Is this you? As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.
Claim your profile
Articles by Vishal Venugopal
5 things you need to know about the new Aprilia SXR GT 125
Here are answers to some questions you might have about the new Aprilia SXR GT 125. 2 min read•14 Oct '26 Vishal Venugopal The Aprilia SXR GT 125 is the successor to the SXR 125, which was quietly discontinued in May this year. It shares its platform with the SR 125 hp-e and brings larger wheels and some additional features. Here are answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about it. What is the difference between the SXR GT 125 and the SXR 125?
Indian Scout lineup to be simplified for 2027
The current Scout generation was introduced for 2025 with a new 1,250cc liquid-cooled V-twin, called SpeedPlus, replacing the older 1,133cc unit. It produces 105hp and 109Nm across most variants. The range launched with five body styles – Bobber, Sport, Classic, Super and 101 Scout – each available in Standard, Limited and Limited+Tech trims, resulting in a large matrix of variants.
Honda to scale two-wheeler production to 80 lakh units by 2028 and expand export
Otani said the expansion over the next 18-24 months is aimed at serving both domestic demand and a growing export business. “With the eight-million-unit capacity planned in 2028, we will be well equipped to handle customer demand for ICE or EV products,” he said. The company’s current production is already running at full capacity. On the export front, HMSI has begun shipping India-made models to Europe, starting with the CB350, for which Otani said the “sales situation is also very good”.
Triumph Trident 800 available in India at Rs 10.95 lakh
The Trident 800 is available at select dealerships across India ahead of an official launch announcement from Triumph. 2 min read•12 Oct '26 Vishal Venugopal The Triumph Trident 800 appears to have quietly made its way to India. While the bike is yet to appear on Triumph India’s website and the company has made no launch announcement, select dealerships have confirmed to us that they have limited stock of the model, which debuted globally late last year.
350cc Triumph Bonneville: Price and variants explained
Triumph’s new entry-level Bonneville comes in three variants for India. 2 min read•12 Oct '26 Vishal Venugopal Triumph has revealed its 350cc Bonneville range for India, sharing its 350cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder platform with the rest of the ‘400’ portfolio. Three variants make up the lineup – the T4, T40 and T40 Black – with the entry-level T4 sold exclusively in India and the T40 pair serving as the globally available models. Here’s what separates them.
Flying Flea now available in Hyderabad
Flying Flea enters Hyderabad as its second Indian city following Bengaluru. 1 min read•9 Oct '26 Vishal Venugopal Royal Enfield’s electric sub-brand Flying Flea has expanded its India presence to Hyderabad, opening four customer touchpoints across the city. Hyderabad becomes the second city in the country to host Flying Flea stores, following Bengaluru.
2027 Honda Rebel 500 revealed
Honda has revealed the 2027 Rebel 500, bringing a new display, updated controls and the addition of its E-Clutch system to the cruiser for the first time globally. It’s worth noting that these updates were part of the India-spec model that was showcased as part of Honda’s 10-model lineup earlier this year.
MotoGP Sprint and GP to have separate qualifying from 2027
The revised weekend format introduces several other changes across all three days of the race weekend. 2 min read•8 Oct '26 Vishal Venugopal MotoGP has announced a new weekend format set to come into effect from 2027, bringing significant changes to how the three-day schedule is structured.
September 2026 two-wheeler sales: Hero reclaims top spot
Hero MotoCorp is back on top after TVS led in August, while Royal Enfield logged its highest-ever monthly sales. 2 min read•7 Oct '26 Vishal Venugopal The run-up to the festive season drove two-wheeler sales across the board in September 2026, with most major manufacturers posting double-digit year-on-year growth. Hero MotoCorp led the industry in volumes, while Honda and TVS also delivered strong performances on the back of surging demand.
2027 Triumph Street Triple 798, Tiger 900 and Tiger 1200 revealed
Triumph has given us a first look at the all-new Street Triple 798, Tiger 900 and Tiger 1200, with full details on each to follow over the coming months. 2 min read•6 Oct '26 Vishal Venugopal Alongside the Bonneville T40, Triumph has pulled the wraps off three new models for 2027, with staged full reveals scheduled through the end of the year. The Street Triple gets the biggest transformation, with a new engine and design, while the Tiger 900 and Tiger 1200 gain updated technology.
Royal Enfield Classic 350 price hiked
Royal Enfield has revised prices across all nine colours of the Classic 350 lineup. 2 min read•6 Oct '26 Vishal Venugopal Royal Enfield has hiked prices on the Classic 350, with all nine colour variants now commanding slightly higher prices than before. The range continues to span from the entry-level Redditch Red to the top-spec Emerald and Signature White at the other end.
MotoGP 2026: Marc Marquez wins Japanese GP
Jorge Martin and Marco Bezzecchi finished in second and third, respectively. 2 min read•5 Oct '26 Vishal Venugopal With victory in Saturday's Sprint race at Motegi, Marc Marquez had cut Martin's lead in the championship to seven points going into Sunday. Delivering the same result on race day meant that margin was now down to just two points. The victory marked Marquez's fourth win at Motegi and his 79th MotoGP victory overall, on the same circuit where he clinched his title a year ago.
Honda XR300L and XR300 Rally prices start at Rs 1.83 lakh
The Honda XR300L and XR300 Rally were arguably two of the models that enthusiasts were looking forward to most from the 10-strong lineup that the manufacturer showcased back in July. The brand has now announced that it has opened bookings for both models and revealed their pricing.
Triumph Bonneville 400 to be revealed on October 6
Triumph has posted a teaser with three other models set to make their debut on the same day, alongside the Bonneville 400. 1 min read•3 Oct '26 Vishal Venugopal Triumph has released a teaser showing four new motorcycles ahead of a reveal scheduled for October 6, and the most eagerly anticipated of the lot is arguably the Bonneville 400. The upcoming modern retro model has been spotted testing several times over the last few months, and will be the latest addition to the brand’s ‘400’ portfolio.
BMW F 450 R image gallery
Car gallery The BMW F 450 R is BMW’s new street-naked that effectively replaces the discontinued G 310 R as the entry point into the brand's roadster lineup. The BMW F 450 R is powered by the same 420cc parallel-twin engine as the GS. Braking is handled by a 310mm front disc with a Brembo four-piston monobloc caliper and a 240mm rear disc.
All you need to know about the new BMW F 450 R
The new F 450 R is based on the same platform as the F 450 GS. 2 min read•2 Oct '26 Vishal Venugopal The BMW F 450 R is BMW’s new street-naked that effectively replaces the discontinued G 310 R as the entry point into the brand's roadster lineup. Built on the same platform as the F 450 GS, it brings that engine and chassis into a road-focused naked format. Here are answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about it. How much power does the BMW F 450 R make?
BMW F 450 R revealed
The F 450 R is based on the same platform as the F 450 GS and will be available in four variants. 2 min read•1 Oct '26 Vishal Venugopal BMW Motorrad has revealed the F 450 R, a new street-naked bike built on the same platform as the F 450 GS. The model effectively takes the place of the discontinued G 310 R as the entry-level model in the brand’s ‘Roadster’ lineup.
Bajaj Pulsar NS400Z with TFT launched at Rs 1.90 lakh
Bajaj has updated the Pulsar NS400Z with a 5-inch TFT display featuring Google Maps mirroring, music control and a lap timer. Tap for more info. 1 min read•1 Oct '26 Vishal Venugopal A week after the updated Pulsar NS400Z with a TFT console was spotted at a dealership, Bajaj has officially launched the bike at Rs 1.90 lakh. Aside from the new 5-inch TFT instrument cluster, Bajaj has also added a couple of noteworthy features to its flagship model.
Aprilia SXR GT 125 and 175 launched, prices start at Rs 1.11 lakh
The SXR GT effectively revives the SXR maxi-scooter range, which was quietly discontinued earlier this year. 2 min read•1 Oct '26 Vishal Venugopal Aprilia has launched the SXR GT range, a repositioned version of its SXR maxi-scooter lineup with some notable updates. The SXR 125 and SXR 160 were discontinued in May without any formal announcement or replacement confirmed at the time.
TVS MotoSoul 6.0 to be held on December 11-12
TVS MotoSoul returns to Goa for its sixth edition and will likely act as a platform for product launches and custom motorcycle unveils, like previous iterations. 1 min read•1 Oct '26 Vishal Venugopal TVS Motor Company has announced that the sixth edition of its flagship motorcycling festival, TVS MotoSoul, will be held in Goa on December 11 and 12, 2026.
Simple Energy discontinues OneS
The OneS was the entry point into the Simple Energy lineup, below the Simple One and Simple Ultra. 2 min read•1 Oct '26 Vishal Venugopal Simple Energy has discontinued the OneS electric scooter, phasing it out in favour of the recently launched Wave family scooter range.
Keeway EZI Hypevolt-R: 3 reasons to buy and 2 reasons to skip it
Here are three reasons the Keeway EZI Hypevolt-R is worth considering, and two reasons it might not be right for you. 2 min read•27 Sep '26 Vishal Venugopal The Keeway EZI Hypevolt-R is a premium step-through electric scooter that arrives in India as a CKD product, sold through Benelli and Keeway dealerships. It is the first product from EZI, Keeway's electric sub-brand, to reach our market.
5 things to know before buying the 2026 Triumph Daytona 660
The Triumph Daytona 660 is built on the same platform as the Trident 660, sharing its 660cc inline-triple engine but with sportier ergonomics, a full fairing and a more performance-oriented character. For 2026, Triumph has addressed some of the original bike's shortcomings with meaningful hardware upgrades. Here are answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about it. What is the price of the 2026 Triumph Daytona 660?
Honda CB500: Price and variants explained
The Honda CB500 is the brand's largest air-cooled, single-cylinder motorcycle in India, powered by a 501cc air- and oil-cooled engine producing 28hp and 43.3Nm. It is available in three variants, with the differences coming down to wheel type and colour options. While Honda has revealed prices for each variant, it has also said that the bikes will only go on sale in the coming months. Here's a breakdown of each variant, along with a note on when each will be available.
Honda CB500 launched at Rs 2.75 lakh
The Honda CB500 was one of multiple models that Honda showcased in July as part of its broader product plans for India, and arguably the one that many enthusiasts were most eagerly awaiting. The CB500 brings an engine configuration that has long been missing from our market – a big, air-cooled single – and is now on sale, with prices starting at Rs 2.75 lakh.
MotoGP 2026: Pedro Acosta claims his maiden victory at Austrian GP
In what many will say has been a long time coming, Pedro Acosta has finally claimed his first MotoGP race victory with an impressive performance at the Red Bull Ring. He delivers a home win for KTM a day after crashing out of Saturday's sprint, holding off Jorge Martin by just over a second, with Martin's Aprilia teammate Marco Bezzecchi completing the podium in third.
BMW Motorrad Nurburgring Edition image gallery
Car gallery Each of the M 1000 RR, M 1000 R and M 1000 XR 100 Jahre Nurburgring editions is limited to just 100 units worldwide. The M 1000 RR is the most track-focused of the three, with the M Cover kit included as standard. All three share an exclusive Nurburgring green colour scheme with a silhouette of the Nordschleife on the fuel tank. The M 1000 R brings the same limited-edition treatment to BMW's performance naked, also including the M Cover kit.
Ultraviolette X-47 Skyforce joins Kolkata Police fleet
Ultraviolette has delivered 183 units of the X-47 Skyforce to the Kolkata Police. The Skyforce is a new variant of the X-47 Crossover developed exclusively for law enforcement use, with an electronics architecture designed to support integrated police equipment.
2027 Kawasaki Ninja H2 revealed
Kawasaki has revealed the 2027 Ninja H2, ending weeks of anticipation that began with homologation filings and a cryptic teaser campaign. The supercharged flagship returns with an updated engine that now makes slightly less power, but is now Euro5+ compliant, allowing the H2 to return to European markets.
Yamaha R15 V4 gets quickshifter on two more colour options
The quickshifter is a uni-directional unit for clutchless upshifts. 1 min read•16 Sep '26 Vishal Venugopal The Yamaha R15 V4 is available in a total of seven colours, and previously only one of them, Intensity White, was available with the option of a quickshifter. Now, the manufacturer has made the option available on two other colours – Racing Blue and Matte Pearl White.
5 things to know before buying the Kawasaki Vulcan S
The Kawasaki Vulcan S is a distinctive proposition in our cruiser market, combining a typically American long-and-low stance with Japanese reliability. For 2027, it carries over most of the mechanical package from last year, but with slightly more torque and some other minor revisions. Here are answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about it. What is the price of the Kawasaki Vulcan S?
Benda Rock 707 revealed
Chinese motorcycle manufacturer Benda has revealed the Rock 707, the latest addition to its Rock cruiser family, ahead of a European market launch in mid-September. The bike combines a 692cc V-twin engine with two interesting pieces of tech – an electronically controlled adaptive air rear suspension system and an electronic clutch.
Suzuki e-Access: 2 reasons to buy and 2 reasons to skip it
The Suzuki e-Access is the brand's first electric scooter for India and a ground-up new product, sharing little with the petrol Access beyond its name. Built on an entirely new platform, it makes a case for itself through longevity and reliability rather than outright performance or features. Here's what works in its favour and a couple of reasons it might not be for everyone. Reasons to buy the Suzuki e-Access The e-Access is a pleasant machine to spend time on.
AMB 002 Roadster image gallery
Car gallery The Aston Martin Brough Superior AMB 002 Roadster is the first road-legal motorcycle from the seven-year partnership between the two British brands. The engine sits within a 5kg titanium frame, contributing to an overall kerb weight of 190kg. Power comes from an all-new 1,083cc liquid-cooled V-twin producing 130hp and 110Nm, designed and machined by Brough Superior. Its design comes from the Aston Martin Design Studio and draws directly from the brand's car range.
Ultraviolette announces new factory in Hosur
Ultraviolette has announced a new manufacturing facility in Hosur, Tamil Nadu. Named the BIGGA Factory (short for Big Global Ambition), the facility will initially produce the upcoming Tesseract scooter before expanding to support a broader product portfolio. It will begin with an annual capacity of 2.5 lakh units, with infrastructure designed for up to 5 lakh units per year.
BGauss C12 MaxR launched at Rs 1.60 lakh
BGauss has launched the C12 MaxR electric scooter, which the company claims is its most capable product to date. The model joins the RUV 350, C12 Max and Oowah in the company’s portfolio. Uses a 3.8kWh LFP battery with a claimed IDC range of 178km Hub-mounted motor produces 4.2kW of peak power BGauss C12 MaxR details The C12 MaxR is powered by a hub-mounted motor that produces 4.2kW of peak power, enabling a claimed top speed of 75kph.
Suzuki confirms updated SV650 for 2027
The Suzuki SV650 is set for a significant update for 2027, confirmed via a California Air Resources Board (CARB) certification. The update brings with it a new version of the 645cc V-twin engine that debuted on the SV-7GX earlier this year, while also signalling the SV650's return to European markets, where the current model had been discontinued due to Euro5+ regulations.
QJMotor patents single-cylinder ‘V-Twin’ Engine
One of the biggest drawbacks of single-cylinder engines, especially higher displacement ones is widely agreed to be the vibrations. Until now, companies have mostly stuck to using counter balancer shafts as the preferred way to keep them under check but with QJMotor’s latest patent in the US, we might just have a more interesting and, potentially, more affordable way to deal with them.
Next-gen Triumph Tiger 1200 teased on round-the-world record attempt Original
Two-time Dakar Rally Champion Sam Sunderland departed London on September 5 in an attempt to set a new world record for the fastest circumnavigation of the globe by motorcycle, riding a Triumph Tiger 1200 Rally Explorer. The challenge will see him cover more than 18,000 miles (around 29,000km) across five continents, and he will have to average close to 1,000 miles (1,609km) a day to make it happen.
Jawa 42 Bobber All Stars Edition launched at Rs 2.09 lakh
Classic Legends has expanded its Global Chess League-inspired All Stars trim to the Jawa 42 Bobber, with Anand Mahindra unveiling the bike at the Global Chess League 2026. The Jawa 42 Bobber All Stars Edition is priced from Rs 2.09 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) and is available in five colour options.
Suzuki e-Access features image gallery
Car gallery The e-Access comes with a keyless ignition system. Offers 17L of underseat storage which will might be insufficient for most buyers looking for a utilitarian scooter. The seat stays open on its own without needing to keep it manually propped open. The motor produces 4.1kW and 15Nm of torque. Comes with a disc brake at the front. The scooter features three riding modes – Eco, Ride A and Ride B – along with regenerative braking and a reverse assist function.
Simple Wave: Price and variants explained
The Simple Wave marks the brand's entry into the mainstream family scooter segment, representing a significant departure from the performance-focused One series of scooters. Built on an updated platform, it prioritises practicality over performance and is offered in six models split across three variants – Wave S, Wave and Wave +. All six use a PMSM motor with a chain-drive transmission and share identical suspension and braking hardware.
Royal Enfield Himalayan 440 vs Himalayan 411: differences explained
The Royal Enfield Himalayan 411 was discontinued in late 2023, when the significantly more sophisticated Himalayan 450 took its place. However, the added technological complexity also meant that the 450 was considerably more expensive than the bike it replaced, leaving many riders longing for the 411’s simpler, more straightforward character. The new Himalayan 440 is Royal Enfield’s answer to that demand.
TVS leads Hero and Honda in two-wheeler sales in August 2026
August 2026 delivered strong year-on-year growth across the board as manufacturers gear up for the festive season, but the standout story was TVS Motor Company leapfrogging both Honda and Hero MotoCorp to become India's largest two-wheeler manufacturer by monthly dispatches for the first time. TVS Motor: 5,91,437 units TVS recorded its highest-ever monthly two-wheeler sales this past August, with dispatches climbing 21 percent year-on-year from 4,90,788 units last August.
MotoGP 2026: Marc Marquez wins Aragon GP to close in on championship lead
Marc Marquez capped a weekend of retaliation at Aragon with a dominant win, fighting past Marco Bezzecchi and Pedro Acosta in the race's opening laps before pulling clear in the closing stages. Acosta held on for second after a difficult qualifying the previous day, with Bezzecchi completing the podium from pole.
Bajaj Pulsar N160 SS: 3 reasons to buy and 2 reasons to skip it
The Bajaj Pulsar N160 4V SS is the top variant of the updated N160 range, bringing a significantly reworked engine with ride-by-wire, a new 37mm USD fork, a 5-inch TFT display and Google Maps casting to a segment that was already competitive. It continues alongside the 2-valve N160 rather than replacing it. Here's what works in its favour and a couple of reasons it might not be for everyone.
Honda Rebel 300 Price and variants explained
The Honda Rebel 300 is available in two variants – Standard and E-Clutch – both of which share the same 286cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder engine, chassis, styling and feature set. Honda Rebel 300 variant breakdown The Rebel 300 Standard is powered by a 286cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder engine producing 30hp and 27.5Nm, paired with a 6-speed gearbox and a conventional hydraulic clutch operated via a handlebar lever.
Kawasaki W230 gets a new colour for 2027
Kawasaki has revealed the 2027 W230 with a new Ebony colour, replacing the Metallic Matte Dark Green of the 2026 model. The update is purely cosmetic, with no mechanical, feature or price changes accompanying the new colour in global markets. Only one colour is offered, as was the case with the outgoing scheme.
2027 Kawasaki Versys 650 launched at Rs 8.63 lakh
Kawasaki has launched the MY27 Versys 650 at Rs 8.63 lakh (ex-showroom), with deliveries likely to have already begun, as the brand had said they would start by the end of August.
5 things to know before buying the Honda Rebel 300
The Honda Rebel 300 is the first model in the Rebel family to be manufactured locally and acts as the brand’s most accessible cruiser motorcycle here. Built around a bobber-style design with a teardrop fuel tank, round LED headlamp and short exhaust, it is sold exclusively through Honda BigWing dealerships. Here are answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about it. What is the price of the Honda Rebel 300? The Honda Rebel 300 is available in two variants.
Show More
loading
Actions
Is this you?
As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.Get in touch with Vishal
Contact Vishal, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack