"Ultimate Companion" : Bike India appreciates the Blaze after detailed, long term test!

Adil Jal Darukhanwala's two wheeler magazine Bike India has tested the Blaze over 928km since May 2007 ( i. e. six months), and carried an overall ownership report in November issue (page 101).

Here's what Manoj from Bike India says:

"The Kinetic Blaze came to my rescue at the right time. It is one of the most perfect choices I have made recently, apart from starting back with my regular work-outs. Currently, it is the fastest scooter in the country (good enough for what I can handle) while being extremely comfortable to ride.

The saddle on the Blaze is a boon and since my commutes are more or less inside the city, seat is very enjoyable, especially after a hard day at work. The suspension and the tyres on this big scoot too perform very well and it is significantly visible in the way the bike goes smoothly over pothole ridden roads.

Even the brakes are well upto the task of getting this burly scooter to a stop without much effort going in it. Apart from the speedometer cable snapping at 928 km, the scooter has given no trouble and has been my ultimate companion on the Pune roads. Amongst the stop and go traffic conditions and a few speed bursts on open roads, the scooter has been religiously delivering me a fuel efficiency of 38 kmpl.

It is a welcome change for me to ride this European styled premium scooter fom Kinetic. It handles nicely, doesn't scare me while I lay her down and nor does it need heavy maintenance. Not to mention the amount of heads that turn wherever I take her!"

Total Km: 928
Kmpl: 38
Costs: Nil
For: Performance, ride quality, handling, pillion comfort and great looks

Auto India's 6 month test proves Blaze to be problem-free!

Auto India's long term test report on the Blaze is out!

"It has been almost six months since we go the Kinetic Blaze for long term test. It was the preferred choice during the rains as its front wheels don't throw up any slush onto one's shoes or pants - as happens all too often on other bikes. The large storage space too came in handy to store raingear. The vehicle handled well on wet and slippery roads. When it comes to keeping your vehicle looking clean and new, this one makes your life much easier as it takes less than half the time to clean this than any other bike.

There was no trouble whatsoever with this vehicle in the last six months. The only negative side is that the pillion seat is not too comfortable for older people. So if you want to have a really exclusive image and dont mind spending a bit extra, then you should look no further as you will never cease to get that second look from bystanders and other commuters on the way."

Bike India's Long term Blaze Test Report

Bike India's Long term Blaze Test Report says:

The Kinetic Blaze assigned to me as my long-termer is working fine and serving me well. In fact, I like it so much that I’d prefer it over any other motorcycle in the BIKE India garage. Why? It’s a lovely scooter, start off with, especially for my home-work-home commute through traffic. The seat is more comfortable than any I’ve come across yet, so much so that it feels almost like my couch. It conceals my legs fairly from the front, which is an added advantage in the rains. Making my way through the traffic is also not an issue, since the vehicle is responsive and zippy. As of now, it has not given me any problems, not even starting hitches in the rains.

Ramnath borrowed the Blaze for a day long trip to Mahabaleshwar, about 240km from Pune, and returned impressed. His last trip to the place was on a motorcycle but this time around it was much more comfortable. He was extremely surprised when the scooter, despite its small wheels as compared to those of a motorcycle, maintained its poise perfectly even on the slippery red slush that had collected over the roads. The vehicle returned a mileage of 34 kmpl on the highways, which all of us think is decent for a big ungeared vehicle.

All in all, I’m happy to report that the Blaze is proving to be a very good and problem free steed, in all respects. Especially in terms of stares from the fairer sex and than makes me even happier.
:)

Reference: Bike India August 2007 issue, page # 180

Kinetic ranked among top 100 brands in India

The brand "Kinetic" has featured amongst India’s 100 most valuable brands, in an independent, comprehensive study conducted by Planman consulting – ICMR.

The study was conducted amongst 38,756 brands from all categories and 1057 brands were shortlisted based on growth, reach, demand & availability and is a measure of Brand Equity, Brand Awareness, Brand Image & Perception, Brand Performance & Brand Loyalty. Both domestic as well as international brands were considered in over 43 categories and 38 additional sub categories were shortlisted including apparels, automobiles, auto components, banks, builders, food joints, beverages, media & entertainment amongst many others. A total sample size of 1000 one-on-one interviews in 5 cities across the country was conducted for the shortlisting of the top 1057 brands. Later a total of 6000 users were interviewed across 9 cities including delhi, jaipur, Mumbai, kolkatta, bangalore, hyderabad, ahmedabad, pune and chennai for the selection of the top 100.

The Kinetic brand has featured in the top 100 brands of the country beating many other automobile brands including Yamaha & Suzuki.

Congratulations KINETIC!

Monsoon tips

Here are a few monsoon-tips for the Blaze:

• Get your Blaze serviced at any authorized Kinetic dealerships, specially for tune-up, cleaning filters, oil-level check and lubrication of critical bits
• Adjust brake lever free play for effective braking
• Check tyres for wear as unevenly worn tyre can cause wobble
• Maintain recommended tyre pressure
• To prevent rusting, can do a chassis undercoating with rubber seal or lacolide (Berger Paints)
• Be careful about leaving unwrapped things in the under-seat storage
• Can fit a mud-flap if concerned about muddy water sprinkling

And as always:
• Practise safe riding habits
• Keep all paperwork handy and insurance valid
• Wear ISI approved helmets

Kinetic Blaze in Man's World

Man's World (Gadgest & Gear special) says about the Blaze:

"The Blaze is here because its seriously good. On a good day, it can take the pants off some pompous bikes, is the biggest and most powerful scooter around; has a disc brake upfront and the first scooter to get a 4-valve engine. In short, its brilliant to ride."

Blaze celebration camp in Pune

A special "Blaze Celebration Camp" is being organized in Pune at Apte Road (in pune ICICI Bank Lane). Lots of great reasons to bring your Blaze!
- Free Tune Up
- Battery Check up
- Mileage check up
- Copy of the famous Italiano series bikini Calender
- a surprise gift.

It will take around an hour and is on from 22nd, 23rd and 24th May.
Hurry!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Russia wants Blaze!

Mr. Zahan from Russia writes about the Blaze:




"I want buy one for myself and I loock`n for nearest (for me, I Ilive in Russia) dealer. I visited India (Goa) some month ago(feb-march 2007) and got a biggest in my life pleasure riding Blaze. Very, very good 2weelers!!! Amazing!!!
I dreaming about Blaze every day, but I can`t buy it in Russia, not good for me and, I think, for you(Kinetic Company) too.
Help me please. I whant buy it immediatly, b`coze in me region summer not so long like in Goa :-)) and driver season for 2 weelers is a May - September only :-(

Thank You in advance for your help."

:)

Blaze aces the all-weather roadtest!

Kinetic Blaze Aces an All-Weather Road Test by bikers

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After successfully completing the Great Indian Road Trip by xbhp.com riders, Kinetic Blaze has received a thumbs up from another popular biker site - www.monoshock.in. The monoshock team put a Blaze through an all-weather roadtest and it came out with flying colors! The riders say:

" Do we recommend the Blaze?? Oh yes we do! Take a test ride on the Blaze once before you decide on the new machine you are going to buy. Do not mistake this one for a sissy scooter! We have left dropped jaws and egos of many a biker on motorcycles at traffic lights and corners. Only to answer questions about this new 'thing' at the next red light. Living in India has also made us familiar with another question, "Average kya hai"? We got 40 kays to a litre in mixed riding conditions with a brand new engine and that we think is pretty good.
Accolades to Kinetic for this eye opener of a machine. Ill be seen riding scooters again. "

Read the complete roadtest at http://www.monoshock.in/stories/kinetic_blaze_test/index_kinetic_blaze.htm

Design authorities rave about the Blaze!

In the prestigious NID (National Institute of Design) -Businessworld's annual design awards, Blaze walked away with the much coveted "two wheeler design of the year" trophy. Here's what Businessworld says about the Blaze:

"Arrivederci to the Rest!

Good design breaks moulds and its obvious that the boys at Kinetic have blown the scooter bit to smithereens. Throwing convention to the winds, the Blaze breaks ground in nine previously unimagineable ways. For example, it is, in India, the most powerful scooter with a four valve engine, the first making use of 12" tyres, and the first scooter with front telescopic and twin rear shocks, suspension previously found only on motorcycles, making the ride ultra smooth.

But Kinetic didn't stop there, casing it in a glamorous, Italian style body. It is DeNiro, Pacino - power, presence and beauty. With its commanding proportions, this powerful stallion sweeps competitors aside."

AND juryspeak " Sound form and statement of dynamics... emotionally beautiful... stylish and unique... full marks to the Blaze"

Check out The Great Indian Roadtrip website

The Great Indian Roadtrip website is ready and online!
Its a must-visit for its incredible photography.

Its also a real and neutral, independent testimony to the abilities of the Blaze.
As the rider team says, "The Blaze had delivered. And delivered beyond expectations. It was the most abused of all the vehicles in the trip. It was the only vehicle which had completed the entire trip, both leg 1 ( Himalayas etc ) and leg 2 ( rest of India). The Blazes had crossed decently deep water streams in the Himalayas, taken the bad roads of Malda, gone till Nathula, Khardungla and Kanyakumari and still managed to cross a 100 kmph on the very last day of the trip. "

Kinetic Blaze receives positive reviews from Japanese auto experts

Kinetic Blaze receives positive reviews from Japanese auto experts

Kinetic’s stylish Italian designed motoscooter, Italiano Blaze, has reached Japan and has been tested and reviewed by the Japanese auto media. The Italian design of the vehicle has been appreciated by Japan’s magazine “Scooter Days” in their January 2007 issue as “the vehicle which can enjoy style with ease.”

The reviewer has acknowledged that the 165cc Blaze is the first Indian two wheeler to land in Japan, described it as “attractive” and noted its useful features such as easy-to-see instrumentation (speedometer, tachometer, digital clock), side stand, centrallyu divided seat, jet type fuel filling, underseat storage and bag hook (convenient for traveling), flat floorboard, pillion rider comfort, etc.

Kinetic is marketing Blaze in Japan through advertising in magazines and a dedicated website for Kinetic’s Japanese presence has also beem set up at www.kinetic-japan.com


K

Kinetic unveils Indian automotive industry’s first glamorous calendar, featuring Italian Supermodels and the Italiano Blaze

Kinetic unveils Indian automotive industry’s first glamorous calendar, featuring Italian Supermodels and the Italiano Blaze

Mumbai, January 29th 2007: In keeping with its brand promise of exciting work, two wheeler manufacturer Kinetic Motor Company unveiled its 2007 calendar, which features Italian supermodels along with Kinetic’s glamorous motoscooters – the Italiano Blaze. Kinetic hopes that the calendar will become as sought-after as the Blaze itself. The calendar was launched today, at the Blue Water Grill at Worli seaface, and the models themselves were present at the launch .

Kinetic has been one of the first few Indian companies to create a tradition of an annual calendar, but this is the first time that its calendar has chosen a bold theme. This reflects a new breed among two wheeler buyers – earlier the two wheeler buyer was largely seeking a traditional, conservative commuting solution, but now as the options to him are getting wider, he is seeking to make a lifestyle statement through his vehicle of choice – he is feeling a closer personal identification with his two wheeler and would like to use it to promote his self-image as a cool guy who lives his life in line with global trends. The Kinetic calendar is designed to appeal to the Blaze target customer base – the male, urban youth with an understanding of what is cool and glamorous.

Launching the Italian Supermodels calendar, Ajinkya Firodia, Vice President, sales and marketing of Kinetic Motor Company said,” Since our recent product, the Italiano Blaze is gorgeous and exciting, we wanted to carry that forward into our other initiatives as well, and the calendar is one of them. Around the world, calendars that blend the sex appeal of an automobile and a supermodel are a regular feature, but I think that this is a first for the Indian automotive industry. I’d like you to notice that the Blaze looks completely in place with the gorgeous models, and I think that no other two wheeler would have looked as much in-sync here as the Blaze.”

Kinetic Blaze now available with disk brakes for strong braking performance

Exciting two wheeler Kinetic Blaze now available with disk brakes for strong braking performance

Kinetic Blaze, India’s first real motoscooter, is going from strength to strength. After creating a new category and setting new standards in performance, design and comfort in two wheelers, the Kinetic Blaze now boasts of another first in its segment : advanced braking performance via disk brakes in front and rear.

Disk Brakes have so far only been available on powerful motorcycles. The Blaze, which has already offered motorcycle technology such as a 4-valve engine, advanced suspension (telescopic, twin-rear shock absorbers) completes the package with superior braking performance thanks to the front-and-rear disk brake fitment. The brake specifications are 220mm at front and rear; and the drum brake option continues to be available at a lower price.

Announcing the launch of the disk-braked Kinetic Blaze, Sulajja Firodia Motwani, Managing Director of Kinetic Motor Company said,” This is another first from Kinetic, on our very special Blaze. I am glad to offer added safety to our riders by way of improved braking performance.”

Kinetic Blaze, from Kinetic’s Italiano series, is high on glamour and performance, with a stylishly detailed original Italian design and a 165cc, 4 valve engine which outputs 12 bhp power. In addition, the Blaze offers several features such as front telescopic shocks, twin rear shocks for extra stability (first time in India), 12” tyres (first time in India), protective front shield (visor), comprehensive instrumentation, split seat with large underseat storage space and twin lamps each 35 / 35 W in a single housing, and now disk brakes.

The Great Indian Roadtrip is successfully completed!

Kinetic Blaze successfully completes The Great Indian Roadtrip across the length and breadth of India

20,000 km ride through 570 cities in 26 states in 110 days
Achievement demonstrates endurance and touring capabilities of the Blaze
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Kinetic’s performance motoscooter Blaze has just successfully completed the most ambitious journey roadtrip across the length and breadth of India. The journey, popular as “The Great Indian Roadtrip” saw the Blaze munch through 20,000 km through 570 cities in 26 states in 110 days at a stretch. The riders, a group of young, passionate bikers from India’s popular biking portal www.xbhp.com, started from Delhi on Independence day, August 15th and returned on December 15th with a collection of breathtaking photographs from every nook and corner of the country.

Under The Great Indian Road Trip, the Blaze traveled through varying terrain including snowy mountains of Jammu and Kashmir, green fields of Punjab, the Rann of Kuch city traffic, good highways, bad roads; achieving milestones such as reaching the Khardung-la Pass¸ the highest motorable pass in the world.

Announcing the successful completion of The Great Indian Roadtrip, Sulajja Firodia Motwani, MD of Kinetic Motor Company said,” My congratulations to the riders of the trip, and of course to the Italiano Blaze, which has proven its capabilities through this difficult, endurance testing travel, and demonstrated its potential as a tourer too, usually considered a domain of motorcycles. This trip was initiated, organized and undertaken by an independent group of bikers, so this achievement is an endorsement by a neutral but expert group. ”

Kinetic Blaze Wins Five Major Awards

Kinetic’s stylish motoscooter Blaze wins five awards from eminent experts, maximum number of product awards ever in a year by any two wheeler in India

Kinetic’s stylish “BLAZE”, India’s first real motoscooter has received a major thumbs-up with five awards from the country’s expert community this year. This is the highest number of product awards ever won in a single year by any two wheeler in India, making Blaze the most celebrated two wheeler in the country. The Blaze has won:

- “Best two wheeler design of the year” by BBC Top Gear’ eminent international jury panel that consisted some of the world’s legendary automobile designers

- “Scooter of the Year” by Business Standard Motoring’s expert panel

- “Scooter of the Year” by Overdrive magazine in association with apex industry bodies CII, SIAM and ACMA

- “Scooter of the Year” from NDTV Profit in association with Car and Bike India
- “Two wheeler design of the year” from National Institute of Design and Businessworld

Announcing the awards, Ms. Sulajja Firodia Motwani, Managing Director of Kinetic Motor Company said,” Obviously, five awards from such eminent automobile and design experts is a strong endorsement to the Blaze, and a matter of great pride for us. With the Blaze, we have endeavored to substantially advance the two wheeler concept in India. It is a groundbreaking product in many ways with a lot of “first time” innovations, and certainly offers a new, exciting option to the Indian rider. The Blaze is a really cool combination of style, comfort, stability, performance and technology. I am thankful to the industry for this recognition.”

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