Indian Navy and Jawa Yezdi Motorcycles concluded their ‘Ride of the Marakkars’ motorcycle rally on 11 December and became the first-ever group of riders to cross Atal Setu, India’s longest sea bridge.

Senior Indian Navy officials led the convoy of 22 people, which was also accompanied by riders from the Western Naval Command and Army and Air Force members. The Make in India concept was embodied by all 22 bikes, which were proudly made in India and demonstrated the unity of domestic ingenuity and the unwavering spirit of the military.

The rally started at Mumbai's INS Kunjali and travelled over picturesque coastal roads, making stops in Pune, Satara, Dapoli, Ratnagiri and Goa. In order to celebrate India's nautical history and the tradition of the renowned Kunjali Marakkars, riders stopped at several locations of maritime importance along the route, such as Ratnadurg Fort, Fort Aguada and Sinhagad Fort.

Anand Mahindra, Chairman of Mahindra Group and Co-Founder of Classic Legends, said, “The sight of a phalanx of Jawa, Yezdi and BSA motorcycles roaring across Atal Setu fills me with pride. It is fitting that these Made-in-India machines partnered with the Indian Navy to celebrate the ‘Ride of the Marakkars’ and honour India’s maritime history.”

Lieutenant Commander Vishal Nair said, “It’s fitting that this rally ended with a historic first on Atal Setu. As we crossed the bridge, it felt like a tribute to the countless bridges – both literal and symbolic – that the Navy builds with the people of this nation.”

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Yulu, an electric vehicle company, has conducted rider awareness initiatives in Bengaluru and Delhi to mark National Road Safety Month. The activities, aligned with the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) theme ‘Sadak Suraksha, Jeevan Raksha’, aimed to promote traffic discipline among electric vehicle (EV) users and delivery partners.

In Bengaluru, the company held a 5-kilometre rally focused on road safety and anti-drug awareness. The event was flagged off by Inspector R. Veeresh of the Vivek Nagar Police Station and included the participation of 30 police officials. The route covered junctions in Koramangala and surrounding areas to engage with residents and road users regarding responsible riding.

In Delhi, Yulu joined a two-wheeler rally organised by MoRTH and the Delhi Traffic Police at Connaught Place. Flagged off by Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic) DK Gupta, the event involved 200 riders. These participants interacted with commuters to highlight safety protocols.

The company utilises various platforms to communicate safety information, including in-app notifications, WhatsApp alerts, training videos and workshops held with local authorities. In Bengaluru, Yulu has also stationed safety marshals at junctions to assist riders and ensure compliance with traffic regulations at the request of the city's traffic police.

RK Misra, Co-Founder and President - Ecosystem Partnerships, Yulu, said, “Enabling people to navigate cities safely and securely is a vital part of Yulu’s mission. Therefore, we work closely with all relevant stakeholders — from delivery brands to gig workers and transport officials — to sensitise communities to the importance of responsible and safe riding.”

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Vega Auto has launched a nationwide public safety initiative, ‘Pehnoge to Bachoge’, to address the practice of two-wheeler users carrying helmets rather than wearing them. The campaign aims to shift consumer behaviour from owning helmets to avoid traffic fines to using them for protection on every journey.

India records over 400,000 road fatalities annually, with data showing that more than 55,000 two-wheeler riders die because helmets were not worn at the time of an accident. The campaign features a 60-second film set in Mumbai traffic, depicting everyday scenarios where riders treat helmets as accessories. The narrative ends with a crash to highlight that carrying a helmet provides no safety benefit.

The initiative uses the hashtag #WearItDontCarryIt and focuses on the gap between helmet sales and actual usage.

Vega Auto is calling on influencers, policymakers and citizens to promote helmet wearing as a non-negotiable habit. The campaign identifies a trend where helmets are frequently carried on arms, handlebars, or used as footrests while the rider's head remains unprotected.

Dilip Chandak, Chairman, Vega Auto, said, “Every year we sell lakhs of world-class helmets, yet we see the same heartbreaking sight on our roads where helmets dangle from handlebars, arms, or are used as footrests while heads remain unprotected. At Vega Auto, we celebrate when someone chooses Vega, but our job isn’t done until that helmet is worn on every journey. The statistics are heartbreaking because the solution already exists in millions of homes. Pehnoge toh Bachoge is our commitment to shift the nation from helmet ownership to helmet usage, from evading fines to embracing life. Let’s turn every helmet into the protection it was designed to be.”

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Classic Legends, one of the leading mid-sized motorcycle manufacturers, has been granted a patent for an adjustable visor and speedometer system. The patent, initially featured on the 2025 Yezdi Adventure, is valid for 20 years from 21 March 2023. This mechanical innovation allows riders to modify the height and position of the interface to suit their stature and comfort during road or off-road use.

The company has developed a portfolio of intellectual property, including a previous patent for an Airfilter Multifrequency Resonator used in its 650cc models, such as the BSA Gold Star. Unlike standard resonators that target a single frequency, this technology dampens air-filter noise across the engine's entire revolution range. Classic Legends also introduced the Alpha 2 liquid-cooled 334cc engine, which focuses on thermal efficiency and performance within the mid-capacity segment.

The OEM’s approach focuses on ergonomics and mechanical function. On the 2025 Yezdi Adventure, a centrally routed exhaust is used to manage heat and improve comfort, while twin headlamps are employed for illumination width. For the 2025 Yezdi Roadster, design decisions regarding chassis geometry and mounting strategies allow for adjustable seating and specific riding triangles.

Susheel Sinha, Head – R&D, Classic Legends, said, “This patent may solve a specific rider-interface problem, but it represents how we think about motorcycles. At Classic Legends, performance engineering is not about feature accumulation. It has to bring mechanical clarity and durability to how a motorcycle feels over years of use. It is the same with design decisions that start with the rider and the road. The recognition is fresh encouragement for us to keep building rider-centric motorcycles with a strong engineering foundation.”

Classic Legends continues to invest in in-house R&D and engineering talent, resulting in two granted patents and two pending filings. The company manufactures the 650cc engine for the BSA Gold Star, which is among the largest single-cylinder engines in production in India. Its product range has previously introduced technologies to the mid-sized category including six-speed gearboxes, traction control, and assist and slipper clutches.

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Suzuki Motorcycle India (SMIPL) has introduced new colours and refreshed graphics for its Gixxer SF 250 and Gixxer 250 motorcycle range. 

The Gixxer SF 250 is now available in Glass Sparkle Black and Pearl Glacier White/Metallic Mat Platinum Silver No.2, alongside the existing Metallic Triton Blue/Pearl Glacier White. On the other hand, the Gixxer 250 offers three choices: Pearl Glacier White/Metallic Mat Platinum Silver No.2, Metallic Triton Blue/Glass Sparkle Black, and Glass Sparkle Black.

Both motorcycles are powered by a 250cc single-cylinder engine with a Single Overhead Camshaft design, producing 26.5 Ps at 9,300rpm and 22.2 Nm at 7,300rpm. The engine utilises Suzuki Eco Performance (SEP) technology and the Suzuki Oil Cooling System (SOCS) to balance acceleration with fuel consumption and maintenance. The bikes feature a chassis designed for stability, LED lighting and a digital instrument console with Bluetooth connectivity.

The Gixxer SF 250 is priced at INR 189,768 (ex-showroom Delhi), with ownership benefits including insurance savings and warranty benefits valued at up to INR 12,000. The Gixxer 250 is available for INR 181,517 (ex-showroom Delhi), offering similar benefits up to INR 10,000. Finance options are available with interest rates starting from 7.99 percent. Additionally, the GIXXER SF 250 is offered in a flex-fuel variant compliant with E-85 standards.

Deepak Mutreja, Vice-President – Sales & Marketing, Suzuki Motorcycle India, said, "With the latest colour palette and graphics, the GIXXER SF 250 and GIXXER 250 gain a striking visual appeal that enhances their sporty character. These motorcycles seamlessly combine performance and advanced engineering, catering to riders who seek a sporty yet comfortable riding experience".

Suzuki Motorcycle continues to promote the range through its Gixxer Pit Stop initiative across India, which includes test rides, maintenance sessions and exchange opportunities. The Gixxer SF 250 recently set a record by covering 3,259 kilometres in 24 hours. The company operates from its manufacturing plant in Gurugram, which has a production capacity of 1.3 million units per year.

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