Design:

Royal Enfield has taken the tried and tested philosophy, ‘If it’s not broke, don’t fix it’, and we totally agree with it. The 2021 Himalayan, in terms of styling, is identical to the outgoing model. Mechanically also it receives no changes. So, it retains the same suspension setup, brakes and chassis as the BS6 version. The iconic motorcycle manufacturer has spruced the Himalayan up by introducing three new colour options: Granite Black, the eye-catching Pine Green and the Mirage Silver, which we have here with us, and it comes standard with a contrasting brown saddle. Sadly, Royal Enfield has discontinued Snow and Sleet Grey colours.

Based on the feedback received, Royal Enfield has tweaked the front rack frame on the fuel tank. By pushing the frame further up, thereby, there’s more knee room available for taller riders over 6 feet in height.

Navigation system:

No doubt one of the biggest updates the Himalayan gets is the navigation system or, as the company calls it, the Tripper display. It made its debut with the Meteor 350, which we’ve used extensively and found it quite helpful. One can sync their smartphone via the Royal Enfield app available on both Apple’s App Store and Google Play store. This Google Maps-based turn-by-turn navigation system is accurate and offers a seamless experience. The Tripper doesn’t read out phone or message alerts, which is a good thing as you are focused on the road.

The only hitch we found about the Tripper is that when you switch off the bike for whatever reason or at a traffic light, it sometimes doesn’t automatically pair back to your phone. It’s a slight inconvenience, but that’s not really a deal-breaker.

To accommodate the new additional pod in the instrument cluster, the windscreen is now wider from the bottom and taller as many Himalayan owners had complained the earlier model didn’t negate wind buffeting effectively. The new windscreen is only tinted.

New seat:

The previous Himalayan certainly had a comfortable seat, but it was a tad bit soft, making it unsupportive on long rides. Again, based on the feedback received from current Himalayan owners, Royal Enfield has added more padding to the saddle and have made it firmer. In terms of the seat height, it continues to be 800 mm, which makes it accessible for many. I’m a shade taller than 5 feet 9 inches in height and I can comfortably put my feet flat on the ground. The riding stance is comfortable as you don’t feel cramped. The footpegs are placed in a slight angular position, but nothing really to complain about. The seating position is commanding as well.

As an accessory, one can also opt for Touring Seats at an additional cost of INR 3,000.

Additional upgrades:

Coming to the rear carrier, it is now more aligned to the seat and has been reinforced with an additional metal plate to haul heavy luggage. It’s inscribed on the rear carrier that it can carry up to 7 kg of luggage, which is 2 kg more than the previous Himalayan.

Engine:

The 411cc engine remains the same mechanically and continues to churn 24.3 bhp of power and 32 Nm of torque. Ever since the Royal Enfield has introduced the fuel injection system in the Himalayan, it’s been a very smooth bike. It happily cruises anywhere around 80-100 kmph and effortlessly goes past the three-figure mark. We tip our hat to Royal Enfield for ensuring that the Himalayan’s vibrations are down to a minimal, making the riding experience quite enjoyable and comfortable both in the city and on the highway.

You open the throttle and the initial response is measured and it builds momentum in a linear fashion. The power doesn’t come rushing in a hurry as the low-end torque lacks the punch and feels flat. As the Himalayan is more at home when it’s out on open roads and covering long distances, it is happiest at the mid-range power band where the motor’s optimal power can be experienced. The Himalayan cruises comfortably at speeds over the three-figure mark, but the power tends to taper off after crossing 120 kmph.

Ride and handling:

The Himalayan is a practical bike that can be used for your daily commute. Thanks to the soft suspension setup, along with the long travel, it easily cushions undulations and speed breakers in the city and at the same time feels at home on dirt tracks and overcomes ditches and potholes without a sweat. There are a couple of minor issues that Royal Enfield can iron out like the heavy clutch and hand brake lever, which can become quite a task. Also, the brakes lack the bite and feel spongy.

The Himalayan is a heavy motorcycle and weighs around 199 kg, and if and when you drop it, you can feel its weighty issues. But the beauty about this bike is that while on the go, it feels agile and light. You can easily navigate through traffic or extreme off-roading conditions.

Verdict:

It all comes down to brass-tacks and priced at INR 201,000, is the extra INR 10,000 justified? Maybe not, but you won’t find a more capable ADV bike at that range that is easy to manoeuvre and doesn’t overwhelm you with additional electronic nannies. The Himalayan keeps it simple and allows you to switch off the dual-channel ABS, though it wouldn’t be a bad idea if the Himalayan got traction control. Another thing we would like to see is tubeless tyres as it makes life a lot easier and spares you a lot of frustration, especially when you are on a long-distance ride. We would stick our neck out and say that it is a Jack of All Trades and a commuter-friendly adventure motorcycle that is very forgiving on your wallet. (MT)

Specifications:

Engine: 411 cc + 24.3 bhp + 32 Nm of torque

Transmission: 5-speed

Ground clearance: 220 mm

Seat height: 800 mm

Tyres & brakes:

Front: 90/90 – 21 inches / 300 mm disc

Rear: 120/90 – 17 inches / 240 mm disc

Dual-channel ABS

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Suzuki Motorcycle India, one of the leading two-wheeler manufacturers, has opened its Suzuki Lounge outlet at Riddhi Auto Agencies in Thane, Maharashtra.

The facility combines a service workshop, customer area and vehicle display zone within a single site.

The workshop operates four service bays visible from the customer lounge through glass partitions to show maintenance procedures directly to vehicle owners.

The lounge area includes seating, discussion spaces, and a reception zone, alongside a product display section showing Suzuki’s motorcycle and scooter line-up.

Hari Krishna K, Executive Officer, Sales & After-Sales, Suzuki Motorcycle India, said, “Suzuki Lounge represents a significant step forward in our customer-centric approach and brings the spirit of ‘By Your Side’ into the service experience. Today’s customers expect more than just service. They seek transparency, comfort, and a premium experience. With Suzuki Lounge, we are creating an environment where customers can relax, stay connected, and confidently witness the care and expertise that goes into servicing their vehicles.”

The inauguration was conducted by Vivek Jain, Assistant Vice-President - After Sales, and Osamu Tani, Operation Manager - After Sales at Suzuki Motorcycle India. The Thane location serves as the inaugural deployment of the Suzuki Lounge concept across the company's Indian after-sales network.

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India Yamaha Motor has launched the YZF-R2 at prices starting at INR 230,500 (ex-showroom Delhi) for the base model in Metallic Black or Dark Bluish Gray colour options.

This marks the global debut of the model and expands the manufacturer's R-series portfolio in India. Built on a high-tensile steel tube diamond frame, the motorcycle represents Yamaha's entry into the 200cc motorcycle segment.

The YZF-R2 is powered by a 204cc liquid-cooled, single-cylinder, DOHC engine producing 26.5 PS of power and 19.1 Nm of torque. It features finger follower rocker arms with diamond-like carbon coating. The chassis yields a total kerb weight of 149 kg, supported by 37 mm upside-down front forks, a rear monoshock and a four-point engine mounting system.

Hajime Aota, Chairman, Yamaha Motor India Group, said, "The launch of the YZF-R2 marks a significant milestone in Yamaha's long-term growth strategy. The YZF-R2 is not an entry into a new segment; it is a motorcycle created for riders who are committed to the spirit of Yamaha R-series. Combining the authentic R-series DNA with lightweight performance and excellent fuel efficiency, it offers an exciting and accessible gateway to our supersport world. Inspired by the global R-Series flagship motorcycles and built on an all-new platform, the YZF-R2 reflects our confidence in India's engineering expertise and its growing role in Yamaha's global product strategy.

“We are deeply grateful to our R-series customers in India for their unwavering trust and passion, which have helped make the R-series one of Yamaha's most iconic motorcycle families in the country. Today, with over one million R-series motorcycles on Indian roads, this enduring relationship continues to inspire us to push the boundaries of innovation and performance. We are confident the YZF-R2 will build on this legacy, set a new benchmark in its segment, and inspire the next generation of Yamaha riders," said Aota.

The YZF-R2 comes with traction control, an assist and slipper clutch, dual-channel ABS, a five-inch TFT display and selectable riding modes as standard.

Higher variants add a bi-directional quick shifter, while the top-tier R2M model incorporates adjustable suspension and a smart key system.

The Quick Shifter variant is priced at INR 239,500 in Matte White Pearl or Racing Blue, while the fully-loaded YZF-R2M can be had for INR 253,000 in Metallic Gray. Dealership availability across Yamaha's Blue Square network will begin in mid-September 2026.

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Chennai-headquartered two-wheeler and three-wheeler major TVS Motor Company has launched the TVS Jupiter dual tone spectral range, introducing two new dual-tone options – Spectral Blue and Spectral Copper – to its 110cc scooter line-up. The release marks the first-time spectral colour-shifting finishes have been offered in this segment.

The TVS Jupiter dual-tone spectral range is priced at INR 89,825 ex-showroom Delhi and will be available across authorised TVS Motor dealerships.

The update incorporates design and functional changes, including colour-coordinated inner panels, a new seat finish, partial chrome mirrors and an integrated backrest. Lighting updates include sequential turn signal lamps, alongside the addition of a USB Type-C charging port. The model retains its 33-litre under-seat storage area, capable of holding two helmets and features the SmartXonnect system for navigation, call and SMS notifications.

The scooter is powered by a 113.3 cc single-cylinder, four-stroke engine producing 5.9 kW of power and up to 9.8 Nm of torque, supported by the TVS iGO Assist system for acceleration and fuel efficiency.

Aniruddha Haldar, Senior Vice-President — Head Commuter & EV Business and Head Corporate Brand & Media, TVS Motor Company, said, “Young and Urban Indian families are increasingly exposed to new experiences, design and technology, shaping their aspirations for everyday mobility. TVS Jupiter has played a pivotal role in India’s scooterisation journey, winning the love and trust of millions of families and earning its place as the ‘Scooter of India’. Over the years, it has evolved, bringing meaningful innovations while staying true to what families value. Building on its progressive design and feature-rich offering, the new TVS Jupiter dual-tone takes this journey forward with a more contemporary offering, featuring first-in-segment spectral colours, complemented by first-in-segment Sequential Turn Signal Lamps and much more. Together, these enhancements reaffirm TVS Jupiter’s commitment to being the preferred choice of mobility for today’s new-age, modern families.”

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Jawa Yezdi Motorcycles has launched Jawa All Stars at prices starting INR 201,942 (ex-showroom Delhi) for the Aurora Green and Red options, introducing new expressions of the Jawa 42 FJ motorcycle.

The company has positioned All Stars as a branding framework for its rider base, with the 42 FJ serving as the initial vehicle release under the initiative.

The motorcycle features aluminium tank panels, a 790 mm seat height, 178 mm ground clearance and a 12-litre fuel tank. Power comes from a 334-cc liquid-cooled DOHC single-cylinder engine producing 29.17 PS at 7,500 rpm and 29.62 Nm of torque at 5,500 rpm, paired with a six-speed gearbox and twin exhausts.

Anupam Thareja, Co-Founder, Classic Legends, said, “Jawa has always attracted riders who know exactly who they are. They have never followed trends for the sake of it, nor sought attention for making different choices. Over time, we realised there was a shared spirit that connected these riders. Jawa All Stars is our way of recognising and celebrating that spirit. It is a tribute to character, conduct, and courage, the values that have always felt inherently Jawa. The Jawa 42 FJ is the first expression of that philosophy, bringing it to life through contemporary design, performance, and a personality that is unmistakably its own.”

The vehicle chassis consists of a double-cradle frame, 41 mm telescopic front forks and gas-filled twin rear shock absorbers with five-step adjustable preload. Braking is handled by 320 mm front and 240 mm rear discs with dual-channel ABS, fitted to a 100/90-18 front tyre and 140/70 R17 rear tyre. Equipment includes a digital instrument cluster and LED lighting.

The Matte Black and Nebula Blue variants are priced at INR 207,942, while the Chrome edition is listed at INR 215,942. Retail distribution will operate across the company's network of more than 450 sales and service locations in India, supported by warranty coverage of up to four years or 50,000 kilometres.

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