Here are some quick suggestions on how you can get the best mileage from your bike

Bike maintenance
First off, you need to keep your bike well tuned with timely servicing. Keep all the parts of your vehicle oiled and get your bike serviced at recommended intervals. This is because regular servicing is like a regular health check for your bike.

Speed

Maintain optimum speed. For bikes it is economical to go in the 40-60 kmph speed. If you increase speed beyond this, more fuel gets consumed for the same distance.

Riding at slower pace than the optimum at low gears is a very bad practice and it gives a poor mileage to your bike. Therefore, avoid riding bike in low gear as much as possible and always go at optimum speed at the top gear. Gear change at right time gives enhanced mileage for your bike.

Air pressure
Air pressure in tyres should always be maintained at the optimum, as mentioned by the bike manufacturing company. Less air in the tyres leads to increased friction between the road surface and tyres which demands more fuel. Keeping the air pressure of tyres at optimum helps in ensuring less resistance thereby also increasing the fuel efficiency.

Braking
Avoid applying sudden brakes to the extent possible because it tends to waste more energy. It is better to reduce the speed by easing the throttle rather than applying sudden brakes. ‘Smooth’ should be the keyword in accelerating or reducing the speed.

Throttle and clutch
Throttle opening also is important, never open it wide and part open is what gives the best fuel efficiency. Maintain the clutch well, because slipping of clutch wastes lot of fuel.

Starting
Another great tip for proper oil circulation in the engine is to self start the engine and leaving it for a while so the oil gets heated up and can flow easily up to the top of the engine.

Excess is bad
Excess gadgetry such as over sized horns, lights as well as bigger sized tyres too can be a drain on fuel. Avoid adding weight to the bike through heavier guards, heavier visors, crash guards etc. It does have a lot of impact on the mileage.

Fuel filling
Refill the fuel tank during early morning hours as petrol expands by volume with increase in temperature which is a likely result during noon. Additionally, never fill the tank up to the brim of the tank and allow room for expansion.

High octane petrol 

Again, it is high octane petrol that boosts mileage to a good extent, but make sure you check with the manual with regards to the quality of the petrol. New generation bikes have a high compression ratio; implying a need for high octane petrol. This petrol leads to better fuel combustion resulting in greater performance of the vehicle. 

Traffic
Then, when you’ve to wait at traffic signals, switch off the engine. Avoid choked roads and if ever possible take on the broad roads and highways where you can enjoy better mileage of your motorbike.

New KTM Duke 200 in India

Finally, the wait for KTM Duke 200 technical specification is now over. KTM Sports AG has disclosed the technical specification of KTM Duke 200 in EICMA 2011 (69^th International Motorcycle Exhibition Milan) at Milan. Indian bike enthusiasts are eagerly waiting for KTM Duke 200, which is soon to be launched in India by Bajaj Auto (Bajaj Auto owns nearly 40% in KTM Power Sports, AG). KTM Duke 200 was launched in Malaysia and Middle East before, but the specification was not disclosed by the company.

KTM Duke 200 is designed for young and passionate bike enthusiasts. Basically, it has similar technical specification as Duke 125. But what is so special in the specification for Indian bike enthusiasts let’s have a look.

New Tips for how to Overtake a Motor

Hello riders this is about safe overtakes. Safety for yourself, your bike and others on the road. The key fact in safety is that you should be concerned about others on the road as much as you concern about yourself.

1. Make sure that your side mirrors are set perfectly so that you are able to see what’s going on behind you. Changing lanes come in handy during overtakes if the rear view mirrors are used. Simply changing lanes just like that may hinder the vehicle which is already on the lane.
2. Some remove the side mirrors for the reason that they will obstruct the progress while passing through a narrow gap in between two vehicles. Narrow overtaking is always dangerous because you may get squeezed between the vehicles or you may have to brake hard even if one of the vehicles moves towards you. Reacting to and handling your bike within that short period is almost impossible. Another terrible fact is that most of the CV’s (Tata Ace, Bolero Pick-up and the likes) have loose latches/rods sticking out on the sides. Any slack in your cloth may get hooked to them and you will be dragged along.
3. The worst case scenario comes with our public transports. If you are tailing them be careful that they may apply brakes suddenly to stop in their regular stops without slowing down early or any warning.
4. Adding to the chaos most of the heavy vehicles won’t have their tail lamps working intact. So always maintain a fair distance behind such vehicles. Here is a tip, if you are following such vehicles notice that the brake drums produce a squeaking noise whenever brakes are applied. Act according to that.
5. Never overtake a vehicle from the extreme left corner of the road. Because you will not know what is happening on the other side of that vehicle. Also the driver will be focused more on the right side of his vehicle because he won’t be expecting anything to his left as he thinks he is already in the corner.
6. On the highways don’t follow a vehicle which is already overtaking another. The driver may apply brakes suddenly if he gets an obstacle in his path. So wait until the vehicle has overtaken and make your move when the path is clear.
7. On dealing with oncoming traffic overtake one vehicle at a time. Make sure that you have enough space to place your vehicle back on the lane after overtaking. Also after overtaking don’t switch back to your lane close to the vehicle that you just overtook. Instead move a reasonable distance forward before you switch back. This allows the other driver to maneuver (if there is a need) without any hindrance.

These are only a few tips based on my riding experience, but there are infinite possible situations on the road. To be safe keep all your sensors (senses) active.
You have any more points in mind? Share it with us!

Yamaha R15 2.0′s details are out! Here are the take away points…

• The bike is priced at Rs.1,07,000 Ex-Showroom Delhi
• There is no major change in specifications compared to the old R15.
• R15 2.0 is available in 3 dazzling colours namely Racing Blue, Sunset Red and Midnight Black

• The bike features an aluminum swing arm for improved rear traction.
• R15 V2 is the first 150cc in India featuring aluminum swing arm.
• Split seats and LED tail lights. The seats are slip resistant and well cushioned. The new R15 has wider rear tyres than the old one. Has better grip and stability on the roads.

Very Effective Tips to Decrease Accident Chances on Road

1. First of all ensure to remove your side stand before starting the bike.

2. Never ride your bike when you are angry or frustrated.

3. Don't try to overtake in Corner's or in sharp bends and before overtaking make sure you overtake from the right side so that the driver can spot you easily.

4. Don't brake hard or use your disc brake when you ride on the fine layer of sand near the edges of the road. Sand proves to be the worst enemy for bikers and cause most accidents especially in cities.

5. Don't panic and lock your wheels when you encounter a Speed Bump suddenly instead of concentrating on down shifting pull the clutch and apply your front brake first and gradually your rear brake.

6. Always make sure you use your L/R Indicator while turning this to Left or Right 30 M ahead of your turn this will ensure you are not getting hit by vehicles from behind.

7. Never follow Heavy vehicles or Car's very closely because when they brake hard you will have less time/No time to react.

8. Ensure to note that with Pillion rider the bike behaves slightly different in accelerating and in braking .So calculate accordingly before you overtake other vehicles.

9. The most important thing you have to do is to believe in you that you can stop your bike at proper time no matter what may come.

10. Ride with proper riding gear especially with helmet (fasten your helmet straps) and ride safely. Remember after all someone is waiting for all of us back home.

Have a Nice Day,

Ride Safe, Wear Helmet!

Kawasaki Ninza 250R Special Edition for 2012 Let's Have a Look

Greetings! Not many days have passed since the Ninja 650 was rolled out and here we have some great news for all the Ninja fans across the world. Ninja 250R is certainly a bike that comes to everybody’s mind when one speaks of 250cc bikes. Ninja 250 fans across the world have a reason to celebrate as the 2012 Special Edition of the bike with varied color schemes has been spotted in Thailand from where the bike is sent across the world.

Apart from introducing new color schemes the company hasn’t made any significant changes to bodywork, engine, underpinnings or the mechanicals of the bike. Not only this, even the instrument cluster remains unchanged but the new color schemes are quiet good enough to calm the Ninja fans for now.

There is still a doubt whether these awesome color combos will be served to Indian consumers.  Lack of color options is probably one that hurts Indian consumers and so bringing in some new colors will only enhance the company’s brand. However there isn’t any update available that can assure that these colors are for India, we will have to wait and see if these color options are introduced in India or not but for now nothing can be assured.

The new color schemes are awesome as they add a sporty look to the bike. Also there is no denying the fact that introducing the color alternatives will attract more customers and enhances the bike’s creditability. The new Special Edition sports improved graphics and good sticker work that adds to the looks of the bike in more than one ways.  All in all, one can say that the company has tried to give this bike a new dimension by trying to add new colors and graphics. We will have to wait and see if the Special Edition succeeds or not when it is introduced.

New Bajaj Boxer BM 150cc

Bajaj has quietly launched the touted Bharat bike, Boxer BM 150 in the market which is aimed at the utilitarian market rather than the urban sporty bikes loving crowd.

The bike, to me, makes sense as it woud provide an option of ease of riding because of its bigger more powerful and more importantly more torque engine to the local rural guy whose main aim is to carry heavier luggage to different places.

I caught the bike at a local dealer in Pune and here are the main points which I noticed about the bike:

Important Points

- The bike is powered by a 150cc engine sans DTSi ie with a conventional single spark plug. Engine head is black colored with the remaining engine silver in color – resembles the Discovers mill.
- According to Bajaj, Boxer is targeted towards the rural crowd who want a no-frills good torque laden transport two wheeler
- Very conventional looking bike
- Round headlamp with a big (and a little disproportionate) windshield, round-oval orange side blinkers, basic tank, leveled seat, metallic grab rail cum light load holders
- Rear looks similar to older generation Boxer with a similar tail light
- Covered chain, commuter seating posture, spoke wheels.
- One good thing about Boxer is that self starter comes as standard. Also provided is the all important kick starting provision.
- Drum brakes both at the front and rear to keep costs under control. Though discs might have been an added advantage in most cases but considering the usage and riding habits of the targeted crowd, this seems to be a sensible move.
- Instrument panel consists of a speedometer calibrated till 140 kmph (reddened from 120 kmph) – highly optimistic..I don’t think it would have any crazy acceleration or top speed, odometer and a fuel gauge along with the neutral gear, upper and side blinkers indicators. Notice the absence of any tripmeter.
- Weighs low
- Electricals are all conventional with the light dependent on engine race. Also it was a little dim and difficult to read speedo-odo readings.
- Switchgear is all basic- light On/off switch (no parking light), electric starter, horn, side blinkers indictor button, upper/lower button and Pass switch.
- Tires are pretty fat from the conventional. Rear is 100/90 – 17 and front is a meaty 3.00 – 17 where the general convention is 2.75. Both tires are tube type and belong to some unknown brand called ‘MahaGrip’ (It might be a sub brand to some known company, however I am hearing it for the first time).
- Front suspension are the regular tubular telescopic whereas the rear are the Bajaj’s trademark Spring in Spring (SNS) suspension.
- Bajaj has kept its name away from the motorcycle. The only place which makes you sure that this is a Bajaj production is the small Bajaj moniker at the engine. At the tank ‘BOXER’ and side panels ‘BM150’ decals galore.
- Engine note had a ‘power’ cry to it.

Pricing

43,392 Ex showroom
1196 Insurance
3217 RTO
350 Smart Card
48,155 On Road Pune

This price makes Boxer the cheapest 150cc in the market today. Ironically the next cheapest 150cc is also a Bajaj product – Discover 150 which is Rs 55,761 OTR Pune. At this price point, Boxer competes directly with Hero Moto Corps different Splendor models like the CD Dawn, CD Deluxe, Splendor Plus, Splendor NXG, Super Splendor: HMSI’s 125cc Shine, TVS Star City; Yamaha Crux, YBR 110/125 etc.

Bare basic in nature, Boxer’s USP would be its bigger engine which would promise much better load carrying capabilities, superior performance and similar mileages as compared to the competition. Any Tom can predict that this bike has to prove itself to be a tough product which can withstand the abuse of rougher terrains, more frequency of heavier loads and slightly lesser maintenance timelines. And if this bike excels in this department, only then Bajaj can hope to gain any amount of share in this segment from the market leaders- Hero Moto since ages, who would/might also suffer from brand dilution after the exit of Honda from the JV.

This product comes right at the time when Bajaj senses they can carve into Hero Motos absolutely unbreakable grip on the market as people might also plan to move away from the company. If Boxer succeeds as a product, it would definitely take Bajaj surge closer to the market leaders. Check out the photos and make your own opinions about the bike.