Yamaha India authenticates a 200-250cc motorcycle for India

Yamaha India is planning to export a bunch of it’s commuter motorcycles to Africa to shore up it’s revenues. Now, for you the Indian motorcycle enthusiast, that is something as boring as say Kareena Kapoor in a ugly green jump suit. But what you will definitely please you is the fact that there is official word emerging from Yamaha India, that there is indeed a 200-250cc motorcycle lined up for the Indian motorcycle market in the future.

While it still remains unclear as to how quickly Yamaha India will launch the 200-250cc motorcycle to ensure that it remains in the thick of things in the very hot 250cc premium motorcycle market in India, which of late is seeing plenty of action. If you’re an Indian motorcycle enthusiast, there’s no better a time to start saving up.

We’re hoping that Yamaha India brings it’s latest 250cc offering soon as arch rival Honda has just launched the 2011 Honda CBR250R to an overwhelming response and is targeting no less than 30,000 units per year in sales. One bummer of course is the fact that Yamaha India will launch a 150cc scooter only after the next two years. So, all those of you expecting the zany Yamaha BW125 may have to wait for longer as scooters don’t yet seem to be Yamaha India’s priority for now.

Meanwhile, here’s what Hiroyuki Suzuki, the new managing director and chief executive of India Yamaha Motor Pvt. Ltd, had to say.

Keith Code is moving to India

India is (as you hopefully know if you have been paying attention) quickly becoming the largest motorcycle market in the world. Over the last several years there, the market has finally started to see motorcycles with displacements in excess of the seemingly ubiquitous 125cc motorbike which every family owns.

Ducati, Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Yamaha, etc. – all the major players have introduced full-sized, large displacement motorcycles of many different classes to the Subcontinent and the dealers are having trouble keeping them on their showroom floors.

California Superbike School's Keith CodeNow, India does have a huge education system – though it does under-serve its population, it is incredibly advanced and expansive – but they lack racing schools, at least any which are professionally organized and staffed. Keith Code’s California Superbike School (CSS) will now hold classes inside this huge Asian nation with the help of local appliance giant Preethi.

The California Superbike School was founded by Keith Code in California some 30 years ago. That time has been used very well by the riding instruction genius as he has managed to expand the school into 15 countries all around the world. Code has also hired experienced riders and racers to instruct the students in the best way to get a bike around a track; the instructors are all very communicative, understandable, and they know well what they are talking about.

CSSCalifornia Superbike School's Keith Code (old photo) has developed its own technology to help with instruction off of the track. Some of their training aids have even created controversy in the industry they support, but some have proven some long-held beliefs wrong. Everything the CSS does is geared towards learning and improving your ability to ride a motorcycle. And, whether you believe it or not, taking a class with them will help you ride any motorcycle better – period.

Keith Code actually started his CSS work in India last year; it went very well and CSS had a roster full of participants from all over the country. That success led CSS to return again, but this time they brought an all-star instructor squad with them. In fact, Keith Code himself participated in teaching students, and he had a blast doing so.

The most recent CSS event was held at the Madras Motor Sport Track in Chennai back in January. Over 100 riders – including several Indian professional racers who also joined in to hone their own already excellent riding skills – New CSS BMW S1000RRparticipated over the five days of classes offered. The sessions were very successful and every student walked away impressed with the school and what they learned; all were eager to go again.

New CSS BMW S1000RRCSS will return to what is the world’s second largest motorcycle market again in 2012, and they may even expand beyond their one-track setup. In fact, the CEO of Preethi, TT Varadarajan, who has attended CSS classes since the 1990s, will be working to make the school a fixture in the nation of India. According to Varadarajan, helping India’s racers improve their skills to further their growth in the racing world is one goal, but making the nation’s riders safer is their primary focus.

Based on the results, with riders traveling from all over the country to attend, and all of them praising their time there, CSS and Preethi have hit upon a fantastic idea. All they need to do now is find a way to accommodate the huge number of riders in India who wish to attend – any riding instructors interested in moving?

Strong yen pulls down Maruti Suzuki’s stock to five-week low

Shares of Maruti Suzuki India Ltd, the country’s largest car maker and a unit of Japan’s Suzuki Motor Corp., plunged 4.4% on Thursday to a five-week low as the Japanese yen appreciated against the rupee and other currencies.

At least 20% of Maruti’s imports are yen-denominated and strengthening of the currency against the rupee may mean that the Indian unit may have to pay more for purchasing parts from Japan. Maruti’s stock price declined to Rs.1,169.25 on the Bombay Stock Exchange, compared with the benchmark Sensex’s 1.1% drop.

The yen has gained 4.8% against the rupee since 11 March, when an earthquake and a tsunami hit Japan, according to calculations made based on the Reserve Bank of India’s reference rate. On Thursday, the rupee closed at Rs.57.14 per 100 yen compared with Rs.55.92 on Wednesday.

The extent of the currency impact on Maruti’s profitability would depend on how long the appreciation continues, said Mahantesh Sabarad, an analyst at Fortune Equity Brokers (Ind) Ltd. Maruti buys yen worth Rs.3,600 crore a year to import parts and pay royalty to Suzuki Motor, he said.

In the December quarter, Maruti paid Suzuki a royalty of 5.2% of its net sales, according to a Bloomberg report in January.

Sabarad said theoretically Maruti buys yen worth Rs.10 crore a day on an average. Hence, a 5% appreciation against the rupee in the past six days would mean a potential loss of Rs.2-3 crore a week. But he added that this would depend on a combination of factors such as treasury actions like hedging taken by the company and the price points at which it buys the yen.

Ajay Seth, Maruti’s chief financial officer, said the yen’s strengthening has not had any impact on the company’s profitability so far as it had hedged the currency in the beginning of the current quarter. “We hedged it at the levels which is much better than the current one,” Seth said. “It can be a concern if it continues to be strong.”

Maruti imports around 20% of its parts from Japan and has adequate supply of these components for about three months, Seth said in an interview with Bloomberg News.

In an earnings call on 29 January, after announcing its third-quarter results, he had said the company’s strategy for this year would be to keep the yen exposure open because it believed the currency could either improve or depreciate against the dollar.

Kiran Deshmukh, chief operating officer at Sona Koyo Steering Systems Ltd, which imports certain components from Japan to make steering, suspension and other parts for car makers including Maruti, said the company has not faced any problem as the southern region of the island nation, which houses many of the factories that supply the parts, was not affected by the calamity.

The appreciation of the yen against the rupee may also affect other car and bike makers in India that have Japanese parents such as Honda Siel Cars India Ltd, Toyota Kirloskar Motors Ltd, India Yamaha Motor Pvt. Ltd and Suzuki Motorcycle India Pvt. Ltd.

Ajay Shethiya, analyst at Centrum Broking Ltd, said the quarter-on-quarter impact on Maruti’s profitability on account of a stronger yen would be limited. Higher royalty costs and an unfavourable yen and euro had singed Maruti’s third-quarter profits as well.

Three of the Japanese Big Four motorcycle makers Honda, Suzuki and Yamaha down factory shutters due to the effect of Tsunami

The Japanese earthquake and tsunami is truly bringing the Japanese auto industry to a grinding halt even as three of the Big Four Japanese motorcycle makers, Honda, Suzuki and Yamaha have decided to down their factory shutters to recuperate from the massive and widespread destruction the natural calamity has caused.

While the other motorcycle maker of the quartet, Kawasaki, has not released any official information about the status of it’s Japanese operations, there exists a very strong possibility of Kawasaki also putting production on temporary halt even as Japan is still under high alert due to a possibly nuclear plant meltdown.

While the tragedy has already claimed a large number of human lives and torn apart Japan’s highly evolved infrastructure, it’s effects could last much longer than even the Kobe earthquake of 1995, whose $10 Trillion damage  figure might be easily crossed  by the current natural disaster.

In India, high end CBU motorcycles that were scheduled to be shipped from Japan for customer deliveries, could be delayed by a month or two while other spare parts too will see delays due to factories being closed and other component suppliers being badly affected by the killer quake and tsunami. Let’s hope and pray that Japan, like always manages to come our stronger from this tragic event.

Bike makers speed up launch plans for premium models

Honda, Bajaj, Yamaha and Mahindra are revving launch plans for the 200cc and above notorcycle segment. Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India, the country's fourth largest two-wheeler producer, will be first off. It plans to launch the CBR 250 next month, at a price tag of around Rs 1.5 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi).The Japanese subsidiary has already started accepting bookings and got 2,500. Delivery of the CBR 250, whose cost will be on par with the entry-level model of Tata's Nano car, will start by the end of April, stated a senior executive of the company.

Naresh Rattan, operating head of sales and marketing for HMSI, said: "The initial response for the CBR 250 is very encouraging. We are on track for launching in April." The engine and most other components are being made locally. HMSI hopes to sell 30,000 units of the bike in the first 12 months after the launch.

The segment where Honda plans to sell this premium bike is presently dominated by Bajaj, Royal Enfield and Hero Honda. Although the segment is small, with sales of around 160,000 units a year, it is growing in high double-digits, say industry players. Thus, it has attracted others, too.

Bajaj Auto, India's second biggest bike maker, will launch the Duke 200 later this year. This has been developed in association with its Austrian partner, KTM Power Sports AG, where Bajaj holds 38 per cent stake. The Pune-based company had plans of launching the 125cc version of the bike before deciding against it last year. Bajaj is expected to price the bike in the same space as Honda's CBR 250.

Rajiv Bajaj, managing director, stated the cost of manufacturing the Duke 200 would bevery similar to the Duke 125. KTM is to remain a premium brand as compared to Bajaj, which would continue to be the more mass-market one in the domestic market.

Mahindra 2 Wheelers, from the Mahindra Group, has rescheduled the launch of its Mojo motorcycle, a 300cc performance touring bike, in the second half of this year. It was initially supposed to go on sale in January but had to be upgraded with technology inputs and added features. There would, however, be no rise in the price of the vehicle, which was nearly Rs 1.8 lakh, stated a senior official from the company.

Yamaha, the Japanese motorcycle maker, will launch a 250cc version of one of its bikes before the end of this year. Hero Honda Karizma, the only performance bike from the market leader, sees sales of 2,500-3,500 units per month. The Pulsar 220 from Bajaj sells 5,000-5,500 units every month.

The Kawasaki Ninja 250, assembled at the Chakan, Pune, facility of Bajaj, records sales of 40-50 units per month. Bajaj has priced its Pulsar 220 at around Rs 70,000, while the Karizma ZMR is sold for nearly Rs 100,000 each. The Yamaha R15, a 150cc motorcycle, is the most costly bike in its class and sold for a little more than Rs 110,000. About 2,000 units of the bike are sold every month.

Yamaha introduces VMAX at METI Exhibition

The exhibition organized by METI (Ministry of Economy, Trade & Industry) Govt. of Japan along with India Design Council (IDC) & FICCI, ruminated on the relevance of Design in the automobile sector.

In a bid to emphasize on the relevance of design in Automobile sector, India Yamaha Motor Pvt. Ltd. showcased its flagship muscle bike VMAX at the three day long Japanese Design Exhibition – ‘Good Design is Good business’. As part of the Exhibition, Yamaha participated in a Presentation Session today to throw light on the design aspect of VMAX, from its super bike arsenal.

The VMAX is a monster machine with a 1679cc V4 engine, boasting a displacement 10 times larger than the average motorcycle in India. The highlights in the VMAX design are “creation of a true original” among motorcycles. The design expresses both dynamism and pursuit of the extremes of “power and beauty,” which are linked concepts that are deeply rooted in the cultural environment of Japan. The pride of Yamaha is the V-4 engine which is inspired by a power that feels almost infinite. This made the designers of VMAX use the infinity symbol (?) as motif for the engine’s input and output components.

This second generation model is the first model change in 23 years as it percolated from the highly original shape of the first “VMAX” introduced in 1985. The VMAX has always had a strong influence on the market and is a symbol of power that has become an industry standard. It enjoys a status symbol associated with style, power and machismo among motorcycle lovers to this date.

The design philosophy of Yamaha is equally expressed in the mass motorcycle models such as FZ & SZ series. In FZ16, the “triple macho” concept guides the overall silhouette of the bike, the individual body parts & the chassis and produces a wonderfully wild and rugged impression. The SZ series design is developed around the concept of the stylish urban commuter and is intended to create an impression of “powerful and robust” and a “sensation of high speed”.

Commenting on the occasion, Mr. Jun Nakata, Director - Sales & Marketing, India Yamaha Motor said, “Being supported by bodies - METI, IDC and FICCI, Good Design Exhibition is a unique platform to reach out to our audience and industry alike. Our presence at this Exhibition is vital to demonstrate the technical prowess of our products and showcase the Yamaha DNA. Since 2008, Yamaha has been pulling out all the stops when it came to product innovation and technological advancements. Practically every model which the bike lovers drooled over in the past made in-roads to the Indian market -- the R1, MT 01 & VMAX, the racing R15, the lord of the streets FZ, the powerful commuter SZ series and the potent YBR”.

“With the launch of VMAX in 2009, the Indian riders got a chance to experience the true ‘Art of Engineering’, which lies at the heart of Yamaha’s creations. VMAX offers the very latest in advanced design and technology for an awesome acceleration feeling, combined with bodywork and styling that respects and enhances the iconic image of the original model. ”, added Mr. Nakata.

METI (Ministry of Economy, Trade & Industry) Govt. of Japan in association with India Design Council (IDC) & FICCI have jointly organized this exhibition. In connection with efforts to spread international awareness of Japan’s “Good Design Award,” which features a 50-year history, and in order to foster creation of a win-win relationship benefiting both Japan and India, METI had organized this exhibition in New Delhi, India.

Gulf cup Dirt Track Racing – Mohammad Ali requests famed motorcycle riders

Bhopal: The 21-year-old young novice Bhopal lad Mohammad Ali Khan was the cynosure of all eyes as he humbled famed motorcycle riders in the Clash of Titans in the Gulf Cup Dirt Track Racing in the Novice class for motorbikes up to 165cc 2-stroke to emerge with flying colours.

Dashing and adventurous Mohammad Ali, who is a trainee pilot, riding on his Yamaha – 135 gave the home fans lots to cheer as he beat back a stiff challenge from Santosh Kumar of Coimbatore to win the seven laps race and make his parents proud.

Santosh Kumar stood second while Suhail Ahmed of Bangalore was placed third in the race. Mohammad Ali was presented a glittering trophy and certificate along with a cheque of Rs. 22,500/- as first prize. Santosh and Suhail received trophies, certificates and cheques of Rs. 15000/- and Rs. 12000/- as second and third prize respectively.

It may be mentioned here that a day earlier Mohammad Ali Khan had finished second behind Muzaffar Ali in the Local Class Group C – Motorcycles up to 165cc – 2 stroke in the third leg of the Gulf Dirt Track Racing. He had received Rs. 2300/- cheque for his efforts.

Talking to this Correspondent after the race elated Mohammad Ali said that this is the second year when he participated for the second time in the race. “This is my biggest achievement”, he exclaimed. When asked about his ideal he revealed that it is none other but Syed Asif Ali, also of Bhopal, who dominated on the scenes of motorsports winning the title of India's most skillful rider in 2007.

A beaming Mr. Mohammad Sarwar Khan, father of Mohammad Ali, while distributing sweets following the spectacular success of his progeny informed that his son has completed 152 of his 200 hours Commercial Pilot training course schedule. He is undergoing pilot training in the Madhya Pradesh Flying Club at Bhopal, he added.

Meanwhile, India’s leading riders gave Bhopal’s motorsport fans something to shout about as they went through the motions in the third leg of the Gulf Dirt Track Racing and Clash of Titans at the BHEL Dussehra Ground over the weekend. If they got a glimpse of what dirt track racing was all about when the third leg of the event, organized by Sportscraft, was run on Saturday, the Clash of the Titans, which pitted only the best riders of the previously held legs in Hyderabad, Nasik and Bhopal, that followed on Sunday was a virtual feast of top class riding.

Bangalore’s Naresh VS of TVS Racing Team was the toast of the crowd which had gathered in large numbers, with teenagers dominating the scene, to cheer the riders performing dare devil feats to their heart content. Naresh scored a rare double when he stood first in both races of Motorcycles up to 130cc and 165cc 4 strokes categories in which he participated. He garnered total prize money of Rs. 45,000/- from the two races along with trophies and certificates.

While in motorcycles up to 130cc race Santosh Kumar of Coimbatore and Sarath KP of Calicut were placed second and third to earn Rs. 15,000/- and Rs. 12000/- respectively as prize money. In the race up to 165cc Yasir Ishaq a local lad, and 17-year-old Siddanth Nayak of Bangalore, the youngest competitor in the race, finished second and third respectively to pocket Rs. 15000/- and Rs. 12000/- cheques accordingly as prize money.

Arvind K. P. and H. K. Pradeep of TVS Racing Team came up with brilliant displays in the Clash of the Titans to emerge the undisputed kings of dirt track motorcycle racing in India. The Bangalore riders Arvind and Pradeep showed the class champions are made of to upset the applecart of their TVS Racing teammate C. S. Santosh, who was favourite going into the Clash of Titans after the brilliant display on Saturday, and take the honours, as the trio proved a distinct class above the field.

Arvind and Pradeep hogged limelight as they won one race each of the two races they participated in the Indian Expert Class Group A Foreign Motorcycles up to 250cc & Group B up to 260cc respectively and remained second accordingly in the other. They relegated CS Santosh to third place in one race and Vishal Barguje, another Bangalore rider, in the other race. Like in the previous rounds, Arvind and Pradeep, astride TVS bikes, were clear winners in the Indian Expert class Group A for foreign motorcycle despite being challenged all the way by CS Santosh and Barguje.

Arvind and Pradeep laid hands over cheques of Rs. 45,000/- (Rs. 27,000/- + Rs. 18000/-) each as both of them won first and second places in the two races. While CS Santosh and Barguje who each finished third in the two races received Rs. 13,500/- cheques each as prize money.

Much was anticipated from this Clash of the Titans, and none disappointed as they went through the motions on a specially-laid out course at high speeds, their superbly prepared bike raising a dust storm all over. The course laid out by organizers Sportscraft was really tough. In addition to the sharp bends there was also loose gravel and slushy areas to negotiate, which made riding a dicey proposition, but all riders displayed excellent skills to come through this test of man and machine in flying colours.

If the above-named champions dazzled, Coimbatore’s R. Prakash was not far behind in his riding skills as he grabbed top notch in the Private Expert Class for foreign motorcycles up to 250cc - 2 & 4 stroke. Prakash was challenged all the way by Nasik’s Shamim Khan and Vineet Kurup but clever maneuvering around the sharp bends won him the day. Khan and Kurup could only be placed second and third in one of the two races.

Prakash after trailing to Jatin Jain of Nagpur in the first lap turned up the accelerator of his bike full throttle to overtake him and maintained his lead through out to finish first. Jatin probably due to cramps could not maintain his lead and continued to slide down to end up last among the five competitors. Khan and Kurup moving neck and neck continued to push up leaving behind veteran Badal Doshi of Mumbai to fourth place and finished second and third in the race.

For riders and public which came in large numbers, this Gulf Oil event was certainly one to remember. They had two days of two-class action from the best riders and their bikes. The manner in which it was conducted left no room for complain from any quarter. After all, Sportscraft’s usual competence in running events with clock-like precision made it possible.

Mr. Shrikant Karani, the enterprising Chairman Organising Committee and founder member of Sportscraft which organized the event, appeared pleased as punch at the successful completion of the event. It may be mentioned here that Sportscraft, which was started by Mr. Shrikant Karani, was named in the Limca Book of Records in 2007 for achieving the landmark of organising 250 motorsport events from 1984 to 2006. Up till now the Sportscraft has organized over 300 events.

It may be pointed out here that the event was sponsored by Gulf Oil Corporation Limited, (GOCL). The GOCL or simply Gulf Oil, which is a Hinduja Group Company and is more than 100 years old with its famous Orange Disc Logo, is present in more than 90 countries globally. Gulf Oil is renowned for its association with motor sports internationally with the famous Lemans 24hrs endurance race and Gulf Cup Dirt Track Racing in India.

While Prakash finished second behind Girish KC of Kerala and Firoz Khan of Aurangabad came third in the Group B – Motorcycles up to 260cc – 2 & 4 stroke.

Prakash pocketed Rs. 48,000/- (Rs. 28,000/- + Rs. 20,000/-) cheques, apart from trophies and certificates, in the two races in which he took part. While Khan and Kurup received Rs. 20,000/- and Rs. 15,000/- cheques respectively. Girish gained Rs. 28,000/- cheque plus trophy for his top finish in the Group B – Motorcycles up to 260cc – 2 & 4 stroke and Firoz got Rs. 15000/- cheque for his third spot in the race.

For riders and public which came in large numbers, this Gulf Oil event was certainly one to remember. They had two days of two-class action from the best riders and their bikes. The manner in which it was conducted left no room for complain from any quarter. After all, Sportscraft’s usual competence in running events with clock-like precision made it possible.

Mr. Shrikant Karani, the enterprising Chairman Organising Committee and founder member of Sportscraft which organized the event, appeared pleased as punch at the successful completion of the event. It may be mentioned here that Sportscraft, which was started by Mr. Shrikant Karani, was named in the Limca Book of Records in 2007 for achieving the landmark of organising 250 motorsport events from 1984 to 2006. Up till now the Sportscraft has organized over 300 events.

It may be pointed out here that the event was sponsored by Gulf Oil Corporation Limited, (GOCL). The GOCL or simply Gulf Oil, which is a Hinduja Group Company and is more than 100 years old with its famous Orange Disc Logo, is present in more than 90 countries globally. Gulf Oil is renowned for its association with motor sports internationally with the famous Lemans 24hrs endurance race and Gulf Cup Dirt Track Racing in India.