TVS Motor Co today launched, what it claimed as the first gearless motorcycle in India-- Jive-- priced at Rs 41,000 (ex-showroom). The company also introduced a new 110 cc gearless scooterette, Wego, priced at Rs 42,500. "The aim of launching Jive is to maximise all-round benefit of the customer," TVS Motor Co Chairman Venu Srinivasan told reporters here.
The Jive is equipped with a 110cc engine coupled with a clutch-free gearbox derived from their Indonesian stepthrough called the Neo. The Jive is based on the Star platform and develops 8.1 bhp @ 7500 rpm while weighing in at 110 kgs. The entire focus, TVS says, is on reducing the stress involved with commuting in heavy city traffic. Meanwhile, the TVS Wego is positioned as a multi-user family scooter with a 110cc engine. TVS have concentrated on bringing down the NVH (Noise Vibration Harshness) levels and optimizing the ergonomics.
He said that while Jive will be available in the market across the country by December, the scooterette Wego will come by February 2010. "We have applied for patent for the gearless bike," Srinivasan said, adding the gearbox is sourced from the company's Indonesia plant while the engine is produced at TVS' Hosur plant in Tamil Nadu.
Commenting on the sales target of the newly launched products, he said, out of 300,000 motorcycles that TVS plans to sell in India this fiscal, the company is aiming for 10 per cent to be accounted by Jive and the recently launched twin spark engine bike, Flame.
He said the company will initially focus on the domestic market with Jive and Wego and is looking at combined sales of around 35,000-40,000 units annually.
