The cruisers from the company began with Citybike in 1990 followed by Lightning in 1997 and then Thunderbird in 2002. Since then the Thunderbird has received multiple upgrades before being discontinued in March 2020.

The Lightning started the cruiser segment in the country, and the Thunderbird took it forward. But now the Meteor is all ready to become the torchbearer for the cruiser segment in India taking reins from the Thunderbird.

The Meteor name is borrowed from an iconic Royal Enfield motorcycle launched back in the 1950s. The old Meteor was a magnificent touring motorcycle with a reputation that has stood the test of time. The new Meteor 350 carries Royal Enfield’s signature styling but with many firsts and is set to be an equally great machine for our times.

Siddhartha Lal, Managing Director of Eicher Motors Ltd, said, “The Meteor 350 is a supremely refined, easy and accessible cruiser in a charming combination of classic cruiser styling with modern capability. The excellent ergonomics, motorcycle’s poise, its agile handling and up-rated braking, resulting in an unmatched ride experience make it an easy choice for both experienced and new riders”.

The new 350cc engine in the Meteor is built from scratch by the Royal Enfield engineers and designers at their state-of-the-art technical centres in Chennai, India and Bruntingthorpe, United Kingdom. The 349cc air-oil- cooled motor generates 20.2 bhp and 27nm of torque at 4,000 rpm.

The new engine allows the inclusion of a balancer shaft for permitting a smooth and well-mannered ride experience. The throttle response of the electronic fuel injection has been optimised for dependable starting and effortless, linear acceleration while still maintaining the Royal Enfield’ thump.’ The quality of refinement - mechanical, fittings and finish - has been raised to a new level to give a premium and modern motorcycle satisfaction, while retaining the all- important Royal Enfield DNA. The 5-speed gearbox on the new bike gets an overdrive gear that helps with stress-free driving and economical highway cruising and a 7-plate clutch for easy gear changes in built-up traffic.

The new motorcycle gets twin downtube spline frame construction that is designed to inspire confidence in the twisties, be rock-solid on the highway and easily manoeuvrable on busy city streets. The low seat height and centre of gravity in combination with its inherent strength and rigidity results in the optimal motorcycle for the urban rider who seeks adventure on long getaways. The 41mm forks upfront with 130mm of travel and twin-tube emulsion shock absorbers with 6-step preload adjustment at the rear make the bike handle better and improve ride quality. For authentic cruiser experience, the footpegs are forward-mounted, with a heel and toe gearshift.

The Meteor 350 gets a new TBT (Turn-By-Turn) navigation pod known as the Royal Enfield tripper. It is a highly focused navigation display device for real-time directions, built with Google Maps Platform. Meteor 350 becomes the first Indian bike to use Google Maps’ two-wheeler navigation feature to display the best route to reach your destination. Paired via the Royal Enfield App to the rider’s smartphone, the Tripper clearly and efficiently gives the required level of information whilst remaining discreet and unintrusive.

Alongside the Meteor 350’s launch, the company also announced Royal Enfield’s Make It Yours-MiY-initiative. An inventive and unique motorcycle personalisation tool, MiY allows Meteor 350 owners to tap into thousands of possible combinations when they order their motorcycle via the Royal Enfield App, on the website or at a dealership.

The Meteor 350 is available in three editions, the Fireball, the Stellar and the Supernova. The Fireball edition is available in vibrant red or yellow single colour fuel tank, matching wheel rim lining and features blacked-out cycle parts and engine, which are finished in machined fins. The Stellar edition is available in contemporary red, blue or matt black tanks and matching body components. It also comes with chrome handlebars, an exhaust and a comfortable backrest for the pillion. The top-of-the-line Supernova comes n dual-tone blue or brown with matching body parts and features detailed machined wheels, a choice of premium seats and a windscreen.

Standard equipment includes alloy wheels and tubeless tyres giving riders convenience and peace of mind, especially on long journeys. A 100/90 R19 tyres are used at the front, and 140/70 R17’s at the rear to add to the cruiser appearance. Braking is taken care by a 300mm disk at the front and a 270mm at the rear with dual-channel ABS. All variants also get a new instrument cluster which combines the timeless elegance of a ‘dancing needle’ analogue speedometer with the functionality of an LCD for essentials such as gear indicator, fuel gauge, clock and trip meter. Besides, a USB port is discreetly mounted below the handlebar to enable charging on the go. The bike also gets the clean, contemporary look of LEDs with the efficiency and timeless appeal of a well-sorted Halogen headlamp for both the head and taillight. Handlebar controls and switchgear quality feel premium with rotary power and lighting switches giving a gentle nod to the past. The bike is available in seven standard colourways under three edition, and MiY allows an additional eight colourway option.

The Royal Enfield Meteor 350 sets a new benchmark for cruisers. It is built from the ground up for those who not only need a unique motorcycle for city riding but also long for a thoroughbred mount that allows them to head out on the highway and escape the pressures of daily life. The Meteor 350 will be available at a starting price of INR 1,75,817 for the Fireball, INR 1,81,326 for the Stellar, and at INR. 1,90,536 for the Supernova editions. (all ex-showroom Chennai prices) MT

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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 19^th and 20^th 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.

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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.

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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.”

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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.

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