BSA Motorcycles Enters India In the Form Of Gold Star 650

BSA Motorcycles Enters India In the Form Of Gold Star 650

Classic Legends has launched its third brand – an iconic British brand called as BSA, which at one time was also the biggest brand in the world – in India on the eve of the 78th Independence Day. 

The launch of BSA brand – that was born in Birmingham (England) and is also known as the Birmingham Small Arms Company – is accompanied by the launch of the Gold Star 650 cc classic looking motorcycle, the first units of which were shipped to the UK from the manufacturing plant at Pithampur (near Indore) in late 2022. 

Tasting success un markets of Europe, Turkey, New Zealand and Philippines, the Gold Star 650 motorcycle is a modern piece of engineering that reflects the DNA and brand recall of the iconic British motorcycle brand that BSA was until it went into oblivion.   

Of the opinion that bringing BSA to India is about sharing a piece of world motorcycling history with India, Anand Mahindra, Chairman, Mahindra Group, mentioned at the launch of the Golda Star 650, that the indomitable spirit of BSA, a brand built in the fires of battle is imbued in the new Gold Star. The motorcycle embodies the essence of motorcycling excellence," averred Anupam Thareja, Co-founder of Classic Legends Pvt Ltd. “Every detail, from the tank's iconic shape to the engine's big single character, has been meticulously crafted to capture the spirit of BSA's golden age while delivering the performance, reliability, and innovation that define a global brand. We've poured our hearts into ensuring it lives up to the storied legacy that has set the gold standard for generations worldwide,” he elaborated. 

Touted as India’s biggest single cylinder motorcycle with a bore of 100 mm, the BSA Gold Star is quite understated in its styling. The BSA museum in Birmingham was involved in getting the motorcycle to have the right DNA. A DNA that would resurrect the experience of what the iconic BSA motorcycles were to ride and cherish before the brand stalled.

The liquid-cooled engine with a displacement of 652 cc produces a peak power of 45.6 PS and a peak torque of 55 Nm. The single-cylinder unit was developed by the Technical University of Graz (Austria) while Rotax offered a starting point. It snuggly fits into a frame that was developed by Ricardo Motorcycles of UK. 

With Redline Studios of UK doing the design and styling of the motorcycle, the Classic Legends R&D centre in Pune (India) played a major role in integrating the motorcycle with deep localisation level.

The consideration from the start was to build a heritage motorcycle with British design that is modern yet of the single cylinder kind since that to be a Gold Star. To go with the idea, best-in-class components were sourced such as the Brembo brakes with dual channel ABS. 

Flaunting aluminium Excel rims and Pirelli tyres, the Gold Star 650 motorcycle can attain a top speed of over 160 kmph (100 miles). 

What is the biggest highlight is the NVH. It is far superior than anticipated, according to a company source, and was achieved through much engineering effort that would mean moving the engine oil sump away from under the crankcase. This, he explained, helped get the ergonomics right. To ensure that the tank, seat and other components fell into place the way they should have. 

Getting the ergonomics right facilitated low CG and in-turn a superior NVH, he quipped. Stating that a silent chain was used with three guides, he explained that a balancer shaft was also fitted to aid NVH. 
Particular attention was also given to get a flat torque curve so that it is at home in Indian riding conditions. 

With a five-speed transmission and a light action clutch, the Gold Star 650 is claimed to offer a consistent throttle response rather than be a bit jerky or bit unpredictable. With particular attention to ride and handling, the BSA Gold Star motorcycle was subjected to a series of virtual and field validations (and testing) to achieve the desired results. 

No less than 500,000 km of cumulative endurance testing was carried out in India and UK; 1000 cumulative hours of engine testing was carried out; 100,000 cumulative km of roller bed testing was carried out, and 200,000 km of road testing was carried out. 

Replete with features such as a 12-volt socket and USB charging port and adjustable rear shock absorbers, the BSA Gold Star is priced at INR 2,99,00 ex showroom. It will be available at select 40 dealerships out of the 400 dealerships that Classic Legends has as part of its retail channel network starting with immediate effect. 

 

Sr. No.

Model Name

Price (Ex-Showroom Delhi)

1

Highland Green

Rs. 2,99,990

2

Insignia Red

Rs. 2,99,990

3

Midnight Black

Rs. 3,11,990

4

Dawn Silver

Rs. 3,11,990

5

Shadow Black

Rs. 3,15,990

6

Legacy Edition - Sheen Silver

Rs. 3,34,990

 

 

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India’s Electric Two-Wheeler Thrust

India’s Electric Two-Wheeler Thrust

July 2021 was a month of much activity and announcements in the Indian electric two-wheeler industry. Much of it had to do with the announcement of Phase II of FAME II scheme by the Central Government, which seemed to favour the early adoption of electric two- and three-wheelers. Many states followed suit with a new or revised electric vehicle (EV) policy. Of the opinion that the new FAME II scheme will disrupt the two-wheeler market in India, Tarun Mehta, CEO and Co-founder, Ather Energy, said, “They could clock sales of over six million units by 2025.”

The increase in maximum subsidy limit from 20 to 40 percent in the case of initial acquisition cost has enabled electric two-wheeler OEMs to reduce the sticker price of their products a good deal. The arrangement is such that the government will reimburse the OEM the subsidy amount after it has sold the vehicle to its customer, the actual beneficiary. “Lowering the prices of electric scooters will help to persuade more riders to switch to an electric one,” said Jeetender Sharma, MD and Founder, Okinawa Autotech. Sohinder Gill, Director General, Society of Manufacturers of Electric Vehicles (SMEV), informed, “The Gujarat State Government’s subsidy of INR 20,000 for electric two-wheelers that cost up to INR 150,000 has a potential to make it an EV hub,” Referring to the Maharashtra EV policy, which provides a subsidy of INR 10,000 on an electric two-wheeler, Nagesh Basavanhalli, MD and CEO, Ampere Vehicles, remarked, “The policy will not only boost electric vehicle growth, it will also provide employment.”

Helping electric two- and three-wheeler proliferate, the Phase II of FAME II and the EV policies of various states, it is clear, are looking at attracting investments and employment opportunities. These policies are also looking at creating a self-sufficient (Atmanirbhar Bharat) ecosystem of fundamental manufacture – that of chips, battery cells, motors and controllers. India has the software but needs the hardware, mentioned a source. He pointed at Ola’s high voltage campaign for its e-scooter, and said that the real slog will start only after the plant is up and running. It will begin when the e-scooter hits the road and starts competing against numerous others. Stressing on the presence of equally capable global, regional and local players, he explained, it is as necessary to understand the psyche of the market as much as it is to have the technology and the money to invest. Carrying with them the image of being premium and technologically superior, the Ather e-scooters have been attracting attention for some time.

Its dealer from Maharashtra mentioned that awareness for electric two-wheelers is growing and the number of footfalls after the fuel price hike. Range anxiety, however, remains to be a challenge, he said. Across segments – Ather e-scooters are said to be premium offerings compared to others with a price premium of roughly INR 30,000 to INR 40,000. Range anxiety is a factor that is proving challenging to many. Especially along with the higher initial acquisition cost. The innovative technological achievements like a detachable battery pack that could be taken out for charging at home or in the office are helping to an extent. They are also highlighting the efforts of the electric two-wheeler OEMs to understand the dynamic regulatory and market requirements.

Investments in technology involving materials and sciences are yielding better products no doubt. With the emergence of demand for commercial-use electric three-wheelers, companies like Komaki are quick to respond. Its XGT CAT 2.0 e-bike with a 350 kg payload is designed to address the needs of e-commerce logistics companies like Delhivery and Ekart, and aggregator platforms like Swiggy and Zomato. Looking at maximum uptime and reliability in the last-mile space, commercial electric three-wheeler users, tasked with attacking as many pin codes and as many customers as they could in a strict time stipulation, are keen to control costs as well as reduce their carbon footprint. Leveraging IoT and AI to analyse data, they are choosing between Lithium-ion powered and lead-acid battery-powered electric two-wheelers. (MT)

 

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Suzuki Hayabusa Teased Ahead Of Premier On February 5th

Suzuki Hayabusa Teased Ahead Of Premier On February 5th

Japanese bike-maker, Suzuki, is set to showcase their iconic flagship motorcycle on February 5th. The Hayabusa, first launched in 1999, gained a massive cult following from eager fans all over the world. Once termed the world’s fastest production motorcycle, this superbike will soon be back in action.

The teaser, which runs 25 seconds long, shows glimpses of the 4-cylinder sports bike, on a bowl track, doing around 180 mph at 10,000 RPM, 1,000 RPM still left for its redline.

The Hayabusa still retains the analogue instrument cluster, an uncommon sight in today’s premium motorcycle market. The engine will meet the latest European (and consequently Indian) emissions regulations.

The world-wide unveil next week is expected to shed more light on the details of the motorcycle.

 

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JK Tyre’s JKNRC Racing Championship To Kick Off This Weekend

JK Tyre’s JKNRC Racing Championship To Kick Off This Weekend

JK Tyre is all set to host the 24th JK Tyre FMSCI National Racing Championship (JKNRC) 2021 at the Kari Motor Speedway, Coimbatore on 23-24 Oct 2021. The event will also witness the debut of the Royal Enfield Continental GT Cup.

Royal Enfield has announced its debut into track racing with its flagship racing motorcycle – the Continental GT 650. Typically involving faired/sports motorcycles, the Continental GT Cup is India’s first retro motorcycle racing format. It is aimed at making track racing accessible for new entrants as well as experienced racers.

With over 300 aspirants applying for the race, 100 racers were shortlisted and invited to Coimbatore for the selection on Monday, 18 October. Making up the final racing roster are 18 riders who qualified for the races on Saturday and Sunday. Additionally, two media wild cards were also shortlisted for the race. 

Riders from across the country took part in the qualifiers with Anfal Akdhar, a rider from Thirssur, topping the chart at 1:23.126 minutes, Anish Damodara Shetty, a well-known rider, also provided strong competition. Lani Zena Fernandez, a young lady from Puducherry, took the track by storm with her confidence on the track. Raivat Dhar, a young racer from Jammu, also made it to the final grid. With the majority of the racers being from Southern India, Raivat will represent the northernmost state of the country at the race on Sunday.  (MT)

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Ultraviolette Automotive Elevates Vinayak Bhat As Chief Product Officer

Ultraviolette Automotive Elevates Vinayak Bhat As Chief Product Officer

TVS Motor Company-backed Ultraviolette Automotive, a premium electric motorcycle company, has promoted  Vinayak Bhat to the position of Chief Product Officer. 

In his new role, Bhat will be tasked to expand Ultraviolette’s product portfolio through the entire lifecycle from inception and design to development and market introduction. He will lead Ultraviolette's endeavours in broadening its product range and catalysing innovation in the high-performance EV space.  

Vinayak Bhat said, "I've witnessed Ultraviolette's unwavering pursuit of innovation. My goal is to craft exceptional products for global markets through our strategy of vertical integration - specifically across critical elements like the battery technology, drivetrain and vehicle architecture. Our aim: redefine standards and solidify Ultraviolette’s position as a global leader in electric mobility."

Before assuming the role of CPO, Bhat served as the Technical Director and Principal Engineer at Ultraviolette. Since joining the company in 2017, he has played a pivotal role in the development of the F77 Mach 2 and F99 Racing Platform and overseeing coordination across all aspects of product development, engineering, operations, and manufacturing functions. 

Narayan Subramaniam, CEO & Co-Founder, Ultraviolette Automotive said, "Vinayak's in-depth understanding of aerospace and electric vehicle technologies provides him with a unique perspective that will be critical in driving our culture of innovation. His leadership was instrumental in the successful launch of our flagship products - the F77 and the F77 Mach 2. I am confident that with Vinayak’s appointment as CPO, we will achieve newer heights in innovation and market penetration."

Bhat started his professional journey in 2013 at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) as a structural engineer. Further transitioning to Safran Engineering as a design analyst, he is said to have contributed significantly towards key projects for Airbus and Boeing, with a focus on landing gears, nacelles, and fuselage components.
Niraj Rajmohan, CTO & Co-Founder, Ultraviolette Automotive said, "Vinayak has been instrumental in driving our product development initiatives. His exceptional technical prowess and exemplary leadership have been pivotal in realising our vision. As CPO, his visionary leadership will play a crucial role in our quest for global leadership in electric mobility. We eagerly anticipate the strategic direction he will provide, propelling us forward and opening new avenues for growth and innovation.”

Ultraviolette Automotive plans to introduce new products for multiple mobility segments over the next five years, targeting both domestic and international markets.

 

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