Re: TVS Akula 310 unveiled Quote:
Originally Posted by Porschefire I got a whatsapp forward yesterday with Motoroids claiming that this will not be branded 'Akula' but will be a sobered down Apache RTR 310. |
To me that's terrible news. Due to the facts you have brought up, I feel TVS ought to take this as an opportunity to create a new sub-brand (not sure what the terminology is here). I loved the Akula name and while the Apache line has spawned many impressive bikes, it is simply not wise to associate such a fresh offering with the Apache line considering Apaches never achieved much in sales. Quote:
Originally Posted by Porschefire Due to the above points, I feel that it will be an uphill task for TVS/BMW to even be a competition to the big names. But is it impossible? I certainly do not think so. |
I understand what you mean, but in certain cases, just having the product in existence means you have your task ahead of you cut in half simply because there is nothing else like it in the market. The CBR250r has gotten a bit long in the tooth and considering what a bump in performance a 300cc bike offers over a 250cc one, the market has moved on to expect better as well and what exists in that space? The RC390 which most of us Indians who are raised on splendors will find too agressive and the other half will harp on about its image in public as an accident provoking machine. Then you have the Yamaha R3 and the Ninja 300 both of which are reliable solid performers but not everyone is willing to pay double the price for that. Just take the RC390 itself, as an owner I can tell you that it is not a particularly reliable nor is it a well built machine, yet it sells. I love it purely for its aggressive nature but we all know several people buy it even if that is not what they are after, simply because it exists and its other competitors being CBUs are way more expensive. Now those people have a solid alternative. Quote:
Originally Posted by Porschefire PS: Have you ever ridden a N300 my friend? Well I've and I also happen to own a 4 year old N250. While the pricing might seem in the beginning, it is only when you spend more time with the bike that you realize why Kawasaki commands a premium. I can say from my experience that it is built fantastically well, rides well, stops well and as a package it just works in almost all the aspects. I couldn't have invested my hard earned INR 3.5L anywhere else. But of course, the A.S.S is a different story altogether. |
I have and have ridden the older 250r as well. honestly I even love the 90s styling of the 250r over the current generation 300 but that's just personal preference. The Ninja 250r is a bike that I lusted after once I had learned how to ride but after I got out there and rode the Ninja 300, it simply did not evoke the emotions in me that I expected it to. Again that is simply down to personal preference since I was hoping for something more like the R15 but was disappointed to note that the small Ninjas were more like sport tourers with extra oomph than sportbikes with quick reflexes that the design used to suggest. Later down the road I checked out the RC390 and fell in love. Now I may not ever buy a Ninja 300/R3 or an Akula for that matter because I desired an aggressive machine, that said, I would personally not be able to justify the money Yamaha demands for the R3 or Kawaski demands for the Ninja300 because while they are infinitely more refined and well built being Japanese products when compared to my KTM, for me to say that they are worth the premium and thus call them premium products, they need to outclass cheaper bikes in every single way. I guess it all boils down to how much and what you demand for the money you put up. No offense meant, the bike is great and whenever I go for long rides of over 200kms I wouldn't mind having the option to ride a Ninja instead but I just don't see anything premium about it. A Honda CBR250RR or a similar Kawasaki if it is ever made, now that is inarguably premium and one does not need to be muddled with love over ownership to justify that.
Last edited by IshaanIan : 8th April 2017 at 15:06.
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