Yezdi Roadster First Ride Review: Can It Carve Its Own Path In A Crowded Segment?
The legendary Yezdi name is back – this time, on a modern roadster. But does this new machine retain the rugged, go-anywhere spirit of its ancestors?
By Karan Mathur
Photography By Sunil Chauhan
There’s a certain romance in riding out of Mysore – the spiritual home of Yezdi – on the brand’s newest machine. Just imagine dawn breaking over the city as the Roadster thumps to life, its exhaust note carrying a hint of nostalgia. The plan was simple: point it towards the misty hills of Coorg and see if this modern classic has the substance to match its styling.
The Roadster is Yezdi’s take on the bobber-styled cruiser, shaped by a ‘Born Out of Line’ philosophy that targets riders who prefer the untamed edge over convention. It competes in the fiercely contested 300 – 400cc segment dominated by the laid-back charm of Royal Enfield, the polished refinement of Honda, and the tech-savvy punch of Triumph.
But Yezdi isn’t trying to imitate any of them. This machine wears its attitude differently and aims to create its own unique identity. But does that attitude translate into something real on the road? Let’s find out.
Yezdi Roadster First Ride Review: Styling, Ergonomics and Features
From Mysore to Coorg, the Roadster demanded attention, and it got that. This is a motorcycle that looks and feels substantial, with a big-bike stance amplified by its chunky tyres – a 100-section front and a 150-section rear. When Yezdi’s designers envisioned the Roadster, their storyboard must have been filled with words like naughty, brat, and nice, aiming for a machine that’d be a bit of lovable rogue. And truth be told, they’ve come pretty close.
The new colour schemes, like the Shark Skin Blue you see here, give it a modern, almost custom-built presence straight from the factory. If there’s one misstep, it’s the rear fender – the wide gap between it and the tyre breaks the otherwise taut bobber silhouette. Still, taken as a whole, I prefer the Roadster’s styling over rivals like Royal Enfield Goan Classic 350.
Despite its muscular stance, the Roadster is surprisingly approachable. It’s light to lift off the stand, and the 795mm seat height is friendly enough for most riders – my 5’6” frame could easily get both feet flat on the ground. Add to that a generous 171mm of ground clearance, and you get a bike that won’t intimidate shorter riders or scrape its underbelly on rough patches. That alone will be music to the ears of those who’ve wrestled with the Jawa 42 Bobber’s belly-scraping issues.
The ergonomics ensures a commanding and comfortable riding posture. And for those chasing a more tailored fit, Yezdi’s accessory list – ranging from alternate handlebars to custom seats – lets you customise the Roadster to match your personality.
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For a motorcycle aimed at a budget-conscious yet aspirational audience, the Roadster comes impressively equipped. It packs a full suite of features – LED lighting all around, dual-channel ABS, and two ride modes: City and Power. City mode offers a more relaxed throttle response and caps speed at 100km/h for everyday commuting, while Power mode unleashes the engine’s full potential.
However, the digital instrument cluster – the supposed centrepiece – falls short. It looks sharp and offers some adjustability, but its sunlight readability is poor. I often had to lean in to make sense of the display, which is not something you want to be doing at highway speeds or in dense traffic.
On the brighter side, Yezdi’s new ‘Jawa Yezdi BSA Ownership Assurance Programme’ adds real value, offering a 4-year / 50,000km standard warranty that should reassure potential buyers about long-term ownership.
Yezdi Roadster First Ride Review: Performance and Handling
At the heart of the Roadster sits a new 334cc, liquid-cooled Alpha2 engine – a DOHC unit producing 28.8bhp and 29.6Nm of torque. It’s a versatile motor – tractable enough for city crawling, yet with a strong mid-range surge that kicks in past 4,000rpm, making highway overtakes effortless. Yezdi has reworked the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th gear ratios to improve low-speed drivability, and the standard assist-and-slipper clutch keeps shifts light and easy.
The engine, however, is not without its flaws, though. Vibrations creep in through the pegs and bars at certain speeds, and at higher speeds, the mirrors blur into uselessness. It’s also worth noting that our test bike had its exhaust baffles removed – great for that throaty, addictive soundtrack – which led to some fueling inconsistencies and the occasional sputtering at constant throttle: a word of caution for potential buyers.
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Where the Roadster truly comes into its own is in its handling and ride comfort. Built on an updated, reinforced frame with a retuned suspension setup, it feels agile, confident, and surprisingly easy to live with. On the highway, it stays planted and stable even at higher speeds, yet it’s light and nimble enough to weave through city traffic without fuss.
Ride quality is another standout. The suspension soaks up bad patches and potholes with impressive composure – something you wouldn’t expect from a bobber-styled machine – making the Roadster a genuine all-rounder.
Yezdi Roadster First Ride Review: Verdict
So, what have we learned about the Yezdi Roadster? It’s a genuinely fun, handsome motorcycle that captures the ‘work hard on weekdays, play hard on weekends’ spirit. Versatile enough to handle the daily grind and spirited enough for weekend escapes, it manages to blend practicality with personality.
Sure, it has its share of flaws – vibrations and the hard-to-read instrument cluster – but those are rough edges on an otherwise charismatic machine. For riders looking for something different from the usual suspects, the Roadster is a compelling choice.
It may not have blazed a new trail in the segment, but it has certainly carved one of its own. With its mix of bratty attitude and everyday usability, the Yezdi Roadster stands as a distinct and worthy contender in a crowded segment.
