Royal Enfield, Alpinestars Introduce Riding Apparel Collection

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Royal Enfield and celebrated Italian riding gear brand, Alpinestars, have collaborated to create a riding apparel collection. The company said in a statement that both Royal Enfield and Alpinestars have a rich legacy in the world of motorcycling and this collaboration symbolises an amalgamation of authenticity and safety. 

Founded in 1963 in Asolo, Italy, Alpinestars is now a world-leading manufacturer of professional racing products, motorcycling airbag protection, high-performance apparel, gear and technical footwear, the release said. The brand is trusted and worn by many world racing athletes from Formula 1, NASCAR, AMA and World Motocross and MotoGP.  

The company said that the partnership aims to provide Indian riders with the essential tools needed to make the best of their adventures. 

B. Govindarajan, Executive Director, Royal Enfield said, “For riding enthusiasts, their riding apparel and gear is a very personal means for self-expression, on and off the saddle. Keeping this in mind, at Royal Enfield, we keep updating our range of apparel and attempt to bring an enviable collection through collaborations with the best global brands, for our riders. We are super-thrilled to collaborate with Alpinestars, an iconic brand that has elevated safe and stylish riding experience for motorcyclists around the world. Both Royal Enfield and Alpinestars brands are known for creating world-class riding apparel, footwear and gloves with focus on rider safety, and this collaboration aims to take that a notch higher. Royal Enfield is committed to bringing technology developments with best-in-class quality and this association is an effort to make high-quality gear accessible to all via Royal Enfield's strong presence across markets.” 

The collection includes armour-infused riding jackets, gloves and riding trousers that meet global safety norms of safety, performance and comfort, the release said. All the riding jackets and riding trousers under this range are CE Certified with Class A protection under Personal Protective Equipment regulations and come with Alpinestars Nucleon flex pro CE level 2 armour. Additionally, the products also come with Alpinestars' patented Drystar technology. The Drystar membrane makes the gear waterproof, yet breathable and allows riders to endure all-weather conditions while keeping the rider dry and comfortable. The range also includes three gloves, all of which are CE certified to level 1 EN13594:2015, KP and have been developed with best-in-class features such as knuckle protection, palm protection, padding, cuff adjusters, screen-friendly fingertips, accordion stretch panels, and constructed with high-quality abrasion resistance goat nappa leather, Polyester Air mesh and Drystar waterproof membrane among others. 

The company said the collection would be available in India across Royal Enfield stores, Amazon and Royal Enfield’s official website (store.royalenfield.com) with a price range of INR 5,200 to INR 18,900. 

The all-season jacket is engineered to deliver optimal protection and weather performance for ideal comfort. It comes with Alpinestar Nucleon flex pro CE Level 2 armour and the entire jacket is CE certified to “Class A”. It has a modular construction and the most advanced materials technologies available and can accommodate the Tech-Air 5 Airbag System. It will be available in Black and Khaki colours. The jacket is priced at INR 17,500, the release said. 

The casually-styled Solano 2 layer riding jacket is available in black colour. It also comes with CE certified to “Class A” and Alpinestar Nucleon flex pro CE Level 2 armour protection. The Jacket is completely waterproof and comes with a detachable sleeveless thermal winter liner and is equipped with eight pockets for real-world practicality, The jacket is priced at INR 18,900. 

The gloves are light, aggressively styled and highly durable summer-friendly gloves constructed from a mix of air mesh and perforated leather. It comes with CE Level 1 certification and features such as a touch screen compatible index fingertip for use with smartphones and GPS systems. The gloves are priced at INR 5200. 

Appropriate for both the road and the racetrack, SYNCRO Dryster gloves are made with DRYSTAR membrane technology for 100 per cent waterproof and breathable all-weather performance. The gloves incorporate a host of safety features such as a Viscoelastic knuckle protection system for effective impact protection, padded palm, ergonomic stretch accordions on fingers for superior fit and flexibility for touch screen compatible fingertips. The gloves are priced at INR 6,900. 

The Gareth Leather Glove features a goat Nappa leather construction to ensure high levels of abrasion resistance and a more comfortable experience. These gloves are designed with a slim wrist to make sure that the gloves sit better within the sleeves of a jacket. In addition, it's a waterproof glove incorporating Alpinestars Drystar 100 per cent waterproof and breathable membrane. Gloves are fully CE certified motorcycling with CE Level 1 and come with PVC covered knuckles for enhanced protection against impacts and a touchscreen compatible index finger. The Gloves are available in black and olive colour, priced at INR 5,200. 

Gravity drystar riding trousers come with an optimised fit for high performance. Its exclusive drystar construction ensures 100 per cent waterproofing and is adaptable to all weather conditions with great levels of breathability. The customised range with Alpinestars takes inspiration from Royal Enfield’s endeavour to be the rider’s alley in their quest for exploration. With purpose-built protective gear, and laid-back, vibrant lifestyle apparel; a showcase of rich expressions building relevance around the motorcycling way of life. The riding trousers are priced at INR 14,500, the release added. (MT)

Hero MotoCorp Introduces XPulse 200 Series In The United Kingdom

Hero Xpulse 200

Hero MotoCorp, the world’s largest two-wheeler manufacturer, has launched its XPulse 200 4V and XPulse 200 Pro motorcycles in the United Kingdom, expanding its international adventure motorcycle line-up.

The rollout represents the next phase of the manufacturer's European expansion, following its initial entry into the UK market last year through a distribution partnership with MotoGB.

The motorcycles were introduced at the Inch Perfect Trials in the Ribble Valley, marking the brand's latest European expansion following recent market entries in Italy and Spain. Distribution and aftersales service will be managed via MotoGB’s network of 36 sales and service outlets across the UK, with all models backed by a two-year warranty.

Both models are powered by a 199.6cc, four-stroke, four-valve, single-cylinder, oil-cooled engine paired with a five-speed constant-mesh transmission. The engine produces 18.9 BHP at 8,500 RPM and 17.35 Nm of torque at 6,500 RPM. The motorcycles feature an LCD instrument cluster with Bluetooth connectivity and turn-by-turn navigation, a Class-D LED projector headlamp and three anti-lock braking system (ABS) modes (Road, Off-Road and Rally).

Harshavardhan Chitale, CEO, Hero MotoCorp, said, “The launch of the XPulse 200 series marks an important step in strengthening Hero MotoCorp’s global adventure motorcycling portfolio in the UK. The XPulse has created a strong identity globally as an accessible yet highly capable adventure motorcycle that appeals to both - everyday riders and off-road enthusiasts. With its proven performance, versatility and adventure-focused DNA, we are confident that the XPulse range will strongly resonate with the riders. As we continue to expand across international markets, our focus remains on bringing globally benchmarked products and building deeper customer engagement worldwide.”

The XPulse 200 Pro includes hardware adaptations for off-road use, featuring handlebar risers to assist with standing positions and an extended gear shift lever designed to accommodate off-road riding boots. Both variants are equipped with protective bash plates, handguards, and a rear luggage plate with integrated cargo hooks as standard equipment.

TVS Motor Company Appoints Ravindran Shanmugam As Independent Director

Ravindran Shanmugam

Chennai-headquartered two-wheeler and three-wheeler major TVS Motor Company, a part of TVS Group, has appointed Ravindran Shanmugam as an independent director for a 5-year term, effective 13 May 2026, pending shareholder approval.

Shanmugam is a technology entrepreneur and business leader with experience in digital transformation and AI platforms. He currently serves as the Co-Founder and Executive Chairman of Mablle, an AI-based interior design platform in Singapore. He has previously worked as a management consultant at McKinsey & Company and is an alumnus of the University of Oxford.

Sudarshan Venu, Chairman, TVS Motor Company, said, “Ravindran Shanmugam brings deep expertise in digital & consumer-focused businesses, and AI-led transformation, along with strong experience in strategy, entrepreneurship and scaling businesses across global markets. His perspectives will add valuable depth to the TVS Motor board as we continue to strengthen our future-ready growth ambitions. We are delighted to welcome him and look forward to benefiting from his insights and guidance.”

Ravindran Shanmugam, said, “I am honoured to join the board of TVS Motor Company, an institution with a strong legacy of engineering excellence, customer trust and global ambition. Mobility is being reshaped by technology, digital ecosystems, AI and evolving consumer expectations, and TVS Motor is well positioned to play a meaningful role in this transformation. I look forward to contributing to the board’s deliberations and supporting the company’s long-term growth journey with perspectives from technology-led transformation, platform businesses and consumer-focused innovation.”

TVS Motor Company Reports INR 49.75 Billion In Profit Before Tax For FY2026

TVS Motor Co

Chennai-headquartered two-wheeler and three-wheeler major TVS Motor Company has reported revenue of INR 472.70 billion for FY2025-26, up 30 percent YoY, as compared to INR 362.51 billion last year.

The company reported its operating EBITDA for the year stood at 12.9 percent, while operating profit before tax reached INR 49.75 billion, up 40 percent YoY.

For FY2026, combined sales of two and three-wheelers increased by 24 percent to 5.88 million units. Within this total, motorcycle sales rose by 24 percent to 2.71 million units, while scooter sales grew by 27 percent to 2.41 million units.

Three-wheeler sales reached 219,000 units, an increase of 63 percent, while electric vehicle sales grew by 33 percent to 371,000 units, bringing the total customer base for this segment to more than 900,000.

For Q4 FY2026, the company recorded revenue of INR 128.08 billion, the operating EBITDA margin for the quarter was 13.1 percent. Normalised revenue for the quarter grew by 36 percent when excluding benefits from government incentive schemes recorded in the prior year.

Honda Launches NX500 With E-Clutch Technology In India At INR 743,900

Honda NX500

Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI), one of the leading two-wheeler manufacturers, has officially launched the NX500 E-Clutch at a price of INR 743,900 (ex-showroom, Delhi).

The new variant introduces Honda's globally proven clutch automation technology to the mid-size adventure touring segment, priced approximately INR 111,000 higher than the standard manual version.

The E-Clutch system manages clutch engagement and disengagement during starting, gear shifting and stopping, effectively eliminating the need for the rider to pull the clutch lever. However, the system allows for manual override at any time and the motorcycle retains a traditional clutch lever for riders who prefer hands-on control.

The NX500 E-Clutch features a 471cc liquid-cooled, parallel-twin engine producing 47 bhp and 43 Nm of torque. It gets a 6-speed gearbox with the automated E-Clutch system; the mechanism adds only 3 kg to the bike's kerb weight (now 199 kg). The motorcycle gets steel diamond frame with Showa 41mm SFF-BP USD front forks and a preload-adjustable rear monoshock.

In terms of stopping, it gets dual 296mm front discs and a 240mm rear disc with dual-channel ABS as standard.  

The NX500 features a 5-inch full-colour TFT display with Honda RoadSync (navigation, calls, music), Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC) and all-LED lighting.

Tsutsu Otani,  President & CEO, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India, said, “The Honda NX500 equipped with E Clutch technology enhances comfort and control across both urban and touring environments in India, by reducing rider fatigue, while retaining the engaging, hands-on riding experience that defines Honda motorcycles.”

The NX500 E-Clutch is available in two colour options – Mat Gunpowder Black Metallic and Pearl Horizon White.