Jawa-Yezdi motorcycles maker rides through Trump tariff headwinds

5,000 bikes stuck at US Customs as company hopes duty rates stay in the 0-10% range

Classic Legends, the parent company of Jawa and Yezdi motorcycles, is pressing ahead with its global expansion plans even as around 5,000 of its motorcycles remain stuck at US Customs and tariff uncertainty clouds the near term. 

Anupam Thareja, cofounder of Classic Legends, said the delays are linked to recent Customs clearance issues in the US, a key market for the company’s export ambitions. “We have a few thousand motorcycles awaiting clearance at US Customs. We’re hoping the duty rate falls in the 0–10 per cent range. The US was a 3,000–5,000-unit market for us this year, so the delay is a major setback.” 

The company plans to diversify its overseas footprint to reduce dependence on any single geography, with South America, West Asia, and Australia identified as key markets. “We expect exports to contribute about 20 per cent of our total sales in the coming years, up from the minimal digit right now,” Thareja added. 

The expansion comes amid shifting trade dynamics for motorcycle exports. The US recently raised tariffs on certain categories of imported motorcycles, while other regions have tightened regulatory and homologation norms (the process of certifying that a vehicle meets specific regulatory standards and is roadworthy). 

Classic Legends aims to address these challenges by tailoring products to market-specific requirements and leveraging its heritage-led appeal to differentiate itself in competitive mid-capacity motorcycle segments. 

Despite the current backlog in the US, Thareja said demand indicators remain strong in export markets, and the company is prepared to scale shipments once clearance issues are resolved. “Our international strategy is about building resilience, expanding reach, and ensuring our motorcycles can ride through any tariff or logistical roadblock,” he said. 

The company is steadily widening its international footprint, with a presence in markets including Japan, New Zealand, Mexico, Italy, Spain, Germany, Austria, Argentina, and France. 

On Tuesday, the company launched the new Yezdi Roadster motorcycle at an introductory price of ₹2.09 lakh (ex-showroom), the twelfth product across the three brands. It also aims to increase its market share in the domestic market with its raft of launches. One more bike will be launched this financial year in the mid-market segment. 

According to data from the Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations, Classic Legends sold 32,343 units in 2024-25, with a 0.17 per cent share of the market. 

To support its growth, Classic Legends is ramping up its dealership network to reach 350 outlets covering all pincodes before the festival season. All new outlets will be 3S-compliant — offering sales, service, and spare parts — as the company focuses on improving customer experience and dealer viability. 

“We are on track to expand our dealership network beyond the current urban footprint, ensuring wider accessibility for customers and supporting our growth in the domestic markets,” said Sharad Agarwal, chief business officer of Classic Legends.