The Dream of Owning a Big Bike Is Slipping Away

We’ve all dreamt of owning that one big, high-cc motorcycle. For most Indias, the dream began with Dhoom back in 2004. For others, it was watching Valentino Rossi fly down the straights on his Yamaha in MotoGP. Motorcycles have always been personal. Some of us fall for sport bikes, others for nakeds or adventure machines—but no matter your choice, there’s always been something out there to make your heart race.

But now, those dreams are slowly getting harder to reach. Thanks to the new taxation laws, motorcycles above 350cc are slapped with a 40% GST—the same tax bracket as private jets. Let that sink in. Someone aspiring to buy an Aprilia RS457 will be taxed the same way as someone flying in on a private Gulfstream. Honestly, it makes no sense.

The Push Towards Electric, But Are We Ready?

These laws, along with the government’s push for E20 fuel, feel like a not-so-subtle nudge towards electric vehicles. But here’s the real question: are we even ready for EVs? The answer, at least for now, is simple—no.

Most of us in urban India live in apartments. Not everyone is lucky enough to have charging infrastructure in their building. Public charging stations for two-wheelers are hard to find, even in a city like Mumbai. That’s a massive red flag. I can tell you this first-hand—during my time at TopGear India, I’ve reviewed a fair number of EVs, but my own apartment lacks charging facilities. That’s one of the reasons you haven’t seen me do a long-term review of bikes like the Ultraviolette F77.

When Childhood Dreams Get Taxed

But let’s circle back. Motorcycles are getting expensive, and for many of us, that stings. The kid in me who always dreamt of owning a Ducati Supersport is upset. Because here’s the truth—most of us who want these big bikes aren’t rich brats. It’s about aspiration. It’s about that childhood dream we carried through posters on our bedroom walls and hours of MotoGP highlights.

And while dreams shouldn’t be taxed, it feels like they are. On top of higher costs, ethanol blending is making these machines harder to maintain. Suddenly, that perfect superbike feels a little more out of reach with every passing year.

Ride While You Can

So, here’s my honest advice: if you’ve got the means, don’t wait. Buy that dream motorcycle. Splurge on XP100 if you have to. Ride it to the fullest, because the day the government decides to pull the plug on ICE motorcycles, your dream might stay just that—a dream.

Because at the end of the day, motorcycles aren’t just machines. They’re emotions, memories, and milestones. And those shouldn’t be lost in the noise of policies and taxes.