New Delhi, April 27 -- The biggest motorcycle makers are doubling down on the affluent rider instead of the traditional interest in the budget-conscious commuter. Hero MotoCorp Ltd, Bajaj Auto Ltd, and TVS Motor Co. Ltd are bulking up their premium models, betting that the top-end segment will help shield them if market growth cools down.

The strategy comes as motorcycles with engine capacities more than 125cc outpace the mass market by a wide margin. While entry-level sales were at 3% to 9.5 million units in fiscal 2026, the premium category surged 15% to 3.5 million units, according to Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) data, fuelled by tax incentives and a growing middle class looking at upgrades.

For these manufacture...