The Indian two-wheeler market, riding high on the momentum of a dynamic 2025, is poised for an even more thrilling 2026. The year ahead promises to bring a wave of significant launches, headlined by powerful new entrants from iconic brands aiming to capture the hearts of Indian riders. Following a year of spectacular unveilings, the focus shifts to bigger engines and advanced adventure touring, setting the stage for a fierce battle in the premium segment.
Royal Enfield's Power Play: The 650cc and 750cc Assault
Leading the charge is homegrown giant Royal Enfield, which is preparing to expand its popular 650cc platform and introduce an all-new, larger engine. The brand made global headlines at EICMA 2025 with the reveal of the much-anticipated Royal Enfield Bullet 650. This model, later showcased at India's Motoverse 2025, is a clear statement of intent to dominate the middle-weight classic motorcycle segment.
Scheduled for an Indian launch in January 2026, the Bullet 650 will be the most powerful iteration of the legendary Bullet ever produced. It retains the iconic design language—complete with the classic winged badge, hand-painted pinstripes on the teardrop fuel tank, and tiger-eye pilot lamps—but now pairs it with a potent 648 cc engine. This powerplant, coupled with a six-speed gearbox, is tuned to deliver 47 bhp of power and 52.3 Nm of torque, making it a true modern classic built for long-distance cruising.
Not stopping there, Royal Enfield is also developing its first motorcycle on a new 750 cc platform. The Royal Enfield Himalayan 750 prototype was the star of EICMA 2025, signaling the brand's ambition to create more substantial, capable machines. This adventure tourer will be powered by a heavily reworked version of the 650cc engine, expected to produce a robust 55 bhp and 65 Nm of torque. It aims to be an affordable yet serious middle-weight adventure bike for highway touring. The global unveiling is likely at EICMA 2026, followed by its Indian market debut.
BMW's Accessible Adventure: The F 450 GS Entry
German luxury motorcycle manufacturer BMW Motorrad is also set to make waves by lowering the entry barrier into its famed GS adventure lineup. The BMW F 450 GS, unveiled as a mid-capacity adventure model at EICMA 2025, was initially slated for an Indian debut at the India Bike Week 2025. Its launch was postponed, and it is now expected to hit Indian showrooms in January 2026.
Upon arrival, it will become the most affordable BMW motorcycle in India. The F 450 GS is powered by a new 420 cc, liquid-cooled, parallel-twin engine that generates a healthy 48 bhp and 43 Nm of torque. Positioned as the new gateway to the GS family, it promises to bring BMW's legendary off-road and touring pedigree to a wider audience of enthusiasts in the country.
Shifting Gears: What This Means for Indian Riders
The planned launches for 2026 underscore several key trends in the Indian automotive landscape. The clear movement towards higher displacement motorcycles reflects the growing maturity and purchasing power of Indian consumers, who are now seeking more powerful and versatile machines for both city commutes and cross-country tours.
Brands are aggressively filling every niche, from classic roadsters to hardcore adventure tourers. The entry of a premium brand like BMW into a more accessible price bracket will further intensify competition, potentially pushing all manufacturers to offer better value, technology, and performance. For the Indian rider, 2026 is shaping up to be a year of unprecedented choice and excitement on two wheels.
