REVIEW OF HUNK,CBZ,PULSAR 220 AND APACHE

Engine : Air Cooled, 4 - Stroke Single Cylinder OHCDisplacement : 149.2 ccMax Power : 10.6 Kw (14.4 Ps ) @ 8500 rpmTorque : 12.80 N-m @ 6500 rpmBore x Stoke : 57.3 X 57.8 mmCarburettor : C. V TypeIgnition : AMI - Advanced Microprocessor Ignition SystemGear Box : 5 Speed Constant MeshType : Tubular, Diamond TypeSuspension :Front- Telescopic Hydraulic Shock AbsorbersRear- Rectangular Swing Arm with 5 Step Adjustable Gas Reservoir Suspension - GRSBrakes :Front- Disc: 240 mm Dia Disc - Non Asbestos TypeRear- Drum: Internal Expanding Shoe Type (130 mm), Non Asbestos Type.Rim Size :Front- 18 X 1.85, Alloy WheelRear - 18 X 2.15, Alloy WheelTyre Size:Front- 2.75 X 18 42PRear-100/90 X 18 - 56P (With Tuff-up Tube)Battery : 12V -7 AhHead Light : 12V - 35 / 35 W = Halogen Bulb (Mulit Reflector Type)Tail Lamp : 12 V - 5WStop Lamp : 12V - 21WTurn Signal Lamp : 12 V - 10W x 4 nos, Clear Lense, Multi reflector Type.Fuel Tank Capacity : 12.4 LtrsReserve- 2.2 Ltrs (Usable Reserve)Length : 2080 mmWidth : 765 mm’Height : 1095 mmWheel Base: 1325 mmSaddle Height : 795 mmGround Clearance : 145 mmKerb Weight : 143 Kg (Kick) / 145 Kg (self)

The Hero Honda CBZ Xtreme has little in common with its earlier version the Hero Honda CBZ except a similar headlamp. With the Hero Honda CBZ Xtreme, Hero Honda has tried a radical departure from its earlier 150 cc design themes. The success of this approach is proven by the fact that since its launch in 2006, the Hero Honda CBZ Xtreme has been selling almost 15, 000 to 20, 000 units per month, and crossed the 50, 000 mark within April 2007. This large, handsome, and good-looking bike has more to it than meets the eye.

Looks

Tubular diamond-frame type chassis with a single down tube and a box-section swing arm

Matt-black powder-coated engine block

Matt-black alloy wheels

Black plastic lower side panels striped across by a shiny chrome sash

Split hand grips for the pillion rider gives a different look

Additional Teflon coat over visible silvery surfaces

The side indicators that usually stick out in other bikes are integrated into the headlamp housing

A strip of clear glass above the headlamp conceals the parking lamp or pilot lamps positioned above the headlight

Body colored rear mirrors adds color to the handlebar area

Classy, brushed-steel console finish

Rugged knee recesses built into the large, shapely fuel tank with Xtreme's logo emblazoned across its sides

Aircraft type fuel tank lid

Deeply contoured seat

Sculpted and sharp rear cowl

Rear indicators integrated into rear LED headlamps

Non-metallic bright colors

Control

Extremely compact body design meant for swift turn-in

Awesome acceleration: 0 - 60 kmph in 5 seconds

4-stroke air-cooled single cylinder engine, producing 14.4 bhp at 8500rpm

Maximum torque12.8Nm at 6500rpm

Fine tuned throttle responses with low engine noise

Efficient self start instantly powers up the engine

Low engine noise makes it hard to detect a running engine

Splendid stability and fabulous turning ability

CBZ-X travels in a straight line and doesn't skid even at turns at 100kmph

Forward leaning position enhances effortless braking

Split rear grip, again a first-time feature in motorcycles in India

Instrument cluster contains analogue gauges, including a speedometer, fuel gauge, and an engine-rpm meter in addition to turn, neutral indicators, and a powerful high beam

Comfort

Powerful high beam builds safety for the night rider

The large speedometer, smaller tachometer, and fuel gauge can be read quickly and easily

Tinted cowl improves aerodynamics and cuts the glare on the bike's instrumentation

Relaxed and comfortable riding

Upright posture doesn't strain wrists

Generous knee recesses built into the fuel tank are friendly for tall riders

Well placed footrests

Forward leaning position enhances effortless braking

Disc brake is highly efficient and gives instant response

New brake pedal has a little toe guard for the big toe and a all-chrome tab to press on

Extremely good suspension built with the fast moving solo rider in mind

High ground clearance allows riders to see forward over hatchbacks and sedan cars

Wide 100/90 low aspect ratio rear tyre for additional road grip and safety

Tail lamp cluster has a segmented stop-and-brake light section with turn indicators built into a single unit

Puncture resistant tuff up tube increase reliability of performance

The CBZ Xtreme has the best gearbox in its class, smooth and free from problems

Mileage and Economy

New model comes with a 3-year / 40,000 kms warranty

CBZ-X gives 50kmpl in city roads 61kmpl on highways

Tuff up tubes are economical vis-a-vis emergencies

Black Alloy Wheels have low maintenance

The launch of Pulsar 220 was a low-profile affair, away from the media glare.

Priced at Rs 84,000, ex-showroom Pune, about 20 units of the bike have already been booked by customers with a down payment of Rs 10,000. A total of 35 units are allotted to the showroom and is sold on a first-come-first-serve basis. The next batch of the bikes will only be delivered by February.

The bike is expected to be launched in Mumbai by the second half of January next year. The bike will be in all the Bajaj showrooms across the country by the start of February.

In Mumbai, the bike will be priced in the range of Rs 87,000 to Rs 88,000, ex-showroom Mumbai.

Bajaj has gone for a soft launch technique known as ‘test launch’, wherein the company will be playing a wait-and-watch game to see the initial response.

Bajaj’s second big offering for 2007 is Pulsar 200, which is expected to be launched in January next month. Sources said the bike will be a direct launch, priced in the range of Rs 70,000 to Rs 80,000, ex-showroom Mumbai.

Interestingly, only those customers who are able to produce a proof of residence in Pune will be able to buy the vehicle.

The waiting period for Pulsar 220 is 10 to 12 days and is available in three colours – blue, black and red.

The bike will be directly pitted against the company’s arch rival Hero Honda’s Karizma, which is priced in the same range with relatively same power output. Hero Honda is also currently testing the fuel injected version of the Karizma with the launch slated for February-March 2007.

Bajaj Pulsar DTS-Fi 220 has a single-cylinder, air-cooled, 4-stroke engine, belting out 20 bhp of power with 1.95 kg of torque.

This results in high combustion efficiency and low performance variability between engines, precise metering of fuel for highest outputs and lower emissions. It also helps in easy engine starts in all-weather conditions and altitudes.

The bike also boasts of the best-in-class fuel economy with natural, air-cooled, 4-stroke engine employing a oil cooler, a first in India.

Taken from Business Standards

The email response shown in this post NOT received by me! Its taken from XBHP.com. After seeing it i called on a number given in that forum (Shown above) and confirmed it myself. About 200cc news and price , i got it from xbhp. So what i have confirmed personally is that pulsar 220 is available in pune and costs 83k. He said it will be released nation wide before january 20th.

APACHE 160 RTR MOTORCYCLE

TVS Apache RTR 160 motorcycle almost here!

The popular TVS Apache gets a big brother that has the CBZs and Pulsars quaking - the Apache RTR 160!

8 May, 2007

I would never call a 160 bhp motorcycle anything superlative. Matter of principle. King of the road, street scorcher, whatever - they are names reserved for motorcycles above 600 cc and should remain so. But if I come down to earth and look at Indian roads, there is a different world around. Here, we have little four stroke machines that do their own little bit of scorching and wheeleing, and in that world, it has its own little tyrants and knights. The Karizma, the Pulsar 200 DTS-i, the CBZ X-Treme, TVS Apache, Pulsar 150.. and that world has just got a new claimant - the TVS Apache RTR 160 motorcycle. Priced right against the other 150 cc models from other manufacturers at Rs 60,000 approx, the Apache RTR with its 160 cc will really be serious temptation for anyone looking for a 150cc category motorcycle.

The TVS Apache motorcycle impressed us all first when they had those bad boys on motorcycles in their TV ad spots that went "now or never" , and "dhinchal dhnchak". The styling caught everyone's eye, and it look just a little while for the Apache to capture everyone's imagination - tired as they were of the Pulsar 150s, 180s that were ruling the road. The TVS Apache quickly captured hearts - OverDrive, BS Motoring and Autocar named it Bike of the Year 2006 and sales were good.

Sometime later, TVS decided to up their game. And thus we have the TVS Apache RTR 160. Adding only 10 cc meant that the bike will still be evaulated against the Pulsar 150 DTS-i - its primary competitor - while beating it easily. Possible, as the TVS motorcycle still weighs some 7 kilograms less than the CBZ X-Treme and Pulsar 150. The Pulsar models have steadily seen upgrades in style, cowl, LCD speedos and LCD tail-lights, and the Apache was going to do all that - plus beat the Pulsar 150 DTS-i on the streets. And going by initial impressions, that is exactly the RTR 160 will do.

So what is the RTR? It is supposed to mean Racing Throttle response - don't take that phrase too seriously, without or without it, the motorcycle will do what it promises. In the TVS Apache RTR 160, the engine capacity si up to 159.7cc. To increase torque, as well as to boost top end whack, bore and stroke were changed to 62 and 52.9 m. What The Apache RTR 160 will give you is 15.2 bhp at 8500 rpm, and a torque of 1.31 kgm at 6000 rpm. To put it in perspective, the the power produced is more than what the original Pulsar 180 did when it hit the market. But the RTR 160 is a lighter motorcycle than the Pulsar 150 and its other competitor, the Hero Honda CBZ X-Treme.

What is the performance on offer? There are no official test rides done by anyone so far - but there are many who rode it and came away and penned down their very favourable first impressions. What TVS claims is a 0-60 kmph figure of 4.8 seconds, and 100 kmph would come up in 17.7 seconds. Actual figures would be a little less exciting than that normally - not that you would still complain. Max speed is claimed to be 118-120 kmph. Almost everyone who rode one claims that the RTR 160 Apache.

The more noticeable difference is the length - the TVS Apache RTR stretches a 2020 mm end to end. The swingarm is 40 mm longer in the RTR 160, all the better for stability. There is a 270 m petal disc- new for India - that cools better and stops great. There is nice styling touches all over in all those places no one would bother earlier. So you have clip-on aluminum handlebars (yay!), LED tail lamp, so-called aircraft-style fuel cap, split grab rail ... The Apache RTR 160 also features the now standard tachometer, clock, trip meter, fuel guage and odometer.

You are not going to complain about style with the Apache RTR 160. I don't care much for the front fairing (didn't like it in the original Apache either), but the RTR's engine cowl is a neat touch - and the racing stripes, yes! Even the wheels will have a nice pinstripe running along the rim, adding to the style. Some don't care much for the racing stripe on the front mudguard and elsewhere - but that is a standard complaint between the ones who like their motorcycle plain vs embellished.

TVS Apache RTR 160 price in Delhi, Mumbai and other cities

Approx Rs 60,000. Accurate info awaited from TVS.