According to reports on the internet, Honda is considering importing its VFR1200F sports tourer model to India, but as a completely built unit which attracts a 110% duty. Honda already has a strong presence on the Indian market, in a country that loves its two-wheels models, but unless Honda can bring down the original cost of the VFR1200F, we can only imagine that Bollywood movie stars will be the only ones buying.

A Honda source has said: “Honda’s Indian arm will be launching the model in a CBU format and will be pricier than its existing imported bikes like Fireblade, etc.” According to some comments on the web, the VFR1200F would be out of the price range of middle-class Indians, although enthusiasm for the bike in the reports is apparent. We wonder if Honda, after negative reports in Europe and the US of its VFR1200F, is not trying to pass it off onto another market, whose riding conditions may not be the best environment for such a model. Or could this be a good opportunity for Honda to start manufacturing parts in India…? We’ll have to wait and see.

Source | Car Trade India and Indian Cars Bikes

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A specific GPS for motorcycles, called Trailblazer, has been developed by Map my India for Indian motorcycle riders. The Trailblazer unit uses FM radio technology, rather than Bluetooth, to communicate to the rider.

While this may seem like a step backwards in technology, it makes perfect sense when you realise why they’ve done this: if you’re riding in a group, and not everyone has Bluetooth technology, it suddenly makes communication right across the group possible, as long as you have a simple FM radio receiver.

At this stage, there is a catch though, with the unit being able to communicate across only ten metres, which means you’ve got to be riding very close. It’s a great little bit of innovation though, and I think we could probably learn a few things from our counterparts in countries where “necessity is the mother of invention” still holds true. Check out MapmyIndia.com for more details.

Source | Motorbiker.org

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Nicky Hayden besides finding one of the most tiredless and hardest working MotoGP riders in the world is also an excellent man to do Ducati PR work. After seeing the new Ducati D16 GP 10 bike at the Ducati factory on Wednesday, today Hayden was in India to open Ducati’s second show room in the Gurgaon District of the Indian capital.

Ducati has a distribution agreement with Precision Motor India Private Limited and Radiant Motorcycles, who is also a dealer for Porsche in Mumbai.

“This event has made me understand the great strategic importance of a market such as India.” Nicky Hayden commented. “It’s great potential and above all, how well Ducati and MotoGP is known, appreciated and how the company is capable of attracting passionate fans, both from a commercial and sporting point of view. I am happy that there is such great interest in us and such anticipation ahead of next season. Last year, after a difficult start, we made continuous improvement towards the end and after the Valencia tests I am very excited for next year and can’t wait to get back on my Ducati.”

Continue reading: Nicky Hayden Opens Ducati Showroom in India

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