NEW DELHI: Hero Honda on Monday rolled out two variants of its 125-cc bike, Glamour, using the fuel injection technology with all the advantages of driving comfort and fuel efficiency. Besides, the environmental friendly technology makes the bikes conform to the stricter emission norms that can be laid down by 2010.

While the entry level 125-cc Glamour has been priced at Rs. 49,990, the top-end version of the bike (sporting disc brake and self-start) will be available for Rs. 53,990 (both prices ex-showroom Delhi).

"This is the first time that Honda has provided this technology outside Japan and that too on a small capacity engine,'' Hero Honda Chairman Brijmohan Lall said after launching the variants. The company was not looking for big volumes as it was at only the introduction stage and the idea was to familiarise customers and let them have the feel of the new technology, he said.

The Chairman said the company had already despatched the motorcycles to 180 dealers across 67 towns.

Asked about the sales target, Pawan Munjal, Managing Director, Hero Honda, said, "Since the bike is priced slightly higher than the existing models, the company is not expecting the new model to be a volume driver. We are not looking at any target, but do have significant capacity.''

He said the company planned to introduce this technology on other models, though not immediately. "As we go forward, we would definitely look at introducing this technology on other models as well.''

"We will sell both the bikes. But at a later stage, if the customers so decide, we may look at phasing out the carburettor bikes. But not right now,'' he said.

Although the company imports the basic electronic components for the new bikes from Japan, substituting the carburettor, Mr. Munjal said it would go in for indigenisation.

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