Rising input costs have forced bike makers to hike prices even though market conditions remain challenging due to high interest rates and tight retail financing. Leading companies like Hero Honda, Bajaj and TVS have increased prices to offset increased manufacturing costs.

Hero Honda said it has increased prices of its big-volume 100cc bike by up to Rs 850. "In view of consistently rising input costs, we have raised the prices of our product range to partially offset this increase," the company said.

Chennai-based TVS Motors said it has revised prices of some products. "We increased the prices of the 'Star' range of 100cc bikes by about Rs 1000, while that of 'Apache' by Rs 1500," TVS Motor marketing GM K Ramakrishnan said.

He, however, said the company had not tinkered with the price of its 125cc bike Flame. Bajaj Auto CEO (two-wheelers) S Sridhar also said the company has increased prices. It raised prices of its 100cc bike Platina and 125cc motorcycle XCD slightly less than Rs 1,000.