The government’s GST 2.0 reforms have slashed taxes on motorcycles and scooters up to 350cc from 28% to 18%, effective September 22. This overhaull aims to combat sluggish post-pandemic demand and soaring inflation. By easing the tax burden, the initiative aims to put more wheels on the road for millions of commuters, from urban delivery riders to rural families, while invigorating an industry that employs over 10 million and contributes significantly to GDP. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman emphasized the reforms’ role in rationalizing taxation, making everyday transport affordable and spurring festive spending. However, for premium bikes above 350cc, the rate hikes to 40%, prompting many OEMs to absorb the increase to shield buyers. Industry leaders like Bajaj Auto’s Manik Nangia praise it as a “customer-first” boost, aligning with national growth by enhancing value and innovation in a sector reeling from supply chain woes and economic headwinds.
The price adjustments vary, with entry-level commuters seeing cuts up to ₹13,500, mid-range sportbikes shedding ₹15,000-₹18,000, and some premium models holding steady despite tax hikes. Scooters like Honda’s Activa and TVS’s Jupiter benefit from reductions around ₹10,000-₹12,000, making family rides more accessible amid rising fuel costs. For EVs, unchanged at 5% GST, festive perks like cashbacks up to ₹25,000 dominate. Among the highlights, the steepest cut in percentage terms was seen in the case of TVS Motor’s NTORQ 125, at up to 8.5%, dropping its price by ₹7,222 to ₹77,778 and underscoring the reforms’ impact on youth-oriented scooters. Bajaj’s Pulsar NS125 follows with savings amplified to 1.5 times the GST benefit through “Hattrick” offers, totaling ₹12,206, while Suzuki’s Gixxer SF 250 boasts an absolute reduction of ₹18,024. Royal Enfield’s Meteor 350 sees up to ₹19,000 off, appealing to retro enthusiasts. Premium players like KTM and Triumph absorb hikes on 390cc+ models, maintaining prices to fuel enthusiast loyalty. Analysts forecast a 15-25% sales spike this quarter, as showrooms transform into bustling hubs, potentially reshaping market shares in a segment where Hero and Honda dominate. Yet, with regional variations and stock constraints, consumers are advised to verify deals swiftly. This tax tweak not only democratizes mobility but signals a broader push toward sustainable, affordable transport in India’s evolving economy. (412 words)
Here’s a table for India’s top 12 two-wheeler makers by sales (Hero MotoCorp at ~35% share, followed by Honda HMSI, TVS, Bajaj, Royal Enfield, Suzuki, Yamaha, Piaggio, KTM, Triumph, Jawa/Yezdi, and Harley-Davidson). I’ve separated GST price changes (reductions for <350cc, absorptions/no changes for >350cc) from Navratri/festive benefits (cash, accessories, financing, often in-kind).
|
Brand |
Model(s) |
GST Price Change (₹) |
Navratri/Festive Benefits (Up To ₹) |
Details |
|
Hero MotoCorp |
Splendor range |
Reduction up to 13,500 |
N/A |
Full GST pass-on for commuter bikes; now starts at ₹65,000 (Delhi ex-showroom). No separate festive detailed. |
|
Hero MotoCorp |
Passion/Xtreme |
Reduction up to 14,000 |
N/A |
GST relief on entry-mid bikes; Xtreme 125R now ₹85,000. |
|
Hero MotoCorp |
Glamour |
Reduction up to 15,000 |
N/A |
Price drop; now from ₹78,000. |
|
Hero MotoCorp |
Xoom scooter |
Reduction up to 10,000 |
N/A |
GST cut; starts at ₹68,000. |
|
Hero MotoCorp |
Destini 125 |
Reduction up to 12,000 |
N/A |
Scooter savings; now ₹75,000. |
|
Hero MotoCorp |
Karizma XMR (>350cc) |
No change (absorbed) |
N/A |
Hike absorbed on premium; price holds at ₹1.8 lakh. |
|
Honda HMSI |
Activa range |
Reduction up to 12,500 |
10,000 (benefits) |
GST pass-on; Activa 6G now ₹70,000-₹85,000. Festive cash/exchange. |
|
Honda HMSI |
Dio |
Reduction up to 10,000 |
8,000 (benefits) |
Price drop; now ₹65,000. Navratri perks like free accessories. |
|
Honda HMSI |
Shine 100/125 |
Reduction up to 14,000 |
N/A |
GST relief; Shine 125 now ₹75,000. |
|
Honda HMSI |
SP 125/160 |
Reduction up to 15,500 |
N/A |
Commuter savings; SP 160 now ₹1.1 lakh. |
|
Honda HMSI |
Unicorn |
Reduction up to 13,000 |
N/A |
Now ₹95,000. |
|
Honda HMSI |
Hornet 2.0 |
Reduction up to 18,887 |
N/A |
Max cut on premium commuter; now ₹1.25 lakh. |
|
TVS Motor |
Raider |
Reduction up to 12,000 |
15,000 (benefits) |
GST pass-on; now ₹85,000. Festive exchange/cash. |
|
TVS Motor |
Apache RTR 160/200 |
Reduction up to 14,000 |
N/A |
Price drop; RTR 160 now ₹1.1 lakh. |
|
TVS Motor |
Ronin |
Reduction up to 14,330 |
N/A |
Retro bike savings; now from ₹1.35 lakh. |
|
TVS Motor |
Apache RR 310 (>350cc) |
No change (absorbed) |
20,000 (benefits) |
Hike negated; price holds at ₹2.7 lakh. Navratri quickshifter free. |
|
TVS Motor |
iQube EV |
N/A (no change) |
25,000 (benefits) |
Festive offers on EV; cash/EMI holiday. |
|
Bajaj Auto |
Pulsar NS125 |
Reduction 8,137 |
4,069 (benefits, 1.5x total) |
Hattrick offer: full GST + zero processing + insurance. Total savings ₹12,206 (Delhi). |
|
Bajaj Auto |
Pulsar N160 |
Reduction 10,506 |
5,253 (benefits) |
Similar; total ₹15,759. |
|
Bajaj Auto |
Pulsar NS200 |
Reduction 12,000 |
6,000 (benefits) |
Commuter savings; now ₹1.4 lakh total benefit. |
|
Bajaj Auto |
Dominar 400 (>350cc) |
No change (absorbed) |
10,000 (benefits) |
Hike absorbed; festive financing perks. |
|
Bajaj Auto |
Chetak EV |
N/A |
20,000 (benefits) |
Navratri cash on EV. |
|
Royal Enfield |
Classic/Bullet 350 |
Reduction up to 16,000 |
N/A |
GST cut; Classic now ₹1.73 lakh (Delhi). |
|
Royal Enfield |
Hunter 350 |
Reduction up to 14,000 |
N/A |
Now ₹1.5 lakh. |
|
Royal Enfield |
Meteor/Super Meteor 350 |
Reduction up to 18,000 |
N/A |
Savings; Meteor now ₹2 lakh. |
|
Royal Enfield |
Himalayan 450 (>350cc) |
Hike up to 20,000 (partial absorption) |
15,000 (benefits) |
Partial pass-on of 40% GST; festive exchange to offset. |
|
Royal Enfield |
Interceptor 650 (>350cc) |
Hike up to 25,000 (absorbed on some) |
N/A |
Select variants no change; others up slightly. |
|
Suzuki |
Access |
Reduction up to 8,523 |
N/A |
GST pass-on; now from ₹75,000 (Delhi). |
|
Suzuki |
Avenis |
Reduction up to 7,823 |
N/A |
Scooter drop; ₹70,000. |
|
Suzuki |
Burgman Street/Ex |
Reduction up to 9,798 |
N/A |
Up to ₹85,000. |
|
Suzuki |
Gixxer/SF |
Reduction up to 12,311 |
N/A |
Bike savings; Gixxer SF now ₹1.25 lakh. |
|
Suzuki |
Gixxer 250/SF 250 |
Reduction up to 18,024 |
N/A |
Max cut; SF 250 now ₹1.75 lakh. |
|
Suzuki |
V-Strom SX |
Reduction up to 17,982 |
N/A |
ADV bike; now ₹2 lakh. |
|
Yamaha |
Fascino |
Reduction up to 8,000 |
N/A |
Scooter drop; now ₹75,000. |
|
Yamaha |
Aerox 155 |
Reduction up to 12,000 |
N/A |
Maxi-scooter; now ₹1.4 lakh. |
|
Yamaha |
MT-15/R15 V4 |
Reduction up to 15,000 |
N/A |
Sportbikes; R15 now ₹1.65 lakh. |
|
Yamaha |
FZ-S/FZ-X |
Reduction up to 13,000 |
N/A |
Street bikes; FZ-S now ₹1.1 lakh. |
|
Yamaha |
R3/MT-03 (>350cc) |
No change (absorbed) |
10,000 (benefits) |
Hike negated; R3 holds at ₹4.65 lakh. Festive accessories. |
|
Piaggio |
Aprilia Tuono 457 (>350cc) |
No change (absorbed) |
N/A |
Full hike absorption; price ₹3,95,000 (Maharashtra). |
|
Piaggio |
Aprilia RS457 (>350cc) |
Partial absorption (₹15,000) |
20,500 (quick shifter) |
Benefits negate hike; new price ₹4,35,000 with free accessory. |
|
Piaggio |
Vespa scooters (<350cc) |
Reduction up to 10,000 |
N/A |
GST pass-on; VXL now ₹1.3 lakh. |
|
KTM |
160/200/250 Duke (<350cc) |
Reduction up to 15,000 |
N/A |
Full benefit passed; 200 Duke now ₹1.8 lakh. |
|
KTM |
390 Duke/Adv/RC (>350cc) |
No change (absorbed) |
12,000 (benefits) |
Hike fully absorbed; 390 Duke holds at ₹3.1 lakh. Festive service pack. |
|
Triumph |
Speed 400/T4 |
No change (absorbed) |
N/A |
Full absorption on 400cc; Speed 400 ₹2.3 lakh. |
|
Triumph |
Scrambler 400X/Thruxton |
No change (absorbed) |
10,000 (benefits) |
Holds prices; Scrambler ₹2.6 lakh. Navratri warranty extension. |
|
Jawa/Yezdi |
Jawa 42/Jawa Perak |
Reduction up to 17,000 |
N/A |
GST cut; Jawa 42 now ₹1.7 lakh. |
|
Jawa/Yezdi |
Yezdi Roadster/Adventure |
Reduction up to 20,000 |
N/A |
Adventure now ₹2 lakh; Roadster ₹1.93 lakh. |
|
Jawa/Yezdi |
BSA Gold Star (>350cc) |
Hike up to 15,000 |
10,000 (benefits) |
Partial pass-on; now ₹3.15 lakh offset by exchange. |
|
Harley-Davidson |
X440 (<350cc) |
Reduction up to 18,000 |
N/A |
GST relief; now ₹2.2 lakh. |
|
Harley-Davidson |
Sportster S (>350cc) |
Hike up to 30,000 |
20,000 (benefits) |
Increase; offset with festive loyalty discounts. |
|
Harley-Davidson |
Fat Boy (>350cc) |
Hike up to 50,000 |
N/A |
Premium cruiser up; now ₹25 lakh+. |