Big things are in store for the Indian motorcycle market, thanks to Indian bike maker TVS. That’s because the company is launching its new product, the TVS Apache RTR 180 ABS.
TVS claims that the Apache RTR 180 ABS is the first bike in the Indian market to come equipped with Anti-Lock Braking System, a technology that will now allow its customers to take advantage of the new technology.
But more than just being ABS-ready, the Apache RTR 180 was designed to be a looker, and for all intents and purposes, it is one. For starters, racing GT graphics adorn the bike, providing a look that exudes racing sophistication. The luminous rims and the race crouch mirrors are also part of the bike’s set-up, highlighting the bike’s RTR racing pedigree. Bull horn grab rails have been ergonomically designed to aid the pillion rider in holding on tight while a superbike-style rear fender comes with a replaceable and functional mud flap and a dual texture seat to provide a comfortable seating arrangement.
Powering the Apache RTR 180 is a 177.4 cc 4-stroke engine that produces 17 horsepower @ 8,500 rpm and 15.5 Nm @ 6,500 rpm.
Find out more about the TVS Apache RTR 180 ABS after the jump.
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Exclusively sold in Italy to go with other Super Sport models, the Ducati 350 Super Sport was built as a smaller displacement model from 1989 to 1993 and traces its lineage to Ducati’s highly popular 900 cc Super Sport.
The 350 Super Sport was far from a slouch; it was powered by a 341 cc SOHC Desmo V-twin engine that was mated to a five-speed transmission, producing a stout 27 horsepower. Despite the svelte and sporty look, the 350 Super Sport was actually considered an economical bike, at least compared to the 400 cc Super Sport that was released in Japan and Germany until 1995 and the 600 cc Super Sport that was in production from 1993-1997.
The Ducati 350 Super Sport that was auctioned off at the 2012 RM Auctions in Monaco came in original condition, complete with a nice red paint finish. However, the bike was also noted as "needing some work," which probably explains why it only sold for €585 ($750), a number that’s far below its pre-auction estimated price of €2,800 - €3,800 ($3,600 - $4,900).
India’s Bajaj Company is no stranger to building some of the most popular bikes in the Indian market and their latest offering appears to be no different. The bike is called the Discover 150, and it comes packed with a tidy 144 cc engine that produces around 14 horsepower at 7,500 rpm and 12.74 Nm at 5,500 rpm.
In true Bajaj fashion, the Discover 150 is also the personification of style, thanks to an all-black styling that exudes a premium, sporty, and attractive look. Attractive graphics also highlight the bike’s outstanding design credentials, while LED tail lamps and alloy wheels add a touch of technology and class to the Discover 150’s overall package.
While there isn’t anything about the Discover 150 that stands out from the rest of its competitors, the bike is the kind of everyday ride that a lot of people enjoy. And as far as trying out a new thing, the Discover 150’s stature as the newest product from Bajaj also adds a certain appeal to it.
Find out more about the Bajaj Discover 150 after the jump.
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Back in 1980, the Ducati TT Corsa Pantah made headlines after it competed at the 1980 Italian National Junior Championship with four factory bikes built by no less than Franco Farne. The TT Corsa Pantah ended up winning five of seven races after being driven by Vanes Francini, Paolo Menchini and Guido Del Piano.
The bike’s red and yellow bodywork is only one of many stand-out qualities about the bike. For the TT Corsa Pantah, Farne used the 500SL frame and added a Marzoccchi racing suspension. Even the engine, a 583 cc SOHC Desmo V-tine single engine was capable of producing 70 horsepower at 9,800 rpm and mated to a five-speed transmission.
For this particular example, the seller has been on record saying that the bike was ridden by no less than Vanes Francini in the 1980 Italian Junior Series. It’s been tagged as in excellent condition, with red and yellow factory paintwork and unmarked fairing, Paioli front forks, oil cooler, Brembo brakes and adjustable rear shocks by Marzocchi are also part of the bike’s overall package.
Combine its history and current state, it’s no wonder why this TT Corsa Pantah was expected to fetch around €14,000 - €16,000, which is around $18,000 - $20,700 based on current exchange rates. Its actual purchase price at the auction was €11,700, or about $15,026 at the current rates. Ouch.
Some would say that the Ducati 350 Sport Desmo, together with the 500 Sport Desmo, was a bike that vindicated Ducati, especially after its predecessors failed to capture the market’s imagination the way Ducati wanted them to.
Following in the reins of the disappointing GTL models, the 350 Sport Desmo featured a plethora of upgrades, including the addition of Borrani rims, Marzocchi forks, and Brembo brakes. On top of that, the bike also came with a 350 cc SOHC Desmo parallel-twin engine that was mated to a five-speed transmission.
The bike was successful enough that Ducati even launched the 500 Sport Desmo and the racing 500 Super Sport in 1977, marking a return to form that only Ducati could have pulled of.
The 350 Sport Desmo that was shown at the 2012 RM Auctions in Monaco fetched €3,218 ($4,100), a price that was right on par with its pre-auction range €3,000 - €4,000 ($3,800 - $5,200).
As the brainchild of designer Pierre Terblanche, the Ducati MHE900 was born to commemorate Mike Hailwood’s remarkable comeback win at the Isle of Man TT in 1978. Essentially, the MHE900 is Ducati’s first attempt at E-Commerce, building 1,000 models of the bike and putting it up for sale on the Internet. As expected, the MHE900 was an immediate success, prompting Ducati to build another 1,000 numbered units.
In terms of design, the MHE900 comes with a retro styling that harkens back to the design of the 70’s. From the complicated tank and fairing to the dingle-sided steel swing-arm, the MHE900 is truly a bike that stands on its own two wheels. More than just its classic looks, the bike is also powered by an impressive powertrain in the form of a 904-cc, two-valve, air-cooled Desmo Super Sport engine.
The bike auctioned off at the RM Auctions in Monaco - Model No.3 of 2,000 - was about as new condition as any of the other models in existence. It’s been on a number of motor shows as a display bike and was even exhibited at the Ducati factory. Rest assured, this MHE900 is a bike that Ducati collectors would trip over their bids just to own.
Expected pricing for this bike was about €10,000 - €12,000, which is around $13,000 - $15,500 based on current exchange rates. Actual auction price was €12,870, or about $16,528 at the current rates.
More photos of the Ducati MHE900 Model No. 3 of 2,000 after the jump.
The new BMW Concept 6 has been described as an innovative, luxurious, and powerful BMW machine that has been adapted from the history and tradition of the BMW K-Series. The six-cylinder power unit on this motorcycle offers the kind of supreme and superior smoothness, refinement, and great power that has come to define BMW motorcycles.
Special for the Concept 6, the designers of the BMW Motorrad worked behind the designing and development of this motorcycle, while focusing their attention on the technical function and quality of the bike to give that emotional element of mixing man and machine.
The suspension of the BMW Concept 6 is built around a light-alloy bridge frame. It is accompanied by 17" HP forged wheels, which can be found on this motorcycle, and extra-large brake systems with six-piston fixed calipers. These wheels emphasize the bike’s sporty side, the appearance of the new machine, and the high level of technology put into it. This has all made the BMW Concept 6 a true two-wheeled masterpiece.
Find out more about the BMW Concept 6 after the jump.
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Ducati’s ’less-is-more’ philosophy behind all of its Monster line bikes underlines the Italian bikemaker’s never-ending pursuit of genuinely compact, high performance motorcycles. But what’s really impressive is that these new models have succeeded in being even more ’pared down’ than their predecessors.
Every single component on the new Ducati Monster 795 has been redesigned and redeveloped so it’s become far more imposing than what it already is.
Visually, the Monster 795 now features a simple digital instrumentation that provides an array of data on command or, at a glance, just speed and revs. Everything you need to know while riding this Monster, including scheduled maintenance warning, oil temperature, trip odometer, lap time, fuel reserve, warning light for low oil pressure, turn signals, over-rev warning, immobilizer and neutral warning light, is already at your disposal.
The digital display is programmed with a stopwatch function that, when enabled, can be triggered by using the high-beam flash button and each recorded time stored in a memory.
At the heart of the Monster 795 is Ducati’s legendary 803cc L-Twin cylinder, 2 valve per cylinder Desmodromic, air cooled engine that produces an unmistakable 87 horsepower while also providing enough torque to exit the most challenging of corners. The impressive torque, typical of the Ducati L-Twin engines, will excite with every twist of the throttle, while also giving riders the unmistakable performance credentials that could only come from a Ducati.
Find out more about the Ducati Monster 795 after the jump.
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50cc may not sound like a whole lot for an engine considering there are more powerful engines for bikes in the market, but there’s still a market for it. And as far as being one of the top dogs in the world of 50cc supersport motorcycles, the Aprilia RS 50 offers all the things you need in a bike of its size.
You might find it surprising that a bike like the RS 50 comes with lightweight wheels, radial calipers, an aluminum frame and swingarm, and an under-seat exhaust, but that’s what Aprilia has done with this bike. In the simplest of words, the RS 50 is a genuine sports motorcycle that comes packed with the sort of technology normally found only on a GP racer. Its eye-catching, racing lines and determined, aggressive shape tell you that the Aprilia RS 50 knows no compromise.
This 50 cc supersport is made to thrill and has all the performance needed to do so, thanks in part to a surprisingly powerful 50cc liquid cooled, single cylinder two stroke engine that offers the very latest design and technology, allowing it to deliver exceptional performance (6.25 kW at 10,000 rpm) for its size.
As far as style is concerned, the RS 50 draws inspiration from the flagship model of the Aprilia family, the RSV 1000 R, the very same twin that beat Japanese four cylinder racers to win the 2006 Master Bike trophy. Using the same technology used on the powerful RSV, Aprilia was able to build a 50cc bike that all other bikes in its segment fear the most.
Find out more about the Aprilia RS 50 after the jump.
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Even if the Aprilia RS4 50 belongs in one of the lightest classes in Moto GP racing, you can’t deny that the bike has produced some pretty amazing results in its short period of time.
When Aprilia decided to build the RS4 50, they did so while keeping in mind the recipe of a championship-winning bike. The livery and eye-catching form of the Aprilia RS4 50 echo the looks of the Factory version of the Aprilia RSV4 supersports, sharing more than just a family resemblance with the most hardcore street version bike dominating the world SBK championship.
The design of the fairings and tank, the unique looks of the front end, with the headlights suspended over the gaping air intakes, and the spectacular tapered tail fairing are identical to their counterparts on the V4 1000 cc supersports model that set new standards in terms of style and technical content for the superbike segment.
At the heart of the Aprilia RS4 50 is a single-cylinder 50 cc unit water cooled two-stroke with reed valve induction that comes mated to a six-speed transmission, allowing the rider to make full use of the performance of this class beating engine. This gives the bike the kind of championship-caliber performance that has defined Aprilia’s image as one of the best in the business.
Find out more about the Aprilia RS4 50 after the jump.
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