Sunday, November 27, 2011

10 Tips on Being a Sensible Rider : BikeAdvice

10 Tips on Being a Sensible Rider : BikeAdvice

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10 Tips on Being a Sensible Rider

Posted: 27 Nov 2011 07:53 AM PST


Original Source: 10 Tips on Being a Sensible Rider from BikeAdvice.in

These days, I see a lot of kids riding Activas and other scooters and bikes as well. I don't know if this scene is becoming too common in Bangalore alone or across the nation itself. What makes me worried is the way these kids ride these two wheelers. Small kids in the age group of 13 to 15 roam around in the streets with their throttles fully opened.

There is a reason why I come up with a post on this particular title. Yesterday, a kid (that's what I wanna refer to him as) came speeding in a White Activa, lost his control and fell right in front of my bike. More than the speed with which he came and fell, what made me stunned was the fact that after the fall, guess the number of people who got up. They were four in number. Four people in a single Activa was something I cannot even imagine.

This incident made me the feel that nobody can boast about being a biker, but being a sensible rider is the 'Need of the Hour.' Here are few tips which will make you one.

  1. This is for all those who forget the fact that all vehicles are equipped with turn indicators. They are after all meant to be used. Why can't you indicate the other riders that you're all set to go off the straight road. Make it clear that it's your responsibility to do so.
  2. Two wheelers are meant to carry only two people. I repeat so that it becomes more clear, two wheelers are meant to carry only two people. Where from do you get the idea of making four people sharing a single seat? Agreed that India is still in the clutches of poverty. But, this is a sign of high life risk which affects the other riders and commuters on the road as well.
  3. Don't ever ride your vehicle without Rear View Mirrors fitted. Only when you get a glimpse of what is happening behind you, you'll be able to ride comfortably. I've noticed that all idiots who tend to turn immediately along a straight road are those who haven't installed rear view mirrors.
  4. People tend to ride off their senses in the traffic signals. Don't try pushing yourself into every single gap resulting in dashing the other two wheelers from behind. Understand that you are also in a verge of getting the cars which are stuck with you in the signal getting scratched along its body.
  5. Don't jump traffic signals. I always wanted to ask a question to these guys and here it goes. Isn't it a fact that you can only jump this signal and still be caught in the red light of the next one? What joy does that offer you? For God's sake stop doing that cheap act.
  6. It you're forced to carry some baggage or luggage with you in your two wheeler, see to it that they are properly tied and are intact. Don't ever proceed commuting thinking that it'll stay perfectly in the place where you've kept it. What happens here is that the rider will start losing his/her balance in the mid of the road leading to a disastrous fall. The disaster mentioned here will not be just for you but for other ladies and gentlemen as well.
  7. Guys, keep this is in your mind as a 'Golden Rule' whenever you ride your bike. Be to that side of the road where you are gonna make a turn. If you have to take a left turn along a main road, make sure that you start moving to the left side of the road a little earlier. I do observe a lotta people taking a left turn from the right end of the road. This creates confusion in the mind of the rider coming begin you. This is what is called 'Senseless Driving.'
  8.  This rule is for riders using vehicles with Disc Brakes. It so happens that most of the time, a commuter is forced to brake hard and obviously uses the front discs. But, it so happens that most of the regular riders prefer using the discs over the rear brakes.  The problem with this method of braking is something which you would have never observed. The person following you in his vehicle night not have discs in this bike/scooter. In such a case, when you tend to use your disc at instances where it's not necessary, then there are more chances of your bike getting hit from the rear. This doesn't mean that you don't have to use where you have to.
  9. Please don't ride your vehicle in the night without turning on the headlamp. My pal sitting next to me asks who does it. But, the answer is that there are too many id**ts in the country who does this creating accidents everywhere irrespective of it being the city roads or the highways. Common sense again, right? I've faced issues because of such riders many a time.
  10. There is nothing called 'Negligence' which comes into play when riding. Be alert and careful. Above that be Cautious on what is happening around you in the road.

By the time you'll be reading this post, some senseless rider will be tormenting on the road. As TVS Tyres ad says, 'The Road is Full of Idiots' who cannot be dealt with. But, atleast let us be responsible on our riding techniques so that the rest of the commuters are not disturbed by the way we ride. It is in fact part of our responsibility as a 'Biker'.

Kudos to all Sensible riders who are our readers as well.

Do you have any tips to share?

Regards,
M.Naren.
Author – BikeAdvice.in

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Price of Electric Bikes to Go Up!

Posted: 27 Nov 2011 07:30 AM PST


Original Source: Price of Electric Bikes to Go Up! from BikeAdvice.in

Hi readers! The electric two wheeler market is considered very good as their demand has increased over time. Well, there is a bad news for all the electric bike lovers as they will now cost you some more money. This sudden increase in the cost of these e-scooters is because of dropping sales and the devalued rupee. Not many days have passed when a dollar would count up to 45 or even less but at present things have reversed and the value of rupee has sharply declined as against dollar. Not only against U.S currency but INR is declining against every other currency in the world.

News has it that since October companies have hiked their prices by 3 to 4 % just to set off the losses from the currency fluctuations. Currently all the e bikes come in a range of 26 to 40k depending on the specifications and models. According to the "Society of manufacturers of Electric Vehicles"; sales have started falling after the prices of products were increased in October due to depreciating rupee.

The director of the "Society of manufacturers of Electric Vehicles" said that people were attracted towards these bikes because of the rising prices of the fossil fuels but as the prices have gone up due to unstable economic conditions; sales dropped. Gill said that the sales will pick up again and the e bike world will again flourish. He said that they are expecting a growth of 50 to 60 % in future years.

As far as the estimates go; 70,000 e-bikes have been sold in 2010-11 fiscal year so far. Gill said that the main concern is depreciating rupee which is impacting the prices of e bikes to rise. Most of the two wheeler makers import important parts like batteries, motors etc.

Almost 40% parts are imported and thus with weakening rupee prices of e bikes tend to rise. He further said that the companies aren't passing the entire burden on to consumers as they want the demand to be intact. Gill, who is also the Chief Executive officer of Hero Electric, said that the margins of e bike makers have sharply declined on account of economic instability prevailing in the recent times. All said and done; we will have to wait and see if the economy improves or not.

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Honda to Launch Two New Products In 2012

Posted: 26 Nov 2011 08:31 PM PST


Original Source: Honda to Launch Two New Products In 2012 from BikeAdvice.in

Honda is a company that is been synonymous with refined engines and trusted bikes all across the globe. The company had proved its potential in India as well with few of its best sellers like the CB Unicorn in the bike segment and the Activa in the scooter segment.

HMSI (Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India) had earlier set a target for itself of selling 2.1 Mn units in  the Financial Year 2012. Now, the company is even more confident of achieving its target within the  specified time.

According to one of the latest news article in Financial Chronicle, 'While other two wheeler makers such  as Hero MotoCorp, Bajaj and TVS reported fall in sales in the range of 5-15 per cent in October when  compared with September this year, Honda Motorcycle managed to maintain its sales volumes with a  marginal drop in sales. The company sold 178,181 two wheelers in October, against 178,146 units in  September.' This figure clearly reveals the potential of the company in the Indian market.

To take these figures forward during the FY 2012, HMSI has also planned to launch two new products in the next year out of which one will be a bike and the other a scooter. But, we've no clues on what category would these new products be falling under. It's not to be forgotten that Honda Activa was indeed a game changer when coming to the scooter segment in the Indian two wheeler market.

Talking about the plans of the company, Mr. NK Rattan, Vice – President – Sales & Marketing told, "We expect this growth momentum to continue. We plan to sell 21 lakh units from our Manesar and Tapukara plant and end the fiscal FY'11-12 with an estimated 27 per cent growth over 16.56 lakh units sold in FY'10-11. We are on track to achieve this target."

The reason for them to stay on track achieving their target is their new plant which started its operation from the month of July this year in Tapukara, Rajasthan. The first phase of this plant with an installed capacity of 0.6 million units production capacity has already been completed. With the second factory of HMSI in the same state of Rajasthan, the company intends to increase the total capacity of its production to a whooping 1.2 Mn units by the month of March 2012.

As a customer , this should rejoice every single customer of HMSI who is either waiting to het its product delivered after waiting for many long months besides satisfying the frequent customer issue of unavailability of spare parts for Honda products. Mr. Rattan said in the interview, "This shall ease out the waiting period to less than one month."

Currently, almost all Honda products are facing a waiting period of 90 days to as much as 180 days and at times even more. This had only added woes to the customers in the recent past.

He also said the present order booking is around 60 days and the company is in a position to serve its customers faster. "Aviator and CBF Stunner are doing very well," he added without providing any further details on the statement.

The company's new scooter will most likely be showcased in Delhi Auto Expo which is scheduled to take place in the month of January 2011. One info we've got about the company's yet to be launched bike is that it's gonna be targeting the youth of the nation exclusively. This news makes us go crazy now. This simply means that the bike is gonna be worth the wait. But, unfortunately its only he scooter which will be showcased and not the bike. The bike will be launched only by the end of current fiscal year. The two launches is solely done with the intention of boosting the company's sales further which enhance the HMSI in achieving their target specified above on time.

Further, to meet the growing demand o Honda's products in theSouthern part of the country, the company has recently laid the foundation stone for its third manufacturing facility in the state of Karnataka. With its expansion from 16.5 lakh units in FY2010-11 to 40 lakh units in early half of the year 2013, HMSI hopes to reduce waiting periods for all its products in the portfolio.

Mr. Subrata Ray, Senior Vice-President, Corporate Ratings, Icra mentioned in one of his comments, "HMSI continues to maintain its leadership position in the scooters segment through its flagship brand Activa (besides Aviator and Dio) enjoying a market share of 45.4 per cent in Q2, 2011- 12."

The figures seems really impressive for a company like Honda with ling waiting periods though its taking all necessary steps to reduce it. We just want our readers to stay with us at the time of Delhi Auto Expo as we'll bring more insights onto these products. Do open up your discussion on the new products from Honda in the box below.

Regards,
M.Naren.
Author – BikeAdvice.in

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