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.

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Suzuki Motorcycle India, the two-wheeler subsidiary of Suzuki Motor Corporation, Japan, has introduced new colour line-up for the Suzuki Gixxer SF and Gixxer motorcycles.

The fully faired Suzuki Gixxer SF priced at INR 137,231 (ex-showroom Delhi) gets two new colours - Metallic Oort Gray + Pearl Mira Red and Glass Sparkle Black + Metallic Oort Gray. The company is also providing exchange benefits up to INR 5,000 and extended warranty at INR 1,999 or insurance benefits up to INR 7,000 as part of the festive sales offer.

On the other hand, the Suzuki Gixxer priced at INR 126,421 (ex-showroom Delhi) gets three new colours - Metallic Oort Gray + Pearl Mira Red, Glass Sparkle Black + Metallic Oort Gray and Metallic Triton Blue + Glass Sparkle Black. The company is offering exchange benefits up to INR 5,000 along with an extended warranty at INR 1,999 or alternatively insurance benefits up to INR 6,000.

The Suzuki Gixxer SF and Gixxer are powered by a 155 cc, BS-VI OBD-2 B-compliant single-cylinder engine equipped with Suzuki Eco Performance (SEP), delivering 13.6 PS of power and 13.8 Nm of torque. This engine has a proven track record, having set a national endurance record in the 150cc category.

Both motorcycles feature European-inspired styling, highlighted by a LED headlamp and tail lamp, a sporty dual-muffler and split seats. The motorcycles also get a Bluetooth-enabled multi-function digital console with the Suzuki Ride Connect application. Key safety and performance features include single-channel ABS, wide radial tyres and a 7-step adjustable mono-shock for handling across varied conditions.

Deepak Mutreja, Vice-President – Sales and Marketing, Suzuki Motorcycle India, said, “The fresh colours of Gixxer SF and Gixxer underline Suzuki’s commitment to blending style, performance and innovation while catering to the aspirations of young Indian riders. With these enhancements, the motorcycles reflect Suzuki’s engineering and design philosophy, combining sporty character with comfort for both everyday city rides and long-distance touring. Along with attractive purchase benefits and easy ownership options, the updated line-up adds to the festive excitement and strengthens the connect of the GIXXER brand with customers across the country.”

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Jawa Yezdi Motorcycles is significantly expanding its digital retail strategy by launching on e-commerce platform Amazon, following its successful debut on Flipkart last year. This move is part of the brand’s push to reshape how consumers purchase premium motorcycles in India, particularly ahead of the crucial festive season.

The brand's motorcycles are now available for purchase on Amazon across over 40 cities, with plans to rapidly increase this reach to more than 100 cities.

Jawa Yezdi claims it pioneered the online sale of high-performance 350cc classic motorcycles when it partnered with Flipkart in October 2024. The brand says this initial move not only established a new premium-classic motorcycle category in e-commerce but also set a new industry benchmark.

Sharad Agarwal, Chief Business Officer, Classic Legends, "We went into e-commerce a year back with the simple belief: If our young consumers did not hesitate to book a holiday or buy a car online, then they should be able to own a Jawa or Yezdi the same way. Starting with Flipkart and now expanding to Amazon, we're making the ownership journey easier and more transparent while keeping the soul of motorcycling intact."

Furthermore, the company has also expanded its dealer network to over 450 touchpoints across India.

The models which are retailing on both Amazon and Flipkart include the Jawa 350, 42, 42 FJ, 42 Bobber, Perak and the Yezdi Adventure Single Headlight. Additionally, Amazon has listed the Yezdi Scrambler.

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The India Bike Week (IBW) festival is gearing up for its annual return to Goa in December 2025, where it will host thousands of riders, clubs, and brands for a two-day celebration – 12^th and 13^th December – of motorcycling culture. Now in its 12th year, the event is set to feature expanded arenas, mentorship rides and a significant custom bike competition with an international prize.

Martin Da Costa, CEO & Founder, Seventy EMG, said, “Over the years, India Bike Week has grown into a true celebration of the motorcycling spirit in India – a melting pot of stories, machines and the people who ride them. Each edition has been bigger, bolder and more unforgettable than the last. As we gear up for IBW 2025, we’re excited to once again bring together the country’s vibrant riding community for what promises to be our most thrilling chapter yet. From the IBW Chai & Pakoda Rides to the Jameson Bike Build Off and everything in between, this year is all about pushing boundaries and celebrating the freedom of the open road.”

A key highlight of the 2025 event is the Jameson IBW Bike Build Off. This prestigious competition challenges India’s top custom builders, with three finalists being shortlisted from over 30 entries. Each finalist will receive a brand-new Harley-Davidson X440 and a build budget of INR 150,000 to transform the stock machine into a bespoke masterpiece.

The winning builder will secure a unique prize: an all-expenses-paid trip to the Adventure Bike Rider Festival in the UK in June 2026, where they will showcase their custom creation to a global audience.

The festival will also feature the IBW Flat Track Race, presented by Harley-Davidson. This will be a one-make race using custom-built Harley-Davidson 440X motorcycles prepared by Rajputana Customs. The competition, which has FMSCI presence, offers a grand prize of INR 1 million for the top three racers.

The road to Goa has already begun with the Gulf Syntrac Presents IBW Chai & Pakoda Rides rolling out across 20 cities, building community anticipation.

Additionally, overlanding expert Maral Yazarloo, who began her journey at IBW, will lead an exclusive Mentorship Ride from Mumbai to Goa along the Konkan Coast, offering selected riders practical skills and preparation tips for long-distance travel.

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Bajaj Auto-owned KTM, the world's leading premium motorcycle manufacturer, is rolling out its 'Academy of Safe Riding' initiative across colleges in India, using the recently launched 160 Duke to teach safe riding fundamentals to the next generation of riders.

The programme, which has already visited over 20 institutions across the country, offers students a unique opportunity to hone their skills on the new 160 Duke, marketed as India’s most powerful 160cc motorcycle.

The initiative aims to combine the brand's 'Ready to Race' performance with responsible riding education. Students are given exclusive test rides on specially designed tracks and take part in interactive sessions led by KTM-certified trainers. The safe-riding drills are inspired by KTM's global motorsports expertise.

Manik Nangia, President, Probiking, Bajaj Auto, said, “The KTM 160 Duke represents the perfect gateway into the world of KTM. Through this college activation, we not only put students on the most exciting 160cc motorcycle – we also instilled the discipline and techniques that make every ride safer and more rewarding. This was KTM’s way of giving back to the community and shaping responsible riders for tomorrow.”

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