2025 Yezdi Roadster First Ride Review: A Nostalgic Journey with Modern Flair

Can a motorcycle blend vintage charm with contemporary performance while conquering the scenic roads from Mysore to Coorg? The 2025 Yezdi Roadster aims to answer this with a refreshed design, tweaked mechanics, and a promise of an exhilarating ride. We took this retro-inspired cruiser for a 200 km spin through Karnataka’s picturesque routes to uncover its strengths, quirks, and whether it lives up to the Yezdi legacy. Here’s our first ride impression of this modern classic.

Design and Features: Retro Charm with Modern Touches

The 2025 Yezdi Roadster retains its muscular, retro-bobber stance while introducing subtle yet noticeable design updates. The fuel tank sports fresh decals and new dual-tone colour combinations, enhancing its classic appeal. The round LED headlamp, a nod to its heritage, pairs with optional LED or halogen turn indicators, with the tail light integrated into the indicators for LED variants or separate for halogen ones. A chopped, wider rear fender and a sleeker tail lamp add a contemporary edge to the rear profile. The bike offers around 20 accessory options, two handlebar choices straight or traditional for customisation.

Hardware upgrades include refined telescopic front forks with improved travel and twin rear shock absorbers with preload adjustment, offering a slightly altered suspension profile. The dual-cradle frame has been tweaked for better rigidity, and the split-seat option adds versatility. The negative-display instrument cluster now allows angle adjustment to combat sunlight glare, though visibility remains average in harsh daylight. A notable change is the wider 150-section rear tyre, up from its predecessor on a 17-inch alloy, paired with an 18-inch 100-section front tyre. The seat height, now at 795 mm (a 5 mm increase), remains accessible for riders of average height riders. Dual-channel ABS and disc brakes on both ends enhance safety and provides good stopping power, making the Roadster a well-rounded package, though a colour display option could have elevated its appeal further.

Powering the 2025 Roadster is the familiar 334cc liquid-cooled, fuel-injected Alpha2 engine, also seen in the new Jawa 42 FJ and Yezdi Adventure, producing around 29 bhp and 29.6 Nm of torque. Yezdi has tweaked the six-speed gearbox ratios for smoother shifts and better cruising. On our 200 km ride, the engine delivered robust torque and responsive low-end grunt, ideal for both city commutes and highway stretches. Overtaking is effortless, and the bike feels planted at triple-digit speeds, masking its 184 kg kerb weight well.

However, minor issues persist. Vibrations creep into the footpegs and side mirrors above 70-80 kmph, blurring rear visibility in the mirrors. An unexpected engine cut-off at 103-104 kmph (possibly due to a speed limiter) was jarring, though power resumed within seconds. The new power mode, alongside the standard mode, limits speed to 100 kmph in normal mode, but its implementation feels inconsistent. In city traffic, the bike’s manoeuvrability shines, feeling neither heavy nor cumbersome. The suspension absorbs road imperfections adequately, though gear shifts, particularly from third to fourth, can feel notchy.

The 2025 Yezdi Roadster strikes a fine balance between nostalgic styling and modern performance, making it a head-turner on the Mysore-Coorg route. Its muscular design, customisation options, and punchy engine make it a strong contender in the sub-350cc cruiser segment, competing with the Royal Enfield Meteor 350 and Honda CB350. However, minor niggles like vibrations, inconsistent speed limiting, and an average instrument cluster hold it back from perfection. At its revised ex-showroom price of 1.93 lakh (reduced by approximately ₹16,000 due to GST cuts), it offers good value for enthusiasts seeking a blend of heritage and highway prowess. With some refinement, Yezdi could elevate this Roadster into a class leader. For now, it’s a charismatic cruiser worth a test ride for those who prioritise style and performance over absolute polish.