Chennai-headquartered Royal Enfield, the world’s oldest motorcycle brand in continuous production, celebrated its 125th anniversary at the EICMA 2025 motorcycle show in Milan.

The company not only offered a peak into the brand's history, but also unveiled its plans for the future, including a new line of motorcycles and a focus on electric motorcycles.

Royal Enfield unveiled several models, including the new Bullet 650, which uses the globally acclaimed 650cc parallel twin engine. The brand also introduced the Classic 650 125th Anniversary Special Edition and the Himalayan Mana Black Edition, a version of the adventure motorcycle inspired by the Mana Pass route.

Solidifying its move into electric vehicles, the company also debuted the Flying Flea S6, a scrambler-styled electric motorcycle built for urban exploration and showcased the Electric Himalayan Testbed and the Flying Flea city+ concept.

A limited-edition collaboration, the Shotgun 650 x Rough Crafts Drop, was also unveiled, celebrating the custom motorcycle culture.

• The Bullet 650 marked the latest iteration of the enduring Bullet, which has been in continuous production since 1932, now uses the 650cc parallel twin engine. It retains its traditional design elements, including the bench seat, nascelle and hand-painted pinstripes.
• The company also unveiled the Classic 650 125th Anniversary Special Edition, which features an 'hypershift' paint application that shifts between red and gold, paying tribute to the brand's 125 years.
• The Himalayan Mana Black Edition in Stealth Black comes factory-fitted with adventure accessories, including Black Rally hand guards and a Rally seat.
• The second product from the Flying Flea electric mobility brand, the S6 scrambler, is designed for urban exploration with a lightweight structure and off-road capability.

Siddhartha Lal, Executive Chairman, Eicher Motors, said, “For 125 years, Royal Enfield has stood as an enduring symbol of authenticity, craftsmanship, and the pure joy of motorcycling. What began as a simple pursuit of building honest, beautiful motorcycles has evolved into a global culture that celebrates exploration, community, and self-expression. This incredible milestone is not just about looking back on our legacy, but looking ahead with clarity and conviction. At EICMA this year, we’re showcasing the full spectrum of what Royal Enfield stands for, from timeless design and intuitive engineering to bold, future-facing innovations that redefine what’s possible in motorcycling. The Electric Himalayan Testbed and Flying Flea city+ concept embody this evolution, blending our heritage with bold ideas for what lies ahead. As we look to the next 125 years, our mission remains the same, to build motorcycles with soul and make Pure Motorcycling accessible to riding enthusiasts around the world.”

B Govindarajan, Managing Director - Eicher Motors and Chief Executive Officer, Royal Enfield, said, “EICMA 2025 is as much a celebration of our 125-year heritage as it is a showcase of our evolution. The motorcycles unveiled here represent our commitment to timeless design, purposeful innovation, and the spirit of Pure Motorcycling. We are honoring our heritage by unveiling the Classic 650 125th Anniversary Special Edition, a seamless blend of legacy and modern innovation. Simultaneously, we strengthen our core segments with the purpose-built Himalayan Mana Black Edition and the Bullet 650, which breathes new life into an icon that has defined generations. Solidifying our electric future, we are expanding the Flying Flea portfolio with the FF.S6, preparing for a launch in 2026. Looking forward, we will keep propagating the Royal Enfield DNA, offering riders around the world a blend of authenticity, innovation, and Pure Motorcycling.”

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Bengaluru-based electric vehicle maker Ola Electric has expanded its Hyperservice initiative by launching dedicated centres that offer a same-day service guarantee for eligible customers at no extra cost. The company will upgrade its existing service infrastructure into Hyperservice Centres, beginning with a facility in Indiranagar, Bengaluru.

The expansion is intended to reduce service lead times and increase transparency through a digital workflow.

The Hyperservice Centres include several facilities for customers and technical upgrades for vehicle maintenance. The waiting area includes a lounge and Wi-Fi connectivity for customers. Real-time visibility of the servicing stages is provided via the Ola Electric app. Going forward, the company plans to upgrade selected centres across India in the coming weeks.

Ola Electric has also transitioned Hyperservice into an open platform. This move makes the company’s spare parts, diagnostic tools, and training modules available to independent garages, mechanics, and fleet operators.

Under this model, parts can be purchased directly through the Ola Electric app or website. This is intended to allow garages and customers to access components without the use of intermediaries.

“As part of the ongoing service upgrade we are reimagining many of the fundamental aspects of the service experience. We see it as a core part of Ola ownership, and it needs the same level of innovation as the product itself. With Hyperservice Centres, we are setting a new benchmark – same-day service guarantee. At no extra cost for any customer. This is about using technology, process redesign and scale to remove friction and give every Ola customer a faster, simpler and more transparent service experience,” said the company in a statement.

The company has rolled out an in-app service appointment feature nationwide. The tool allows users to select service slots, track the status of their vehicle, and manage maintenance requirements within the unified platform to replace traditional booking methods.

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India Yamaha Motor, one of the leading two-wheeler manufacturers in the country, has announced the appointment of Hajime Aota as the Chairman of Yamaha Motor India Group, effective from 1 January 2026. He is set to succeed Itaru Otani, who held the position since November 2024.

The appointment comes as Yamaha continues its focus on the premium segment and digital integration within the Indian two-wheeler market.

Aota joins the Indian operations with experience in corporate strategy, planning and venture business development. He has held leadership roles in Japan, the United States and the United Kingdom.

Prior to this role, Aota served as Executive Officer at Yamaha Motor Co, and Chief General Manager of the Corporate Strategy Centre at the global headquarters in Japan. In these positions, he managed corporate strategy, sustainability and digital transformation.

He has also worked as Chairperson of Yamaha Motor Ventures & Laboratory Silicon Valley (YMVSV) overseeing investments in robotics, transportation, fintech and health technologies. He has also contributed towards Yamaha Motor Group’s long-term growth strategy.

Aota is a graduate of Keio University and holds a qualification from the Program for Leadership Development at Harvard Business School.

Hajime Aota, said, “I am very excited to begin my journey in India, one of the world’s most dynamic and diverse two-wheeler markets. The rapidly evolving aspirations of Indian consumers, especially the youth, align strongly with Yamaha’s focus on premium products, innovation, and a customer-centric approach. Leading Yamaha in India is a significant responsibility, and my focus is on strengthening the brand by delivering products that seamlessly combine Yamaha’s global engineering excellence with the evolving needs of Indian riders. I look forward to working closely with our teams and partners to drive sustainable growth and reinforce Yamaha’s presence in this important market.”

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The 12th edition of India Bike Week (IBW) concluded on 22 December 2025, marking the festival's first shift from Goa to the hill station of Panchgani in Maharashtra. Supported by the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC), the event attracted approximately 16,000 attendees including motorcyclists, clubs and families.

The festival featured motorcycle launches, racing competitions, stunt shows, and sessions with global overlanding figures. Local infrastructure was developed in coordination with authorities in the Satara district to accommodate the influx of visitors.

Product Launches and Industry Reveals

Several manufacturers utilised the event to introduce new products to the Indian market:

• Triumph: Launched the updated Trident 660 middleweight motorcycle.
• Aprilia: Introduced new colour schemes for the RS 457, presented by MotoGP pilot Lorenzo Savadori.
• KTM: Announced the KTM Adventure Rally Cup, a competitive programme for adventure riders.
• SMK Helmets: Released the Cygnus helmet, featuring an LED sensor system that pulses during deceleration.
• Reise Moto: Launched four specialised tyre ranges: tourRad (touring), torqR 03 SX (supercross), trackR (flat track), and twistR (EV).
• Gulf: Introduced the Syntrac range of fully synthetic engine oils.
• VIDA: Showcased the DIRT.E K3, a motorcycle designed for children.

Competition Results

The festival hosted several FMSCI-backed races and custom-build contests:

Martin da Costa, Festival Director, India Bike Week, said, “This edition will truly go down in IBW history as a season that rose above numerous challenges. We are deeply grateful to the local authorities and Kamran Dubash from the Dubash Airfield for warmly welcoming us and supporting the hosting of IBW 2025 in the beautiful town of Panchgani. It is incredibly heartening to see bikers and enthusiasts from across the country come together to celebrate the undying spirit of the biking community—one that never gives up. This experience only strengthens our resolve to continue delivering newer, richer, and more exciting experiences at India Bike Week every year.”

The event included technical workshops and stunt displays. Pol Tarres performed a Hard Enduro show, while Skoda conducted over 750 off-road trials in the Kodiaq. Mentorship sessions were led by overlanding figures such as Elspeth Beard and Simon & Lisa Thomas, focusing on long-distance travel and technical riding skills.

The festival concluded with musical performances by King and Karan Kanchan, alongside a camp-style gathering in the Western Ghats.

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Italian superbike manufacturer Ducati India unveiled the Desmo450 MX motocross machine at the Indian Supercross Racing League (ISRL). The debut took place on Sunday, 21 December, during the league's final race in Calicut, marking the first time the model has been shown in the country.

The ISRL is a franchise-based supercross league, and the unveiling serves as a step in the brand's strategy to increase its presence in the Indian motorcycle market.

The Desmo450 MX incorporates technology developed through the company's racing programme. Key technical features include: a 449.6 cc single-cylinder unit, desmodromic distribution valve system, chassis constructed with an aluminium frame and comes equipped with an electronic traction control system designed to define rear wheel slippage.

The introduction of the motocross model follows the growth of the off-road segment in India. The company plans to launch the motorcycle for sale in the Indian market next year.

Bipul Chandra, Managing Director, Ducati India, said, “The reception for the Desmo450 MX in Calicut was phenomenal. The passion and excitement from the fans were palpable, and it was the perfect welcome for our new off-road chapter. Unveiling the Desmo450 MX at the ISRL finale was the ideal decision, it confirms our belief in the immense potential of the Indian market, and we look forward to launching it next year.”

The Desmo450 MX is intended for use by both amateur and professional riders, with its design and electronics suite developed to manage performance in racing conditions.

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