Yezdi Roadster Claims Prestigious ‘Bike Design of the Year’ at car&bike Awards 2026

New Delhi, March 16, 2026 – In a move that cements its status as a style icon in the mid-capacity segment, the Yezdi Roadster has officially been crowned the ‘Bike Design of the Year’ at the 20th edition of the car&bike Awards. The motorcycle, which underwent a significant design evolution in 2025, outshone a competitive field of nominees to take home the coveted trophy.

The Roadster’s victory is particularly notable given the high-profile rivals it faced, including the sharp-edged Aprilia Tuono 457 and the futuristic Ultraviolette X47. The jury, comprised of veteran industrial designers and automotive experts, cited the Roadster’s “defiant design language” and its successful blend of heritage aesthetics with modern muscle as the deciding factors.

A Design That Reclaims the Legend

The award-winning 2025/2026 iteration of the Yezdi Roadster represents a bold departure from the standard retro-classic formula. While many competitors lean heavily into “vintage” tropes, the Roadster embraces a more aggressive, neo-retro silhouette that Yezdi enthusiasts call “defiant.”

Key design highlights that impressed the jury include:

• The Alpha2 Silhouette: A low-slung, muscular stance that bridges the gap between a classic roadster and a modern cruiser.
• Refined Bodywork: The revamped model features a sculpted teardrop fuel tank, a chopped rear fender for a “bobber” vibe, and an integrated LED headlamp cowl.
• Wider Stance: The addition of a 150-section rear tyre and a wider handlebar has not only improved the bike’s visual mass but also its road presence.
• The “Red Wolf” Aesthetic: Most recently, the launch of the ‘Red Wolf’ variant introduced chrome-finished engine covers and a striking color palette, proving that the platform can adapt to both stealthy and flamboyant tastes.

Technical Prowess Behind the Style

While the award celebrates aesthetics, the Yezdi Roadster’s design is deeply integrated with its performance hardware. Under the “defiant” exterior lies a liquid-cooled, 334cc Alpha2 engine that delivers 29.1 PS and 29.6 Nm of torque.

The design team at Classic Legends (the parent company of Yezdi) focused on modularity, allowing riders to swap between solo and pillion setups easily. This “factory custom” approach—offering over 50 combinations of kits and accessories—was a major talking point during the car&bike jury rounds, as it allows owners to personalize the “Design of the Year” to their specific taste.

Performance at a Glance

Why the Jury Chose Yezdi

The car&bike Design Jury, featuring experts like Thomas Dal (Strate School of Design) and Aashish B. Chaudhary (Studio34), emphasized that the Roadster won because it felt “fresh yet familiar.”

In a market saturated with standard round-headlight retros, the Roadster’s twin-barrel exhaust and aggressive ergonomics provided a “rebellious” alternative. The award validates Yezdi’s strategy of moving away from pure nostalgia toward a more contemporary, “street-tough” identity.

“Motorcycles need to grab your attention by the scruff of the neck before they even start. The Yezdi Roadster does exactly that,” noted the car&bike editorial team during the winner announcement.

With this win, Yezdi has sent a clear message to its rivals—Royal Enfield and Honda—that it is no longer just playing the heritage game; it is setting the pace for modern motorcycle design in India.