India Bike Week 2025 felt different even before the gates opened. The ride itself set the tone. Rolling out of Mumbai on a Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650, the journey to Panchgani was a reminder of why long-distance riding remains the soul of motorcycling. Chilly mornings demanded layers and patience, afternoons were pleasantly warm, evenings felt soothingly calm, and by nightfall, the energy shifted gears entirely. It was the perfect backdrop for what would turn out to be one of the most memorable editions of India Bike Week yet.
New Trails
The biggest talking point heading into IBW 2025 was the venue shift. Moving the festival from Goa to Panchgani at such short notice was no small logistical challenge. The window for planning was tight, expectations were high, and scepticism was natural. Yet, once on the ground, it was clear that the organisers had pulled off something remarkable. The festival layout was intuitive, crowd movement was well managed, and the overall flow, from stages to brand zones to food and beverage areas, felt far more seamless than one would expect given the circumstances.
Panchgani itself played an understated but crucial role. The weather was almost tailor-made for motorcyclists. Cool mornings, mild afternoons, and crisp nights created an atmosphere where riding gear felt like a necessity rather than a burden. It also allowed the festival to breathe differently. Less beach-party chaos, more hill-station camaraderie. What truly reinforced IBW’s stature was the sheer scale of brand participation. Almost every major motorcycle and accessory brand made its presence felt, turning the festival grounds into a living, breathing showcase of the Indian biking ecosystem. From performance machines to lifestyle merchandise, the diversity on display underlined how far motorcycling in India has evolved.
New Announcements
One of the most notable unveilings came from Aprilia, which chose IBW 2025 as the stage to introduce three new colour options for the Aprilia RS 457. Arsenic Yellow, Snake Blue, and Racing Replica may sound cosmetic, but on a motorcycle that has already found favour with enthusiasts, these fresh hues added renewed excitement. Seeing the RS 457 up close in these new avatars drew steady crowds, reinforcing how strong Aprilia’s positioning has become in the mid-capacity sportbike space.
Equally captivating, though for entirely different reasons, was what Gulf Oil brought to the table. Parked proudly at their stall was the Trackhouse MotoGP Team’s MotoGP bike. Even though it wore Gulf Oil’s livery, the opportunity to see an actual MotoGP machine up close was a rare treat for Indian fans. The carbon-fibre bodywork, the intricate aerodynamics, and the sheer purpose-built aggression of the bike made it a constant magnet for cameras and wide-eyed enthusiasts.
Global Talent Took Centrestage
The action escalated when Pol Tarrés took to the stage. Known globally for redefining what big adventure motorcycles can do, Tarrés delivered a masterclass in controlled insanity. The highlight, undoubtedly, was his straight drop from the main stage to the ground below. It was one of those moments where the crowd collectively held its breath, only to erupt seconds later. That single stunt set the tone for the next two days, reminding everyone that skill, not displacement, is what truly defines riding.
Adding to the international flavour was Lorenzo Savadori, who spent time interacting with the press and enthusiasts alike. His conversations were refreshingly grounded, touching on racing, road bikes, and the evolving nature of performance motorcycles. It was less about celebrity presence and more about shared passion, which resonated strongly with the IBW crowd.
When a Custom Motorcycle Stole the Show
Yet, amidst factory machines and racing royalty, my personal highlight came from an unexpected corner, the Jameson booth. Sitting there was the X1R, a heavily modified Harley-Davidson X440 that had just won its builder, Shrehan Shakur, a biker build-off. The X1R wasn’t just a custom motorcycle; it was a statement of intent. A carbon-fibre fuel tank, carbon-fibre rear frame, Alcantara-trimmed seat, custom-bent exhaust, bespoke air intakes, and a front-mounted oil cooler came together in a package that was visually arresting and technically fascinating.
What truly set it apart, however, was its attention to detail and its use of a neon green-meets-red-meets-chrome colour scheme. The X1R featured a TFT screen running custom software, complete with live front and rear camera feeds, which is something rarely seen on home-grown custom builds. It was the kind of motorcycle that rewarded slow observation, revealing new details every time you circled it.
More Than a Festival
As the nights grew louder and the days rolled on, what stood out most wasn’t just the machines or the stunts. It was the vibe. India Bike Week 2025 felt less like an event and more like a reunion. Riders from across the country, on everything from humble commuters to high-end superbikes, shared stories, rides, and drinks without hierarchy. The brotherhood of biking was on full display, reminding everyone why we ride in the first place. Different roads, different machines, but the same shared heartbeat.