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Thursday, October 15, 2009
Monday, October 12, 2009
the mean machines
The mean machines are back in town and how! With the launch of the Kawasaki Ninja 250R, Bajaj has turned on the heat on the other auto manufacturers to burn some serious rubber. Here we feature some of the well-known mean machines that get many a heart racing!!

Karizma ZMR
Hero Honda Motors started it all with the ZMR. In September 2009, it launched a newer version of the Karizma ZMR at an introductory price of Rs 91,000 (ex-showroom) in New Delhi.
The engine featured a mild power upgrade and fuel injection technology instead of the older carburetor. Taking a cue from its competitors, the new four-stroke bike was fitted with an oil cooler. The revamped bike had redesigned rear quarter panels and a new LED taillamp. The 223cc bike can hit 60 kmph in 3.7 seconds and can hit a maximum speed of 126kmph.
The world's largest two-wheeler manufacturer posted its highest quarterly gain ever in the first quarter ended July 2009. The company posted a profit-after-tax of Rs 500.11 crore, riding on record million unit sales in the first quarter of the financial year 2009-10. It was the first time that the company had crossed the million-unit mark.

Suzuki Hayabusa
A hyper sport bike introduced by Suzuki, the Hayabusa was continuously the fastest motorcycle in the world before the Japanese voluntarily decided to put brakes on the speed.
Hayabusa derives its name from the Japanese term for Peregrine Falcon. The bird can clock speeds of more than 320km/h. When it was introduced in 1999, it overtook the Honda Super Blackbird as the fastest production motorcycle.
The first generation of the Hayabusa was called the GSX1300R and was powered by a 1,299 cc (79.3 cu in) inline-4 liquid-cooled engine. It remained substantially unchanged up through the 2007 model year.
The Hayabusa's roaring success prompted other motorcycle manufacturers to come up with similar speed merchants like the BMW K1200S and the Kawasaki ZX-14R. The Hayabusa's 4-stroke, four-cylinder liquid-cooled 1299cc engine enables it to generate an enormous peak power of 175 bhp at 9800 rpm and reach from 0-100 km/h in three seconds flat!

Yamaha YZF R1
The Yamaha YZF-R1 bike, launched in 1998, revolutionized the sportbike landscape by successfully combining the awesome power available previously in the 1,000cc class with the lightweight and responsive 600-class chassis. It is the only production motorcycle with crossplane crankshaft engine.
Over the years, despite maintaining its distinctive sharp look, the R1 has undergone technical upgradations to keep pace with the times. The 2009 R1 has much of the Valentino Rossi's World Championship technology. It had undergone a complete makeover with a new front and rear suspension. The exhaust system is meticulously designed to enhance engine output while, thanks to its three-way catalyst technology, also reducing exhaust emissions.
Improved traction management isn't the only upside to the crossplane design. Reduced crank shake and a counter-rotating balance shaft gives you the smoothest ride. The bike won Motorcyclist Magazine's Motorcycle of the year Award.
In 2010, the company plans to launch a limited edition of the YZF-R1 LE Valentino Rossi / Fiat Yamaha replica complete with the number "46" and "The Doctor" logos, including a replica of Valentino Rossi's signature on the fuel tank.

Honda CBR1100XX Blackbird
The CBR1100XX was the culmination of Honda's ambitious effort to produce the ultimate superbike. The CBR's liquid-cooled, 16-valve DOHC inline-four cylinder 1137cc engine generates a peak power of 153 bhp at 10000 rpm.
On the braking front, Honda's revolutionary Linked Braking System (LBS), first used in the 1993 CBR1000F and completely revised on the 1996 ST1100, simultaneously engages both front and rear brakes when either the front brake lever or rear brake pedal is used.
The CBR's dual-spar diamond-configuration aluminum frame features a triple-box-section extruded aluminum swingarm that offers exceptional rigidity without excessive size and weight. The swingarm is supported by a standard Honda Pro-Link rear suspension system which features an H.M.A.S. rear damper.
Source: India Syndicate, company websites
Hero Honda New Karizma ZMR Price, Specifications, Vehicle Summary
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Overview - Finally Karizma Gets Fuel Injection Technology
Karizma ZMR has been making a lot of news in automotive market since some photos of Karizma in white shade leaked on net. Now Hero Honda has finally launched the much awaited tourer bike - Karizma ZMR Fi in Indian Market. Karizma ZMR will be sold along with old Karizma model, Hero Honda has decided not to phase out Karizma R and sell both the models side by side. They don't want to end the competition for Apache & Pulsar as Karizma R is priced around 72000.00.
The stance remains the same as the old Karizma which is still considered to be the best touring bike in India with smooth, refined and relaxed Honda engine at the helm. The major and much needed change is addition of programmed fuel injection (PGM-Fi) in the engine. Additionally it also gets disc brake at the rear, gas charged rear shock absorbers, little increase in power and torque. Hero Honda has also started giving teaser advertisement on leading TV channels in which they show few glimpses of New ZMR's front fairing, headlight and tail light.
Design & Style Of Hero Honda Karizma ZMR
In terms of looks the most visible change is heavy looking full front fairing with a lot of snazzy graphics with 'ZMR' stickers. Though it seems a liitle bit overworked and give Karizma ZMR a plasticky look. The designers at Hero Honda 'R&D' must have been a fan of Suzuki Hayabusa!! As far as new features are concerned the New Karizma ZMR gets all new headlamps with integrated blinkers and new tail lamps which are now LED ones.
The fit and finish is quite good, there are no panel gaps and paint quality is awesome. The rear view mirrors have been mounted on the front fairing a.k.a Yamaha R15, which is the best part of the facelift and it gives Karizma ZMR a very aggressive look if viewed from front. But the main problem is if you view the bike from side - the front doesn't gel with the slim looking rear. Hero Honda should have made the rear end a bit heavy to match it with the heavy front fairing. All in all, New Karizma ZMR looks much better than the outgoing model which started looking very outdated in comparison to the Yamaha R15, Bajaj Pulsar 220, TVS Apache RTR 180 & Honda CBF Stunner Fi.
Instrument Cluster & Features Of Hero Honda Karizma ZMR
The Intrument cluster is best looking part in Karizma ZMR. Insert the key and you are greeted with a long scrolling message which ends with "Bon Voyage Fly Safe". The display is now full digital including the tachometer which has been designed in round shape under a horizontal digital display which looks very cool especially at night.
The display also shows real time fuel consumption which is very helpful in maintaining good mileage. Other tell n tales include the speedometer, trip meter, fuel indicator, clock and rev counter. The switchgear remains the same and, in true Hero Honda fashion, there is no engine kill switch. The instrument cluster features dual colour illumination - the tachometer is lit in white while the rest gets an orange backlight.
10 New Design Features Of Hero Honda Karizma ZMR:
1. Full Front Fairing
2. Split Clip On Handle Bars
3. Split Rear Grab Rails
4. Mirrors Mounted On The Fairing
5. New Rear Mud Guard
6. New Headlamp & Tail Lamp Which Is Now LED
7. Rear Disc Brakes
8. Turn Indicators Mounted On Front Fairing
9. New Graphics
10. Slightly Reprofiled Body Work
Engine & Top Speed Of Hero Honda Karizma ZMR
New Karizma ZMR Fi is powered by the same 223cc engine but has been altered by Hero Honda engineers, now it gets fuel injection which has increased the maximum power to 17.6 Bhp at 7000 rpm which is up by 0.6 Bhp and maximum torque has been increased by .15 Nm which is now 18.35 Nm @ 6000 rpm.
Hero Honda has claimed top speed of 126 kmph and 0-60 km in 3.7 seconds in its official brochure but it is still slower than the current fastest bike in this segment - The Pulsar 220, which has top speed of 144 kmph. Also I expected much more power and torque from the altered Fuel Injected engine, Karizma ZMR should have been atleast touching around 20 Bhp with 21-23 Nm torque.
Comparison Of New Karizma ZMR, Pulsar 220, Yamaha R15 & Apache RTR 180
| Data | New Karizma ZMR | Bajaj Pulsar 220 | Yamaha R15 | Apache 180 |
| Engine | 4 Stroke | 4 Stroke | 4 Stroke | 4 Stroke |
| Displacement | 223cc | 220cc | 149.8cc | 177.4cc |
| Max Power | 17.6 Bhp-7000 rpm | 21 Bhp-8500 rpm | 17 Bhp-8500 rpm | 17.3 Bhp-8500 rpm |
| Max Torque | 18.5 Nm-6000 rpm | 19 Nm-7000 rpm | 15 Nm-7500 rpm | 15.5 Nm-6500 rpm |
| Gears | 5 Speed | 5 Speed | 6 Speed | 5 Speed |
| Cooling Type | Liquid Cooled | Air Cooled | Liquid Cooled | Air Cooled |
| Top Speed | 126 kmph | 144 kmph | 135 kmph | 125 kmph |
| 0-60 kmph | 3.70 secs | NA | 3.20 secs | 4.35 secs |
| Brakes | Discs | Discs | Discs | Discs |
| Price | 91000.00 | 71000.00 | 97000.00 | 64000.00 |
The PGM-Fi system is equipped with a 12 hole fuel injector, 16 bit ECU and 6 high-tech sensors to scan the engine operating parameters like air pressure, air temperature, and engine temperature to ensure the optimum air / fuel ratio under dynamic conditions. An advanced vertical oil cooler provides efficient cooling to the high performance engine and the IACV (Idle air control valve) ensures idle stability and smoothens response to throttle changes.
13 New Technical Features In Hero Honda Karizma ZMR:
1. PGM-Fi: Programmable Fuel Injection
2. 16 Bit ECU Processor For Rapid Digital Fuel Injection Mapping
3. Oil Cooled Engine
4. 12 Hole Fuel Injector For Better Atomization Of Fuel
5. Engine Oil Temperature Sensor Which Provides Different Fuel Mixtures At Different Temperatures
6. Intake Air Temperature Sensor Which Senses The Intake Air Temp To Determine & Supply The Optimum Air To Fuel Ratio
7. Throttle Position Sensor Which Detects Throttle Opening & Provides Input To The ECU
8. Crank Position Sensor Which Senses The Position & Time At Which Fuel Needs To Be Injected In Relation To Crank Angle
9. Oxygen Sensor Ensures Correct Air Fuel Ratio For The Catalytic Convertor
10. Manifold Absolute Pressure Sensor
11. Idle Air Control Valve
12. Gas Charged Shock Absorbers
13. Rear Disc Brake
Price & Shades Available In Hero Honda Karizma ZMR
New Hero Honda Karizma ZMR has been priced at Rs. 91,000 (Ex-Showroom New Delhi). The price is on the higher side in comparison to Bajaj Pulsar 220 which comes almost 20,000 cheaper and is more powerful in comparison to Karizma Fi. But Karizma is Liquid Cooled and technically more advanced in comparison to Pulsar 220. Also Karizma ZMR is a quality product, there is no compromise in quality of materials and paint quality.
Ex-Showroom Price Of Hero Honda Karizma ZMR in Other Cities:
Mumbai - 95300.00
Bangalore, Chandigarh, Chennai, Cochin - 91000.00
Faridabad, Gurgaon, Hyderabad, Kolkata - 91,000.00
Ghaziabad, Kanpur, Lucknow - 92696.00
Jaipur - 93100.00
Nagpur - 91880.00
Pune - 92759.00
Hero Honda Karizma ZMR Is Available In Following Five Shades:
- Pearl White
- Moon Yellow
- Panther Black
- Sports Red
- Vibrant Blue
New Karizma ZMR looks best in White Shade which gives it a bigger and meaner look. In other shades it looks a bit plasticky and down grade. Hero Honda dealers have started taking bookings of New Karizma, I visited a autorised dealer, they said that you can choose a shade and book your bike but the deliveries will start in first week of November.
Conclusion - Little Bit Overpriced In Comparison To Power & Torque Figures
Hero Honda's New Karizma ZMR Fi comes packed with more power, more style and more aggression but the new model leaves us expecting for more!! Hero Honda should a lesson or two from Yamaha which had gone almost instinct in India in 2005 but with the launch R15, FZ-Series & Fazer they are back with a bang and grabbing the premium bike market share day by day. I may not have been biased towards Yamaha if Hero Honda had come up with a more powerful and better designed version of Karizma.
Though Karizma has always been very popular among bike enthusiasts as it is a highly capable bike and it was expected that Karizma Fi will going to take it a step further. Let's see how Karizma fans react to the price, design change and will it set the sales charts on fire and will beat Pulsar, R15 & Apache.
News and Images source : http://autos.maxabout.com
Bajaj launches Kawasaki Ninja
MUMBAI: Bajaj Auto on Wednesday announced the launch of the much awaited Kawasaki Ninja 250R in India. It is widely acknowledged as the best 250cc motorcycle in the world. In India, it will be available exclusively through Bajaj Probiking showrooms.Largest selling bikePowered by a 249cc parallel twin engine that belts out 33PS of power, it is a true supersport motorcycle that draws its lineage from the legendary larger Kawasaki Ninjas. But what makes this motorcycle unique is its near-perfect combination of performance, riding comfort and ease of handling. As a result, it is as popular among casual riders as among serious enthusiasts. Not surprisingly, it is the largest selling 250cc motorcycle in the world.
Commenting on the launch, Eric Vas, President (New Projects) Bajaj Auto, said “We conceived Bajaj Probiking four years back with the objective of making it the automatic destination for bike enthusiasts looking for ‘bigger and sportier’ bikes. After the Bajaj Avenger DTS-i and the flagship Pulsar 220 DTS-i, the launch of the Kawasaki Ninja 250R is one of many initiatives lined up in realising that objective.”
PTI reports from Delhi:
The four-stroke bike is priced at Rs. 2.70 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi)
Ninja 250R will be assembled at the company’s Chakan plant. The company is aiming to sell about 1,000 units in the first 12 months of the launch.
The company is present in the 135cc segment with Discover and has its Pulsar range of bikes in 150cc, 180cc and 220cc segments. In June, it unveiled an ‘affordable’ version of the 220cc Pulsar without fuel injection technology.
Pictures and news source : http://www.thehindu.com
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