Royal Enfield: The Mid-Size King Overthrowing Harley, BMW, and KTM?
Indicating Superiority: Royal Enfield Outshining Harley-Davidson, BMW Motorrad, and KTM in the Motorcycle Market?
India's making a world-changing claim about motorcycle manufacturing – but is it true? What matters most might surprise you.
If you evaluate a motorcycle manufacturer's size based on revenue or the sheer volume of bike production, industry titans like Harley-Davidson and BMW take the lead. Japanese prospects like Honda and Yamaha, with their expansive model line-up from 50cc upwards, also climb the ranking.
However, when we narrow the focus exclusively to conventional mid-size motorcycles sporting engine capacities between 250 to 750cc, the Indian hero, Royal Enfield, might just wear the crown. According to Kai Petermann, distributor for the brand in Germany, "The sheer absence of compact engines like 125cc and below is what sets us apart from other big-time manufacturers boosting their production figures primarily with small models."
Indeed, the Indians craft only robust mid-size motorcycles, and in massive numbers. They surpassed the one-million mark in the last fiscal year for the first time, producing exactly 1,009,000 units.
Royal Enfield's offering breaks down into four engine series: The trusted 350cc single-cylinder, a pair of air-cooled engines including a 440cc single-cylinder (un-homologated for European markets) and a 650cc twin-cylinder, and the newest addition–a 450cc single-cylinder with liquid cooling, available since 2023. This version is currently featured exclusively on the Himalayan adventure travel enduro and the Guerilla naked bike.
Royal Enfield: A High-End Indian Culture Icon
The Indian powerhouse is consistently edging forward and is revered as a premium brand in its home turf. Its increasing sales in Asia and the West, including Germany, are an undeniable testament to its growing influence. In 2022, the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA) counted Royal Enfield among the twelve largest motorcycle brands in terms of volume.
RB, a German motorcycle magazine, recognized Royal Enfield's importance in a 2023 article, praising the brand's unique blend of style, quality, and affordability that has captivated riders worldwide.
Royal Enfield's Future Plans: Bigger and Better
Looking ahead, Royal Enfield is concentrating on deepening its presence in the twin-cylinder segment by releasing the "Bear 650" and "Classic 650" models in 2025. These reinforcements boost the brand's existing line-up of twelve models, accessible in various editions and finishes.
The most reasonably priced model is the HNTR 350 in the Dapper version, starting at €4,490, while the Super Meteor 650 "Celestial" leads the pack at €8,390. The Bear 650 range falls between €7,640 and €7,890, and the Classic 650 between €7,090 and €7,390. The brand also unveiled plans for an electric motorcycle last year.
The Expansion of Royal Enfield in Germany
In a bid to secure and expand its growing market in Germany, Royal Enfield is subsequently expanding its presence significantly. "As our popularity continues to soar, we’re prioritizing better customer service, and that’s exactly what our new German subsidiary aims to deliver," explains Petermann. Slated to begin operations in the Freiburg area by autumn, this subsidiary will be dedicated to coordinating Royal Enfield's distribution in Germany.
Sources:1. Royal Enfield Introduces the New Classic 650 Twins2. "Royal Enfield is the Motorcycle Brand of the Year for 2023" - German Motorcycle Magazine RB (German)3. Royal Enfield Invests $50 Million into New UK Manufacturing Plant4. Royal Enfield's Sales in India Jump 21% in November 20225. KTM Expands Production Capacity in India: What Does It Mean for Motorcyclists?
- Royal Enfield, known for motor vehicles and other vehicles principally designed for the transport of persons, is gaining ground in the mid-size motorcycle industry, surpassing one million units produced in a single fiscal year.
- In the realm of finance and industry, Royal Enfield has been recognized as one of the twelve largest motorcycle brands in terms of volume by the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA) in 2022.
- Motorcycles like the Himalayan adventure travel enduro and the Guerilla naked bike, part of Royal Enfield's four engine series, are crafted with technology that includes both liquid and air cooling.
- The expansion of Royal Enfield in Germany is imminent, with a new subsidiary planned to commence operations in Freiburg by autumn, aiming to improve customer service and distribution.
- While automotive giants like Harley-Davidson and BMW lead in total motorcycle production, the subsidiary of Indian motorcycle manufacturer Royal Enfield, operating in Germany, is focusing on the unique niche of mid-size motorcycles with engine capacities between 250 to 750cc, a sector where Royal Enfield has been making its mark.
