What does the sound of a two-stroke, good food, and Royal Enfield have in common? A fan base! We talked to two couples who share a love for motorcycling and travel all around the country in their Royal Enfields. Joseph Antony and Roshini, friends-turned-lovers, married around eight months ago and have been dreaming up their vacations since. We also talked to recently-wed Kanyakumari natives Jeno Primal and Hepzibah Amal, who had a blast in Kerala during their honeymoon bike ride through the state.

Joseph and Roshini run a cute restaurant called ‘Joe’s Café’ near Chennai. The café is so popular among tourists and bike riders that it was featured in ‘Lonely Planet’, a travel guide which is often referred to as the bible of travellers. The couple loves exploring places and has made a loop trip from Manali to Shimla and Darjeeling. Joseph Antony, affectionately called ‘Joe’, is a native of Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram) and grew up adoring his neighbour’s new two-stroke motorcycle. Moreover, his passion for motorcycles and the sound they make were nourished by this neighbour, who would allow Joe to sit on the bike often. Years passed, and Joe found himself with a girl who shared his passion for motorcycles. Roshini, who disguised herself as his best friend first, tells the story of how they realised they were in love and decided to take the relationship to the next level by getting married to Joe. Roshini also grew fond of the Royal Enfield Classic 350’s iconic ‘duk duk’ sound, and her friendship with Joe has only fuelled her love and passion for bike travel and exploration. Roshini is currently training to ride heavy motorcycles on the highway and is under the tutorship of Joe, which she hopes will enable her to ride from Chennai to Mahabalipuram soon. Even though travel plans were limited due to the pandemic lockdowns, the couple took a ride to Pondicherry to see if long-distance travel as a couple on a motorcycle was viable. Roshini laughs while she says, “first, he wanted to test me.” The couple travelled to Ooty and swore on bikes to have a romantic trip. Roshini says that being open to the elements and close to the person you love makes the whole trip more enjoyable and lively. The ability to stop anywhere and take detours to explore new places makes bikes the perfect romantic getaway machine. The couple’s brand loyalty has helped them narrow down to the model they would purchase when Joe thinks Roshini is fully equipped to ride a motorcycle. Roshini has been eyeing Joe’s Royal Enfield Himalayan for some time now. Joe says the key to a long-distance couple travelling on a bike is prioritising the pillion rider. The couple had certain hand gestures that they would use to communicate with each other while riding. They make sure they have time to relax during their vacation and limit the riding to, say, two days while on a seven-day trip.

Now let’s go through the experience of the civil engineer couple Jeno Primal and Hepzibah Amal from Kanyakumari. For a long time, Jeno has been an ardent biker and has been travelling with his friends almost every weekend. He has travelled almost everywhere in the country and plans to tag his wife, Hepzibah, along with on these rides. The couple, who got married in December last year, went on a honeymoon ride in Kerala soon after. They rode through Vagamon, Alappuzha, and Munnar. While looking for a life partner, Jeno’s main aim was to find a partner who loved riding as much as he did. Jeno says he was excited to have found just that and was also happy not to limit his weekend rides with his friends. Jeno says being married changed his travelling habits a bit, from staying in a tent to staying in a hotel, or riding through the night due to the lack of traffic, to limiting bike travel to day-time. Couple-riding has brought about a sense of responsibility and safety in him, allowing him to take a different approach towards riding. Long straight roads bore the couple, who find excitement in twisty roads like the ones in the hill ranges of Kerala. The couple knew each other for six months before marrying, and they claim that bike rides brought them closer together. Like Joe, Jeno too shares a love for Royal Enfield and is waiting for the spied, more powerful version of the Himalayan to be released and cannot wait to get his hands on one. The couple says the brand is a significant factor in bike-lovers. The pandemic has hindered their plans, but the couple believes they will be able to explore the North-East of India soon

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Hero MotoCorp, the world’s largest manufacturer of motorcycles and scooters, has celebrated the 10th anniversary of its Hero MotoSports Team Rally at the Centre for Innovation and Technology (CIT) in Jaipur.

Marking a decade of participation in global rally racing, the company announced several strategic initiatives to shape the future of the team.

Hero MotoCorp has renewed its partnership with the Amaury Sport Organization (ASO), the organisers of the Dakar Rally and the FIM World Rally-Raid Championship, for another five years.

The company launched a development initiative designed to identify and train young Indian off-road racing talent. The programme will provide a structured two-to-three-year development path, covering riding technique, navigation and physical conditioning.

Furthermore, the company has signed 18-year-old Shlok Ghorpade, a national supercross racer from Maharashtra to its team. He has begun training with FIM World Rally-Raid Champion Ross Branch and is preparing for an intensive race simulation programme in Morocco.

Founded in 2016, Hero MotoSports Team Rally was established to test technology in demanding conditions and elevate India's standing in international motorsport. Over the past decade, the team has competed in the Dakar Rally and the FIM World Rally-Raid Championship, securing multiple podium finishes.

Dr Pawan Munjal, Executive Chairman, Hero MotoCorp, said, “Over the past decade, Hero MotoSports Team Rally has evolved from a bold ambition into a globally respected rally racing team, proudly representing India on the world stage. This milestone celebrates our past achievements while firmly defining our vision for the future.”

“The renewal of our partnership with ASO strengthens our long-term commitment to global rally racing. Furthermore, the India’s Next Dakar Hero program reflects our deep belief that India possesses immense untapped motosports talent waiting to be discovered and nurtured. By welcoming Shlok Ghorpade to the team, we aim to build a sustainable pathway for homegrown Indian riders to compete and excel at the highest levels of the sport,” he added,

The event featured a showcase of the team's Dakar machines and a performance by its riders, including Ross Branch, Nacho Cornejo and Michael Docherty.

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Aprilia India, one of the leading two-wheeler manufacturers, has introduced the 2026 Special Edition Tuono 457, paying homage to the heritage of the 2006 Tuono 1000R. Available in Mamba Black and Puma Grey, the model is priced at INR 399,000 (ex-showroom Maharashtra) and is available for pre-booking at select showrooms.

The special edition retains the 457cc parallel-twin engine, producing 47.6 hp (35 kW) and 43.5 Nm of torque. Key technical features include an aluminium chassis, ride-by-wire throttle, multi-level traction control and a TFT digital instrument cluster.

Aprilia has introduced a suite of enhancements focused on ergonomics and daily usability, including an elevated handlebar, which is now repositioned to provide an upright posture, reducing rider strain.

A smoked-finish aero flyscreen designed to reduce wind fatigue, adjustable brake lever for customisation to suit rider hand size, improving braking modulation. Recalibrated suspension that is now a softer initial stroke to absorb road imperfections, with preload adjustability at both ends. Upgraded Saddle featuring high-resilience foam to dampen vibrations.

Diego Graffi, Chairman and Managing Director, Piaggio Vehicles, said, "The Special Edition Tuono 457 has been developed with a clear focus on enhancing rider comfort and everyday usability while preserving the high performance, precision and character that define Aprilia motorcycles. With the plethora of enhancements like the aerodynamic flyscreen, revised suspension setup, upgraded saddle, raised handlebar position and adjustable brake lever, the motorcycle is more comfortable and confidence-inspiring across urban rides and longer journeys."

"The new Mamba Black and Puma Grey liveries add an even stronger visual identity, making this a distinctive expression of Aprilia’s naked DNA. At the attractive pricing we are launching it, we believe this is most value-for-money naked twin cylinder mid-performance motorcycle available to Indian riders. With its segment-defining 47.6 hp twin-cylinder engine, electronic ride-by-wire throttle, and multi-level traction control, the Special Edition Tuono 457 firmly re-establishes itself as the absolute technical benchmark for the naked segment," he added.

Aprilia offers a 4-year or 48,000 km warranty on the motorcycle. Optional accessories include a passenger seat cover, USB socket, TPMS, quick shifter and fork sliders.

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Chennai-headquartered two-wheeler and three-wheeler major TVS Motor Company celebrated World Motorcycle Day by organising a nationwide ride focused on road safety and responsible riding practices. The initiative involved more than 1,000 riders across 17 Indian cities.

The event drew participants from the TVS Apache Owners Group (AOG) and the TVS Ronin riding communities. The safety awareness campaign focused on the use of protective riding gear, adherence to traffic regulations, responsible urban and highway riding behaviour and respect for public spaces & local communities.

The event coincided with the ongoing 20-year anniversary of the TVS Apache brand, which has sold over 6.5 million units, over 500,000 registered members in the TVS Apache Owners Group (AOG).

The primary flagship ride for the nationwide movement was hosted in Bengaluru, gathering more than 100 customers for curated riding experiences and interactions with the TVS AOG and TVS Ronin CULT communities.

Vimal Sumbly, Head of Premium Business, TVS Motor Company, said, "Motorcycling today is about far more than travelling from one destination to another - it is a way of life shaped by freedom, discipline, responsibility and camaraderie. It was inspiring to see riders across India come together to celebrate the spirit of riding while demonstrating that true motorcycling begins with respect for the road, for fellow riders and for the communities we ride through. This year’s World Motorcycle Day celebration is especially meaningful as we continue to commemorate two decades of TVS Apache - a brand born from our racing DNA and today embraced by over 6 million customers globally. Over the years, TVS Apache and TVS Ronin have evolved beyond motorcycles to become communities that bring together passionate riders through performance, experiences and a shared love for motorcycling. Through initiatives like these, we remain committed to building a stronger riding culture and creating experiences that make every ride safe, responsible and memorable".

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The Indian two-wheeler industry is projected to achieve a moderate wholesale volume growth of 3–5 percent in FY2027, according to the latest sector update by credit rating agency ICRA.

While the sector enters the new fiscal year on a strong footing, the pace of growth is expected to normalise due to macroeconomic factors, a high base effect and geopolitical uncertainties.

Despite a more conservative outlook for the upcoming fiscal year, the industry continues to demonstrate baseline resilience, backed by healthy retail momentum and expanding international footprints.

The company stated that data from May 2026 highlights robust near-term demand dynamics across domestic and international channels. Domestic wholesales clocked 15.7 percent YoY growth, reaching 1.9 million units in May 2026. This volume was primarily driven by improved affordability stemming from GST 2.0 reforms and advanced consumer buying ahead of announced price hikes by original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).

On the other hand, retail sales maintained a steady upward trajectory, expanding 7.5 percent YoY during the month. Retail demand was supported by seasonal marriage season purchases and a highly diversified product mix spanning entry-level commuter options and aspirational premium models.

Exports surged 31.3 percent YoY in May 2026, which follows a strong performance in FY2026, where overall exports expanded by 23.3 percent, driven by expanding OEM product portfolios and a broader global acceptance of Indian two-wheeler brands.

The electric two-wheeler (E2W) market continues to outpace the broader internal combustion engine (ICE) segments in terms of growth velocity with EV penetration touching 8.9 percent (172,148 units) in May 2026, up 71.7 percent YoY.

This sharp rise in volume reflects improving ecosystem support, such as charging infrastructure expansion, and a structural shift in consumer acceptance toward electric mobility alternatives.

ICRA's moderate 3–5 percent growth projection for FY2027 balances several conflicting operational variables. Tailwinds includes sustained demand from ongoing GST rationalisation benefits and strong vehicle replacement demand from urban and semi-urban fleets.

On the other hand, growth could be constrained by extreme heatwaves that temporarily lower showroom footfalls, localised supply constraints for specific high-demand models and inflation-driven vehicle price adjustments.

Furthermore, a potentially weak or disrupted monsoon season triggered by El Niño patterns presents a risk to rural purchasing power.  Lastly, ongoing geopolitical tensions in West Asia remain a critical monitorable, as further escalation could destabilise global shipping lanes, disrupt manufacturing supply chains and increase raw material cost structures.

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