Let me be honest with you. The moment I landed in Goa last week, I knew exactly what was waiting for me. It was a scene straight out of Mad Max: Fury Road—engines snarling, dust hanging in the air, and a palpable sense of purpose. It's important to highlight This was Motoverse, a three-day celebration of everything motorcycling, and it was calling me back to a world I thought I’d left behind for good. From a news perspective,
Key Highlights
- ✓ I dove headfirst into Motoverse, Royal Enfield's three-day motorcycle festival in Goa.
- ✓ Rapper Hanumankind led a pack of riders to the Vagator Hilltop venue in true cinematic style.
- ✓ The all-new Royal Enfield Bullet 650 made its India debut, blending classic design with modern power.
- ✓ A prototype of the much-anticipated Himalayan 750 was showcased, hinting at a 2026 production model reveal.
- ✓ The festival was a full-blown cultural event with performances by artists like DJ Diplo and Thaikkudam Bridge.
A Past Love Calling
I’ve had my fair share of long-haul rides. I’m talking about Chennai to Mumbai via Bengaluru and Goa—a breezy 1,800 kilometers of open highways. A few years later, I did the return trip, and miraculously, my stress-induced backaches vanished. But then came the big one: Rajasthan, smack in the middle of Demonetisation. Udaipur to Jaisalmer and back in three days, a 1,600-kilometer ordeal of potholes and trenches that left me so traumatized, I swore I’d never swing a leg over a motorcycle again.
Yet, there I was, walking out of the North Goa airport, buzzing with the excitement of a first-timer. The folks at Royal Enfield handed me the keys to a Hunter 350, the perfect bike for Goa. It’s compact, nimble, and easy to flick through traffic, with a suspension that just eats up potholes for breakfast. With a full 11-liter tank, I was all set to dive into the controlled chaos of the festival.
The Moto Mela at Vagator Hilltop
The pilgrimage began with a ride led by none other than rapper Hanumankind. Picture this: he’s gloving up like a prizefighter, mounting a bike at Garage Café, and leading a massive convoy of riders up to Vagator Hilltop. Helmets gleaming, machines revving—it was pure cinema. Even Siddharth Lal, Royal Enfield's chief, rolled in with the swagger of a man who bleeds motor oil. Locals stopped in their tracks to film the spectacle as hundreds of us took over the roads.
The Hilltop itself had transformed into a giant carnival, a kind of biker’s Comic-Con or Disneyland. Stalls were everywhere, selling vintage jackets, touring gear, and all sorts of bizarre accessories. The air was thick with the smell of amazing Goan food—I grabbed mozzarella sandwiches from Artjuna and a perfect Hot Head pizza at Como Agua Pizzeria. At the heart of it all was the Maut Ka Kuan, where riders defied physics, racing bikes around a wooden well as if gravity was just a suggestion.
Music, Machines, and More
Every evening, the festival came alive with music. On day one, after Thaikkudam Bridge warmed up the crowd, Hanumankind took the stage and delivered an unforgettable performance. On day two, I caught Dot and the Syllables, whose jazzy vocals charmed the indie fans right after a fashion show flaunting Royal Enfield’s new apparel range. Later, I wandered over to the main stage where DJ Diplo had thousands vibing to a wild mix of bhangra beats and EDM.
Of course, the bikes were the stars. New Royal Enfield models gleamed under the spotlights, and the new gear—like the graphic-forward Comic Helmet and the upgraded Motowave X2 Bluetooth unit—was all laid out for us to test. Sporting my Vallon Moto Aviators, I felt like I was part of something truly special. Analysts note that
The Nostalgic Power of the Bullet 650
Amidst all the festival buzz, Royal Enfield dropped something huge: the India debut of the Royal Enfield Bullet 650. This machine is a beautiful blend of nostalgia and raw power. Having just broken cover at EICMA 2025, it rolled into Motoverse ahead of its expected India launch in January 2026. This isn't just another bike; it's the most powerful Bullet ever made.
Visually, it’s the iconic Bullet we all know and love. It marks the comeback of the classic winged badge, the meticulously hand-painted pinstripes on the teardrop tank, and those signature tiger-eye pilot lamps. But it’s also packed with modern touches like a retro-themed round LED headlamp and a handy USB Type-C charging port. It’s built on a steel tubular frame and rides on a 19-inch front and 18-inch rear wheel setup, giving it that commanding road presence.
Weighing in at 243 kg, the bike feels incredibly heavy and planted, which is exactly what you want for long, comfortable rides. Safety hasn't been overlooked either, with disc brakes at both ends and dual-channel ABS. It’s clear Royal Enfield designed the Bullet 650 for the long haul, maintaining that hallmark comfort the brand is famous for.
A Glimpse of the Beast: The Himalayan 750
If the Bullet 650 was the star of the show, the Himalayan 750 was the tantalizing secret everyone was whispering about. After being spotted on test runs near Chennai, Royal Enfield unveiled a prototype at this year's EICMA in an open crate, letting attendees get a good look without spilling too many technical details. It was a brilliant move, building up massive anticipation.
So, when will we see the final version. According to the company CEO, they need another year to test it thoroughly. That means we’ll likely see the production-spec model globally unveiled at EICMA 2026. The India launch could follow at Motoverse 2026 or in early 2027. The wait is going to be tough, but it sounds like it’ll be worth it.
Based on the spy shots, we’re expecting two versions: a road-biased model with alloy wheels and a more adventure-focused one with spoke wheels. The heart of this beast will be a new 750cc parallel-twin engine, expected to churn out around 54-55bhp and nearly 65Nm of torque. The entire hardware package—chassis, swingarm, suspension—seems to be all new, built from the ground up for this model. This thing is going to be a game-changer.
Beyond the Festival: Riding Through Goa
A trip to Goa isn’t complete without some exploring, especially when the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) is happening at the same time. At the end of day two, I took the Hunter 350 for a 22-kilometer ride to Panaji to hang with my filmmaker friend Q. He was throwing a party to celebrate his new film, and it was cool to see fellow filmmakers like Vishal Bhardwaj and Kiran Rao drop by to wish him luck.
On the final day, after watching a thrilling game of Moto Polo where a local Bengaluru team beat a pro-level international team, a friend and I decided to ride all the way north to Morjim. We went looking for the former hippie scene but found it replaced by mainstream candlelit dinner shacks charging a fortune. From a news perspective, A bit disappointed, we rode back to Chapora and chilled by the bustling dive scene after grabbing a bite at Boiler Maker, one of Asia’s top 50 bars.
Conclusion
Just before returning the bike, after covering 140 kilometers, I had a quiet moment to myself over lunch by the sea at Purple Martini in Anjuna. Surrounded by the distant roar of dyno tests and the buzz of the festival, it hit me. Somewhere between the music, the machines, and the incredible energy of Motoverse, I realized just how much I had missed motorcycling. I was home again.
