facebook
SENSEX
NIFTY
GOLD
USD/INR

Weather

image 17    C
...View News by News Source

Honda NX500 v/s RE Himalayan 450: Which bike to buy for my use case?

BHPian nasirkaka recently shared this with other enthusiasts. Just browsed through this thread and interesting to read various opinions and thoughts on the NX500. It's been a while since I bought a new bike and the itch is growing. I had pinned my hopes on the Himalayan 450 but am not yet fully convinced about that bike. It is still very much under consideration but here comes the NX500 to make decisions messier. BACKGROUND: I have been riding a 310 GS (2018, 55k kms), an Interceptor 650 (2019, 30k kms) and an Xpulse 200.310GS is my daily workhorse and does fairly well on weekend rides as well which is a mix of highways, trails, some off-roading, etc. It served well and is still in very good shape, except for the typical single-cylinder issues or vibes, under-powered feeling, exhaust notes, etc. It does not sell in numbers, so the feeling of exclusivity is there. Also, the bike looks good in my eyes.Interceptor 650 is my love rebound for a 650 twin post parting with my Versys 650 due to health reasons. It's a bike which I have modified a fair bit to make it versatile for relaxed long hours on the saddle, and some off-roading as well. But in the end, we can only achieve so much with mods.Xpulse 200 was bought for weekend trails around town where one could try things off the road which one would not dare on heavier and expensive bikes. Xpulse has its limitations in single pot and unrefined engines, highway capabilities, etc.I was looking at the Himalayan 450 as a possible replacement for the 310GS. With the NX500 in offering now, there is a line of thought which says sell the interceptor and the 310GS both and get the NX500. I guess the NX500 would be able to do what both these bikes offer. USE CASE: Most of my weekends are spent riding to places which offer trails, and off-roading opportunities. My riding involves biting more than I can chew and frequently results in dropping the bike or subjecting it to an environment where scratches, dents, bends, and damages are likely. This works with 'not so expensive' to maintain bikes like the GS, interceptor and Xpulse, but I may hesitate to go to such places on the expensive NX500. But I also know that if I do get the NX500, I would be going to such places, dropping the bike on trails and slush, and am not sure how that will turn out to be. DILEMMA:The 310GS will have a poor resale value (mine is the first batch, where it was much more expensive to begin with).Even with combined sales of these two bikes, I may still have to additionally put in more than half the amount of what the NX500 could cost on-road in Bangalore.Some basic assessors would be additional and those are again unreasonably expensive.At present, I have other financial commitments as well which means I am looking at a part loan in case I go with NX500. So it's the fight inside the head for a 'no brainier' Himalayan 450 vs the 'double the cost' of NX500.I have never owned a Honda before so not aware of their after-sales service, spare availability, costs etc.I like how the NX500 looks.Looking forward to other members' thoughts on this tussle. Here's what BHPian b16h22 had to say on the matter:The H450 is the better pick for your use case. You have to consider the availability of spare parts along with the costs involved if you plan on taking the NX500 off-road regularly. If you manage to bend something like a handlebar or damage the bodywork on the trail, the CBU factor might be a drawback.Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Team-BHP 19 Mar 2024 8:33 am

Did first service of my Slavia at 15000km: A very satisfying experience

BHPian Shanksta recently shared this with other enthusiasts.First Service Experience:I covered 15000 kms in my Slavia on 28-Feb-2024 in just under 6 months of taking delivery. Managed to get an appointment at Gurudev koda this week and dropped the car off for its first service. Reached the service center at 9AM sharp and was attended to in 10 mins. The service advisor did a quick inspection and generated an estimate for 7300 for the parts and wheel balancing and alignment. I did not opt for the service maintenance package while buying the car as I felt it was unnecessary. I had specifically told them not to include any additional unnecessary jobs like AC cleaning, engine coating, etc., Immediately got a system generated message that my car was taken in for service and estimated delivery was 4PM. Went on my way to work at 9:30AM. Around 3:15PM received a call from my service advisor that the service, wheel balancing and alignment and road test were complete and the car was in washing. He told me I could drop by in 30 minutes to pick up the car. Received another system generated message at 3:45PM that my vehicle's service was complete and the final bill was 6497. Reached the service center at 4:40PM and was immediately attended to by my SA. He gave me a detailed walk through on the work done and the various parameters of the car. Everything was good, I took the entire bunch of workshop forms they filled and went through everything. The first service for Slavia includes engine oil(4.7 liters), oil filter, pollen filter, sump plug and washer replacement. He even took the time to explain to me the alignment values. Paid the bill and waited for a few minutes for the gate pass to be generated. The SA then brought the car out and it was spick and span, I was expecting a few grease marks in the interior but everything was spotless. I was extremely happy and left back for my office by 5PM. Overall an extremely satisfying first time experience with koda's service center. They even gave a nice docket with the invoice taking the feel-good factor a notch above. I was pretty worried on how it would go after reading all the horror stories in the forum but was pleasantly surprised. Also the costs are very reasonable with only the wheel balancing and alignment especially the cost of weights per wheel being a bit expensive, having said that I think it was worth it as they even corrected the slight off center in the steering which I did not mention while dropping the car. Received a follow up from the SA the following day enquiring if I was happy with the work done and the driving experience post the service. Kudos to the team at Gurudev koda Guindy, a bunch of prompt and pleasant individuals to interact with. Even with the labor costs included from the next service a total of 7-8k seems very reasonable to spend on maintenance every 15k kms. Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Team-BHP 19 Mar 2024 8:03 am

Best AirPods Deals: Big Savings on Apple and Beats Earbuds and Headphones - CNET

Picking up a new pair of Apple AirPods can be daunting, but these prices will help make your selection much less scary.

Cnet 19 Mar 2024 3:30 am

India bright on radar of global players; am optimistic about future: Nykaa Founder Falguni Nayar

In an exclusive interview with PTI, Nykaa founder and CEO Falguni Nayar said the recent instances of corporate governance lapses in some well-known startups will lead to greater scrutiny by investors (in the ecosystem), and asserted that governance agenda has to be set out very early in an entrepreneurial journey.

The Economic Times 18 Mar 2024 9:31 pm

Rise of China and unsettled borders will be most formidable challenge for India: CDS Gen Anil Chauhan

Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan highlighted the unsettled borders with China as India's most formidable challenge, emphasizing the need for astute handling of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) at disputed borders. He underscored the importance of maintaining legitimacy on these borders and countering efforts to create new facts or narratives. General Chauhan also addressed the impact of technology denial regimes and rising fragility in India's immediate neighbourhood, stressing the need for collective action to address security challenges.

The Economic Times 18 Mar 2024 9:16 pm

Is TikToks parent company an agent of the Chinese state?

Op-ed: In China Inc., its a little more complicated than that.

Ars Technica 18 Mar 2024 8:20 pm

Plato's observation holds true even today: Those who tell stories rule the world

Apart from being a cognitive skill, public speaking is a character skill too, making it perhaps the most powerful force multiplier a leader could deploy.

Livemint 18 Mar 2024 7:17 pm

Not even far-flung Antarctica could escape the covid virus

How the Sars-CoV-2 reached there is a lesson in humility for humanity at large. We exert far less control over pathogens and public health than wed like to think.

Livemint 18 Mar 2024 7:14 pm

China-spec Volkswagen Tayron interior leaked

Earlier this year, the first images of the Volkswagen Tayron surfaced online, giving us a first look at the new 7-seater SUV. Now, new images have leaked revealing its interior. The Tayron is the replacement for the Tiguan AllSpace. It will be sold in the Chinese market as the Tiguan L Pro. The SUV is also expected to be launched in India sometime next year. The interior of the Tayron looks similar to that of the latest-gen Tiguan. It features a sleek, futuristic dashboard with a digital instrument cluster and a large floating touchscreen in the centre. There's also a third screen on the passenger side. The car has fewer physical switches, as most functions have been integrated into the touchscreens. The centre console houses a wireless charging pad, cup holders and a rotary drive mode selector. The Tayron is based on the MQB EVO platform. The SUV is powered by 2.0-litre turbo-petrol and 2.0-litre diesel engines. All powertrains have a 48V mild-hybrid setup, with either 4WD or 2WD. Source:Autohome

Team-BHP 18 Mar 2024 6:02 pm

Delhi-Mumbai Expressway: Observations driving back to Faridabad

BHPian Amity recently shared this with other enthusiasts. Recently, I travelled from Faridabad to Jaipur and back on the Delhi-Mumbai expressway. Here are my observations: I completed the onward journey of more than 270 Kms in around 3.5 hours (excluding a break at one of the rest stops and some Google Maps misdirections). The return journey from Nahargarh Fort to Faridabad took almost 4.5 hours due to Google Maps, a jam on the entry ramp from Jaipur and unruly traffic at Ballabhgarh. The entry onto Faridabad bypass from Mathura Road (NH19) is not properly marked on Google Maps and it will just make you go in rounds. Instead of taking the correct exit onto the service road and then a U-turn under the bypass flyover to get onto the ramp, Google Maps takes you in the wrong direction and then asks you to get onto the bypass where there is no ramp at all and it will keep asking you to go in circles. The surface of the Faridabad bypass road is much better than the actual expressway. There are much fewer undulations and it is predictable. However, patrolling is not proper as I saw two-wheelers on this stretch. Though there are street lights on the Faridabad bypass stretch, the majority of them were not switched on. The expressway, though wide and properly marked, does not boast of a good surface. There are a lot of undulations and jolts on the expressway, especially near flyovers or bridges. It is not a completely smooth ride. Already I could see many patchworks in the expressway and repair works were also going on. This doesn't bode well for a flagship project. There is almost negligible patrolling on the whole stretch as I didn't see patrolling vehicles during my travel. I believe there should be round-the-clock patrolling on this stretch as it passes through isolated areas. The boundary wall is already broken in many places and people were grazing goats in the area between the boundary wall and the main carriageway. This makes it risky for everyone and something which could be prevented if there was proper enforcement and regular patrolling. Local people were sitting on the railings of the expressway taking pictures or talking on phones as if it was some community park. It was a common feature throughout the expressway which shows a lack of willingness on the part of authorities to prevent such things. There are some rest stops along the expressway but all of them are not functional. Some have coming soon boards showing for Starbucks, Dunkin' Donuts, Domino's Pizza, etc. at the rest stops. Hopefully, it'll be better by the time the complete expressway opens up. The washrooms at one of the normal rest stops (IIRC 99 km rest stop while going towards Jaipur) were much much cleaner than McDonald's washrooms (coming from Jaipur) on the expressway. NHAI had constructed basic buildings for rest stops and now the same are being brought down/ refurbished by restaurants to bring it to their own designs. This I feel is a waste of time and money as NHAI could've just allotted some open slots to restaurants to bring up their own buildings. By constructing such basic buildings, NHAI must've paid contractors which must have been part of the consideration for deciding the toll amount and now the same is being brought down by restaurants as per their convenience. I believe it would've been much cheaper to just allot blocks and let restaurants construct their own buildings. Alongside those boundary walls, locals have opened shops/ dhabas and truck drivers park their trucks on the shoulder to fetch something or have food. There were many trucks at such stops, sometimes more than 5 also. Such illegal stops are risky for everyone on an expressway and again highlight the lack of patrolling and enforcement on the expressway. I do hope that economical options are made available to truck drivers at the rest stops as it may not be feasible for them to otherwise have meals at eateries at rest stops. I saw trucks making a U-turn in the middle of the expressway and then driving on the wrong side at full speed, likely to one of the illegal shops/ dhabas they missed. There is no lane discipline on the expressway as trucks were there on all 4 lanes and cars had to zigzag through it all. This again shows a lack of patrolling and enforcement on the expressway. The connectivity from the expressway to Jaipur city is not good. It takes you through the crowded parts of the city and wastes a lot of time. I saw that construction has already started on Greenfield Road to connect with Jaipur. I hope it is completed very soon as it will further reduce the time by at least 30 minutes. The entry ramp for the expressway while coming from Jaipur is very small and the toll plaza is almost at the start of the ramp. While returning, most of the toll booths on this ramp were non-functional due to so be technical faults and traffic was already stretching to the highway from the ramp. The staff at the toll plaza was completely clueless about dealing with it. They let us pass after keeping us waiting for more than 5 minutes. One surprising thing I noticed was that there is no separate toll plaza while entering from Faridabad bypass or exiting from the expressway to Faridabad bypass. I am guessing the toll plaza at Faridabad bypass ( which charges INR 50 for every single journey) doubles up as an entry/ exit toll plaza for the Expressway. It appears that our tag was not scanned at the entry ramp at Jaipur and therefore, no amount was deducted from the Fastag account when we exited the expressway onto the Faridabad bypass. Most of the speed cameras were not working on the expressway. Also, the speed shown on the cameras was almost 2 km/h less than the speed shown on the car speedometer. The exit ramp at Ballabhgarh onto NH 19 is very narrow and the service road where the ramp merges, itself is narrow. This was made worse by wrong side local traffic on the service road and caused a jam for at least half an hour, with no police to control it. I believe it's a good effort but needs a lot of support from people and law enforcement agencies to improve its standards. Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Team-BHP 18 Mar 2024 5:30 pm

Is Bengaluru Heading Towards Day Zero Water Crisis?

Is Bengaluru Heading Towards Day Zero Water Crisis?

The Economic Times 18 Mar 2024 5:05 pm

Driving on the new Mumbai Coastal Road: GTO shares his experience

BHPian GTO recently shared this with other enthusiasts. Made a plan for dinner @ Souk, Taj last evening specifically to drive on the new Coastal road. There are two entry points when southbound. One, a right-turn from Worli Seaface (main junction before Piramal-Ambani house). Unfortunately, it was closed off at 5 PM and I got there at 6. No problem, we drove onward and got onto the Coastal road from Worli (junction after Copper Chimney). Man, what a drive! You climb up and have a beautiful view of the sea on one side (including the iconic Haji Ali Dargah) and the tall skyscrapers of this maximum city on the other. Merge onto a wide, well-laid road. Saw an exit for Bhulabhai Desai Road, but we of course proceeded straight into the tunnel. I must say, the undersea tunnel is very long and even has some kind of music playing! Exited on Marine Drive. Worli to Marine Drive in ~6 minutes The Marine Drive -> Worli section will be opening in a handful of months. Proud of India. Proud of this beautiful city. It's so logical to have coastal roads around this Island City for better connectivity. I recently drove on the Atal Setu, India's longest sea bridge. And now, India's first undersea tunnel. The Atal Setu, Coastal Road, Bandra-Worli Sealink, Eastern Freeway, long JJ Flyover & more are true game-changers. Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Team-BHP 18 Mar 2024 5:00 pm

Hyundai Creta EV continues testing; spotted in South Korea

The Hyundai Creta EV, based on the facelift version of the SUV, that was launched in India earlier this year, has been spotted testing once again. This time, the electric SUV was seen in the brand's home market of South Korea. The electric version of the Creta has a similar design to the ICE version. It has the same L-shaped LED DRLs but is likely to get a blanked-out grille. It also has aero-optimised dual-tone alloy wheels. Inside, we can expect the Creta EV to get a dual-screen setup like the ICE version. It could be equipped with features such as dual-zone automatic climate control, ventilated front seats, a 360-degree camera and Level 2 ADAS. Reports suggest that the Creta EV could use a 55-60 kWh battery pack, having a maximum range of around 500 km. It will power a front-mounted electric motor. Source:Autospy

Team-BHP 18 Mar 2024 4:36 pm

My Chevrolet Trailblazer: Experience buying & owning the mammoth SUV

BHPian suryaj1990 recently shared this with other enthusiasts. Just bought the Mammoth! I see there have been no Ownership Reviews here. To begin with, this is HUGE! The vehicle dwarfs any Car or Human next to it! Compared to the Fortuner and Endeavour, I find the downside is the efficiency and missing 4x4 gear! Rest the vehicle is great! The Power output is enough to outshine Fortuners and Endeavours on the highway and the gearbox is silky smooth. You would not be able to make out the gear changes. There are no jerks even while slotting the vehicle in D as experienced in Fortuner. The ride quality is amazing. Much better than the competition and the sense of space inside the humongous cabin makes one comfortable. Even the third row is accessible and comfortable for adults. The music system is old school as per today's standards but has Bluetooth connectivity which works well and the system is also decent. I find the light throw inadequate. Service parts are easily available and the quality of interiors is good. Built to last. I am having a problem with the seat locks of the second row and trying to source parts. Was hoping to get in touch with like-minded owners to understand this beast better. Unfortunately, I have been told by the Chevrolet Service Station that only 3 of these cars exist in Mumbai! This car shares everything with the ISUZU MUX! Here's what BHPian shankar.balan had to say on the matter:I have seen only one of these ever. And that was a visitor to a clinic nearby. It is indeed huge. And definitely imposing and handsome. Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Team-BHP 18 Mar 2024 4:30 pm

Interceptor 650 major service at an FNG for Rs 9000: List of jobs done

BHPian surjaonwheelz recently shared this with other enthusiasts.Interceptor 650, 4th year major service at Pitlane, PuneAnnual service was due and the bike had crossed 20k km. I had certain jobs in mind for the major service:Throttle body cleaningValve clearance checksBrake fluid replacement (flush/bleed)Motowings (MW) air filter cleaningEngine oil, Motul 7100 & RE oil filterMajor service which includes cleaning and lubricating moving parts etc.Brake pads had life in them and fork oils were changed last year. I took quotations from Pitlane and Hyperion and decided to go with Pitlane as it was nearby and was charging less. Hyperion has a sophisticated bike lift and working area but were charging double for throttle body cleaning and valve clearance checks. Now I have an understanding with the Pitlane folks and mechanics, they're available when I mess up with a DIY. They charged me around 9k all-inclusive for the service and spares. Only drawback was that they didn't do the valve clearance checks as there was no noise from them! Later I'll get this done with an oil change. This time I'll share only dirty pics of my bike. Stripped down. Half of the service work is taking out, cleaning, and putting it back. How meticulously it's done is the skill of the mechanic and the SOP of the garage. Dirty oil, 4k+ kms in 6 months, Liquid Gun from RE. Dirty MW air filter, it was very dirty. I'm using the the stage 2 kit, I'm not sure I'll continue with this setup. Should I? Dirty throttle body. Being cleaned in 4 years and 20k+ km As clean as it could be. Air filter cleaning kit from BMC but the mechanic said this filter doesn't need oiling as in the case of BMC filters. I didn't fully agree with the cleaning process as he used compressed air to remove the water after washing it under tap water. I checked the filter, gauge density was not disturbed though. Maybe 6 months later I'll return to a paper filter with a snorkel cover but the intake sound is addictive! Motul 7100 10W50 fully synthetic engine oil They charged for 3.1 litres so I didn't have to buy the the extra 900ml. Out of the block and doing 380kms riding in a day didn't feel any drastic change other than it being a new oil. I believe unless you move to the expensive imported oils, you don't get enough benefits. Oils like Silkolene, LiquiMoly, Putoline, Motorex and Amsoil. In addition, if you change the oil every 6 months with RE Liquid Gun, Motul 7100, Castrol Power1, Total Hi-Perf, Shell Long Ride then you're good too! I had this purchased in the last service from RE, the front master cylinder cover and got it changed. I forgot to collect the old one. For other service work, I didn't stay back.Spark plugs cleaned (fairly new Iridium plugs) - I saw it, no pics.Brake fluid bleeding - I can feel the change. INT650 has an issue with the rear master cylinder as the brake oil gets dirty even without much use. Bad plumbing or poor placement?Brake pads & calipers cleaning and caliper pin greasingWheel axle greasing - a bit too much, seen accumulated at the ends!Chain clean, adjust and lubeLubing moving parts such as footpegs, stand pivots etc.I didn't like them lubing the hand lever pivots, it's not required. I washed/wiped them off! We went for the same-day return beach ride after this service. The bike performed flawlessly. For the past few months, I've noticed that the RHS mirror has a buzz and the view is not clear. Earlier this was not the case. I wanted to post all the parts replaced/upgraded/added in 4 years in this post. Let's try this. Apart from the above, I've changed tyres twice and switched to alloys, that's a big investment! You can find separate posts for both in this thread. What next? Just ride! Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Team-BHP 18 Mar 2024 3:30 pm

Honda Accord V6: Custom exhaust to reduce sound levels on the go

BHPian ImportedlLama recently shared this with other enthusiasts. This post is a short one as I just needed some advice and guidance from the more experienced members of the forum and possible people with some connections in my area. I reside in Bangalore in the JP Nagar area and am having a dilemma. For a while now I've been wanting to unleash my very muffled high displacement V6 accords throaty roar but with that, I have a few concernsI don't want the car to become a cop magnetI want to keep costs as low as possible (not much a 19-year-old can really afford on his own)I want to preserve the quietness of the stock exhaust because who wants a loud roar 24/7With these 3 points in mind, I figured the best way of going about this is a cutout exhaust system. If you are unaware of what this is, it's basically a replacement for a short section of your exhaust system maybe about 12-15 inches in length that has a branch attached to it which is controlled by a valve. What this system allows is the stock exhaust sound when the branch is closed but when the valve to the main exhaust is shut off it opens up the diverging branch and allows for the exhaust to flow freely. This will ideally be placed right before the two heavily restrictive mufflers. The exhaust forms sort of a Y shape and right before it branches into the two mufflers is where I will place this. I will attach pictures for reference to help make this a little less confusing. This is the cutout system. I plan on installing this right after the center box and right before the two mufflers on the small straight section. I've spoken to a Code 6 center and they stated that the first problem that they will face is welding mild steel to stainless steel, which is possible so I don't know why that would be a problem and also the cost if it were possible theoretically is around 30k which is out of my budget. My idea is to get the cutout system from the USA since it's virtually non-existent here and the Valvetronic system available is just muffler replacements so I'd have to get two of them which would make it really expensive. The US cutout part is around 100 USD which I can fit into my budget. Since welding was stated to be a problem finding someone who is willing to weld and more importantly a good price is also tricky. Hence what I plan on doing is using exhaust clamps which I've seen done before in a donut media video, and doing everything on my own. For this, I would first require the part to be brought in from the USA along with the exhaust clamps. Then I would need a shop or a place to work that has an angle grinder and other tools that I would need to do this. Then I would basically do a really sketchy redneck engineering job of cutting out a section of the exhaust and clamping in the cutout valve system. But hey what's life without doing dumb stuff like this every once in a while? The worst-case scenario for this in my head would be that it doesn't work and I'd just have to weld back in the piece that I cut out which I'm sure someone could do for cheap. This is my current thought process. I come to the members of this forum to tell me if this is a good idea and to help me rationalize it. Any other suggestions are welcome and if anyone knows somewhere where I can work on my car nearby that would also be very helpful. And please do let me know if anyone else has a better idea that will fit in my budget it would be very appreciated. Thanks for your time everyone, Cheers! Here's what GTO had to say on the matter:You're sailing in the right direction. Go for it. A BHPian had a similar remote-controlled exhaust on his SX4. Besides, loud exhausts can get tiring on long highway drives.Read BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Team-BHP 18 Mar 2024 2:08 pm

Aprilia RS 457 deliveries to commence in April

Aprilia launched the RS 457 last year at the India Bike Week. Since then, there has been a lot of excitement, especially among bike enthusiasts. Aprilia had initially planned to start handing over the bikes to customers this month, but deliveries have now been delayed. Reports suggest that the Aprilia RS 457 is expected to reach showrooms across India in the next few days, while customer deliveries will commence in April. The RS 457 is powered by a 457cc twin-cylinder liquid-cooled engine that makes 47 BHP and 43.5 Nm. The engine is mated with a 6-speed gearbox. The bike gets a ride-by-wire system and an optional quick shifter. The RS 457 features a 41 mm upside-down front fork with a mono-shock at the rear. Braking is handled by a 320 mm disc paired with a 4-piston caliper and a 220 mm disc at the rear, supported by dual-channel ABS. The Aprilia RS 457 competes with the KTM RC 390 and Kawasaki Ninja 400 in the Indian market. Source:Bikewale

Team-BHP 18 Mar 2024 1:51 pm

BYD EV prices could reduce with new low-cost platform

According to media reports, BYD is set to introduce a new EV platform, which will allow them to cut costs even further. Reports state that BYD will introduce updated versions of both its DM-i and e-Platform for PHEVs and EVs, respectively. The updated DM-i platform will allow BYD's PHEV products to offer a range of 2000 km with a full tank of fuel and full battery charge. BYD EVs, on the other hand, could move to the next-gen e-platform 4.0. Currently, the EVs are underpinned by the 3.0 version, which includes eight-in-one integration. The upcoming 4.0 e-platform will have more integrations and fewer wiring harnesses, further reducing costs. BYD recently unveiled its cheapest EV, the Seagull, which has a starting price of under $10,000. As per reports, BYD plans to steal market share from gas-powered cars over the next three years. Source: Electrek

Team-BHP 18 Mar 2024 1:35 pm

2024 Sonet facelift test drive observations: Might book HTX diesel AT

BHPian ashvek3141 recently shared this with other enthusiasts. I had a look and TD the Sonet FL last weekend and below are a few of my observations in no particular order. I didn't bother to click any pics since our official review has some amazing pictures in all the possible angles. Also, the TD vehicles were in Red Dual Tone. I had a good look at the GTX & HTX variants since I am looking forward to my car purchase and Sonet is on top of that list.Kia has given the GT & Tech Lines their distinct looks and are easily identifiable unlike the pre-FL, wherein it was just the 'red accents' to the skid plates. I personally like the look of the GTX, especially in the White DT paint. Makes the front look wider than it actually is. The HTX(s) look good too but a little 'toned down' than the GTX variants.That rear spoiler adds character and looks quite sporty. The same isn't present in the HTX.A major miss in the HTX are the alloys! The 'styled wheels' are styled well but then you know they aren't alloys. I really feel Kia should have given the alloys. You're paying ~ 15.60 L ex-Goa for wheels caps. Sigh! The GT Line alloys look fab though.All is not bad with HTX though; it now gets much useful ventilated seats, full leatherette upholstery v/s semi-leatherette in pre-FL, Tan interiors v/s the fabric white in pre-FL, front parking sensors, rear disc brakes; which are all value-added features IMHO and kinda make-up for the miss in the alloys. All this keeping the price of the HTX variants the same as pre-FL. Of course, these are 'introductory' prices.Though Kia has kitted the FL models pretty well, they have now started with their cost-cutting exercise or should I say value engineering exercise. The plastic quality, I felt was relatively of lower grade than the pre-FL. Having owned the pre-FL Sonet D AT in the past, I could feel the difference.The horn pad surely has seen a change as the underlying cut out for the airbag is now clearly visible, which wasn't the case in pre-FL. Additionally, that irritating clicky noise has increased when you press the horn pad which is a clear giveaway that the horn pad has changed.Same is the case with the engine start-stop button which now rattles a wee-bit in its position if you just slide your finger over it. There are other buttons showing similar characters. This wasn't the case in the pre-FL models.I felt the doors to be on the lighter side, the pre-FL had heavy doors with a pronounced 3-stage opening.The interiors don't feel 'new' as such, like they do in the Seltos FL. Kia has gone conservative with Sonet's interiors and reserved major changes only to the exteriors. They could have at least reduced the size of that AVN + Speedo console slab which sticks out like a sore thumb. The only welcome change is the tan interiors which are again limited to the Auto & iMT variants only.The GT Line gets 'all-black' interiors with the black roof liner and it makes the already tight cabin look claustrophobic. I don't understand this stupid trend. A black roof is acceptable for cars like Harrier, XUV700, etc.; not Sonet, please! HTX interiors look much more pleasant with tan seats and a white roof.The rear seat sees an improvement and my Mum actually commented on the same, without even me telling her about the change. The under-thigh support has improved, but this is good only for anyone below 5' 7 or so. Taller folks like me will still complain. The recess in the front seat-back is okay-ish and doesn't help much to liberate any legroom. It's just a placebo-effect thing IMHO. The Sonet's rear seat is still tight. No two ways about that.I drove the 7 DCT first and it drives just the way it did before. Though MotorInc mentioned that there's some improvement in the drivability of the turbo DCT, I didn't quite feel any. Maybe it's not a thing for the normal Joe. I found the car to get quite noisy in the SPORT mode when it held onto the gears. This makes me feel that there has been some compromise on the insulation front. I noticed the same in the D AT too.DCT is a delight to drive on the highways at sane speeds, which also helps to yield good FE. But the moment you think of having some fun, the mileage drops like crazy. DCT owners claiming 20 + kmpl mileage is all eyewash IMHO (no offence please). In practical scenarios with mixed driving conditions, it's simply not possible. The D AT returns under 18 kmpl, forget the DCT.After DCT, it was my fav D AT! I know this combo really well so I wasn't expecting anything different. The drivetrain which felt a lil 'lazy' in the elder sibling, the Seltos, is just 'perfect' in the lil Sonet. But like I mentioned earlier, the insulation seems somewhat compromised; the D AT too felt a lil louder than the pre-FL Sonet.Handling is predictable and nothing has been changed in this department. However, the suspension has surely seen some improvement. The earlier model used to sort of crash when you took the speed-breakers or potholes with a little bit of speed. That is not the case with the FL version. I drove this car on good roads to absolutely no roads with even 5 people on-board and I can confirm that the suspension has been improved.The horn sound also intrudes the cabin more than before, even though it has been muted a little now. Maybe the 'new' norms have kicked in already? The Seltos too had this low-sounding horn.I felt the handbrake to have some kinda springy action and was slightly on the heavier side as compared to the pre-FL. Has this got to do something with the rear disc brakes?ADAS 1 is known to all and does the job well. However, I don't find the Level-1 ADAS to be of any significant use. It doesn't even have the Blind-spot warning on the ORVMs. The lane-keep and collision avoidance can hardly be used in day-to-day scenarios. Anyway, maybe it's a matter of getting used to it.Finally, it's a 'decent' FL from Kia primarily focussing on the exteriors and I must say the car looks quite distinct!To me though, an additional premium of 3L for the GTX over the HTX is too steep to justify the feature additions. The moola is primarily for the ADAS tech I feel. HTX still looks quite VFM to me, only if it had those alloys. Sigh! But then - you win some, you lose some.I might end up booking the HTX D AT as I am still not convinced with these turbo petrols and their abysmal FEs. Even worse, the 1.0 L is a 3-cylinder unit and honestly, it sounds coarser than the 1.5 L Diesel. The only issue is the 'unknown' future of diesels in India and the stupid Govt. norms. Some say that 2027 will be the end of Diesel engines! So possibly, I would like to pick my 'last' diesel car and in all probability would like to retain it for 10 years. But then, I doubt there'll be any takers in the resale market a few years from now. It's a gamble, for sure! At the time of the TD, both - HTX & GTX D AT were readily available in stock. Hence, I could have a thorough look at them side by side. Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Team-BHP 18 Mar 2024 1:35 pm

7 months. & 7000km with my Compass 4x4 AT: What I like & what I don't

BHPian Dr_MNC_SK recently shared this with other enthusiasts. Completing 7 months 7000 kms in a JC Diesel Model-S AT 4x4. The Good The Bad The Ugly.Brief Background:I am from the hills. My daily drive is of good roads bad roads and no roads in true sense. Upgraded from a 4x4 Thar.Ergonomics:Ergonomics for driver and passenger I found is perfect as adequate adjustment is possible and the 2 Memory seating helps especially to get back to position from cleaning and all. I am 180 cm and I can seat fairly comfortable behind my own driving position. Nothing very spacious but not to cringe about for its size. Also rear seat is not that small as mostly pointed in reviews unless one is XL in size. 3 average sized individuals or 2 +1 car seat easily can sit. The hump for the rear shaft is present but not very very obtrusive.Driveability:The USP of this car. Can anybody tell another car available in India south of 40 lakhs which feels as close to this.AT in Hills:I was skeptical at first but no more. It doesn't hunt gears and stays perfect for 90+% of the time, for occasional hard braking or sudden deceleration it refuses to upshift when you nudge it to for some time. Hardly have to go to Manual Mode for gear selection. If very steep uphill, then if on Auto 4x4 mode then tries to start on 2nd (like always) which has to be manually overridden to 1st or have to go 4WD Low where it goes to 1st. If you don't want AWD but want to start from 1st gear, then must manually override. The need doesn't arise much except very steep climbs where you have to stop and go. On plain side highways it's a no bummer, it catches the gear 99% of the time.Fuel Efficiency and DEF Efficiency:Hills Highway 9-10 kmpl. Hills Traffic 6.5-8 kmpl Plain Highways 14kmpl. No complaints as I was getting almost same with my Thar 4x4 also. DEF usage was higher for first few thousand kms then have averaged out, Now I guess it will consume around 5 litre for 3000 kms in the hills. Haven't had any DEF issues even on cold winters or anything. Using Standard ADblue from ASS or sourced from Amazon.The Good Points:Ample of steering wheel control buttons ergonomically placed front and back. No accidental presses. Presence of Dedicated Hardware Buttons (plus Touch) for HVAC.360-degree camera is a boon in some tight spots in our hills though overtime with the experience of approximation usage has come down.Music System and U connect is working flawlessly. An occasional software issue with Apple Car Play is there which can be sorted by restarting the phone.TPMS is smart, detects wheel rotation itself, no need to readjust after wheel rotation. Takes around 10 kms of driving and it detects correct placement.Turning Radius and Steering wheel weight is remarkable.One touch Up Windows on all 4 doors.LED Projector Lamps and LED Foglamps are doing a remarkable job. May need a long throw spot beams for highways but not able to figure out where to mount them. The frame is front in front of radiator is aluminium.The specs GC at 178 mm is adequate because its the fully laden GC. It sits above 200 mm with only you in it. Havent hit anything until now running frenzy on our roads.Boot: This is good and bad both. The Auto Tailgate is good to have. No need to touch dirty vehicle on roadtrips to open & close the boot. The placement of the button is good for shorter people but for me I would have preferred it to be a bit outside not buried in. Day to Day grocery shopping isn't that appealing when the boot door is clean cause it takes a few seconds and we are all in a hurry. Also, there is adequate storage underneath the boot floor where vehicle maintenance kits like Tyre Kit Cleaning Kit Inflators and the likewise can be stored. I have some utensils and 2 camping stools also stored underneath. Tie Points are added advantage.The Bad Points:The Start Stop System should have a permanent kill feature. It will work when it wants to and stop when it wants to. Although manual says it will be deactivated on slopes it doesn't most of the time and if you are on Hold Feature then car goes back when engine restarts because it deactivates Hold and doesn't activate Hill Hold in that brief 1 sec period.Auto Headlamps/ Auto Wipers sensitivity is a hit or miss even with adjustment levels in the system. Less concerning as it can be overridden to manual.The door sills are a bit high to my liking. People inadvertently step on it on ingress or egress making it dirty all the while.Wish the fuel inlet could take in a regular diesel pump nozzle and not the narrow ones only. Have to hunt for these specifically while filling. They have provided a converter but the hassle and the dripping of diesel and the smell that lingers on in it is not worth it.The air deflector underneath the front bumper is the lowest point on the car. It grates and squeaks on some rough patches. Although it hasn't broken as of now there is a possibility. I guess it could be deleted.Boot Space: If you know how to pack it will swallow an enormous amount of luggage. Airport Runs with Hard Box Luggage is another story. Road Trips with duffels and soft luggage is not a problem.Mud Flaps: The OEM Mud Flaps (especially the front) kept of breaking as also mentioned by many users. Shifted over to a flexible time universal Mud Flap found dirt cheap in Amazon. Working great ever since.The Ugly::If I could say one thing Ugly, then it is the choice of 18 inches Wheels with a 225/55 tyre which becomes its Achilles heel. The low sidewall height combined with the tread pattern makes it vulnerable. Also the absence of AT availability in this size in India adds to the woes. The Trailhawk 17inchers should have been here too. I would trade my 18 inchers to anyone with 17.]Comparison/ VFM:Unless one owns or regularly drives the JC one cannot understand its driveability, handling and other safety features it has incorporated. There has been a lot of comparison videos and lack of features etc in comparison to other cheaper vehicles available in India but basically its about the gizmos and all. There actually isn't another comparable vehicle here except may be the XUV 500 AWD AT or more likelt the Tuscon AWD AT or the Tiguan AT AWD or Subaru Forester(Not available in India) . Noone compares the robust built quality, the safety features and the driving ergonomics and the handling. Established sedans seems difficult to handle after driving this vehicle. It may be expensive in comparison to many similar sized vehicles available in India, but I feel it is worth the money if you are into serious long distance travelling and want a no nonsense well handling medium sized vehicle which will take you from A to B safely and with less fatigue and has an AWD for those unforeseen events en route . (Not for offroading) Service Centre ASS here at Siliguri (Nearest) and Guwahati have been very cooperative and helpful. Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Team-BHP 18 Mar 2024 1:04 pm

Mahindra XUV300 facelift spied in production-ready guise

New spy images of the Mahindra XUV300 facelift have surfaced online. The latest prototypes appear to be of the production version and have minimal camouflage. The latest spy images suggest that the overall shape of the XUV300 will remain unchanged. The SUV will get a heavily revised front fascia though, featuring a bold new look. It is expected to get U-shaped LED DRLs at the front and reworked LED tail lights. Mahindra has also made a few changes to the interior. The XUV300 facelift will feature a larger touchscreen infotainment system. The free-standing unit can be seen in one of the spy images. The SUV is also expected to get a digital instrument cluster, among other features. The XUV300 facelift will carry forward the same 1.2-litre turbo-petrol and 1.5-litre diesel engines. Currently, Mahindra offers a choice of 6-speed manual and 6-speed automatic on all engines. The all-electric XUV400 could also receive similar updates in the future. Source:Rushlane

Team-BHP 18 Mar 2024 12:40 pm

Steering wheels: Enthusiasts share their preffered shape & type

BHPian CentreofGravity recently shared this with other enthusiasts. In the recent past, OEMs have been playing around with different designs for the steering wheel. Traditionally, steering wheels have been either round or flat bottomed, which are the most ergonomically sorted designs. The only difference was in the number of spokes in the steering wheel. Cars like the Tata Indigo had a four spoke steering, whereas the Maruti 800 came with a two spoke unit; most other cars had three spoke units. In the last decade or so, manufacturers have showcased radical steering wheels in their concept cars, however, they have now started making their way into production cars as well. Tesla received flak for its yoke in the Model S, and Lexus followed suit and launched the RZ with a yoke too. In 2022, BMW filed a patent for a yoke. More recently, Peugeot have decided to make rectangular steering wheels from 2026. All this makes one wonder, what was wrong with the age old design of the steering wheel in the first place? In this thread, let's discuss the various steering wheel designs and what your preferences are. Let's keep this discussion limited to just the designs and functionality of the wheel, and not steering technology like HPS, EPS, steer-by-wire, etc. Two spoke steering wheel This design is employed by cars like the Tata Nexon, Hyundai Verna, Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6, MG Comet, all Skoda cars, and erstwhile cars like the Tata Nano, Chevrolet Spark, old Maruti cars and many more. As the name suggests, there are two spokes in this type of steering wheel . Three spoke steering wheel This is the most common type of steering wheel and can be seen in most cars like the Volkswagen Virtus, Honda Elevate, Kia Sonet, etc. I wouldn't be surprised if most people vote for this type of steering because it has been the most used type across OEMs for years. Personally, I prefer a good old three spoke unit. Four spoke steering wheel In the earlier days, four spoke steering wheels were generally used in larger and more expensive cars like the Tata Safari, OG Honda City, some versions of the Tata Indigo, and present day models like the Hyundai i20, Creta, Venue and Tucson, Tata Safari and Harrier, all Land Rovers, etc. I associate four spoke units with larger cars and find it odd in smaller cars and jacked-up hatchbacks. Flat bottomed / D-cut steering wheel Here, the bottom part of the steering wheel is flat. Such steering wheels are generally associated with sporty cars. Steering wheels with two, three or four spokes may have a flat bottom. These can be found in the Skoda Rapid, VW Taigun, Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, etc. Yoke Yoke of the Tesla Model S Lexus RZ450e's yoke These are unconventional in shape, ditching the round steering for an impractical shape like a rectangle. They do look cool, but they are the perfect example of 'form over function'. Thanks to the criticism, Tesla decided to offer the yoke as an option in the Tesla Model S and Model X, as opposed to it being standard fitment earlier. It remains to be seen how Peugeot executes its 'hypersquare', though I think it won't be as easy to use as a regular steering wheel. Do note, a yoke may not be as impractical if steer-by-wire tech is implemented with it as the turning range reduces drastically. As for my preference, I wouldn't want a yoke or a polygon shaped steering wheel; as long as it's a round steering wheel and the wheel design appeals to me, I don't mind the number of spokes. If I had to choose though, I'd go with three spokes. BHPians, your turn! Here's what GTO had to say on the matter:2-spokes is too less, while 4 is too many. My choice is 3-spoke . From Karan's thread, now this is a steering done right. Here's what BHPian lamborghini had to say on the matter:So a lot of this stems from the cars we were first introduced to with these respective steerings. For instance the 2 spoke is reminiscent of the 800, Alto which the mind perceives as being more budget oriented - of course there are exceptions to the rule (such as the newer Hyundai designs, the good old Zen, etc.) but for most part, it appears as though something is missing. 3 spoke, flat bottom steerings are love and my pick if designed well - sporty, comfortable, and convenient. When driving the flat bottom is convenient for us bigger folk & the feel is much more sportier. On that note, I have nothing against 4 spokes - but again having seen them on old school Germans such as Mercs & Audis - the vibe is more luxury with a little bulky feel but this is fast changing : again as seen on some recent Hyundais.Here's what BHPian MotorDev had to say on the matter:Great thread .I like steering wheels with three spokes.They make the dashboard look nice and complete.Three-spoke steering wheels are better to hold onto because they provide a good grip.Here's what BHPian Sphere had to say on the matter:Personally I like the 3 and 4 spoke steering wheels. I own a Maruti Ertiga and the 2024 Tata Safari which have 3 and 4 spokes respectively. 2 spoked steering wheels look incomplete. The only 2 spoke wheel I like is the one in the Slavia.Here's what BHPian MyLife_MyCar had to say on the matter:Though I drive a car with a 2-spoke wheel, I'd prefer a 3-spoke wheel any day.2 feels incomplete and hollow.4 feels like someone whose limbs are stretched out and tied to the wheel.Just the imagination of driving a yoke type makes me feel uncomfortable.Read BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Team-BHP 18 Mar 2024 12:08 pm

2024 Honda Africa Twin design patented in India

Honda has filed a design patent for the 2024 Africa Twin in India. The bike maker has also patented the Adventure Sport variant. The 2024 Africa Twin made its global debut a few months ago. The bike gets cosmetic updates along with a slight increase in performance. The patent images showcase the bike's redesigned side panels that give it a sharper look. Honda has also patented the base variant, although it is unlikely to be offered in India. The 2024 Africa Twin is powered by a 1,084cc, parallel-twin engine. A higher compression ratio has resulted in a bump in peak torque from 103 Nm @ 6,250 rpm to 112 Nm @ 5,500 rpm. The bike also features a new airbox, valves and fuel injectors. The Adventure Sport variant is a road-biased version of the Africa Twin. It is equipped with a 19-inch front wheel and lowered suspension.

Team-BHP 18 Mar 2024 11:02 am

Pics: Found a rare BMW E46 M3 convertible in my apartment complex

BHPian ex-innova-guy recently shared this with other enthusiasts. These bicycles are wrongly parked in my parking area. I think they are stolen and kept here. I feel I have to report to authorities A person posted this in our society WhatsApp group. I was least interested on the issue but the picture spoke for itself - a convertible! Only question now was which one? Lo and behold !! An E46 BMW M3 with SMG Transmission! NFS Most Wanted. The lovely wheel arches and exhaust tips. Quad exhaust tips. Lovely Alloys with blue brake calliper. Red interior blending with S-Presso. Check ou BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Team-BHP 18 Mar 2024 11:02 am

Honda Civic owner buys 2023 Safari facelift: 5 initial impressions

BHPian Enigmatic recently shared this with other enthusiasts. It's finally here! It was quite the journey to finalise which new car to buy. Started with the Seltos, then moved to the Tuscon and finally settled with the Safari. The overall experience from booking to delivery was pretty smooth. The folks at Puneet Motors were helpful throughout although a couple of things could have been better. Will pin the same down in the ownership experience. Coming to the Safari, it is a great car! It is quite a change from my current car (Civic) but I am enjoying it so far. Not having to calculate how to navigate speed bumps is a blessing. I would also like to point out a couple of issues I noticed.There is a bit of fogging in the rear connected DRL (see below picture). This was noticed during the PDI and I was assured that the same would be rectified before delivery but due to part unavailability, I was requested to take delivery with the promise that they would replace the part as soon as possible (hopefully within a week). The dealership was apologetic regarding the same but there is only so much they can do. Have been promised a complimentary Teflon coating for the trouble.The car seems to be a bit moody. The front park assist (FPA) does not always get activated. I tried getting uncomfortably close to cars parked in front however the FPA does not get activated every time. I believe this is a software issue and hopefully, an update will provide for better calibration. Have the owners encountered the same?Sometimes, the lock animation for the front DRL is too rushed. The corner DRLs are still completing the lock animation but the center DRL has already completed the same. It seems out of sync. Again this seems to be a software issue.The easy access feature of the front drive seat works occasionally i.e. the seats don't always slide down while opening the door to allow easy access to the driver. I also saw a random error Memory Seat Failure! Unable to select stored position, although this error did not impact the seat functionality or selecting the stored seat position. Again seems like a software issue.The infotainment system does not always play music in good quality. This one is difficult to explain but sometimes the music quality is very flat and without any bass (as if the amplifier has not kicked in). When the above scenario is experienced, changing the JBL music modes also does not make any change. This seems to go away on its own. I am hoping this is a software issue.Other than the above, mechanically, the car is perfect. I drove it on the new Atal-Setu bridge and it masked speeds effortlessly. The adaptive cruise control also worked like a charm. Hoping to have the above issues rectified at the earliest and do some serious mile-munching. Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Team-BHP 18 Mar 2024 10:30 am

ET Awards 2023: Celebrating the Best Dressed trendsetters in business with style

They came, they saw, they conquered with their sartorial elegance. The style statements and fashion A-game of business leaders at The Economic Times Awards 2023 was a visual feast.

The Economic Times 18 Mar 2024 9:37 am

Careless tempo driver cuts into my lane at speed, pays the price for it

BHPian Rohitthebest recently shared this with other enthusiasts. If you observe our dash cam video, my wife was doing 100+ kmph coolly on our way to Bangalore from Pune two years back. She even overtook the truck from left side as the guy is driving on extreme right side since it comes in our vision. As she tries to go back to extreme right lane which is supposed to be the overtaking as well as faster lane, the small carrier on the centre lane decides to take the right lane without indicating or any need to go in that lane. If you see the highway ahead it is all clear and later on when he stopped after we hit him from behind, he mentioned that I was going to stop on the right side to drink water. Can you believe that? Right side and not extreme left. We approached the police right one KM ahead and looking at our MH12 Number he asked us to go on with our journey without filing complaint as we won't be able to attend the enquiry / court going ons in case it goes ahead. I too realised that I believe the cops with harass him for quick buck than actually doing anything about it. Lesson learnt: Always analyse the intention of the vehicle moving ahead of you to know in which direction they can move in the Free Highway World of ours and move accordingly. Here's what BHPian deathwalkr had to say on the matter:The response by the mini truck fellow should be engraved and framed in the hall of Top nonsense thoughts/actions on road!!! That said, just curious as to why no brake was applied and car didn't seem to slow down either till point of impact. Also just thinking aloud, after one overtaking on the left (thanks to lumbering behemoth on right), swerving onto right lane to overtake the mini truck on the middle lane seemed a bit circuit race style to me Again, just thinking aloud is all. Glad nothing untoward happened and guess the behemoth you overtook had enough time and space to brake and slow down after your accident.Here's what BHPian poised2drive had to say on the matter:I am afraid a part of it was your wife's Galti too . Regardless of that driver's careless veering to the right, continuing to be at 100 + kmph as you were approaching that vehicle (which never left the right most lane completely) was a judgmental error! Also I think she honked a bit a late to make that fellow realize the gravity of the situation! You should have slowed down a bit before trying to overtake ! 2 sec rule is gold standard especially at that speed! I am glad everything went okayHere's what BHPian n_naik had to say on the matter:I am not defending the tata ace guy here. But the poor guy didnt have your car on his ORVM till he initiated the lane-switching. It was only after he initiated, you guys appeared on his mirror out of the blue. Scary. If i was in his place, i would have made the car guys pay a heavy price. The only suggestions that i have for both the vehicles is: For tata ACE: 1) Keep an eye on IRVM too if possible. Cars disappearing suddenly on one mirror and appearing on the other at high speeds are always riskier. For car : 1) Always make sure that you stay on the front vehicle's ORVM for few seconds before overtaking them from any side. 2) Before initiating the overtaking, make sure that the front vehicle driver has seen you in the ORVM. This can be done by honking or flashing. But if you have followed the first step properly, you dont need this step since the driver would have seen you already before initiating the lane-switching. In other words, 'Be predictable' for the driver in front of you. Wishing you guys safe driving.Read BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Team-BHP 18 Mar 2024 9:05 am

Have issues with pedal placement in my Compass AT: Causing knee pain

BHPian Mr.Independent recently shared this with other enthusiasts. Hi Folks, I own a model S 4x4 Diesel-auto. Off late, I am getting a bit of knee pain especially after a long journey(recent journey being my trip to Sikkim/Darjeeling from Odisha and back, roughly 2.8k kms covered in 10 days). Even though I tried to use cruise control on the straight highways as long as possible, but that would not account for more than 25/30 % of the total length as the above mentioned trip involved quite a lot winding ghat-roads/ internal city-roads and someone has to juggle through the A/B pedals to navigate the car effectively through these and that I think has taken a toll on my knee. Couple of my observations around the driving ergonomics/comfort in Compass:I find Compass A-pedal a bit cramped, placed too close to the B-pedal and should have been placed few cms towards right(maybe due to lack of real estate in that footwell area?), due to which knee always stay a bit more bent which otherwise would have been comfortable if stayed less bent/a bit more straight. Even after tweaking the seat/thigh height settings, I simply don't able to achieve the best possible combo to comfort my knees(Mind you i am not that tall and an average height person- around 5'8'')I also think one ought to press the A-pedal a bit too hard to get the car going especially in quick overtakes or to attain highway cruising speed(e.g.90-100) from standstill or sub-10/20kph speeds (thanks to Compass's dimwitted throttle response).Does anyone else observe/feel the same and find the accelerator pedal maybe a bit on harder side for Diesel Compass? N.B.- In the same road trip, I got a chance to drive a Toyota Fortuner of my cousin(who were also part of the same trip) for a good 100+ kms and surprisingly A-pedal ergonomics were just spot on and have enough rooms for my right leg to be comfortably placed around and also the throttle is quick responsive to the inputs which makes the overall long drives less fatigued/more enjoyable. Just wondering if it's the same case with other bigger(read higher seating position) rides too and if anyone else who has driven/compared SUVs like T-fortuner, Scorpio-N, XUV-700 able to agree on my above observation about Compass. Here's what BHPian bullitt1had to say on the matter:Incidentally, my brother has the same two issues after using the same variant for couple of months. The pedals are surely closely spaced, more apparent in manual with an additional pedal. On top of it, the dead pedal is placed at an awkward angle. I drive Longitude manual variant and always felt the same. In my other car, Ecosport AT I feel pedals are reasonably spaced. On the seat adjustment, I felt in S due to electric adjustment, the seat adjusts differently compared to my car. Manually, the seat moves up and front together diagonally. While in S, the base kind of rotates with back as centre. On the throttle response, some part is to be blamed on box tuning. In manual, slightest of pedal input pushes the car forward.Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Team-BHP 18 Mar 2024 8:03 am

Lets reform Indias bankruptcy code but without getting in the way of commerce

Theres a case to tweak the IBC. But India should take care to oil the wheels of business and not throw in a spanner.

Livemint 18 Mar 2024 8:00 am

Indian democracy is at a significant crossroads

As the schedule for this years Lok Sabha polls is announced, the countrys debate over the future of our democracy features legitimate misgivings over campaign finance and synchronized elections.

Livemint 18 Mar 2024 8:00 am

Indian sophistication on stray dogs can be confusing

Our protection of strays suggests a compassion greater than what we have for humans.

Livemint 17 Mar 2024 10:39 pm

Frontier-market debt is back in favour but with attendant risks

US Fed actions or domestic political troubles in bond-issuing countries could make it harder for them to service their debt.

Livemint 17 Mar 2024 10:33 pm

March Madness TV Deals: Grab Big Selection Day Savings on Samsung, Hisense, Amazon, Anker and More - CNET

You don't have to have a courtside seat to enjoy March Madness with these excellent TV deals that will make you feel as if you're already right there.

Cnet 17 Mar 2024 10:30 pm

Free tuition will not solve the problem of pricey education

Grants by the wealthy are helpful but only for a few beneficiaries.

Livemint 17 Mar 2024 10:22 pm

Survey results should be taken with a pinch of caution

They offer us useful signals but we must be mindful of the limitations in their ability to reflect reality.

Livemint 17 Mar 2024 10:11 pm

Seven star Han So-hee confirms relationship with Reply 1988 actor Ryu-Jun-Yeol, plans to apologise to his ex-flame Hyeri

Earlier, when a photo of Han So-hee and Ryu-Jun-Yeol holidaying in Hawaii went viral, Yeol's ex-girlfriend, Girl's Day member Hyeri got cryptic on Instagram.

The Economic Times 17 Mar 2024 9:19 pm

Rumour: Mahindra Thar 5-door to be launched as 4x4 only

Mahindra is gearing up to launch the Thar 5-door in India by mid-2024. Initially, the SUV could be offered in a 4x4 configuration only. As per the latest reports, all variants of the Thar 5-door will get a 4x4 transfer case as standard at launch. A limited-slip rear differential is likely to be offered on the top-spec trim. The Thar 5-door will come with the same engine options as the 3-door version. These include a 2.2-litre diesel producing 130 BHP and 300 Nm and a 2.0-litre petrol that makes 150 BHP and 300-320 Nm. Both engines are likely to be offered with 6-speed manual and 6-speed automatic transmissions. That being said, it is unclear if Mahindra will offer the 1.5-litre diesel engine in the Thar 5-door. This engine develops 117 BHP and 300 Nm and is paired with a 6-speed manual in the entry-level Thar 3-door. Source: Rushlane

Team-BHP 17 Mar 2024 7:31 pm

Choosing a suitable luggage system for my Triumph Tiger 800

BHPian MileCruncher recently shared this with other enthusiasts. Folks, I recently got recently got a pre owned 2016 Tiger 800 which didn't have any luggage system installed. I need to get hard case top box and panniers installed. I understand the Triumph original accessory for side mount and panniers is about for 1 Lac. While they are significantly expensive, also given the age of the bike, they may not be available as well. Have been looking at options from Givi and SW Motech but unable to make any sense. Hence requesting some expert advice on what my options are over here. Also where can I get them in Mumbai. Aluminium Top Box is an immediate priority. P.S: I had gone to the Bikester Global and the local hardcase pannier had generic mounts which don't fit the tiger. Here's what BHPian Axe77 had to say on the matter:Here are my inputs on this:1. Dont buy OEM even if you get it. Givi makes the luggage for Triumph. But they have slightly different mounts so they can't be used as easily when you change bikes. 2. Buy from a good third party brand instead of OEM. You've bought a 7- 8 year old bike. It could well be that you spend a bomb on luggage and go and flip this bike in a couple of years. Your investment in the luggage system should be capable of being used on the next ADV as well. You'll lose the pannier mounts of course but at least the basic luggage can be moved to the next one. 2. Buy from a good quality brand - both Givi and SWM are excellent and you could well restrict your search to just these two. For Givi, the best source to search is Bikenbiker Bangalore (talk to Sreejith - he's excellent). For SWM, it's big bad bikes in Bangalore (talk to Sean, again excellent). Both have excellent online catalogues of their stuff.You could also talk to Piyush at Pathpavers, Delhi. Again, an excellent franchise and I'm sure he stocks SWM and I think he also stocks Givi. Any of these folks will advise you on models and will also ship it out to you. 3. Between Givi and SWM, I feel Givi has the much broader range of top boxes to choose from. So that alone could be one reason to pivot to Givi as an option. I also personally found the Givi box I used on my Tiger nicer to operate than the SWM on my Multi. If you want to see the SWM system on an ADV, you can refer to my post here. If you want to see Givi luggage mounted on a Tiger, you can check this post from my long term review here. This was the Triumph OEM though but it's made by Givi. Givi branded will be exactly the same. 4. For side cases, the biggest gating question is whether you want hard cases or semi rigid. Both have their own pros and cons and it completely comes down to personal preference. If you had to see only one video to help you understand the difference, I hugely recommend Bret Tkacs's YouTube video on this (link below). It sums up the pros and cons perfectly. 5. Decide up front if you want Givi or SWM but don't choose top box from one and side panniers from another. It could create conflicts in the pannier mounting systems. Kriega makes excellent soft side bags as well and these will work with either Givi / SWM mounts AFAIK so can be combined with either top box. 6. Other brands you could consider are Shad and Hepco Becker but I think Givi and SWM have the best support and sales in India. You could just restrict your research between these two. Bret Tkacs video on soft vs hard luggage.BHPian MileCruncher replied: Thanks Axe for the detailed post. I had gone through your detailed post on your soft luggage on Multi. I used to have soft luggage- saddle bags (ViaTerra) on my Duke and I know of the disadvantages But the SWM and Kriega ones looked more closed and dust proof. I spent considerable time on BikeNBiker website last night to shortlist some Givi models like the Outback and Outback trekker series but they are working to be prohibitively expensive. Its sad that there is no direct dealer for Givi and SWM in Mumbai. Read BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Team-BHP 17 Mar 2024 4:25 pm

Skoda Epiq electric compact SUV concept revealed

Skoda has revealed a new electric SUV concept. The Skoda Epiq is a compact SUV that is likely to go into production in 2025. It will replace the Skoda Kamiq and VW T-Cross. The Skoda Kamiq concept features a new split grille design that gives it a unique look. It has V-shaped LED DRLs on either side and an integrated bumper with eight vertical slats. The rear section has a similar design with L-shaled LED tail lights and a bumper with vertical slats. The SUV is equipped with roof rails and stylish dual-tone alloy wheels shod with low-profile tyres. The interior has a modern and minimalistic look. The sleek dashboard houses a digital instrument cluster and a large touchscreen in the centre. The concept car also gets a new design steering wheel featuring the 'Skoda' lettering in the centre. According to Skoda, the Epiq offers 490 litres of cargo space, which is 20% more than the Kamiq. The company also claims a maximum range of 400 km on a single charge but hasn't disclosed the full technical specs.

Team-BHP 17 Mar 2024 3:10 pm

February 2024 sales numbers of Audi, BMW & Mercedes India

FADA has released the vehicle registration data of luxury cars for February 2024. Mercedes-Benz has come out on top with 1,252 units sold, followed by BMW and Jaguar Land Rover, which have sold 1,040 units and 257 units, respectively.Luxury carmaker sales for February 2024:Mercedes-Benz - 1,252 units, up from 1,162 units in February 2023BMW - 1,040 units, up from 666 units in February 2023Jaguar Land Rover - 257 units, up from 168 units in February 2023Volvo - 165 units, up from 153 units in February 2023Audi - 52 units (CBU), down from 156 units in February 2023Team-BHP's detailed analysis of February 2024 sales figures.

Team-BHP 17 Mar 2024 1:54 pm

Top 10 best-selling cars in India - February 2024

The list of the top 10 best-selling cars in India in February 2024 consists of models from Maruti, Tata, Hyundai & Mahindra. The top 3 positions are occupied by Maruti & Tata cars (WagonR, Punch & Baleno). The Mahindra Scorpio is in 8th place, while the Hyundai Creta & Tata Nexon are in 7th and 9th place, respectively. The Maruti Dzire sits in the 4th spot, while the 5th, 6th & 10th positions have been secured by the Brezza, Ertiga & Fronx, respectively.The top 10 cars sold in February 2024:Maruti WagonR - 19,412Tata Punch - 18,438Maruti Baleno - 17,517Maruti Dzire - 15,837Maruti Brezza - 15,765Maruti Ertiga - 15,519Hyundai Creta - 15,276Mahindra Scorpio - 15,051Tata Nexon - 14,395Maruti Fronx - 14,168

Team-BHP 17 Mar 2024 1:50 pm

How India could become the worlds first quick-commerce success story

The leading platforms have taken big strides towards profitability by pushing products with a high average selling price, optimising the brand mix, rationalising discounts and optimising the expansion of dark stores.

Livemint 17 Mar 2024 1:35 pm

How to check PUC Certificate of Karnataka-registered vehicles online

BHPian oneguy recently shared this with other enthusiasts. Within minutes after the PUC certificate is issued, you can check them on this website and view the history. PUC certificate can be checked with Vehicle Registration Number or PUCC Number (Petrol or Diesel). How to search for a PUC certificate using a vehicle registration number: I was able to check out my car PUC certificates. Note: I am unsure if we can present this to the traffic police to avoid pollution fines. And I believe we have this service in Karnataka only. Similarly, we can check with PUCC No. Here's what BHPian gischethans had to say about the matter:Yes, this is a Karnataka-specific website. Most states (Eg. Kerala) integrate with the Vahan database, meaning the pollution certificate validity shows up directly on mParivahan or Digilocker RC.Here's what BHPian babhishek had to say about the matter:Karnataka, strangely never integrated with Vahan. Also, for BS IV they mandate a 6-month pollution check compared to the 12-month standard across India.Here's what BHPian arjab had to say about the matter:Don't know why there is such a bally-hoo about Pollution Under Control certificates, particularly in South India! We have been getting these, first, offline, and then online for ages in the rest of the country. Even TN views PUC as a National Treasure document! The first time, way back in 2009 when I had shown a valid PUC certificate to Chennai Police, (for my WB reg Swift), his eyes popped out and the reverence he showed towards me made me feel as if I was a divine figure or something! After that, the cops did not even ask any questions on WB reg in TN territory. Sadly, even now, PUC checking centres in Chennai are few and far between and most personal vehicle owners are not even aware of the need to perform a regular PUC test. In WB, OD, MH, DL, UP, BR, JH, ML, and AS one has to carry a valid PUC or its digital equivalent. Penalties are stiff for expired PUCs. For BS-4 and above PUCs are valid for 1-year. Rest, 6 months. WB has gone one step ahead. If you are buying a new car, at the time of registration, it is recorded as New Vehicle against the Vehicle Reg Nos dropdown and the PUC validity is shown as a year. Neat.Here's what BHPian DriverLess had to say about the matter:We as a country have to do a lot with privacy and data security. There are so many rules for the companies to follow for privacy/security, but no rules/accountability when it comes to govt. portals. The portal should have:Required authentication that only allows seeing my vehicle's data.At least should have introduced a captcha to prevent automation.Based on this website, one can easily map the following for all vehicles in the database.Owner's nameMobile numberLocation of all the places where PUC was doneCheck out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Team-BHP 17 Mar 2024 11:50 am

5000 km up on my Maruti Jimny MT: 8 real world observations

BHPian R.Daroga recently shared this with other enthusiasts. 5000 kms ownership experience of the Jimny Alpha MT:A throttle is a mandatory accessory to have. Any make, any model, just stick it in auto mode and the Jimny feels alive again. Don't know what took me this long to get one. Also don't understand why Maruti wouldn't give this kind of a throttle map as standard from the factory? Nobody would've called this car underpowered had they done that.Superb in the city with its perfect dimensions and pothole gobbling abilities.Superb in the villages on broken and kuccha roads.Not so superb on the road in between the city and the village: the highway. You need to chill and let the Cretas and Dzires pass. Very comfortable doing a 100-110 cruise. Feels strained and a bit out of shape beyond that.Narrow seat squab, narrow footwell, sitting very close to the window, no place to rest your right elbow. It all leads to stiff bodies after just a 2 hours+ drive. I'm broad framed.Not a 5 seater. Not even 4 adults and 1 kid.Ample luggage space for 4 people going on a weekend trip.All in all, an extremely capable and fun car to have for a nuclear family. By no stretch of imagination is it underpowered or overpriced. Maruti service is affordable. Suzuki reliability is bulletproof. It's just a happy place to be behind the wheel of a JimnyMore smiles per hour! Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Team-BHP 17 Mar 2024 11:02 am

Repairing my Yamaha R15 V3 after recovering from an accident

BHPian SaurAswale recently shared this with other enthusiasts. I had an unfortunate accident on my bike (R15v3 bs6) on 3rd Dec-23. Yes, it was my fault. It is a long story but here is a short version (Or a Confession) 3rd Dec 2023, I was enjoying a ride on my bike. Found a closed and smooth piece of tarmac (not just Empty, CLOSED- no traffic allowed!!), I always do some drills if the time and place are appropriate. After some hard braking practices and figure 8 turns (Thanks MotoJistu and MotoControl!!), suddenly all went wrong and I crashed. I managed to hit a divider at an angle and I got thrown off the bike to hit my shoulder. Though I had a helmet, gloves, shoes and jacket, I managed to hit an unprotected part between my helmet and shoulder and broke the Collar Bone (R Clavicle). There was no single scratch on the body or on a jacket or anywhere. Though on slower speeds, it was an impact - not a slide. I went to my home (Kolhapur-MH) the next day by bus. There, I had an implant surgery on 5th Dec. Now, I have a titanium plate (implant) with an ugly scar over my clavicle. Surprisingly, the injury and surgery were not painful physically, but it was hard to watch my parents suffer. Everyone in my family had to go through a lot, because of me!! Moments like this are unfortunate but they remind you of how much you're loved and how much people around you care about you. The Fracture and the implant, Broke the bone into 2 pieces, surprisingly, it wasn't painful: Now, I have recovered. I started all my chores after the surgery. Also got permission for WFM and started the work on 11th Dec. After 2-3 weeks the shoulder movement was back to normal and I came back to Hyderabad in mid-January. For the last 15 days, I have also started running and light workouts (which I never did before the crash). I wanted to pen down all the details of the crash and emotions during the recovery and lots of other things, but I couldn't find the time. (Or I'm just lazy) Repairs of the bike Though now I am in good shape, my bike is not. The doctor advised me to not ride for 3 months which will be completed in the next 10 days, and I am as eager as ever to get back in the saddle. After the crash, I have not moved my bike from parking but giving it a start and 5 min idle weekly. DamagesThe bike had its front cast wheel bent and cracked. Need to replace it.There are scratches on the right side fairing, but can live with it. (Surprisingly, no damage to the indicators). The left side panel on the tank is detached from the center panel and I couldn't snap it back to its place by pressing it.The front brake lever is bent and needs replacement.The steering is out of alignment and I'm not sure about the extent of damage. It might need fork alignment or/and cone set replacement or replacement of the whole fork assembly. OR worse- repairing bent Chassis.Also, I am afraid that there is damage to the chassis. I had an impact at around 30kmph and the cast wheel must have absorbed most of the energy, but still, I have my doubts. (I know, I'm being paranoid).Is it possible?? Experienced members, please share your thoughts. Also, I'm thinking of changing all fluids and carrying out general service while at it. Please let me know if there is anything else I should look out for. I live near Cyber Tower in Hitech City, Hyderabad in a PG Hostel. I'm new in the city and do not have connections here to find a good local FNG. I've visited a couple of garages (before the crash) for small things but the service didn't meet my expectations and most important, they charge 2-3 times for any simple job. (100-120rs for chain tightening, or similar charge to tight one screw for taillight?). Also, another one directly tried to scam me for money. Now I wonder if I can trust anyone here For the last 2 weeks, I've been in search of a capable and trustworthy independent garage to carry out the repairs but couldn't find one. There is Yamaha ASS near me (Pearl Yamaha) but they also don't have a good reputation. And we all know how expensive an ASS will get to repair a damaged vehicle. I need a good mechanic who can replace the wheel, diagnose problems with the steering, be competent to carry out repairs and be trusted enough to not scam me. If someone from TBHP has connections around this area, please let me know if there is a trusted mechanic you can vouch for. Or it is better to visit the ASS. I am also open to carrying out repairs at different places, i.r. replace the wheel at a good tyre shop and other repairs at ASS or a good FNG. I am going to carry out the repairs in the first week of March. So, have a week to decide. Any information and advice will be appreciated, Thanks in Advance. Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Team-BHP 17 Mar 2024 9:33 am

Save Up to $599 During X-Chair's Latest Sale - CNET

Upgrade your workspace and improve your posture with a new ergonomic chair.

Cnet 16 Mar 2024 9:30 pm

BMW Motorrad announces track training program in India

BMW Motorrad has announced its Track Training program in India. It is designed to help riders improve their overall riding skills and understand the limits of their BMW bikes. The 2-day training program will be held at the Buddh International Circuit in Greater Noida, UP. The first session will be conducted on March 23-24, followed by another set on April 20-21, 2024. The training program has been divided into Level 1 and Level 2 sessions, comprising 6 theory and 6-8 track practice sessions. Participants will have the opportunity to learn from some of the most skilled trainers with 12+ years of experience and National Championship titles. The curriculum covers everything from basic handling and manoeuvring to advanced racing techniques. Sessions are based on understanding and mastering techniques of braking, balance, vision, cornering, and throttle control. The BMW Motorrad Track Training program is exclusive to riders who own a BMW S 1000 RR, S 1000 R, S 1000 XR, F 900 XR, F 900 R, G 310 R and G 310 RR. Participants are required to hold a valid driver's license and should get their motorcycles serviced before the event. All riders must have suitable track riding gear, including a full leather racing suit, racing helmet, racing boots and gloves.

Team-BHP 16 Mar 2024 9:08 pm

Gen-1 Creta owner considers buying 2024 model: Test drive observations

BHPian Col Mehta recently shared this with other enthusiasts. SX(O) IVT Test Drive Experience: Engine and Gearbox Performance - Exceptionally smooth, refined, and good to drive. This has always been one of the positives of this engine-gearbox combo. The car is just ever so easy to drive in city traffic conditions. With no lags, no jerks, no drama, and with m-o-r-e than enough power to pot around all day alone, this car excels in urban settings. If you are mostly going to drive within city limits with occasional highway runs and want all the latest bells and whistles, then look no beyond this car. Steering Response - The steering feels noticeably lighter than the outgoing model that we drive (2021 SXO IVT). It's a welcome change as it does not feel unnecessarily heavy at parking and slow speeds. The steering response on the previous model has vague feedback from the steering. Not always, but it feels like it has its own mind at times. This we did not feel in the FL model. The steering feedback remained consistent and a tad lighter which we liked. Ride Quality - One word - Plush! Just the right balance really - not too soft, not too stiff either. On slow speeds, it does not get unsettled while going through potholes/uneven surfaces. At higher speeds, it almost glides through everything without making the passengers uncomfortable. All this when the TPMS showed 40+ on all four tyres! Interiors - Well this is where this car disappoints. While the overall look and feel of the interiors are satisfactory, that ancient-looking HVAC system and the cheap glossy plastic on the centre console (which still makes creaking noise by the way) take away all the premiumness. The AT centre console is amazing to look at (if you overlook that low-grade plastic), but we are very disappointed with Hyundai for not addressing the plastic quality in this FL. Despite having received consumer feedback and ample time to rectify the issue, they chose not to. Another concern for us is the all-grey interior theme which we did not like, particularly on bright sunny days when abundant sunlight enters the cabin, accentuating the blandness. Hyundai should have retained black elements to elevate the ambiance. Built Quality - The outgoing model is not known for its built quality and feels lighter than the first-gen model (we have both generations within our family). This one, interestingly though, felt better! The doors are heavier, and the overall feel is superior. I hope Hyundai sends it for the crash test and comes back with 5 stars! So, did we like it to replace our first gen Creta? - Honestly don't know. While we LOVE the 1.5 NA IVT combo, perfectly suited to our needs, and the ride quality and steering response are just how we like them, the underwhelming interior feel is what killing us. Thinking about other options in the segment, there is none like the Creta. The Seltos is a possible contender, but it does not have NA IVT on its top trim plus those so-called sporty all-black claustrophobic interiors are a no-go! Perhaps the Xline could be an option with its captivating sage green theme, but then it also comes with its own set of maintenance challenges. Why does it have to be so complex, KIA? We are keeping our booking for now (yes, we booked it last month), but aren't entirely convinced. Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Team-BHP 16 Mar 2024 5:00 pm

Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 with mods worth Rs 17k: Riding impressions

BHPian khan_sultan recently shared this with other enthusiasts. After doing approx 1000 kms got the bug of modifying the Himalayan 450 to suit my needs. Got the following mods done on my Himalayan (apart from the usual crash guards/saddle stays, fog lights, etc etc that have been done from 1st week of ownership itself): Free Flow Filter: From way2speed. Costs 3,200/- and supposedly gives better breathability FuelXPro+: Cost some 11.5K and supposedly will improve the low-end torque issue and reduce the increased gearshifts needed (compared to Himalayan 411). It is claimed that this is tuned specially for the Himalayan 450 and comes with 10 settings from 1 to 10 ( setting #3 in stock, 1-2 are lean and 4-10 are richer as you go up). Also, supposedly makes the throttle more responsive and addresses the perceived lag in throttle response. Replace the resonator with a decat pipe: Which costs some 2.5K. Did it just for the sake of it. Nothing else except to make it sound a bit better (not louder) and to just see how it makes the bike feel/sound. Initial impressions after these mods and running the fuelXpro+ at a setting of 6 and approx 100 km or riding:The throttle now 'feels' snappy and instant response. After crossing 3K rpm, there were no such issues earlier also but now it is like a beast unleashed. Below that it is not struggling like before at lower speeds in higher gears. Has the issue completely gone? NO. It is a LOT LOT better than before but it is still not 100% gone. Maybe, need to check with higher settings on the maps.The sound is a bit more but not that too loud also. Am sure it will not attract undue attention just because of the sound.Overall the bike feels much much more free/rev happy and eager to move as a riding experience.The bike did stall when I got caught in peak hour jam-packed traffic (in 1st gear). So, at almost crawling speeds, still needed to use the clutch a bit. Earlier I have not been caught in peak hour traffic, so can't say how it was before or if it is a factor of my riding style. In my Himalayan 411, never had a stall issue happen in peak trafficIt seems strange but even after having the same riding style as before, I noticed fewer vibrations. This needs more monitoring over an extended period if this is just a perceived difference or if it is for real.Will be observing more as I ride with different settings of Fuel X Pro+ from 3(stock) and then moving up 1 at a time and seeing how it changes the bike behavior. Need to see what will suit my riding needs and style the best.Not sure of the warranty aspects due to these mods but will cross the warranty bridge when it comes and if it comes. Here are some pics of the mods/install: Bike ready for work on the bench The free flow filter from way2speed alongside the stock filter The Fuelx Pro+ The chart of Fuel X Pro+ that shows how much gains one can have at part throttle The wiring of the Fuel X Pro+ is being done. Though the race-dynamics website has detailed instructions etc, I would still prefer this install to be done by a person who knows what they are doing.It is one DIY that I would skip just because of the tricky access to the lambda sensor placement, the removal of the tank, and some other stuff that needed to be removed. The wiring and final installation of Fuel X Pro+ The decat pipe that will go into the bike instead of the resonator Install in progress The decat is fully installed And as had no bag on hand, had to carry the resonator in the small dirt-sack bag. :-) Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Team-BHP 16 Mar 2024 4:00 pm

Toyota Urban Cruiser Taisor to be unveiled in India on April 3

Toyota has confirmed its plans to unveil a new compact crossover on April 3, 2024. The new model is expected to be called 'Urban Cruiser Taisor'. The Urban Cruiser Taisor will be a rebadged version of the Maruti Suzuki Fronx. It is likely to get Toyota-specific cosmetic changes, including a revised front grille, new LED DRLs, reworked tail lamps and new design alloy wheels, among a few others. The interior of the Urban Cruiser Taisor could be largely identical to the Fronx. It will come equipped with a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system, automatic climate control, a 360-degree camera and a heads-up display. The Urban Cruiser Taisor is expected to be offered with the same engine options as the Fronx. These include a 1.2-litre petrol engine producing 89 BHP and 113 Nm and a 1.0-litre turbo-petrol unit that puts out 99 BHP and 148 Nm. Both engines come with a 5-speed manual gearbox as standard. While the 1.0L engine gets an optional 6-speed automatic, the 1.2L unit could be equipped with a 5-speed AMT. Source: Autocar India

Team-BHP 16 Mar 2024 2:27 pm

How I fixed a GPS issue of my new aftermarket Android car head unit

BHPian mm_shen recently shared this with other enthusiasts. Hi everyone! Had bought a 2018 Suzuki Ignis Delta AMT in the year 2022. The car had run just for 11k and odd and was in pristine condition. Wanted to switch over to AMT due to the notorious Bangalore Traffic. The car came with steering-mounted audio, and call buttons, but the music system was the old LED type, like the one shown below: I used a mobile holder to view Google Maps while travelling out of town. The holder had to be mounted on the dashboard. Could not find any other place where I would be comfortable or it would not obstruct my view. When I was travelling to Goa in November 2023, the phone got heated due to the Goa Sun and the phone switched off. The phone would get warm while using navigation. Add the hot goa sun, the phone could not handle it. I decided to upgrade the old music system to an aftermarket Android Screen. I bought a Tesha 9 Android Screen from Amazon. It set me back by 8.5k and also bought a cheap aftermarket rearview parking camera for 650. The local garage near my home asked for 800 for an Android frame and another 800 for labour. The Android screen came with all the necessary plug-and-play wires for sound, an additional microphone and a GPS unit. I could train the system to my steering-mounted switches. I listened to my favorite songs using the Music app with Android Auto on my drive back home. The rear camera view was grainy as expected. But it was an important utility to park in tight spots. I was a happy man until... My home minister had an office function somewhere in Koramangala. Orders were issued that I was to drive her and her colleague to the venue. I have not frequented that area, so thought this is a good opportunity to test the new screen and maps on Android Auto. To my utter dismay, the navigation was not functioning properly. It would either take too long to update my position or there would be a sign stating Searching for GPS. I was disappointed. Had to resort to the mobile and holder. I had a doubt about the GPS unit and its position. The garage fellow installed it inside the dashboard. Doesn't the GPS antennae need to be exposed to get a signal? Came back home and scoured through videos and blogs about these screens. Could not get a proper answer. All videos made by Indian content creators showed the GPS antenna mounted inside the dash. My brother also got the same screen installed on his VW Polo and his antenna was also inside the dash. Working perfectly fine. I was contemplating returning the unit for an exchange. But deep down, I did not want to return it. Did not want to go through the process of waiting for the exchange, return etc. Something told me, the GPS antenna was not getting a signal. I came across a South Asian content creator's video, which showed that the Android screen had a preloaded app, which could show the GPS signal strength. App Name: GPS Track Plus It showed around 4 GPS satellites and no strength bars. I straight away popped open the Android screen out of the dash. Removed the antenna and held it outside. The Satellite count increased to 10-12 and had a full bar of signal strength when I held it in my hand. But this immediately came down, when I kept the antenna on the dash. I had a hunch! Maybe the antennae is weak and needs a better conductor to receive signals. Something metallic! I removed the beading on the driver side A pillar. Removed the plastic cover of the A-pillar. Stuck the GPS antenna on the A-pillar so that it comes in contact with the metal. Routed the GPS antenna wire inside the dash. Took extra care that the wire does not touch any other wire of the Android screen to avoid picking up noise. With bated breath, opened the GPS signal APP. And Voila! The GPS worked. Full strength. Put back the cover and beading. A special thanks to my home minister who helped me with my experiment. After a week, needed to drive down to Trichy for work. Thought of visiting Thanjavur also on the way. The GPS worked flawlessly and was a happy man again. My mobile did not heat and I did not have to miss my turn due to the lack of navigation. Music and my home minister kept me company during the drive. By the way, the Android screen supports wireless Android Auto and Apple Car Play. An App called -link connects to your mobile automatically when you switch on the car. I am finding it very useful. Found a few Danger-seekers on the road while travelling to Trichy and had a couple of close calls with one-way rule breakers on the highway. Decided to go for a DashCam. Chose 70Mai M300. Got it on Flipkart for 4.1k including a Samsung Evo 128 GB SD card. Fixed the Cam and routed the wire with a helping hand from my home minister. The videos are ok. It is a basic cam installed for emergency use. Will give my 2 cents on it after a few more days of use. If all the learned members of Team-BHP have any advice, I am all ears. Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Team-BHP 16 Mar 2024 12:15 pm

My crypto journey: A high, and two lows

Punting on Bitcoin, even with play money, proved to be a roller-coaster ride for this investor.

Livemint 16 Mar 2024 11:06 am

Indian vs imported motorcycle accessories: Comparison on quality & cost

BHPian nasirkaka recently shared this with other enthusiasts. I have used some foreign branded accessories/guard from the likes of SW Motech, Hepco & Becker, etc and also some locally made accessories from the likes of ADV tribe, Zana, Carbon Racing, etc. In retrospect, I feel the answer is not as simple that imported accessories are really better especially when we bring the cost into perspective. For eg, in 2016, when we got the Versys 650 from the first lot, the only crash guard option available was from Hepco & Becker, costing 18,000 Rs. I had upgraded to Versys from Classic 500 where crash guards were available for 800 Rs. So this price difference felt huge and unfathomable but we had to bite the bullet out of lack of options. Later Zana and other local guys started making crash guards for one third the cost and a lot of new Versys riders started buying them. There were many cases of falls / crashes in the group where the local made guard did fairly well in terms of providing protection. And there were some instances where imported guards also ended up damaging the bike, depending on the nature of the fall. I had SW Motech guard on my Bonnie and had a crash and bike was fairly damaged, including the guard. I have Pune made ADV tribe guards on the 310 GS and have fallen uncountable times and the guards have done fairly well providing protection. Same holds true for accessories like handguard. I have Barkbusters costing close to 13K on the Interceptor and Aerbis replica costing 1200 Rs on the Xpulse and have crashed multiple times. They both have done fairly well. Where as on a friend's 310GS even with the original Barkbuster, the clutch lever was damaged and handlebar bent in a regulation drop on the trail. While its good to go for imported brands as their quality, fit and finish would definitely be much superior, some Indian brands also have decent products, especially when we compare their cost. A lot also depends on the design, attachment point to the bike etc. Look at the price of of crash guards for NX500 at Rs. 35430. Now 35K is a lot of money for a crash guard, where as a Zana may make guard for 6k for the same bike. So OEM is definitely good, but when we bring this huge price difference in consideration, look at the eventual purpose, design, etc the choice become complex. So I would look at options available, if at all, compare their design, mounting points, etc and take a call. But for certain other critical parts like brake pads, tyres, lights, etc, would try and go for the best available option, even if its expensive. Here's what BHPian maverick029 had to say on the matter:I agree local manufactures have come a long way but i still feel they have ways to go. I purchased zana backrest for my adv 390 and last year in dec it gave away mid trip, the back support fell off when i was overtaking a truck and my wife got imbalanced as she was leaned on it. I thank my stars nothing happened but it certainly made me doubt the build quality of local manufactures and reinforced my belief that i should always go for factory made rather than from custom manufactures.Here's what BHPian gtx2 had to say on the matter:I buy from reputed Indian brands wherever possible, the cost is high in both cases but Indian manufacturers keep it a bit lower that results in comparatively better value. But it's a hit or miss. I have Zana guards + Barkbusters on my Versys. I have had 4 minor falls so far , and both products have saved my bike from damage successfully. Same can not be said for the Zana radiator guard for which Zana gave cheap zipties to seat it. 'Cheapties' broke at some point in my last tour and the guard fell somewhere on highway . Searching for something else other than Zana in this case now, also will use separately purchased Zipties from now with whatever guard I buy.Here's what BHPian ridealong_vr04 had to say on the matter:Indian accessory manufacturers have the ability to make these products in good quality with competitive pricing , but they face a challenge in getting access to newly launched vehicles for development. I reached out to companies like Zana, Carbon Racing and a few others, regarding a simple crashbar for my Tigersport 660 and they all mentioned they have difficulty in getting the bikes they need to create prototypes. I ended up spending INR21000 on SWMotech crash bar.Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Team-BHP 16 Mar 2024 11:02 am

In Europe, green policies rule while green politicians struggle

Reshaping the continents economy is easier than winning votes

Livemint 15 Mar 2024 6:07 pm

Amitabh Bachchan hospitalised, undergoes angioplasty

In 2000, Amitabh Bachchan had been diagnosed with Hepatitis B, the doctors had stated that he was surviving on just 25% of his liver.

Money Control 15 Mar 2024 2:39 pm

10 Simple Home Workouts To Lose Weight For Busy Professionals

10 Simple Home Workouts To Lose Weight For Busy Professionals

The Economic Times 15 Mar 2024 2:23 pm

Rahul Jain on what NPCI approval will mean for Paytm users & shareholders

Rahul Jain discusses the implications of NPCI approval for Paytm, emphasizing the positive changes for shareholders and users. With new partnerships in place, the company is poised for growth and stock recovery in the coming quarters. Jain further says Paytm is back by three to four quarters in terms of whatever business they used to do.

The Economic Times 15 Mar 2024 11:32 am

'Diya Aur Baati Hum' meets 'Sasural Simar Ka 2': TV stars Pooja Singh and Karan Sharma to wed in March

TV actors Pooja Singh from 'Diya Aur Baati Hum' and Karan Sharma from 'Sasural Simar Ka 2' are all set to tie the knot in March. Their whirlwind romance, spanning just three months, has led to a North Indian-style wedding celebration starting on March 29th and culminating in their marriage on March 30. Despite living in Mumbai and initially planning for an intimate ceremony, their guest list has expanded, showcasing the anticipation and joy surrounding their upcoming nuptials.

The Economic Times 15 Mar 2024 11:24 am

Better use of data could help small caps and their investors flourish

Rather than condemn an entire class of stocks as inherently risky, Sebi should harness the account aggregator network to give analysts the data they need to find the winners of tomorrow.

Livemint 15 Mar 2024 10:30 am

Election synchrony: Convenient or costly?

A panel headed by former president Ram Nath Kovind submitted a report on simultaneous national and state elections to President Droupadi Murmu. It explains how it can be achieved, but will it result in many more elections?

Livemint 15 Mar 2024 8:00 am

Happiness: A scarcity thatll take long to eliminate

That the UN deemed happiness worthy of celebration tells us how elusive it is for most of the world. After all, economic well-being is a necessary but not sufficient condition for it.

Livemint 15 Mar 2024 8:00 am

FCC scraps old speed benchmark, says broadband should be at least 100Mbps

Standard of 100Mbps down and 20Mbps up replaces old 25Mbps/3Mbps benchmark.

Ars Technica 15 Mar 2024 3:19 am

Expand your IT and cybersecurity skills with this $35 learning bundle

Enhance your career from home.

ZDNet 15 Mar 2024 2:00 am

Really bad timing: Meta is killing misinformation analysis tool on August 14

Replacement tool will no longer allow access for journalists, public.

Ars Technica 15 Mar 2024 1:58 am

The proliferation of EVs could make decarbonization harder to achieve

EVs look set to use more power than the country can clean. To solve this problem, electric cars will require solar roofs so that they can charge while parked in the sun, even as we push for a cleaner electricity grid, use battery swapping to minimize surge charging and encourage public transport.

Livemint 15 Mar 2024 12:40 am

Free trade has two faces and the one offering harmony must prevail

Its a force for good if we make proper use of it for common prosperity. Theres still hope. We must democratize trade and not let narrow interests dictate its patterns.

Livemint 15 Mar 2024 12:36 am

OpenAI can win back the trust it lost by being more transparent

A company making powerful AI tools needs to be more open about their design and innards. We need to know more about their training data sets, creator consent policies and much else.

Livemint 15 Mar 2024 12:32 am

The fallacy of crypto as an alternative to fiat currency

The notion of cryptocurrency offering a solution to currency debasement is misplaced. As its volatility has shown, it is neither a useful store of value nor a reliable medium of exchange.

Livemint 15 Mar 2024 12:29 am

The things a few calculations tell us

State Bank of India and Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation face criticism for delays in tasks, like submitting records and building a bridge, due to seemingly manageable challenges.

Livemint 14 Mar 2024 9:43 pm

March 2024 treating your portfolio badly? Read this

A well-allocated basket of assets ensures that you are not riding a roller coaster and instead you are gradually moving up in life, as steadily as possible

Livemint 14 Mar 2024 4:35 pm

Entertainment roundup: Rashmika Mandanna shares Pushpa 2 BTS pics; Beyonc announces new album; Triptii Dimri in Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3; Vidya Balan files FIR

The month of February saw a whirl of celebrity news from he world of Bollywood.

Money Control 14 Mar 2024 2:52 pm

Sophia Leone Death: 8 Facts Uncovered About Adult Star Who Passed Away At 26

Sophia Leone Death: 8 Facts Uncovered About Adult Star Who Passed Away At 26

The Economic Times 14 Mar 2024 1:45 pm

The Agni-5 trial has strengthened Indias strategic deterrence

Its success places India in the league of a few countries with this special missile technology and pushes up the cost that an adversary would have to bear for a military misadventure.

Livemint 14 Mar 2024 8:00 am

We could make up for the covid disruption of schooling if we try

India neednt have an educationally lost generation but it requires us to acknowledge the problem. Some states get it, others dont.

Livemint 14 Mar 2024 8:00 am

Stock deflation: Sebis role

The Indian stock market is undergoing some turbulence with mid- and small-cap stocks falling sharply amid talk of a bubble. Its earnings that must drive prices, not how much money there is in pursuit.

Livemint 14 Mar 2024 8:00 am

Bitcoin Fog operator convicted of laundering $400M in bitcoins on darknet

Roman Sterlingov will appeal, denouncing DOJ's crypto-tracing techniques.

Ars Technica 14 Mar 2024 2:04 am

India should prepare itself for a dynamic employment scenario

Our policy emphasis must go beyond job creation to encompass job preparedness for a demographic dividend to be realized.

Livemint 13 Mar 2024 11:20 pm

Success in solar energy may be a curse for Chinese panel manufacturers

A tidal wave of investment in solar panels has led to a market glut, with prices sliding. Manufacturers are stricken but itll speed up the race for clean energy.

Livemint 13 Mar 2024 11:17 pm

13th Ministerial Conference of the WTO: Multiple narratives need not perplex us

What may seem like overwrought negotiations on world trade may yet yield clarity. We need progress on e-commerce, food security, fisheries and dispute settlement, among other issues.

Livemint 13 Mar 2024 11:14 pm

US has not adjusted nuclear posture in response to Putin remarks

The US maintains its nuclear posture despite Putin's threats. Russia will only use nuclear weapons if its sovereignty is threatened. The White House National Security Council condemns Russia's reckless rhetoric and supports Ukraine against Russian aggression.

The Economic Times 13 Mar 2024 9:26 pm

Bill that could ban TikTok passes in House despite constitutional concerns

US much closer to banning TikTok, despite users' protests.

Ars Technica 13 Mar 2024 8:38 pm

Google paid out $10 million in bug bounties to security researchers in 2023

Google doled out the money to more than 600 security researchers across 68 countries who found vulnerabilities in its various products and services.

ZDNet 13 Mar 2024 8:06 pm

RuPay card set to gain market share after RBI directive to give consumers a choice of card network

The market share of RuPay cards is expected to improve soon as banks implement the recent Reserve Bank of India (RBI) directive, offering customers the option to choose card networks among Visa, Mastercard, or RuPay. The move, effective October 2024, aims to promote a domestic card, protect consumers, and accelerate RuPay's acceptance, potentially impacting card issuers' earnings due to lower fees and limited international acceptance.

The Economic Times 13 Mar 2024 11:26 am

Selling good quality midcaps just because they are overvalued not a good strategy: Dipan Mehta

Dipan Mehta of Elixir Equities advises remaining invested in quality stocks even if they are overvalued. He highlights the BAT stake sale in ITC and the slow growth in its tobacco and FMCG businesses. He also discusses the preference for large private sector banks and positive outlook on the IT sector.

The Economic Times 13 Mar 2024 11:22 am

The CAA perplexity: Religion as a citizenship criterion

The Indian government issued rules on Monday for CAA applications, but the judiciary is still to look into whether this controversial policy passes Constitutional muster

Livemint 13 Mar 2024 8:00 am

Much more private credit will be needed to feed Indias rapid economic expansion

We must develop these sources because banks alone cant satisfy Indias fast-growing appetite for credit.

Livemint 13 Mar 2024 8:00 am

Fears of technological change are vastly exaggerated

A look at the past two centuries shows that weve always swung from technophobia to acceptanceand we will probably do likewise with AI.

Livemint 13 Mar 2024 8:00 am

Best Gaming PC Deals: Big Savings on Dell, Lenovo, Thermaltake and More - CNET

There are a lot of excellent gaming PC deals you can take advantage of if you're considering upgrading or buying a new one.

Cnet 13 Mar 2024 1:00 am