Credited of resuurecting some of the most coveted two-wheeler brands in the world such as BSA and Jawa/Yezdi brand of motorcycles, Classic Legends is ready for electrification in India, mentioned Co-Founder Anupam Thareja at a function recently in Kolkata for the launch of the Jawa 42 FJ.  

He said that the company is all set for enter the electric two-wheeler market in India but is not looking at pioneering the effort. planning to be one of the pioneers. “At Classic Legends, we're prepared for this transition. While we don’t aim to be the first to market, we've invested heavily in research and development over the past four years, improving our technology year after year. Our engineers are constantly working to make electric vehicles better, faster, longer-lasting, smoother and with enhanced user interfaces. We're focused on making electrification more efficient and practical,” he added. 

Commenting that electrification is a gradual process and it has already begun in India with impressive strides, Thareja said, "The country's progress has been anything but linear—it's advancing rapidly. In the two-wheeler segment, scooters are leading the charge because they are ideal for intra-city commutes. On the other hand, the electric motorcycle market is still relatively small."

Providing an example of fitting a 500-km range battery into a motorcycle, which would make it larger than the motorcycle itself, Thareja averred, "The advancements in technology and infrastructure are essential prerequisites for widespread motorcycle electrification.”

Revealing that the company has already entered the electric motorcycle market in Europe, Thareja commented, "In India, we have just introduced the biggest single-cylinder motorcycle the BSA Golstar and the Jawa 42 FJ, which marks an exciting new chapter for the '42 Lfe' theme." 

Increasing market share

Launching the Jawa 42 FJ in the eastern India market starting with the launch in Kolkata, Classic Legends is keen that this motorcycle builds on the success of the 42 and 42 Bobber. A 350 cc neo-classic model, the Jawa 42 FJ points to superior design and an unparalleled riding experience.

With first set of deliveries of the new motorcycle already carried out in Kolkata, Classic Legends is working to expand its network in Bengal. It is working to take the touchpoint network from the present 13 to more than 20 by the end of this fiscal. The company, in this direction, is planning to open 200 showrooms across India as well. These would be across Tier I, II and III cities. 

With some of its models competing with another retro-motorcycle maker Royal Enfield, Classic Legends has impressive plans to increase its market share in place. They are engineered to ‘increase the overall neo-classic motorcycle market, said Thareja.

Planning to sell 100,000 units of its Jawa and Yezdi range by the third quarter of FY2025-26, the company is working towards quickly gaining the ground it lost to Covid-19 pandemic.  

"We aim to gain higher sales in the premium motorcycles segment. Presently we are selling 4,000 to 5,000 units per month among the brands which the company owns. We aim at selling one lakh units per annum in the next 12 months,” said Thareja. 

“We may be a four-year-old company, but Covid effectively took out two years. If you discount those, it feels like in just two years, everyone knows about Jawa. Today, when someone considers buying a 350cc motorcycle, the brands under Classic Legends are as prominent as any other in the market. As we gradually introduce new models with varied pricing and segmentation, our focus isn’t just on increasing market share. Our goal is to expand the motorcycling community, not just our slice of the motorcycle market. In the next 12 months, we expect to surpass the 100,000-unit sales mark. Currently, we sell around 5,000 bikes monthly across both the Jawa and Yezdi brands,” he explained. 

Enter BSA Goldstar

Partnering with e-commerce platform Flipkart, which has helped with the sale of its motorcycles, Classic Legends is banking big on the BSA Goldstar 650 retro-classic motorcycle in India. Launched on the even of India’s 78th Independence Day in Mumbai and produced at the company's plant in Pithampur, Indore, the BSA Goldstar 650 is already being sold in the overseas markets of Europe such as UK. 

Commenting on the rationale behind relaunching this iconic machine, a company official noted, “When you look at this motorcycle space today, there aren't many players. You have Triumph, but Harley Davidson doesn’t compete with the BSA Goldstar. In the mid-cc segment, it’s really just Classic Legends and Royal Enfield. The 650cc segment is highly competitive, but it’s also about expanding the spectrum of options available in the market.”

“Royal Enfield popularised the 650cc segment by introducing a two-cylinder engine. Meanwhile, Kawasaki offers three-cylinder engines, and Honda provides four-cylinder options. What makes Classic Legends stand out is that we brought back the big single-cylinder engine, which has been absent from this category for over a decade. It offers a unique riding experience and will contribute to enhancing India's motorcycle culture. Even if volumes take time to grow, this segment will continue to thrive.”

Thareja, who owns 20 percent stake in Classic Legends, said that Jawa and BSA bikes are also sold in the Czech Republic and the UK respectively, besides India.

Triumph Motorcycles has launched the Scrambler 400 XC in India at INR 294,147 (ex-showroom Delhi), expanding its 400cc Modern Classic lineup. The model joins the existing Scrambler 400X and will be available at all authorised Triumph dealerships across the country.

The Scrambler 400 XC marks over 75 years of the Scrambler legacy and is influenced by previous models like the Scrambler 900 and 1200. The motorcycle features a design aligned with Triumph’s traditional styling, including a sculpted tank, upswept silencer and a liquid-cooled engine. It has been built for mixed-terrain use and off-road capabilities.

The bike includes a 19-inch front and 17-inch rear cross-spoke wheel setup with tubeless tyres. Standard equipment includes an engine guard, sump guard, high front fender, windshield and handguards. It is available in three colours: Racing Yellow, Storm Grey, and Vanilla White.

Key specifications include a 400cc TR-series engine tuned for the Scrambler with an output of 40 PS at 8,000 rpm and 37.5 Nm of torque at 6,500 rpm. The motorcycle features a stainless steel twin-skin header system and silencer.

It also gets ride-by-wire throttle, motorcycle traction control, off-road ABS, torque-assist clutch, all-LED lighting, USB charging socket and an immobiliser-equipped key. It also has an adjustable clutch and brake levers, a dual-format instrument cluster and a classic tear-shaped metal fuel tank.

The suspension comprises USD front forks and a rear monoshock, each with 150mm travel.

Triumph offers over 20 accessories for customisation. The motorcycle has a 16,000 km service interval and comes with a five-year standard warranty, including one year of roadside assistance. Extended warranty options are available up to 10 years, along with various maintenance contract packages.

Manik Nangia, President, Pro-Biking Business Unit, Bajaj Auto, said, “The Triumph Scrambler 400 XC enriches our Modern Classic family in India alongside the much-loved Scrambler & Speed range. This new machine is a potent blend of Triumph’s iconic Scrambler DNA, drawing inspiration from over 75 years of Triumph’s Scrambler heritage, and a commitment to category-leading performance and finish. From its rugged design cues echoing our Scrambler 900 and 1200 to its agile handling and genuine adventure capability, the Scrambler 400 XC is built to inspire riders of all backgrounds to embrace the open road and beyond. Our commitment extends far beyond crafting exceptional motorcycles. At Triumph, we are deeply focused on building a vibrant community of passionate riders. Through our unique programs, events, and rider experiences, we aim to foster connections and a shared love for the ride. The Scrambler 400 XC is more than just a ride; it's an invitation to a lifestyle, and we are thrilled to welcome more riders into the Triumph fold.”

Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI), a leading two-wheeler manufacturer, has launched the 2025 CB650R and CBR650R with E-Clutch technology at INR 960,000 and INR 1.4 million, respectively (ex-showroom Delhi).

The E-Clutch system, developed by Honda globally in 2023, enables riders to shift gears and start smoothly without using the clutch lever. The tech enhances comfort during everyday riding and adds precision during spirited runs – blending convenience with performance.

Tsutsumu Otani, Managing Director, President & CEO, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India, said, “We are delighted to introduce the latest additions to our premium motorcycle line-up – the CB650R and CBR650R – now equipped with Honda’s revolutionary E-Clutch technology. The premium motorcycling space has been experiencing remarkable growth in India, and with world-class products like the CB650R and CBR650R, we are confident they will set new benchmarks for performance and riding innovation. The introduction of E-Clutch is a step into the future, giving riders a unique blend of control and comfort, reinforcing Honda’s leadership in technological advancement.”

Yogesh Mathur, Director, Sales and Marketing, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India, said, “We are excited to bring the new CB650R and CBR650R for our Indian riders, with the revolutionary E-Clutch technology. The standard variants of both these models were introduced earlier this year and they received a phenomenal response. With the introduction of the E-Clutch equipped variants, we believe this will further elevate the customer’s riding experience while strengthening Honda’s position in the premium motorcycle space. These motorcycles perfectly balance performance, ease, and innovation - qualities that today’s riders value more than ever.”

Both models are powered by a 649cc, liquid-cooled, inline four-cylinder engine delivering 70 kW at 12,000 RPM and 63 Nm of torque at 9,500 RPM. They feature a six-speed gearbox and high-end hardware, including Showa 41 mm SFF-BP front forks, rear monoshock and dual-channel ABS. A 5-inch full-colour TFT display with smartphone connectivity via the Honda RoadSync app adds a modern touch.

The CB650R sports a minimalist Neo Sports Café design and comes in Candy Chromosphere Red and Matte Gunpowder Black. The racier CBR650R features a faired design with Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC) and is offered in Grand Prix Red and Matte Gunpowder Black.

India Yamaha Motor, a leading manufacturer of scooters and motorcycles in the country, has launched new colour options for 2025 Aerox 155 version S model with prices starting at INR 154,430 (ex-showroom Delhi).

The maxi-sports scooter, with advanced Smart Key technology, will now be available in Racing Blue and Ice Fluo Vermillion shade.

The entire Aerox 155 lineup is now compliant with the latest OBD-2B emission norms and features updated visuals on the body and side fairings, underscoring Yamaha's racing heritage.

The scooter is characterised by its bold design, sleek proportions and distinctive X Centre motif. Powering the scooters is a liquid-cooled, 4-stroke SOHC, 155cc engine that generates a maximum power output of 11.0kW (15.0PS) at 8,000 rpm and a peak torque of 13.9 Nm at 6,500 rpm. It comes equipped with Variable Valve Actuation (VVA), Traction Control System (TCS), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and motorcycle-type twin shock absorbers.

The Aerox 155 range will be exclusively available at Yamaha's Blue Square showrooms.

Bengaluru-based electric vehicle company Ultraviolette Automotive collaborated with the Madras Regiment Centre (MRC) of the Indian Army for a five-day rally across Tamil Nadu, by providing a fleet of F77 motorcycles.

The ride honoured the army Veterans and Veer Naris of Madras Regiment and the Armed Forces community in the region.

Under the aegis of the Dakshin Bharat Area, the rally covered six districts of Tamil Nadu - Tirupur, Karur, Dindigul, Madurai, Theni and Coimbatore. The team of army personnel engaged with approximately 3,000 veterans and veer naris during the journey: addressing various concerns, sharing crucial information on entitlements, and providing immediate assistance. The F77s covered a cumulative distance of over 6000 kilometres.

Narayan Subramaniam, CEO & Co-Founder, Ultraviolette, said, " Collaborating again with the Indian Army for this remarkable outreach initiative is an honour that resonates deeply with Ultraviolette's ethos. Our vision to create world-class technology is inspired by the spirit of the India - undaunted, resilient, and driven by purpose. The F77 embodies the very principles that define our Armed Forces - precision, performance, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. To witness Ultraviolette playing a key role in this rally, honouring veterans, and their families, is not just a privilege but a defining moment in our journey".