Tag Archives: Asia

Retro Roadster: China To Recieve Voge 350 AC

It’s no secret that China sports a large motorcycle community – many brands of which are new and strange to the Western and Central Hemispheres. 

Voge, a spin-off created by Loncin Industries (the single largest engine manufacturer in China), is one such brand.  Formed by a manufacturer with an annual production of 2.5 million motorcycles, 3 million engines, and 150,000 ATVs, Voge’s reach (though limited only to the Eastern and Central Hemispheres for now) is highly influential – and their bikes’ reputation isn’t half so bad either. 

A view of the all-new Voge 350 AC to soon be debuted in China

Ever heard of the Brivido 500 and Trofeo 300AC (not The Aprilia RS 660 Trofeo Is Coming Soon) ? They’re making a big splash in Italy at the moment, and this is just a couple of examples of some of the more popular models from Voge.

So when we heard that Loncin Industries was about to go release a retro-styling roadster under the Voge name to the good people of China, of course, we took the story. 

A view of the all-new Voge 350 AC to soon be debuted in China

According to RideApart, The 350 AC was recently revealed at the Chongqing Motor Expo, with the focus on the machine’s versatile 321cc motor. The report states that this small parallel-twin engine is technically “a reverse-engineered clone of Yamaha’s twin powering the likes of the YZF-R3 and MT-03”, capable of 42 hp @ 10,500rpm. 

Should the 350 AC find a debut in UK countries, A2-licensed riders will be able to take advantage of the power displacement, which also comes with a non-adjustable inverted fork, a preload-adjustable monoshock for the back, Nissin disc brakes with ABS, a full LED headlight, and a two-in-one exhaust system. 

A view of the all-new Voge 350 AC to soon be debuted in China

The price of this beastie has yet to be revealed, though the report states it’s very likely that we’ll be seeing this bike in dealerships by early Q1 of 2022. 

We’ll keep our eyes peeled (especially whether or not the 350 AC will be debuted anywhere else other than China); in the meantime, make sure to check out other neat motorcycles currently coming out of China.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Bajaj Teases India Launch of Pulsar 250F October 28

The world’s largest motorcycle manufacturer is about to launch its new brainchild, the Pulsar 250F, with the official launch in India on October 28th – a scant nine days from now. 

According to FinancialExpress, the Pulsar 250F is more of a celebratory bike, launched  to herald 20 years of the Pulsar brand being present on Indian markets – and one that will continue as a flagship for the affordable sports motorcycling segment. 

Despite this, Bajaj boasts that the quarter-liter Pulsar 250F will be their biggest yet – one that promises to sport a semi-faired aesthetic, complete with a second bike – fraternal twin in the form of a naked streetfighter set to be released on the same launch date.

The report states that both bikes will receive an “all-LED projector headlamp with LED DRLs, an LED taillamp, and even LED turn indicators. Bajaj’s latest official teaser video also hints that the Pulsar 250F might get an all-digital instrument cluster, stubby exhaust, and belly pan.”

A concept of how somebody thinks the Bajaj Pulsar 250F will look
A guess as to what the front of the Bajaj Pulsar 250F will look like at launch on October 28th.

Oh, and even though Bajaj is keeping mum on the upgraded specs of this beastie, we are told to anticipate a revamped version of the Dominar 250’s motor, as well as the obligatory telescopic forks at the front and a gas-charged Nitrox mono-shock absorber at the rear, complete with disc brakes and dual-channel anti-lock braking system. 

While the naked streetfighter is purportedly beyond competition for the TVS Apache RTR 200 4V and Yamaha‘s FZ 25, the 250F will likely not have any direct competitors. 

Both are guesstimated to cost somewhere around the ballpark of Rs 1.40 lakh ($1865.28 USD), with more information due to come soon.  Stay tuned, and make sure to check out other articles we’ve covered on what Bajaj is up to.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Sri Lanka is GO for motorcycle tours 

The island nation of Sri Lanka off the southern coast of India has been plagued by a long civil war, the 2004 tsunami, the 2019 bombing tragedy and the current pandemic.

However, it’s also a rider’s paradise and an excellent introduction to riding in Asia and the subcontinent region.

Now the country has opened up with no restrictions for international vaccinated travellers.

Having toured the country in 2018 with Extreme Bike Tours I can highly recommend them once Australian restrictions ease and we are allowed out of the country for recreation. 

Tour part-owner Ben says they are now “open for business and we are keen to get on the road”.Sri Lanka Royal Enfield Classic 350

“We are kicking it off with The Great Escape, our Hidden Sri Lanka Tour rebranded for this new age of freedom.” 

The company has announced dates for tours from 5-17 February, 26-10 March and dates to be confirmed for tours in July and August.

I did the 13-day Hidden Sri Lanka tour and was not expecting it to be rider heaven.

I did not expect there to be such a wide variety of roads from billiard-table smooth winging asphalt through the hills, dramatically tight hairpin turns that drop down a step at the apex, bumpy and gnarly mountain goat tracks and everything in between.

While you could ride some of the roads on a superbike, you might need an adventure bike for some of the others.

Extreme Bike Tours uses Royal Enfield Classic 350s, not only because there is a 400cc limit on motorbikes in the country, but because it is such an iconic subcontinent bike and is suitable for a wide variety of road surfaces.Hidden Sri Lanka Tour with Extreme Bike Tours

One of the tour company’s owners describes Sri Lanka as “India lite”, meaning it is a more accessible riding environment than the chaos of India.

There is still plenty of chaos in the towns and cities, but Extreme Bike Tours avoids most except the ancient former capital of Kandy.

Once out of these busy and vibrant centres, you head for the hills, coast, national parks and villages where the traffic is much easier to negotiate.

A side view of Triumph motorcycles for Triumph's Ride Out To Help Out Campaign

There is a lot to see in Sri Lanka if you can only peel your eyes off the gloriously challenging and diverse roads.

From idyllic palm-dotted golden beaches to tangling jungle forests, rugged mountain ranges and manicured hillside tea plantations, there is a host of natural beauty in this largely untouched country.

Then there are the man-made attractions of giant hilltop Buddha statues, bright coloured Hindu temples, old British colonial buildings and chaotically busy streets and marketplaces.

And finally there are the surprising roadside animal sightings. Hidden Sri Lanka Tour with Extreme Bike Tours 10%

On my trip, I saw elephants, monkeys, sambar deer, myriad birdlife, bats, buffalo, giant land and water monitors (lizards) and a couple of massive pythons slithering across the road … the entire width of the road!

And then there’s the food which is fresh, tasty and plentiful.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

SYM To Join List of Attendees for 2021 EICMA

The EICMA, or Esposizione Internazionale Ciclo Motociclo Accessori (also known as the International Motorcycle and Accessories Exhibition), is back in business!

A view of the 2019 EICMA
2019 EICMA

One of the top motorcycle expos that the world has to offer, the EICMA attracts motorcycle manufacturing giants like Kawasaki, Honda, KTM, Suzuki and Yamaha. These companies, among others, take the time to step to the stage and flaunt the latest and greatest from their brand, as well as a few choice prototype projects from the lab.

A view of the 2019 EICMA
2019 EICMA

You can bet your bottom dollar that any motorcycle brand in attendance at the EICMA is there to show off what they’ve got – so the fact that one Taiwan’s biggest manufacturers for affordable, mass-market scooters and small-capacity motorcycles has confirmed their attendance to this year’s event means that Sanyang Motor Co., Ltd. (SYM) has a series of new machines in the pipeline.

A view of BMW unveiling a machine at the 2019 EICMA

According to RideApart, SYM’s annual turnover in global production usually turns out more than one million vehicles – both two-wheeled and four-wheeled – and with the return of EICMA to everybody’s schedules in 2021, motorcycle manufacturers like SYM are eager to present, perform, and set precedents for the coming years. 

SYM’s most recent addition to the lineup includes the MAXSYM 400: A Euro-5 compliant, 4-stroke engined, single cylindered, 399 c.c. machine revealed at the 2019 EICMA and capable of handling up to 139 km/h and boasting 39.5 Nm / 5,250 rpm of torque.

A side view of the SYM MAXSYM 400, unveiled at the 2019 EICMA and one of the newer machines on the SYM Showroom floor
SYM MAXSYM400

Other features of the scooter include a very nice Traction Control System (TCS), a versatile 5-Position Adjustable Rear Suspension, Keyless start, and a decent curb weight of 215kg. 

The top of the all-new 2022 MV Agusta F3 RR

A view of the 2019 EICMA

With a machine like this out and about from SYM, it will be interesting to see what else the Taiwanese company has in store for their customers – they’ll definitely show it off at the EICMA, whatever it is.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Honda CRF190L ADV launched

Honda has launched an adventure motorcycle that’s perfect for new riders to set out trail hunting on. It’s part of the tried-and-tested CRF line and has a curb weight of just 145kg.

The downside? It’s available only in China (for now).

A side view of the Honda CRF190L ADV available in China
Credit: BikeAdvice.in

The CRF190L shares its engine with the 184.4cc single-cylinder on the CB200X recently launched in India. However, considering its off-road nature, the engine on the CRF is in a different state of tune. Peak output figures are around 16bhp and a humble 11lb-ft, which is a slight drop from what the CB200X has to offer. 

A side view of the Honda CRF190L ADV available in China

Yes, the power and torque figures are pretty modest, but there’s still reason to believe this will be an enjoyable motorcycle to tackle technical trails on.

A side view of the Honda CRF190L ADV available in China
Credit: Motoroids

Honda Sundiro, the Chinese subsidiary building and marketing the CRF190L, has mentioned that the bike has 241mm of ground clearance – that’s nearly as much as the 2021 Honda Africa Twin! Suspension travel is equally impressive as well, with a supposed 180mm at either end. 

A close-up of the Honda CRF190L ADV available in China
Credit: Youtube

As we mentioned, the bike has only been launched in China at the moment, but we could see it make its way to other Asian markets soon.

– Submitted by Vishal Venugopal

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

A New Yamaha R15 is Headed For India Next Week

Yamaha has just announced that an update to the R15 V3.0 will be launching in India on September 21. From what we’ve seen of the bike so far, TimesNowNews and we expect only aesthetic changes that have been inspired by the bigger Yamaha R7.

A side view of the new R15 3.0 coming out September 21
Credit: RevNitro

We also know that a new R15M variant will be introduced to the India line-up. Unfortunately, the ‘M’ badge doesn’t bring more performance or better hardware and is merely a color scheme. The R15M features a silver paint scheme with blue highlights, a color combination that trickles down from the R1M.

Other styling changes are predominantly to the front of the motorcycle. The main fairing appears to be slightly more prominent, and the older headlight arrangement has given way to one that’s, again, similar to the one on the R7.

A view of the new R15 3.0 coming out September 21
Credit: RevNitro

The most significant update has to do with the suspension as the R15 finally gets a USD fork. For some context, R15 V3.0 sold in other Asian markets like Indonesia was already equipped with an inverted fork, but the configuration never made its way to India.

We expect the bike to continue featuring the same 155cc, liquid-cooled, single-cylinder engine, though a type-approval government document has revealed that it will put out 18.3hp – 0.3hp lesser than the current model. 

A side view of the new R15 3.0 coming out September 21
Credit: RevNitro

The R15 is Yamaha’s most popular motorcycle in India, and enthusiasts are probably hoping for a lot more than the company will dish out for this release. We’ll have to wait a few more days to see what else the manufacturer has in store – maybe Bluetooth connectivity!

A close-up of the gas tank and handlebars on a 2022 Kawasaki Z650RS

– Submitted by Vishal Venugopal

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

A Full Indian Chief Lineup for India

India is about to be inundated with the all-new Indian Chief lineup, including the Chief Dark Horse, Bobber Dark Horse, and Super Chief Limited.

A view of the 2022 Indian Chief Bobber Dark Horse
2022 Indian Chief Bobber Dark Horse

Let’s get into it.

According to a report from ZigWheels, the motorcycle market in India has been relatively bereft of additions from Indian Motorcycle’s showroom.

Mid-weight bikes such as the Honda CB200X and the newest Benelli motorcycles have been growing in popularity, but the classic, big machine monsters haven’t seen quite as much hype.

A view of two 2022 Indian Chiefs, with riders enjoying the dusty landscape.
2022 Indian Chief

The ever-tightening motor regulations, combined with exclusive price points have kept the market less than juicy for these giants of the moto community.

That’s all about to change – and every one of these babies is about to sand down the pavement with 171 Nm of torque at 3000 rpm, courtesy of Indian’s new Thunderstroke 116 motor – a 1133cc Liquid-Cooled V-Twin engine that promises to spank the living daylights out of whatever trip you had planned next. 

A view of two 2022 Indian Chief Dark Horse motorcycles, with riders enjoying the dusty landscape.
2022 Indian Chief Dark Horse

The 2022 Chief Lineup will be arriving in India on August 27, 2021, with prices for the bikes starting in the Rs 20,75,922 range.

a view of the current progression of Mahindra & Mahindra's projection for this year

If you were one of the lucky blokes to learn of the pre-booking deposits back in March, you’re at the front of the line for a mere Rs 3 lakh

A view of two 2022 Indian Super Chief Limited Edition motorcycles, with riders enjoying the dusty landscape.
2022 Indian Super Chief Limited

Stay tuned for the big launch, and as always, make sure to check back at MotorBikeWriter for updates on all things two wheels.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Mercedes-Benz Releases Pre-Owned Marketplace Platform to Consumers

It’s happening, folks – the all-new Mercedes-Benz Direct-to-consumer Marketplace has just gone live in India!

A view of the Mercedes-Benz insignia logo

The platform has already been around in the form of a digital shop for a while (since late April) but needed a slight upgrade in lieu of present economic restrictions. 

A report from FinancialExpress states that the Mercedes-Benz Marketplace will feature the buying and selling of pre-owned and certified Mercedes-Benz moto machines while also giving the client a more simple, transparent, and secure transaction method.

a view of the scooter from the all-new Smart line of electric Moto machines from Mercedes-Benz
The Smart E-Scooter, from parent-company Mercedes-Benz

On top of helping the owner sell with minimal hiccups, the India-based platform will also provide the masses with a gigantic archive of pre-owned models; the pickings won’t be lean. The company has also released that there will be the option to upgrade a present vehicle. 

All told, the number of luxury vehicles for sale will contribute to the popularity of Mercedes-Benz herself since the mother company will be the officiant handling the go-betweens for each transaction. 

a view of the front of a Mercedes-Benz dealership

It is the hope of Mercedes-Benz India that the middle man will eventually be cut out for every transaction, including new model lineups.

Not only would this help with purchasing efficiency, but it would contribute to more accurate pre-order numbers and stave off delays. 

a view of the plan in motion for Mercedes-Benz India's marketplace

That means the up-and-coming two-wheeled options from Mercedes-Benz dealerships might also be on the list!

Winner winner, chicken dinner (hint: Mercedes-Benz has just struck a deal with MV Agusta…to be continued).

Stay tuned for more news in this sector, and check out what MV Agusta’s been up to lately.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Revolt Motors To Replace RV300 With New Budget-Friendly RV1

Revolt Motors is releasing their third motorcycle to the showroom – and it’ll be a tad more budget-friendly than its two siblings.

The India-based company made headlines back in 2019 when they released two electric motorcycles  – the RV300 and the RV400 – and succeeded in selling more than Rs 50 million ($67,1303.10 USD) worth of the models within a span of two hours.

a side view of the electric motorcycle, the RV300, from Revolt Motors
The Revolt RV300

With 2020 restrictions came several delays in the bikes’ international supply chains, harming the overall sales rates of the RV300 particularly.

Now, they’re looking to find similar successes with the more affordable Revolt RV1, which will replace the less-popular RV300 in both efficiency and power. 

a side view of the electric motorcycle, the RV400, from Revolt Motors
The Revolt RV400

The Revolt RV1 will also be the first motorbike to have all components produced in India, cutting down on the production costs. Here is a statement from the company, pulled from DriveSpark:

 “By December this year, our product will become completely make-in-India. We have been importing parts from China, but we are now focusing on every single supply from India. The manufacturing of the new bike will start from January.”

A report from Electrek estimates that the price of the RV1 will be around ₹75,000 INR, or $1,008 USD – an amazing price and one that was made possible by government incentives in the form of the ‘FAME II program.’ 

a side view of a motorcycle from Revolt Motors

What’s in store for the rest of the inventory of the RV300? 

a view of some of Roger Hammond's classic collection, which he will be auctioning off to support a new business venture, called "The Smallest Cog"

a bi-split image showing that the RV300 motorcycle from Revolt Motors will be sold to Dominos for delivery motorcycles

The Dominos fast-food chain has laid a claim on the remainder of the models. It will apparently be purchasing the remainder of the RV300 inventory, repurposing them into company machines, and discarding their current gas-powered vehicles in favor of electric-run bikes

Manufacturing of the Revolt RV1 will start January 2022, so stay tuned for the full spec updates.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Taiwan Says Two-Wheeled Industry Is Booming – Especially Spare Parts

With an increase in desire for travel, efficiency comes a blow-out to an entirely different corner of the market – and Taiwan has some numbers to bounce to the forefront.

According to a report from TaipeiTimes, the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MEA) has released that the two-wheeled industry is booming in all the best ways.

Taipei, with many riders traversing the streets

The value increase of the motorcycle and scooter spare parts industry was measured from 2012 to 2020 and showed a beefy 5.2 annual increase rate across the board.

Record highs were logged in 2019, with the output value of the first quarter alone reaching an average of USD$1.29 billion. As if that weren’t all, the end of the year saw the spare parts industry value balloon out to a mind-boggling USD$4.4 billion. 

2020 saw an even larger increase, hitting USD $4.7 billion by the end of the year, despite ongoing restrictions. 

an employee working on a motorcycle on a factory floor

The overall increase in industry value is also apparently due to the explosion of exports in both gas-powered and electricity-powered motorcycles and scooters and the sale of ebikes. 

Fitzroy tram markings with OmniGrip slippery

Some further specs for the industry:

2020

  • The production value of gas-powered motorcycles and scooters rose 27.8%, compared to 2019.
  •  The production value of electric-powered scooters rose 29.8%, compared to 2019.
  • The two main receivers of Taiwan exports for motorcycles and spare parts were the Netherlands and the US (Previously, Japan).
  • Exports to the Netherlands reached USD $480 million, up 29.8%, compared to 2019.
  • Exports to the US reached USD $400 million, up 20.7%, compared to 2019.

For more industry-related news, head over to WebBikeWorld.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com