Harley-Davidson Launches The Sportster S, A New Custom Sports-Cruiser

Harley-Davidson Launches The Sportster S, A New Custom Sports-Cruiser

Harley-Davidson has launched the Sportster S, a sport custom motorcycle designed to deliver a thrilling riding experience and usher in a new era of motorcycle performance.

 A 121-horsepower Revolution Max 1250T V-Twin engine puts the rider in command of unrelenting, on-demand torque. A taut, lightweight chassis and premium suspension deliver responsive, intuitive handling. The Sportster S offers riders extraordinary power and performance and creates a new standard for the most enduring Harley-Davidson model.

Visually, the Sportster S model appears crouched and powerful. The fuel tank and tail section frame the engine as the predominant centrepiece of the motorcycle. The massive front tyre recalls the fenderless front end of a classic bobber, while the tail section, high-mount exhaust and slim solo seat draw inspiration from the Harley-Davidson XR750 flat tracker.

The motorcycle is available in three colours: Vivid Black, Stone Washed White Pearl and Midnight Crimson. Brad Richards, Harley-Davidson vice president of styling and design, said, “This is a wolf in wolf’s clothing.”

To minimise overall motorcycle weight, the engine is integrated into the vehicle as the central member of the chassis. The use of lightweight materials helps achieve a desirable power-to-weight ratio. The Sportster S model weighs 228 kg with a full 11.8-litre fuel tank.

The Sportster S model is equipped with a host of technologies designed to enhance the riding experience. Three pre-programmed, selectable Ride Modes (Sport, Road and Rain), in addition to two custom modes, may be used to electronically control the performance characteristics of the motorcycle, and the level of technology intervention.

Cornering Rider Safety Enhancements by Harley-Davidson, a collection of technologies intended to enhance rider confidence during unexpected situations or adverse road conditions are designed to match motorcycle performance to available traction during acceleration, deceleration and braking, in a straight line or while in a turn.

A round, 4.0-inch-diameter TFT screen displays all instrumentation and supports infotainment generated by the rider’s Bluetooth-equipped mobile device and helmet headset, including music, incoming and outgoing calls, and navigation supplied by the Harley-Davidson App. All-LED lighting includes a Daymaker Signature LED headlamp designed to produce a homogenous spread of light and has a distinctive oval or capsule shape that adds style to the front end and will identify the Sportster® S model to other riders and motorists.

The Sportster S model is equipped with fully adjustable, premium front and rear suspension – SHOWA 43 mm inverted cartridge forks and a SHOWA Piggyback reservoir rear shock. The rear suspension features hydraulic pre-load adjustment using a convenient knob located on the left side of the motorcycle. Lightweight cast aluminium wheels with a staggered, five-spoke design are shod with wide Dunlop/Harley-Davidson Series GT503 tyres.

Premium Brembo braking components produce outstanding braking feel and performance. The single front brake features a new Brembo radial monoblock four-piston calliper and a 320 mm diameter disc. The rear brake is a two-piston Brembo calliper and a 260 mm diameter disc.

Jochen Zeitz, Chairman, President and CEO, Harley-Davidson, said, “The Sportster S is the next all-new motorcycle built on the Revolution Max platform and sets a new performance standard for the Sportster line. This is a next-generation Sportster defined by power, performance, technology and style. And it’s part of our commitment to introduce motorcycles that align with our strategy to increase desirability and to drive the legacy of Harley-Davidson.” (MT)

India Bike Week Shifts From Goa To Panchgani Hills For 2025 Edition

IBW

India Bike Week (IBW), presented by Gulf Syntrac, has shifted its 2025 venue from Goa to Panchgani, Maharashtra. The move, executed due to the rescheduling of Zilla Parishad elections in Goa to the IBW dates, means riders will now converge in the Deccan hills on 19th and 20th December 2025.

IBW 2025 will transform Panchgani into a high-altitude playground for riders, featuring new trails, cooler winds, bonfire nights, camping and after-parties. The edition promises IBW’s line-up yet, offering motorcycling experiences across multiple terrains – from hill climbs and mud trails to manufacturer-led road tests.

Martin Da Costa, Founder and CEO, Seventy Event Media Group, said, “As we celebrate 12 years of India Bike Week, it’s incredible to witness how this festival has grown into one of the world’s most spirited motorcycling gatherings. Although circumstances pushed us to shift venues this year, our ethos remains the same – community, adventure, and the freedom to explore. Panchgani offers us a fresh canvas and IBW 2025 is shaping up to be our most exciting edition yet.”

IBW’s 12th edition includes showcases such as the Endurance Stunt Show by Pol Tarres powered by Gulf Syntrac, the Wheelie Experience by Aprilia and India’s Test Ride Arena featuring the majority of India’s premium motorcycle line-up, now including a showcase by the Gulf TrackHouse MotoGP Team.

Over 10 riding experiences await, from the Pulsar Stunt School to a dedicated Kids’ Mini Moto Track by Vida’s Dirt-E K3, along with masterclasses led by expert creators and overlanders.

Competitive racing will feature on FMSCI-backed tracks such as the IBW Hill Climb by Reise Moto and Harley-Davidson Flat Track Race.

The Skoda Kodiaq All-Wheel Drive Track makes its debut, offering driving and off-road challenges.

Presented by Carlsberg Elephant Strong Soda, the festival’s music line-up includes performances by King, Karan Kanchan, Sugga Honey, along with Harley-Davidson Rock Riders’ Music featuring Antariksh.

The BIG TRIP presented by Gulf Syntrac returns with a compelling line-up. Twelve speakers – including global overlanding legends Simon & Lisa Thomas, Elspeth Beard, Zubin Jaafar and storytellers Kshitij Saxena, Gautham AG, Candida Louis and Maral Yazarloo – will bring narratives of grit, resilience and exploration.

The Ladakh Tent presented by Carlsberg Elephant Strong Soda hosts discussions, including ‘India on Two Wheels,’ a Storytellers Roundtable, ‘RTW 101,’ and ‘Women in Motorsports.’

The Jameson Connects Howling Dog space brings together creators, rider groups, and lifestyle influencers.

Hero MotoCorp Clocks 31% Sales Uptick In November Amid Continued Demand

Hero MotoCorp

Hero MotoCorp, the world’s largest manufacturer of motorcycles and scooters, registered dispatches of 604,490 units in November 2025, marking a 31 percent YoY growth.

In the domestic market, the company sold 570,520 two-wheelers, up 30 percent YoY, as against 439,777 units sold last year. On the exports front, the sales came at 33,970 units, as against 20,028 units, marking a 70 percent increase YoY.

This performance sustains the growth momentum following the festive season, driven by positive consumer sentiment across urban and rural markets, supported by GST benefits and a macroeconomic landscape.

VAHAN registrations showed strong domestic demand, with 886,330 units registered in November 2025. Retail registrations grew 26 percent to 1,882,739 units for the combined period of October and November 2025, reflecting dealership and consumer demand.

The company's performance was supported by the success of new models such as the Xtreme 125R, GlamourX 125, Destini 110, and Xoom 160.

VIDA, powered by Hero, sustained its growth trajectory with 12,199 VAHAN registrations, reflecting a 66 percent growth compared to the same period last year. The company strengthened its position in the EV sector, capturing a 10.4 percent market share. The VIDA Evooter VX2 continued to drive retail growth and sales volume, and the company also expanded the line-up with the VX2 Go 3.4 kWh variant.

Suzuki Motorcycle India Sells 122,300 Units In November 2025

Suzuki Motorcycle India

Suzuki Motorcycle India (SMIPL), the two-wheeler subsidiary of Suzuki Motor Corporation, Japan, has announced its sales performance for November 2025, recording total sales of 122,300 units. This marks a strong 30 percent YoY growth over 94,370 units sold in November 2024.

In the domestic market, the sales touched 96,360 units last month, which was 23 percent growth over 78,333 units a year ago.

On the exports front, sales grew 62 percent reaching 25,940 units in November, up from 16,037 last year.

Additionally, SMIPL’s aftersales business continued gaining momentum with spare parts sales of INR 955 million in November.

Deepak Mutreja, Vice-President – Sales & Marketing, Suzuki Motorcycle India, said, “We are grateful for the growing confidence our customers place in Suzuki. Their support, along with the dedicated efforts of our dealer network, continues to drive our growth. Alongside strengthening our presence, we are also expanding customer engagement initiatives and experience-led programs to bring riders closer to the brand. We will continue to invest in enhancing accessibility, after-sales experience, and community-building as we work towards sustained growth.”

Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Clocks 25% Sales Growth In November

Honda Motorcycle & Scooter

Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI), one of the leading two-wheeler manufacturers in the country, has reported wholesales of 591,136 units in November 2025, up 25 percent YoY.

The total sales figure for the month included 533,645 units in domestic sales and 57,491 units in exports.

During the period, the automaker continued its commitment towards road safety by organising awareness campaigns across various cities nationwide, encouraging responsible road behaviour through interactive learning.

HMSI also celebrated Children’s Month with a Kids Carnival across all its manufacturing facilities, Traffic Training Parks (TTPs), and Safety Driving Education Centers (SDECs). The initiative, themed ‘Safety Explorers: Journey Through Traffic Land,’ aimed to make road safety learning engaging for children while promoting safe habits from an early age.