The Yezdi Roadster has always confused me. It looked like a cruiser, was named a ‘Roadster,’ yet handled like a bratty naked, and that was the part I loved. But I’ve also felt that it mirrored us on most days — sitting calmly through long meetings, while fighting the urge to scream, tear those papers and walk away… into the real world, beyond unrealistic targets and short-sighted goals. The Roadster wanted to be ridden hard; the chassis, ergonomics and engine tune all urged me. But the clunky gearbox, intrusive vibrations and stiff suspension always held it back — much like endless meetings, red tape and shifting targets keep us from ever doing our best work.
So, when Classic Legends announced the 2025 Roadster, it was going to take a lot more than a presentation and a spec sheet to convince me that its flaws were fixed and it wasn’t just like another all-hands meeting promising ‘big changes’ at work. But a ride from Mysore to Madikeri and back did exactly that. Out on the open road, away from the cubicles and conference calls, the bike proved that, like life itself, its beauty lies in its ability to hold two truths at once — the grind we accept and the escape we dream of.
The new Roadster still looked like a cruiser. In fact, with the new updates, it looked more cruiser than before — the almost Harley Davidson-like stubby and chunky rear fender exposed more of the new fatter rear tyre, the seat was reprofiled for more comfort and so was the handlebar. Mine looked more cruiser-y thanks to the accessory flyscreen and the rear seat eliminator. Of course, the new Shark Skin Blue added a hint of retro and calmness. While the changes on the outside made it look suave and restful, underneath it still had the same energy of a hormone-raging teenager… or the office veteran who’s itching to break free the moment the meeting ends.
And it’s all down to the heart — the 334cc liquid-cooled single cylinder Alpha-2 engine making 28.7 bhp and 3.02 kgm. What the company takes pride on, is the gear-based engine mapping. So, the first gear is tuned for quick acceleration, while the next three focus on tractability, with the top two being reserved for a relaxed highway ride. Add the new 47-tooth (two teeth more than before) rear sprocket to the equation, and this Yezdi makes for a riot on the streets. That said, the bike’s decibel killers were removed, which resulted in a raspy exhaust note but also changed the back pressure, something that the ECU wasn’t calibrated for. So, the throttle response on the factory bikes may be slightly different. Nonetheless, you, too, can get the DB killers removed from the service centre.
With this new model, all the brattiness isn’t unlocked from the get-go. Instead, the bike starts in City mode that caps the top speed at 100 kph, and a switch to Power mode unlocks the full potential. Irrespective of the mode, refinement is a lot better than its predecessor. And that’s despite the fact that the vibrations on this bike kick in as early as 4500 rpm and only get more prominent as the revs sprint to the redline. It’s like the office hotshot who has learnt to keep his temper in check… he’s still bursting with energy but is better behaved and easier to live with. Though this engine felt like a teenager raging with hormones, it feels great to ride even at city speeds. And that’s also down to the changes to the chassis.
On mundane commutes through the city, the Yezdi will feel delightful. The revised internals on the front suspension and the reworked rear shocks soak up all the bumps and undulations like we do our boss’s endless monologues — politely nodding along while secretly thinking about the weekend. But the moment this bike is shown a stretch of good road or twisties, it drops the mask, embracing its other side… almost like that quiet colleague who suddenly reveals a daredevil streak the moment the office door closes. The chassis, suspension, and engine all come alive, urging you to push harder, lean deeper, and explore just how fast ‘freedom’ can feel. That said, push it too hard and the bike starts to become a bit wallowy, but by that time, you’ll also start scraping the side stand or the exhaust. And though the brakes are good enough to handle the everyday stuff, providing decent progression and feel, a sustained attack through twisties with repeated hard braking can leave them feeling spongy and losing some bite.
So, is the new Roadster an upgrade? Maybe not. Instead, it feels more like an understanding. It still looks like a cruiser and still calls itself a Roadster but now wears its contradictions with pride just like us. Monday through Friday, it’s calm and collected, soaking up the bumps of the daily grind. But give it a free stretch of tarmac and it throws off the tie, rolls up its sleeves and shows its wild side. And at just `1.93 lakh (ex-showroom), it manages to deliver all that duality for surprisingly little — much like most of us quietly juggling our own contradictions while keeping the show going.
