Bike

Royal Enfield Classic 350Motorcycle sales in the 350cc to 450cc segment continue to show strong momentum, recording a year-on-year growth of 17.67% in May 2025. Total sales stood at 83,475 units, up from 70,939 units in May 2024. Growth was driven largely by Royal Enfield, which continues to dominate this segment with multiple offerings across various price points and styles.
Royal Enfield Maintains Segment Leadership
RE Classic 350 led the segment yet again, with 28,628 units sold, up by 20.39% from 23,779 units in May last year. Bullet 350 showed an even stronger surge, with sales jumping 85.16% to 17,279 units. Hunter 350 also saw a moderate rise of 5.89%, registering 15,972 units. In contrast, Meteor 350 witnessed a decline of 6.01%, with sales down to 7,697 units from 8,189.
Motorcycle Sales 350cc to 450cc May 2025 – YoY Comparison
Triumph 400 range, which is jointly developed with Bajaj, clocked 3,030 units, registering a growth of 43.13% from 2,117 units in May 2024. Honda CB350 also posted a strong performance with 2,410 units sold, up by 83.97%. However, Jawa, Yezdi and BSA (retail combined) saw a 21.59% decline with sales down to 1,965 units.
Among Royal Enfield’s other offerings, Himalayan dropped significantly by 55.07%, selling 1,489 units. Honda’s H’ness 350 too saw a dip of 34.91% with 1,281 units sold. On the upside, KTM’s 390 series reported 1,039 units, up by 58.63% YoY. Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450, appeared in the sales chart with 1,035 units. Bajaj’s new Pulsar NS400Z registered sales of 499 units, a massive jump from just 32 units last year, translating to a whopping 1459.38% growth.
Motorcycle Sales 350cc to 450cc May 2025 – MoM Comparison
KTM 390 and Dominar See Contrasting Trends
Harley-Davidson X440, on the other hand, reported a sharp decline of 53% with 478 units sold in May 2025, compared to 1,017 units a year ago. Bajaj Dominar 400 also slipped slightly to 417 units, down by 12.58%. Aprilia RS 457 clocked 127 units, down by 32.45%, while the recently launched Tuono 457 added 76 units.
Kawasaki’s offerings like the Ninja 400, Eliminator, and KLX 450R managed a flat 38 units, unchanged from last year. Husqvarna 401 saw a sharp fall from 142 units to just 10. Hero Mavrick 440, which had a decent start earlier this year, plummeted drastically to just 5 units, from 791 units in May 2024 — a massive 99.37% drop.
While Royal Enfield continues to dominate with an iron grip, competition is heating up with newer entrants and refreshed offerings. However, it’s clear that brand value, dealer network, and riding community support continue to play a crucial role in this high-growth mid-capacity segment. More

Hero Super Splendor XTECWhile a notification has been issued, MORTH will release a more detailed guideline regarding the ABS rule in the coming weeks
India has the highest number of road accident fatalities in the world, with a significant number involving two wheelers. In 2022, around 75,000 fatalities were due to accidents involving two wheelers. To tackle this problem, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MORTH) is planning to make ABS mandatory for all bikes and scooters. This new rule is expected to come into force from January 2026. Let’s check out the details.
ABS mandatory for all 2-wheelers
As of now, ABS (single channel ABS) is mandatory for all two wheelers with engine capacity of 125cc and above. This rule can also be applied based on power output of 11 kW (approx. 15 hp) or more. Any two-wheeler with a power-to-weight ratio of 0.1 kW/kg or more should also be equipped with ABS.
For two-wheelers below 125cc, a combi braking system (CBS) has been mandated. These entry-level models constitute the majority of two-wheeler sales in the country. While a CBS setup has its benefits, safety can be more robust with ABS. Studies have shown that ABS can reduce two-wheeler accidents by up to 33%. That means a significant reduction in fatalities and injuries linked to accidents involving two-wheelers.
Data available with the government reveals that a significant number of accidents involving two-wheelers are caused due to brake-related skidding. That’s where ABS can play its role and prevent injuries and fatalities. Especially when the ABS is made mandatory for all bikes and scooters in the country.
TVS Jupiter 110
Cost of ABS upgrade
It is likely that single-channel ABS will be made mandatory for all 2-wheelers in the country. In that case, the cost of entry-level bikes and scooters can see an increase of around Rs 6,000 to Rs 10,000. However, with large volumes, OEMs may be able to reduce the ABS upgrade cost per unit. Best Selling 2-wheelers under 125cc include the likes of Hero Splendor, Honda Shine 100, HF Deluxe, Honda Activa, TVS Jupiter, TVS XL and Honda Dio.
It remains to be seen if the government takes some steps to prevent a price shock in the entry-level commuter segment. Current GST rate of 28% can probably be relaxed to compensate for the cost of ABS upgrade to some extent. Industry leaders like Rajiv Bajaj have often been critical of the 28% GST rate on entry-level commuter bikes. A GST rate of around 12% to 18% can make commuter bikes more accessible.
Two helmets with every new 2-wheeler
MORTH is also planning to make two BIS-certified helmets mandatory with every new two-wheeler sold. One for the rider and one for the pillion. This again is a decision based on road accident data. A significant percentage of fatalities involving two-wheeler accidents is due to head injuries.
Image for reference only
However, this helmet rule will further increase the cost of commuter bikes. While the intent is good, the government shouldn’t ignore practical necessities of lower-income groups and budget-conscious buyers. Reducing GST further from current 28% slab, might help buyers absorb the increase in price with the two mandated helmets, when it comes into effect. More

Hero Super Splendor XTECWhile a notification has been issued, MORTH will release a more detailed guideline regarding the ABS rule in the coming weeks
India has the highest number of road accident fatalities in the world, with a significant number involving two wheelers. In 2022, around 75,000 fatalities were due to accidents involving two wheelers. To tackle this problem, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MORTH) is planning to make ABS mandatory for all bikes and scooters. This new rule is expected to come into force from January 2026. Let’s check out the details.
ABS mandatory for all 2-wheelers
As of now, ABS (single channel ABS) is mandatory for all two wheelers with engine capacity of 125cc and above. This rule can also be applied based on power output of 11 kW (approx. 15 hp) or more. Any two-wheeler with a power-to-weight ratio of 0.1 kW/kg or more should also be equipped with ABS.
For two-wheelers below 125cc, a combi braking system (CBS) has been mandated. These entry-level models constitute the majority of two-wheeler sales in the country. While a CBS setup has its benefits, safety can be more robust with ABS. Studies have shown that ABS can reduce two-wheeler accidents by up to 33%. That means a significant reduction in fatalities and injuries linked to accidents involving two-wheelers.
Data available with the government reveals that a significant number of accidents involving two-wheelers are caused due to brake-related skidding. That’s where ABS can play its role and prevent injuries and fatalities. Especially when the ABS is made mandatory for all bikes and scooters in the country.
TVS Jupiter 110
Cost of ABS upgrade
It is likely that single-channel ABS will be made mandatory for all 2-wheelers in the country. In that case, the cost of entry-level bikes and scooters can see an increase of around Rs 6,000 to Rs 10,000. However, with large volumes, OEMs may be able to reduce the ABS upgrade cost per unit. Best Selling 2-wheelers under 125cc include the likes of Hero Splendor, Honda Shine 100, HF Deluxe, Honda Activa, TVS Jupiter, TVS XL and Honda Dio.
It remains to be seen if the government takes some steps to prevent a price shock in the entry-level commuter segment. Current GST rate of 28% can probably be relaxed to compensate for the cost of ABS upgrade to some extent. Industry leaders like Rajiv Bajaj have often been critical of the 28% GST rate on entry-level commuter bikes. A GST rate of around 12% to 18% can make commuter bikes more accessible.
Two helmets with every new 2-wheeler
MORTH is also planning to make two BIS-certified helmets mandatory with every new two-wheeler sold. One for the rider and one for the pillion. This again is a decision based on road accident data. A significant percentage of fatalities involving two-wheeler accidents is due to head injuries.
Image for reference only
However, this helmet rule will further increase the cost of commuter bikes. While the intent is good, the government shouldn’t ignore practical necessities of lower-income groups and budget-conscious buyers. Reducing GST further from current 28% slab, might help buyers absorb the increase in price with the two mandated helmets, when it comes into effect. More