The ride modes can be changed on the fly using the mode switch given on the handlebar, and each mode offers better advantages in specific weather conditions. In urban mode, the engine is tuned to deliver optimum power and control to tame the urban jungle with the ABS optimised for a quick response. The Rain mode is especially helpful during wet road conditions as it primes the ABS to deliver the maximum response with strong lever pulsation. The immediate response of the ABS helps the rider keep the vehicle in control even during adverse weather conditions.
In sport mode, the engine is tuned to deliver maximum power and sharp acceleration to take on the track or the highway. The ABS is set up for minimum intervention and highest permissible slip for faster lap time and better control to the rider. Besides the new RTR 200 4V also becomes the first bike in the 200cc segment to come with adjustable suspension. The high-performance front suspension from Showa gets preload adjustment that allows the rider to set it up for a plusher ride for the road or a stiffer setup for the track while the rear suspension from the same supplier is tuned for enhanced track performance.
The motorcycle also gets adjustable levers for the clutch and the brake. The levers are designed ergonomically with 3-step adjustment. Additionally, the bike has also lost one kg in weight. This reduction in weight and refinements to the brake system have made the vehicle deliver a sharper and improved brake performance.
Recently TVS Apache Series, the premium motorcycle brand, spans across two categories – Naked and Super Sports, celebrated the 4 million global sales milestone. The new updates to the RTR200 4V motorcycle put it in the same ballpark as the RR310 in terms of features. The updates have been honed to perfection by the company with its years of research, development and racing experience. They have helped the bike become more track friendly and a perfect companion for anybody who is a newbie to the track.
The 200cc segment in India is a fiercely competitive segment with every major manufacturer offering a bike. While competitors offer performance, the RTR is the only motorcycle that offers features useful in the city, on the highway and also at the track. The Glide Through Technology (GTT) on the RTR is especially helpful in the town where the rider can drive through stop and go traffic with ease without the engine stalling or using the accelerator. The RTR is the only 200cc street naked bike to get dual-channel ABS. The motorcycle also receives Rear-wheel Lift-off Protection (RLP) that quickly detects and recovers from wheel lock achieving higher stability through precise close-loop slip control. The system works well on both high friction(dry) and low friction(wet) surfaces.
Another feature unique to the Apache RTR 200 4V in the 200cc segment is the slipper clutch. The race-tuned slipper clutch accentuates the motorcycle’s performance, with 22% reduction in clutch force for quicker upshifts, enabling the rider to achieve better lap times. The technology also allows the rider to downshift at high-speed without experiencing wheel-hopping.
So with all updates included the RTR 200 4V starts at INR 1,31,50 (ex-showroom Delhi) for the dual-channel ABS variant. All these upgrades make the bike one of the hottest offering in the 200cc segment today. (MT)
TVS Motor Company Launches Premium Experience Channel TVS Paddock
- By MT Bureau
- June 06, 2026
TVS Motor Company (TVSM), a global leader in the two-wheeler and three-wheeler segments and a part of TVS VENU, has announced the launch of its premium motorcycle experience channel – TVS Paddock.
The strategic initiative comes in response to India's rapidly growing premium mobility market, where rising affluent consumers and shifting luxury lifestyles favour personalised, community-oriented brand interactions over standard product transactions.
TVS Paddock introduces a holistic retail environment that brings motorcycles, merchandise, personalisation and community spaces together under a single roof.
To create these spaces, TVS Motor Company partnered with Checkland Kindleysides, a London-based boutique retail design agency recognised for creating culture-shaping retail experiences. The resulting network reimagines the complete customer journey from initial product discovery to long-term aftersales support.
The TVS Paddock store aesthetics are explicitly modelled after TVS Motor Co’s four decades of racing heritage and mechanical engineering. It integrates end-to-end digital pathways streamline the vehicle exploration, customisation and transactional phases.
Specialised areas for Built-To-Order (BTO) customisation allow buyers to personalise their motorcycles. A unique product layout approach engineered to enhance physical bike discovery and experiential presentation. Immersive zones dedicated to exclusive brand merchandise, performance apparel and collaborative accessories. These outlets will house specialised service capabilities and expert technical consultation to ensure high-tier aftersales support.
TVS Paddock is scheduled for an official commercial rollout in Q2 FY2027 (July–September). The network will function as an independent, premium retail ecosystem designed to strengthen customer connections through community building and tailored brand touchpoints.
Sudarshan Venu, Chairman, TVS Motor Company, said, "TVS Paddock is our strategic commitment to redefining premium ownership by bringing together innovation, personalisation, and immersive engagement to build deeper customer connections. The future of premium motorcycling will be defined by the experiences, communities, and ecosystems we create around them. As premium motorcycle customers continue to evolve, seeking deeper, meaningful and holistic engagement, TVS Paddock will cater to these aspirations and deliver a truly elevated brand experience."
- Hero MotoCorp
- Splendor+ Flex Fuel
- HF Deluxe Flex Fuel
- E20
- E85
- Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
- MoRTH
- Hardeep Singh Puri
- Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas
- MoPNG
- Nitin Gadkari
- Harshavardhan Chitale
Hero MotoCorp Unveils Splendor+ & HF Deluxe First Flex-Fuel Motorcycles In India
- By MT Bureau
- June 03, 2026
Hero MotoCorp, the world’s largest manufacturer of motorcycles and scooters, has introduced its first flex-fuel vehicles – the Splendor+ Flex Fuel and the HF Deluxe Flex Fuel. The launch introduces the first flex-fuel motorcycles to India's 100cc mass-market segment, establishing a new milestone in the country's transition toward alternative fuels.
The Hero HF Deluxe Flex Fuel will be sold at INR 72,792 and Hero Splendor+ Flex Fuel at INR 82,710 (ex-showroom Delhi).
Engineered for everyday commuting, these new models are fully compatible with ethanol-blended petrol ranging from E20 up to E85. The localised technology supports India's national directive to lower economic carbon intensity by 45 percent by 2030.
The vehicles were unveiled ahead of World Environment Day in New Delhi in the presence of Nitin Gadkari, Minister of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH) and Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG), alongside Hero MotoCorp leadership.
Developed at Hero MotoCorp's Centre for Innovation & Technology (CIT) in Jaipur, the flex-fuel line features minimal-to-no imported component content. The initial market release is scheduled for July 2026 across Delhi and select regions of Maharashtra, with a nationwide rollout to follow shortly thereafter.
Both motorcycles are powered by a modified 97.2cc engine architecture engineered to dynamically adapt to varying ethanol-to-petrol ratios. When running on E85 fuel, the powertrain delivers a peak power output of 6.3 kW at 8,000 rpm and maximum torque of 8.3 Nm at 6,000 rpm. To handle the corrosive and chemical properties of high-concentration ethanol blends, both models incorporate revised Electronic Control Units (ECUs) and structurally upgraded fuel system components.
Harshavardhan Chitale, CEO, Hero MotoCorp, said, "The launch of the Flex Fuel-ready Splendor+ and HF Deluxe marks another important step in our commitment towards cleaner and sustainable mobility. Developed at our Centre for Innovation & Technology (CIT) in Jaipur, these motorcycles underscore our commitment to delivering future-ready and locally relevant technologies. With minimal-to-no import content, our motorcycles strongly reflect India’s disruptive capabilities in manufacturing, while reinforcing the Government of India’s vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat, Viksit Bharat and long-term energy security.”
Hero MotoCorp Sustains Growth Momentum With 570,000 Dispatches In May 2026
- By MT Bureau
- June 02, 2026
Hero MotoCorp, the world’s largest manufacturer of motorcycles and scooters, has reported total wholesale dispatches of 570,068 units for May 2026, up 12 percent YoY, as compared to 507,701 units sold last year.
Overall domestic dispatches stood at 536,784 units for the month, registering around 10 percent growth compared to May 2025. The growth, the company said, was primarily driven by double-digit volume gains across the Deluxe 125cc, premium motorcycle and scooter segments. To further consolidate its position, the company launched the all-new Super Splendor XTEC 2.0 in the 125cc category.
On the exports front, sales grew around 78 percent YoY, albeit a low-year-ago base, with dispatches rising to 33,284 units in May 2026 from 18,704 units in May 2025. This global momentum was backed by an expanding premium product portfolio and targeted market entries.
The company's domestic retail momentum remained robust, supported by 496,957 official VAHAN registrations (excluding Telangana) recorded during the month.
Furthermore, VIDA, Hero MotoCorp’s emerging electric vehicle (EV) brand, continued its rapid retail scale-up, registering 19,052 units on the VAHAN platform in May 2026, up 166 percent over the corresponding period last year.
VIDA also commenced retail operations for the Dirt.E K3 electric motorcycle in select markets, expanding its product accessibility to target younger riding demographics.
Suzuki Motorcycle India Sells 132,244 Two-Wheelers In May 2026
- By MT Bureau
- June 01, 2026
Suzuki Motorcycle India (SMIPL), the two-wheeler subsidiary of Suzuki Motor Corporation, Japan, has recorded its highest-ever monthly sales volume, delivering 132,244 units in May 2026, up 3 percent YoY, as compared 128,897 units sold last year.
The milestone performance was driven by an all-time high in domestic dispatches alongside steady growth in international export markets.
Suzuki Motorcycle India saw positive momentum in both the domestic market and exports. The company sold 110,028 units in the domestic market, up 2 percent YoY, while exports came at 22,216 units, up 5 percent YoY.
In addition to whole vehicle distributions, the manufacturer's spare parts division recorded financial gains. Spare parts sales generated revenue of INR 953.60 million in May 2026, marking a 14 percent growth rate over the prior year's corresponding month.
The volume growth highlights the impact of rising customer demand and SMIPL's expanded market outreach. Moving into the next phase of the fiscal year, the company plans to focus on brand activations and targeted engagement initiatives to maintain momentum.
Deepak Mutreja, Vice-President of Sales & Marketing, Suzuki Motorcycle India, said, “SMIPL’s strong performance in May 2026, marked by the highest-ever monthly sales, reflects the positive response to our products and services in the market. The domestic growth highlights the impact of a customer-centric approach and sustained engagement efforts in building deeper connections. Going forward, the focus remains on further enriching customer experiences through impactful engagement initiatives and brand activations.”

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