Bike companies, owners hit by single ride rule for 100-cc vehicles

After the recent ban on pillion riders on two-wheelers of less than 100cc engine capacity in Karnataka. The two wheeler-dealers across the city are finding difficult to sell new 100cc bikes.

After the state government banned pillion riders on two-wheelers below 100 cc, bookings for such vehicles have almost stopped.

With no enquiries coming in for such motorcycles and scooters for the past one week, many dealers have stopped putting them up for sale for now.

“We are not promoting such bikes,” said an automobile showroom manager from Yeshwantpur.

The state government recently banned pillion riders on new two-wheelers below 100 cc.

The rule, however, does not apply to already registered two-wheelers.

According to dealers, customers are not ready to buy two-wheelers on which pillion riders are not allowed.

“I own a 97 cc Splendor Pro bike but I can’t resell it since no one is willing to buy it,” said an aggrieved motorist, Prakash Kumar.

Many automobile companies had launched offers during the Deepavali and Dasara festivals. Thousands of vehicles below 100 cc sold during the festival are stuck without registration due to the government notification.

“We had sold more than 100 vehicles (below 100 cc) under various festival offers. These vehicles are not registered so far. The transport department has asked us to remove their rear seats,’’ said a TVS company dealer.

Companies like TVS and Hero Motocorp have been the worst hit by this rule.

  “Now, we should explain to customers about the single ride for bikes below 100 cc. No customer will opt for such a bike. We are losing customers as other companies give them better options. This will also lead to tough competition in the automobile sector,” said Karthik Prasad, customer service manager at an automobile showroom.

Meanwhile Bajaj Auto said the recent order by the Karnataka government to ban pillion riding on two-wheelers will not affect their sales as all the motorcycles they manufacture are above 100 cc.

Bikes affected

Hero Splendor, Splendor+, Passion, Passion Pro, HF Delux and HF Delux Eco which have an engine capacity of 97 and 98 cc and TVS Scooty Pep Plus, TVS Sport, XL 100 and Kawasaki KX.”

DH News Service