HISTORY OF MOTORBIKES

Motorcycles invention followed the invention of a bicycle and the development of a four stroke gasoline engine. A German Gottlieb Daimler created the first motorcycle in the year 1885. He attached a four-stroke gasoline engine to a wooden bicycle frame and added two extra side wheels for stability, similar to training wheels on a bicycle. Daimlers engine turned the rear wheel with a pulley. However, if one counts two wheels with steam propulsion as being a motorcycle, then the first one may have been American. One such machine was demonstrated at fairs and circuses in the eastern US in 1867, built by Sylvester Howard Roper of Roxbury, Massachusetts. One such example of a Roper machine dated 1869 is still existent..

In the early period of motorcycle history there were many manufacturers as producers of bicycles adapted their designs for the new internal combustion engine. As the engines became more powerful and designs outgrew the bicycle origins, the number of motorcycle producers increased.

Until the First World War, the largest motorcycle manufacturer was Indian. After that, this honour went to Harley-Davidson, until 1928 when DKW took Over as the largest manufacturer. BMW motorcycles came on the scene in 1923 With shaft drive and an opposed-twin or "boxer" engine enclosed with the transmission in a single aluminum housing. After the Second World War, the BSA Group purchased Triumph Motorcycles in 1951 to become the largest producer of motorcycles in the world claiming "one in four". The German NSU was the largest manufacturer from 1955 until the 1970s when Honda became the largest manufacturer -- a title it holds to this day.

INDIAN MARKET

Indian market
Indian motorbike market consists of quite a few players namely Bajaj, Hero Honda, TVS, Royal Enfield, Yamaha and Honda. There are four segments. Entry level This segment is made of 100CC motorbikes used for mainly for commuting. These are barebasic machines that are less for tantrums and more for utility. This segment has got all the players participating actively in it products from various manufacturers are listed below :Bajaj : Platina, CT 100, Hero Honda : Splendor, CD Dawn TVS : Star City,

Commuter This is a segment has been recently differentiated from the entry level. This segment is not majorly different form the entry level but it features more fancy stickering and snazzy paints but as far as the engine and power are concerned they are more or less the same as entry level bikes .:-

Bajaj : Discover 112 Hero Honda : Passion TVS : Centra, Victor Yamaha : Libero G5

Executive

This segment of the bike market is rapidly growing. This mainly consists of 125 cc class. These machines although more powerful than the commuter and the entry level segment the fuel economy is a bit less. However these bikes are preferred over the entry level. Bajaj : Discover DTSi Hero Honda : Super Splendor. Glamour Fi Yamaha : Gladiator TVS : Victor GLX Honda : Shine

Premium This segment is mainly consisted of motorbikes which are more powerful. They are less on the utility side and more on the fun side. They form a segment at and above 150cc. Major players and their products are :Bajaj : Avenger, Pulsar 150, Pulsar 180, Pulsar DTS-Fi Hero Honda : Achiever, CBZ Xtreme, Karizma TVS : Apache Royal Enfield : Thunderbird, Electra, 500S

THE two-wheeler industry is passing through a very interesting business phase. While the companies are slugging it out to maintain or increase their market share, the consumers are a happy lot. Developments such as the entry of more number of players into the motorcycle market, price discounts offered by producers, monsoon failure and growing competitive pressure have changed the underlying basics of the industry. The impact of these developments is reflected in a change in market share, a divergent trend in share price and the sharp swing in the price-earnings multiple.

The battelines are drawn between the two rivals in the two wheeler segment Bajaj Auto, which has been inching closer to the numero-uno position in the last few months is now at a sniffing distance from arch rival Hero Honda. Hero Honda's has been feeling the heat from new competitors like its own HMSI.
Bajaj has put in a lot of effort and planning in its new products and is reaping the benefits. Hero Honda's new products, on the other hand, have

not been well received and the Splendor has now started to lose its charm and looks dated," said a Society for Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) official. The signs are ominous for the market leader when one compares the difference between the two companies a year back in September 2005. Selling over 85,000 motorcycles more than Bajaj, Hero Honda was then undisputed leader.

INDIA'S POLICIES AND ITS EFFECTS

In an evolving industry such as India it is extremely important to formulate optimal policies on the competition in order to promote both competition as well as growth. The Indian two wheeler industry resembles a cartel in the matter in which non price factors are used to make the output of a given firm more valuable than that of rival. Within a period from 1985-91 Indian two wheeler industry has undergone a huge change due to the economic reforms during this period. These reforms were aimed at encouraging competition. The two wheeler industry has been in existence since 1955. It consists of three segments viz., scooters, mopeds and motorcycles. This industry has been subjected to a high growth. In 1971, sales were

around 0.1 million units per annum and this has increased to 3 million per annum. The two wheeler industry in India, to a great extent has been shaped by the evolution of the industrial policy of the country. Regulatory policies like FERA and MRTP caused the growth of some segments in the industry to stagnate.

ROLE OF MEDIA AND FINANCE:

Role media plays in any or every aspect of life today cannot be ignored. Indian media has been one of the most freely practicing media in the world. It has always played an important role in shaping the public opinion. Manufacturers have used media as a way to lure the young. Advertisements, movies, banners and poster have always been flaunting a man on a macho bike. Many movies like already mentioned, Easy Rider, finds the lead role player riding a bike, which is hefty enough to get the heads turned. Recently advertisement trend has been changing and the fairer sex has got a priority over the males. Nowadays even to sell a product not related to females in any sense, they are used to flaunt the cleavages to get the products sale up and running. If we take for example and advertisement for TVS apache, which shows that a girl has had a fight with her boyfriend and after looking at the heros Apache, she starts feeling for her. No question that motorbikes are a tool meant for males, but flaunting a girl to sell a mans product, though does not makes sense is a trend. These kind of advertisements, by and large, affect the young and immature people. There is another very interesting factor in this market which has led the demand to sore to the new heights is the finance.

Most of the banks have started lending the money to eligible customers at a very low interest rate and many a times at 0% interest. This has made every one think of the option at least once.

1. BMW K1300S

BMW K1300S is super bike model in India. I have seen only BMW cars in the country. Presently, company not only manufacture luxury cars but also manufacture super bike in India. Its price is too high at around Rs.10 to Rs.12 lakh. I wish to see this model. I would like to know about it, when will available BMW K1300s bike in the market.let see some details.

2. Bajaj KTM bikes

Bajaj Auto and KTM is developeing two new motorcycle platforms which is scheduled to hit the market in 2010. Bajaj Auto KTM has invested 35-40 million euros for the developement of these platforms. The jointly developed bikes would

be produced at BALs Chakan facility for export to Europe under KTM branding and the commuter version of the bike on the same platform could be sold in India under the Bajaj badge.

3. Harley Davidson NIGHT ROD

The 2010 Harley Davidson Night Rod has a sinister look and style from the H-D VRSC family, featuring black-slotted, machined cast aluminum disc wheels and nimble control provided by Brembo brakes and an ultra-fat 240 mm rear tire. This motorcycle has aggressive power and performance spawning from a rubbermounted, liquid-cooled 1250 cc Revolution 60-degree V-twin engine with 122 hp @ 8250 rpm producing 85 ft lbs of torque @ 7000 rpm.price is Rs . 1895000.

4. Hero Honda New Karizma ZMR

New karizma ZMR is a sports bike. PGM Fi model, its top speed is 126kph. it has 4 Stroke, Fuel Injection, OHC engine, max power is 17.6 Bhp @ 7000 rpm,max torque is 18.35 Nm @ 6000 rpm,276mm Dia Disc and 240mm Dia Disc(rear) and 16.00 ltrs fuel tank. 3 Years OR 40000kms Warranty. price= 1,04,300Rs.

5. HONDA DN-01

Its like nothing youve ever seen on two wheels. And for good reason: Hondas stunning new DN-01 is in a class of its ownthe worlds first crossover bike. Its styling and seating position alone set it completely apart, showing influence from the world of our sportbikes, sport touring machines, and cruisers. But underneath that bodywork the DN-01 is even more revolutionary, offering Hondas radical new HFT Transmission.

6. Suzuki GSX-R 1000

Suzuki GSX-R 1000 offers something different when compare to other bike in same segment amongst the usual selling points of superb handling, class leading performance it offers switchable ECU maps. With switchable ECU fuel mapping you can switch to low performance for easy handling in traffic, fuel economy and when riding with cruisers, medium for faster rides with the 600cc and full power for the track and Hayabusa owners.

7. TVS Apache RTR Menace 180

TVS announced earlier that it would introduce the ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) in its forthcoming powerful bikes. new apache RTR 180cc menace will not have ABS as it will push up the price. The proposed 200cc version of apache RTR might come with ABS.

8. Kawasaki Ninja 250R

Made its debut on 1986 Kawasaki Ninja after a long wait will soon be in India by 2009. The Ninja 250R features a six-speed transmission that has been revised for smoother shifting, and is mated to a more durable clutch. An entirely new radiator provides better cooling while being lighter in weight. A new radiator fan is quieter. Its expected price in India will be around 1.3 Lacs

9. Yamaha YZF-R1

This very powerful upcoming bike in India comes with a powerful 1000 cc, 16 valve, liquid cooled, in-line four-cylinder engine, three vibrant colors, namely, Blue, Charcoal Silver, and Candy Red. Another advancement included on the 09 model is D-Mode Throttle Control Valve Mapping which allows a rider to choose between 3 distinct maps depending on the riders environment.the 2009 model keeps its YCC-T (Yamaha Chip Controlled Throttle).

The expected price of YZF R1 would be between Rs.11.00-11.50 Lacs.

11.Pulsar

220

12.