Latest Bikes Reviews | Comparison | Specification

ArtofMotorcycling: Design a Royal Enfield!

Did you know the first-ever Royal Enfield was designed and produced in 1901 by Bob Walker Smith and Frenchman Julius Gotiet; in which the rear wheel was driven by a long rawhide belt? It had a 11/2 hp Minerva engine. Another one was launched at Stanley Cycle Show eight years later, in 1909~ the V-twin which had a 297cc Swiss-made Motosacoche engine. I can go on and on about the history of the legendary Royal Enfield and wouldn’t finish!

Every rider till date has had a fantasy of designing his/her own motorcycle; they never stop fascinating over the designs! For all the enthusiasts out there, Royal Enfield, the global leader in the mid-size motorcycle segment, has announced the commencement of its first-ever designing platform— ArtofMotorcycling to design their first own Motorcycle! The brand is basically giving artists, creators and motorcycling enthusiasts a chance to step into the world of designing motorcycles and unleash their imagination by expressing their love for motorcycles in front of the whole world. Throughout the year, Royal Enfield launches various campaigns to encourage the riding community and elevate the riding culture. In this journey, ArtofMotorcycling might look like any other campaign; but it’s not!

Mr. Puneet Sood, Head – Apparel Business, Royal Enfield said, “#ArtofMotorcycling’ is a unique creative platform that draws inspiration from the dreams and journeys of young creators and motorcycling enthusiasts giving them an opportunity to express their love for “the motorcycling way of life”. We, at Royal Enfield, are really excited about bringing this platform to life as it focuses on one’s imagination, experiences, passion for riding and the never-ending quest towards self-exploration and self-expression.”

This annual competition will give creators/riders a platform to express their love for motorcycles and riding through creative illustrations. The winners of the competition would get an opportunity to be a part of the brand in its artistic journey. As an artist, you’re required to express yourself without any barriers, follow your passion for riding and motorcycles, and explore your imagination through keeping in mind your experiences. Design Vintage or modified, design what you want; but shut the stereotypes in your head and design an exceptional marvel for the sensational brand!

For participation, candidates can head over to the #ArtOfMotorcyling section on Royal Enfield’s website to register and download the toolkit. Participants can then create their own unique design and share it on Instagram, tagging @royalenfield and using #ArtOfMotorcycling #REApparel. The top five designs/illustrations of this challenge will get featured/printed on the official Royal Enfield merchandise, and the winners will get a sum of INR 30,000 each and one lucky winner will earn an opportunity to intern with Royal Enfield.

Your designs will be viewed and selected by the greatest motorcycle enthusiasts, storytellers and experienced designers in the world of motorcycles. The jury members include Gary Inman, a London-based motorcycling enthusiast who covers personal riding stories and editor and co-founder of the self-published motorcycling magazine ‘Sideburn’; Nandita Abraham, the CEO of Pearl Academy and the woman who put the institute on the world map for fashion and design education; Toria Jaymes, a designer and illustrator, the founder of Stay-Outside Studio as well as the Art Director for Gary Inman’s ‘Sideburn’ magazine; and Max Paternoster, a renowned moto-artist based in London, with experience varying from designing h helmets and motorcycle body paintwork, to creating art inspired by famous motorcycling adventures.

While designing, don’t resist yourself. This is your chance to pursue the perfect design, celebrate your passion for motorcycles, and approach the hidden artist inside yourself. Remember, your love for Royal Enfield is a love that’ll never die!

Ducati opens bookings for the Panigale V2 ahead of launch

Italian luxury motorcycle manufacturer Ducati has opened bookings for its first BS6 motorcycle, the Panigale V2, in India. An Italian-sporty blend with the perfect proportion of a classy-vibe, the brand-new Ducati Panigale V2 is another member added to the Ducati Panigale family. With extraordinary features, Ducati India is accepting bookings now since its announcement on 20th July, 2020 with an initial amount of INR 100,000.

The visual design of the fairings is inspired by the Panigale V4 which makes it look like a ‘red-fiery-monster’ (if bought in the red color scheme), controllable with a better and comfortable seat. The other color scheme is the new White Red.

The Panigale V2 features a single-sided aluminium swingarm: the hallmark of every high-end Ducati superbike along with a compacted twin-cylinder Superquadro engine (smaller in comparison to the Desmosedici Stradale). Along with this, the exhaust has been set under the engine and the frame is the same monocoque with everything bolted to the 90-degree V-twin.

“The Panigale V2 has been the most awaited bike since EICMA and we eagerly waited to bring this ultimate superbike as our first BS6 motorcycle for the Indian motorcycle enthusiast. The new Panigale V2 is a beefy yet compact bike with clear-cut lines that convey power without compromising on the classic Ducati superbike flair. Considering the overwhelming inquiries for the launch of the Panigale V2, we are confident the bike will do well in the market by offering an unmatched Ducati riding experience to enthusiasts who’re looking to step into the world of riding on the racetrack and also to more experienced riders”, said Bipul Chandra, the Managing Director of Ducati India.

The Panigale V2 is similar to Panigale V4 in ways that it’s tangible, easy to ride. But Panigale V2 does not make you conscious about handling a lot of parts while riding it. The Panigale V2 is now the entry mode for the Panigale family, replacing Panigale 959. The members have often been described as ‘ferrari on to wheels’, making it an adventurous as well enjoyable ride. Racers have found the bike to be easy, predictable and friendly while learning the track layout.

The V2 is a better and upgraded version of Panigale 959, with a better and responsive design enabling one to get locked on the bike while riding it. Racers seem to put a lot of energy while riding Panigale 959 whereas the Panigale V2 is easy-riding and also has electronics that work in ways that you’ll be amazed to hear about. The addition of six-axis IMU and the manifold of electronic rider aides gets filtered with different racing modes the bike has on the 4.5-inch TFT display.

This ultimate middleweight sports bike can be booked at their nearest dealerships which can be searched on their website. As soon as the bike is launched, they will be delivered and it will be available on display across all Ducati dealerships in Delhi – NCR, Mumbai, Pune, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Kochi, Kolkata, and Chennai. Considering the Covid-19 situation, the test rides will also begin shortly after the launch under the ‘Ducati Cares’ program by taking care of all the guidelines and safety measures.

BMW S 1000 XR: The Holy Grail of off-roaders is back!

If luxury brands are your thing, it is impossible that you have not heard of German luxury automobile manufacturer BMW. Its Indian wing, BMW Motorrad India has officially launched its internationally best-selling adventure sportbike, the all-new BMW S 1000 XR in India. It’s an all-days sports bike that uniquely blends sporty and long-distance performance in perfect form. Its sporty aggressiveness comes from its fully-faired sibling, the S 1000 RR. Its outstanding GS ergonomics with the upright, relaxed seat position, lets the riders enjoy all curves and straight roads.

BMW has designed the motorcycle to reflect pure performance and the promise of long-distance traveling comfort with a riding position that is impressively active yet relaxed. The front fairing and lighting systems are defined by sharp edges. Combined with striking beading, the overall line is shaped aggressively and consistently to the finish. The visually short tail is also reminiscent of a sportbike. The revised aerodynamics, fairing, comfortable handlebars along with long-distant seating position ensure great riding fun miles after miles. The adjustable windshield provides even better protection against the cold, driving noises, and the elements allowing the rider to keep the eyes on the road. All lighting units such as the headlamp, taillight, indicator lights, and instrument cluster use the latest LED technology. The integrated parking lights enhance the bike’s unmistakable appearance.

The newly developed 999 cc in-line 4-cylinder engine is based on the BMW S 1000 RR engine and delivers an output of 165 hp at 11,000 rpm and a maximum torque of 114 Nm at 9,250 rpm. The engine speed range is broader and harmonious to enhance rideability. The 4th, 5th, and 6th gears now have longer ratios, low noise levels, lower fuel consumption, and lower engine rpm at cruising speeds. The motorcycle sprints from 0-100 km/hr in just 3.3 seconds and can achieve a top speed of over 200 km/hr.

The new BMW S 1000 XR has four standard riding modes – Rain, Road, Dynamic and Dynamic Pro. The ‘Dynamic Pro’ mode is fully configurable and offers riders a wide range of setting options to suit their riding style. The throttle response, engine brake, ABS control (Anti-lock Braking System) and traction control, wheelie control (including the new ‘Power Wheelie’ setting) can be configured separately for the first time. While the BMW Motorrad ABS system already provides a very high degree of performance and safety when braking in a straight line, ABS Pro takes this a step further when braking in a banking position.

The adventure tourer features the latest generation of BMW Motorrad Dynamic ESA (Electronic Suspension Adjustment) as standard. The best-in-class 6.5- inch colour TFT screen instrument cluster along with BMW Motorrad connectivity offers unmatched display and access to information. In addition, the BMW Motorrad Connected App offers handy arrow-based navigation suitable for day-to-day use directly on the TFT screen. The multi-controller on the left-hand handlebar panel enables quick, safe, and convenient screen operation.

A wide array of retrofit equipment and gear options are available to further enhance the riding experience with a range of storage bags, backpacks, rider gear, navigation, and communication. Customers can augment their bikes with safety accessories such as radiator grille, hand protector, brake disk lock with an anti-theft alarm, and protective glass for TFT screen.

Quick maintenance at home or while touring is made easy with assembly stand, multifunctional tool kit, tyre pressure travel pack, breakdown assistance kit for tubeless tyres and a compact foot pump.

Mr Arlindo Teixeira, acting President, BMW Group India said, “The all-new BMW S 1000 XR is an agile achiever that sets a new benchmark in the adventure sports segment. It is a power-packed performer that brings the real racetrack feel to everyday roads. With its newly developed engine and uncompromising ergonomics, it offers awe-inspiring performance, sporty ride and long-distance capabilities. Riders waiting for a distinctive experience will be drawn to the multi-faceted all-new BMW S 1000 XR. It’s a perfect companion, ready to hit the road for all kinds of journeys with sheer motorcycling enjoyment.”

For complete peace of mind and to ensure that the journey of pure motorcycling continues uninterrupted at all times, the all-new BMW S100 XR comes with a standard warranty for ‘three years, unlimited kilometers’, with an option to extend the warranty to fourth and fifth year. Roadside Assistance, a 24×7 365 days package further ensures prompt services in case of breakdown and towing situations.

The new bike can be ordered as a completely built-up unit (CBU) from today onwards throughout the BMW Motorrad dealer network. The all-new BMW S 1000 XR will be offered in a Pro variant in Ice Grey and Racing Red colour options. The ex-showroom price is Rs 20,90,000.

Honda Africa Twin: The definition of off-roading renewed!

If you are into luxury vehicles but like to take them off the road, this motorcycle could be your dream come true. Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India Pvt Ltd has officially begun the delivery of the latest iteration of the Africa Twin Adventure Sports. It is the Japanese motorcycle manufacturer’s flagship adventure-tourer and is the first 1000cc ‘Make in India’ model by Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India.

The motorcycle is also the company’s first BSVI-compliant big bike in India. It was first launched in 2017 and has since garnered over 200 customers in the country. Its latest iteration was launched in March 2020 by Ricky Brabec (Reigning 2020 Dakar Rally World Champion from Monster Energy Honda Team).

Honda has made the 2020 Africa Twin better than before, making it smaller, slimmer and 5 kg lighter. This delivers 12 percent more peak power, 11 percent more peak torque and 10 percent increased power to weight ratio. It also gets cruise control via Throttle by Wire (TBW), as well as wheelie control, rear lift control and 3-stage cornering lights. The motorcycle also gets a bigger engine, new lightweight chassis, new electronics and new suspension units. Other updates include a bigger 24.8-litre fuel tank, 5-stage adjustable windscreen and heated grips. Honda has also equipped the motorcycle with Apple CarPlay, which can be accessed via a 6.5-inch MID TFT touch screen.

Speaking on this occasion, Mr. Yadvinder Singh Guleria, Director – Sales & Marketing, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Pvt. Ltd. said, “Starting the BSVI era of its premium motorcycle business, Honda introduced the brand new 2020 Africa Twin Adventure Sports in March this year. We are pleased to announce the first delivery to the proud #TrueAdventure lover. The 2020 Africa Twin Adventure Sports takes the ‘go anywhere’ spirit one step ahead. So, pack your bags & get ready as #TrueAdventure is back!”

For the first time, Honda has launched the Africa twin with the option of a manual gearbox. While the original Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) unit gets the Darkness Black Metallic colour, the new manual option gets a Pearl Glare White colour. Honda is also offering genuine accessories such as top box, visor, quick shifter, main stand, rally step, engine guard, front fog light, and a smoked wind screen for both the variants.

If you are looking to go for dedicated off-roading, the DCT variant poses as a better option, simply due to the option of changing gears with your hands. This will help the rider shift gears when it is not possible for him to reach the footpegs, such as while water wading. Other riders who wish to enjoy all the benefits of the motorcycle without shelling out extra can opt for the manual transmission option.

The Africa Twin has already set the benchmark as a potent off-roader in India. Now, with a relatively cheaper alternative of the manual transmission, the motorcycle is expected to garner a larger audience, especially fans of the manual gearbox. It commands an ex-showroom price tag of Rs 15,35,000, while its DCT counterpart sells for Rs 16,10,000 (ex-showroom).

Want a free Harley Davidson? Just purchase this watch!

Sometimes it is necessary for you to match your wrist watch to your vehicle. While most owners make do with aesthetic similarities, Swiss watchmaker Carl F. Bucherer has taken it one step ahead. Collaborating with American motorcycle manufacturer Harley Davidson, the company has created the ‘Bucherer Blue’ watch.

The watch is based on the manufacturer’s Patravi TravelTec II and gets a rose gold finished case with a black bezel and a blue face. Its front has a sapphire anti-reflective face while its back sports a transparent window. Its rubber strap is also designed as a tyre tread. The watch runs on CFB 1901.1 calibre automatic movement with a 42-hour power reserve. Apart from the hour, minute and second dials, it also shows a date counter and three different time zones.

The owner of this watch will probably get the world’s most expensive watch holder. It is a customized Harley Davidson Softail Slim S which is called the Blue Edition. It has two armoured glass domes inside its fuel tank, which hold the watch and a solitaire ring. The holder, which is insulated with silicone rings to absorb the motorcycle’s vibrations, also doubles up as a watch winder. This charges the watch while it is sitting in the box.

Harley Davidson roped in chop-shop specialists Bundnerbike to complete their project. The basis for this bike is the Harley-Davidson Softail Slim from 2017, which was rebuilt in detail. Even the smallest parts, including bolts, were made by hand and given a high-quality finish. The wheels were specially designed for the Blue Bike, and the saddle is also hand-stitched – made in Switzerland.

The motorcycle is also embedded with heat-resistant LEDs on the inside that illuminate the various gold-plated components of the motorcycle. The tank doubles up as the watch holder, as well as the holder of a six-prong solitaire ring with a 5.4 carat diamond.

Mechanically, the motorcycle remains unchanged and carries forward its 107cu.in. (1753cc) V-twin engine that makes 92HP of maximum power and 145Nm of peak torque. It is mated to a six-speed manual transmission.

Patrick Graf, Chief Commercial Officer at Bucherer says, “We are delighted to be able to take advantage of our many years of experience and our close relationships with our partners to create exquisite, one-of-a-kind watches and products as part of the Bucherer BLUE collection, which are available for purchase exclusively at Bucherer.”

The iridescent paint job of the motorcycle was achieved after an elaborate process of silver plating the motorcycle completely. It was then painted with six coats of different colours, that has resulted in the rich, deep blue colour.

As expected, this luxury comes with an incredible price of Rs 15 crore (when converted) of which almost Rs 12 crore go towards the costing of the motorcycle, making it the most expensive one in the world! Still, Rs 3 crore for a wrist watch is quite a fancy deal, don’t you think? Naturally, it is safe to assume that the Harley Davidson Softail S Blue Edition will definitely not be an everyday sight.

2020 on Two-Wheels | Upcoming Premium Motorcycles in 2020

2020 has not shaped up to be an exciting year for the world. All the industries like Tech, Automobile, Lifestyle and a lot more are suffering terribly due to this global pandemic crisis. Businesses are closing down, employees are being laid off and the economy is headed straight down the hill due to this virus that has created an unexpected rift in the world.

While we expected a lot of tech, automobiles, motorcycles, lifestyle products to show up in the Indian market in 2020, all of that now seems like a distant hope. It is so saddening how a virus could do all this devastation to an otherwise steadily running planet. However, people all over the world have not lost their hopes. They are staying in and countries are taking the best measures to fight this battle against the COVID-19 disease and we believe that “This too shall pass”.

On a very optimistic note, we expect the situation to end soon. Once that happens, the world will spring back to action and being normal again. Companies will start manufacturing and all that was planned to arrive will arrive, albeit in a completely different timeline. Expect a host of launches from a variety of manufacturers throughout the year and as for automobiles, we are going to see many new motorcycles. As a show of our excitement, we’ve compiled a list of motorcycles we look forward to seeing soon here in India. However, the launch times are now way out of anyone’s speculation and anything that we say here must be taken as a grain of salt for that matter.

2020 Aprilia RSV4

Italian motorcycle manufacturer Aprilia is expected to launch their sport-styled powerhouse in India soon. It’s expected to come with two engine options.

Expected Price – 21 – 23 Lakhs*

Ducati Panigale V2

After the V4’s success, Ducati plans to launch a V-twin version of the Panigale to get the numbers rolling even further.

Expected Price – 15 – 16 Lakh*

Ducati Streetfighter V4

A street-naked version of the famed Panigale V4 is going to be making its way to our shores soon! Enough said.

Expected Price – 17 – 19 Lakh*

Expected Launch – Late-2020

Honda CB650R

Following up on the launch of the CB300R, Honda now plans to bring a bigger version of their street fighter to Indian shores.

Expected Price – 7 – 8 Lakh*

Expected Launch – Mid-2020

Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin:

Honda’s legendary off-roader will be getting an update in India soon. The CRF1100L will come with a bigger and more powerful engine.

Expected Price – 14 – 15 Lakh*

Expected Launch – Mid-2020

Suzuki V-Strom 1050

Unveiled at EICMA 2019, the V-Strom 1050 gets a design language inspired from the older Suzuki DR Big.

Expected Price – 13 – 15 Lakh*

Expected Launch – Mid-2020

KTM 790 Adventure

KTM is expected to make bring quite a few motorcycles to the Indian market in 2020, one of which is the much-awaited 790 Adventure.

Expected Price – 11 – 13 Lakh*

Expected Launch – Late-2020

Triumph Tiger 900

Triumph’s venerable Tiger ADV is set to launch in India with a larger and more powerful powertrain, along with a host of other changes.

Expected Price – 14 – 16 Lakh*

Expected Launch – Mid-2020

Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade

Honda unveiled the all-new CBR1000RR-R Fireblade at EICMA 2019. Expect it to hit Indian roads soon boasting power figures of 218 PS and 113 Nm of torque.

Expected Price – 19 – 22 Lakh*

Expected Launch – Mid-2020

BMW Motorrad F 900 R

BMW Motorrad is gearing up to launch its street naked F 900 R with an upgraded engine in the country soon. The company is expected to launch a touring-based version (F 900 XR) of the motorcycle as well.

Expected Price – 10 – 13 Lakh*

Expected Launch – Early-2020

*All Prices are Ex-Showroom

Suzuki GSX S750 – Review | At Home With The Apex Predator

I am a big fan of motorcycles, especially multi-cylinder engines. A parallel-twin with a 270-degree crank, Oh yes. But then I had the chance to try out an inline four-cylinder engine and it was Japanese. Well, this motorcycles I am talking about seems to have no clear introduction, let me begin with one.Suzuki launched its first middle-weight motorcycle in India in 2018 and they had planned it well as it was the second motorcycle to follow the CKD route after the legendary Hayabusa, which is now assembled in India. Yes, I am talking about the Suzuki GSX S750 which is a street naked middle-weight offering from Suzuki in India. Also known as the ‘Apex Predator’ I am sure for those who have ridden it on a track, can swear by its performance. But how is it to live with it and bring it home and ride it like my daily motorcycle?

Interestingly, Suzuki was quick enough to launch the 2019 edition of the GSX S750 which now gets two more colour scheme options. It was a very brief meeting with the guys in the dealership and I was soon handed the keys of the S750. The blue-black paint job looks stunning I must admit and now, I was about to ride this beauty home. It borrows its looks from its elder sibling the GSX S1000 albeit in a bit more compact manner. Do not be mistaken as it still is a mean-looking big muscular motorcycle with a well-defined front leading up to the tank.

As soon as I swing my leg over it, I immediately felt the 215 kg of kerb weight and feels quite heavy for a naked style motorcycle. Press the starter button and the 749cc inline-four mill comes alive with a hum and I bet I could not get enough of the engine singing. A slight twist of the throttle and I could not believe how smooth the engine is. It has been at the heart of the GSX R750 and makes 114 PS at 10,500rpm and 81 Nm of torque at 9,500rpm and is mated to a slick-shifting 6-speed gearbox. What amazed me is the very linear power delivery and the which is welcome for new riders or those who have upgraded. So I began riding the S750 on a regular basis, 50 percent of city riding and 50 percent of the highway. It allowed me to have a better perspective of what this motorcycle is all about.

What comes into my mind now is the perfectly smooth engine which sings as it idles, pushes it upwards and see the hum turning into a loud wail. What adds to this is the intake howl which certainly makes riding the S750 a more pleasurable thing to do. On highways, you can twist the throttle and the three-level traction control will watch your back if you do not choose to turn it off. ABS will make braking at high speeds a safer deal with the 310mm twin-disc rotors on the front and the single rotor in the rear with Nissin callipers. The console is a small all-digital unit which gives you all the information you need and is clearly readable in all scenarios. The front brake lever is adjustable but the clutch-lever is not, which again brings me to the fact that the clutch pull is slightly heavy, the slipper clutch is missing and you feel it when riding in traffic.

Moving on, the motorcycle is very flickable and all that weight and heft seems to disappear when it gets going. You might feel the weight while moving side to side when around corners but the S750 is sure-footed and very quick to change direction as well. It is very clever of Suzuki to include this ‘Low RPM Assist’ feature which makes the clutch operation smooth, especially in city traffic where the clutch operation is maximum and also avoids stalling of the engine. You can cruise around the speeds of 120-130 and the engine would not be even bothered. Twisting the throttle will soon take you north of 150 km/hr and the lines soon begin to blur. If you switch the traction control off, you can pull off wheelies pretty easily, but on public roads? Not a good idea.

The engine sits between a twin-spar frame and everything is suspended off the ground with 41mm USD KYB forks and a link-type mono-shock at the rear, all of which come with preload adjustability. The build quality on this motorcycle is very good and the fit and finish levels are impressive. The switchgear on both sides feels very premium and sturdy. Coming to the point of efficiency, it gets a 16-litre fuel tank and in the time I was riding it, I got a consistent mileage of 16 km/l in the city and around 18km/l on the highway rides. It does heat in the traffic but the heat didn’t bother me much. Overall, the Apex Predator is a good motorcycle to live with on a daily basis and those weekend highway blasts.

Now ask me if this an affordable deal? Yes, I believe it is. It has an ex-showroom price starting at Rs. 7.45 lakhs. Sure you do not get a host of electronics, LED lighting and more of those bells and whistles. What it gives you though is a very agile motorcycle, a super-refined engine and pure riding pleasure without much intervention. Overall, it is a well-balanced naked motorcycle which follows Suzuki’s GSX line and keeps the agile DNA intact. I cannot wait to ride it again.

Indian FTR 1200 – Review | Flat Tracker For The Streets

Flat Track racing is one of the most popular racing formats in America. Indian Motorcycles, who also claim to be the first motorcycle manufacturers of America, have been tearing up the flat tracks with their FTR 750 flat tracker, a purpose-built championship-winning motorcycle. Indian, decided to get an FTR for the street, as the Indian FTR 1200 and here is our experience of riding it on the streets.

The Indian 1200 FTR has the looks that could kill, especially for people who love naked and raw styling. While the riding experience has been amazing, here are the ride impressions put together for this beast of a motorcycle.

It looks very raw and edgy, clearly replicates the Flat Track racing motorcycles with its aggressive-looking stance, a short tail section and Flat-Track tyres. The overall design is elegant but minimal. A bare trellis frame, fat rubber, golden shocks on both ends. LED lighting shows the way while a fully 4.3-inch digital touchscreen instrument cluster with Bluetooth connectivity makes it very modern.

The engine is a 1203cc, 60-degree V-Twin engine which is liquid-cooled. It makes 120 BHP of power and 120 Nm of torque and is mated to a 6-speed gearbox. The burble from the engine is quite muffled at low revs but throaty when revved hard and the bike feels very lively after around 5000 rpm. Drop the clutch and it very patiently crawls which helps you make it through the city traffic. The engine tends to get very hot in crawling traffic. The suspension setup comes to form SACHS, USD forks on the front and the rear is mounted with a mono-shock, both of which are fully adjustable. Braking power is courtesy of Brembo M4.32 callipers and dual discs on the front and a rear single pot calliper from Brembo shaving speeds instantly when needed.

Three rider modes viz Rain, Road and Sport can be selected via the touchscreen. In the track mode, one can choose to disable the Traction Control and ABS. Cruising on the highway was not an issue as the engine can hold high speeds upwards of 120 km/hr with ease. The safety net includes ABS, Traction Control and an IMU that aids the cornering ABS. The Pro Taper handlebars are wide enough to make you feel like sitting on a flat tracker while the short rear fender with integrated grab rails accentuates the overall appeal. The switchgear quality is very premium and the overall fit and finish of the FTR are superb.

Handling is amazing on the FTR 1200 and it is very nimble even with its 230 kgs of kerb weight. The seat height of 840mm could be a challenge for some shorter riders. The gearshifts are on point with the neutral being the easiest to find. The 12.9-litre tank under the seat actually is small for this gas guzzler that could make long-distance ride have frequent fuel stops. The slipper clutch makes the clutch-pull almost feel like a 150cc commuter.

Well, this Indian, is what not the other Indians are. It gets out of the typical Indian cruiser silhouette and makes a new identity for itself. You will end up spending Rs. 15.99 lakhs (ex-showroom) for this Flat Tracker for the street, but be wary, you will have a wide smile each and every time you ride it.

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine: 1203cc, 60-Degree V-Twin
Power: 120 Bhp
Torque: 120 Nm
Transmission: 6-Speed Gearbox

Benelli Imperiale 400 – Review | A Classic Motorcycle With A Modern Heart

The year 2019 has been pretty exciting for the Italian motorcycle brand Benelli as they have been on a launching spree in India. After the Benelli TRK 502 and 502X, the brand was not too late to introduce the Benelli Leoncino 500 and a Leoncino 250 which use the same engine from the TRK 502 and the TNT 250 respectively.

Benelli sure wants to get a stronghold of the Indian automotive market and this is why they have now launched the Benelli Imperiale 400, a modern-retro motorcycle from the house of the Italian two-wheeler maker.

The Benelli Imperiale 400 comes as a modern interpretation of the MotoBi models which Benelli used to produce in the 1950s. A first look at the motorcycle and you are sure to find many similarities with a few motorcycles in this segment. There are several chrome elements on the motorcycle which definitely lend it a character to it. The Imperiale 400 sports a round headlamp as well as round indicators and an oval-shaped taillamp. Like on most of the motorcycles we see these days, you do not get any LED lighting on offer. The twin-pod analogue-digital instrument cluster displays all information, tell-tale lights and also gets small digital panels for the trip, time, odometer, gear and fuel-level display.

The motorcycle looks quite impressive given the 12-litre teardrop-shaped tank. It gets a lot of black treatment as well on the engine as well as the side panels, silencer as well as the front and rear mudguards with black split seats with colour contrast stitching. Overall, it is a handsome looking motorcycle which reflects the retro out loud.

Powering the Imperiale 400 is an air-cooled, 374cc, fuel-injected SOHC engine which makes about 21 PS of peak power and 29 Nm of torque. The engine is mated to a 5-speed gearbox. Now coming to the ride quality, the Imperiale 400 offers a good rideability both on and off the pavement, thanks to the relaxed seating position and the 19-inch 100 section front and 18-inch 130 section rear tyres shod on spoke wheels. The suspension duties are taken care of by 41mm telescopic forks at the front and twin shock absorbers at the rear with preload-adjustability. Braking department gets a 300mm disc at the front and a 240mm disc at the rear along with dual-channel ABS as a standard offering.

Coming to the ride quality, the rear suspension feels a bit stiff, especially at slow speeds but surprisingly handles Indian road conditions quite well. It is happy to cruise all-day at speeds up to 100km/hr without even breaking a sweat. Heating on the motorcycle is not really evident. At 205 kgs, it is slightly heavy, but you would feel the weight only when parking or in traffic doing dead speeds. Take it off the pavement and you will be surprised how well it holds on to the off-road patches despite having less ground clearance. The TVS tyres seemed to offer a firm grip even when being pushed.

The Benelli Imperiale 400 rivals the likes of the Royal Enfield Classic 350, the Jawa variants. Priced at Rs. 1.69 lakhs (ex-showroom), the Imperiale 400 is a strong contender in this segment for the price it is being offered for. What you get are solid build quality and a 3-year unlimited-kilometre warranty. The company is also offering free services for the first two years which makes it an even more interesting proposition for someone who is looking to buy a retro-themed motorcycle which can do touring as well as occasional rough terrains.

SPECS

Engine – 374cc,Four-stroke, Fuel-injected, SOHC, Air-cooled

Power – 21 PS @ 5500 rpm

Torque – 29 Nm @4500 rpm

Transmission – 5-Speed

Revolt RV 400 | First Ride Review | Electric Storm on the Horizon?

Ever since it was revealed last month, the Revolt RV400 has been one of the most eagerly anticipated motorcycles in the country. That’s because it isn’t any ordinary motorcycle, its India’s first AI-enabled all-electric motorcycle. Recently, we got a chance to have a go on the RV400 at a go-kart track and here’s our first ride review of it.

Performance:

The track was fairly short but had a series of engaging corners and straights. For starters, it’s important to remember that the all-electric motorcycle has three riding modes. These three modes (Eco, City and Sports) determine the degree of acceleration, similar to a gearbox.

Eco mode is more suited for a calm and traffic oriented form of riding, while City and Sports aren’t very different from each other, in the mid-range at least. The Sports mode, however, did have that ever-so-slight amount of extra kick.

Interestingly, the RV400 comes fitted with an external speaker near where the engine would’ve been located had this been a conventional internal combustion motorcycle. The function of this speaker is to simulate a sound we’re used to hearing on a petrol-powered two-wheeler.

Overall, the power delivery is good but there is a slight jerk at the beginning of the rev band since the power suddenly comes in all at once. This can be felt more in the most in Sports mode but is much more relaxed in the Eco mode.

At first, it is a little confusing because the RV400 looks like a normal motorcycle but it doesn’t have an exhaust pipe, brake pedal, clutch or gear shifter. It feels like a motorcycle, but the controls are similar to a scooter. This took a bit of getting used to but after a few laps, I found myself trying to outdo myself, pushing its electric heart a little harder every time.

Since the battery sits where the fuel tank and engine would’ve been, the RV400 feels well balanced, given that it has a ground clearance of 220m. The seat height is at a comfortable 814mm, making it accessible to riders of varying heights. The RV400 tips the scale at 108 kg (approximately) which makes it nippy around the corners.

We’re happy to report that after quite a number of laps around the track, the battery had drained only very slightly, even though we’d been mostly riding in Sports mode.

Ride & Handling:

First impressions are good, the RV400 feels easy to handle around the corners and has ample grip going into a corner, fast. The only worrying thing at first was the braking set up. Since both the brakes are controlled from the levers are front, I found myself looking for the foot brake under intense braking, which can be just a little nerve-racking.

The RV400 gets upside-down forks at the front and an adjustable mono-shock at the back. At slower speeds, the RV400 feels fairly composed and there isn’t really any cause for concern.

Braking is handled by two 240mm disc brakes at the front and back with a Combined Braking System (CBS) which works well. The RV400 is driven by a belt and not a chain, as is the case with most mass-market motorcycles in the world.

Looks:

Even with just a glance, the RV400 looks rebellious. It gets all-LED treatment for the front and tail lamps; even the turn indicators are LED! We then move onto the digital instrument cluster. It displays the range, speed, time and much more.

Revolt RV 400. (Image: Revolt Motors)

However, it wasn’t really working since the speed it was displaying was hard to read. We felt that the Revolt RV400 looks funky, cool and modern. But it still maintains the look of a conventional motorcycle, which is definitely a positive aspect. All in all, it’s bound to catch your attention.

Range, Charging & Features:

We now have to address the elephant in the room, which in this case is the lithium-ion battery. That’s not quite a metaphor since the battery pack in the RV400 is quite heavy (15kgs, approximately).

Folks at Revolt Intellicorp plan to setup swap stations in major cities. This will allow riders to swap out their depleting or depleted battery for a fresh one. Alternatively, customers will also be able to charge the batteries at home or office with the help of a charger which requires a 15-ampere socket. A full charge is expected to take 4.5 hours.

Another interesting feature on the RV400 is that of a Start/Stop button. That’s right, the RV400 doesn’t need for you to insert the key in order to start. However, there will be key for other purposes. Revolt Intellicorp has stated an ARAI certified range of 156 kilometres.

Verdict:

The Revolt RV400 looks to be a step in the right direction. Given the state of our environment and the price of petrol; a simple to use and purposeful all-electric motorcycle could be the need of the hour. In our opinion, the RV400 is a good looking, light, nimble and fairly powerful motorcycle.