Hero MotoCorp Launches Maestro Scooter, Passion X-Pro 110cc and Ignitor 125cc : BikeAdvice

Hero MotoCorp Launches Maestro Scooter, Passion X-Pro 110cc and Ignitor 125cc

Posted: 04 Jan 2012 07:48 AM PST

Original Source: Hero MotoCorp Launches Maestro Scooter, Passion X-Pro 110cc and Ignitor 125cc from BikeAdvice.in

If there is one silent yet successful player in the Indian two wheeler market, it has to be none other than the world's largest two wheeler manufacturer – Hero MotoCorp. Post the split with its erstwhile partner, Honda, the Munjals led Hero Group is all set to hit on Honda head – on. The company silently unveiled three new products for the sub – continent which will it the markets in the next few months.

These new products, though are not the first set coming out from the HMC's stable, they're still considered to be very important in their efforts to gain their market share in India. The three products include the Maestro Scooter as well which was already unveiled in London as part of unveiling its new identity a few months back.

The other two products are a 110cc bike which is Passion XPro and a 125 cc bike by the name Ignitor. It is expected that Maestro will hit the markets this month, while the other two bikes are set for the coming months. However, there weren't any details revealed in relation to the price of these newly launched products.

“The launches that you see today are not just new products, these models reflects the company’s intent and vision for the future and a new clear strategy to further consolidate our leadership position,” Hero MotoCorp Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Pawan Munjal told reporters here. "Our first Hero branded motorcycle, Impulse, a transroader, will bring in a new trend in biking," he added.

He also said that in the calendar year 2011 the company sold over six million units of two wheelers which is “the highest achieved by any single manufacturer in the world.”

The company now targets to tap the youth potential which will bring great sales to the company. The Maestro is one such scooter from the company which is mainly targeted towards people is the age group of 18 to 24 who are mostly students and young working professionals.

Commenting on the new product Hero MotoCorp Senior Vice President (Marketing and Sales) Anil Dua said Maestro will be targeted at male customers in the age group of 18 to 24 while the Ignitor and XPro will be looking for executives and college going students.

He also said in the press conference that the new models reflect the technological support from their former partner Honda. Although the joint venture with Honda was dissolved, the company had a technology support deal.

He also said that exports rose 24 per cent in December 2011. Latin America, Africa and South east Asia are export markets the company is looking to target. However, he clarified that the three newly launched bikes are not meant for exports which means that company has other plans for the export market.
"We are open to setting up new plants there," Dua added.

It is also to be mentioned that NDTV Profit has mentioned that 'Analysts believe that with the launch of new products, the company could face a pressure on profits due to an increase in expenditure.'

Though there aren't much of details about these products, we share with you, the details which we have as of now.

Hero Passion X Pro

This is the new 110 cc bike from HMC which is based on the current Honda Twister's engine. The company is making use of the agreement according to which HMS can make use of Honda's technologies till the year 2014. The 110 cc engine which is the power-mill for the Passion XPro will generate a maximum power of 9 Bhp and 9 Nm of peak torque.

Hero Ignitor 125 cc

The Ignitor is the actual competitor for the Honda Stunner. It is again powered by same Stunner engine with minor tweaks as in the case of Passion XPro. The Ignitor's engine is mated to a five-speed gearbox and is capable of producing 11 PS at 8000 rpm. The design of the Ignitor resembles the Stunner to a very great except the change in the graphics and art works.

Honda Maestro 110cc

There's not much to talk about this scoot as its details have already been revealed. Also, it houses the same engine of Honda Activa, which made Honda a major player on the Indian market with its most reliable engine.

What do you guys have to say regarding these newly launched set of products which includes both scooters and bikes. Leave your comments in the form of words below.

Regards,
M.Naren
Author – BikeAdvice.in

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Sports & Performance Bikes Expected in India in 2012 – A Wish List

Posted: 03 Jan 2012 11:08 PM PST

Original Source: Sports & Performance Bikes Expected in India in 2012 – A Wish List from BikeAdvice.in

Happy New Year guys! I’m going to give a review on the most expected sports & performance bikes going to be launched in India this year. We have seen many sports bikes been launched last year & we Indians did welcomed them happily & brought them. This year its going to be greater than ever, more than 30 sports & performance bikes are expected to be launched this year in India. I’m just going to list the most favorited & expected bikes only. Kawasaki, Suzuki, Bajaj KTM & Yamaha are the main contributers.

Yamaha R6

The name ‘R6′ is enough to make you go crazy, one of the most beautiful & powerful sports bike. Powered by a 599cc engine with a power of 127 Bhp@145000 rpm. This sports bike does not come cheap, priced at about 6 Lakh Rs. But for a 600cc sports bike, this price is very good. Yamaha has very competively priced R6. Its expected at Early 2012.

2012 Kawasaki Ninja 650R

The 2012 version is much more sportier than the previous model, before the fully digital console is now a analogue digital console, new sporty split seats introduced in the new model & also the dual black theme paint job makes the bike feel more sportier & eye-catching. Powered by a 649cc engine pumping out a power of 71 bhp@8500 rpm. Being a Sports-Tourer the bike is well fitted & good to ride in our Indian roads. These all are the new upgrades in the new model, though the priced has equally increased. Now priced at about 5,50,000 Lakhs on-road.

Kawasaki Ninja 250R

The new version of Ninja 250R has a all new paint job with graphic stickers. Another change is in the Console,where it has a white theme now & now has a fuel gauge which makes now easiler to know how much fuel left in the tank.No other specific changes in the engine. Some may not like the new paint job, price also stays high at 3.2 Lakhs.

Kawasaki Ninja KRR ZX150

Yes its a Ninja not much known, looks are retro reminding us of the old 2-stroke bikes. Well here’s a suprise this is a 2-stroke bike! This bike could be launched next year but due to the Indian rules & forums it can’t be sure. It has a 148cc 2-stroke engine, now here the real suprise & its power is 29.6 Bhp@10500 rpm with 6 gears also. But its not sure Kawasaki could dare to launch this sports bike also being highly priced at 1.6 Lakhs that where Yamaha R15 rules in the 150cc sports bike segment. So this bike is more of a unexpectable launch.

2012 Hyosung GT250R

I would say GT250R as one of the most beautiful 250cc sports bike, taking the looks of its elder brother the GT650R & also looks exactly like GT650R. Unlike other 250cc sports bike, this bike has good size making it bigger than a CBR250R or a Ninja 250R. The tank is a huge & fully metallic, the bike itself is huge in size for a 250cc bike. It has a 249cc engine with a power of 28.5 Bhp@10,000 rpm. The bike looks best among all 250cc bike, another thing that will attract people is the price tag, priced at about 2.2 Lakhs makes the a big competition for both HONDA CBR250R & NINJA 250R. The Korean Hyosung’s engineering is not up to the mark with the Japanese Gaints like Honda & Kawasaki, though the looks of this bike & price is going to create a furious 250cc sports bikes competition at 2012. HYOSUNG GT250R will be launched by mid of 2012.

KTM Duke 200

As speculated the KTM Duke 200 will be launched this month itself. The Austrian world leaders in dirt bike production ‘KTM’ now along with Bajaj has fully build the Duke 200 in India. Duke’s styling is something new to the Indians, but by this short time itself many love its looks. It has a 200cc engine with pumps out power of 25 Bhp@10,000 rpm. Duke 200 is s multi purpose bike, it can be used at any terrain which is best for the Indian roads. Being light-weight & powerful its going to be fun riding in the city also. It is very affordably priced at 1.3 Lakhs & will be avaiable only from Bajaj Pro-biking showrooms. Sure this bike is going to begin a new revolution in the Indian biking, let’s wait & see.

KTM Duke 125

Along with its elder brother the Duke 200, the Duke 125 will also be launched in India. Has the same looks as the Duke 200, this bike is a smaller version. Duke 125 is a bike made for tough individuals who carries the macho attitude in them. Duke 125 is looks very stylish similar to Duke 200 & very comfortable too. It has a 124.7cc engine with a power of 15 Bhp along with 6 gears. This bike can be used as a dirt bike or a performance bike or as a commuter. The bike is well suited for the Indian roads. Priced at about 1 Lakh Rs & will be avaiable through any Bajaj Dealer across India. Duke 125 would be launched sometime after the Duke 200 is launched in the Indian Market.

Suzuki GW250

A bike that was expected to be launched last year, unfortunately it didn’t happen. Though still no official comforation from Suzuki, it might be launched at mid or last of 2012. The bike has taken design clues from the Suzuki B-KING, & prety much looks exactly like that. It has a 250cc engine with a power of 26 Bhp@8500 rpm. This bike is a street fighter design & is called ‘Mini B-KING’ for its similar apperance with the real B-KING. Suzuki GW250 will be priced at about 1.5-2 lakh Rs.

But a comfirmed launch from Suzuki is the B-KING, with a 1340cc engine & a power of 160 Bhp@9500 rpm, it will be priced at about 9,50,000 Lakh.

Yamaha Fazer 250

Yamaha enters the 250cc segment in India with its Fazer 250. Though its looks very convential & not very attractive. The real version has round headlamps that made the bike look similar to a Ducati Monster. But now with a headlamp similar to the FZ’s headlamp cluster. The bike has a 250cc engine, this bike belongs in the Sports-Tourer segment. Good to use as a powerful commuter or as a Tourer bike. It could be priced at 1.5-2 lakh Rs. This bike would be lauched by mid of 2012.

There are still many bikes that would be launched, we can get a gimpse of them at this year’s Auto Show. Our Indian brands like Bajaj, TVS & HERO are also working on to launch 250cc Bikes, Karizma 400cc Diesel is a speculated launch from Hero, while TVS is all ready to introduce Apache Velocity 160 this year itself & while Bajaj is getting ready with the all new Pulsar series now going to be powered by KTM Racing Engine at begining for 125-150cc only. Ducati will also launch their bikes in the Indian Market.

In all 2012 is going to be a prosperous & wonderful year as many bikes we dreamt of will finally touch the Indian Roads.

- Shalu Samuel

Images taken from various sources under fair use policy.

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Wednesday, January 4, 2012