Ashish Raorane Aces World’s Highest Hill Climb Challenge On KTM Adventure 390
- By MT Bureau
- March 09, 2021
Pro Moto XC- Ashish Raorane has set the fastest known time record from Batal to Kunzum La, Himachal Pradesh, on the KTM Adventure 390.
Ashish on the KTM 390 Adventure went head-to-head with 11-time Raid de Himalaya winner, Suresh Rana, and his rally-spec championship car on a high-speed face off for the title of Kunzum Kaiser.
The World’s Highest Hill Climb Challenge is a 12.5 km treacherous mountain pass stretch from Batal (4000 m) to Kunzum La (4551 m) with 20 hairpin bends. The average temperature is -5 degree Celsius.
Suresh hit the road first to set the time on his rally-spec championship car. The car started at a blistering pace, but unfortunately, due to engine block damage on turn 18, he had to bow out. The time set at turn 18 was a very competitive 11 minutes 49 seconds.
Ashish was next to take on the challenge on the entry-level sports tourer. He pushed the machine to its limits and continued to lead the time on every turn. He reached the Kunzum La finish line at an impressive time of 13 minutes and 4 seconds, thereby setting the fastest known time record.
A marine engineer by profession, Ashish has been racing international rallies as a privateer or the past 3 years. Last year, he competed in the Baja World Championship, finishing 12th in the world rankings. He also became the first Indian to complete the Africa Eco Race. Ashish also participated in the 2021 Dakar Rally with his KTM 450 Rally Replica machine.
Ashish said, “Considering the altitude at which this challenge is taking place, cold sub-zero temperatures, windy conditions, treacherous nature of the road due to loose rocks and hairpin bends, this was definitely a very dangerous challenge. But I was confident that the KTM 390 Adventure and I will conquer this challenge. I first rode the KTM 390 Adventure during the launch in Pune, and I really loved the way the bike handles and ergonomics that the bike has.”
Speaking on the occasion, Narayan Sundararaman, Head of Marketing at Bajaj Auto Ltd. said “The KTM 390 Adventure has seen a phenomenal response since its launch and holds promise of offering a truly capable and versatile adventure tourer to the biking enthusiasts. The World’s Highest Hill Climb Challenge has given us an opportunity to demonstrate the off-road credentials of KTM 390 Adventure. The recent years have witnessed an increasing trend in adventure touring and the interest in outdoor exploration is on the rise. The 390 Adventure has been conceptualized to address this trend and has been designed for adventure travel.” (MT)
Hero MotoCorp Reports 44% Wholesales Growth In February 2026
- By MT Bureau
- March 01, 2026
Hero MotoCorp, the world’s largest two-wheeler manufacturer, has recorded its highest YoY dispatch performance for February, with 558,216 units sold. This represents a 44 percent increase compared to the 388,068 units dispatched during the same month in 2025.
The company also reported an 18 percent increase in VAHAN registrations, totalling 458,346 units for the month.
Hero MotoCorp attributed the growth to the 100cc–125cc motorcycle segment and the scooter category, specifically the Xoom and Destini models.
VIDA, the electric mobility arm of Hero MotoCorp, recorded a threefold increase in market share compared to February 2025. Registrations for VIDA reached 12,514 units, reflecting a shift in consumer adoption of electric vehicles in the company's markets.
The international business division saw dispatches rise from 30,772 units to 41,248 units. This double-digit growth in global markets was attributed to demand for the company’s portfolio of premium motorcycles.
TVS Motor Company Sells 529,308 Units In February 2026
- By MT Bureau
- March 01, 2026
TVS Motor Company (TVSM), one of the leading two-wheeler and three-wheeler manufacturers, has recorded monthly sales of 529,308 units for February 2026, up 31 percent YoY, as compared to the 403,976 units sold last year.
The company’s international business achieved its highest sales to date, with total exports reaching 158,000 units during the month.
Total two-wheeler sales rose by 30 percent, increasing from 391,889 units in the previous year to 507,862 units. Within this segment, domestic sales grew by 32 percent, reaching 365,471 units.
In February 2026, the company sold 241,282 motorcycles, up 25 percent YoY, 219,895 scooters, up 34 percent YoY, while three-wheeler sales grew by 77 percent YoY to 21,446 units.
The electric vehicle (EV) segment recorded a 60 percent growth rate, with sales rising from 24,017 units in February 2025 to 38,386 units in February 2026.
Total exports for the company registered a 27 percent increase, moving from 124,993 units to 158,268 units. Two-wheeler exports specifically saw a 23 percent rise, reaching 142,391 units.
Hero MotoCorp Partners Haryana Police For Women’s Road Safety Rally
- By MT Bureau
- March 01, 2026
Hero MotoCorp, in collaboration with the Haryana Police and the Raahgiri Foundation, organised a women’s night rally titled #SheRidesForSafety. The event featured 150 women riders who completed a 9-kilometre route through the streets of Gurugram during late evening hours to promote road safety and inclusivity.
The rally was flagged off by Dr Arpit Jain, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Dr Rajesh Mohan, Deputy Commissioner of Traffic Police and Sanjay Bhan, Vice-President at Hero MotoCorp. During the event, fourteen women traffic police officers were honoured for their contributions to safe mobility.
The rally is a component of ‘Ride Safe India’, a three-month campaign launched in January 2026. The programme is based on the 4Es of road safety – Education, Engineering, Enforcement, and Emergency Care – as defined by the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH).
The campaign includes training sessions, awareness drives and school activations designed to establish safe riding as a social responsibility. By focusing on women at the centre of the narrative, the initiative aims to address safety and behavioural change across urban communities.
Latika Taneja, Head of Corporate Communications, Corporate Affairs & CSR, Hero MotoCorp, said, “As the world’s largest two-wheeler manufacturer, with millions riding Hero MotoCorp’s vehicles every day, road safety is not simply a priority, it is a responsibility that defines us. Through our Ride Safe India campaign, we are working to shape a culture of safety by driving sustained behaviour change across communities. Today’s women’s rally reaffirms our belief that safe mobility is fundamental to true empowerment because when women move freely and safely, societies move forward with them.”
Dr Arpit Jain, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Headquarters, Gurugram Police, stated, “Initiatives like the Ride Safe India go far beyond road safety awareness, they send a decisive message that our roads belong to every citizen, at every hour. We are proud to stand alongside Hero MotoCorp in creating a safer, more inclusive public space. As a department, we remain committed to partnering with organizations that translate intent into visible, on-ground impact.”
Suzuki Motorcycle Expands India Presence With First Sikkim Dealership
- By MT Bureau
- February 28, 2026
Japanese two-wheeler maker Suzuki Motorcycle India (SMIPL) has inaugurated Himalayan Suzuki in Gangtok, marking the company’s first retail entry into the state of Sikkim. With this opening, the subsidiary of Suzuki Motor Corporation now maintains a presence across every state in India.
The facility, located at Lower Sichey, operates as a ‘3S’ outlet, providing sales, service and spare parts. The expansion into the North-East is intended to address demand for vehicles capable of operating in terrain characterised by inclines and varied road conditions.
Himalayan Suzuki retails the company’s full domestic portfolio. The service wing is equipped with tools for maintenance and is staffed by professionals trained to manage the manufacturer's technical requirements.
The company’s product portfolio includes Access, Avenis, Burgman Street, and the electric e-ACCESS scooters. The GIXXER, GIXXER SF, GIXXER 250, GIXXER SF 250 and the V-STROM SX in the motorcycle segment.
Deepak Mutreja, Vice-President, Sales & Marketing, Suzuki Motorcycle India, said, “Sikkim is an important market for us in the North-East. The state’s unique terrain calls for two-wheelers that offer consistent performance and reliability across inclines and varied road conditions. Suzuki’s portfolio has been well accepted in such environments. With the inauguration of Himalayan Suzuki in Gangtok, customers will now have easier access to our complete range of scooters & motorcycles and after-sales support. We sincerely thank our dealer partner, Himalayan Suzuki, for their collaboration in making this possible. With this addition, SMIPL is now present across all states of India.”
Comments (0)
ADD COMMENT