2025 Yezdi Roadster Review: Soul on two wheels

Yezdi is back. For some, that single line is enough to send goosebumps down your spine. For others, it’s a cautious wait-and-watch moment. After all, nostalgia can only carry a name so far—today’s roads demand more. The 2025 Yezdi Roadster is here to prove that it’s more than just a revival of an iconic badge. And with the recent GST 2.0-driven price drop, it suddenly looks like a tempting deal.

I rode the Roadster as part of Yezdi’s NOMADS program, a 300-kilometer round trip from Mysore to Coorg and back. City chaos, arrow-straight highways, and winding hill roads — it was the perfect testing ground to figure out if the Roadster has what it takes to be more than just a memory on wheels.

First Impressions: Back from the past

Swinging a leg over, the Roadster instantly feels like more than just another motorcycle. It’s a name reborn. The stretched fuel tank, blacked-out mechanicals, beefy stance, and twin pipes make it an instant attention-grabber. It’s retro, yes, but it also carries an edge that feels contemporary.

City Ride: Surprisingly friendly

Mysore’s traffic was the first test . Despite its 184 kg kerb weight, the Roadster felt nimble and easy to handle. . Threading through traffic wasn’t a chore, and the brakes with dual-channel ABS delivered confident stopping power. The suspension handled potholes and speed breakers with composure, adding to its city-friendly charm. This is a motorcycle you won’t dread riding to work. And that, for something with this much presence, is impressive.

Highway Manners: Smooth at 90, Shaky Above

On the open highway towards Coorg, the Roadster was happiest cruising between 90–100 km/h. The 334cc liquid-cooled single churns out 29.1 PS and 29.6 Nm, working through a slick 6-speed gearbox. Mid-range torque is the star of the show—overtakes are handled with ease, and the engine feels unstressed at sensible speeds. But cross the 100 km/h mark, and the cracks begin to show. Vibrations seep into the bars and pegs, the mirrors blur into abstract art, and the instrument cluster—already reflective in sunlight—becomes even harder to read. This is not a highway mile-muncher. It’s a cruiser in the classic sense: happiest when you take it slow and steady.

The Twisties: Roadster’s Playground

Then came the winding hill roads of Coorg, and the Roadster suddenly made perfect sense. The exhaust note, deep and throaty, eggs you on as the torque-rich mid-range pulls you out of corners. It’s not razor-sharp like a sportbike, but it has enough agility to make winding roads a joy. If your weekends are about chasing twisties with friends, this is where the Roadster will win you over.

Customization: Personal Touch

Yezdi has leaned into individuality by offering more than 50 customization options. From touring windshields to subtle cosmetic touches, owners can make their Roadster truly theirs. In a market where bikes often look like clones, this is a welcome move.

Specs Check

For the numbers enthusiasts, the Roadster comes with a 334cc single-cylinder liquid-cooled engine producing 29.1 PS and 29.6 Nm of torque, paired with a 6-speed constant mesh gearbox. It tips the scales at 184 kilograms and offers a seat height of 795 mm, which should be approachable for most riders. Fuel capacity is pegged at 12.5 litres, giving it decent range for weekend rides. Suspension duties are handled by 41mm telescopic forks at the front and twin gas-filled shocks with adjustable preload at the rear. Braking comes from a 320 mm disc up front and a 240 mm disc at the back, both backed by dual-channel ABS. Tyres are a 100/90-18 at the front and a beefy 150/70-17 at the rear, sitting on a 1440 mm wheelbase with 171 mm of ground clearance. All this puts it squarely up against the likes of the Royal Enfield Meteor 350 and the Honda H’ness CB350.

Effortless handling through Mysore traffic and open highways alike.
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

Weak Spots That Hold It Back

Of course, the Roadster isn’t without its flaws. The most obvious is the vibration that creeps in once you go past 100 km/h, rattling through the bars, pegs, and even making the mirrors practically useless. Long stretches at high speeds become uncomfortable as a result. The instrument cluster doesn’t help matters either, as glare in direct sunlight makes it difficult to read, especially when you need it most on open highways. Touring comfort at sustained triple-digit speeds simply isn’t its strong suit.

Price Drop: The Real Game-Changer

Where the Roadster claws back serious ground is in its pricing. With GST 2.0 restructuring taxes, the bike now costs significantly less than before. The range begins with the Sharkskin Blue at ₹1.93 lakh, climbs slightly to ₹1.96 lakh for Smoke Grey, ₹2.00 lakh for Bloodrush Maroon, ₹2.04 lakh for Savage Green, and tops out at ₹2.08 lakh for the Shadow Black. At these prices, the Roadster is no longer a sentimental indulgence but a value-packed option in the modern retro segment.

The Roadster shines on winding Coorg roads with its mid-range power and throaty exhaust.
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

The Final Verdict

After more than 300 kilometers in the saddle across cities, highways, and mountain twisties, the Yezdi Roadster revealed its true character. This isn’t a machine chasing perfection, nor does it pretend to be. What it offers instead is personality — the kind that makes you glance back every time you park it, the kind that encourages you to take the long way home just to hear that throaty exhaust one more time. It thrives in the city, excels on weekend getaways, and delights on winding roads where its torque-rich mid-range and addictive soundtrack shine.

Sure, the vibrations, the limited highway comfort, and the reflective cluster are shortcomings that can’t be ignored. But they don’t erase what the Roadster delivers at its core: a raw, engaging ride that feels alive. With its price drop making it more accessible, the Roadster finally feels like it has found its rhythm. It’s not the polished symphony of refinement, but more like a gritty rock anthem—loud, unapologetic, and full of soul. And for riders who value motorcycles with character over clinical perfection, that’s exactly what makes the Yezdi Roadster worth considering.

Prices start at INR 1.93 lakh

Motorscribes, in association with The Hindu, brings you the latest in cars and bikes. Follow them on Instagram on @motorscribes

Published – September 23, 2025 08:16 am IST