News Buzz Tech-auto How 'desi' Royal Enfield beats 'videshi' Harley Davidson

How 'desi' Royal Enfield beats 'videshi' Harley Davidson

Once a fringe player in the domestic motorcycle market, Royal Enfield gave a run for money to its much celebrated Japanese counterpart Harley Davidson.The Chennai-based Royal Enfield (RE) has sold over 3 lakh bikes in

how desi royal enfield beats videshi harley davidson how desi royal enfield beats videshi harley davidson

Once a fringe player in the domestic motorcycle market, Royal Enfield gave a run for money to its much celebrated Japanese counterpart Harley Davidson.

The Chennai-based Royal Enfield (RE) has sold over 3 lakh bikes in 2014 overtaking Harley's global sales of 2.67 lakh units.

Apart from the rise in domestic sales, Enfield's global sales also witnessed a good jump from 770 units, up from 424 units last year.

Now, the local bike company has global dreams and is trying every bid to expand its operations overseas.

Here are some factors that lead to swift escalation in the sales of Royal Enfield bikes:

 

1. Pocket Friendly

HD's least expensive model (Street 750) costs around Rs 5 lakhs in India while RE's most expensive bike (the Continental GT) is priced at Rs. 2 lakhs.

And as we know, Indians often keep affordability at the first point.

 

2. Mileage

Royal Enfield (continental GT) promises the fuel efficiency of 25 kilometer per litre as per manufacturer while overall in testing it is even more - 28 KMPL.

On the other hand, asking for good mileage from luxurious series of Harley Davidson is certainly too much to ask for.

 

3. Modifications

Royal Enfield bikes are easy and affordable to modify. You can give a ditch to big brands like Leo Vince, Yoshimura or Akrapovic and can make your bike look completely unique by dropping down just few bucks

In contrast, modification of HD bikes can easily cost you the price of a low power bike.

 

4. Performance

Royal Enfield scores high on performance part as well.

                                           RE                         HD

0 - 60kmph                         4.3                          4.6

0 - 400m                            12.01                      13.69

 

5. Engine

Here is a comparison between the engines of both the devils for the tech-savvy pals:

Model                       Continent GT                                                           Street 750

Type         Single Cylinder, 4 stroke, Air cooled                          Liquid-cooled, Revolution X™ V-Twin

Bore:                            87mm                                                                     85 mm

Stroke                          90 mm                                                                     66 mm

Displacement:              535 cc                                                                    749 cc

Max Power:            29.1 bhp @ 5100 rpm                                                   47 bhp

 

In India, Royal Enfield continues to enjoy a cult status like no other. The brand has gone global and is changing its reputation while maintaining its roots. Though, novelty factor is something that the company needs to work upon, in order to meet the international benchmarks.