Hero MotoSports Team Rally, the motorsport team of the world’s largest manufacturer of motorcycles and scooters, Hero MotoCorp, has taken the lead position at the ongoing Rallye du Maroc 2024 with an impressive performance in Stage 1. Hero team pilot Ross Branch emerged as the fastest rider of the stage.

Riders Ross Branch, Sebastian Buhler and Nacho Cornejo, who were competing in the premier Rally GP Class, finished the first stage in 1st, 6th and 8th place, respectively. In the overall Rally GP Class standings, they are currently ranked 1st, 6th and 9th. Branch had the advantage of starting 11th for Stage 1 after placing second in the Prologue, which he capitalised by finishing first by a 48-second cushion over his closest rival. Cornejo started the stage today and made a determined effort to go cautiously across the incredibly challenging terrain, reaching the finish line without suffering any significant errors.

The first complete Stage of the 2024 edition included 180 km of timed sections and an additional 200 km of liaisons. The event organisers had to make last-minute changes to the race strategy yesterday when floods caused delays in the cars' arrival at the bivouac in Zagora. Participants in Stage 1 were dispatched on the Stage 2 course, although with a shorter mileage and later start times. However, this circuit around Zagora turned out to be one of the most difficult stages that Maroc has experienced recently. On rocky, uneven paths badly harmed by the rains, the day began with dangerous pathways that lay ahead, with much of the original routes swept away. In the last stretch, where visible, rolling trails guided the way to the finish line, the riders finally found some solace after risking their journey across narrow dunes.

In Stage 2, the participants will return to the original course planned for Stage 1. This second loop around Zagora will be one of the longest specialities in this year, spanning 314 km in the Sahara and an additional 158 kilometres in road sections.

Rallye du Maroc is the fifth and final round of the FIM World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC) 2024. Since the second race of this season, Branch has held the top place in the standings chart, and this impressive perfoemance in the Maroc Rally has increased his chances of winning the World Championship title.

Branch said, "I’m happy to have finished Stage 1 with a good result. It was a really tough one – definitely one of the most challenging stages I’ve ever ridden at Rallye Du Maroc! The tracks were really beaten up and washed away from yesterday’s rains, but I managed to pull through. Nacho did an amazing job opening the track; I can only imagine how much more difficult it would have been for him. Opening the Stage tomorrow will be a mammoth task, but we’re pushing forward with confidence."

Buhler said, "It was a very difficult Stage – perhaps one of the hardest I’ve ever ridden here at Maroc. The terrain was full of rocks and rivers, making it challenging to manoeuvre. I tried to maintain a good pace, but it wasn’t easy – every time I went full on the gas, I seemed to be hitting something. I’m glad to have finished well, and I hope tomorrow will be a bit smoother."

Cornejo said, "Stage 1 is complete, and it was very rough, thanks to the rains from yesterday. I did my best opening the Stage, and lost a few minutes here and there. But overall, I’m happy with my focus and navigation. Tomorrow is a new day, so we’ll keep pushing and doing our best – one day at a time."

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Hero MotoCorp, the world’s largest two-wheeler manufacturer, has launched a new variant of its Glamour X 125cc motorcycle equipped with single-channel anti-lock braking paired with an integrated braking system.

The motorcycle represents the initial application of single-channel ABS alongside an integrated braking layout in the 125cc commuter segment, aiming to reduce stopping distances and maintain vehicle stability during deceleration.

The braking configuration operates in conjunction with existing safety equipment on the motorcycle, which includes panic brake alert signals that activate flashing LED indicators during sudden deceleration, as well as hazard lamps.

The Glamour X 125 is powered by a Sprint-EBT engine generating 11.4 horsepower (8.5 kW) at 8,250 rpm. It comes with three selectable riding modes – Eco, Road and Power –and features cruise control functionality.

Ashutosh Varma, CBO of the India Business Unit, Hero MotoCorp, said, "The 125cc segment is witnessing a rapid evolution, with customers increasingly demanding a blend of contemporary styling, advanced technology and uncompromised safety. The Glamour X has already disrupted this space with category-first features including Ride Modes and Cruise Control. By introducing first-in-segment integrated ABS, we are not just upgrading a motorcycle; we are reshaping the safety standards for the entire category. This launch strengthens our portfolio and offers intelligent, future-ready mobility solutions that empower the new-age Indian rider."

The motorcycle utilises a 10.7 cm multi-colour instrument console with ambient backlighting that displays gear shift guidance, distance-to-empty metrics and real-time fuel consumption data. The display system supports Bluetooth connectivity to supply turn-by-turn navigation with estimated time of arrival notifications, alongside call and message alerts. Physical features include full LED lighting, a C-type USB charging port, under-seat storage compartments and a flat seat layout.

The Glamour X with integrated ABS is available at dealerships across India priced at INR 101,000 (ex-showroom Delhi). It can be had in Gun Metal Grey, Matt Axis Grey, Black Pearl Red, and Black Teal Blue colour options.

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India Yamaha Motor, one of the leading two-wheeler manufacturers in the country, has opened its 600th Blue Square showroom in the country, expanding its dedicated retail network across sales, service and spare parts operations.

The Blue Square retail format, introduced in 2019 following the company's brand campaign launch in 2018, serves as a sales channel for Yamaha's premium motorcycles and scooters.

The outlets feature specialised sections for vehicle displays, riding accessories, branded merchandise and customer service facilities. The network displays models including the R-Series supersport range, the MT-15, the AEROX 155, the FZ series and the hybrid variants of the Fascino 125 and RayZR. The showrooms also host activities for the Blue Streaks owner community.

Hajime Aota, Chairman, Yamaha Motor India Group of Companies, said, "Reaching 600 Blue Square showrooms is a significant milestone in Yamaha’s journey to build a stronger and more connected community across India. As the cornerstone of our premium retail strategy, Blue Square enables us to deliver a distinctive brand and ownership experience for our customers. Beyond retail, these showrooms have helped build a vibrant and growing Blue Streaks community, bringing Yamaha riders together through shared experiences and a passion for riding. I sincerely thank our dealer partners for their continued trust and commitment and warmly welcome our new partners joining us on this growth journey. Together, we will continue to strengthen Yamaha’s presence and bring customers closer to the Yamaha experience."

The retail expansion covers locations across all four regions of India, supporting Yamaha's distribution strategy for its higher-capacity motorcycles and hybrid scooter lineup.

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Jawa Yezdi Motorcycles has concluded its All Stars trilogy with the unveiling of a comprehensively reworked Jawa 42, a machine that represents the most profound evolution of the model since it pioneered the modern classic category in India. The launch serves as the final chapter in a three-part strategy that began with the contemporary 42 FJ and continued through the individualistic 42 Bobber, now bringing the brand's vision to its logical culmination.

A transformed stance defines the new motorcycle, with engineering teams widening the rear section and equipping a larger 150/70-17 tyre to create a more commanding road presence. The sculpted seat, positioned at 790 mm, receives enhanced cushioning while maintaining the flat profile that has become synonymous with the brand, complemented by redesigned side panels and a compact upswept exhaust that improves both aesthetics and water-wading capability.

Handling dynamics receive substantial attention through adjustments to frame stiffness, swingarm rigidity and overall mass distribution, resulting in improved agility for city navigation without sacrificing stability at higher speeds. The mechanical foundation remains a 294.72 cc liquid-cooled DOHC engine paired with a six-speed gearbox, while dual-channel ABS works in conjunction with 280 mm front and 240 mm rear disc brakes to deliver confident stopping performance.

The All Stars philosophy draws from a rider community characterised by self-assurance and a distinctive blend of individualism with collective identity, a dynamic observed in defence forces and sporting teams where personal excellence coexists with shared purpose. This ethos manifests across the range, with the Bobber celebrating non-conformity, the FJ embracing contemporary sportiness, and the new 42 serving as the flagship that unites these expressions under a single insignia of belonging.

Preservation of iconic design elements ensures the motorcycle remains recognisably Jawa, with the signature 13.2-litre fuel tank, round headlamp and bench-style seat carried forward even as the model receives over 60 distinct enhancements. These refinements build upon the 2018 original that disrupted the market with its off-centre instrumentation and unconventional colour schemes, marking a significant advancement for the brand's modern-era journey.

Deliveries are scheduled to commence on 14 September 2026, with pricing starting at INR 179,942 for the Black and Ivory variant and reaching INR 189,942 for the All Stars Black option across six colourways. The Ownership Assurance Program provides a standard four-year or 50,000-kilometre warranty, extendable to six years, alongside eight years of roadside assistance and five years of AMC coverage, all accessible through more than 450 sales and service touchpoints nationwide.

Anupam Thareja, Co-Founder, Classic Legends, said, “The most interesting communities are built by people who share a way of conducting themselves even when there is no audience. That is what we have come to understand about the Jawa rider. The codes of character, conduct and courage we see in places as different as defence and sports. We live by it by launching new formats for rider needs, motorcycles with a distinct design and recognising those who live by these codes every day. The Jawa 42 helped launch India’s modern classic category. The All Stars 42 carries that same instinct forward, not by abandoning what made the Jawa 42 but by asking what it should mean to the rider of today.”

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Suzuki Motorcycle India (SMIPL), a leading two-wheeler manufacturer in the country, has introduced new colour options across its GIXXER motorcycle line-up, covering the GIXXER, GIXXER SF, GIXXER 250, GIXXER SF 250 and GIXXER SF 250 FFV models. The updates bring revised aesthetic options to the manufacturer's sub-300cc product portfolio, available across dealerships nationwide.

The GIXXER and GIXXER SF models feature a new Metallic Oort Gray and Pearl Blaze Orange dual-tone combination. The GIXXER 250, GIXXER SF 250, and GIXXER SF 250 FFV receive a Glass Sparkle Black and Metallic Oort Gray option. Additionally, a standalone Glass Sparkle Black finish has been added for the flex-fuel GIXXER SF 250 FFV model.

The new GIXXER colour scheme range can be had for prices starting INR 137,221 (ex-showroom Delhi) and INR 140,729 for the GIXXER SF. The quarter-litre models are priced from INR 184,517 for the GIXXER 250, INR 192,768 for the GIXXER SF 250 and INR 198,476 for the GIXXER SF 250 FFV.

Furthermore, customers will also benefit from the promotional purchase incentives of up to INR 1,500 for 155cc variants and up to INR 3,000 for the 250cc variants, alongside retail financing options starting from an interest rate of 5.99 percent.

The motorcycle range remains mechanically unchanged. The 155cc GIXXER and GIXXER SF are powered by an OBD-2B compliant single-cylinder engine producing 13.6 PS and 13.8 Nm, equipped with single-channel ABS and connectivity features. The 250cc series utilises a oil-cooled single-cylinder engine developing 26.5 PS and 22.2 Nm, paired with a six-speed transmission and dual-channel ABS. The flex-fuel GIXXER SF 250 FFV variant operates on ethanol blends up to 85 percent, generating 27.9 PS and 22.5 Nm.

Deepak Mutreja, Vice-President – Sales & Marketing, Suzuki Motorcycle India, said, “The GIXXER series has established a distinct identity through its sporty styling and engaging riding character. With the introduction of new colour combinations, we are adding a fresh visual expression to the range while retaining the design and performance attributes associated with GIXXER. We believe these updates will offer our customers more choices to complement their individual style.”

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