Relatively low cost of ownership and an increase in demand in urban and semi-urban areas are the primary drivers behind the growth of India’s 2-wheeler market. Post the COVID-19 era, there is a general sentiment among the consumers, considering 2-wheelers as the preferred alternative to public transport and shared mobility. The 2-wheeler segment is expected to play a vital role in boosting the automotive sector post- COVID-19 by providing affordable personal mobility alternatives while we observe social distancing.

As the 2-wheeler market continues to boom in India, it is essential to also focus on the safety aspects related to the vehicles.

According to the World Road Statistics Report 2018, India has the largest number of road accident deaths across 199 countries. A report by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) shows that 2-wheeler deaths have increased on a year-on-year basis, rising by 38 percent from 2009 to 2019.

The Indian Government has implemented various new policies related to automotive safety in the last few years. Today’s consumer is also more conscious about safety and looks at key features that ensure safety instead of viewing it as an option confined to premium variants. Today, vehicle safety is transitioning from cost-addition to value addition.

The consumers are continually looking for technology upgrades in all the departments, be it safety or convenience. This has pushed us to be innovative and flexible in adapting globally proven safety technologies to local requirements in the form of effective products.

Anti- Lock Braking System (ABS)

ABS is a piece of safety equipment that prevents the wheels of a vehicle from locking up under emergency, panic, or harsh braking conditions. The introduction of ABS will significantly impact improved road safety, with other factors such as the safety belt and the introduction of speed limits playing a role alongside ABS’s spread. All 2-wheelers over 125-cc are mandated to have ABS as of April 2019 in India.

At Continental, we have a range of solutions in the ABS segment suited to all vehicle types. India has a range of lighter 2-wheelers, where ABS is not mandated. The MiniMAB - One Channel ABS for Motorcycles is suited to scooters and small motorcycles. The small and lightweight solution is easily adaptable to smaller vehicles because only one wheel speed sensor is required. The system prevents the front wheel from locking up and avoids falls or the vehicle from becoming unstable.

Beyond ABS:

As a technology company, Continental is at the forefront of safety technologies. We have all the relevant products for different demands such as ABS ride modes, traction control, optimised curve braking, motorcycle hold & go, and Advanced Rider Assistance Systems (ARAS).

These technologies have a lot of scopes to gain prominence in the safety department in India. ARAS include functionalities like,

● Blind Spot Detection and Lane Change Assist: Warns the rider of vehicles driving in the blind spot area. The alert helps facilitate safe lane changes. The rearward-facing radar sensor monitors the road area behind and next to the motorcycle and warns if a lane change cannot be recommended.

● Emergency Brake Assist (EBA) and Forward Collision Warning: Supports the rider in avoiding run-up accidents by a radar-aided early threat assessment. It detects critical traffic situations and ensures optimum use of the available braking power. When a rear-end accident threatens, the motorcyclist will be alerted first before the EBA function supports his active braking system with slight pre-brake pressure.

● Intelligent Headlight Assist: The ARAS function Intelligent Headlight Assist (IHA) enables better vision at night. Motorcyclists can delegate the constant tedious task of changing from high to low beam to the electronic co-pilot. It detects the vehicles’ lights in front and oncoming vehicles and switches the high-beam headlamp on whenever possible to ensure optimum lighting of the road.

● Traffic Sign Assist: Detects traffic signs using a front camera and displays them to the rider. Failure to see a road sign displaying the permissible maximum speed can be expensive. Especially for people who rely on their driving license for their work, the consequences can be unpleasant. Traffic Sign Recognition has a display on the instrument panel to remind drivers of the current speed limit. This is achieved through multiple uses of the same camera, which is also used for the Lane Departure Warning system. When combined with high-performance software, it can even recognise speed limit signs. Digitised speed limit information of the onboard navigation system will be incorporated to be prepared for roads not assigned with speed limit signs.

● Adaptive Cruise Control: Relives the rider by automatically controlling throttle and brake to maintain the safe riding distance with the vehicle ahead.

Other technologies like Continental’s eHorizon for 2-wheelers is a cloud-based data management service that enables a variety of use-cases, increases safety, eco-efficiency, and enhances riding pleasure. The data, such as road geometry, traffic signs, or temporary events on the road, is collected and aggregated from various sources and transmitted back to the vehicle to either predictively inform the motorcyclist on relevant information on the route or to enhance vehicle functions directly.

This “swarm-intelligent system” uses technologies already present in vehicles, like camera systems, to classify road conditions like dry, wet, very wet (risk of aquaplaning), snowy, or icy. Based on that information, dynamic friction charts can be created and then used to forecast how well the tyres will grip the road stretch in question. I believe both these technologies have a good scope in the market, like India. Then again, a reliable ecosystem is vital to enable it.

We at Continental, with a strong legacy in-vehicle safety systems and inspired by its Vision Zero - Zero Fatalities, Zero Injuries, and Zero Crashes are committed to improving safety across the world awareness through various global and local forums. (MT)

NB: Thalavai Venkatesan is the Head of Sales & Key Account Management, Continental Automotive India. Views expressed are personal.

Flying Flea, the electric vehicle brand of Royal Enfield, made its first showcase in Mumbai. The company brought its soon-to-be-launched first product the FF.C6 electric motorcycle to give a glimpse on what Royal Enfield aims to bring to the Indian and global market.

The FF.C6 the company shared is inspired and honours the original Flying Flea motorcycle, which were used in 1940s and were popularised during World War 2. The front suspension features a precision-engineered forged aluminium girder fork and articulating mudguard. The girder fork, a distinctive element of early motorcycle design, has been reimagined with updated materials and engineering, providing strength, durability and refined handling. At present, FF.C6 is the only motorcycle available with girder fork, distinguishing it through a combination of heritage and innovation.

A core element of the Flying Flea ethos is the design of the battery fins, merging tradition and technology. The front fins, arranged in odd sequences, represent progress, while the rear fins, placed in even sequences, reflect heritage. These two elements converge into a wing-shaped motif at the centre, symbolising the brand’s identity.

Royal Enfield shared that the research and development was done at the Flying Flea Tech Centre, which employs over 200 engineers across India and the UK, filing more than 40 patent applications. It covers motor and battery management systems as well as connectivity solutions. At the core of the FF.C6 ride experience is an in-house operating system powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon QWM2290 processor.

The company shared that the FF.C6 is designed to adapt to the rider, wherein the integrated hardware and software-led developments will continue to enhance the city-plus mobility experience. The in-house Vehicle Control Unit (VCU) manages multiple ride mode configurations, dynamically adjusting performance parameters to ensure a secure, intelligent and connected experience.

ReiseMoto, a leading name in premium two-wheeler tyres and motorcycle gear, has expanded its retail presence with the inauguration of a new store in Pune, Maharashtra, on 28 March 2025. With this latest outlet, the company now has five state-of-the-art brand experience stores with a total area of over 15,000 square feet. The other stores are strategically located in Mumbai, Gurugram, Bengaluru and Chennai.

A carefully chosen assortment of over 30 well-known brands and 1,000 SKUs in helmets, jackets, gloves, boots, protective gear, luggage and more than 125 high-end European performance tyres are available at each experience store. Along with Reise's own line of high-end tyres and riding accessories, the ReiseMoto outlets feature some of the most reputable European brands, including Acerbis, SPIDI, Tucano Urbano and Ixon.

Apart from these offerings, the stores offer a lot more experience, such as regular breakfast ride meet-ups, special screenings of MotoGP races, interactive hands-on guidance on tyre maintenance, engaging quiz shows and trivia contests, live podcasts and Q&A sessions with pro riders and influencers and crash protection demonstrations along with tutorials on moto vlogging. The stores also offer exclusive membership programmes with benefits such as special discounts and early product releases for members.

Yogesh Mahansaria, Founder & Managing Director, ReiseMoto, said, "With the opening of our Pune store, we are taking a bold step forward in strengthening our connection with India’s passionate motorcycling community. Each store is strategically located to serve as a one-stop destination for riders, ensuring they have access to best-in-class products, expert advice and a vibrant community experience."

Chennai-headquartered mid-size motorcycle major Royal Enfield has launched the Classic 650 motorcycle at prices starting INR 337,000.

The Classic 650 builds upon the legacy of the company’s Classic range that continues to sport the timeless elegance, old-world charm and unwavering character. While the motorcycle continues to reminiscence the classic charm, it features a digital LCD screen with an odometer, trip metre, fuel level indicator, service reminder, gear position indicator and clock. The motorcycle is powered by the company’s 647 cc air/oil-cooled parallel twin engine, that delivers 46.4 hp at 7,250 rpm and a peak torque of 52.3 Nm at 5,650 rpm.

B Govindarajan, Managing Director, Eicher Motors and CEO, Royal Enfield, said, “The Classic 650 is more than just a motorcycle – it’s a tribute to our rich legacy, where timeless design meets effortless performance. It carries forward the spirit of Royal Enfield, blending craftsmanship with an unshakable bond between rider and machine. Built on our proven 650cc parallel twin platform, it offers a perfect blend of refinement, capability and powerful road presence, making it an even more aspirational choice for those who love the Classic’s DNA, seeking more power and versatility. With the Classic 650, we are not just building motorcycles; we are preserving the essence of pure motorcycling for generations to come. We’re thrilled to bring this iconic machine to India, and I am confident that it will be embraced with the same passion that defines our riding community.”

As is the case with most Royal Enfield, the Classic 650 can be further customised with Genuine Motorcycle Accessories in the Classic and Classic Tourer-inspired themes. The motorcycle can be had in four colour options – Vallam Red, Bruntingthorpe Blue, Teal and Black Chrome.

Japanese two-wheeler maker Suzuki Motorcycle India has introduced its OBD-2B compliant scooters – Suzuki Avenis and Suzuki Burgman series (Burgman Street and Burgman Street EX) at prices starting INR 93,200 and INR 95,800 respectively (ex-showroom Delhi).

With this, the company’s entire two-wheeler line-up including scooters and motorcycles is now OBD-2B compliant. Mechanically the two-wheelers remain unchanged, the Avenis continues to be powered by the all-aluminium 4-stroke, single cylinder 124.3cc engine, which produces 10 Nm of peak torque at 5,500 rpm. It is equipped with Suzuki Eco Performance (SEP) technology and advanced fuel injection that provides a balance of performance and fuel efficiency. It also now gets a new option –  Metallic Matte Black No. 2 / Matte Titanium Silver.

The Burgman Street is powered by all-aluminium 4 stroke, single cylinder 124cc engine and SEP tech. It produces 10 Nm of torque at 5,500 rpm, while the Burgman Street EX comes uses Suzuki Eco Performance Alpha (SEP-α) engine technology, which comes with Engine Auto Stop-Start (EASS) and Silent Starter System. It also gets 12-inch rear wheel.

Kenichi Umeda, Managing Director, Suzuki Motorcycle India, said, “At Suzuki Motorcycle India, we focus on meeting the evolving needs of our customers while ensuring compliance with the latest regulations. The transition of our entire product range to OBD-2B compliance is a step towards providing a cleaner and more sustainable riding experience. With the introduction of new colour options for the Avenis and Burgman Street EX, we hope to bring more value and choice to our customers. We sincerely appreciate the support and trust of our customers which inspires us to keep innovating.”