Adventure motorcycling is evolving in India, with a growing number of premium motorcycle buyers looking beyond outright performance and road presence to explore new destinations and experiences. From long-distance touring and off-road trails to organised rides and rider training programmes, the ecosystem around motorcycling has expanded significantly in recent years.
To understand what is driving this shift and how the preferences of Indian riders are changing, MotorBeam spoke to Shardenduu Chaturvedi, Director, BMW Motorrad India. In this conversation, he discusses the growing popularity of adventure-touring motorcycles, the rise of organised riding experiences and communities, and the increasing importance of training, gear and accessories in premium motorcycle ownership. He also talks about the role of programmes such as the BMW Motorrad GS Experience in introducing riders to off-road motorcycling and helping them build their skills.
1. Adventure-touring motorcycles are becoming increasingly popular in India. What do you think is driving this shift among premium motorcycle buyers?
BMW Motorrad has always believed in giving people the freedom to choose a motorcycle that fits the way they ride. The range spans urban mobility, roadsters, sport, heritage, touring and adventure, with several products creating or reshaping their segments through a distinctive mix of performance, design and on-road presence. Adventure and touring motorcycles are especially popular because of their versatility. They are easy to live with during the week, yet ready for a completely different kind of weekend with an unmistakable presence.
India makes that promise even more exciting. Few countries offer such a rich mix of highways, mountain passes, forest tracks and changing terrain. People are actively looking for unexplored roads, new trails and fresh touring routes rather than repeating the familiar. BMW Motorrad helps them go further with the right motorcycle, riding gear, luggage systems and lifestyle accessories, allowing each owner to set up the machine around personal needs. It is a complete ecosystem built around one simple idea: Make Life a Ride.
2. Earlier, riders would often plan their own long-distance trips. Today, we see more organised rides, curated experiences and riding communities. How important has this organised ecosystem become?
The organised ecosystem has changed what feels possible. A first serious tour involves route planning, safety, luggage, accommodation, technical backup and the weather, so good support removes a lot of uncertainty without taking away the adventure. Through around 50–60 Weekend Escapes, along with national and international BMW Motorrad Safaris, we give owners a wide choice of formats, from accessible short breaks to journeys on some of the world’s finest riding routes.
Each format serves a different appetite for discovery. Weekend Escapes make it easier to get away and meet fellow owners, while the longer Safaris explore carefully chosen roads and trails in India and overseas, supported by experienced marshals and service teams. The aim is not to choreograph every moment, but to take care of the essentials so people can enjoy the route at their own pace and return with new stories, friendships and a stronger sense of what their motorcycle can do.
3. Do you think riders today are more willing to spend money on experiences, rather than just buying a motorcycle?
Absolutely. We are firmly in an experience economy. Owners want more than a motorcycle; they want to learn, travel, personalise and connect with people who share the same passion. That is why investments in training, riding gear, luggage, accessories and curated journeys are becoming an important part of premium ownership. The motorcycle starts the relationship, but the memories made with it give that relationship depth.
We see that demand very clearly: our training programmes and national and international BMW Motorrad Safaris often fill up almost as soon as registrations open. That enthusiasm tells us customers value access, learning and shared adventure as much as the machine itself. BMW Motorrad brings those elements together through products, expert training, travel and community, creating opportunities that can begin close to home and lead to some of the best riding destinations in the world.
4. How have riding communities and group rides changed the way people look at motorcycle touring in India?
Community has made touring feel more open and less intimidating. Someone planning a first journey can learn from seasoned motorcyclists about the route, preparation, equipment and what to expect when conditions change. Group rides add reassurance, while social platforms allow one person’s discovery to inspire many others to look for a new road or trail of their own.
BMW Motorrad has one of the largest communities in premium motorcycling, and that sense of belonging is a real strength in India. Owners stay connected through our dealer network, riding platforms and a growing calendar of experiences. But the real impact is visible in the friendships, mentoring and stories that continue long after a ride is over.
5. How important are curated experiences like the BMW Motorrad GS Experience in introducing more riders to adventure motorcycling?
The GS Experience is often where curiosity turns into real off-road ability. A GS is built to handle an extraordinary variety of terrain, but getting the best from it takes technique, judgement and time on the motorcycle. The programme gives participants a welcoming place to learn step by step with expert instruction, rather than relying on trial and error.
The two-day programme, offered across nine Indian cities in 2026, takes owners through Level 1 and Level 2 training in real-world conditions. They learn to read the surface, position the motorcycle, stay composed and make better decisions as the terrain changes. For many, that is the beginning of a larger journey: progressing through training and national qualifiers, with the ambition of experiencing the International GS Trophy, the ultimate global challenge for GS riders.
6. What makes the GS Experience different from simply going on a long motorcycle ride with friends?
A day out with friends is mainly about the road and the company. The GS Experience is about learning how to handle the motorcycle with greater control and awareness. Under the guidance of BMW Motorrad International Instructor Academy-certified trainers, participants work on body position, throttle control, braking, balance, manoeuvring and different surfaces. They also learn how to use the GS technology effectively in changing conditions. You leave with practical ability, a better understanding of your own limits and the foundation to take on more demanding routes safely.
7. What role do you think manufacturers and riding communities have to play in making adventure touring more accessible to new riders?
Making adventure touring more accessible starts with giving people the right choice and removing uncertainty. A suitable motorcycle is essential, but so are clear advice, protective gear, luggage solutions, training and opportunities to build experience gradually. When those elements come together, adventure feels less like a specialist pursuit and more like something a wider group of enthusiasts can genuinely enjoy.
BMW Motorrad opens that door with approachable products, professional instruction, dealership-led rides and well-supported tours. Communities then keep people moving forward through honest advice, mentoring and encouragement. Weekend Escapes provide an easy first step, the GS Experience builds off-road technique, and Motorrad Safaris give owners a chance to apply it on more ambitious journeys in India and abroad.
That is the BMW Motorrad difference: a motorcycle suited to your riding style, the gear and accessories to make it your own, the training to use it well, and a community that helps you discover what comes next. It is a complete path from everyday riding to weekend exploration, international touring and, for the most committed GS owners, the dream of the GS Trophy. In the end, Make Life a Ride is not simply a motto; it is an invitation to keep learning, keep exploring and make every journey count.
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