Whether it's the 'design and looks' or the technology, Bajaj Pulsar is ruling the Indian roads, with it's presence marked in all the major biking segments (150cc, 180cc, 200cc, 220cc).
After remaining silent for quite a few months, Bajaj is back with a real competitive product - the upgraded Bajaj Pulsar 220cc (2009) DTS-i at a challenging price of 70000/- INR (Ex-Showroom Delhi) - clearly it's a competitive price tag against the present 'Lord of the Streets' - Yamaha FZ 16 & FZ-S.

While collecting some logo pictures, I noticed a striking similarity between the logos of Volkswagen and Bajaj. It looks certainly something more than a coincidence. After designing the logo, the designers at Bajaj couldn't have missed it's similarity with one of the world leading Auto makers - Volkswagen, or has it been done intentionally ?
Just see the images below:

Here's the normal logo of Volkswagen
Now rotate it by 90°, in counter-clock direction.

Now, just have a look on Bajaj logo

So... any comments ?

According to Reuters, Bajaj said it would launch a new motorcycle every month from January to attract buyers.

Bajaj said motorcycle and scooter sales dropped 37 percent in November. All vehicles, including three-wheeled motorised rickshaws that rose 13 percent, were down 32 percent. And Bajaj is expecting the fall in sales for December too, as dealers have already piled up their inventories which need to be sold off first. And due to this slowdown Bajaj has lost it's second position to Honda (at least for the month of November, 2008) [From Vicky.in]

To beat the slowdown, group firm Bajaj Auto Finance Ltd is offering a retail finance scheme to buy Bajaj's vehicles at an interest rate of just under 8 percent, Bajaj Auto Ltd said in a statement.

Now that we have a number of bikes in the 150cc to 220cc segment, while selecting a bike from this huge range of options, people get confused even in a single company, and when they visit showrooms of different companies, it only adds to their confusion.
For your convenience and to help you in better selecting the right bike, this post contains the specifications of all popular bikes in the 150cc to 220cc segment.
The bikes are from Bajaj, Hero Honda, Honda, TVS, and Yamaha, namely Pulsar 150cc, Pulsar180cc, Pulsar 200cc, Pulsar 220cc, Hero Honda Hunk, Hero Honda CBZ Xtreme, Hero Honda Karizma, Yamaha FZ 16, Yamaha R15, Honda Unicorn, TVS Apache.
You can compare the following specifications in the pictures below:

Engine and transmission : Displacement, Engine type, Stroke, Power, Starter type.
Physical measures : Front suspension, Rear suspension, Front brakes, Rear brakes, Gear box, Length, Height, Curb weight, Fuel capacity, Reserve fuel volume, Mileage/Fuel efficiency, ex-Showroom price.

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Bajaj Pulsars - Click the Image to Enlarge

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Hero Honda - Click the Image to Enlarge

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Yamaha - Click the Image to Enlarge

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TVS Apache & Honda Unicorn - Click the Image to Enlarge

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You can download all these details together
in a single file (Excel sheet) from here :
[Download From Here]

After the launch of Bajaj XCD-125cc last year, Bajaj auto has planned to completely stop Platina's production, and shift (upgrade) all the 100cc customers to 125cc. But unfortunately with some minor problems in  XCD, its sales could not meet their expectations and finally Bajaj Platina 125cc DTS-Si (improved) has been relaunched in four attractive colors, phase wise across the country from end September onwards.

The bike is powered by 125 cc  engine and is based on Bajaj's patented Digital Twin Spark - Swirl induction (DTS-Si) technology. And it has many new added features like 125 cc engine, 111 kmpl Mileage, Ride Contro Switch, Electric Start, Auto Choke, Maintenance Free Battery, Anti-Friction DU Bushes in the front fork, SNS Suspension, Twin Pilot Lamps, ExhausTec. Bajaj Platina 125cc DTS-Si is priced Rs.39,000/- ex-showroom.

The pricing has been done very competitively mainly againstHero Honda Splendor 100cc, although it may even affect other 100cc bike models like TVS Star City etc. 

Along with this, Bajaj Auto is now expected to launch a dual-fuel motorcycle which will run on CNG or LPG as well as petrol.

For complete specifications, reviews and other details keep a track on this website, as they will be added soon !

Pursuant to the Scheme, Bajaj Auto Ltd is re-named as Bajaj Holdings & Investment Ltd. New F&O contracts is to be introduced today; futures lot size of 250 shares, options strike priced between Rs 20-2700.

It goes ex-demerger (goes into ND period; out on Mar 24). Auto stock will re-list later ((Technically Bajaj Auto is delisting and Holdings arm is listing).

Bajaj Auto has fixed March 25, 2008 as record date for determining the shareholders of the Company, who would be eligible to receive shares of Bajaj Auto Ltd (new) and Bajaj Finserv Ltd in the ratio of 1:1.

The Hon'ble High Court of Judicature at Bombay has sanctioned the Scheme Arrangement between Bajaj Auto Ltd, Bajaj Holdings & Investment Ltd and Bajaj Finserv Ltd and its respective shareholders and creditors. This marks the successful completion of the demerger process, which was initiated by the Company with the Board approval on May 17, 2007. The demerger reinforces the commitment of Bajaj Auto Ltd group to the businesses of the resulting Companies.

==> Highlights of the Scheme of De-merger :-

(a) Bajaj Auto Ltd (the new name of Bajaj Holdings & Investment Ltd under the scheme) to focus on auto business.

(b) Bajaj Finserv Ltd (BFS) to focus on wind energy generation, insurance, consumer finance, financial products distribution business and new initiatives in financial services space and

(c) Bajaj Holdings & Investment Ltd (the new name of Bajaj Auto Ltd under the scheme) will function primarily as an investment Company and focus on new business opportunities.

Although a very successful marketing & response to their 150 cc bike "PULSAR",  recent price hike in that model due to new added features (digital speedometer, LED tail light etc.), Bajaj has lost some of its customers - who shifted themselves to either Bajaj Discover 135cc or 125cc or to any other company.

To minimize the large price gap between their 135cc Discover & 150cc Pulsar, now they have introduced an improved version of Discover - Bajaj Discover 150cc.

The new features include - a digital speedometer, comparable with that of XCD Dts-Si 125cc.
Back tail light again looks similar to XCD - sleek & LED.

The front engine covers can be compared to that of new TVS Flame 125cc fitted with the front indicators.

The front wheel - ofcourse with disc brake.

But the overall looks are not much different, when compared to its ancestors Discover 135cc & 125cc.

According to the people in AutoExpo'08 the bike may be launched in another 5 to 6 months. So let's wait & watch !!!

Although a big success in terms of marketing and sales but with many complaints regarding the quality and features against Bajaj XCD 125 cc, Bajaj has made an all new XCD DTSi Sprint, as a new variant of its previous edition XCD DTS-Si which will hit the market in another 6 to 8 months, here are just some of its improved features :

Pictures straight from AUTOEXPO 2008 :