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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Bajaj Auto-owned Austrian motorcycle brand KTM has updated the 160 Duke featuring a 5-inch colour TFT display at INR 178,536, while the base variant comes at INR 170,545. The screen uses bonded glass and includes navigation and Bluetooth connectivity.

The 5-inch display is derived from the Gen-3 KTM 390 Duke. It is operated via a switch cube on the handlebar using 4-way menu switches. Riders can connect smartphones through the KTM Connect and KTM My-Ride apps to access vehicle data and travel information.

Features of the connectivity system include: Turn-by-turn directions displayed on the screen. Identification of incoming calls with the option to accept or decline via the mode switch. Outgoing calls and address book access are disabled during transit. Control of smartphone music players, including track selection and volume adjustment, when paired with a helmet headset.

The 160 Duke includes a Supermoto ABS mode, which can be toggled through the display menus. This setting disengages the ABS on the rear wheel for specific riding requirements.

The interface also allows for customisation of shift RPM and limit RPM. The display background transitions between dark and orange themes based on these settings. Users can also configure shortcuts for specific functions and infographics on the screen.

Manik Nangia, President, Probiking, said, “With the new TFT display, the KTM 160 Duke becomes even more intuitive and engaging to ride. This upgrade reinforces KTM’s focus on combining sharp performance with advanced rider technology in an accessible package.”

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Pune-headquartered two-wheeler and three-wheeler major Bajaj Auto has launched the 2026 Pulsar 220F with new LED blinkers and graphics at INR 128,000.

The 2026 model retains the frame of the previous version while introducing updates to the lighting and aesthetic components.

The Pulsar 220F continues to use the same DTS-i engine platform. It features 220cc Twin Spark DTS-I, single-cylinder oil-cooled engine, which produces 20.9 PS at 8,500 rpm. It gets front and rear disc brakes with single-channel ABS.

The motorcycle now features updated graphics and LED turn indicators. It is available in four colour options: Black Cherry Red, Black Ink Blue, Black Copper Beige and Green Light Copper.

The 2026 Pulsar 220F includes a digital console equipped with Bluetooth connectivity. This system integrates with the Ride Connect app to provide turn-by-turn navigation and phone notifications to the rider.

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Gaurav Gupta, the President of TVS Motor's two-wheeler business in India, has been chosen as the Vice President of the International Motorcycle Manufacturers Association (IMMA). He will represent the Indian automobile industry's association, SIAM, in this global role. IMMA is based in Geneva and acts as the worldwide voice for companies that make motorcycles, scooters and three-wheelers. Its members include industry associations from major markets like India, Europe, Japan, United States and several countries in Southeast Asia.

The core goal of IMMA is to support motorcycling that is safe, environmentally sustainable and economically practical. To achieve this, the organisation works directly with international regulators. For almost 70 years, IMMA has been actively involved with the United Nations committees that create global vehicle safety and design rules. It also partners with other important groups like the International Transport Forum and the OECD to improve traffic safety data and analysis.

A key part of IMMA's mission is protecting riders. In 2013, it joined the United Nations Road Safety Collaboration to work more closely with the World Health Organization. This partnership specifically aims to reduce accidents and enhance safety for the billions of people worldwide who use powered two- and three-wheelers for transportation.

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Hero MotoCorp and Harley-Davidson have jointly introduced the all-new Harley-Davidson H-D X440 T as the latest addition to their co-developed premium motorcycle lineup. The launch marks a significant expansion of the partnership, introducing a new model that delivers performance, agility, and design, while offering the latest modern riding aids.

The H-D X440 T starts at INR  279,500 (ex-showroom). It debuts with several new features, such as the introduction of Ride by Wire with Switchable Traction Control and Switchable ABS (rear only). New Ride Modes (Road and Rain). A redesigned rear sub-frame with a tail section and grab handles for better pillion ergonomics. Panic Braking Alert, where all indicators signal emergency braking by blinking four times faster than the standard rate when deceleration is higher than 2.4 m/s2.

Bookings for the H-D X440 T open on 7th December 2025 across the Harley-Davidson and Hero Premia dealer network in India.

Alongside the X440 T, the partners also unveiled the top-of-the-line Custom Vehicle Operations (CVO) motorcycles in India, introducing the CVO Street Glide and the CVO Road Glide.

The partners stated that the launch of the original Harley-Davidson X440 in July 2023 was a success for the brand, broadening access to the Harley-Davidson community in India.

Building on the momentum of the Harley-Davidson X440, Harley-Davidson India announced actor Ahaan Panday as its new Brand Ambassador. Panday will lead upcoming campaigns, product showcases and rider community initiatives.

Kolja Rebstock, Senior Vice-President - International Markets, Harley-Davidson Motor Company, said, “The success of the H-D X440 established a strong foundation for our brand’s evolution in India, and the H-D X440 T represents the next strategic step in bringing advanced technology and a dynamic, sport-oriented appeal to a new generation of riders. At the same time, the introduction of our CVO™ flagship models underscores our commitment to delivering the full Harley-Davidson experience across the entire premium motorcycling spectrum from accessible entry points to the pinnacle of Grand American Touring.”

Ravi Avalur, Head, Harley-Davidson Business Unit, Hero MotoCorp, said, “The expansion of the X440 platform with the new model marks a significant milestone in deepening our partnership with Harley-Davidson and reinforces Hero MotoCorp’s strategic focus on the premium motorcycle segment. With advanced rider technologies and contemporary styling, the H-D X440 T strengthens our position in a category central to our long-term growth agenda. Our collaboration continues to deliver aspirational, high-quality products that align with the evolving preferences of modern Indian riders. The introduction of Ahaan Panday as our brand ambassador further complements this strategy, enhancing our appeal to a new generation and reflecting Hero MotoCorp’s vision to lead India’s premium motorcycling landscape.”

The pricing for the expanded H-D X440 line-up and the CVO models is as follows:

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  - Ankit Kuamar December 07, 2025 12:18 PM

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