If 2023 was the loud, roaring V-twin that turned heads with explosive launches like the Harley-Davidson X440, Triumph Speed 400, KTM 390 Duke, and Aprilia RS 457, then 2024 is the steady hum of an inline engine, quietly improving the road ahead. This year, the focus shifted from headline-grabbing debuts to fine-tuning what already exists, setting the stage for a more thoughtful and experimental phase in Indian motorcycling. 

The spotlight was shared between bold steps into the future and subtle upgrades to classics. Bajaj rolled out the world’s first CNG motorcycle, the Freedom 125, pushing the envelope in the alternate fuel narrative. Honda made history by becoming the first Japanese two-wheeler brand in India to embrace electric mobility, while Royal Enfield unveiled its electric sub-brand, ‘Flying Flea’, though its high-voltage promises won’t materialise until 2026. We also welcomed new players like Brixton Motorcycles.  

While 2024 may lack the seismic launches of its predecessor, it’s been a pivotal year for innovation, sustainability, and variety in the world’s largest two-wheeler market. Here’s a look at the motorcycles that defined this year. 

Innovative Motorcycle of the Year: Bajaj Freedom 125 CNG 

In a move as bold as introducing a salad to a biker’s buffet, Bajaj unveiled the Freedom 125 CNG—the world’s first CNG-powered motorcycle. A 125cc engine powers this eco-friendly ride, offering a dual-fuel option that toggles between petrol and CNG. With a claimed range of 330km and an efficiency of 102km/kg on CNG, it’s touted as the new wallet- and planet-friendly choice. 

ts rugged minimalist design, Bluetooth-equipped monochrome LCD, and clever fuel-tank flaps are matched by a modest price tag starting at Rs95,000. 

Premium Adventure Motorcycle of the Year: BMW R 1300 GS 

The BMW R 1300 GS made a grand entrance with its Rs 20.95 lakh price tag—outshining competitors with its 147PS engine and a 12kg lighter build than its predecessor. Features like cross-spoked tubeless wheels and radar-assisted safety tech elevate what pushes the R 1300 GS ahead of its competition, at least in India. For Indian riders, BMW bundles in luxury: adaptive headlights, dynamic riding modes, and optional touring packages.  

Street Naked Motorcyle of the Year: Husqvarna Svartpilen 401 

If the new-gen KTM 390 Duke’s design was a bit much for most, its sister brand Husqvarna has got you—provided you can say and spell Husqvarna without a spelling error on the first try, of course. Post the 390 Duke’s launch, 2024 welcomed Husqvarna’s Svartpilen 401, boasting the same 399cc engine with 46.6PS. Despite the subtle design and similar mechanicals, the only drawback of this Swedish streetfighter remains its wire-spoke wheels. While dealerships offer to swap them for the Husqvarna Vitpilen 250’s alloys, we do wish KTM India had at least offered them as an option. 

Regardless, the Swede still packs the madness of the KTM with features like a TFT dash, quick-shifter, and more. While it notably misses riding modes, the Svartpilen doubles down on simplicity with rugged appeal—a street-naked machine with adventure-ready undertones. 

Retro Motorcycle of the Year: BSA Gold Star 

In a deal that was finalized within 48 hours, according to Anand Mahindra, heritage brand BSA rolled into India with the Gold Star, priced at Rs3 lakh. Its retro-chic aesthetics—chrome, round headlights, and curved fenders—nod to nostalgia and the good ol’ days of British old-school biking. The big highlight here, though, is its 652cc single-cylinder engine, the largest single-cylinder engine produced in India, which delivers 45PS. 

Features like a semi-digital instrument cluster and dual-channel ABS keep it modern, making it a worthy competitor to Royal Enfield’s Interceptor 650. Available in six shades, the Gold Star is slowly becoming an important offering in the retro segment that has been dominated by a singular brand for a while now. 

Electric Two-Wheeler of the Year: Ather 450 Apex 

Indian electric startups continue to make strides in the two-wheeler scene, with Ather launching the sporty, aggressive, and arguably the best-looking of the lot: the 450 Apex. Powered by a 3.7kWh battery, it offers an IDC range of 157km, thanks to its new ‘Magic Twist' regenerative braking feature. With a Warp+ mode enabling a 0-40km/h sprint in 2.9 seconds, the 450 Apex brought a much-needed dose of adrenaline to the electric segment. Not to mention, limited production and an eye-catching Indium Blue paint job make this Rs 1.89 lakh scooter a collector’s item for anyone. 

Variant/Off-Shoot Motorcycle of the Year: Royal Enfield Goan Classic 350 

The Goan Classic 350 is Royal Enfield’s nod to the laid-back charm of India’s coastal state, where it conducts its annual MotoVerse festival. With a bobber-style design, mini-ape handlebars, and optional white-wall tyres, it’s a take on the Classic 350 if it spent a summer in Siolim. But don’t go by its Anjuna Flea-market-inspired paint schemes—at Rs 2.35 lakh, the Goan Classic retains the 349cc engine of its sibling, delivering 20PS, while packing innovations like tubeless spoked rims. 

Premium Adventure-Tourer of the Year: BMW M 1000 XR 

Bringing back the factor of ‘fear’ in adventure-touring (in a good way) was the BMW M 1000 XR, a high-performance monster masquerading as a sport-tourer. With a jaw-dropping 204PS-powered engine, winglets, and race-grade electronics, this Rs 33 lakh machine might just be a literal rocket on wheels. From a top speed of 278km/h to an unapologetically aggressive design, the M 1000 XR redefines what ‘aggressive touring' means. 

Mid-Capacity Sportsbike of the Year: Aprilia RS 457 

Aprilia first showcased the RS 457 back in 2023 during the inaugural Bharat GP, but it’s only this year that this Baramati-made Italian superbike has started arriving on our shores—and it’s certainly made an impression. Almost challenging KTM’s dominance, the RS 457 features an all-new 457cc, liquid-cooled, parallel-twin engine producing 47.6PS of power. Pair this with its RSV4-inspired design and a price tag of Rs 4.10 lakh, and you might just have the best mid-capacity motorcycle on today’s market. 

Premium Standout Motorcycle of the Year: Ducati Hypermotard 698 Mono 

Ducati has been on a roll in recent years. This year, the Italian bikemaker brought something truly unique to our shores—a single-cylinder supermoto, the Ducati Hypermotard 698 Mono (Rs 16.50 lakh). As the name suggests, this model packs a 659cc single-cylinder engine producing 78.57PS at 9,750rpm and 63Nm at 8,000rpm. But it’s not just the power figures that stand out; what really sets this supermoto apart is its design, its aggressive styling, and a ridiculously low weight of 151kg, making it lighter than the mid-capacity KTM 390 Duke. All of this is aimed at honing your hooning skills (in a safe environment, of course).