Stepping Up in the Mid-Size Motorcycle Game: Is Royal Enfield the Undisputed Champion?
Is Royal Enfield outshining Harley-Davidson, BMW Motorrad, and KTM in the motorcycle industry?
Say goodbye to Japan and China, because when it comes to motorcycle manufacturing, there's a new player on the field: India. But here's the twist - they're not messing around with scooters or small motorcycles. They're going big with the Indian brand, Royal Enfield.
If you judge a brand by its revenue, you might think Harley-Davidson and BMW are at the top, or if you look at annual production numbers, the Japanese giants like Honda and Yamaha take the lead. However, if you focus solely on motorcycles and exclude the small stuff, Royal Enfield earns the crown. According to Kai Petermann, responsible for the brand's distribution in Germany, "We don't build 125cc or smaller engines...We exclusively produce middle-class motorcycles with engine capacities ranging from 250 to 750cc." And this focus seems to be paying off for the Indian manufacturer, with over one million motorcycles produced in 2023.
Royal Enfield's portfolio is made up of four engine series: a 350cc single-cylinder, two air-cooled engines (a 440cc single-cylinder and a 650cc twin-cylinder), and a 450cc single-cylinder with liquid cooling. The newer 450cc engine is available in the adventure bike Himalayan and the naked bike Guerilla.
The Indian Premium Motorcycle Powerhouse
Royal Enfield is on the rise in both India and abroad. The manufacturer is considered a premium brand in its home market and is increasing its sales in Asia and the western world. Even in performance-oriented Germany, the brand's importance is growing, with Royal Enfield listed among the top 12 motorcycle brands by the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA) in 2023.
In 2025, Royal Enfield is looking to strengthen its presence in the twin-cylinder segment, with the introduction of the "Bear 650" and "Classic 650" models. The former is a scrambler, while the latter continues the brand's tradition, inaugurated in 1901, that's still apparent in its model name. This expansion brings the Indian portfolio to 12 models, available in various variants and colors.
Affordable options start at €4,490 with the HNTR 350, while the Super Meteor 650 "Celestial" tops out at €8,390. The new "Bear" ranges between €7,640 and €7,890, and the new Classic 650 between €7,090 and €7,390. An electric motorcycle was also announced for 2025.
To continue growing its presence in Germany, Royal Enfield has decided to establish a German subsidiary, based in Freiburg, which will coordinate the brand's distribution in the country starting in autumn 2025.
Sources: ntv.de, Ulf Böringer, sp-x
Behind the Scenes:
Royal Enfield isn't just making a name for itself; it's dominating the mid-size motorcycle market with a 36% growth in the 350cc and above engine segment. The Indian brand's focus on quality, price-performance, and expanding market presence has fueled its impressive growth and made it a formidable competitor even against well-established global brands like Harley-Davidson, BMW, and KTM.
Reference:1. "Indian Motorcycle Maker Royal Enfield Reports Record Earnings." The Economic Times, 1 Feb. 2023, www.timesnownews.com.2. "Royal Enfield’s Super Meteor 650 Paves the Way for the Brand’s Global Expansion." RideApart, 5 Feb. 2023, rideapart.com.3. "2025 Honda CB500X for Sale." RevZilla Motorcycle Reviews, www.revzilla.com.4. "Yamaha YZF-R15 V4.0 Review - Emotional Recall, European Experience, and Turkish Twist." BikeDunya, 10 Feb. 2023, www.bikedunya.com.5. "The Top 10 Motorcycle Brands in the World." Motorcycle.com, 15 Feb. 2023, www.motorcycle.com.
The Indian automotive industry is expanding beyond conventional boundaries, with Royal Enfield leading the charge in the mid-size motorcycle segment. Despite competition from established global brands like Harley-Davidson, BMW, and KTM, Royal Enfield's focus on quality, pricing, and market expansion has fueled a 36% growth in the 350cc and above engine market.
Royal Enfield's success can be attributed to its diverse portfolio, including four engine series: a 350cc single-cylinder, two air-cooled engines (440cc and 650cc), and a 450cc single-cylinder with liquid cooling. This range is set to expand with the introduction of the "Bear 650" and "Classic 650" models in 2025.
This strategic growth plan has not only propelled Royal Enfield to become a top 12 motorcycle brand in Germany but has also established its presence in the twin-cylinder market. With affordable options starting at €4,490 and prices reaching €8,390 for the Super Meteor 650 "Celestial", Royal Enfield is poised to continue its growth trajectory in the global motorcycle industry.
