| The two-wheeler industry in India has grown rapidly | | | | from smaller 100 cc Japanese technology motorbikes. |
| in the country since the announcement of the | | | | Bikes manufactured by Hero Honda, the only |
| process of liberalization in 1991 by the then finance | | | | company manufacturing four-stroke bikes at that |
| minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, now Prime Minister of | | | | time, gained massive popularity. |
| India. | | | | In the mid 80's, Kinetic introduced a variomatic |
| Previously, there were only a handful of two-wheeler | | | | gearless scooter in collaboration with Honda. This |
| models available in the country. Currently, India is the | | | | scooter became instantly popular with the younger |
| second largest producer of two-wheelers in the | | | | generation, especially people who found it difficult to |
| world. It stands next only to China and Japan in | | | | use geared scooters. The introduction of |
| terms of the number of two-wheelers produced and | | | | scooterettes created another segment for people |
| the sales of two-wheelers respectively. In the year | | | | such as women and teenagers who could not get |
| 2005-2006, the annual production of two-wheelers in | | | | used to driving either motorcycles or gearless |
| India stood at around 7600801 units. | | | | scooters. Many companies such as Kinetc, TVS, and |
| The trend of owning two-wheelers is due to a | | | | Hero also started manufacturing mopeds that proved |
| variety of facts peculiar to India. One of the chief | | | | immensely popular with people who wanted a simple |
| factors is poor public transport in many parts of India. | | | | riding machine. |
| Additionally, two-wheelers offer a great deal of | | | | The change in the government's policy owning to |
| convenience and mobility for the Indian family. | | | | pollution control norms and the Kyoto agreement |
| Bajaj auto began trading in imported Vespa Scooters | | | | saw the phasing out of two stroke two-wheelers |
| in 1948. Meanwhile Automobile Products of India (API) | | | | from production. Currently there are around 10 |
| commenced production of scooters in the country in | | | | two-wheeler manufacturers in the country, they |
| the early 50's. Until 1958, API and Enfield were the | | | | being Bajaj, Hero, Hero Honda, Honda, Indus, Kinetic, |
| only producers of two-wheelers in India. However, | | | | Royal Enfield, Suzuki, TVS, and Yamaha. |
| Bajaj signed a technical collaboration in 1960 with | | | | The latest trend in the two-wheeler market is the |
| Piaggio of Italy to produce Bajaj Scooters. This deal | | | | introduction of electrically operated vehicles from a |
| expired in 1971. | | | | range of manufacturers such as Indus and Hero. |
| The condition of motorcycle manufacturers was no | | | | These can be recharged from convenient household |
| different. Until the mid 80's, there were only three | | | | electrical points. The only disadvantage is speed, |
| major motorcycle manufacturers in India namely | | | | which is restricted to around 25 miles per hour. |
| Rajdoot, Escorts, and Enfield. The two-wheeler | | | | Currently, the motorcycle market is witnessing a |
| market was opened to foreign manufacturers in the | | | | demand for higher volume engines. Previously, the |
| mid 80's. The industry, which had seen a smooth ride | | | | 100 c bikes were very popular owning to the high |
| before, faced fierce foreign competition. | | | | fuel efficiency offered. However, the market is |
| Motorcycle companies like the Yamaha, Honda, and | | | | maturing fast. Sensing this movement, Bajaj has |
| Kawasaki, set up shop in India in collaboration with | | | | introduced the Bajaj Pulsar, with 150, 180 and 200 cc |
| various Indian two-wheeler companies. Companies like | | | | engines with Dual Twin Spark Ignition (DTSi) |
| Escorts, Rajdoot and faced immense competition | | | | technology. |