Design:

Royal Enfield has taken the tried and tested philosophy, ‘If it’s not broke, don’t fix it’, and we totally agree with it. The 2021 Himalayan, in terms of styling, is identical to the outgoing model. Mechanically also it receives no changes. So, it retains the same suspension setup, brakes and chassis as the BS6 version. The iconic motorcycle manufacturer has spruced the Himalayan up by introducing three new colour options: Granite Black, the eye-catching Pine Green and the Mirage Silver, which we have here with us, and it comes standard with a contrasting brown saddle. Sadly, Royal Enfield has discontinued Snow and Sleet Grey colours.

Based on the feedback received, Royal Enfield has tweaked the front rack frame on the fuel tank. By pushing the frame further up, thereby, there’s more knee room available for taller riders over 6 feet in height.

Navigation system:

No doubt one of the biggest updates the Himalayan gets is the navigation system or, as the company calls it, the Tripper display. It made its debut with the Meteor 350, which we’ve used extensively and found it quite helpful. One can sync their smartphone via the Royal Enfield app available on both Apple’s App Store and Google Play store. This Google Maps-based turn-by-turn navigation system is accurate and offers a seamless experience. The Tripper doesn’t read out phone or message alerts, which is a good thing as you are focused on the road.

The only hitch we found about the Tripper is that when you switch off the bike for whatever reason or at a traffic light, it sometimes doesn’t automatically pair back to your phone. It’s a slight inconvenience, but that’s not really a deal-breaker.

To accommodate the new additional pod in the instrument cluster, the windscreen is now wider from the bottom and taller as many Himalayan owners had complained the earlier model didn’t negate wind buffeting effectively. The new windscreen is only tinted.

New seat:

The previous Himalayan certainly had a comfortable seat, but it was a tad bit soft, making it unsupportive on long rides. Again, based on the feedback received from current Himalayan owners, Royal Enfield has added more padding to the saddle and have made it firmer. In terms of the seat height, it continues to be 800 mm, which makes it accessible for many. I’m a shade taller than 5 feet 9 inches in height and I can comfortably put my feet flat on the ground. The riding stance is comfortable as you don’t feel cramped. The footpegs are placed in a slight angular position, but nothing really to complain about. The seating position is commanding as well.

As an accessory, one can also opt for Touring Seats at an additional cost of INR 3,000.

Additional upgrades:

Coming to the rear carrier, it is now more aligned to the seat and has been reinforced with an additional metal plate to haul heavy luggage. It’s inscribed on the rear carrier that it can carry up to 7 kg of luggage, which is 2 kg more than the previous Himalayan.

Engine:

The 411cc engine remains the same mechanically and continues to churn 24.3 bhp of power and 32 Nm of torque. Ever since the Royal Enfield has introduced the fuel injection system in the Himalayan, it’s been a very smooth bike. It happily cruises anywhere around 80-100 kmph and effortlessly goes past the three-figure mark. We tip our hat to Royal Enfield for ensuring that the Himalayan’s vibrations are down to a minimal, making the riding experience quite enjoyable and comfortable both in the city and on the highway.

You open the throttle and the initial response is measured and it builds momentum in a linear fashion. The power doesn’t come rushing in a hurry as the low-end torque lacks the punch and feels flat. As the Himalayan is more at home when it’s out on open roads and covering long distances, it is happiest at the mid-range power band where the motor’s optimal power can be experienced. The Himalayan cruises comfortably at speeds over the three-figure mark, but the power tends to taper off after crossing 120 kmph.

Ride and handling:

The Himalayan is a practical bike that can be used for your daily commute. Thanks to the soft suspension setup, along with the long travel, it easily cushions undulations and speed breakers in the city and at the same time feels at home on dirt tracks and overcomes ditches and potholes without a sweat. There are a couple of minor issues that Royal Enfield can iron out like the heavy clutch and hand brake lever, which can become quite a task. Also, the brakes lack the bite and feel spongy.

The Himalayan is a heavy motorcycle and weighs around 199 kg, and if and when you drop it, you can feel its weighty issues. But the beauty about this bike is that while on the go, it feels agile and light. You can easily navigate through traffic or extreme off-roading conditions.

Verdict:

It all comes down to brass-tacks and priced at INR 201,000, is the extra INR 10,000 justified? Maybe not, but you won’t find a more capable ADV bike at that range that is easy to manoeuvre and doesn’t overwhelm you with additional electronic nannies. The Himalayan keeps it simple and allows you to switch off the dual-channel ABS, though it wouldn’t be a bad idea if the Himalayan got traction control. Another thing we would like to see is tubeless tyres as it makes life a lot easier and spares you a lot of frustration, especially when you are on a long-distance ride. We would stick our neck out and say that it is a Jack of All Trades and a commuter-friendly adventure motorcycle that is very forgiving on your wallet. (MT)

Specifications:

Engine: 411 cc + 24.3 bhp + 32 Nm of torque

Transmission: 5-speed

Ground clearance: 220 mm

Seat height: 800 mm

Tyres & brakes:

Front: 90/90 – 21 inches / 300 mm disc

Rear: 120/90 – 17 inches / 240 mm disc

Dual-channel ABS

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Suzuki Motorcycle India Pvt. Ltd. (SMIPL) has introduced the all-new second generation Burgman Street, a comprehensive evolution of its popular luxury scooter. Building on the strong market presence of the original model that launched in 2018, this updated version brings significant improvements in design, performance and features. The result is a fresher, more premium offering aimed at customers seeking a distinctive ride in the luxury scooter segment.

Since its debut seven years ago, the Burgman Street has consistently grown into one of the fastest-moving models within the 125-cc scooter category. The new model is built around a concept called ‘ONE & ONLY’, which blends premium maxi-style design, superior comfort and everyday practicality. This unique combination sets it apart from any other scooter in its class. Customers can choose between two variants: the Ride Connect Edition and the Ride Connect TFT Edition.

Urban comfort and handling have been prioritised through a lightweight yet rigid frame that improves manoeuvrability. A tuned suspension setup, long wheelbase and Combined Brake System ensure stable and well-balanced braking. The scooter also retains its spacious, well-padded long seat, flexible floorboard and dedicated front footboards, reinforcing its reputation as a practical yet premium daily rider.

The new Burgman Street showcases a ‘Sleek Modern’ design language that fuses sharpness with elegance. Curvaceous bodywork, split-lens LED headlights with integrated position lights, compact LED turn signals and an updated rear combination light create a distinctive road presence. Metallic emblems, a dark smoked windscreen and an upswept muffler add further premium appeal. Underneath, the proven 124-cc Suzuki Eco Performance engine delivers 6.2 kW power and 10.2 Nm torque with strong low to mid-range response.

Practical enhancements include a 5.5-litre fuel tank with a tail-mounted lid, redesigned grab bar, aluminium pillion footpegs and a larger 24.6-litre underseat storage compartment with front pockets, dual utility hooks and a USB outlet. Features like the Suzuki Easy Start System, side stand interlock and waterproof switches ensure daily reliability. The Ride Connect TFT Edition goes further with a 4.2-inch colour TFT screen, a keyless system and an answer-back function for added convenience and security.

The all-new Burgman Street will be available across all Suzuki Motorcycle India dealerships from 8 April 2026 onwards. The price and colour options are given below:

Kenichi Umeda, Managing Director, Suzuki Motorcycle India Pvt. Ltd., said, “When we launched the Burgman Street in India, it created a distinct space for itself in the luxury scooter segment. Over the years, it has received an encouraging response, with sales doubling over the past three years. We have seen that Burgman Street owners take pride in owning something different. Building on this insight, our engineers have developed the second generation with a focus on refined design, enhanced comfort and a more premium riding experience. This new model truly represents ‘ONE & ONLY’ – delivering a unique combination of design, comfort, balance and real-world usability that sets it apart in the segment. We are confident that the new Burgman Street will continue to strengthen this pride among our customers.”

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Suzuki Motorcycle India (SMIPL), the subsidiary of Suzuki Motor Corporation, has concluded FY2026 with total sales of 1.43 million units, which marks a 15 percent growth over 1.25 million units sold in FY2025.

This marks the highest annual sales for the company to date in the country.

In FY2026, domestic sales reached 1.17 million units, up 12 percent YoY, while exports grew by 26 percent, totalling 264,541 units. Additionally, spare parts sales generated revenue of INR 10,434 million, an 18 percent increase over the previous period.

In March 2026, Suzuki Motorcycle India recorded total sales of 128,227 units, compared to 126,164 units in March 2025. Monthly domestic sales stood at 105,397 units, while exports contributed 22,830 units. Domestic retail sales for the month rose to 108,661 units, reflecting an 11 percent growth.

During the year, the company surpassed cumulative production total of 10 million units in India. Commenced construction of a new manufacturing facility in Kharkhoda, Haryana. Launched the Suzuki e-Access, the company's first electric scooter. Introduced the Suzuki Access with ABS and the Ride Connect TFT Edition. And expanded its national reach to 1,240 outlets across all Indian states.

Deepak Mutreja, Vice-President – Sales & Marketing, Suzuki Motorcycle India, said, “FY 2025-26 has been a landmark year for Suzuki Motorcycle India, with our highest-ever sales performance reflecting sustained momentum across both domestic and export markets. This achievement is driven by the strong trust our customers place in the brand and the consistent efforts of our dealer partners and teams across the country. The encouraging performance in exports further reinforces our growing global relevance. As we move ahead, we will continue to focus on delivering products and experiences that resonate with evolving customer aspirations.”

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Hero MotoCorp, the world’s largest two-wheeler manufacturer, has announced its wholesales for FY2026 with total dispatches of 6.5 million units, which marks a 10 percent growth. This includes 6.06 million units sold in the domestic market and 402,786 units exported.

In March 2026, the company dispatched 598,198 units, compared to 549,604 units in the same month of the previous year. Retail performance for the month reached 542,436 VAHAN registrations, indicating an increase of approximately 24 percent.

Growth in March was led by the 100-125cc motorcycle segment and double-digit growth in scooters. The internal combustion engine (ICE) scooter segment grew by 24 percent, supported by the expansion of the Glamour and Xtreme motorcycle ranges. Demand in rural markets improved, aided by early festive trends.

For FY2026, motorcycle sales grew from 5.47 million units to 5.84 million units, scooters from 422,692 units to 626,285 units.

Vida, the company's electric vehicle (EV) brand, recorded its highest monthly VAHAN registrations to date at 21,434 units, a MoM increase of approximately 70 percent. For the full financial year, VIDA dispatches grew by 154 percent. The brand also introduced the VX2 Plus - KKR Limited Edition as part of its partnership with the Kolkata Knight Riders.

In international markets, the global business division recorded its highest-ever dispatches. March 2026 exports rose by 16 percent to 45,693 units, contributing to a total fiscal year dispatch growth of approximately 40 percent.

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Chennai-based mid-sized motorcycle manufacturer Royal Enfield has achieved its highest annual sales to date, surpassing 1.2 million units in the financial year ending 31 March 2026. This marks the second consecutive year the company has exceeded the million-unit threshold.

The company concluded FY2026 with total sales of 1.23 million units, representing a 23 percent increase from FY2025. Domestic sales came at 1.10 million units, up 23 percent YoY, while exports came at 131,316 units, up 23 percent YoY.

Royal Enfield sold 112,334 units last month, an 11 percent rise over the same month last year.

The performance was supported by demand in domestic and international markets and a diverse motorcycle portfolio.

Going forward, Royal Enfield is expanding its manufacturing facility at Cheyyar to support future growth and maintain production efficiency. The company's international strategy includes deepening its presence in markets such as Brazil.

The upcoming financial year will involve the introduction of new platforms and product launches, including the Flying Flea C6. These initiatives coincide with the brand's 125th anniversary.

B Govindarajan, Managing Director, Eicher Motors and CEO, Royal Enfield, said, “Every year at Royal Enfield, we try to raise the bar a little higher than before, and this time was no different. We delivered our second consecutive year of over one million motorcycle sales, crossing 1.2 million units, our highest-ever annual performance. Achieving this milestone as we celebrate 125 years of Pure Motorcycling makes it even more meaningful. But in this landmark moment, we are not pausing to look back, instead we are focused on how we can continue to build motorcycles for the current and next generation of riders while remaining grounded in our ethos. This year we also achieved our best-ever festive season sales and highest-ever volumes across both domestic and international markets. Our international business continues to be a focus area and we are deepening our presence in high-potential markets such as Brazil. Equally important is the strength of our riding community, which continues to grow with our rider engagements and festivals expanding significantly across regions. We are also investing in staying ahead of the curve by expanding our manufacturing facility at Cheyyar, which will support future growth while maintaining our focus on quality and efficiency. As we move into the new financial year and continue our 125th year journey, we remain focused on the future with new product launches, new platforms and the launch of the Flying Flea C6. Our endeavour is simple: to keep growing in a way that stays true to who we are as we build a global motorcycling brand from India.”

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