The Aprilia RS 457 has been crowned the winner of the prestigious 2025 Indian Motorcycle of the Year (IMOTY) award, solidifying its position as a leader in the Indian motorcycle market. The Bajaj Freedom and Hero Xtreme 125R followed closely behind, securing second and third place, respectively.
The selection process for the IMOTY involved a rigorous evaluation of ten finalists, representing diverse segments including modern classics, sports bikes, street nakeds, and commuters. Notably, five of the contenders belonged to the highly competitive 400-500cc category, underscoring the growing importance of this segment in the Indian market. These finalists included the Aprilia RS 457, Bajaj Freedom 125 NG04, Bajaj Pulsar N125, Bajaj Pulsar NS400Z, BSA Gold Star 650, Hero Mavrick 440, Hero Xtreme 125R, Royal Enfield Bear 650, Royal Enfield Guerilla 450, and Triumph Speed T4.
The ultimate selection of the top motorcycles involved a comprehensive assessment of various factors, including performance, technology, value for money, and the potential to disrupt their respective segments. The Aprilia RS 457, priced at Rs. 4.10 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), impressed the jury with its advanced technology, exhilarating engine performance, and exceptional overall riding experience. These factors, combined with a positive customer experience, garnered the highest scores from the esteemed panel of judges.
The 2025 IMOTY jury comprised a distinguished group of senior automotive journalists from leading publications across India, including:
- Vikrant Singh – Editor, BikeWale
- Pratheek Kunder – Deputy Editor, BikeWale
- Rahul Ghosh – Associate Editor, Auto Today
- Shivank Bhatt – Assistant Editor, autoX
- Manav Sinha – Digital Editor, autoX
- Aspi Bathena – Editor, Bike India
- Sirish Chandran – Editorial Director, Evo India
- Aatish Mishra – Associate Editor, Evo India
- Kartik Ware – Managing Editor, Motoring World
- Rohit Paradkar – Assistant Editor, Overdrive
- Kranti Sambhav – Editor, Overdrive
- Abhay Verma – Editor, Turbocharged
- Joshua Varghese – Senior Correspondent, Bike India
- Varun Painter – Editor, Powerdrift
- Arpit Mahendra – Editor, TOI Auto
- Abhinav Jakhar – Senior Correspondent, Auto Today
- Manaal Mahatme – Assistant Editor, Motoring World
The IMOTY award serves as a significant recognition of excellence in the Indian motorcycle industry, highlighting the dedication and innovation of manufacturers in delivering exceptional products to discerning riders.
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