Superbikes in India: How millennials are turning high-speed riding into a lifestyle
(You can now subscribe to our
(You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel
The story is the same on most weekends. The quiet chill early in the morning is broken by the roar of burning dinosaur juice. Cubic capacities spit fire and turn the wheels for riders in search of peace. India is witnessing a surge in the popularity of high-end bikes.Clearly, as the Indian economy grows, so has the appetite for premium experiences. Riders are increasingly drawn to not just the machines, but the full package — cuttingedge tech, safety and a vibrant riding culture. Among superbikes, models like the Yamaha YZF-R1 BMW S1000RR and Suzuki Hayabusa are all finding fans around the country. Adventure bikes like Triumph Tiger and tourers like Honda Gold Wing bookend the high-end bike market.According to data from Jato Dynamics, Aprilia, BMW, Ducati, Harley-Davidson, Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, and Triumph have together sold around 6500 bikes that cost upwards of `10 lakh since 2023. Motorcycle manufacturers have responded to demand with more accessible models and upgrade paths that let enthusiasts evolve from casual riders to high-performance explorers. Local assembly and innovation in electric and hybrid superbikes should drive further adoption.Beyond speed and engineering, high-end machines have become a symbol of lifestyle and community. From nippy weekend group rides to leisurely cross-country road trips, the culture around biking has deepened. Destinations like Leh, Spiti, Tawang, the western ghats, Wayanad and coastal routes of Tamil Nadu and Goa have become pilgrimages for these modern nomads.The rise of riding schools, track days and official biking clubs has given structure to the culture. These events build skills, strengthen bonds and help riders experience their machines to the fullest. More importantly, they are making superbiking a shared passion.Manufacturers are investing in this growing culture. Ducati, for example, highlights its Ducati Riding Experience (DRE) events and has seven active Ducati Official Clubs (DOCs) across India, with more on the way in Chennai and Kochi. 'These rides are not just leisure; they reflect the spirit of our brand and strengthen community advocacy,' says Bipul Chandra, MD, Ducati India.BMW Motorrad India is equally committed, planning over 72 rides in 2024 through its Weekend Escapes and BMW Safaris. 'We're not just selling motorcycles — we're creating unforgettable journeys,' says Vikram Pawah, president and CEO, BMW Group India.As a result of all of this, India's superbike accessories market is witnessing a surge, with motorcycle enthusiasts seeking enhanced safety, perfor mance and personalisation, says Vivek Jaising, founding partner, Performance Racing, a leading accessories major. Brands are also introducing high-quality riding gear tailored to Indian consumers, Jaising points out.The dream ride for every adventurous biker, passing through high altitude regions of Baralacha La and Tanglang La, with scenic views of the Beas river and Suraj Tal.• Distance: 474 kms approx• Estimated riding time: 2 days• Suggested route: Manali › Rohtang Pass › Keylong › Jispa › Baralacha La › Sarchu › Pang › LehOn this route, bikers can explore the surreal landscapes of the Rann of Kutch — a vast salt marsh in Gujarat — and Modhera Sun Temple, a 10th-century architectural marvel.• Distance: 400-450 kms approx• Estimated riding time: 7-9 hours• Suggested route: Ahmedabad› Viramgam › Maliya › Bhachau › Bhuj-Dhordo (Rann of Kutch)Lush valleys, misty Kanchenjunga mountains, and vibrant culture all come together to make this one of the most beautiful routes.• Distance: 97-125 kms approx• Estimated riding time: 3-5 hours• Suggested route: Via Teesta Bazar or via Lamahatta, a slightly longer but scenic route.Cruising along the Bay of Bengal with glimpses of the sea almost the entire way, lined by coconut groves, fishing villages and backwaters make this an ideal biking route on a weekend.• Distance: 155 kms via East Coast Road (ECR)• Estimated riding time: 3.5-4 hours• Suggested Route: Chennai › Mahabalipuram › Kalpakkam › Pondicherry via East Coast RoadOne of South India's most picturesque routes, offering a blend of smooth highways, dense forests and the famous 36 hairpin bends.• Distance: 270-300 kms approx• Estimated riding time: 6-8 hours• Suggested route: Bangalore › Mysore › Gundlupet › Bandipur › Mudumalai › Masinagudi › OotyA motorcycle journey across the deserts of Rajasthan and its different landscapes, cultural richness with stops at Ajmer Sharif Dargah and Mehrangarh Fort.• Distance: 652 kms approx via NH48 and NH62• Estimated riding time: Around 10.5-11 hours• Suggested route: Jaipur › Kishangarh › Ajmer › Beawar › Pali › Jodhpur › Phalodi › JaisalmerThe drive from Delhi to Jim Corbett National Park and Nainital is a blend of winding hill roads and immense scenic beauty.• Distance: 245-290 kms approx• Estimated riding time: 5.5-7 hours• Route 1: Via NH9 (Delhi › Gajraula › Moradabad › Kashipur › Ramnagar) is the fastest and most popular route.• Route 2: Via NH9 and NH121 (Delhi › Hapur › Garhmukteshwar › Amroha › Moradabad › Kashipur › Ramnagar) is slightly longer, but you get a mix of heritage sites and scenic beauty.Similar to the Jim Corbett route, this one has plenty of twisty turns.• Distance: 300 kms approx• Estimated riding time: 6-7 hours• Suggested route: Delhi › Hapur › Garhmukteshwar › Moradabad › Rampur › Bhimtal › Nainital
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
15 minutes ago
- First Post
Is Maga sign off on 25% India tariff Trump's response to PM Modi's Miga pitch or is he playing to the gallery?
Trump's 25% tariff on India and MAGA sign-off sparks questions: Is it policy pushback against MIGA, or a performance for US voters ahead of elections? read more US President Donald Trump's abrupt imposition of a 25% tariff on all Indian imports and his brash 'MAGA!' sign-off has raised sharp questions about America's true intent: is this really about protecting US economic interests, or is Trump signalling to his political base just as much as he's responding to India's MEGA partnership push? Heavy-handed tariff, personal diplomacy undone Trump announcement to slap a sweeping 25% tariff on Indian imports beginning August 1, heaping on an additional 'penalty' for New Delhi's military and oil purchases from Russia. The move, which Trump justified by citing India's 'strenuous and obnoxious' trade barriers and non-tariff hurdles, stung especially after he started his announcement calling India 'our friend'. Yet, what set this measure apart from similar tariffs on other nations was Trump's conspicuous sign-off—MAGA ('Make America Great Again')—at the very end of his decree, a slogan with loaded domestic political meaning. Five months ago, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had projected his own vision during a state visit to the US: 'In India, we are working towards a Viksit Bharat, which in the American context translates into Make India Great Again (MIGA),' he said, explicitly linking the two leaders' slogans in hopes of forging a 'MEGA partnership'. At the time, both leaders touted a 'MEGA' partnership anchored in prosperity and trade expansion. The optics of that ambitious pitch are now in tatters. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Why the MAGA sign‑off? While the new 25% US tariff is roughly in line with duties Trump has levied on other Asian exporters this year, the 'penalty' for buying Russian arms and oil appears custom-tailored for India, further amplifying the sense of a bilateral rift. Analysts note this approach is in line with Trump's long-standing grievance that India is a 'tariff king' which keeps US goods out while flooding America with its own, echoing criticisms dating back to his first presidential term. The agricultural and dairy sectors proved insurmountable sticking points: India's reluctance to open its vast rural market to US subsidised produce remains politically non-negotiable, with over 700 million livelihoods at stake. This 'red line' is partly why trade talks dragged on even as both leaders professed friendship and strategic cooperation. Yet, the MAGA-centric post stood out because Trump had not concluded earlier tariff threats on countries like South Korea, the Philippines or Egypt, with the same US-first bluster. Indian commentators and US-watchers see a calculated message: Trump is playing to his domestic gallery, reaffirming that even so-called 'friends' must ultimately yield to America's interests, especially in the run-up to a tough election season. There's a deeper context: MAGA supporters had recently criticised Trump for being 'soft' on India, especially after the appointment of a Chennai-born tech executive to head US AI policy and his earlier hints at easing immigration curbs for skilled Indian workers. With negotiations still underway and a new deadline looming, the move begs the question: is Trump responding to Modi's MIGA vision, or merely performing for his electoral gallery? India stands firm India's government has indicated that it's carefully reviewing the tariff implications while reaffirming its commitment to a 'fair, balanced and mutually beneficial' trade agreement with the US. Some experts believe the tariffs are part of a negotiation tactic dubbed the 'TACO trade' — Trump Always Chickens Out, where threats escalate before backing off to secure deals under pressure. As Trump signals potential flexibility, suggesting cuts to Indian tariffs in return for wider concessions, the interplay of slogans and substance continues to unfold. Whether MAGA was a strategic policy pivot or political posturing remains open to interpretation, just like the final outcome of the India–US trade standoff. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
15 minutes ago
- Business Standard
Eicher Motors says rare earth shortage hit Royal Enfield output in Q1FY26
Eicher Motors, which manufactures Royal Enfield bikes, on Thursday said that a shortage of rare earth magnets impacted the production of some of its performance motorcycles during the first quarter of the financial year 2025-26 (Q1 FY26), Reuters reported. The shortage is attributed to China's export restrictions on rare earth magnets, imposed earlier this year. The company added that it has begun transitioning to alternative materials. 'We started working on the alternative material... at least about three or four months back. Now (the import of) that alternative material is not a major issue,' Eicher Managing Director B Govindarajan told analysts during a post-earnings call, as quoted by Reuters. The models that were impacted due to the shortage include the Himalayan, Scram, and newly launched Guerrilla, the report added. Other Indian manufacturers, such as TVS Motor and Ola Electric, are also exploring alternatives to rare earth magnets. A senior Maruti Suzuki executive described the shortage as a 'challenging situation' and said engineers are actively working to minimise its impact. China controls 90 per cent of the global production of rare earth magnets and more than 70 per cent of rare earth elements, which go into the making of magnets. Eicher Motor Q1 FY26 result Eicher reported a 9.4 per cent year-on-year rise in consolidated net profit to ₹1,205 crore for the quarter ended June 30. The company's revenue from operations rose 14.8 per cent to ₹5,042 crore, its highest ever for a first quarter, while earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation (Ebitda) increased to ₹1,203 crore. Royal Enfield recorded a 14.7 per cent growth in sales, delivering 261,326 motorcycles in Q1 FY26, compared to 227,736 units in the same quarter last year. Meanwhile, VE Commercial Vehicles (VECV)—a joint venture between Eicher and Volvo Group—posted revenue of ₹5,671 crore, up 11.9 per cent year-on-year. VECV's Ebitda rose 32.6 per cent to ₹511 crore, as it sold 21,610 vehicles during the quarter, compared to 19,702 in the previous year.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
15 minutes ago
- Business Standard
Sundram Fasteners Q1 net up 4% to record Rs 148 crore, exports dip
Sundram Fasteners, the Chennai-based auto components major, reported its highest-ever consolidated net profit of Rs 147.94 crore for the first quarter of FY26, a 4 per cent increase from Rs 142.69 crore in the same quarter last year. The company also posted record consolidated revenue of Rs 1,533.39 crore, marking a 2 per cent year-on-year growth. The consolidated earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter ended June 30, 2025, stood at Rs 7.06. Managing Director Arathi Krishna attributed the strong performance to resilient domestic demand and robust execution. 'This progress is a testament to the dedication and expertise of our teams, who continue to drive operational excellence and uphold the highest standards of product quality,' she said. Operational highlights Standalone revenue from operations rose to Rs 1,350.17 crore, up from Rs 1,310.33 crore last year. Export sales, however, declined to Rs 379.14 crore from Rs 422.65 crore, reflecting pressures from global economic and geopolitical uncertainties. The EBITDA for the quarter reached Rs 238.77 crore, the highest in the company's history, up from Rs 223.06 crore in Q1 FY25. The EBITDA margin improved to 17.5 per cent, supported by stable commodity prices, a favourable product mix, and stronger domestic sales. Gross margins improved significantly, from 57.5 per cent to 59.9 per cent. Outlook and strategy Despite global headwinds, Krishna emphasised the company's continued focus on long-term growth. 'We remain confident in the competitive strength of our product portfolio and the durability of our long-term partnerships,' she said. Sundram Fasteners plans to continue investing in innovation, capacity expansion, and customer engagement, aiming to fortify its leadership in the Indian and global automotive component markets. The company's robust quarterly performance highlights its ability to weather external shocks, even as exports slow, and positions it for continued expansion through strategic domestic investments.
