Honda To Officially Enter Off-Road Racing in India

Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI) have planned to step into off-road racing championships in India officially. While the manufacturer participates in many world-class championships globally, including endurance, motocross, and rally racing, this will be the first time Honda enters Indian off-road racing championships.

Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India has historically been an active participant in the Indian National Motorcycle Racing Championship (INMRC), competing through factory teams and its one-make race programs. Riders excelling in these races get a chance to compete in international programmes like the Honda Asia Dream Cup, Thailand Talent Cup, and the Asia Road Racing Championship (ARRC). However, as of 2026, HMSI is gradually reducing its focus on circuit racing (like INMRC) and shifting toward off-road formats such as rally and supercross.

On the international level, Honda competes in Dakar Rally, the FIM Motocross World Championship, the FIM X-Trial World Championship and many more.

Honda’s entry into off-road racing championships in India will likely result in an expanded off-road motorcycle lineup, giving off-road and adventure riders a wider variety of motorcycles to choose from. Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India currently sell the NX500 and the XL750 Transalp in the country. Honda’s entry into off-road racing could pave the way for the CRF series and even the return of the Africa Twin to the Indian market.

The National Motocross Championship (NMC), the Indian National Rally Championship (INRC), and the new Indian Supercross Racing League (ISRL) are among the most recognized off-road motorcycle racing championships in India. However, it is not yet clear which championships Honda will participate in. Notable brands like Kawasaki, Hero, and TVS, among others, are part of some of the above-mentioned championships, and Honda appearing on the start line will only excite off-road enthusiasts.