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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The Indian Supercross Racing League (ISRL) has announced a plan to make motorsport accessible to a wider audience with the introduction of the ISRL Fan Park, presented by Reise Moto.

This initiative aims to increase understanding of racing and develop the sport's ecosystem. The Fan Park, a fan engagement area, will visit each race city during Season 2, which runs from October to December 2025.

Reise Moto, the presenting partner for the ISRL Fan Park and an associate sponsor of the league, will support this fan experience.

The ISRL Fan Park will open two days before each Sunday race. It will offer access to the sport, combining motorsport, lifestyle, entertainment and practical experiences over two days. The organisers expect over 5,000 families to attend each weekend.

Eeshan Lokhande, Co-Founder, Indian Supercross Racing League, said, ““ISRL isn’t just about racing it’s about building a new era of motorsport culture in India. Through the Fan Park, we’re inviting fans to go behind the scenes, meet the athletes, watch pit crews in action, and experience the sheer energy of Supercross up close. We also want it to be a space where families feel welcome, and where industry professionals can connect, collaborate and showcase innovation. It’s about unlocking the full potential of what motorsport can offer.”

Yogesh Mahansaria, Managing Director, Reise Moto, said, " At Reise Moto, being a community-first performance brand, fostering motorsports ecosystem with globally acclaimed products for budding and pro racers. Our association with ISRL is rooted in shared values - performance, passion, and innovation. By presenting the ISRL Fan Park and as Associate sponsors of the main league, we’re helping build an experience that reflects our vision and supports the growth of motorsport culture in India, especially for the next generation of riders."

ISRL Fan Park Features:

• Pit-Lane Access and Rider Meet-and-Greets
• Live Supercross Trials, Demo Rides and Electric Bike Zones for Children
• VR/AR Racing Games and Pro Simulators
• Track Walks, Pit Crew Demonstrations and DIY Bike Workshops
• Children’s Zone with Mini Tracks and Activities
• Live Performance by Bands, Food and Beverage and Cultural Acts
• Brand Pavilions, Product Launches from Auto and Gear Brands and VIP lounges

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TVS Motor Company, a leading manufacturer of two-wheelers and three-wheelers, has unveiled the 2025 TVS Apache RTR 160 with dual-channel ABS for enhanced safety.

The motorcycle has a peak power output of 16.04 PS at 8,750 rpm and 13.85 Nm of torque at 7,000 rpm. 

The TVS Apache RTR 160 features three distinct ride modes – Sport, Urban and Rain. It also comes with TVS SmartXonnect with Bluetooth and Voice Assist. The motorcycle can be had in sporty colour options such as Matte Black and Pearl White with red alloy wheels, with prices starting at INR 134,320 (ex-showroom Delhi).

Vimal Sumbly, Head Business – Premium, TVS Motor Company, said, “The TVS Apache RTR 160 has consistently set benchmarks in its segment, evolving with every generation while staying rooted in Apache’s racing DNA. With segment-leading features like Ride Modes, SmartXonnect with Voice Assist, and now Dual Channel ABS, it continues to redefine what riders can expect from a performance motorcycle. TVS Apache is more than a machine; it’s a global community of over 6 million riders. The 2025 TVS Apache RTR 160 builds on this legacy with a sharper design, advanced tech, and track-inspired engineering for a truly thrilling ride.”

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Indian Motorcycle, America’s First motorcycle company, has announced the official price list for its Model Year 2025 product lineup in India, which includes the Chief, Chieftain, Challenger, Pursuit and the Roadmaster motorcycles. The prices starting INR 2.35 million go up to INR 4.84 million depending on the model.

These heavyweight motorcycles, the company said, represent the finest in American craftsmanship and engineering, delivering an unmatched combination of style, performance and road presence.

Lalit Sharma, Managing Director, Polaris India, said: “Our heavyweight motorcycles have always stood for power, prestige and the spirit of the open road. With the Model Year 2025 lineup, we continue to offer riders world-class machines that deliver premium experiences across every mile. We invite motorcycle enthusiasts to visit our showrooms and discover these legendary models.”

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India Yamaha Motor, a leading two-wheeler manufacturer in the country, recently concluded its Yamaha National 3S Grand Prix 2024–25, a nationwide competition designed to recognise and reward the skills of dealership staff crucial to delivering Yamaha's 'Premium 3S' experience (Sales, Service and Spares). The initiative aims to enhance customer service across the country and acknowledge the vital role played by on-ground personnel.

The 2024-25 Grand Prix featured five categories: Technician, Service Advisor, the new Tele-Caller segment, Parts Manager and Sales Consultant. The competition unfolded in three stages, beginning with regional contests from 15 August to 30 September 2024, which saw a record 7,567 participants. Top performers from online examinations then advanced to zonal rounds held between 17 February and 18 March 2025.

The national finals took place on 24th and 25th June 2025 at Yamaha’s Surajpur facility in Greater Noida, where 40 finalists vied for top honours. The top three in each category were felicitated by senior management. Notably, the winning technician will represent India at the World Technician Grand Prix 2025 in Japan this November.

Judging criteria varied by category, assessing technicians on troubleshooting and maintenance, service advisors on customer handling and timely vehicle delivery and tele-callers on communication skills. Sales consultants were evaluated on their ability to provide a premium customer experience, while parts managers were judged on efficient stock management and customer service.

Ravinder Singh, Senior Vice-President at Yamaha Motor India Sales, said, "The Yamaha National 3S Grand Prix reflects our deep commitment to nurturing frontline talent and recognizing the critical role they play in delivering an exceptional experience for our customers. This platform not only motivates our dealership staff to strive for excellence but also reinforces our brand promise of quality, reliability and top-tier service. We congratulate all the finalists and look forward to seeing the national winners representing India at the global stage in Japan.”

The National Technician Grand Prix (NTGP), which first launched in India in 2010 with 350 participants, has seen exponential growth. The 2023 edition engaged over 6,000 contestants, with the introduction of the Tele-Caller category in 2024-25 pushing overall participation to an all-time high of 7,567. Beyond the competitive aspect, the Grand Prix underscores Yamaha's commitment to ensuring staff are well-equipped to provide exceptional customer care, a core focus for the company. This commitment is further supported by the Yamaha Motor Academy (YMA), a global training initiative that develops 3S dealership staff into 'professional teams' to ensure premium customer service at all touchpoints.

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