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

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Carolwood LP has officially closed its agreement with Polaris to acquire the iconic Indian Motorcycle Company, which will now become an independent business.

The transition coincides with the 125th anniversary of the company, which also sees Mike Kennedy, a veteran of the motorcycle industry, take over as the Chief Executive Officer of the stand-alone entity.

The acquisition agreement includes the transition of approximately 900 employees to the new Indian Motorcycle Company. Manufacturing operations will remain at existing facilities in Spirit Lake, Iowa and Monticello, Minnesota.

Industrial design, technology and product development will continue at research and development centres in Burgdorf, Switzerland and Wyoming, Minnesota. Sales, service, and support for the dealer network and customers are expected to continue without interruption.

The company’s strategy involves concentrated investment in motorcycles, technologies, and craftsmanship. The executive emphasised a commitment to the brand's American manufacturing identity and its dealer partnerships.

Mike Kennedy, said, “It’s an incredible honour to take the helm of Indian Motorcycle as it celebrates its 125th Anniversary, empowered by a sense of gratitude and opportunity, and the support and ambition of a well-resourced, highly motivated ownership team. 2026 will be a special year to honour our history, but more importantly, to drive the brand into the future with a renewed level of commitment, focus and clarity that can only be found as a stand-alone company.”

The new leadership intends to focus on transparency and collaboration with its global dealer network, incorporating feedback into operations, marketing, and product development.

“We will achieve our vision through a deeper level of differentiation, leaning in on what makes our brand unique, and with products that possess a style, craftsmanship and performance quality that is uniquely justified by our historic legacy and spirit of innovation. Dealers are our most important partners, and we will judge our business based on the success of our dealers. We intend to be extremely collaborative with our dealers, actively listening to their feedback and incorporating it into our planning and decision-making, not only in terms of dealer operations, but also product development and marketing. America’s first motorcycle company will put America first. Our brand and business will be grounded in our American identity and more importantly, American manufacturing. ‘Built in America’ is not a slogan. It’s a competitive advantage, and we intend to use it,” added Kennedy.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Bengaluru-based electric vehicle maker Ather Energy has posted its highest quarterly revenue to date, reaching INR 9.95 billion for Q3 FY2026, which marks a 53 percent YoY growth.

The company attributed the performance to sales volume growth as well as a rise in non-vehicle revenue. During the period, the company sold 67,851 units, a 50 percent increase YoY. Consequently, Ather’s national market share has expanded to 18.8 percent.

Ather Energy reported a narrowing of its EBITDA loss to INR 299 million, with the EBITDA margin improving by 1,600 basis points to (-3 percent). This progress is attributed to cost management and operating leverage.

Key Financial Data:

• Adjusted Gross Margin (AGM): INR 2.51 billion, up 111 percent YoY.
• AGM (Excluding Incentives): 23 percent, an increase of 1,100 bps YoY.
• Non-Vehicle Revenue: Contributed 14 percent to total income, led by software subscriptions, charging and services.
• Quarterly Loss Reduction: Narrowed by 45 percent compared to Q2 FY2026.

Tarun Mehta, Executive Director & CEO, Ather Energy, said, “Q3 has been a strong quarter for us. Robust festive demand, healthy volume growth, and improving market share together drove our best quarterly revenue and EBITDA so far. Over the past few quarters, we have stayed very focused on getting the fundamentals right by improving unit economics, margins, and operating leverage, and that effort is now clearly showing in the improvement in EBITDA. What is particularly encouraging is the strength of our ecosystem. AtherStack attach rates remain very high, and customer engagement is deepening even as our sales scale. All of this gives us confidence that the business is structurally prepared for sustainable, long-term growth.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Suzuki Motorcycle India (SMIPL), the two-wheeler subsidiary of Suzuki Motor Corporation, Japan has reported wholesales of 125,786 units in January 2026, which marks a 15 percent YoY growth.

In the domestic market, the sales increased by 14 percent to 100,296 units, as against 87,834 units last year, while exports came at 25,490 units, up 21 percent YoY.

Deepak Mutreja, Vice-President – Sales & Marketing, Suzuki Motorcycle India, said, “The sales results for January indicate growing demand in both domestic and international markets. This momentum is supported by our ongoing focus on continuous customer engagement, after‑sales service enhancement, and network expansion. We will continue to invest in these areas to ensure that customers receive a seamless and reliable ownership experience throughout the year.”

Furthermore, the company reported INR 895.6 million revenue through spare parts sales, marking a 20 percent YoY growth.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

India Yamaha Motor (IYM), a leading two-wheeler manufacturer, has announced the price of its first electric scooter – the EC-06 – at INR 167,600 (ex-showroom Delhi). The e-scooter based on the River Indie will initially be sold in select cities through the company's Blue Square showrooms in a Bluish White colour.

The EC-06 features a 4kWh fixed battery paired with an Interior Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (IPMSM). It offers a certified claimed range of 169km on a single charge. It has a claimed top speed of 79 kmph, 6.7 kW of peak power, 26 Nm of torque and can be charged in 8 hours using a standard plug. It comes with 3 years or 30,000 km warranty for the battery.

The vehicle is built with IP67-certified protection for the motor and battery, while other electronics carry an IP65 rating for water and dust resistance.

The scooter includes three riding modes – Eco, Standard and Power – alongside a Reverse Mode. The chassis uses telescopic front forks with hydraulic dampers and a rear coil spring suspension. Braking is handled by 200mm discs at both ends, supported by a Combi Brake System (CBS).

For storage and technology, the EC-06 provides 24.5 litres of under-seat space and a colour LCD display. It integrates with the ‘Yamaha Motor Connect R’ app for real-time data access.

Hajime Aota, Chairman, Yamaha Motor India Group, said, “The EC-06 marks an important step in Yamaha’s journey toward sustainable urban mobility. As India accelerates its transition toward a carbon-neutral future under the government’s visionary leadership, Yamaha is proud to support this national agenda through high-quality electric innovation. Designed for everyday commuting, it balances efficiency with performance, offering an impressive range and intuitive features. As a first-of-its-kind model from Yamaha, it demonstrates how sustainability and riding excitement can coexist – true to our brand philosophy and our responsibility towards the future of India’s green economy.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!