“We are Cooked!” Bikers on Reddit Express Dismay over Proposed 40% GST Slab on Above 350cc Motorcycles

The biking community in India is up in arms over reports suggesting that motorcycles with engine capacities above 350cc may soon fall under a proposed 40% Goods and Services Tax (GST) slab. The news, which surfaced on social media platforms, has triggered widespread outrage among enthusiasts, tourers, and commuters who see this move as a severe blow to accessible motorcycling in the country.

A viral post on Reddit highlighted that motorcycles above 350cc could be classified under “luxury products,” attracting 40% GST, alongside high-end automobiles, designer clothing, cosmetics, and premium watches. While the official confirmation is awaited, the possibility of such a steep tax hike has sent shockwaves across the biking community.

For many, motorcycles like Royal Enfield, KTM, Honda, and Triumph represent not just leisure but also practicality for long-distance touring and safer highway riding. With this tax proposal, the affordability of even mid-tier touring bikes and adventure motorcycles could be pushed beyond reach for the average Indian buyer.

“As an automotive enthusiast, this proposed 40% hike on motorcycles above 350 CC, is a huge disappointment. I myself was trying to save up enough to get a 500 CC bike, Benelli TRK 502, which is the cheapest (or you can say the best priced) in the segment - around 6.3 lakh ex-showroom. Now if this change comes up, there will be a whole 2.5 Lakh increase in the price making it tougher to own one”, said Akshay Raj, a Performance Marketer and Bike Enthusiast from Kerala.

The subreddit r/indianbikes has become a hotspot for heated discussions around the issue. Users collectively voiced frustration, pointing out that the hike unfairly categorizes functional and mid-range motorcycles as “luxury goods.”

One user lamented, “RIP affordable riding. It feels like the government wants only imported luxury car owners to enjoy life!” Another echoed the sentiment by questioning, “Are we supposed to stick to 150cc commuters for eternity?”

A notable thread revolved around whether manufacturers might respond by tweaking engine capacities to just under 350cc. Jokes about “introducing the new Classic 349” or Honda’s CB350 being technically 348.36cc reflected a mix of frustration and humor in the community.

The uproar is not just about money. Riders pointed out that bigger motorcycles often provide greater stability, safety, and comfort on highways compared to smaller commuter bikes. A tax that discourages their purchase could indirectly compromise rider safety.

Many also questioned the logic of treating motorcycles, often a middle-class aspiration and practical touring option on par with luxury cars, perfumes, and designer handbags. As one comment noted, “We’re not just buying for status, but for genuine passion, better safety, and well-being.”

Amid the outrage, some users highlighted possible misinterpretations. Links to reports in The Hindu suggested that the 40% GST rate might be confined to “sin goods” such as tobacco and gutka, rather than motorcycles. However, ambiguity persists because luxury automobiles and larger-capacity bikes have long been taxed at higher rates under Indian tax policy.

Repulsive_Butterfly1 asked on Reddit, “According to Major GST shake-up: 12% and 28% slabs to be axed - The Hindu and many others, 40% is applicable on 5-7 'sin' goods, which I think is going to be tobacco and gutka etc. Isn't that the case?”

Another Redditor replied that, “Luxury cars/bikes (read popular cars) have been the SIN goods for the government since ages.” This uncertainty has left many in limbo, wondering whether the measure will actually apply to mainstream motorcycles or remain restricted to ultra-premium imports.

For decades, motorcycles above 350cc, especially Royal Enfield’s iconic models have symbolized aspiration for middle-class Indians. Riders save up for years to upgrade, seeing it not as indulgence but as passion and identity. A 40% tax hike threatens to turn that dream into an unattainable luxury.

If implemented, the hike could also affect sales for major domestic manufacturers like Royal Enfield, Hero MotoCorp (Harley-Davidson tie-up), Bajaj (Triumph partnership), and Mahindra (Jawa), potentially stalling growth in India’s premium motorcycle market.

While the proposal has not yet been formally implemented, the backlash underscores how sensitive India’s biking community is to price escalations. Already facing rising insurance premiums, fuel costs, and regulatory changes, riders fear that higher GST could permanently price them out of the segment.

As the debate rages online, enthusiasts are calling for clarity from policymakers. For now, the community waits anxiously, hoping that the government recognizes the difference between aspirational motorcycles and extravagant luxury goods.

Until then, as one rider summarized with exasperation, “This move just makes everything next to impossible.”

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