the end of this fiscal.
The company has been struggling in the domestic market, having lost its long standing number 3 position to Honda last year and is in danger of losing further steam this year.


The executive segment is an area the company has never succeeded, its two previous offerings — the Flame and the clutch-less Jive — having been under performers. With the Phoenix, priced at R49,900-52,000 (ex-showroom Delhi), the company hopes to rise from the ashes.


“This launch will increase our marketshare in the segment,” said HS Goindi, president-marketing, TVS Motor Company. “We intend to sell around 20,000 bikes a month to start with. We have enough capacity (to meet demand).”


Goindi was evasive on growth on Monday.


“The Flame never took off as due to the controversy (on patent infringement with Bajaj) shifted the focus elsewhere,” he said. “The Jive was I think ahead of its time. The market did not understand the clutch less concept. With Phoenix we hope to get it right this time.”


Source: TVS eyes bounce-back, in talks with BMW for technology - Hindustan Times

best of luck to TVS....

A little OT here. Mopeds sold in Southeast Asia (and other regions where mopeds are sold) have been cluthless for decades. So, it is not exactly ahead of its time (at least from a global perspective). I had gone to one Autoshow in Indonesia where TVS showed the Jive. People there were confused with the concept since they expected a proper motorcycle (not a moped) to have a clutch by default.

Common TVS,launch a worthy opponent for 200 NS..

Honda Street was sold in India long time back. So its not new to India also, same concept was used on a Bike i.e Jive.

Anyway just hope that this deal gets through and TVS stocks go sky high

Wrong. Market wasn't happy with the 15-20 kmpl efficiency loss compared to regular 100cc bikes.

BMW - TVS to announce final deal on the 8th of April

TVS-BMW to announce final deal on April 8 - CNBC-TV18

lets just hope TVS can develop some good bikes and improve market share after this deal.

TVS S1000RR, anyone? :P