Table of Contents
Introduction
This blog will be an opinion blog rather than the informational blog I traditionally write. We will definitely share the information and our opinion on the new bike launch in Pakistan soon. Before starting this blog, I was emotional about this bike, and I’m really, really happy and excited. I hope my excitement and happiness will not be ruined, and that the company will excel in after-sales support and manufacturing quality.
When we were in our teens, most of us liked the bike called the Bullet. It’s from Royal Enfield, an Indian brand and one of the best motorcycle brands in the world. Unfortunately, Pakistanis are not able to buy Royal Enfield bikes because of the strained relationship between India and Pakistan. In recent years, some brands have tried to bring back their retro classic bikes, like the Benelli Imperiale 400.
The Hi Speed Infinity 150 is not that type of bike. However, I will definitely include it because it also has a huge impact on the Pakistani market. The guys from the 80s, 90s, and even the 2000s literally have a crush on bullet-style bikes. Specifically, the Bullet bike targets the middle and lower-middle classes; that’s why most of us have a crush on this bike.
In this blog, I will share my initial impressions on the SOTHASSI company background and the SOTHASSI Classic 400.
SOTHASSI Company’s Profile
Let’s talk about the company’s profile first. The company name is SOTHASSI. The name is derived from a spider from Chitral, northern Pakistan. The owner, Mr Shamon Qureshi, said that when he was a boy of 11 or 12, he went there, saw that spider, and was inspired to name this brand SOTHASSI. SOTHASSI is a new entrant in the Pakistani two-wheel market.
The name looks premium and gives off vibes of a foreign country, but it’s a Pakistani brand. Shamon Qureshi also discussed the Classic 400 bike, which will be assembled in Pakistan. The bike price will be very interesting, and the owner said it will be announced in the coming days. The price of this bike will send shockwaves through different companies in Pakistan.
Mr Shamoon’s Background
I also want to tell you about Mr Shamoon Qureshi‘s background. According to the videos I watched and his LinkedIn profile, he led the design team that developed a prototype called CR700W. The prototype produces around 228 horsepower from a rotary engine and weighs 130 kg. That means he has a deep history and understanding of bikes. What I really like about Mr Shamoon Qureshi is that he is the face of this brand.
This will directly increase people’s trust in SOTHASSI, as most brands in Pakistan don’t have a face to represent them. I am very hopeful that Mr Shamoon will completely change Pakistan’s biking culture with his spirit and enthusiasm. Mr Shamoon Qureshi has extensive experience, and the way he talks about bikes truly shows that he has great taste in biking culture. Also, Mr Shamoon said that we already have experience distributing spare parts across Pakistan, and this strategy will also be included in this SATHOSSI.
SOTHASSI Classic 400
So, now let’s talk about this Beast, the Classic 400. The first impression that comes to mind is that the design is definitely inspired by the Royal Enfield Classic 350, with a wow factor. The cool thing about this bike is its 397 cc engine. The engine is used in one of the most famous bikes, the Honda XR400. The engine is old-school, air-cooled, with a single overhead cam and a single cylinder.
One good thing about this bike is that, despite having a single cylinder, it has two outlets coming directly from the engine. That means two exhausts with a decent and bassy sound. The bike comes in two colours, green and black. Personally, I really like the green colour, and black is also good; it looks decent. The exhausts are similar to those on a classic retro bike, such as the Benelli Imperiale 400. The speedometer is retro-inspired, drawing on classic looks, but it will definitely have modern features.
One thing I really like about this bike is that the owner kept it very simple and very practical. Because of that practicality, the Classic 400 will definitely drive sales. First, it has an SOHC, air-cooled engine with a carburettor. That means it is easier to tune, manage, and maintain at minimal cost. The bike has decent brakes: a 280 mm disc at the front and a 240 mm disc at the back. Similarly, the tyre profiles are on the beefy side: 110/90 19 at the front and 130/80 18 at the back.
Most mechanics in Pakistan know about this engine because of its legendary history, and it has no complicated EFI system. It doesn’t have any fancy LCD or TFT screen, so it’s a simple speedometer with decent looks. If you want to inspect this bike in person, you can visit the SATHOSSI factory in Islamabad. You can also take a test drive, and after that, you can decide whether to book this bike.
According to Mr Shamoon, bookings for this bike will start in the coming days, such as in a week. Deliveries will start two months after the booking date. I have also attached a table of technical information regarding this bike. So let’s discuss the price and the after-sales support of this bike in the next section.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Model | SOTHASSI Classic 400 |
| Expected Launch | Coming Soon in Pakistan |
| Expected Price | Rs 845,000 |
| Bike Category | Retro Classic Motorcycle |
| Engine Type | 4-Stroke, Single-Cylinder |
| Displacement | 397 cc |
| Fuel System | Carbeurator |
| Cooling System | Air-Cooled |
| Maximum Power | 29 bhp |
| Maximum Torque | 30 Nm |
| Transmission | 5-Speed Manual |
| Starting System | Electric Start |
| Clutch Type | Wet Multi-Plate (Expected) |
| Drive Type | Chain Drive |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 13 L |
| Fuel Average | Around 30km/l |
| Top Speed | Not Announced |
| Front Suspension | Telescopic Fork |
| Rear Suspension | Twin Shock Absorbers |
| Front Brake | 280 mm Disc Brake |
| Rear Brake | 240 mm Disc Brake |
| ABS | Expected |
| Front Tyre | 110/90-19 |
| Rear Tyre | 130/80-18 |
| Wheel Type | Spoke Wheels |
| Headlight | Round Halogen/LED Style (Official confirmation awaited) |
| Taillight | LED (Expected) |
| Instrument Cluster | Retro Analog with Digital Display |
| Length | 2130 mm |
| Width | 760 mm |
| Height | 1140 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1420 mm |
| Ground Clearance | 160 mm |
| Seat Height | 780 mm |
| Dry Weight | 151 Kg |
| Colors Available | Green & White, Black, Silver (Expected) |
| Warranty | 1 year/12000 km (whichever comes first) |
| Country of Assembly | Pakistan |
SOTHASSI Classic 400 price in Pakistan
The owner has not revealed the price of this bike, but in the Dat Biker Dude’s video, the owner and Mr Aqeeq were saying that the price will be around eight lakhs, RS 800,000. I’m not sure whether it will cross the Rs 800,000 mark or be below it. The pricing strategy by Mr Shamoon, to be honest, is very amazing. Because if we go with Suzuki, their GR150 is almost five lakhs fifty-two thousand rupees (Rs 552,000).
The Chinese options are the Taro C6, which comes in at around Rs 7,60,000, and the Voge 125, which arrives at around Rs 7,52,000. But it definitely arrives in Pakistan as a CBU, which is why its cost is very high. Then we have the Royal GPX Raptor 200, priced at around Rs 6,10,00. With the special introductory price, it is Rs 5,40,000. Mr Shamoon has placed this bike strategically at a prime location.
The official price has revealed and it will be Rs 845,000 and the good news is it will assemble in Pakistan. After booking your bike the bike will deliver in 2 months.
SOTHASSI Classic 400 Competitors
The main competitor, and the only competitor, of this bike in Pakistan is the Benelli Imperiale 400. The price of the Benelli Imperiale 400 is around Rs 15,00,000. So that means half the price of the Benelli Imperiale, but it has an EFI engine with more advanced technology. In the end, it doesn’t favour the Pakistani audience because Benelli doesn’t have an extensive network of mechanics, and local mechanics often mess up and know little about EFI bikes.
So the users need a practical option which SOTHASSI Classic 400 provides. It provides a practical option, the luxury of 400cc, and the feeling of a classic retro bike. The price point is amazing, and this price is totally justifiable in this era, where 1 dollar is worth over 280 rupees. We only have the Chinese options within budget, and the Japanese options are too expensive.
Spare Parts Availability
In Pakistan, there are some good Chinese options, like the Lifan and the Cyclone. But the problem with these bikes is that most mechanics don’t understand their ergonomics, and the user suffers as a result. But with the Classic 400, the customer will not experience that kind of heat. Regarding after-sales support and spare parts, Mr Shamoon personally stated that he has experience delivering and selling spare parts across Pakistan.
He will use his connections to resolve the issue of spare parts availability. SOTHASSI’s strategy is to deliver spare parts to your doorstep so your mechanic can easily resolve the issue. Mr Shamoon also claimed that they have all kinds of spare parts, so customers don’t have to worry about spare parts. The bike is very simple, with one of the most reliable engines in the world. So I don’t think the customers will face any issues. The simple carburettor, the simple engine, simple functioning, no fancy things plays a crucial role in this bike’s success.
Conclusion
The conclusion is that the bike is amazing and customers will definitely love it. One good thing about the company is that it has an official presence: its assembly plant is in Islamabad. So that means the company is here to stay. The owner of this company, Mr Shahmoon, seems very confident. Definitely, if you want to purchase this bike, don’t rely on this blog first.
First, go to their location and contact them through their website. So go there for a test drive, drive this Classic 400, and then make the decision, which Mr Shahmoon also said we will do. First, you will take the test drive, and then you can make the purchase decision. Again, an amazing bike with amazing looks and an amazing persona. My initial impression is wow. But let’s see what will happen.
Also, Mr Shahmoon has some plans to launch other bikes, which they listed on their website. The 1200cc retro classic, which, in my opinion, will be a crazy thing. Also, their 500cc bike, which they will bring to Pakistan in partnership with a foreign company. We will discuss that in our upcoming blogs.
Disclaimer: Wheelzweb is not affiliated with SOTHASSI. This blog is for informational purposes only and should not be used for any financial decision. Always do your research and visit the SOTHASSI Factory before making any purchase decision.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the engine capacity of SOTHASSI Classic 400?
The engine capacity of SOTHASSI Classic 400 is 397 cc
What is the price of SOTHASSI Classic 400 in Pakistan?
The price is disclosed by the company as of now, the official price is around 8 lakh 45 thousands rupees (Rs 845,000).
Where is the SOTHASSI factory located?
The SOTHASSI assembly plant is located in the industrial state of Rawat, Pakistan
What is the SOTHASSI Classic 400 horsepower and torque?
The HP is 29 @ 5500 RPM, and torque is 30 Nm @ 7500 RPM.
