LIVING FASHION: 2009

Bajaj XCD 135 DTS-Si Launched Today

Bajaj Auto has launched its executive segment bike XCD 135 DTS-Si, which the company plans to export worldwide. The leading bike-maker is also planning to launch sports bike Ninja 250 from its technology partner Kawasaki soon. Priced at Rs. 45,000, the XCD 135 DTS-Si comes with 10.5 brake horsepower (bhp) engine.

Bajaj XCD 135 DTS-Si The first batch of the bike will be rolled out from its Aurangabad plant in Maharashtra, while the subsequent production will take place at the Pantnagar facility in Uttarakhand. Launching the bike, Bajaj Auto Managing Director Rajiv Bajaj said the company planned to export the new bike from April. It plans to sell 20,000 units of the new bike a month. The company also plans to introduce sports bike Kawasaki Ninja by mid-2009, which would be priced over Rs. 2 lakh. It is also proposing to launch motorcycles from Austrian bike maker KTM, in which Bajaj Auto has over 25 per cent stake.

Ramnath Subbu writes from Mumbai: While the premium end of the motorcycle market was witnessing low growth and the entry level bike segment was seeing declining growth, the mid-size bike segment had been seeing good growth. “In times of a downturn, customers tend to consolidate their choice in the middle level,” Amit Nandi, General Manager, Marketing, said.

Source: The Hindu Business

Introducing CarAdvice.in - Indian Car Reviews

If you have enjoyed my bike reviews, then you would also love my car reviews. I have just started a new blog - www.CarAdvice.in and the first review is that of Hyundai i20.

The design of the website is quite simple but I just want to test a simple layout and just focus on producing quality content. Unlike BikeAdvice.in, there will not be any news or common advice. Only new car reviews will be posted and the updation frequency may be only around 2-5 per month for now

TVS Scooty Streak

The buzzword in colleges today is TVS Scooty Streak. Super styling is what I could say when I had that first glance of the newly launched TVS Scooty Streak. This unisex styled Scooty Streak is positioned to seize the 100cc plus scooters’ market share including the Suzuki Access, Honda Aviator and the Kinetic Flyte.

TVS Scooty Streak

The looks of the scooter are more or less retained the same as basic TVS Scooty. It will have the same double body and that distinctive snout in front too. Still Scooty Streak has many features to woo the metrosex scooter riders. The mobile charger would be one with a glove box that’s big enough and lockable. Scooty Streak also comes with skid-resistant wide tyres, so driving on wet and slick roads too could be far from fear. Read the rest of this entry »

Navigate Your Way Through GPS

In earlier days, when we go to a new city or place there were always some roadside people to whom we can ask directions to go to a certain location in that city. But nowdays, even single people walking down the road are busy with an iPod or a phone’s headset and we feel uncomfortable to ask them. But anyway, thanks to technology, Global Positions System can make our life easier. Now you need not worry about directions when you are touring.

gps navigation

There was a rumour that these devices work only in developed countries, but look here. This device shows you the way for more than 200 cities in India. This gadget is a one time investment and there is no recurring cost for any service because it gets the data from the satellite directly. Read the rest of this entry »

New Bikes From Bajaj in 2009!

Two-wheeler major Bajaj Auto is set to fight back falling sales with a renewed focus on bigger engine bikes backed by six new launches in 2009. The company will kick off with a new product, which will directly target rival Hero Honda’s best-selling Splendor/Passion range, the 135 cc XCD priced at Rs 45,000 and due for debut on January 21. Followed by this, the company also plans two more new rollouts in value-segment (125-135 cc engine size) in April and July and three premium models (150 cc and above) later this year.

Speaking to ET, Bajaj Auto managing director Rajiv Bajaj said: “We want to pursue our strategy of being a motorcycle specialist and our focus is on motorcycles in the 125 cc and above engine size, which has 35% share in the domestic two-wheeler market. Currently, we own 50% of the market for 125 cc and above engine size. We want to grow both our product range as well as our marketshare in that segment.

Unicorn Vs. FZ16 Vs. GS150R: 150cc Comparison

This is an article by Hussain who has taken a ride in all the three 150cc segment bikes namely Honda Unicorn, Yamaha FZ16 and Suzuki GS150R and has shared his thoughts with us. (Thanks Hussain!)

Honda Unicorn is the most balanced bike from the stable of Honda. The Handling is superb. The monoshock handles the potholes very well and provides excellent cornering and leaning ability. It feels heavy on the standstill and handles like a feather while moving. It glides where you want it to be in a straight line stability. If you are skinny you may feel the weight of the bike when standstill. Regarding the pickup it has got less initial pickup compared to other bikes in the same category but it becomes really fast once you cross 40kmph.

Bike Modifications - It’s Pros and Cons

While I was roaming around the Auto Expo at Bangalore, I came across a stall which showcased modified bikes. I met Mr. Bharath Jain who was the owner of a bike modification store at Bangalore and I talked with him about the concept of bike modifications. If you ever thought of modifying your bike, you need to go through this article before taking action.

Personally I wouldn’t go for a bike modification for two reasons, firstly, the originality of the bike is manipulated and secondly, the service center people will not be very happy with you because of technical difficulties that they would need to encounter. Sometimes they may even neglect to service your bike.

January 22, 2009

Go Crazy

just check my treants

Yes. They will be here tomorrow. Wonderful Guess "Maeve" boots. Kind of gothic but I can't wait to wear it with my chiffon dress with tights and leg warmers, a black blazer, and some crazy coloured scarf.

So now for some outfits that I would gladly wear. Because we all have Lacroix, Moschino and Schouler lying around in our closets.

SO EXCITED. SO IN LOVE.

But not nearly as excited or as in love with the fact that Barack Obama is now our President!!

January 20, 2009

Pretty Passport Holder

When I was walking pass the travel accessories section at Saks last month, I scoffed at the idea. Why would I need a pretty passport holder when I only use it once every few months, and when I do, only very briefly when I go through customs. Most of the time, it is kept inside my bag anyway.

A day or so later, I learnt the error of my ways. 12 hours before my international flight, I realized that my passport was not where it should be. I was completely frazzled and lost. I immediately started ransacking my apartment looking for it and even called HG internationally for moral support in my panicked state (it was the middle of the night for her too!). I kept looking while she went online and checked out what one does in a situation like this (it was a saturday night so govt departments are not even opened the next day). Half an hour later, I finally found it neatly tucked away in a inconspicuous looking white envelope. I'd used my passport 6 months ago for something else and had forgotten to put it back in the pencil case looking travel bag where I put all my travel stuff in. Phew! Crisis avoided.

The next day on my ride to the airport, I retold my story to my friend and she said that this was why I should get a pretty passport holder, then I'd never have to put my passport in a white envelope. Plus, I should get an eye catching one, so I'll see it immediately. She had a point. Now i'm a convert to pretty passport holder. The question of course, is which one. I'm considering this bright red one from Saks. It is simple, elegant and vibrant. Plus, the size is just right, with little compartments for travel award cards etc (actually it might even be a great present for mom!).

How does everyone else keep their passport?

Image Source: Saks

January 08, 2009

The DVF Keva Dress

I always knew that Ms. von Furstenburg was a genius with the wrap dress, but I thought that my one printed blue DvF classic wrap dress would be enough to quench my thirst for DvF. Unfortunately, she has proven me wrong with the Keva dress.

I first caught a glimpse of it online window shopping on Shopbop. It had only just gone on sale and I thought, aww what a pretty dress. Then the other day, I saw it at a department store and I must say, it looks even better in person! Naturally I simply HAD to try it on, even though the only one on the rack was about 2 sizes too big. And it felt absolutely beautiful. It is made out of this wonderfully flowy chiffon material that moves with you as you swirl. Most of the time with these kind of dresses, the chest area would be too big for me. But from the looks of it, with the right size, it promises to fit well on me (or so I imagine). And best thing of all? With this print, this is the perfect dress for Spring. The color is dark enough that you can pair it with tights for colder weathers. But the material and design is just light enough that it will still be great for summer! The print is also not so recognizable that it will be over next season. How awesome is this dress?

Unfortunately for me, I analyze too long and now they are sold out on Shopbop (it was half price!). I've already checked the DvF website, Saks and Neiman Marcus. But alas, it looks like this dress is lost to me. I definitely need to keep my eye out for something similar in the next collection!

Oh and Happy 2009 everyone!

Image Source: Shopbop

January 07, 2009

Dress Me

What inspires your sense of style? For me, right now it's things that drape well, a summery sort of flow, romantic things and I get inspired by photos that appear drenched in sunlight. I love photo spreads, I could spend hours upon hours staring at them and soaking in their beautiful glossy feel. This is just a hint of what has been inspiring me lately, what about you?

Kind of makes you want summer...

Image Source: livejournal.com/users/fakingfashion
livejournal.com/users/modelcouture

January 02, 2009

There's something about the girl

There's something about the girls at Garance Dore. Maybe it's their fresh faces, their glowing skin, their always inspiring looks, or their gazing eyes. I love street-style blogs, because we're not looking at people who dress to the nines everyday in clothes that cost more than they should. We're simply looking at people with their own taste, their own style, just living their lives, who happened to be caught on camera and shown to the world.