How can OEMs successfully meet customers’ expectations for connected motorcycles?

November 11th, 2025

Motorcycles make up a significant portion of global road users, and safety concerns remain high. At the same time, riders expect seamless digital services similar to connected cars. For OEMs, this creates both an urgent challenge and a major opportunity: how to improve rider safety, convenience, and loyalty while navigating cost pressures, regulations, and rapid technological change.

Why connected services for motorcycles are gaining momentum

The two-wheeler industry is quickly catching up to the connectivity development of the automotive industry. Embedded connectivity, enabled through onboard devices, now gives OEMs the opportunity to provide a wide range of connected services.

There are three main reasons why demand is accelerating:

  • Rising customer expectations
    Motorcycle riders are increasingly accustomed to digital services in other areas of their lives. They expect experiences similar to connected cars, especially when it comes to safety, security, and convenience.
  • Safety and security as a catalyst
    Governments, industry stakeholders, and OEMs alike are focused on reducing two-wheeler accidents. Services such as emergency call, accident notification, stolen vehicle tracking, road safety alerts, Digital Key Management, and predictive maintenance will only grow in importance.
  • Advances in hardware and digital features
    A major hurdle has been the telematics control unit (TCU), once too large and expensive for motorcycles. As TCUs have become smaller and more affordable, large-scale adoption is now feasible. At the same time, many premium motorcycles already come with digital instrument clusters that integrate seamlessly with smartphones, giving OEMs new digital touchpoints. The shift toward electrification further strengthens the case for connected services, as riders need to manage battery health, routing, and charging.
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What global markets reveal about connected motorcycles

In mature markets such as Europe and North America, motorcycles are often used seasonally. This creates opportunities for OEMs to offer subscription-based packages that provide riders with navigation, trip logging, and safety features during peak riding periods. As a result, these connected services generate new revenue streams from vehicles already sold.

In fast-growing markets such as India, China, ASEAN nations, and Latin America, demand for premium motorcycles is increasing rapidly. Riders in these regions are digitally savvy and eager for robust, comprehensive connected services. For OEMs, these markets represent a golden opportunity to expand reach and deepen customer engagement.

The five main challenges of connected services for motorcycles

Despite strong potential, connected services for motorcycles come with challenges:

  1. Cost pressures: Building, deploying, and managing services is resource-intensive. ROI and monetization strategies must be clear.
  2. Business model uncertainty: OEMs must determine which models to include in initial offerings, and what should be add-on services.
  3. Cybersecurity and compliance: Regulations such as GDPR, PIPL, and UNR 155 are evolving rapidly, and OEMs need to adapt to regional differences.
  4. Resource management: OEMs must balance what expertise to build internally and what to source from partners.
  5. Keeping pace with digital ecosystems: Electrification, cybersecurity, and technology evolution require OEMs to remain agile and informed.

How can OEMs invest most wisely in connected services for motorcycles?

Ultimately, OEMs must decide what to make in-house and what to source externally. In many cases, partnering with experienced service providers makes sense: it accelerates time-to-market, reduces resource burdens, and allows OEMs to focus on their core strengths — building world-class motorcycles and keeping their brand promise alive.

Sunset over an open road and a man with a helmet riding a chopper motorbike

What WirelessCar offers OEMs in the two-wheeler industry

With more than 25 years of experience developing and operating connected services for the automotive industry, WirelessCar can help OEMs apply proven solutions to the two-wheeler sector. Many services familiar to car owners, such as Call Center Services and stolen vehicle tracking, Digital Key Management, Position & Journey, and predictive maintenance — are equally relevant for motorcycle riders.

Global presence, local expertise
WirelessCar operates connected services in over 100 markets worldwide, with offices in Europe, China, Japan, India, and the United States. This global reach allows us to deliver reliable connected services while working with the right ecosystem partners in each market.

Flexible, modular solutions
Our secure-by-design solutions are modular and avoid vendor lock-in. We can tailor connected services to each OEM, whether through our cloud-based products, bespoke development, or a combination of both. This flexibility is one reason why many OEMs have worked with us for years.

Long-term service management
Launching connected services is just the beginning. We help OEMs start with essential offerings and expand over time, ensuring relevance and high quality through continuous service management.

Cybersecurity and compliance leadership
WirelessCar closely follows developments in data privacy and cybersecurity worldwide. Our solutions are ISO 27001 certified and comply with local regulations, helping OEMs confidently deliver services that protect both end users and brand reputation.

Shaping the future of connected motorcycles

Connected services are no longer optional. They are essential to rider safety, satisfaction, and loyalty. With WirelessCar’s proven experience and global expertise, two-wheeler OEMs can accelerate their digital journey, reduce complexity, and deliver the seamless experiences customers expect. By collaborating on connectivity for motorcycles, we can ensure that every ride is safer, smarter, and more rewarding.

If you’d like to learn more about WirelessCar’s work with connected two-wheelers, please reach out to our team — we’d be happy to continue the conversation. You can also explore related articles on business partnerships, open source software collaboration, and DevOps on the WirelessCar Insights Blog.

Anek Sajan
Business Development Manager
Pavan Vishnubhatla
Product Manager