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    New 2025 Bajaj Dominar In The Works – What To Expect?

    Bajaj Flagship Inspired By Triumph Trident – For Reference OnlyWhile the current model weighs 193 kg, new 2025 Bajaj Dominar 400 might be significantly lighter owing to a new chassisBajaj Auto, one of India’s leading 2W and 3W manufacturers, has been revving the motorcycling community’s hearts for a very long time. The company’s new Pulsar NS400Z is a testament to Bajaj Auto incentivising older platforms to carve out affordable performance for the masses. So, a similar ethos is expected with next-gen Dominar platform. Here’s what we know so far.Next-Gen Bajaj Dominar – What to expect?Dominar brand was created by Bajaj Auto to cater to the power cruiser niche within mainstream motorcycle price brackets. The company was successful in getting the formula right and took on Royal Enfield’s 350cc cruiser portfolio. However, sales weren’t in company’s favour and RE 350s just sky-rocketed.Fast forwarding to 2024, Bajaj is on the verge of taking the Dominar platform to a new level. We’re talking about a systematic upgrade with an all-new chassis and everything to establish it as a worthy flagship for Bajaj brand. Initial speculations suggest premium pricing and premium features.With Pulsar NS400Z, Bajaj has brought the premium 350cc to 500cc segment to the masses with Rs 1.8 lakh (Ex-sh) price tag. Thus significantly undercutting rivals, while still packing most of the necessary features and equipment. However, despite packing more features and an identical engine, Pulsar NS400Z also undercuts Bajaj’s own Dominar 400.2024 Bajaj Dominar Spied In May 2024As per a recent report, Bajaj Auto Exec Director, Rakesh Sharma, has divulged that a new Dominar is incoming and it will be kitted out to suit the ‘flagship’ tag. Because it is a flagship offering, Bajaj has creative freedom to experiment with new elements and excel at multiple attributes.Because of this ethos, Dominar will be a premium product and ‘out of reach’ for many and that’s where Pulsar NS400Z fills in the blanks. The crosshair from Royal Enfield 350 lineup has been lifted and Dominar brand now aims for Power Cruiser genre or a Naked Tourer. Especially since the 2021 update comes equipped with many touring elements as standard.What to expect?We might see the same 373cc powertrain as current Dominar 400. This is not a bad thing as it packs quite a punch at 39.4 bhp of peak power and 35 Nm of peak torque. Engine is quite modern, even in 2024 standards, packing a 6-speed gearbox, DOHC 4V engine head, liquid cooling setup, triple spark plug and a slipper clutch.2021 Bajaj Dominar 400Where features are concerned, we can expect many modern features we see in the premium segment. Features like TFT screen with Bluetooth, music controls, smartphone connectivity, navigation, USB charging socket, ride-by-wire throttle, cruise control, riding modes, ABS modes and others. Both 250cc and 400cc engine classes are likely with the new 2025 Bajaj Dominar and the launch might happen in 2025.Also read – Bajaj Pulsar ADV spied for the first timeSource More

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    Honda To Discontinue All Sub 50cc Mopeds – Emissions, EVs To Blame

    Honda Cross Cub 50Not just the Super Cub 50, but the entire bunch of 50cc Honda bikes on sale in Japan will be discontinuedAs climate change events continue to increase, nations across the globe are taking measures to reduce their carbon footprint. One recent example is Japan, where tougher emission norms are set to be implemented in 2025. Due to this, iconic best selling two-wheelers such as Honda Super Cub 50 will no longer be available in Japan.Costly complianceWhile there is the option of using a catalytic converter, it will be a complex and costly process for a 50cc two-wheeler. One of the reasons Honda Super Cub 50 is preferred is its affordable pricing. It is available in the price range of 200,000–300,000 yen (approximately Rs 1.05 lakh to Rs 1.57 lakh).Honda Super Cub 50Considering the cost of additional parts required to achieve compliance with the stricter emission norms in Japan, there will be a significant rise in prices. As per estimates, making the Super Cub 50 emission compliant will push its prices. Bringing it at around the same level as that of Honda’s 125cc bikes.Along with the Super Cub 50, Honda will have to discontinue all the 50cc bikes it sells in Japan. Honda’s under-50cc portfolio includes Super Cub 50 Pro, Cross Cub 50, Giorno 50, Tact, Dunk, EM1 e:, Benly and CRF50F. Discontinuing these small capacity bikes comes at a time when demand for small mopeds has been continuously decreasing in recent years. A significant percentage of users are shifting to e-bicycles.Honda Super Cub range over the yearsAs per a report published by Nikkei Asia, small moped sales were at 92,824 units in 2023. This is just a small fraction of the approximately 2.78 million units that were manufactured in 1982. This was the period when small moped sales were at their peak. In Japan, Honda currently has around 80% market share in the moped segment.Super Cub brand to be retainedWhile discontinuing the 50cc bikes, Honda will retain the Super Cub brand for the higher capacity models. It includes the Super Cub 110, Super Cub 110 Pro and Super Cub C125. While 125cc bikes should be able to achieve compliance with the stricter emission norms in Japan, there is not enough clarity about the future of Honda’s 110cc bikes.Even though the popular 50cc Super Cub will be discontinued next year, it is good to know that the iconic brand itself is not being erased completely. Various media outlets and polls have voted the original Super Cub as the world’s greatest motorcycle. Since the time it was introduced, more than 110 million units have been sold. That makes the Super Cub the top selling two-wheeler on the planet.In India, bestsellers like Splendor Plus and Honda Activa will take several years to break that record. It may never even happen, as the Indian two-wheeler market is also witnessing a strong shift towards EVs. Brands like Ola S1, TVS iQube and Bajaj Chetak have already entered the top 10 list of best selling scooters in the country. More

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    BGauss RUV350 Launch Price 1.10 L – 135 Km Range, 16″ Alloys For Indian Road Conditions

    BGauss RUV350 LaunchedBGauss RUV350 electric scooter has been launched in India. It is offered in 3 variants in a price range of Rs 1.1 lakh to Rs 1.35 lakhTo seize the lucrative opportunities in electric scooter market and to expand its portfolio, BGauss has launched RUV350 in India. This is the company’s first vehicle branded an RUV (Rider’s Utility Vehicle) and aims to cater for a niche. At Rs 1.1 lakh to Rs 1.35 lakh starting price range, here is what it has to offer.BGauss RUV350 LaunchedWhile other electric mobility manufacturers are chasing range, features, safety and performance with their scooters, BGauss RUV350 is all about the riding experience. That said, it does pack in quite a bit of features and creature comforts that should appeal to the target demographic. RUV350 replaces BGauss D15 in the lineup.BGauss RUV350 LaunchedDesign-wise, we can see a vintage scooter appeal on RUV350 with a modern take. All LED lighting, dual-tone colour schemes, contrasting wheel colours, single-sided rear suspension, 5-inch TFT non-touch colour screen, fork gaiters, a flip key and dual-exhaust appeal at the back flanking the tail lights are some of the notable design elements.What are the key strengths?Replacing the D15’s rear hub motor is BGauss’ proprietary In-Wheel Hyperdrive that is capable of tackling an 18-degree gradient. Other notable functional attributes of BGauss RUV350 are its long seat, decent under-seat storage to house a half-face helmet, lockable storage in the floorboard to house charging cable, storage compartment behind scooter’s apron, a vacation mode, riding modes with varied performance and range, reverse mode and more.BGauss RUV350 LaunchedAccording to Founder and MD of BGauss and Director of RR Global, Hemant Kabra, the main strengths of RUV350 are the largest-in-segment 16-inch alloy wheels, metallic body panels and the fact that it is completely made in India. The company is targeting both Millennials and Gen Z audiences who need a high-riding tall scooter with a comfortable ride provided by large 16-inch wheels.BGauss RUV350 LaunchedThe 5-inch TFT screen is controlled by a combination of buttons and brake levers. It has day and night modes that it automatically switches to with inputs from an ambient light sensor. This system is capable of storing 2 digital documents and shows turn-by-turn navigation when connected via a dedicated app.Variants and Pricing3 variants are on offer, these are RUV 350i EX (Rs 1.1 lakh), RUV 350 EX (Rs 1.25 lakh) and RUV 350 MAX (Rs 1.35 lakh). All three have a top speed of 75 kmph. True range on full charge is 90 kms for base and mid variant, while the top variant gets 120 kms range. Smart features are only on offer with mid and top variants. These are – Cruise Control, Hill Hold, FOTA, FallSense, Turn By Turn Navigation and Call Notification. Speaking of rivals, Okinawa Okhi-90 is the only other scooter in India with large 16-inch alloy wheels and is the direct rival to BGauss RUV350BGauss RUV350 DashboardMr. Hemant Kabra, Founder and Managing Director, BGauss, said, “We are thrilled to introduce the BGaussRUV350, a revolutionary vehicle designed to redefine urban mobility. Our commitment to innovation is reflected in the RUV350’s advanced features, robust design, and superior performance, ensuring a seamless and efficient riding experience. The RUV350 is not only a testament to our technological prowess but also aligns with the Make in India initiative, showcasing our dedication to producing high-quality, home grown products. By prioritizing rider convenience and sustainability, the RUV350 stands as a symbol of progress and a significant step towards a cleaner, greener future. We believe this vehicle will set new benchmarks in the electric two-wheeler market.” More

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    Jawa 350 Price Slashed – Costs Rs 15K Less, Gets Alloy Wheels

    New Jawa 350 Price Slashed – New ColoursWith reduced prices, Jawa 350 is a better rival to Royal Enfield Classic 350, Honda CB350 and other retro classic motorcyclesImproving on its Royal Enfield Classic 350 rival, Mahindra-owned Classic Legends has slashed the price of its newest offering, the Jawa 350. Launched earlier this year to take on Classic 350, Jawa 350 price started from Rs 2.14 lakh (Ex-sh). To boost more sales, Classic Legends has slashed Jawa 350 pricing by Rs 15,000 (Ex-sh) to offer better value to buyers.Jawa 350 Price SlashedRoyal Enfield’s Classic 350 has emerged as country’s best-selling retro classic motorcycle of all time. It has come a long way in establishing a loyal and devoted fanbase. Classic 350 has proved also that it can get away with enthusiastic pricing and still rack up numbers like nobody’s business. Quite literally.Jawa 350 Side ProfileJawa 350, however, was the company’s latest offering that was aimed directly at Classic 350. Featuring a larger engine and all the modern technology that all RE 350s lack. However, sales continued to favour REs. For reference, Royal Enfield Classic 350 price ranges between Rs 1.93 lakh to Rs 2.25 lakh (Ex-sh).To boost sales, Classic Legends is offering Jawa 350 at a reduced price, starting from Rs 1.99 lakh and goes till 2.24 lakh (Ex-sh). Owing to customer feedback-driven product enhancements, Jawa 350 now gets alloy wheels wrapped with tubeless tyres.Jawa 350 Revised PricesThere are new colours as well – Obsidian Black, Grey, and Deep Forest. Chrome series saw the addition of a new White shade adding to a colour palette that already included Maroon, Black, and Mystique Orange. Pricing depends on the variant selected and the detailed price breakup table can be seen above.Where powertrain is concerned, Jawa 350 gets the same 334cc single-cylinder DOHC 4V liquid-cooled engine, mated to a modern 6-speed gearbox and twin exhaust setup. None of this modern hardware is seen on any RE 350s. This 334cc engine can generate 22.5 PS of peak power and 28.2 Nm of peak torque.Jawa 350Statement from Classic LegendsCommenting on the launch, Ashish Singh Joshi, CEO of Jawa Yezdi Motorcycles, said, “Jawa 350 is our homage to the revolutionary design of the Type 353 and 354 models that were iconic in their time. With its timeless design and modern engineering, the Jawa 350 continues to set new benchmarks in the motorcycle industry.At Jawa Yezdi Motorcycles, our endeavor is to prioritize customer satisfaction and to cater to different preferences of customers, we are glad to present the Jawa 350 range with both alloy and spoke variants.”Also read – All the scoops from Classic Legends dealer event More

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    Yamaha AMT Gearbox Revealed – No Clutch Lever, No Gear Lever

    Yamaha AMT Gearbox RevealedIn function, Yamaha AMT gearbox (Y-AMT) sounds very similar to BMW’s new Automated Shift Assistant and KTM’s new AMT technologyA couple of decades ago, the race in motorcycle engineering used to revolve around top-speed, chasing bigger numbers. Since the ‘Gentlemen’s Accord’, the direction of this race has shifted to other attributes. In recent years, there has been a race for offering automatic and semi-automatic gearboxes on premium motorcycles. Yamaha has just entered the chat with Y-AMT. Let’s take a look.Yamaha AMT GearboxAutomatic gearboxes on 2W vehicles are nothing new at all. Almost 95% of scooters run on a CVT transmission, which is an automatic gearbox. Automatic gearboxes on motorcycles are nothing new too. Honda has been offering DCTs on large ADVs and Baggers for a long time.Yamaha AMT Gearbox RevealedBMW recently came up with ASA (Automated Shift Assistant) technology on their bigger R 1300 GS ADV bike. Soon, KTM joined the bandwagon and they even demonstrated a working prototype of their new AMT gearbox at Redbull’s Erzberg Rodeo in Eisenerz, Austria. It was ridden by French enduro rider, Johnny Aubert.Yamaha is not new for automatic gearbox on motorcycles as it had come up with YCC-S (Yamaha Chip Controlled Shift) system around two decades ago on an FJR1300. While the older YCC-S system used hydraulics and a finger-operated gear lever, the new Y-AMT uses all electronic switches.[embedded content]How does it function?The new Y-AMT (Yamaha AMT) is aimed to offer a relaxed experience for riders of next-gen Yamaha motorcycles in the future. This way, a rider can shift the focus to other aspects of motorcycling like throttle, brakes, body position, weight shifting, cornering and indulge more in the ride. Y-AMT system only weighs 2.8 kg and doesn’t alter the bike’s width as much.Since Y-AMT is all electronic, it functions in tandem with bike’s ride-by-wire throttle. In the official video by Yamaha, there is no clutch lever and foot-operated gear selector. Entire gear-shifting process is either done by the Y-AMT system or manually, with the help of switchgear-mounted paddles.Yamaha Y-AMT SystemThis is a finger (+) and thumb (-) operated system that can be seen on bike’s left-side handlebar switchgear. There is a toggle here that reads AT / MT. Switching to AT, gear shifts will be taken care of by Y-AMT system. Switching it to MT, rider will take control of gear shifts into their hands. Quite literally, in this case.There is a ‘Mode’ button on bike’s right switchgear, that shifts Yamaha AMT system into D or D+. Where D is for a more relaxed gear change characteristics for early upshifts and keeping the engine calm. D+ is to get the engine singing at higher revs, quicker shifts and a faster buildup of pace. Application in the future is likely to be limited to premium motorcycles only. More

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    2W Retail Sales May 2024 – Hero, Honda, TVS, Bajaj, RE, Yamaha, Ola, Ather

    New Ather Rizta Electric ScooterThe two wheeler segment has seen retail sales show off a 2.48% YoY growth while MoM sales dipped 6.61% in May 2024Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA) revealed two wheeler sales data for May 2024 which had been severely impacted by election uncertainties, market liquidity and severe heat conditions that the country faced in the past month. Retail sales of two wheelers grew by 2.48% on a YoY basis to 15,34,856 units from 14,97,778 units sold in May 2023 while MoM sales declined by 6.61% over 16,43,510 units sold in April 2024.2W Retail Sales May 2024 – YoY ComparisonHero MotoCorp, Honda and TVS continued to hold on to the top 3 positions with a combined market share of 71.67%. However, Hero sales declined last month down to 4,45,838 units when compared to 5,31,037 units sold in May 2023. Market share also dipped to 29.05% from 35.45% on a YoY basis.2W Retail Sales May 2024Honda 2W retail sales grew to 3,90,924 units last month from 2,70,305 units sold in May 2023 taking up market share to 25.47% from 10.05% on a YoY basis. Honda sales were boosted by the Activa scooter and Shine 100 while in the 125cc segments, it was the Shine 125 and SP125 that continued to see growing demand.A YoY growth in retail sales was also seen by TVS Motor with 2,63,293 units sold last month from 2,53,004 units sold in May 2023. Bajaj Auto on the other hand, suffered a YoY decline with 1,75,179 units sold in May 2024 from 1,86,571 units sold in the corresponding month last year. A new variant of the Bajaj Chetak have just been released in new colour options and promising a 123 km range.2W Retail Sales May 2024 – YoY ComparisonSuzuki retail sales soared to 81,840 units last month from 61,714 units sold in May 2023 taking up market share to 5.33%. Suzuki’s primary volume drivers continued to be its Access 125 and Burgman Street scooters while there is also the new Suzuki Access 125 scooter currently under test and set to draw in even more efficient sales thanks to its extensive feature list.2W Retail Sales May 2024 – MoM ComparisonRoyal Enfield sales fell from 69,658 units sold in May 2023 to 63,239 units in the past month. Yamaha saw an improvement in retail sales to 54,488 units in May 2024 from 44,529 units sold in May 2023. The company is now testing the new T-Max maxi scooter while the company will enter the electric two wheeler segment with the Yamaha Neo that will compete against the Ather 450X and Bajaj Chetak EV.Electric Two Wheeler Retail Sales May 2024 – Led by OlaThe electric two wheeler segment saw Ola Electric in the lead with 37,225 unit sales in the past month. This was a significant improvement over 28,742 unit retail sales of May 2023. The Ola S1X range received a price cut last month making these electric scooters more affordable for buyers in India while each of these models also come in with an 8 year warranty as standard.Another electric 2W OEM suffered a YoY setback with retail sales down to 6,045 units in the past month from 15,430 units sold in May 2023. Piaggio retail sales improved to 3,033 units in the past month while Classic Legends (Jawa / Yezdi) also showed off increased sales to 2,440 units along with Greaves Electric (Ampere), sales of which increased to 1,956 units in May 2024. There were others in this segment (including EV makers) that contributed 9,356 units to total retail sales in May 2024, significantly lower when compared to 30,407 unit sales in May 2023. More

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    Mahindra Classic Legends New Motorcycle On 15th Aug – BSA Gold Star 650 ?

    BSA Gold Star 650 teased ahead of India launchIn domestic as well as international markets, BSA Gold Star 650 will primarily rival Royal Enfield Interceptor 650Till now, Royal Enfield 650 twins have remained largely unchallenged owing to their affordable pricing. They are one of the bestselling Royal Enfield bikes in domestic and overseas markets. However, there could be a churn soon in this segment, as BSA readies Gold Star 650 for India. The bike has already been launched in the UK. It has also been spied on test in India.BSA Gold Star 650 India Launch On 15th Aug?Mahindra owned Classic Legends, which also has the brands Jawa and Yezdi, has shared a new teaser today. Along with the teaser image, the message read – “Mark your calendar for August 15th! Classic Legends is unveiling something big, bold, and authentically British. Get ready to be part of the resurgence of the world’s largest motorcycle maker.”Single cylinder, big, bold, and authentically BritishBSA Gold Star 650 has been spotted on road test without any type of camouflage. It appears to be in production ready form, although exterior surfaces seem to be lacking the finishing touches. The bike was spotted here last year also, but at that time it was in full camo. It is possible that BSA may launch Gold Star 650 during the festive season.BSA Gold Star 650 featuresGold Star 650 has a retro profile with features such as round headlamp and rear view mirrors, classic tear-drop shaped fuel tank, inconspicuous flat seat design, horizontally-placed long exhaust pipe and broad rear fender. In the UK, available colour options for the bike are Insignia Red, Highland Green, Midnight Black, Dawn Silver and Silver Sheen (Legacy Edition).BSA 650cc SpiedSome of these variants make liberal use of chrome, which gives the bike a royal look and feel. Chrome bits can be seen on the headlamp, instrument console, rear view mirrors, fuel tank, engine and exhaust. The quantum of chrome highlights varies based on the specific colour variant. Gold Star has a semi-digital instrument console with a multi-function LCD display at the centre, flanked by analogue speedometer and tachometer at either side. The bike’s top look has been enhanced with the offset fuel filler cap and contrasting pinstripe on the fuel tank.BSA Gold Star 650Users can expect Gold Star to provide a comfortable ride experience, as it has centrally mounted footpegs and ergonomically placed handlebar. Balance and handling are expected to be optimal with a wheelbase of 1,425 mm and seat height of 780 mm. In comparison, Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 has a wheelbase and seat height of 1,398 mm and 805 mm, respectively.BSA Gold Star 650 specs and pricingPowering BSA Gold Star is a 652cc, liquid cooled, DOHC motor that generates 45 hp of max power at 6,500 rpm and 55 Nm of peak torque at 4,000 rpm. It is mated to a 5-speed transmission. In comparison, Interceptor 650 has a 648cc motor that generates 46.8 hp and 52.3 Nm. While the numbers are pretty close, there could be significant differences in ride dynamics. Gold Star 650 has telescopic forks at front and twin shock absorbers with 5-step adjustable preload at rear. Braking duties are handled by 320 mm and 255 mm disc at front and rear with Brembo callipers. Dual-channel ABS is offered as standard.In the UK, Gold Star 650 has been launched at a starting price of GBP 6,500 (approx. INR 6.23 lakh). In comparison, Interceptor 650 retails at GBP 6,200 (approx. Rs 5.94 lakh). In India, BSA Gold Star could be launched with an aggressive price tag, to take on RE 650 twins, which are priced from about Rs 3 lakh, ex-sh. More

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    KTM Sales Breakup May 2024 – Duke, RC, 125, 200, 250, 390 ADV

    New KTM 250 ADV – SouRik MotoworldKTM India sales have registered a 12% decline YoY while exports have grown 17% YoY – KTM 200 is most in demandKTM India sales both in domestic and global markets were dominated by the KTM 200 and 250 series, both of which have recently been updated with new sporty colour palates set to attract even more attention among entry level bikers in the country. Let us get a detailed look at how the KTM range performed on sales charts in May 2024.KTM India Domestic Sales May 2024KTM sales suffered a setback in domestic markets with lower YoY and MoM sales. While sales had stood at 5,115 units in May 2023, sales dipped 11.53% in May 2024 to 4,525 units. This was a volume de-growth of 590 units. MoM sales also fell 8.10% from 4,924 units sold in April 2024.KTM India Domestic Sales May 2024The KTM Duke 200 and RC 200 range amassed highest sales in domestic markets last month with 2,645 units sold, showing off an impressive 13.81% YoY growth over 2,324 units sold in the same month last year to command a 58.45% share. MoM sales however, suffered an 11.33% decline from 2,983 units sold in April 2024.KTM 250 has experienced a YoY and MoM decline in domestic markets down to 1,081 units last month. This was a 21.89% YoY and 2.88% MoM degrowth with the KTM 250 Adventure and 250 Duke commanding a 23.89% share. Better MoM sales were reported for the 390 Series from KTM, consisting of RC390, Duke390 and ADV390, with 655 units sold last month, a 3.48% improvement over 633 units sold in April 2024. The lowest powered bikes in the KTM fleet, RC125 and Duke125, also saw both YoY and MoM de-growth, down to 144 units last month. This was a 50.68% YoY and 26.15% MoM de-growth.KTM India Exports May 2024KTM India Exports May 2024KTM India performance in global markets showed better results on a YoY basis with a 16.71% growth to 4,589 units in May 2024, up from 3,932 units sold in May 2023. MoM performance however fell 23.63% over 6,009 units sold in April 2024. Globally, it was the KTM200 that commanded the most attention with 1,712 units sold last month even as sales fell 21.83% and 2.56% respectively. Despite these decreased exports, KTM200 series currently hold a 37.31% share.It was the KTM250 series that received positive response in export markets with a triple digit YoY growth of 126.72% to 1,052 units. This was a 588 unit volume growth over just 464 units sold in May 2023. MoM exports also surged by 30.52% from 806 units shipped in April 2024. The company’s 390 series also suffered YoY and MoM setback by 11.46% and 60.58% respectively to 973 units while the KTM125 range saw it exports escalate by a massive 375.98% YoY to 852 units, up from just 179 units shipped in May 2023. MoM exports however fell by 12.88%.KTM Total Sales May 2024With total sales (domestic + exports) at 9,114 units, it was a marginal 0.74% YoY growth from 9,047 units sold in May 2023. MoM sales however fell by 16.64% as sales had crossed the 10,000 unit mark in April 2024 at 10,933 units.KTM India Total – May 2024KTM200 sales fell 3.48% YoY and 8.08% MoM to 4,357 units while the 250 Series received positive results with a 15.42% YoY and 11.15% MoM growth. While KTM390 series sales dipped to 1,628 units, it was the 125 series that saw the highest percentage growth of 111.46% YoY to 996 unit total sales. More