This article is written by Bipul Chandra, MD, Ducati India.Under Operation “Shakti”, India successfully tested five nuclear weapons at Pokhran on May 11, 1998, the second successful test in the country since 1974. The success of the test was a proud moment for India’s scientists, engineers and technicians. Since then May 11 started being celebrated as National Technology Day. Pokhran II put India on the map as a technology power. In the decades since, the country has progressed in automobiles, IT, space, defence, digital economy, AI and the list goes on. It is easy to recognize this progress in the motorcycle segment.
India’s growing motorcycle scene
The Indian motorcycle segment did not look like it did during Pokhran II. The range of bikes out there now has something surprising for almost every type of rider. In 1998, motorcycles were mostly considered a practical way to get around. Today’s riders want even more. They hope their bikes say something about them. This change in consumer perception is being met by major advancements in technology and design.Today’s motorcycles are packed with features that seemed like science fiction just two or three decades ago. Radar technology is an example of this. This technology first appeared on two-wheelers in 2020, and it made a real difference in how safe and comfortable the ride felt.
Radar tech hits Indian roads
The radars build up a picture of what’s happening around the motorcycle. Think blind spot detection and adaptive cruise control. Only the camera systems struggle here. They are bound by their field of vision, and weather conditions like rain, fog and heavy dust – incredibly common on Indian roads – can completely destroy them. Radar doesn’t have that problem; They reliably map the environment even when visibility is reduced and conditions deteriorate. For Indian riders, fewer surprises on the road. And really had a better time there.
For example, radar technology provides blind spot monitoring, which alerts riders of vehicles behind and ahead of them and even in the event of overtaking. This technology also makes adaptive cruise control possible by automatically adjusting the vehicles speed based on traffic conditions. While the radar technology was first introduced in high-end models about six years ago, thanks to the ingenuity of Indian engineers and designers, the technology has made its way into locally produced models, transforming a cutting-edge, niche technology into a more inclusive technology accessible to many Indian bike enthusiasts. A Bengaluru-based startup is one of the first Indian companies to offer radar-technology on its electric motorcycles. Meanwhile, a leading domestic manufacturer has partnered with a French automotive supplier to develop advanced rider assist systems including radar for both entry-level and premium two-wheelers. The concept and technologies were showcased at CES 2026 in Las Vegas.
change bike character
A recent innovation allows the characteristics of the bike to be changed. With this introduction, a bike’s character is no longer set in stone, changing at the flick of a switch thanks to a state-of-the-art electronic system. Depending on the conditions, riders can now adapt their vehicle to touring, sport, wet or urban conditions.By setting the riding mode to Touring, riders can harness the full power of their engine and still enjoy a smooth throttle response. Sport mode, meanwhile, gives riders full engine power with very direct throttle response and less aggressive ride assist controls. This mode is for situations where riders want to make the most of their bike’s on-road performance. Wet Riding Mode offers intermediate engine power, smooth throttle response and electronic controls designed to ensure maximum safety in wet asphalt conditions. And the Urban Riding mode with intermediate engine power, offers smooth throttle response and electronic control designed to ensure maximum safety in city use conditions.Riding mode innovation has also found its way to Indian riders in domestic models at relatively affordable price points. Indian brands introduced models with riding modes like Rain, Urban, Sport and Track, bringing pioneering innovations closer to common Indian bikers and enhancing the riding experience in India.
LED headlight
Meanwhile, LED headlights were first introduced in 2009, offering significant benefits including better visibility, long-lasting durability, and higher energy efficiency. Offering better visibility and rider comfort, this innovation made its way to Indian brands as well.These and other world-class innovations, have influenced the premium bike segment in India, with Indian manufacturers adopting the design philosophy of global brands of high performance with minimalist design. Importantly, these innovations have been cleverly incorporated into the Indian models and are remarkably suited to domestic conditions, providing bike enthusiasts with vehicles that are not only safer but also far more enjoyable to ride.National Technology Day is an opportune moment to reflect on the creativity and ingenuity of Indian engineers who have mastered cutting-edge technologies developed outside India and incorporated them into affordable indigenous brands. By making these innovations accessible to thousands of common domestic consumers, Indian engineers have transformed them from high-end aspirational features to inclusive and mainstream advancements that enhance the riding experience of thousands of Indian enthusiasts.Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the original author and do not represent the Times Group or any of its employees.
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