Pro Moto XC- Ashish Raorane has set the fastest known time record from Batal to Kunzum La, Himachal Pradesh, on the KTM Adventure 390.

Ashish on the KTM 390 Adventure went head-to-head with 11-time Raid de Himalaya winner, Suresh Rana, and his rally-spec championship car on a high-speed face off for the title of Kunzum Kaiser.

The World’s Highest Hill Climb Challenge is a 12.5 km treacherous mountain pass stretch from Batal (4000 m) to Kunzum La (4551 m) with 20 hairpin bends. The average temperature is -5 degree Celsius. 

Suresh hit the road first to set the time on his rally-spec championship car. The car started at a blistering pace, but unfortunately, due to engine block damage on turn 18, he had to bow out. The time set at turn 18 was a very competitive 11 minutes 49 seconds.

Ashish was next to take on the challenge on the entry-level sports tourer. He pushed the machine to its limits and continued to lead the time on every turn. He reached the Kunzum La finish line at an impressive time of 13 minutes and 4 seconds, thereby setting the fastest known time record.

A marine engineer by profession, Ashish has been racing international rallies as a privateer or the past 3 years. Last year, he competed in the Baja World Championship, finishing 12th in the world rankings. He also became the first Indian to complete the Africa Eco Race. Ashish also participated in the 2021 Dakar Rally with his KTM 450 Rally Replica machine.

Ashish said, “Considering the altitude at which this challenge is taking place, cold sub-zero temperatures, windy conditions, treacherous nature of the road due to loose rocks and hairpin bends, this was definitely a very dangerous challenge. But I was confident that the KTM 390 Adventure and I will conquer this challenge. I first rode the KTM 390 Adventure during the launch in Pune, and I really loved the way the bike handles and ergonomics that the bike has.”

Speaking on the occasion, Narayan Sundararaman, Head of Marketing at Bajaj Auto Ltd. said “The KTM 390 Adventure has seen a phenomenal response since its launch and holds promise of offering a truly capable and versatile adventure tourer to the biking enthusiasts. The World’s Highest Hill Climb Challenge has given us an opportunity to demonstrate the off-road credentials of KTM 390 Adventure. The recent years have witnessed an increasing trend in adventure touring and the interest in outdoor exploration is on the rise. The 390 Adventure has been conceptualized to address this trend and has been designed for adventure travel.” (MT)

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Jawa Yezdi Motorcycles is significantly expanding its digital retail strategy by launching on e-commerce platform Amazon, following its successful debut on Flipkart last year. This move is part of the brand’s push to reshape how consumers purchase premium motorcycles in India, particularly ahead of the crucial festive season.

The brand's motorcycles are now available for purchase on Amazon across over 40 cities, with plans to rapidly increase this reach to more than 100 cities.

Jawa Yezdi claims it pioneered the online sale of high-performance 350cc classic motorcycles when it partnered with Flipkart in October 2024. The brand says this initial move not only established a new premium-classic motorcycle category in e-commerce but also set a new industry benchmark.

Sharad Agarwal, Chief Business Officer, Classic Legends, "We went into e-commerce a year back with the simple belief: If our young consumers did not hesitate to book a holiday or buy a car online, then they should be able to own a Jawa or Yezdi the same way. Starting with Flipkart and now expanding to Amazon, we're making the ownership journey easier and more transparent while keeping the soul of motorcycling intact."

Furthermore, the company has also expanded its dealer network to over 450 touchpoints across India.

The models which are retailing on both Amazon and Flipkart include the Jawa 350, 42, 42 FJ, 42 Bobber, Perak and the Yezdi Adventure Single Headlight. Additionally, Amazon has listed the Yezdi Scrambler.

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The India Bike Week (IBW) festival is gearing up for its annual return to Goa in December 2025, where it will host thousands of riders, clubs, and brands for a two-day celebration – 12^th and 13^th December – of motorcycling culture. Now in its 12th year, the event is set to feature expanded arenas, mentorship rides and a significant custom bike competition with an international prize.

Martin Da Costa, CEO & Founder, Seventy EMG, said, “Over the years, India Bike Week has grown into a true celebration of the motorcycling spirit in India – a melting pot of stories, machines and the people who ride them. Each edition has been bigger, bolder and more unforgettable than the last. As we gear up for IBW 2025, we’re excited to once again bring together the country’s vibrant riding community for what promises to be our most thrilling chapter yet. From the IBW Chai & Pakoda Rides to the Jameson Bike Build Off and everything in between, this year is all about pushing boundaries and celebrating the freedom of the open road.”

A key highlight of the 2025 event is the Jameson IBW Bike Build Off. This prestigious competition challenges India’s top custom builders, with three finalists being shortlisted from over 30 entries. Each finalist will receive a brand-new Harley-Davidson X440 and a build budget of INR 150,000 to transform the stock machine into a bespoke masterpiece.

The winning builder will secure a unique prize: an all-expenses-paid trip to the Adventure Bike Rider Festival in the UK in June 2026, where they will showcase their custom creation to a global audience.

The festival will also feature the IBW Flat Track Race, presented by Harley-Davidson. This will be a one-make race using custom-built Harley-Davidson 440X motorcycles prepared by Rajputana Customs. The competition, which has FMSCI presence, offers a grand prize of INR 1 million for the top three racers.

The road to Goa has already begun with the Gulf Syntrac Presents IBW Chai & Pakoda Rides rolling out across 20 cities, building community anticipation.

Additionally, overlanding expert Maral Yazarloo, who began her journey at IBW, will lead an exclusive Mentorship Ride from Mumbai to Goa along the Konkan Coast, offering selected riders practical skills and preparation tips for long-distance travel.

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Bajaj Auto-owned KTM, the world's leading premium motorcycle manufacturer, is rolling out its 'Academy of Safe Riding' initiative across colleges in India, using the recently launched 160 Duke to teach safe riding fundamentals to the next generation of riders.

The programme, which has already visited over 20 institutions across the country, offers students a unique opportunity to hone their skills on the new 160 Duke, marketed as India’s most powerful 160cc motorcycle.

The initiative aims to combine the brand's 'Ready to Race' performance with responsible riding education. Students are given exclusive test rides on specially designed tracks and take part in interactive sessions led by KTM-certified trainers. The safe-riding drills are inspired by KTM's global motorsports expertise.

Manik Nangia, President, Probiking, Bajaj Auto, said, “The KTM 160 Duke represents the perfect gateway into the world of KTM. Through this college activation, we not only put students on the most exciting 160cc motorcycle – we also instilled the discipline and techniques that make every ride safer and more rewarding. This was KTM’s way of giving back to the community and shaping responsible riders for tomorrow.”

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Chennai-headquartered two-wheeler and three-wheeler major TVS Motor Company (TVSM) has launched the most advanced TVS Raider variant with several segment-first features at prices starting INR 95,600 (ex-showroom Delhi) for TFT DD and INR 93,800 (ex-showroom Delhi) for SXC DD models.

The new TVS Raider includes ‘boost mode,’ a category-first feature with iGO Assist technology, delivering torque of 11.75Nm @ 6000rpm. The motorcycle includes segment-first Dual Disc Brakes and ABS (Anti-lock Braking System). It also features GTT (Glide Through Technology) for low-speed manoeuvrability and fuel efficiency.

The motorcycle now has a new 90/90-17 Front and 110/80-17 Rear tyre configuration, which improves grip and handling. The bike has a metallic silver finish with red alloys.

Aniruddha Haldar, Senior Vice President — Head Commuter & EV Business and Head Corporate Brand & Media, TVS Motor Company, said, "The TVS Raider redefines what young riders can seek from their motorcycle. In 4-years it won the love of a million plus Gen Z riders. Today, the new TVS Raider is equipped with the exhilarating 'Boost mode' powered by iGO Assist tech, and another segment first - Dual Disc with ABS. With yet another segment-first Glide Through Technology (GTT) now can navigate through even slow traffic with ease. The stylish loaded new TVS Raider raises the 'wicked' bar yet again, bringing together thrilling performance, top-notch safety, and unmatched ease. We remain committed to creating motorcycles that our customers are delighted to ride and proud to own."

The TVS Raider continues to be powered by a 3-valve 125cc engine that produces 11.75 Nm of torque at 6,000rpm. Smart technology like iGO Assist with Boost Mode offers an instant power surge and GTT ensures smooth handling.

A segment-first safety feature, the Follow Me Headlamp, keeps the headlamp lit for a time after the ignition and engine are switched off, helping to light the way for the rider in dark areas. Riders can choose between two connected display options: a TFT with over 99 features or a reverse LCD with more than 85 features.

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