The Indian motorcycle market in the capacity of 150/200 cc is a target market for any motorcycle rider who wants a balance of both features and prices. The sales of this segment amounted to 154,536 units in May 2025, which constituted a 10.14% decrement as against 171,981 units that were sold in May 2024. Although there was a year-on-year decrease, there was a marginal month-on-month increase of 3.70 percent since the previous month in April of 2025, when 149,016 units were produced. We shall get into the main players, trends, and changes in this competitive scene.
TVS Apache is on the top.
The TVS Apache range was in the lead as 49,099 units were sold last month, May 2025. This was an impressive figure, as it recorded a 29.53 percent improvement on 37,906 units in May 2024. The key to the success of the Apache is a sporty look, frequent improvements, and the attractiveness of the young bikers. On a month-on-month basis, it increased by 7.6 percent to 45,633 units in April 2025, cementing its position of supremacy in the segment. The range of its features and nature of versatility still appeal to consumers seeking an exciting and engaging but easy-to-use car.
Bajaj Pulsar is not an easy ride.
An old rage, the Bajaj Pulsar retained the second position by selling 38,309 units. Nevertheless, this amounted to a decrease of 19.01 percent (47,301 units) in May 2024. This decline was probably caused by supply chain complications and stiff rivalry. Comparing previous monitoring on a month-on-month basis, Pulsar sales had decreased by 3.98 percent to 39,898 units in the month of April 2025. The failures have not altered the fact that Pulsar is a competitive model since it has diversified its models and has gained a following.
Honda Unicorn Lights Up the Night
An excellent performance was registered by Honda Unicorn, which sold 28,616 units in May 2025 compared to 24,740 units in May 2024, a growth of 15.67%. This growth underpins its increased market in the commuter market, where reliability and fuel usage are paramount. The month-on-month growth was quite healthy at 9.99%, coming in at 26,017 units compared to April 2025, thus pulling Unicorn as a consistent performer in the 150cc to 200cc segment.
Mixed Results of Yamaha
The results of the models at Yamaha were different. The Yamaha FZ registered 12,979 units, a decrease of 9.61 percent compared to 14,359 units in May 2024, and a small 3.73 percent month-on-month fall from 13,482 units in April 2025. The Yamaha MT 15 declined drastically by 51.86 percent on a year-on-year basis, where only 7,034 units were sold as compared to 14,612 units in May 2024. Nevertheless, it was maintained on a month-by-month basis, rising slightly by 0.13 percent compared to April with 7,025 units. The Yamaha R15, however, experienced a 42.53 percent reduction, with 5,997 units moving in comparison to the 10,435 units that sold last year in May. On a positive note, the figure recorded a good 22.19 percent month-on-month growth of 4,908 units in April 2025, which indicates recovery of some sort.
Other Standout performers
The Xtreme 160R and 200 models of Hero MotoCorp sold 1,886 units in June 2025, which is down by 29.82 percent from 2,687 units in the previous month (May 2024). Also on a monthly basis, it rose by 3.35 percent to 1,886 units in June 2025 against 1,823 in May 2025. The Hero XPulse 200, which appeals to adventure enthusiasts, retailed 1,568 units, a 35.76 percent year-on-year decrease in inventory compared to 2,440 units. On a monthly basis, it increased by 7.76 percent, having recorded 1,455 units in April. The 200 range of the company, i.e., 200 Duke and RC200, sold 2,054 units, a drop of 21.59 percent as compared to 2,619 units in the month of May 2024, and an increase of 3.79 percent in comparison to the previous month, 1,979 units.
Suzuki Gixxer sales decreased to 1,085 units (22.83 percent less than the 1,406 units sold in May 2024) with 9.52 percent month-on-month growth (991 units). Honda Hornet 2.0 and CB200X fared badly, posting a paltry 614 (down 39.31 percent year-on-year) and 557 (down 11.88 percent year-on-year) units, respectively. Kawasaki W175, a limited-edition exclusive production, recorded 111 units, or a 29.75 percent dip in sales compared to 158 units sold in June 2024.
Insights and Market Trends
The 150cc-200cc category continues to be a battlefield between manufacturers in India, which is the largest motorcycle market in the world. Where some models such as the TVS Apache and Honda Unicorn worked resiliently, others suffered as a result of changing customer demand and supply bottlenecks. The downtrend of the segments as a whole is an indication of a conservative market that might be due to economic reasons or may have an interest in bikes with greater carrying capacity. Nevertheless, the month-on-month increase implies a possible recovery offered by manufacturers who will present new features and competitive prices.
TVS and Honda are also cashing in on the reliability and sporty positioning, whereas Bajaj hopes to regain its lost ground with the different Pulsar models. Yamahas, specifically the R15, were in a positive month-on-month trend, which showed that they did not lack traction, which could be slowly restored through necessary updates. Adventure bikes, which include the new Hero XPulse 200, will still enjoy a niche market, but the sales of adventure bikes do indicate that this is a subcategory that can grow.
Looking Ahead
The 150cc to 200cc motorcycle sector is one that will experience further competition as the manufacturers continue with their innovation to satisfy the changing needs. As new launches and updates crop up, it is expected that in order to gain market share, the brands will tend to seek to improve performance and fuel efficiency and to make them affordable. As the style, practicality, and value of the segment change with the changing tastes of the consumers, its future growth will depend on how well the segment balances the three factors.
This is an analysis of the sales in May 2025, suggesting an active character of the motorcycle market in India, with both old and new players trying to satisfy the demands of different riders. Commuters or amateurs, there is a spot or part in this range that suits everyone, and hence, this segment is a major pillar in the Indian two-wheeler industry.
