Hero MotoCorp may challenge Karnataka govt order on 100cc bikes

Hero MotoCorp is seeking legal opinion on whether it should challenge the Karnataka's ban on pillion riders on bikes with small engines, reports CNBC-TV18 quoting sources.

According to a notification issued by the Karnataka Transport Department in compliance with the Karnataka Motor Vehicle Rules, 1989, ‘No pillion seat shall be attached to a motorcycle with less than 100cc engine’. All motorcycles currently produced in India come with a pillion seat.

A decision would be taken by the company in this regard in the next 2-3 days. The company will seek a stay and challenge the Karnataka government’s notification in the High Court.

The company sells around 20,000 units of 100cc bikes in Karnataka every month. However, nearly 10,000 units of its 100cc bikes sold during the Diwali festival were stuck without registration due to the notification.

The Karnataka government has said it will review the order, but the two-wheeler industry is worried any review would take a month and a half and business will be lost during the said period.

Almost half a dozen units of Hero Motocorp, India’s largest two-wheeler maker, would be impacted the most from the ban on the sale of small engine bikes in Karnataka if the state government does not amend rules. These brands include Splendor, Splendor+, Passion, Passion Pro, HF Delux and HF Delux Eco which have an engine capacity of 97 and 98 cc.