Bajaj plans to buy Ducati or Triumph?

[Bob]

Bajaj - India’s second largest motorcycle manufacturer - is looking to “forge a partnership or even buy” Ducati or Triumph, according to reports in India’s finance sector.

Bajaj has been looking for ways of improving its engineering and product development expertise to expand a range currently limited to a nothing larger than 220cc. They are also reported to have been in discussion with Yamaha on the subject of technology and expertise sharing for larger capacity bikes, offering engineering and manufacturing expertise for smaller machines.

The company recently lost its position as India’s largest manufacturer of two wheeled vehicles to Hero Honda.

[Chrislost]

dam!
i wouldnt buy one if they owned it!
look at the quality of toothpaste we got from those kind of countries

[Bob]

To be honest, I think they're living in Cloud-Cuckoo land if they think they can tie-up with/buy Ducati or Triumph (especially Triumph - this is Mr Bloor's baby and I think he is determined to keep it as independent as possible).

The technology etc deal with Yamaha seems more likely - they've done this kind of thing before.

[tri boy]

Interesting.
This actually could happen.(I know it totally goes against the grain but think about it).
India is going through an amazing economic and social change. Its extremely self sufficient, and passionate about growth and self improvement.
Engineering,IT,Medicine, India is known to be research leaders in these fields and others.
I believe they will continue to exceed peoples opinions of there nation, and surprise many in the next decade.
Weren't Japanese cars considered to be piles of shit, next to the American/British offerings just a decade or two ago?:mellow:

[McJim]

Sounds like posturing to improve their share value.

Ducati and Triumph are looking great for the future with both companies now shifting record numbers of units.

[McJim]

Weren't Japanese cars considered to be piles of shit, next to the American/British offerings just a decade or two ago?:mellow:

That's coz they WERE piles of shit - only the French are still capable of making water soluble cars now! :rofl: I remember orange Datsuns - originally black but rusted in a damp breeze.

[tri boy]

I would like to see production figures for Triumph, and then compare them with the Indian domestic market figures.
900million+ people can have a huge purchasing power. Enough to sway most savvy corporate owners.
I could easily see a tie up with Triumph. The research/development alone with regards to new technology should unfold some thinking caps.
The English are buying the Enfields that India build. Why not Triumphs.:mellow:
And with regards to Mr Bloors independant operation, I can name six nations that supply parts to make a "Genuine" Triumph from Hinckley. German, Italian, Japanese,British,Malay/Thai, and i'm sure theres others.

[xwhatsit]

...IT... India is known to be research leaders

Balls, India is known to be leaders in outsourcing and cheap and dirty programmers, but in terms of serious computer science research they have very little to show, despite their supposed world-class universities.

MIT (not Manukau Institute of Technology, but the real MIT) had some very interesting things to say on this matter.

Anyway, back to Bajaj.

[Cr1MiNaL]

Christlost Im surprised at you. I would have thought u would have a broader understanding of the "macroeconomic perspective" and the changes the world as we know it is going through. Im part Indian but by no means is that the reason I say that in the next 50 years India will be in the top 3 most developed countries in the world. Also it is no longer a developing country, Its well developed and has an infracture far far superior to NZ / AUZ etc... there no scope for comparision even. However i dont blame foreigners for their narrow minded approach to viewing a country of over a billion people as dusty and far too hot. These things you would expect... The economy is booming my friend and trust - u - me I wouldnt be surprised if they did go ahead with the acquisition.

[Cr1MiNaL]

Balls, India is known to be leaders in outsourcing and cheap and dirty programmers, but in terms of serious computer science research they have very little to show, despite their supposed world-class universities.


Mate ur age discounts your knowledge. Also you now stand corrected and perhaps a little wiser, India does not outsource dirty programmers, dirty programmers are outsourced to India.

[Cr1MiNaL]

Interesting.
This actually could happen.(I know it totally goes against the grain but think about it).
India is going through an amazing economic and social change. Its extremely self sufficient, and passionate about growth and self improvement.
Engineering,IT,Medicine, India is known to be research leaders in these fields and others.
I believe they will continue to exceed peoples opinions of there nation, and surprise many in the next decade.
Weren't Japanese cars considered to be piles of shit, next to the American/British offerings just a decade or two ago?:mellow:

U seem like an extremely learner man, u must have travel led, good on ya.

[xwhatsit]

Mate ur age discounts your knowledge. Also you now stand corrected and perhaps a little wiser, India does not outsource dirty programmers, dirty programmers are outsourced to India.

<hints id="hah_hints"></hints>Just making sure we're on the same wavelength here -- but I was talking about in-house software projects being outsourced to India for reasons of economy.

Unfortunately, whilst the quality of IT graduates in India is more than adequate -- and probably far better than equivalent NZ institutions, their so-called Computer Science degrees are nothing more than a basic Software Engineering degree, so any chance of outsourcing CS-style work is typically a lost cause. One cannot use SE graduates in CS positions. The quality of these so-called CS faculties can be seen by the amount of research produced. MIT, Caltech, Berkeley -- and indeed Auckland -- have nothing to fear in terms of competition for serious research.

Outsourcing itself is a different issue. It's just a result of globalisation, really, and although it may threaten my job security I'm not too worried. Outsourcing, due to its nature, is best suited to highly autonomous jobs which don't required too much specialised internal knowledge. Software engineering is not very well suited to this, and although there are economic benefits to companies who do outsource, more and more issues are beginning to crop up as the projects mature. Any sort of maintenance of software projects is very, very difficult, due to the usual problems of sharing institutionalised code between organisations.

Quality control can be very difficult; not necessarily a reflection on the skills of the programmers, but the simple fact you cannot have somebody in the room making sure that not only does the code do the job, but also is written in a maintainable, clean manner. It doesn't help matters when you have vast numbers of `quick-and-dirty' software houses just out to make a quick buck, with no thought for on-going quality. CS, being as specialised as it is, will be near impossible to outsource successfully, so I feel fairly secure.

[tri boy]

xer, I can only trust that your knowledge of the software industry is far more superior than mine.(wouldn't be hard).:innocent:
However, I do keep a weather eye on international trading and commerce in my own disorganised way. And the tens of millions of dollars that are pouring into Indian sectors every quarter from diverse financial groups/mega corporates tells me that this stable and mature economy is heading for great things.
I wont comment further on the financial/political issues anymore, as it is off topic.
But I can say from experience, that Indian engineering is thousands of years old,
(just look at there historical and modern achievements), and as there infrastructure in this field is tidied up, very few nations will be able to compete in scale, and quality. I look forward to there future achievements.
Like there ceramic,written and structural art and culture, it will be very impressive.

[xwhatsit]

xer, I can only trust that your knowledge of the software industry is far more superior than mine.(wouldn't be hard).:innocent:
However, I do keep a weather eye on international trading and commerce in my own disorganised way. And the tens of millions of dollars that are pouring into Indian sectors every quarter from diverse financial groups/mega corporates tells me that this stable and mature economy is heading for great things.
I wont comment further on the financial/political issues anymore, as it is off topic.
But I can say from experience, that Indian engineering is thousands of years old,
(just look at there historical and modern achievements), and as there infrastructure in this field is tidied up, very few nations will be able to compete in scale, and quality. I look forward to there future achievements.
Like there ceramic,written and structural art and culture, it will be very impressive.

<hints id="hah_hints"></hints>I have no worries about future economic success for India.

In fact it's interesting to draw parallels with China. Great emphasis placed on education, so large numbers of well-educated workers available for low wages; long history of, like you say, historical and modern achievements, etc etc. However the product is still not up to scratch. China persists in targeting the low-end manufacturing/development market for cheap products, and India is doing likewise with the IT outsourcing market.

I can say with some confidence that before India is taken seriously for whole-spectrum IT subcontracting -- not just low-end code-monkeying and those god-awful customer support lines -- it will need to revamp its education for this field. Tertiary institutes seem to be producing research and graduates in only a handful of fields in IT-type stuff -- fields that are relevant to what the economy is making money off, but there's no room to grow upwards.

Anyway we've drifted far, far away from the original topic :innocent: Poor old Bajaj. Not even bikers pay attention to them :)

[Cr1MiNaL]

<hints id="hah_hints"></hints>
.....India is doing likewise with the IT outsourcing market.

I can say with some confidence that before India is taken seriously for whole-spectrum IT subcontracting -- not just low-end code-monkeying and those god-awful customer support lines -- it will need to revamp its education for this field. Tertiary institutes seem to be producing research and graduates in only a handful of fields in IT-type stuff -- fields that are relevant to what the economy is making money off, but there's no room to grow upwards.

Au contraire... In the IT sector no country is taken more seriously than India. Not only because of the cheap labor but also because of the quality and efficiency of work. Huge multinationals like GE Money, ANZ, KPMG, Deloitte and the likes all outsource and trust the work done there. Hence india IS already taken seriously as opposed to waht u stated above. As for growing upwards I could throw numbers here $$ salary figure wise that would baffle you. Id suggest u google "ISB" Indian School of Business and c what past grads get paid, would really open up ur eyes.

[xwhatsit]

Au contraire... In the IT sector no country is taken more seriously than India. Not only because of the cheap labor but also because of the quality and efficiency of work. Huge multinationals like GE Money, ANZ, KPMG, Deloitte and the likes all outsource and trust the work done there. Hence india IS already taken seriously as opposed to waht u stated above. As for growing upwards I could throw numbers here $$ salary figure wise that would baffle you. Id suggest u google "ISB" Indian School of Business and c what past grads get paid, would really open up ur eyes.

<hints id="hah_hints"></hints>I wrote whole-spectrum IT -- at a loss for what to really call it, but I mean the computing sector as a whole; comprising `typical' IT, programming, software engineering, computer science, and others. India has had a lot of success with IT (in the usual sense of the word `IT'), but you'd be hard pressed to find anything on a large scale above that level.

[tri boy]

Well I couldn't resist checking out some details on Bajaj.
Very impressive. People should look them up.
Some quick facts:
Operating since 1927, and Board of directors seem to be a family line.Similar to Dilmah maybe.
4th largest manufacturer of two-three wheelers in the world.:gob:
Part of a group of Bajaj companies over twenty deep, including steel, finance, lighting/generation, insurance.
Strong ties with Kawasaki since approx 1985.
Export over qtr million units annually into 50 countries. (mainly Asia).
Export growth of %27 for 04-05.:yes:
See most of there growth in the near future inside India.(mainly upper reaches)
Constantly developing strategies to improve there market strength.
All of this without western world influence.
This appears to be one of India's power houses. Triumph looks like a young Gazelle, tempting to an Indian tigers hunger.

[xwhatsit]

It's funny, isn't it -- immediately post-war there were more bike manufacturers than you could poke a stick at -- James, AJS, Ariel, Velocette, Matchless, Douglas... the list goes on. After the Japanese manufacturers came in, now we've only got a handful, really. Just the big four Japs, and a handful of European marques.

But recently, we've got Hyosung become mainstream, Chinese manufacturers making scooters and small bikes -- not the best quality now, but bound to rapidly improve. And now we have Indian bike manufacturers making increased contact with Japanese engineers, higher capacity motorcycles, and I'm sure I recently read an Australian review of a Bajaj Pulsar.

Could we be seeing a return to the diverse and scattered market we used to have? I'd love to see that. The more variety the better.

[tri boy]

In some ways it fair to compare post ww2 with today. both periods did and have taken on rapid growth. One from devastation, the other, highly populated countries moving into 1st world status.
Bajaj seems to be an experienced, disciplined corporation with its management in control of a solid growth era.
Then you look at older 1st world nations that are struggling with cost efficiencies, productivity, and numerous other constraints.
Could we look even further back, and consider the rise of empires like Rome and then examine its fall from such lofty heights? Is Britian and the US the new Roman empire? Heavy thoughts for a Fri a/noon.
And with regards to Bajaj quality, I think BBC World Wheels has awarded it several gongs for the quality of the products, as have other independent agencies. Would I buy one? If they have a model that fits my requirements, is of suitable standards, and the price is right,of course. The Indian dynasties have quite a good reputation, and I can't remember any Englishman that built such a beautiful statement of love like that of the Taj Mahal.

[avgas]

The technology etc deal with Yamaha seems more likely - they've done this kind of thing before.
Doubt that as well, Yamaha are the bee's knees in terms of a 2-stroke 100cc in india.
They sell for more second hand than they do new, and everytime they get them into the country, there is a que of people lining up to buy them before the shop opens.
Its like Mercedes Benz collaborating with Austin.

[Mr Merde]

Is this the company they are interested in?


www.triumph.com (http://www.triumph.com)


Diversification.

[tri boy]

Is this the company they are interested in?


www.triumph.com (http://www.triumph.com)


Diversification.

I hope so, I'll readily take those "models" for a test ride.:buggerd::2thumbsup

[tri boy]

Doubt that as well, Yamaha are the bee's knees in terms of a 2-stroke 100cc in india.
They sell for more second hand than they do new, and everytime they get them into the country, there is a que of people lining up to buy them before the shop opens.
Its like Mercedes Benz collaborating with Austin.

I think most if not all of Bajaj's new models are four stroke.
Merc over an Austin? Austins were an easy to live with vechile for the masses, Merc's are overpriced shite that constantly fail on the side of motorways on a Sat afternoon. :dodge:

[idb]

Only because no-one else has said it............"Goodness gracious me!"

[Scouse]

Bajaj - India’s second largest motorcycle manufacturer - is looking to “forge a partnership or even buy” Ducati or Triumph, according to reports in India’s finance sector.

Bajaj has been looking for ways of improving its engineering and product development expertise to expand a range currently limited to a nothing larger than 220cc. They are also reported to have been in discussion with Yamaha on the subject of technology and expertise sharing for larger capacity bikes, offering engineering and manufacturing expertise for smaller machines.Thats the same as india offering to share expertise in food hygine, if I were Yamaha I'd say no thanks

[Cr1MiNaL]

Thats the same as india offering to share expertise in food hygine, if I were Yamaha I'd say no thanks

God only knows where u get your information from. :nono:

PS: Thank fuck ur not Yamaha or Id sell my bike immediately.

[hdus001]

These kind of David vs Goliath takeovers are not that uncommon in the corporate world..Tata steel, ranked 56th in the world, recently took over a British steelmaker called Corus thats ranked 8th in the world...and remember IBM PCs?..yeah once the world's largest maker of PC's..they were bought over by a Chinese company (Lenova I think) a few years back (only the PC division of IBM..the other divisions I believe are still American-owned).
Money talks I guess..there are a few companies in India whose annual turnovers are bigger than the whole GDP of NZ.

[tri boy]

Thats the same as india offering to share expertise in food hygine, if I were Yamaha I'd say no thanks

I am afraid that I can not take any persons views on board until they learn some respect for other cultures.
Please use CAPITALS in respect to a nations name. It's India, NOT india.:mellow:

[Morcs]

Not having a stab, but just reflecting on a few peoples comments.

Developed countries dont ask the world for humanitarian aid.

India did recently for something or other, when in reality they are a very wealthy country and quite capable of paying to help their needy - theyd just rather spend someone elses money...

India isnt developed.


One spell of heavy rains and the Mumbai-Pune Expressway was full of potholes (it does not need a genius to figure out the sad plight of the interior roads).

Electricity plays hide-and-seek as usual in Bangalore, Pune and Hyderabad (touted as India's Silicon Valleys) and in many other places all over India.

Tap water is so filthy that one is forced to drink bottled water (though one is not sure how safe that is).

Pollution, which has reached record-breaking heights, is causing serious health problems.

Traffic jams are the order of the day.

The news of militants killing people in Kashmir is de rigueur in the news pages.

[Cr1MiNaL]

India isnt developed.

Good thats settled then. After all can't argue with ur extensive experience :killingme:killingme :buggerd:

[justsomeguy]

Good thats settled then. After all can't argue with ur extensive experience :killingme:killingme :buggerd:

India is not developed, it will be a very long time before it is.

This may be a difficult concept for those of you who haven't seen modern India, "India is not poor, it just has lots of poor people".

It is a wretched, corrupt system that breeds the same in anyone intending to live in it and is still a nearly impossible society to thrive in using merit alone.

There is more than enough wealth to buy food for all there, just like there is enough money in New York to feed and clothe their homeless.

There are shed loads of cash being thrown around. It is quite common for people in the working classes today to spend what used to be a monthly salary for these same people a few years ago in just a few nights entertainment.

[Cr1MiNaL]

India is not developed, it will be a very long time before it is.

This may be a difficult concept for those of you who haven't seen modern India, "India is not poor, it just has lots of poor people".

It is a wretched, corrupt system that breeds the same in anyone intending to live in it and is still a nearly impossible society to thrive in using merit alone.

There is more than enough wealth to buy food for all there, just like there is enough money in New York to feed and clothe their homeless.

There are shed loads of cash being thrown around. It is quite common for people in the working classes today to spend what used to be a monthly salary for these same people a few years ago in just a few nights entertainment.

couldnt have said it better myself... having said that theres a lot to modern India not the villages that would shock some of u.... If I said that Mumbai was a city that was 100 times as lively and happening as Sydney or 150 times that of Auckland, and the night life... oh pls don't tempt me further... Im getin myself a piece of that yes sir... this november !

But u r dead wrong about India not being developed..Id say it were 150 times more developed than nz, economy wise, currency stability wise, infrastructure wise... i could go on and on... blah blah but I dont want to make this an economics lecture... what u c on tv is not India !
Peace.

[tri boy]

India is not developed, it will be a very long time before it is.

This may be a difficult concept for those of you who haven't seen modern India, "India is not poor, it just has lots of poor people".

It is a wretched, corrupt system that breeds the same in anyone intending to live in it and is still a nearly impossible society to thrive in using merit alone.

There is more than enough wealth to buy food for all there, just like there is enough money in New York to feed and clothe their homeless.

There are shed loads of cash being thrown around. It is quite common for people in the working classes today to spend what used to be a monthly salary for these same people a few years ago in just a few nights entertainment.

I guess the caste system doesn't fit well with most society's but it does seem to have a place in Indian soceity.
Wretched, corrupt? So is New York.
Any way, lets get back on topic.
Errrrr what was it again?

[justsomeguy]

I guess the caste system doesn't fit well with most society's but it does seem to have a place in Indian soceity.
Wretched, corrupt? So is New York.
Any way, lets get back on topic.
Errrrr what was it again?

The caste system, never knew it existed as a kid, now some of these same friends are getting married or in serious relationships and suddenly it exists, go figure...

The topic was a bunch of well heeled curry munchers wanted to buy a company full of people who could make any electrical system fail and another company that could make even a stone leak oil.

[justsomeguy]

couldnt have said it better myself... having said that theres a lot to modern India not the villages that would shock some of u.... If I said that Mumbai was a city that was 100 times as lively and happening as Sydney or 150 times that of Auckland, and the night life... oh pls don't tempt me further... Im getin myself a piece of that yes sir... this november !

But u r dead wrong about India not being developed..Id say it were 150 times more developed than nz, economy wise, currency stability wise, infrastructure wise... i could go on and on... blah blah but I dont want to make this an economics lecture... what u c on tv is not India !
Peace.

Who are you? A 12 year old brainwashed BJP supporter?

Some of what you say has merit, however on the whole you strike me as an over enthusiastic bigot.

Pity we ain't in the same areas, would be interesting to see how "articulate" you are in person.

[Cr1MiNaL]

Who are you? A 12 year old brainwashed BJP supporter?

Some of what you say has merit, however on the whole you strike me as an over enthusiastic bigot.

Pity we ain't in the same areas, would be interesting to see how "articulate" you are in person.

Actually im 23, perhaps a 'bigot', but have had the experience of 10 years in either worlds, hence in a good position to comment, and thats essentially what im doing here. not tryin to impose my under-educated opinion onto u. u may still live in ur narrow minded world. doesn't bother me 1 bit. And im not trying to be articulate either. It doesn't help my ego by using flash words on an online forum. pls don't rage coz i red repped u. just red rep me back if that makes u happy.

[Cr1MiNaL]

Thanks for that JSG ... just confirmed my opinion of u.... Good day.
Now back to the topic on hand... :yes:

[justsomeguy]

Actually im 23, perhaps a 'bigot', but have had the experience of 10 years in either worlds, hence in a good position to comment, and thats essentially what im doing here. not tryin to impose my under-educated opinion onto u. u may still live in ur narrow minded world. doesn't bother me 1 bit. And im not trying to be articulate either. It doesn't help my ego by using flash words on an online forum. pls don't rage coz i red repped u. just red rep me back if that makes u happy.

I’m simply curious about your figures when you compared countries as you're comparing apples and antelopes. Both good in their own right but rarely evaluated under similar criteria.

I am not anti-India mate, I love the place, being a Goan. Sow mein say aasee beyman, fir bhi mera desh mahan and all that gana.

I’m famous or rather notorious as the “World’s Slowest Indian” around here. I’m also infamous for being rather politically incorrect. The red was redundant but I felt like sharing, so sue me.

Miss the street food more than anything else. Get enough girls and the rest here, but the bhel puri and stuff…

Take that as you want it or shove it in a rocket, light it and sit on the pointy end.

[justsomeguy]

Hey Yamagama can we please make this a proper shit fight... KB hasn't had one in ages and we need another one.

qik b4 da moderers cume

[Cr1MiNaL]

I’m simply curious about your figures when you compared countries as you're comparing apples and antelopes. Both good in their own right but rarely evaluated under similar criteria.

I am not anti-India mate, I love the place, being a Goan. Sow mein say aasee beyman, fir bhi mera desh mahan and all that gana.

I’m famous or rather notorious as the “World’s Slowest Indian” around here. I’m also infamous for being rather politically incorrect. The red was redundant but I felt like sharing, so sue me.

Miss the street food more than anything else. Get enough girls and the rest here, but the bhel puri and stuff…

Take that as you want it or shove it in a rocket, light it and sit on the pointy end.

Koi baat nahi, I was only tryin to make a point mate, India is large as u already know, perhaps u didnt get to c what i did. Who knows :whocares: being from Goa Id have thought u would feel otherwise. But were all entitled to our own opinions, and u know I am right about the infrastructure and economy bits... no one can deny that. Don't worry I only sue multinationals, not much good in suing individuals like urself.. doesn't make much sense now does it? Koi kahe kehta rahe... jitna bhi hamko divana... and all that jazz... Lets agree to disagree... ride safe mate....


(ps: ur beer sucks).

[Cr1MiNaL]

Hey Yamagama can we please make this a proper shit fight... KB hasn't had one in ages and we need another one.

qik b4 da moderers cume

ur on brotha, as long as it snot a red reppin session, kinda unfair when u have 5000 posts and i 500 ;) :second: and the names Raj guydudeman thingy..

[justsomeguy]

Koi baat nahi, I was only tryin to make a point mate, India is large as u already know, perhaps u didnt get to c what i did. Who knows :whocares: being from Goa Id have thought u would feel otherwise. But were all entitled to our own opinions, and u know I am right about the infrastructure and economy bits... no one can deny that. Don't worry I only sue multinationals, not much good in suing individuals like urself.. doesn't make much sense now does it? Koi kahe kehta rahe... jitna bho hamko divana... and all that jazz... Lets agree to disagree... ride safe mate....


(ps: ur beer sucks).

Mate, I'm trying to have a shit fight here. Please STOP being nice.

Don't drink, so pick something else...

[tri boy]

So, on a lighter note, if Bajaj did buy in,what parts of the bikes would you like the Indians to design and which parts should the English control?
I would like styl'n to go to India. Like the Tata trucks with all the colour and horns.:Punk:

[justsomeguy]

So, on a lighter note, if Bajaj did buy in,what parts of the bikes would you like the Indians to design and which parts should the English control?
I would like styl'n to go to India. Like the Tata trucks with all the colour and horns.:Punk:

Italian styling - drawing and blueprints only.
Indian's everything else, just lock the accountants away.

[Cr1MiNaL]

So, on a lighter note, if Bajaj did buy in,what parts of the bikes would you like the Indians to design and which parts should the English control?
I would like styl'n to go to India. Like the Tata trucks with all the colour and horns.:Punk:

nah stuff that, JSG wants a fight...
Im not tryin to b nice it really takes a lot to piss me off and im just like that a happy-go-lucky kinda guy so cant really get angry enuf to fight wid u JSG. But seriously u liv in auz and dont drink... strange co-incidence... no wonder u still live there... many of us prefer to live on this side of the ditch because atleast we get a pint of descent beer when we hit the pubs after a long ride...:dodge:

[tri boy]

nah stuff that, JSG wants a fight...
Im not tryin to b nice it really takes a lot to piss me off and im just like that a happy-go-lucky kinda guy so cant really get angry enuf to fight wid u JSG. But seriously u liv in auz and dont drink... strange co-incidence... no wonder u still live there... many of us prefer to live on this side of the ditch because atleast we get a pint of descent beer when we hit the pubs after a long ride...:dodge:

Come on Raj,
No fight'n until you help design the multi nation iconic sickle.:nono:
You choose the handling engineers, then you can kick JSG in the nuts.:kick:

[Cr1MiNaL]

Come on Raj,
No fight'n until you help design the multi nation iconic sickle.:nono:
You choose the handling engineers, then you can kick JSG in the nuts.:kick:

ha ha funnily enuf the green guy looks just like i wud look after i kick JSG in the nuts ! :Punk:

[justsomeguy]

ha ha funnily enuf the green guy looks just like i wud look after i kick JSG in the nuts ! :Punk:

Ooohhh....

Pity we're in diff areas, wouldn't mind having a few rounds under boxing or kickboxing rules:innocent:

[Cr1MiNaL]

Ooohhh....

Pity we're in diff areas, wouldn't mind having a few rounds under boxing or kickboxing rules:innocent:

ever wonder why the auzzy cricket team got so umm... lucky last year?

STANDARD BACKYARD "auzzy" CRICKET RULES

Can't Get Out First Ball : Curious rule introduced to give the token unco bastard a reprieve. Smart-arse batsmen use it to hone their reverse sweep - which becomes interesting when smart-arse bowlers use it to hone their beamer.

Caught Behind : Since no-one has the desire or the reflexes to stand in the slips cordon, an edge onto the back fence constitutes instant dismissal. Has signalled the death of the late cut.

One Hand, One Bounce : This popular innovation (When a fielder can dismiss a batsman by catching the ball in one hand on the first bounce)is essential to the very fabric of the sport. Importantly, it means a game can be organised with a minimum of players. More importantly, it means you don't have to put your beer down, which curiously enough had been imported from kiwiland.

No LBW : When no umpires are available (or trustworthy), the only option is to can the LBW rule altogether, ensuring cagey batsmen shuffle across the crease as if test driving a Zimmer frame.

Six And Out (Then Fetch It) : Introduced to combat space and energy restrictions. It's rumoured to have been initiated by a hapless bowler living alongside a pack of Rottweilers.

I wonder why i bother.

[justsomeguy]

So you're Indian, like to drink, like cricket, think stinking bloody Bombay is the bees knees, mate please don't tell me you or your family own a dairy too... how can one person fit so many stereotypes?:gob:

Save some sniggering for tomorrow, I'm off for some Chicken Teriyaki.

[Cr1MiNaL]

no no silly boy, who said im indian.

[Bob]

Save some sniggering for tomorrow, I'm off for some Chicken Teriyaki.

Isn't Chicken Teriyaki a JAPANESE dish?

[2_SL0]

couldnt have said it better myself... having said that theres a lot to modern India not the villages that would shock some of u.... If I said that Mumbai was a city that was 100 times as lively and happening as Sydney or 150 times that of Auckland, and the night life... oh pls don't tempt me further... Im getin myself a piece of that yes sir... this november !

But u r dead wrong about India not being developed..Id say it were 150 times more developed than nz, economy wise, currency stability wise, infrastructure wise... i could go on and on... blah blah but I dont want to make this an economics lecture... what u c on tv is not India !
Peace.

If it is so superior on so many levels, why are you here?

[Cr1MiNaL]

If it is so superior on so many levels, why are you here?

Same reason ur here ...

[NhuanH]

Same reason ur here ...
nah, you don't ride as fast as 2_SLO

[Cr1MiNaL]

nah, you don't ride as fast as 2_SLO

NEVER SAID i DID IN NUB.

[NhuanH]

NEVER SAID i DID IN NUB.
Anyone got a translator? What are you doing to whom's nub exactly? And do they know?

And I meant, since you don't ride like 2_SLO, you must have a completely different reason to be here.

[Cr1MiNaL]

rofl. now thats nub

[NhuanH]

rofl. now thats nub
um, if you were trying to say that I'm a newbie, newb or noob, I'd check the facts before running your mouth (in real life or otherwise).
Not sure if you meant newbie to riding, KB, or what, but like I've said before, I'd take the Pepsi Challenge with you anytime.

JSG - come back anytime, you're like a genius compared to this guy. Whoa - did I just say that?!

[Cr1MiNaL]

um, if you were trying to say that I'm a newbie, newb or noob, I'd check the facts before running your mouth (in real life or otherwise).
Not sure if you meant newbie to riding, KB, or what, but like I've said before, I'd take the Pepsi Challenge with you anytime.

JSG - come back anytime, you're like a genius compared to this guy. Whoa - did I just say that?!

haha ur such a hard out dude for no reason at all... chill man n stop bein a dick (though for someone of ur caliber I know that can be quite a challenge... (crackup)

[Bob]

This has gone from a piece about how Bajaj are looking to develop by buying into outside sources... to a discussion about how developed (or not) Indian infrastructure (which was interesting)... which just shows how a subject can grow.

But now has moved into a one-to-one slanging match - still fairly polite at present. And I don't want it developing into anything more.

So can we get back on subject please? Or at least A subject, rather than this keep reappearing at the top of the page (thus detracting from new news) as the next instalment of pointing sticks at each other appears!

[2_SL0]

What is nub??

[Bob]

What is nub??

:Offtopic:

'Nub' was a really odd noise someone I used to work with made, as he had problems with his nasal passages...

Now can we get back to the news please? After all, this IS the news section!

:Offtopic:

Chee! I dunno, post a nice news item about an Indian company trying to better itself and all anyone worries about is the spelling of a noise made when you have nasal issues... mutter moan etc... :bleh:

:Offtopic:

[tri boy]

So since India has just signed an agreement with the USA over nuclear discussions, could Bajaj be planning on making the first nuclear powered sickle?
And would you prefer the Italians or Poms involved?

[Cr1MiNaL]

So since India has just signed an agreement with the USA over nuclear discussions, could Bajaj be planning on making the first nuclear powered sickle?
And would you prefer the Italians or Poms involved?

The USA wants India to go nuclear free, so they can hav the only nuclear weapons in the world.... soon.... like thats ever going to happen. We need them for our lovely neighbors. :shutup:

Oh and news in India is that they are a step ahead on the merger too ! id like to c what that brings :yes:

Don't worry BOB few people here just can't appreciate anything thats bigger than their already enormous egos'. *sigh* I was warned abt them.

[Bob]

Given the idea of CNG powered bikes coming from Pakistan:

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=54408

Anything is possible!

I still think the sound way forward would be the tie-up with Yamaha. As I said way back, this is a tried and tested route, where Yamaha come in with technical skills on bigger bikes, but Bajaj could provide huge manufacturing capacity on smaller bikes or possibly some other ranges.

[Cr1MiNaL]

Given the idea of CNG powered bikes coming from Pakistan:

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=54408

Anything is possible!

I still think the sound way forward would be the tie-up with Yamaha. As I said way back, this is a tried and tested route, where Yamaha come in with technical skills on bigger bikes, but Bajaj could provide huge manufacturing capacity on smaller bikes or possibly some other ranges.

Tie ups and that are good, but Id b a little skeptical about Yamaha wanting to manufacture their higher performance bikes for Indian roads. Given the population, politics and other related factors. However, its not impossible Ive seen quite a few number of R1's and Ducatis' on the streets in recent years.... The CBR 600RR seems to b the bike of choice for most for some strange reason though. (Did u know that they actually de-tune bikes for Indian roads)... eg. the Hyosung Comet 250 actually has 7-10 bhp less than standard for Indian roads.... damn bureaucracy. If the merger does take place though I can foresee a very very strong company arise from the ashes... one in which I would most certainly like to invest in !

[tri boy]

Given the idea of CNG powered bikes coming from Pakistan:

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=54408

Anything is possible!

I still think the sound way forward would be the tie-up with Yamaha. As I said way back, this is a tried and tested route, where Yamaha come in with technical skills on bigger bikes, but Bajaj could provide huge manufacturing capacity on smaller bikes or possibly some other ranges.

The parallels with Triumphs tie ups with Kawasaki re Hinkley tooling etc are very similar to those of Bajaj seeking assistance.
Is Kawasaki still involved with Bloor? I'm sure they are with Bajaj.:mellow:

[Cr1MiNaL]

Bajaj has bein known to make some great commuter bikes though, and they last forever and hardly need servicing... just the odd oil and filter change u can do at home. This was my first bike.....:love: bloody legend of a commuter... gave me 50 kms to the liter goin to college and back for 3 legendary years. Never broke down once.

[tri boy]

How much did you pay for it in NZ terms Raj?

[Cr1MiNaL]

How much did you pay for it in NZ terms Raj?

with todays exchange rates, NZ$ 1650 brand new. :yes::yes::scooter:

[Sanx]

with todays exchange rates, NZ$ 1650 brand new.

Can't argue with the price or the reliability, but damn is it ugly...

One of the major stumbling blocks for companies from 'developing' countries (Raj - don't argue - India classes itself as developing) getting into western or more developed markets is the marketing of products. Have a look at the Bajaj Autos website for the Bajaj Avenger (http://www.bajajauto.com/1024/vehicle/avenger.asp?vehicle=Bajaj%20Avenger), if you want an example. The slogan: "Feel like God". Well, ignoring the laughable proposition that anyone can feel like God riding around on a pig ugly 180cc wannabe cruiser, this one slogan won't go down well in a number of markets. The middle east, America, and South America for a start, mainly as the slogan would be deemed blasphemous.

Chinese companies often have the same problem; companies naming otherwise perfectly respectable products the "Shinwei Golden Hapy (sic) car", for instance.

Lenovo, who bought IBM's personal computer decision (an extremely wise decision by IBM to sell - Lenovo don't get IBM's brand name or logo, and inherited the only loss-making section of the IBM empire), are one company who didn't make the same mistake. Why? Easy - they do all the marketing out of the States. Namely, the get westerners to sell the stuff.

[Bob]

One of the major stumbling blocks for companies from 'developing' countries (Raj - don't argue - India classes itself as developing) getting into western or more developed markets is the marketing of products. Have a look at the Bajaj Autos website for the Bajaj Avenger (http://www.bajajauto.com/1024/vehicle/avenger.asp?vehicle=Bajaj%20Avenger), if you want an example. The slogan: "Feel like God". Well, ignoring the laughable proposition that anyone can feel like God riding around on a pig ugly 180cc wannabe cruiser, this one slogan won't go down well in a number of markets. The middle east, America, and South America for a start, mainly as the slogan would be deemed blasphemous.

Chinese companies often have the same problem; companies naming otherwise perfectly respectable products the "Shinwei Golden Hapy (sic) car", for instance.

Lenovo, who bought IBM's personal computer decision (an extremely wise decision by IBM to sell - Lenovo don't get IBM's brand name or logo, and inherited the only loss-making section of the IBM empire), are one company who didn't make the same mistake. Why? Easy - they do all the marketing out of the States. Namely, the get westerners to sell the stuff.

Everyone makes marketing mistakes though. The Toyota MR2 - sold almost none in France, despite selling well everywhere else. Why? No-one thought about how those letters and number are pronounced in french. Emm-Air-Dur. Merde. French word for shit.

Who wants to drive a Toyota Shit then?

Or the Ford Pinto - spectacular flop in Brasil. Why? Because no-one did their homework. If they had done, they would have known that "pinto" is Brasilian portuguese slang for a man with a small penis.

Ford Dwarfcock anybody? Thought not.

As you mentioned the Chinese... Coca-Cola spectacularly boo-booed. Their otherwise successful slogan "Coke adds life" was literally translated... and turned into something like "Coke brings your dead ancestors to life".

The key is learning from your mistakes - and I get the feeling that the Indians are much better than the Chinese at that.

--------------------

Back to the Bajaj Avenger - to me, it looks like a CB125 with cruiser bars and a couple of stying changes. Hmm, take a bike and shove cruiser bars on it to ruin a perfectly good bike. Wasn't that what the Japanese did when they tried to break into the US market back in the 1980s? Change the bars, call it an "LTD" and pretend it is a cruiser.

The Japs learned... eventually. Though I liked it more when they made their own attempts at a cruiser than aping H-D. Though in many ways they are going their own way again, but with the lessons of the past learned.