Thursday, August 4, 2011

Hyosung & Garware: A Know How : BikeAdvice

Hyosung & Garware: A Know How : BikeAdvice

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Hyosung & Garware: A Know How

Posted: 04 Aug 2011 08:03 AM PDT


Original Source: Hyosung & Garware: A Know How from BikeAdvice.in

Many among us know about Hyosung as they had already tasted our Indian waters back in 2003-04 after forming a partnership with the erstwhile Kinetic Motors. However Garware is a very new entrant to the scene. Now that Garware has brought Hyosung back to India let us know more about these two companies and what lies ahead for us – biking aficionados.

About Hyosung

Founded in 1978 as a division of the Hyosung Group of industries, Hyosung began producing Japanese Suzuki motorcycle designs under license for the South Korean market in Changwon, South Korea in 1979. In 1986, they established their own research and development center in Hamamatsu, Japan, and the next year, they began mass production of their own designs.

They were the official motorcycle supplier for the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul. In 2003, Hyosung Motors & Machinery Inc. was spun off from the Hyosung Group to become its own corporate entity. In June 2007, Hyosung Motors Division was acquired by Korean company S&T Group (Science and Technology), and the name changed to S&T Motors.

Recently, they have expanded from their traditional business of simple and efficient bikes for commuting into the highly competitive recreational market. This includes adding models with larger engine displacement, up to 678cc and expanding into developed markets such as Australia, Northern Europe, Canada, and the United States.

Hyosung's Line – Up

Cruisers

1) ST7: This huge monstrous cruiser leads Hyosung's pack and boasts off the biggest engine in the entire line up. Fuel injected and powered by a 678.2cc engine ST7 produces 60 bhp of brute power and 57.3Nm or turning force. Imposing low and mid range performance, comfortable, attitude-full posture and great looks make this bike a lovely nirvana tool! ST7 also offered in a deluxe variant in foreign markets.

2) GV650: A more contemporary looking 647cc v-twin powered cruiser, also termed as Aquila, is capable of punching out 71.8 bhp of brute horsepower churning out 61.4Nm of healthy torque. It's a bike for those who want to cruise in style.

3) GV250: Smaller brother of GV650, this 8 valve 75 degree V-twin produces 24.5bhp and 20Nm from its 249cc mill. Earlier variant has made its foray into the Indian market through Hyosung's collaboration with Kinetic in 2003-04. We also have a GV125, an even smaller sibling which produces 13.25bhp and 9.72Nm from its 124cc mill.

Sports

1) GT650R: The premiummost sports bike from Hyosung provides fantastic super sports (like) adrenalin with a thumping performance from its 90 degree 647cc V-twin motor. Already in India, GT650R is a real drool maal with its ultra sports riding posture and a great road presence.

2) GT250R: A bike which could give serious competition to Honda's CBR 250 in India, is in pipeline and expected around the first half of the coming year. Like its inspirational elder brother GT650R, GT250R boasts off some luring sports oriented characteristics and produces 26 bhp, 21.04Nm from its 8 valve 75 degree 249cc V-twin. An even smaller 125cc variant is also produced by Hyosung which also caters to the sports genre.

Street

1) GT650: The naked variant of GT650R, GT650 boasts off a similar potent engine albeit under the street riding category. It doesn't have that aggressive stance which might make it a more apt Ninja 650R competitor. A perfect recipe for success..? Let us inform you, its heading to India & expectedly by Diwali and at a luring price tag!

2) GT250: Brought in India in 2003-04 by Hyosung under the name of Comet, this 249cc rocket was admired by all. However limited bookings did not allow for a mass experience, another foray at an attractive price might help Hyosung. Hyosung also produces GT125 which boasts off a smaller 124cc engine on a big-looking bike.

Apart from these Hyosung also produces Off-road bikes like RX125SM, RX125D and RT125D. Recently they have also forayed into electric scooters and produce an electric scooter called as ST-E3.

About Garware Motors

Garware Bestretch Limited is a global leader in the manufacture of Latex (Natural Rubber) abd Latex Free (Synthetic Polyisoprene) Elastic Rubber Tapes for use in a varienty of applications like Apparel, Swimwear, Home Textiles, Medical Disposables, Exercise Bands etc. Garware Bestretch is part of the RBG Group of Companies having a strong presence in domestic and international markets and with exports to over 50 countries.

Garware Bestretch Limited has now spread its wings and diversified into CKD assembly and distribution of Superbikes via its new subsidiary company Garware Motors Limited. In its quest to provide a world class biking experience to Indians in the affordable luxury segment, Garware Motors has entered into a partnership with S&T Korea, manufacturers of the Hyosung brand of bikes, which has earned a reputation in the biking fraternity, the world over.

Together, Garware Motors and brand Hyosung foresee an exciting future where they continue to meet and exceed the demands of customers through the spirit of technology.

Quite a comprehensive line up Hyosung has and a lot many prospective products for India. Out of these we already have GT650R and ST7 in the Indian market and in future this duo plans to launch the GT650 by Diwali and GT250R by March-April 2012 as informed to us by company people. They also plan to localize whatever production they can to reduce costs and become more competitive here in India.

We have tested both GT650R and ST7 and would be coming up with comprehensive road tests in the days to come. Keep tuned!

- Saad Khan

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KTM Duke 200 to be Launched – Official

Posted: 04 Aug 2011 06:52 AM PDT


Original Source: KTM Duke 200 to be Launched – Official from BikeAdvice.in

The KTM Duke 200 will be launched in India during the Delhi Auto Expo next year. The Austrian manufacturer, on which Bajaj holds about 40 per cent of share had launched the KTM Duke 125 in Europe manufactured from Bajaj's Pune plant which is received very well over there.

Cross Industries AG CEO and also the CEO of KTM Sportmotorcycle AG, Mr. Stefan Pierer said, “During the Delhi Auto Expo next year, we will be launching the first 200-cc Duke bike in India”. He also added that this bike will be manufactured in Bajaj's Pune plant which is of course a known fact.

The company's target is to sell about 25k units annually. “We expect to sell 25,000 to 30,000 units in India in the first year of launch. After one year, we will launch the 350-cc Duke in India.” This interview has also made us realise that one year down the line the next KTM is due for India with a 350 cc engine.

Regarding the Duke 125 which was manufactured exclusively for the European youth population, he said, "We have already sold nearly 7,000 units in Europe. We are targeting to sell about 10,000 units in Europe this year".

From the way the interview went on, it was pretty obvious that KTM is very happy with Bajaj's support in terms of manufacturing and exports. “All the bikes that we produce in India will be global models. Now we are looking to export KTM bikes from Bajaj facility to other emerging markets like Thailand, Malaysia, and Brazil,” Mr. Pierer said.

Overall, KTM aims to sell 82,000 units this year, up from 62,000 units in 2010, he said, adding that by 2015, it was targeting the sale of 2 lakh units. 2 lakh units across the globe is indeed a great figure for KTM and with the new tie up it appears that the company will soon attain the target.

Economic Times has quoted that in 2007, Bajaj picked up a 14.9 per cent stake in KTM for around Rs 300 crore. A year later, it increased its stake in the European bike-maker to 25 per cent and has been increasing it gradually. Both companies also signed an agreement for jointly developing 125 cc bikes, which will be built at Bajaj’s Chakan plant near Pune for exports to the European market under the KTM brand. They had earlier planned to launch their bikes in India in the latter half of this year.

Bajaj presently has about 40% stake in KTM and the new interesting fact is that the tie up provides provisions for Bajaj to increase its stake to as much as 49 per cent but not more than that so that the Indian makes acquires the other.

Mr. Pierer said, “Bajaj currently holds about a 40 per cent stake and we have an arrangement with them under which they can go up to acquiring 49 per cent stake in KTM. They can acquire the stake only through open market and we are helping them to gain more stake in KTM.”

But he concluded saying, "We will not dilute the promoters’ holding of 51 per cent in KTM.”

Regards,
M.Naren.
Author – BikeAdvice.in

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Yamaha Exits the Superbike World Championship

Posted: 04 Aug 2011 12:38 AM PDT


Original Source: Yamaha Exits the Superbike World Championship from BikeAdvice.in

Yamaha Motors Europe (YME) has announced that it is withdrawing its factory team from the Superbike World Championship. The Japanese manufacturer, which powered Ben Spies to the title in 2009, took the decision following a "full strategic review of the Marketing Operations within Europe including all Motorsport activities".

In an official statement regarding this exit, Yamaha explained that this strategic decision (and painful for racing fans) "takes into account the continuing severe and rapidly changing Powered Two Wheeler market conditions throughout the region."

"Due to this decision more resource and focus will now be used for direct Customer activities to ultimately add more value to Yamaha ownership and increased Customer Satisfaction."

The company also thanked all its riders and its supporters by saying, "YME would like to express their sincere thanks and appreciation for the total commitment, support, and passion shown by the extremely professional and dedicated riders and team members both past and present throughout the many years of participation in the FIM Superbike World Championship. YME would also like to thank all the highly valued business partners and suppliers who have in-turn supported the team and in addition would like to thank Infront Motorsports, the FIM Superbike World Championship promoters. YME has chosen this timing of announcement to ensure that all existing obligations are correctly met, and to not limit any opportunities or future planning for all personnel involved."

The decision to quit the world championship has been taken by Yamaha Motor Europe, citing falling motorcycle sales throughout the region

According to thecheckeredflag.co.uk, the Yamaha YZF-R1 has been responsible for five victories so far this year, only bettered by the dominant Ducati 1098R with Marco Melandri taking three wins to go with Eugene Laverty's spectacular double at Monza.The pair are third and fourth respectively in the championship standings, with Melandri still in with an outside chance of taking the title, but any success will be the last for Yamaha as an official factory entrant.

The statement continued, saying "YME and the team will continue to give its maximum efforts until the end of the existing season to try and regain the World Superbike title which Yamaha also won in 2009."

The only consoling news here was when he said, "Yamaha will continue the availability of road racing kit parts, known as YEC Racing kit parts, for its R1 and R6 production models for private teams entering at all racing levels."

Superbike World Championship (also known as SBK, World Superbike, or WSBK) is one of the most famous Superbike racing Championship worldwide. The championship was founded and was kick-started way back in the year 1988. The Superbike World Championship season consists of a series of rounds. Each round consists of two races and the results of each race are combined to determine two annual World Championships, one for the riders and the other for manufacturers.

The prime difference between Superbike World Championship and the MotoGP is the fact that the bikes used in this are nothing but the same bikes available in market but tuned for high performance. Whereas, in the case of MotoGP. Exclusive race bikes are manufactured and made use of.

Europe is considered to be Superbike World Championship’s traditional centre and leading market. But a few races or rounds are also held in other places like Qatar, Australia, South Africa and the United States as well.  Indonesia was also likely to host a round in 2008, but then got rejected,

This reputed championship is regulated by the FIM which stands for Federation Internationale De Motorcyclisme, which is the governing body for motorcycle racing.

Regards,
M.Naren.
Author – BikeAdvice.in

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