When it comes to Triumph motorcycles, serious enthusiasts lose their head trying to pick their favourites. Adventure bikes such as the Explorer and Tiger 800 XC can be much fancied by those who love to go on long rides on various terrains and in numerous seasons. These bikes are perfect for those looking for an adventurous bike ride in the mountains where paths are yet to be perfectly smooth. Bike lovers who prefer classic designs swear by the T100 and the Bonneville. Those interested in cruiser bikes prefer the Rocket or the Storm which have chrome and steel used in the body. Performance enthusiasts would surely appreciate the Daytonas which go from zero to a triple digit speed within seconds.
Triumph motorcycles are one of the most coveted among Indian bikers and they are hot property in the second hand bikes market.
However, all bike enthusiasts would agree that the Triumph Speed Triple 2014 is hard to ignore. Sections of the twin tubes are exposed and the bike has a well chiselled tank. The belly pan, frame of twin spar and the dual under seat exhausts make the bike look strong and robust. The head lights of the Triumph Speed Triple 2014 may look a bit like bugs and you might take some time to get used to them. However it is a bike hard to ignore and most bike enthusiasts would fancy a ride on it.
When you rev up the engine, a sweet sound is produced that would be appreciable to all bikers. When you look at the Triumph Speed Triple 2014, you would see that this street naked bike looks muscular and aggressive, much like what a street naked bike should look like. On mounting the bike, what is immediately noticeable is its forward stance which looks quite aggressive, a wide and flat handle bar, a back set of foot pegs meant for pillion riders. The bike’s tank comes in a blue colour which has a matte finish on it. It makes the tank look all the more muscular. The instrument and meters are a combination of digital and analogue. The lights that glow on at the time of gear changing can be programmed and there is a reminder for service interval. You also get a fuel gauge, lap timer and trip computer. The back wheel can be seen completely from the right side and this happens because of the aluminium swing arm which is one sided. What can be considered to be a let-down is the prominent and large saree guard on the left hand side. These street naked bikes can hardly be called friendly for families and hence most bikers would probably ride them alone, leaving the guard redundant and odd looking on the bike.
When you put the bike in ignition, rotate the clutch and press the starter, the motor shall start easily and settles into a bit of a high idle ride. On the main road, when a bit of throttle is added the motor produces a typical growl. This sound from the 3 cylinder engine of the bike is bound to sound pleasant to any motor biker. The sound can be heard in lower revs as well. When the revs keep increasing, at a higher pace, the sound may become addictive.
You can make quick changes through short speed gears at the time of accelerating. What is impressible is the performance of the bike on city roads in limiting speeds such as 60kmph to 70kmph.
The engine feels strong at all revs. If the revs are kept low, then the bike is quite practical to be ridden through city traffic and on a regular basis. You can down shift the gear and increase the speed to 100kmph and still feel the bike stable underneath you. The 4 piston Brembo calipers do a good job of knocking off speeds as you can slow down the bike without any glitch. The gears are smooth and precise and the neutral gear can be spotted easily.
Once you get acclimatized to the style of riding the bike, you can easily accelerate the bike through various gears. When put into the top most gear, cruising around the city at 60 kmph feels like a breeze and you can also clock 250kmph when racing the bike on a track. When you are riding the bike at 100kmph to 135kmph, it feels almost as if it is breezing through the roads. The Triumph Speed Triple 2014 certainly ticks all the boxes for a long distance bike and hence is ideal for those who love going on long rides. However, the position of riding the bike may be a little uncomfortable when the bike is ridden for a long distance.
The bike is powered by a 1050cc, liquid cooled, DOHC, 12 valve 3-cylinder in line engine which produces a peak power of 135PS at 9400rpm and a peak torque of 111Nm at 7750rpm. On paper, the Triumph Speed Triple 2014 may not sound as impressive as the other powerful bikes in this segment. However, in real time, the bike delivers excellent power. Post 3000rpm, there is a thrust of undiluted power and there is enough power in the engine for pulling wheelies till the 4th cog.
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| Triumph Speed Triple |
The growling sound of the Triumph Speed Triple 2014 is the accompaniment to the superb accelerating powers of the bike. The bike does growl and gurgle a little at the lower revolutions but when you open up the throttle, the twin exhausts give out a deafening roar. Any bike enthusiast would fall for the Speed Triple’s rich sound and peppy acceleration. The handling of the box is perfect. Moreover, the Triumph Speed Triple 2014 feels grounded when making turns and it feels steady and robust despite its 200 kilos plus frame. The directions of the handle bar can be changed confidently while Metzler tyres provide adequate grip. The excellent braking power is provided by the ABS enabled brakes.
The bike costs roughly Rs 10.4 lakhs and is the least expensive among litre category motorcycles. The stellar performance and practical usability on a regular basis can make it a coveted street naked by for most enthusiasts. However, the unsightly saree guard may irk a lot of bikers. You could also buy it at a lower price on the second hand bikes market.
If you are thinking of buying a new car for yourself, then here are the top 5 models that you should consider. All these cars are priced under Rs 10 lakhs and have earned rave reviews from both critics and customers alike. The order of writing does not necessarily reflect in the rank of the cars. If the car is out of your budget, you could always survey the market for second hand cars in Mumbai for the same model at a cheaper price.
Honda City VXMT Diesel and VX CVT Petrol
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| Honda City |
The two variants of the Honda City are the perfect cars to begin the listing. The petrol model with CVT enabled is responsive and smooth with a quick shift gearbox. It has paddle shifters in it too. This is also the only automatic petrol car to be featured on the list and it is more efficient than the manual gear shift City, rate at 18kmpl. The diesel version of the City is the most economical car offered in this price range and it has a fuel efficiency rating of almost 26kmpl which garners brownie points in our nation. The car is decent to drive and more focus is laid on riding than handling. The City is available in top trim which is enabled with features such as touchscreen infotainment and sun roof. This is an all-round package which is available without touching the Rs 11 lakhs boundary.
Volkswagen Vento Highline 1.6D
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| Volkswagen Vento |
The German manufacturer is right on the heels of the Korean and Japanese. On the front of fuel efficiency and features it loses out and these are two very important deciding aspects for Indian buyers. Nevertheless, it is much fun to drive around and has an amazing diesel engine. The cheap price tag and German quality build are two attractive aspects of the Vento. The top trim model of the Volkswagen Vento costs only Rs 10 lakhs which makes it almost Rs 80,000 to Rs 90,000 inexpensive than Honda City and Hyundai Verna. Even though some features are missing, it is a good buy.
Hyundai Verna SXO AT and MT Diesel
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| Hyundai Verna |
There is a thin line of difference between the City and the Verna. The only fine line separating the two is the higher fuel efficiency of the City. The top trim model of the Verna is manual whereas the lower half trim is automatic although it does not have leather upholstery. The diesel version of the car is responsive and powerful and if you think of the automatic transmission, it is the least expensive diesel car that can be bought. The segment focuses much on fuel efficiency and this is where the manual Verna with a fuel efficiency of 22.3kmpl, falls behind the City. Features wise, the Verna has all that is required in a premium car, an upgraded suspension and absorbent ride. The handling is not very bad either. The only pitfall is the car is not very smooth around corners even though it has a very good engine.
Renault Duster RXL 110PS
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| Renault Duster |
The Duster is the only SUV to be included in the list. It is one of the swiftest cars to take from one point to another. The superb handling and riding combination is complement by a punchy diesel engine which makes it a perfect choice for road trips and weekend getaways. The gearbox is a 6 speed one which makes the Duster 110PS a good cruiser on highways and good mileage can be drawn out of the car. However, the features included in the middle spec RXL model does not match up to the other vehicles listed here. The car is not very fuel efficient either as it has a mileage of only 19.01kmpl. Therefore, performance enthusiasts can go for this car in this price range.
Used Skoda Superb TSI 1.8
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| Skoda Superb |
Don’t hesitate to consider a pre-owned versioned of the Skoda Superb. Even though you could opt for the Skoda Yeti or Chevrolet Cruze, going for a powerful petrol model should be your choice. The car is almost 5 metres long which can overtake all the models listed here in every aspect except mileage. You can get 160PS of power on a simple press of the throttle connected to the petrol turbo motor. The Superb is also a good car to be driven by chauffer. A 2011 model of the car which has been driven almost 50,000kms will cost you less than Rs 11 lakhs in the second hand cars in Delhi market. It is a great car to buy although you should inspect the DSG gearbox as several cars have reported issues with the gearbox and it can be expensive to repair it.
Several parameters were considered for selecting the cars. Some of them have been jotted down below:
Gearbox and Engine
From refinement to drivability to NVH has been considered prior to deciding the engine rating whereas for the gearbox, shift quality and easy progression of the clutch actuation (glitch free timely down and up shifts for automatic cars) were considered.
Handling and Ride
Indian roads can hardly be called smooth and hence checking for low and high speed ride quality is essential. However, a plush ride is not enough as you need to check for noise and vibrations in the engine too. When it comes to handling, easy of driving on city roads and stability of the car in a straight line, round a corner and under braking was considered.
Features
Higher the number of features offered the better. Not only that, the easy usability of them was considered. Not all features were weighed the same. Features which were more useful were given higher points.
Fun to Drive
Even though mostly subjective, it is crucial. The performance of the gear box and engine can determine the fun quotient of the car along with steering response and feel, grip of tyres and overall prowess of handling were considered.
Mileage It is perhaps the most important aspect to buying a car. For fuel economy, the ARAI rating was considered. Higher the score better is the mileage.
In the world of motor bikes there are arguments between what is vintage and what is classic. Two persons would unlikely ever be one in opinion over the constituency of vintage. What could be gathered from arguments in simple terms is that vintage is that which was manufactured some decades back, about 30 years back at least. On the other hand classic could be considered an adjective for that which sets a new standard or is set according to some new standard. Bikes too fall under the categories of classic and vintage. Certain motorcycle companies classify motor bikes on the basis of ages.
Vintage ones are those manufactured in the years 1948-1969. Collecting antique and vintage objects is a hobby of passion and pride. Now, there are quite a number of bike lovers who are bending for vintage bikes. A lover of bikes would understand the pride and love associated with riding a vintage bike or simply having one in one’s collection. However much one knows about bikes, the person might not always know he technicalities related to choosing and buying a vintage motor bike. Here are some points that one can remember while choosing a vintage bike.
First it is important to know where to buy a vintage motor bike from. There are auctions for them and some may be found online too. Do lots of studies on vintage bikes and gather some good knowledge on them before going to choose a bike. This will enable a person to know the true worth of a bike and thus help deciding where to go to get hold of a proper one. The source of purchase is important as it would let one have a genuine buy at a fair price. All doubts can be solved later on.
However after the buying of a vintage bike little remains to be done. It would be advisable to a buyer to go for a renowned and known seller. He should be knowledgeable on bikes. This helps make an authentic purchase and help the buyer know about the bike better. If you look around properly, in magazines, internet etc, there are plenty of dealers present with all the mentioned points offering to you. Some would even deliver the bike at your doorstep. Keep all aspects in mind and decide on the seller as you decide on the bike.
Buying an old motor bike is exciting. Let this excitement prevail by making sure before buying that the motor bike that is being chosen for buying is a genuine item. Check that the thing is not fake, put up deceptively for sale. Antique and vintage items often have forged pieces and copies of the same. They at times can be very similar to the original. Therefore make a research and get to know precisely how the actual vintage bike looked like. If you could lay your hands on some pictures of the original bike, then match them with the one on sale to know if the item is authentic or not.
While doing research on bikes, the chassis numbers and engine numbers of the motor bikes can also be found out with ease. So, try to find out if it is available with the motor bike seller. These pieces of information are useful for the long haul indeed. This valuable information could help track the motor bike’s previous owners too.
Another very important aspect to consider while going for a vintage bike purchase is the price of the same. Before the purchase one must know and keep in mind that since it is an antique or vintage bike it might cost quite something. It is important to make a budget before buying. In all the excitement at the prospect of having a vintage bike let the price paid for it is reasonable. Again make a research properly to know the value of the bike and what could the approximate value be.
Make sure that it is genuine else all spending goes down the drain. Sometimes restoration of the bike after buying could cost more that the price paid to buy it. If the replacements are done by original parts then the cost could go up higher. However this would increase the bike’s antique value. While tracing the owners if the bike is found related to some famous person for instance a racer or that the bike was famous during its time, these if proven true raises the value of the bike both in worth and money.
An old motor bike like any other old thing cannot be expected to be flawless. If the thing is something like 30 years old and not an item of display, then it would definitely be more problematic. A brand new motor bike too may show some problems and here it is a vintage bike that we are talking about. So, have an open mind while choosing a vintage bike. It is to be remembered that it is actually a second hand item. After the motor bike is bought and delivered to the house it would be good to make a thorough check of the entire thing then itself. Photographs with dates could also be taken and kept. A test drive should be taken. Let it be restored to the dealer immediately if there is any problem and not wait for later. Given above are some tips to guide you through a good choosing and buying process of the vintage bike that you have aspired for so long. Possessing a vintage bike involves lots of difficulties some which might not be even known to the buyer while buying. Know about the bike thoroughly before buying it. Checking whether it is still in workable condition or not and checking the price would be right before buying. Know everything beforehand as once the bike is bought there is no way out then if things are not as you expected. These tips are to help a person to buy a bike and not scare them. Do not be deceived and make a wise decision.
SUV’s are a different breed altogether when you talk of cars. SUV’s or Sports Utility Vehicles are much loved in India. This is one country where SUV’s are fabulously popular and many companies are now cashing in on this new found love for SUV’s in the last few years. There are many companies in the fray now and customers are finding it hard to choose between models as well. As a result, people are getting confused when it comes to choosing the best SUV for themselves and their families. Which is the best SUV that you can buy currently in the Indian market? While this is one decision that necessitates careful thinking and consideration of many factors, you have to get down into the bare essentials first.
SUV’s have had a long and fulfilling growth story in India. Many foreign companies have entered the Indian car market which had been booming for the last few years and they have brought out cutting edge SUV’s of their own. This has been a major point as far as availability and choices are concerned. In earlier years, SUV’s denoted the sturdy jeeps and vans of yore. Not everyone wanted to buy a jeep all the time. As a result, the very first lot of SUV’s catered to those who wanted the same rugged driving and usage experience with all the comfort and premium features intact.
Contemporary SUV’s today come with almost every conceivable modern feature known to man. They boast of the latest technology and powerful engines which can take on any road. SUV’s are also known for their abilities on rough terrain and their off roading capabilities in the case of a few. Alongside, SUV’s also come with increased ground clearance which is a big boon on Indian roads. They can be used easily for towing purposes and the overall stability of the car is a fabulous aspect to keep in mind as well. SUV’s offer a considerably high seating and driving position which enables greater road safety as well.
The tip on the iceberg is the powerful engine and rugged tires that are mainstay of most contemporary SUV’s available in India. Alongside, SUV’s come with an arsenal of safety features that promise to safeguard drivers from the harshest of situations on roads. They are highly in demand as commercial vehicles as well and this is another sector which has witnessed the proliferation of good quality SUV’s which can outrun any regular vehicle with elan.
How do you choose your SUV? You have to factor in your usage requirements and other aspects of owning the car. What are you essentially looking for? Does it have to be a no nonsense family car? Does it have to be a powerful car that can zoom over bumpy roads with elan? Or does it even have to be a premium car that promises unmatched driving pleasure and luxury? Your needs should dictate your decision above all else. Are you into offroading? You should then choose from vehicles that are best suited towards the same.
Some of the best vehicles available for offroading include the Toyota Land Cruiser which does not do a bad job in the luxury and premium department either. Alongside, there are other must buys on offer including the Mahindra Thar which is an out and out jeep with contemporary features, Ford Endeavor, Mitsubishi Pajero and the Nissan X Trail. These are some of the best SUV’s out there in the Indian market today. If you are looking for something in the ultra luxury segment, the Range Rover Evoque or Land Rover would be your best bet. These are heavily armored cars which come with the best possible luxury features that one can possibly expect in this country. Alongside, you can also take your pick from the budget segment. Mahindra, in particular, specializes in coming up with affordable yet feature laden SUVs in almost every segment barring the compact SUV space.
The Mahindra XUV500 is a great choice and is total value for money, as is the Mahindra Scorpio which is easily one of the largest selling cars in India. These cars promise loads of features at a very decent price and this has driven more and more customers towards Mahindra SUVs. If you are looking for something more up market and premium, you can check out the Chevrolet Captiva, Skoda Yeti, Toyota Fortuner and of course, the exciting new Renault Koleos.
Force Motors has brought out its own line of SUV’s in India that are very attractive to say the least. You can indulge in SUV’s from top of the line brands like Mercedes Benz, BMW and Audi as well. The Audi Q7, in particular, promises to be a top buy for Indian roads with sheer engineering ability, innovations and features. Alongside, the other end of the spectrum comprises of staple vehicles like the Mahindra Bolero, Mahindra Xylo and so on.
These are actually MUV’s and the list also includes the Toyota Innova which has done fabulously in India so far. The compact SUV segment is booming after the success of the Renault Duster which can seat only five though. The Ford EcoSport has also been a great success and the Maruti Suzuki S Cross, which was launched only recently, promises to take the story forwards. Multiple compact SUV’s are lined up for Indian markets and customers have many reasons to rejoice. However, bear in mind that compact SUV’s can usually take only five passengers unlike full blown rugged SUV’s which can seat seven people in tandem. However, if you have a problem with parking and maneuvering, you can consider opting for the rugged power of an SUV in a small and compact package like the Renault Duster. You can also look at other options like the Tata Aria and Honda CRV which are stylish and sophisticated SUV’s. Choosing an SUV may not be very easy but you can easily find multiple options that fit both your requirements and your budget.
India is a confusing market for automobile companies. The world’s biggest democracy is known for its fluctuating consumer behavior and changing trends. Nowhere is this more visible than the Indian automobile market. Indian customers are sparking growth across two extreme poles of the value chain. The mid range segments are steadily losing out on customers. Why is this happening? The entry level hatchback, sedan and compact SUV segments are finding more takers than before owing to lower prices, better features and branding initiatives. Alongside, the luxury car segment has been growing steadily and luring customers away from mid range or high end SUV’s and sedans. People either want to shell out a little more for the exclusivity and brand value that comes with a luxury car purchase or spend less in acquiring entry level aspirational models with better features.
However, the Indian luxury car market is growing by leaps and bounds especially for foreign luxury car manufacturers. India was earlier a restricted market for luxury car manufacturers. The luxury brands like BMW, Mercedes Benz or even Audi were only witnessed in films and at auto shows and expos. However, the scenario has totally changed in recent times. The economy has expanded and so has disposable incomes of citizens in the country. Alongside, the number of Indian entrepreneurs, successful businessmen, high flying professionals and corporates along with celebrities has been on the rise throughout the last few years. India is a prominent entrant into the billionaires and millionaires clubs with many members doing it proud in various sectors.
Luxury cars are a newly acquired taste for the automobile crazy India. However, foreign car manufacturers are not being able to ignore the Indian market anymore. They are rushing to set up shop in India and are expanding their dealerships and service networks. India is steadily graduating towards becoming a priority market for these luxury car brands and this augurs well for the future. Markets in the West are clogged up due to the global slowdown and industrial fluctuations. India is a future market that can yield rich returns if tapped properly according to the managing director of Segment Y Automotive Intelligence, Paul Blokland. According to him, manufacturers of luxury cars are seeking new markets that offer the promise of growth.
These markets cannot be found in the United States of America or Europe anymore. Even Japan cannot be a very lucrative prospect for manufacturers of foreign luxury cars. India is a country where approximately one percent of the entire billion plus population has the means to buy a car. India is still far behind China which is the largest emerging market for cars in the whole world, the size of the market is the winning factor here. The size of the market gives it a potential that is vast and exciting for any industry and sector and automobiles are no exception. Foreign car makers cannot resist the lure of the huge and untapped Indian automobile market. Even till a decade earlier, the only prominent luxury car brand present in India was Mercedes Benz.
BMW set up shop in the country only in the year 2006 and Audi came to town soon thereafter. Top end business is only about 0.5% of the overall car market in India but luxury car brands are witnessing top class sales figures. These sales figures are much better than countries where luxury car brands have been present for close to fifty years including Thailand and Malaysia among others. The total sales figures may seem tiny even now with just about 9, 000 luxury vehicles sold among 1.8 million cars sold overall last year in India. However, the slow and patient approach of luxury car makers is paying rich dividends now. According to Blokland, most luxury car companies doing business in India are very happy with their overall sales figures and statistics including Lamborghini and Rolls Royce which are the giants in this space.
Luxury car makers have not had it easy with regard to tapping into the unpredictable automobile market in India. The economy is unpredictable and Indians have always preferred vehicles that are cheap, compact and efficient with regard to fuel consumption. This is a historic trait that has come down through the ages right from the iconic Maruti 800. The Tata Nano has been a huge hit and sensation and the company has been coming out with newer models to satiate huge demand for this feature packed, tiny car which is also the cheapest car in India. According to the managing director and president of General Motors India, Karl Slym, the company brought out the Chevrolet Beat hatchback and had to typically give it some Indian flavors. These changes included tweaking the suspension to take on harsh road conditions. Alongside, the suspension system of the Beat was strengthened and made tougher. The transmission system was also changed and made more efficient in order to help Indian customers brave harsh conditions on roads.
Foreign luxury car manufacturers have kept their product offerings intact in the country. They have been facing multiple challenges with regard to finding a market niche for themselves. Traffic jams, lack of open road space and other impediments have essentially forced Indian customers to opt for functionality over form based aspects. Those who desire a ride that is premium and stylish, have to pay hugely for the same. The import duties which go up to more than 100 percent double the price tags of foreign cars. This has forced Mercedes Benz and BMW to assemble a few models locally in India and this brings down taxes and duties by a huge amount. BMW India president, Peter Kronschnabl talks about how the company discovered the true nature of the Indian luxury car connoisseur. Indian customers could afford luxury vehicles but would not really do anything special to purchase the same. As a result, BMW invested in dealerships, showrooms and also showcased both the driving and chauffeur driven experience to its customer base in India. These efforts have borne fruit as BMW finished last year as the top selling luxury foreign car manufacturer in India. According to experts, this is just the topping on the iceberg to come!
Used car purchases are very common in today’s times but what we do not really get to see is vintage car purchases. Purchases of vintage cars are really uncommon in today’s times. We do not really get to see many people putting up an investment for a really beautiful vintage car. However, people have been collecting and purchasing vintage cars down the years. There are many collectors who have enviable collections of vintage cars. This is something that can be defined as true passion alone as vintage cars do not really make for a great financial investment in most cases.
However, that does not mean that you should shy away from buying a vintage car. If you end up making the right choices, your vintage car can actually double in value and make its presence felt as an investment to be reckoned with. However, you have to be willing to invest time, energy and money into this investment for the long haul. A little patience and perseverance is the key factor in this case. Always select your vintage car with care and caution. Do not go for cars that are too old; you might not get hold of appropriate car parts and components in most cases. Alongside, this will lead to loads of hassles and headaches with regard to sourcing these components from outside.
You will have to keep your car waiting in the garage and spend hefty sums of money on replacing components and parts. This is a time consuming and really expensive affair of sorts, one that you would do well to avoid if you are not a seasoned car collector. If you are a first timer, it would be best to go for something that can be driven on a day to day basis and can also make for a good investment. In this regard, it should be mentioned that cars from the sixties and seventies make for great investments according to car magazines and other industry sources.
These vehicles have a retro charm and feel about them and are contemporary at the same time. The vehicles from the seventies, especially, come in striking designs and are dominated by newer innovations in engine placement, quality, horsepower and interiors. It is best to avoid cars that have been owned by celebrities and public figures in the past. While you may actually end up with a good vintage car of your own, you might end up paying four or five times the actual value of the car. This is mainly because of the brand name of the celebrity attached to the vehicle. These are investments that you firmly steer clear of by all means.
Always consult a friend who is knowledgeable about vintage cars or even an expert with regard to the make, model and year of your ideal vintage car. Read up on vintage cars available currently in the market and endeavor to do some homework with regard to the approximate prices of the same. This will help you get a better deal on your investment. You should also negotiate your prices with the used vintage car seller. Get your own mechanic or local car expert to scan the car thoroughly and prepare a professional assessment of the same. While this may take some time initially, it is worth it with regard to saving you money in the long run. How is this possible?
Firstly, a comprehensive inspection of the car will help you determine all possible flaws and problems lying within the same. This will save you from making a bad investment, one that will have you spending heaps of money on repairing, servicing, replacement and repairing. This is one situation that you are spared from in case you get a thorough car checkup conducted. Always go for a test drive whenever possible in order to gauge the condition of the car yourself. This will help you get a feel of the car and its overall drivability in case you are planning to use it on a regular basis. Using it on a regular basis should actually be your purpose as stowing cars away in garages actually leads to wear and tear and many other damages.
Always determine whether you have the time and means to maintain your vintage car and keep it in mint condition. Read up on maintenance, regular servicing and proper storage and adjustment to weather conditions. Always be sure of your own capabilities in this regard before making an investment as this will otherwise turn out to be a fruitless exercise. At the same time, if there are some minor repairs required for the car, you can bargain for a considerably lower price with the vintage car seller. This will also help you save money in the bargain. First time and amateur buyers should not ideally purchase cars that need extensive restoration as this is a time consuming and specialized process and you should not jump to it the very first time itself.
Vintage cars are a labor of love and you will have to engage a dedicated and sincere mechanic or car expert who will love and care for the car as much as you do. This is a must in order to ensure a longer life and greater value for your car. In case you are not very aware of repair jobs and servicing, you need to find the right person who will keep your beautiful vintage car in mint condition. The value of the vintage car should appreciate further in a minimum of two to four years. This may prompt you to sell the car off at a good price but true blue car collectors cannot quite bring themselves to sell these beauties off. They remain in the collections of true blue car fanatics who treat these cars like their own offspring at times! Are you one of these passionate vintage car enthusiasts? If the answer is yes, then you should opt to purchase one of these cars right away!
Are you a bike enthusiast? Bikes are one of the greatest joys known to mankind, men in particular! These days however, women bikers are also making their presence felt in India and this is heartening news for bike makers and mainstream companies operating in this sector. There are many companies operating in this market space indeed and they are coming out with more and more products for both men and women. Scooters and bikes now rule the Indian market with elan and popular bike companies are facing competition from premium bike brands. The presence of top brands like Harley Davidson, Hyosung, Kawasaki, Indian and others would have been unfathomable in earlier decades.
However, the new breed of superbike and premium bike enthusiasts is pulling out all the stops to acquire and enjoy these mean machines and luxury bike brands are having a blast in India. Harley Davidson even went a step ahead and unveiled the Street 750 at a delectable price for Indian bike lovers. The low prices were possible through local assembling and lower duties and taxes as a result. This is one good move by Harley Davidson and even other globally acknowledged bike companies are coming out with more and more products for the Indian market. Which bike should you ideally purchase? The bike market in India is governed to large extent by the budget of the customer.
Your budget will ultimately determine your purchase and the kind of options you have. You have to determine the kind of usage experience you are looking at with your bike. Are you a daily commuter looking for efficient daily usage experiences? Are you looking for a bike that gives you a fabulous experience with regard to tackling congested traffic and daily hassles? Are you looking for a bike that gives you greater savings in terms of fuel economy and is a practical option to use on an everyday basis? If your answer is yes, you should definitely go for entry level or commuter bikes. There are some particular specialized commuter bikes that are now available in the country.
These bikes are fuel efficient, give you greater savings and are easy to use on a daily basis for commuting to work or other places of interest. These bikes are long lasting, durable and come with the latest features like start stop technology these days. Start stop technology has revolutionized the entire fuel efficiency concept and has helped people save more on their daily running costs. You can go for either the Bajaj Discover range of bikes or the Splendor iSmart from Hero Motors. The latter has been a time tested, popular bike that was once very popular with Indian customer. The Hero Honda Splendor was a very affordably priced, popular bike that resonated with a large section of youngsters and mid generation customers alike.
The legacy has survived as it seems and this new generation Splendor certainly deserves our recommendation as a top notch commuter bike. You can expect to spend between INR 35, 000 to INR 70, 000 for these bikes. There is another category of bikes that you might be very interested in. This pertains to top superbikes like the Kawasaki Ninja and the CBR. Yamaha also has bikes in these segments. These superbikes provide ample speed and acceleration abilities and are great options if you have the cash and the passion to spend on power and thrills. However, there is one aspect that often turns out to haunt superbike users, namely the quality of Indian roads and the growing levels of traffic congestion in major cities. This is why most superbike riders cannot really ride at high speeds and harness the full potential of these bikes. There are very few roads and driving tracks available and this is a major deterrent to buying superbikes. These bikes are mostly available between INR 1.5 lakhs to INR 5 lakhs and above. The Suzuki Hayabusa and the KTM Duke are other recommended options in this segment.
The Bajaj Pulsar is also in a class of its own and these powerful options defy categories and stereotypical branding maneuvers with their powerful features and overall ability. Alongside, you can also go for top end bikes from Harley Davidson, Indian, Hyosung and Royal Enfield. Royal Enfield in particular, has brought out an enticing café racer bike which should be a tempting proposition if you have the budget to afford the same. Good options in this segment include the Harley Davidson Street 750 which was mentioned earlier. This segment will have you spending anywhere between INR 1 lakhs and INR 7 lakhs depending upon the bike in question.
If you are looking to buy a full fledged Harley Davidson with all the frills, expect to shell out anything between INR 8 lakhs and INR 16 lakhs for the same! There are multiple bikes in every category depending upon your desires, needs and particular budget. You can easily purchase top end luxury bikes in India now and that too without any hassles. More and more companies are in the race to launch their products in India and this spells good news for bike enthusiasts and lovers. The premium segment is doing pretty well in India, more than what was expected actually and this augurs well for the growth of the biking market in general. If you are into superbikes and are thinking of buying one, you should also check out biker forums and clubs for advice. Not only will you be empowered with regard to making the right choices, you will also be able to join a vibrant community of riders and partake in newer experiences that are both enlightening and informative at the same time. India is now a melting pot of various brands and there never was a better time to snap up a bike. You have to decide on your budget and choose your preferred bike accordingly. Here’s to a successful bike purchase decision on your part!
