Classic Legends’ Jawa Yezdi Motorcycles has launched the all-new 350 Jawa 42 FJ, the latest to add to the Jawa 42 Life series. 

Building on the success of the 42 and 42 Bobber, the 350 Jawa 42 FJ marks an exciting new chapter for the ‘42 Life’ theme of the company which highlights a commitment to superior design and an unparalleled riding experience.

With its name inspired by František Janeček, the visionary founder of Jawa, the all-new 350 Jawa 42 FJ is engineered to deliver a bold and modern riding experience to today's motorcycling enthusiasts.

Making big strides with the addition of the new motorcycle to the Jawa 42 Life Series, the Jawa brand of Classic Legends has made a big strids close on the heels of the launch of the BSA Gold Star 650, which claims to be India’s biggest single-cylinder machine. 

The all-new 350 Jawa 52 FJ marks a blend of design, power, presence and cutting-edge technology to set the new benchmark for the segment in 2024, mentioned a source aware of the development.

The anodised, brushed aluminium fuel tank cladding a segment first, the new motorcycle flaunts styling features such as an aluminium headlamp holder and grab handles, aluminium footpegs, an off-set fuel tank cap, wide and flat seat with premium stitching, an upswept exhaust, an all-LED lighting, a fully digital instrument cluster and USB charging port. 

The 350 Alpha2 engine does 29.2 PS of peak power and 29.6 Nm of peak torque. Mated to the engine is a six-speed gearbox with A&S clutch technology. 

The 1440 mm wheelbase is courtesy the double cradle frame and a well designed and engineered swing arm as well as the front fork. The ground clearance of the motorcycle is a good 178 mm.  

There’s dual-channel ABS and larger disc brakes to delivers the necessary stopping power. Wheels are diamond-cut alloys with tubeless tyres.

"The 2024 Jawa 42 embodies our design-led approach to motorcycle engineering," said Anupam Thareja, Co-founder, Jawa Yezdi Motorcycles, at the launch of the new motorcycle in Mumbai. "We've taken our time with this bike, pushing the boundaries of the 'price-performance' matrix and achieved a great blend of edgy performance, gorgeous form, and precision engineering. As pioneers of Neo-Classics in India, the 42 FJ is a testament to our challenger spirit and disruptive approach," he added. 

Joining the popular 42 and 42 Bobber, the all-new Jawa 42 FJ is priced upwards of INR 199,142 ex showroom. 

Royal Enfield, a leading motorcycle manufacturer, has introduced the 2025 Hunter 350 at prices starting INR 149,900 (ex-showroom Chennai).

The updated Hunter now comes with three new colour options, increased ground clearance, seat comfort, suspension and an intuitive ergonomic triangle for better ride handling.

Mechanically it remains unchanged, the Unter 350 continues to be powered by 349cc J-series engine. Interestingly, the Hunter 350 becomes the first Royal Enfield 350cc motorcycle to get slip-assist clutch. It also gets LED headlamps, tripper pod and type-C USB fast charging.

Yadvinder Singh Gulleria, Chief Commercial Officer, Royal Enfield, said: “The 2025 Hunter 350 has been a standout motorcycle in our portfolio - agile, youthful and incredibly loved by first-time riders and city commuters. We have elevated its performance and added thoughtful upgrades that make it even more exciting to own and ride, turning every neighbourhood into their playground. It continues to reflect the pulse of the streets - and that’s why we chose HunterHood to bring it to life.”

Suzuki Motorcycle India (SMIPL), the two-wheeler subsidiary of Suzuki Motor Corporation, Japan, has achieved a new feat for its flagship scooter, the Suzuki Access.

The company has entered the India Book of Records for completing the fastest scooter ride from India’s lowest region – Kuttanad in Kerala – to the highest altitude village – Komic in Himachal Pradesh.

The feat was achieved by a dedicated team of riders who started their journey from Kuttanad at 7:20 AM, and reached Komic at 3:05 PM after four days, covering 3,696 km in 103 hours and 45 minutes.

Deepak Mutreja, Vice-President – Sales & Marketing, Suzuki Motorcycle India, said, “Thanks to Indian consumers for making Suzuki Access as one of the most loved scooters in India. We aim to continue winning their hearts with its performance, technology and comfort. This journey highlights the scooter’s strength beyond daily commuting – especially its strong pick-up and consistent performance for long distance rides across different road conditions. We truly appreciate the efforts of the riders and everyone for their support in making this achievement possible.”

New Delhi-headquartered Steelbird Hi-Tech India, a leading helmet manufacturer, has announced sales growth of 8.75 percent for FY2025, with record sales of 8.7 million helmets.

This translated to the company achieving INR 7.87 billion in revenue, up 10.07 percent YoY. Going forward, Steelbird aims to sell 10 million helmets in FY2026 and 15 million helmets annually with INR 13 billion revenue by FY2027.

The company has already undertaken aggressive expansion play marked by upgradation at its Baddi-based manufacturing units, where new robotic visor systems, automated paint shops and expanded assembly lines will increase daily production to 50,000 helmets per day.

The helmet maker is also setting up a new greenfield facility in Hosur, Tamil Nadu, expected to serve OEMs and aftermarket demand across South India.

Rajeev Kapur, Managing Director, Steelbird Hi-Tech India, said, “Every helmet we make is a step toward saving a life. The WHO estimates over 300,000 fatalities due to road accidents in India annually – a figure that’s likely underreported. It’s not just about meeting sales goals; it’s about addressing a serious national concern. At Steelbird, we’ve made it our mission to bridge that gap by making high-quality, stylish, and affordable helmets accessible to every rider.”

At present, Steelbird operates over 200 exclusive Rider Shops across India and plans to scale up to 1,000 outlets in the coming years.

India has turned into a hotbed for electric vehicles and various forms of sustainable mobility, as seen at the Ride Asia and Ride Asia EV expos at Bharat Mandapam. From April 18 to April 20, several auto and manufacturing companies showcased their cutting-edge products and services across halls 4 and 5. A yet-to-be-launched hydrogen bicycle from Yo Byks and colourful scooters from Chinese two-wheeler manufacturer Yadea offered visitors unique sights and insights into sustainable mobility at the B2B event.

During an industry conference at Ride Asia, the growing importance of MSMEs (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises) was highlighted. Leaders from both public and private sectors encouraged EV-based entrepreneurs, with RMI India MD Ghate Akshima Ghate describing the penetration of electric scooters into villages in a tier 2 city like Jammu, her hometown. She said, “ When people see clean, affordable, and accessible products in the market, they will adopt them. These value-based products must be made in India but adopted for India and the global export market.”

Chinese companies Hanhai Magnet and Yadea also demonstrated their presence at Bharat Mandapam. While Hanhai showcased well-engineered NDFEBs (Neo Dymium Magnets) for DC motors in EVs, Yadea had a collection of beautiful and highly efficient EV scooters. Two-wheeler companies Yo Bykes, Geekay Bikes, and many more were visible, with Geekay showing the dominance of Ludhiana as a cycle manufacturing hub. 180W and 300W fuel cells are being used for the hydrogen bicycles at Yo Byks, with each hydrogen cylinder being capable of running from 40-60 km. Along with the cycle, every buyer will also get a hydrogen generator to change the cylinder. The company’s portfolio of EV products also includes an innovative electric wheelchair.

ARL, RALCO, and Poddar Tyres were some of the tyre companies present at the expo. Delhi-based Rajulex Automotive was present to offer LED and regular light-based assemblies, horn products, and grab handles to e-rickshaw owners. For a city with 120,000 registered e-rickshaws, Rajulex Automotive provides services to keep public transport in good condition.