India is the largest two-wheeler market in the world, offering everything from budget-friendly 100cc commuter motorcycles to high-performance premium bikes. Scooters are equally important and are widely used for daily travel, especially in busy cities where convenience and mileage matter the most.
Every month, lakhs of customers purchase new two-wheelers, making this segment one of the most competitive in the automobile industry. January 2026 turned out to be a dramatic month for the market because the long-time leader, Hero MotoCorp, lost its No. 1 position after many years of dominance. Honda delivered an outstanding performance, climbed to the top of the sales chart, and changed the industry rankings.
Let’s take a closer look at what happened and how each company performed during the month.
India’s Two-Wheeler Market Grew Strongly
India’s two-wheeler industry started 2026 on a very positive note. The top six manufacturers together sold 22,62,880 units in January 2026, showing how fast the market is expanding.
In comparison, these same companies had sold 18,03,857 units in January 2025. This means the industry recorded a huge 25.45% year-on-year growth within just one year.
The sharp rise in sales clearly shows that customer demand for motorcycles and scooters is increasing. Several factors supported this growth, including improved rural buying power, attractive finance options, new model launches, and year-end as well as New Year purchase plans. Better technology, higher fuel efficiency, and stronger brand competition also encouraged many people to upgrade or buy their first two-wheeler.
If this momentum continues, 2026 could become one of the strongest years ever for India’s two-wheeler market.
Honda Takes the Lead – New No. 1 Company
Honda emerged as the best-selling two-wheeler brand last month and created one of the biggest changes in recent industry rankings. The company showed strong performance in almost every segment, from daily-use scooters to commuter motorcycles, which helped it move ahead of its biggest competitor.
This achievement is important because the fight for the top position in India is always very intense, and even a small difference in numbers can change the leaderboard.
Honda Sales Performance
January 2026: 5,74,711 units
January 2025: 4,44,847 units
Growth: 29.13%
Honda added a massive number of new buyers during the month. Its popular scooters continued to attract family and city customers, while its commuter bikes remained a trusted choice for mileage-focused riders. Easy finance schemes, improved supply, and expansion in smaller towns further supported sales.
Better product updates, long-term brand reliability, and strong after-sales service also helped Honda win customer confidence.
With such impressive numbers, Honda successfully pushed Hero to second place and grabbed the leadership crown.
Hero MotoCorp Slips to Second Position
Hero MotoCorp has held the number one position for many years, so this shift came as a big surprise for dealers, customers, and industry experts. The company performed well, but the competition simply did better this time.
Hero Sales Performance
January 2026: 5,57,971 units
January 2025: 4,42,873 units
Growth: 25.97%
Hero recorded strong year-on-year growth thanks to its highly popular commuter motorcycles, affordable pricing, and powerful reach in rural and semi-urban markets. Its trusted brand image and low maintenance cost remain big advantages.
However, Honda’s faster pace of growth made the gap visible, and Hero had to settle for second place.
Still, crossing five and a half lakh units in one month is a huge number. It proves that Hero continues to enjoy deep customer trust and remains a very strong player in the market.
TVS Motor Holds Third Place
TVS Motor once again demonstrated why it is known for its stable and consistent performance. The brand remained in the top three and continued to grow in both scooters and motorcycles.
TVS Sales Performance
January 2026: 4,94,195 units
January 2025: 3,87,671 units
Growth: 27.48%
TVS benefited from its diverse lineup. From everyday commuter bikes to performance-oriented machines and feature-rich scooters, the company has options for almost every buyer type. Its sporty brand image, racing background, and frequent feature upgrades helped bring customers into showrooms.
Because of this balanced approach, TVS comfortably protected its third position.
Bajaj Auto Climbs with Solid Growth
Bajaj Auto secured the fourth rank with a notable improvement in sales numbers. The company continues to perform strongly in India while also enjoying success in international markets.
Bajaj Sales Performance
January 2026: 4,06,295 units
January 2025: 3,28,413 units
Growth: 23.71%
Models from the Pulsar range remained popular among young riders, while commuter-focused bikes like Platina supported volume growth. Bajaj’s reputation for performance, affordability, and wide service support added to buyer confidence.
This steady demand helped Bajaj maintain its position just below the top three brands.
Suzuki Enters Top-5, Beats Royal Enfield
One of the biggest stories of the month was Suzuki’s rise in the rankings. The company managed to enter the top five by moving ahead of Royal Enfield, which is a significant achievement.
Suzuki Sales Performance
January 2026: 1,25,786 units
January 2025: 1,08,921 units
Growth: 15.48%
Suzuki saw strong demand for its scooters, especially in urban markets where customers prefer stylish, reliable, and easy-to-ride options. The company is also expanding its dealership and service network, which is slowly improving accessibility.
With gradual but steady progress, Suzuki strengthened its market position and moved up in the chart.
Royal Enfield Moves Down
Royal Enfield also posted higher sales compared to last year, but its growth was slower than Suzuki’s. As a result, it slipped one place in the ranking.
Royal Enfield Sales Performance
January 2026: 1,04,322 units
January 2025: 91,132 units
Growth: 14.47%
The brand remains the clear leader in the mid-size premium motorcycle segment and has an extremely loyal fan base. Its classic styling, strong road presence, and touring capability continue to attract enthusiasts.
However, due to tougher competition and faster growth from rivals, Royal Enfield moved slightly down in the overall list.
Even then, selling more than one lakh motorcycles in a month is still a very strong performance.
Why Honda Overtook Hero?
Honda’s jump to the number one position did not happen suddenly. It was the result of multiple strengths working together. The company managed to attract new customers while also keeping existing buyers loyal to the brand.
Here are some of the key reasons that helped Honda move ahead of Hero:
Strong Scooter Portfolio
Honda’s scooters, especially the Activa, continue to be among the most preferred choices in India. Families, office commuters, and even first-time buyers trust these models for their comfort, low maintenance, and everyday usability. High demand in the scooter segment gave Honda a major boost in total volumes.
Brand Trust & Mileage
Over the years, Honda has built a solid reputation for reliability and long-lasting engines. Many customers believe Honda vehicles deliver consistent performance and good fuel efficiency, which is a very important factor in daily commuting.
Wide Dealer Network
Honda has expanded its sales and service presence rapidly. With dealerships available in big cities as well as smaller towns, customers find it easier to purchase vehicles and maintain them. Better reach directly converts into higher sales.
Consistent Upgrades
Honda regularly updates its products with new features, better technology, and improved styling. These timely refreshes keep the lineup modern and attractive, encouraging buyers to choose Honda over competitors.
Is the Competition Going to Get Tougher?
Absolutely. The Indian two-wheeler market is becoming more competitive every month.
Companies are launching new models.
Better technology and features are coming.
Electric vehicles are also entering the scene.
Buyers now compare price, mileage, and brand value more carefully.
Hero will surely try hard to regain the crown, while Honda will focus on keeping its new leadership.
Final Words
January 2026 created a big shift in rankings. Honda grabbed the No. 1 position, Hero moved to second, TVS stayed third, Bajaj remained fourth, and Suzuki entered the top five by overtaking Royal Enfield. Even though Hero lost the crown, the overall market growth shows that the future of two-wheelers in India looks very bright.
The coming months will be exciting to watch.
FAQs – Who is the Number 1 Bike Company in India? (January 2026)
1. Which is the number one two-wheeler company in India in January 2026?
Honda became the top-selling two-wheeler brand in January 2026, overtaking Hero MotoCorp with the highest monthly sales.
2. How many units did Honda sell in January 2026?
Honda sold 5,74,711 units during the month, registering strong year-on-year growth.
3. What was Hero MotoCorp’s position in January 2026?
Hero MotoCorp ranked second with sales of 5,57,971 units.
4. Why did Honda move ahead of Hero?
Honda benefited from high scooter demand, strong brand trust, wide dealership reach, and consistent product updates.
5. Which company ranked third in January 2026?
TVS Motor secured the third position with sales close to five lakh units.
6. Did the overall two-wheeler market grow in January 2026?
Yes, the top brands together recorded over 25% year-on-year growth, showing strong customer demand.
7. Are export numbers included in this sales report?
Yes, the figures include both domestic and export sales.
8. Can Hero regain the number one spot?
The competition is very close. With new launches and strong rural demand, Hero may challenge Honda again in the coming months.
Rohit Sharma
AuthorLast updated 13 hours ago
