TVS Motor appointed Dr Robert Hentschel as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Vittorio Urciuoli as Chief Technical Officer (CTO)of Norton Motorcycle. The new Norton leadership aims to deliver the historic marque’s revitalisation under TVS ownership.

Hentschel and Urciuoli will take up their new positions as John Russell steps down from his role as interim CEO. Russel played a key role in stabilising the company after the acquisition by TVS in April 2020.

Dr Robert Hentschel joins Norton after serving Valmet Automotive as Managing Director since 2017.

Sudarshan Venu, Joint Managing Director, TVS Motors, said, “TVS has created a plan for Norton to transform into the future. The brand will retain its core values which will be interpreted in a modern way for the customers of today and tomorrow. As part of this, we are excited to welcome on board a new management team led by Robert to lead this next phase of the journey. His passion for customers, brands and the future of mobility will be of immense value to Norton. Vittorio has a tremendous commitment and a track record of creating world-class products, which is key to the future of the brand. Both are strong engineers with a pedigree on the world stage. Along with the entire TVS team, I look forward to working together with them for the revitalisation of one of the world’s most storied brands.”

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank John Russell for his accomplished leadership, experienced judgement and clear vision that he has displayed during his time as interim CEO of Norton. Under John’s tenure, with investment and support from TVS, Norton has returned to a firm footing and made marked improvements to engineering and product quality, which will be seen in the updated V4SS that will be launched soon. In addition, we have established a new, state-of-the-art global design, engineering, manufacturing and sales and marketing HQ in Solihull. Thanks to John and many other colleagues’ exceptional endeavour, Norton is poised to move to the next stage of its rebirth and deliver significant growth,” Venu added. (MT)

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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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Chennai-headquartered two-wheeler and three-wheeler major TVS Motor Company (TVSM) has launched the most advanced TVS Raider variant with several segment-first features at prices starting INR 95,600 (ex-showroom Delhi) for TFT DD and INR 93,800 (ex-showroom Delhi) for SXC DD models.

The new TVS Raider includes ‘boost mode,’ a category-first feature with iGO Assist technology, delivering torque of 11.75Nm @ 6000rpm. The motorcycle includes segment-first Dual Disc Brakes and ABS (Anti-lock Braking System). It also features GTT (Glide Through Technology) for low-speed manoeuvrability and fuel efficiency.

The motorcycle now has a new 90/90-17 Front and 110/80-17 Rear tyre configuration, which improves grip and handling. The bike has a metallic silver finish with red alloys.

Aniruddha Haldar, Senior Vice President — Head Commuter & EV Business and Head Corporate Brand & Media, TVS Motor Company, said, "The TVS Raider redefines what young riders can seek from their motorcycle. In 4-years it won the love of a million plus Gen Z riders. Today, the new TVS Raider is equipped with the exhilarating 'Boost mode' powered by iGO Assist tech, and another segment first - Dual Disc with ABS. With yet another segment-first Glide Through Technology (GTT) now can navigate through even slow traffic with ease. The stylish loaded new TVS Raider raises the 'wicked' bar yet again, bringing together thrilling performance, top-notch safety, and unmatched ease. We remain committed to creating motorcycles that our customers are delighted to ride and proud to own."

The TVS Raider continues to be powered by a 3-valve 125cc engine that produces 11.75 Nm of torque at 6,000rpm. Smart technology like iGO Assist with Boost Mode offers an instant power surge and GTT ensures smooth handling.

A segment-first safety feature, the Follow Me Headlamp, keeps the headlamp lit for a time after the ignition and engine are switched off, helping to light the way for the rider in dark areas. Riders can choose between two connected display options: a TFT with over 99 features or a reverse LCD with more than 85 features.

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