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a new generation splendor..

Hero Honda the world largest manufacturer has silenced its critics in its own style i.e. Hero Honda has managed to grow despite the industry recording a dip in sales on account of high interest rate. Thus Hero Honda widens the gap from its peer Bajaj by a large margin. Hero Honda is now focusing on retaining market share rather than boosting volumes till interest rates stabilise. To retain the market share Hero Honda has been rolling out upgraded model of its popular bike. Following the CBZ, Karizma and Achiever, Hero Honda has picked its popular commuter bike splendor for the face lift. On May 28, Hero Honda has added a new member to the splendor family(splendor, splendor plus and 125cc super splendor) called splendor NXG. NXG – the next generation splendor gets a new engine and embraces new design features. Here’s a view on new splendor NXG.

Engine and Powertrain:

According to Hero Honda, “the engine has been developed anew ”. But looking at the specifications this mill identical to the one found in Hero Honda CD series – the peak power of the new engine is up by about five percent at 7.7PS when compared to splendor plus, which is delivered at a lower 7,500 rpm, compared to the previous engine’s 7.4PS at 8,000 rpm. The same engine requires 7.8s to reach 60kph and can clock a top speed of 90kph. It delivers 77kpl in combined city and highway drive. The 4 speed gearbox is optimised.

What’s new in Splendor NXG?

• New splendor NXG features trapezoidal multi -reflector headlamps which is powerful even at low speeds. This is achieved by powerful battery which powers the DC high beam in the headlamp and its strength is not dependent on the engine rpm. Circuitry for the low beam and pilot lamp has also been enhanced for low variation in intensity arising from changes in the engine rpm.

• Splendor NXG gets a new front fairing and a new visor

• new design fuel tank with knee recesses on either side and features a chrome fuel tank lid. The new fuel tank can be filled with 10.3L and reserves 1.8L of fuel

• new body panels and sleek body graphics for the new splendor NXG

• new instrument panel – trip meter housed in speedometer, fuel gauge and tell tales for the new splendor NXG

• Splendor NXG features  stylish tail lamp and die– cast alloy grab rail.

• new splendor NXG offers 160mm of ground clearance (159mm in Splendor plus)

Sadly options such as disc brakes and electric self-start are not offered in the splendor NXG.

Price and Colours:

Splendor NXG is available in a range of five attractive colors and seven stripe combinations including black (three stripe color variations), candy blazing red, force silver, vibrant blue and classy maroon. Splendor NXG is also available in two variants – spoke and cast, priced respectively at Rs. 40,990/- and Rs. 41,990/- ex showroom Delhi. Splendor plus will continue to be available along with the new splendor NXG.

Hero Honda’s new strategy:

On the Hero Honda’s plans to come out with products on new platforms, Mr Pawan Munjal, Managing Director, said: “We are looking to come out with new variants as they cost less in comparison toe building a new platform.”

Hero Honda initially estimates that the two — Splendor Plus and the splendor NXG — will contribute equally to the sales mix, eventually the new splendor NXG will dominate the sales. For the Splendor NXG Hero Honda has picked a proven engine and injects new generation design features and tries to move forward the splendor legacy. Will the commuter welcome the new design as they embrace CBZ Xtreme time will tell.

a much powerful Machismo..

A two wheeler which is compared to a tractor and its engine oil still drips unlike modern motorcycles but it continues to woo many hard core motor enthusiast not only because the Bullet is the Indian version of Harley Davidson but also Bullet is the only true cruiser available in India. Now, Indian customers get the opportunity to ride a 500cc two wheeler nearly after a decade. Royal Enfield has launched a new bike called Bullet Machismo 500LB. The new Machismo 500 is almost the same as the 350cc Machismo but with a powerful heart.

Mr.R.L Ravichandran CEO of Royal Enfield said “First and Foremost on my agenda is to ensure that the bikes we manufacture are reliable”. Yes, in the process of making reliable motorcycles Royal Enfield has been working on new engine platform for the past two years. Lean Burn(LB) engine and Unit Construction Engine (UCE) are the results of such intensive R&D. Unlike other manufacturers Royal Enfield cannot even tune up or down a engine since its loyal customers are very sincere even about the ‘thump’ sound of the engine too. Shedding the proved iron cast engine must had been a tough decision but making a improved engine must had been a further tough process for Royal Enfield engineers. I believe Royal Enfield has built equable superb engine though without sound.

The new heart..

Following the 350cc Thunderbird and its sibling 350cc Machismo the new Machismo 500cc gets the all aluminium Lean Burn engine (all about Lean Burn engine is posted on our Auto Knowledge section). The new 500cc LB engine is similar to the Thunderbird 350cc LB engine but unlike the 500cc cast iron engine which powers the Bullets earlier 500cc model. Comparing the Thunderbird 350cc LB engine the stroke(90mm) remains the same, the bore is increased to 84mm from 70mm result is the higher displacement i.e.500cc. The new 500cc LB engine generates 24PS @5600rpm and a maximum torque of40.85Nm at 3000rpm . It is clear from the figure power to weight ratio of new Machismo 500 LB is superior to your favourite SUV’s. Better cooling and lighter weight is achieved by bigger cooling fins and aluminium construction of engine block and head . New Machismo breathes through Mikuni carb and ignition is by advanced TCI system. Transistorised Coil Ignition (TCI) system ensures smoother rides and battery charging at low speeds which allows to add extra electrical fitting like powerful horns to your beloved Machismo.

Familiar right left shift 5 speed gearbox is mated to this powerful engine.The flat cylinder head engine’s valve diameters are optimised for better torque and the result is the flat torque curve that means the new Machismo 500 requires lesser gear shifting in city conditions. The added advantage is no compromise has been made on mid and top end torque i.e the machismo 500 LB will also be a perfect highway rider like its predecessors. Machismo can be ridden leisurely on high speeds and can be pushed to 120kph. Although like most other Bullets Machismo’s engine has to be run-in to understand the machine and for better riding experience, due to the advanced engine architecture and the high quality gaskets oil leak is expected to be minimal. The only short come with the new engine is it lacks the characteristic ‘thump’ sound, it sounds quiet but who needs it?

Design and Engineering:

Unlike other Bullets no weld scars in new Machismo and the paintable areas is very minimal extreme use of steel makes the Machismo shiny. From fenders to tank to clutch and brake levers to handlebar weight to rear view mirrors to side stand to a very long silencer every thing is shining which not only makes fellow riders hard but also photographing the machismo too.The golden decals sits on the Irish tank and side boxes

Apart from the engine the new machismo is almost the same as its 350cc sibling. The Machismo 500 features 280mm disc at the front and drum brake at the rear and for grips Machismo 500 uses MRF 19″ tyres. Machismo features gas filled shock absorbers at the rear, polyurethane seats and handle bar weight to control vibrations even though Machismo 500 is no different from its sibling – you can feel the vibrations at high speeds. Though the instrumentation remains the same the switch controls in Machismo 500 LB are as good as modern bikes. You no longer have to carefully kick the kicker, the Machismo features electric starter which will allay your fear. Saddle height is high that means short ones will find it difficult to balance the machismo 500.

Accessories and Availability:

Twin spring coiled seats, windshield and Custom crafted leather saddlebags can be added to your Machismo. Reg the availability, like its product as with the fuel economy, the company – Royal Enfield is frugal to Indian customers i.e. New Machismo 500cc will be a made-to-order bike, its production would be limited to 500 units a year. Royal Enfield cites this limitation is to curtail exports by individuals which results in price distortion in the overseas markets. But with less than 100 dealership and lacking online purchase , Royal Enfield has given only a little chance to a non metro customer to get the new machismo.

Price and Colour:

You can get the new machismo 500LB in black and alberto green. New Machismo is the most expensive production bike available in India. New machismo hits the road for a price of Rs1,04,313 in chennai. It requires will not only to control this 185kg mammoth but also to pay this hefty price tag.

The machismo gets a much powerful LB engine and retains the most of the Bullets character and embraces new features like the gas charged suspension, electric starter and disc brake make the machismo a nice offering. Machismo 500 is a perfect offering for the experienced Bullet riders but for the newbies this is too wild and really a “machine to aspire for”

P.S: Our sincere thanks to Mr.V.Sadish kumar, (044-42607777),Royal Enfield Destination Store, Adyar, Chennai.