Uncertainty caused by local elections in Goa led to the 12th edition of the India Bike Week (IBW) being shifted at the last moment to Panchgani. Motorcyclists from different villages, towns, cities, states, and countries converged for one of Asia’s largest motorcycle festivals.
Story: Salman Bargir
Photography: Siddharth Dhade and IBW
I want to begin by saying that I enjoyed the experience, not only because I was excited to witness my first India Bike Week, but also because it was at a place where I had spent six years of my school life. In a fast-paced and rapidly changing world, the picturesque hill town, surrounded by five hills, still retains some of its slow life and old charm.
Upon arriving at Dubash Airfield, I could only imagine how, within just three weeks, the layout could have been assembled. Spread across was a display of possibly everything related to motorcycling, including some beautiful vintage scooters, motorcycles, and meticulously crafted custom builds. Lining the venue were multiple booths offering everything that fans would like to take back home, from riding gear and accessories to lifestyle merchandise and memorabilia.
The expansive food sections had something for everyone’s palate, with the stalls offering French fries and rolls to biryanis, Kolhapuri specialities, kebabs, ice-creams, and the region’s famed strawberries in the form of desserts.
Moving further into the venue, Harley-Davidson’s presence was hard to miss. The brand had its flagship motorcycle, the CVO Road Glide, on display near the Big Forkers Grill Fest, an addition that, to some extent, probably satisfied the attendees’ cravings for Goa. At one end of the ground, they had organised flat-track races with a total prize pool of Rs 10 lakh, while at the other, the Jameson IBW Bike Build-Off showcased custom builds. Both activities featured customized Harley-Davidson X440 motorcycles.
In addition to showcasing its motorcycle line-up, KTM engaged riders with an Enduro Cross track experience, where they got a chance to put their skills to the test in a controlled off-road environment. Winners of the challenge were rewarded with an entry to participate in the first edition of the KTM Adventure Rally in India, scheduled to take place in Goa in February 2026.
Meanwhile, Reise Moto used the platform to further consolidate its position as an all-round motorcycling brand. Alongside its existing portfolio, the company introduced new riding gear, touring luggage solutions, and tyres, while also announcing a new insurance plan to expand its offerings beyond products, into rider-focused services. This edition also catered to younger enthusiasts, with VIDA offering children the opportunity to ride on a curated off-road course astride its latest DIRT.E K3 electric dirt bike. Hero MotoCorp added to the off-road action by offering those present an experience on its Xpulse motorcycles.
Bajaj maintained a strong and active presence as well. Behind its display booth was the Pulsar Underground Arena, where stunt performances kept crowds engaged, while riders were given a chance to experience select motorcycles on a curated time-attack track. Triumph, meanwhile, showcased the updated Trident 660 alongside the rest of its motorcycle line-up, including its flagship, the Triumph Rocket III.
Aprilia’s MotoGP racing star, Lorenzo Savadori, was back in India for the event and introduced new colours for the Aprilia RS 457. At the Aprilia booth, he spent time interacting with fans, posing for selfies in between a series of brief media interactions. During our conversation, he reflected on the previous MotoGP season, noting that it was a particularly demanding year as he competed in a greater number of races in addition to his responsibilities as a test rider. He also shed some light on how he and the
team were preparing for the upcoming season, as well as the longer-term challenges posed by the 2027 MotoGP regulations. When asked about India, he was happy about the warmth and love he received from the people, and also about his favourite Indian food: dosa and naan! He concluded the interaction with a strong message of believing in oneself and giving one hundred per cent at every opportunity.
Moving on, Pol Tarrés, one of the world’s most accomplished trial and enduro riders, captivated audiences with a spectacular display of skill at the Gulf Syntrac Enduro Park, a purpose-built zone located opposite the main stage. Following his performance, Tarrés briefly spoke about his journey in motorcycling, which began at a very young age, as well as his admiration for his trusted Yamaha Ténéré 700. Our quick chat ended with his experience of being in India for the first time, including a light-hearted mention of the country’s spicy cuisine.
In another one-on-one, Ravi Chawla, MD and CEO, Gulf Oil India, explained how the brand is a major part of motor sport as well as cricket. He then outlined the brand’s plans related to charging-related support and infrastructure to cater to the growing adoption of electric vehicles across India. Additionally, he announced the launch of Syntrac, the company’s new fully synthetic motorcycle engine oil developed for motorcycles with engine capacities of 150 cc and above.
One of the more unexpected presences at the festival was that of Škoda, which not only set up a prominent booth near the entrance but also offered off-road experience rides in the Kodiaq SUV.
For me, the highlight of the IBW was the ride to and from the event, two-up, on the IMOTY 2026: the TVS Apache RTX. Being the only one on at the event, it quickly became a magnet for those extremely curious fans. Siddharth, who initially enjoyed the attention, soon found himself overwhelmed by the crowd. Saeed and I, too, were then drawn into the flurry of questions, to the point that we had to pause our meal temporarily to answer inquiries about the motorcycle.
All in all, experiences like these, combined with the festival’s wide-ranging activities, are exactly what we motorcyclists truly deserve at least once a year. This 12th edition of IBW was literally an 11th-hour pull-off that initially seemed like a last resort for many before they arrived. “The Great Escape?” Perhaps, but to achieve something of this scale in the best possible way in a short span of time, it is also a great pull-off.
While some may have missed Goa, most had a jolly good time in the cool breeze and warm sunny days that culminated in chilly evenings, set amidst beautiful surroundings. The festival certainly lived up to expectations and offered a truly immersive experience of motorcycling culture, undoubtedly among the best that one can expect.
