Saturday, August 25, 2007

The Indian quater-litre segment in 2008

Come 2008, and this is how the Quater-litre class will look like in India.

1. Hero Honda Karizma



The bike that started it all way back in June 2003. It went a cosmetic makeover a couple of months back. Priced at Rs 82,280 (Pune), the sales are still going strong.

Heres a look at the specifications:

Engine: Air Cooled, Single Cylider, four stroke, OHC
Capacity: 223cc
Max Power : 16.8bhp/17ps @ 7000rpm
Max Torque: 18.35Nm @ 6000rpm
Power to weight ratio: 112bhp / tonne
Carb/FI : Carb
Gearbox: 5 Speed
Brakes (Fr) : 276mm dia single disc
Brakes (Rr) : 130mm drum 
Suspension (Fr) : Telescopic hydraulic shock absorbers
Suspension (Rr) : Swing arm, 5 step adjustable
Tyres (Fr) : 2.75 * 18 (alloys)
Tyres (Rr) : 100/90 * 18 (alloys)
Fuel capacity: 15 L
Length: 2125mm
Height:1160mm
Width: 755mm
Wheelbase: 1355mm
Saddle height: 795mm
Kerb Weight: 150kg


2. Bajaj Pulsar 220 DTSFi



No doubt, one of the most over-hyped bikes in the Indian two-wheeler history. But Bajaj is still not offering the bike all over India, neither is it meeting the demands of the customers, what with waiting period running into months! The bike sells for Rs 86,615 (Pune)

Here is a look at the specifications then..

Engine: Air Cooled, Single Cylider, four stroke, SOHC
Capacity: 220cc
Max Power : 19.8bhp /20.06ps @ 8500rpm
Max Torque: 19.12Nm @ 6500rpm
Power to weight ratio: 132bhp / tonne
Carb/FI : FI
Gearbox: 5 Speed
Brakes (Fr) : 260mm dia single disc
Brakes (Rr) : 230mm dia single disc 
Suspension (Fr) : Telescopic hydraulic shock absorbers (130mm)
Suspension (Rr) : Swing arm, 5 step adjustable
Tyres (Fr) : 90/90 * 17 (Tubeless on alloys)
Tyres (Rr) : 120/80 * 17 (Tubeless on alloys)
Fuel capacity: 15 L
Length: 2035mm
Height:1140mm
Width: 750mm
Wheelbase: 1350mm
Saddle height: 795mm
Kerb Weight: 150kg


3. Yamaha YBR 250 / Fazer 250




Everyone has seen the bike at the Auto Expo 2006 in New Delhi and everyone is waiting for it too. The bike sells for roughly double the cost of the YBR 125, which is very much like the Gladiator 125 sold in India. Hence, if Yamaha does manufacture the bike locally in India, it will cost around Rs 1,00,000. Yes, it is a little more than the Karizma and Pulsar 220, but then the bike is a proper 250cc machine. And for a lot of buyers, the tuning fork logo matters a lot.

Onto the specifications then:

Engine: Air Cooled, Single Cylider, four stroke
Capacity: 249cc
Max Power : 20.6bhp /20.9ps @ 7500rpm
Max Torque: 20.5Nm @ 6500rpm
Power to weight ratio: 135.5bhp / tonne
Carb/FI : FI
Gearbox: 5 Speed
Brakes (Fr) : 282mm dia single disc
Brakes (Rr) : 130mm dia drum
Suspension (Fr) : Telescopic hydraulic shock absorbers (115mm)
Suspension (Rr) : Mono-shock, 120mm travel
Tyres (Fr) : 100/80 * 17 (Tubeless on alloys)
Tyres (Rr) : 130/70 * 17 (Tubeless on alloys)
Fuel capacity: 19.2 L
Length: 2025mm
Height:1065mm
Width: 745mm
Wheelbase: 1360mm
Saddle height: 805mm
Kerb Weight: 152kg

4. Honda CBX Twister 250 / CBF 250



Last but not the least, sources from the industry are also hinting at the high possibility of Honda coming in with their naked quater litre bike, the CBF 250, also known as the CBX 250 Twister in Brazil. The expected price will be in the Fazer 250's category, ie, around Rs 1,00,000

Onto the specifications then:

Engine: Single Cylinder - Air-cooled 4-stroke 4-valve DOHC
Capacity: 249cc
Max Power : 20bhp /20.2ps @ 8000rpm
Max Torque: 22Nm @ 6000rpm
Power to weight ratio: 131.5bhp / tonne
Carb/FI : Carb
Gearbox: 6 Speed
Brakes (Fr) : 276mm dia single disc
Brakes (Rr) : 130mm dia drum
Suspension (Fr) : Telescopic hydraulic shock absorbers (130mm)
Suspension (Rr) : Mono-shock, 100mm travel
Tyres (Fr) : 100/80 * 17 (Tubeless on alloys)
Tyres (Rr) : 130/70 * 17 (Tubeless on alloys)
Fuel capacity: 16 L
Length: 2030mm
Height:1050mm
Width: 745mm
Wheelbase: 1370mm
Saddle height: 780mm
Kerb Weight: 152kg

While the Honda and Yamaha 250s have a higher power to weight ratio than the Hero Honda and Bajaj machines, the Indian machines have an advantage when it comes to pricing. But then, as I wrote earlier, there are bikers out there who will be willing to pay extra for that tuning fork logo on the tank, and for owning a Honda machine. Whatever, one can safely expect these bikes to compete with each other next year. Yes, we have waiting for a long long time, and it all seems worth it!

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