To enable motorcycle enthusiasts looking for a premium set of wheels, BMW Motorrad has announced that it will introduce the all-new BMW R 12 nineT and R 12 in India. Both motorcycles are available as Completely Built-up Units (CBU) and will commence deliveries from September 2024. 

Available at an ex-showroom price of INR 2,090,000 and INR 1,990,00 respectively, the two motorcycles adhere to the roadster and cruiser design philosophy each. They are built on a common, versatile platform that consists of a one-piece tubular spaceframe, an airbox positioned flat under the seat and an angled spring strut. 

The R 12 nineT is equipped with an aluminium tank with brushed and clear-coated side panels as part of a design focus on the ‘essential. This design thinking also reflects from the design of the seat and the tail-hump, both of which create a rising, dynamic line in visual terms. 

The focus on essential design is supported by the compact and short rear end. The shorter fuel tank (30 mm shorter and narrower in the rear) ensures significantly improved ergonomics and a more front-oriented seating position compared to its predecessor. 

The steel tank of the R 12, on the other hand, is reminiscent of the so-called ‘Toaster Tanks’ of the 1970s BMW 5 models and emphasises the typical design language of a cruiser in a classic teardrop shape. The large 19-inch front wheel and the small 16-inch rear wheel complement the overall design and help with the proportions as well. The classic cruiser design is also reflected in the relaxed seating position with low seat height and wide handlebars. 

Both the motorcycles feature an air/oil-cooled boxer engine of 1,170 cc displacement capacity and does 109 bhp on the R 12 nineT and 95 hp on the R 12. 

Aiding high dynamic qualities, the newly developed tubular bridge steel spaceframe eliminates the need for previous fastenings, reducing weight and giving the two motorcycles a cleaner and more classic appearance. The rear frame, also made of tubular steel, is bolted to the main frame. The left-mounted ‘Twin Pipe’ exhaust system with two rear silencers with reverse cone design caters to both the desire for a classically designed roadster and a cruiser.  

On the all-new BMW R 12 nineT, the manifolds and the front silencer are chrome-plated and the rear silencer is electro-polished. The all-new R 12, on the other hand, features electro-polished manifolds along with a front silencer and rear silencer with a brushed surface. 

The R 12 nineT and R 12 feature upside-down telescopic forks with a 45 mm slider tube diameter. The rear wheel suspension of the R 12 nineT features a Paralever swinging arm combined with a directly linked sprint strut, which is now angled diagonally compared to the previous R nineT series. 

Both the motorbikes are fitted with Dynamic Traction Control (DTC), which ensures a high level of driving safety when accelerating. In addition, they also possess an engine drag torque control and tyre pressure control. 

The riding modes include rain, road and dynamic as standard. The roll and rock modes on the R 12 help the rider to adapt his or her riding behaviour as per personal preferences. 

Vikram Pawah, President, BMW Group India, said, “BMW Motorrad established the segment of classic bikes with the R nineT. This particular segment invites purists riders who want to focus on the original, and at the same time enjoy dynamic riding. The all-new R 12 series takes this path of emotional, original motorcycle riding even further. While the all-new BMW R 12 nineT as a classic roadster aims to make a stylish impression in urban environments, the all-new BMW R 12 embodies a classic cruiser for every day that makes you feel good and allows you to enjoy freedom. The most important values are charisma and individuality. Both motorcycles combine the authentic character of the boxer engine and the design language of traditional motorcycle eras with innovative technology and modular concept that offers the rider maximum customisation options.”

TVS Motor Company, a leading manufacturer of two-wheelers and three-wheelers, has attained two new milestones for the TVS Apache motorcycle brand.

First introduced in 2005, the sporty TVS Apache motorcycle marked the company’s entry in the premium segment. It was targeted towards young customers and took inspiration from TVS Racing heritage. The company has announced that in addition to celebrating the 20th anniversary milestone for the Apache motorcycle, the brand has also crossed the 6 million sales milestone.

The TVS Apache is currently sold in more than 60 countries, including LATAM, Africa and Europe. Furthermore, TVS Apache is said to be the first two-wheeler brand in the country that offers factory customisation build-to-order (BTO) option.

Sudarshan Venu, Managing Director, TVS Motor Company, said, "We are immensely grateful to the over 6 million passionate riders of TVS Apache for their unwavering trust and enthusiasm over the last 20 years. Their love for performance and adrenaline has propelled TVS Apache to become one of the fastest-growing sports motorcycle brands globally. This milestone belongs to every member of the TVSM family – our engineers, designers, factory teams, dealers, suppliers and partners – who push the limits of innovation every day. TVS Apache’s enduring success emanates from cutting-edge racing technology, precision engineering, and unmatched performance. It is a testament to our relentless commitment to empowering the new generation of young riders who live and breathe the thrill of motorcycling.”

Vimal Sumbly, Head – Premium Business, TVS Motor Company, said, “TVS Apache has been at the forefront of premium motorcycling, embodying our strategic vision of building a brand rooted in racing excellence and innovation. Over the past 20 years, Apache has redefined performance motorcycling and has created a thriving ecosystem through the Apache Owners Group, uniting passionate riders globally. Crossing the 6 million customer milestone is a testament to the brand’s relentless pursuit of excellence, pioneering segment-first innovations, and delivering unparalleled consumer experiences. As we move forward, we remain committed to pushing the boundaries of performance, technology, and community engagement to shape the future of premium motorcycling. Apache is more than a motorcycle – it’s a movement, a legacy and a community of racing enthusiasts.”

Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI), a leading manufacturer of scooters and motorcycles in the country, has announced its wholesales numbers for March 2025 and FY2025.

The company sold a total of 427,448 two-wheelers last month, which includes 401,411 units in the domestic market and 26,037 units exported.

For FY2025, the company shared it recorded 19 percent YoY growth with sales of 5.83 million two-wheelers, which includes 5.32 million units in the domestic market and 505,012 units exported.

During the fiscal, the company expanded its alternative energy portfolio with the introduction of the Activa e: & QC1 in the electric scooter segment and the introduction of the CB300F flex-fuel motorcycle, which is the country’s first 300cc flex-fuel motorcycle.

To support its e-scooter, the company also joined hands with Honda Power Pack Energy India for its battery swapping network.

Hero MotoCorp, the world’s largest two-wheeler manufacturer, has announced its wholesales for March 2025 and FY2025.

The company sold a total of 549,604 two-wheelers last month, which was 12 percent higher as compared to 490,415 units last year. This includes 510,086 two-wheelers in the domestic market and 39,518 units exported, which was higher 11 percent YoY and 26 percent YoY, respectively.

For FY2025, the company clocked 5.89 million two-wheelers, which was 5 percent higher YoY. On one hand, while the company increased sales of motorcycles by 5.51 percent YoY, scooter sales declined by 2 percent YoY.

In the domestic market, the company sold 5.6 million two-wheelers, up 3.53 percent, as against 5.42 million units last year. Exports grew by 43 percent at 287,429 units, as against 200,923 units shipped last year.

registered sales of 5,899,187 units (5.9 million) in FY’25 (April 2024 to March 2025).

During the year, the company’s electric vehicle portfolio grew by 200 percent, albeit from a low base.  

Recently, Hero MotoCorp also marked its entry in the electric three-wheeler space with the acquisition of a substantial stake in Delhi-NCR-based Euler Motors.

Bajaj Auto, one of the leading two-wheeler and three-wheeler manufacturers globally, has achieved a new sales milestone for its popular Pulsar brand.

The company has announced that after a period of 24 years, the Pulsar motorcycle has crossed 20 million sales milestone, with the last 10 million unit sales coming in just six years.

Launched in 2001, the Pulsar was amongst the first made-and designed-in-India for India, sporty motorcycle. The company has continued to evolve and expand the Pulsar brand across various price points. Bajaj Auto shared that it was in 2018 that the Pulsar brand crossed the 10 million unit sales milestone, a period of 17 years from the launch.

The Pulsar is now sold across the globe including Latin America, Southeast Asia and Middle East among others.

As part of the milestone celebration, Bajaj Auto has announced Special Celebration prices on select models with saving of up to INR 7,300.

Sarang Kanade, President, Motorcycle Business Unit, Bajaj Auto, said, “Pulsar has always been more than a motorcycle – it's a powerhouse of energy, performance and a ‘Definitely Daring’ attitude. Reaching the 2-crore milestone in more than 50 countries is a badge of honor of the unflinching love and trust of Pulsarmaniacs everywhere. This celebration isn't ours alone – it's for each one of the riders who have made Pulsar a global phenomenon.”