‘Royal Enfield’: Your perfect travel companion

As far as motorcycle production goes, Royal Enfield is the world’s oldest and most established brand. The Royal Enfield voyage began in 1901 and is still going strong and exciting the next generation. It’s more than just a motorbike; it’s a tradition and a history. It has been a well-known motorcycle brand for almost 120 years.

Many individuals believe that the well-known motorbike brand Royal Enfield is Indian. They even think of it as their own product in India. Indian culture is so entwined with Royal Enfield that Indians who are unaware of its history regard it as their own brand. Royal Enfield has its origins in the UK.

In addition to classic motorcycles, Royal Enfield now produces adventure and off-road motorcycles. A Forbes study claims that Royal Enfield outsold Harley-Davidson, one of the top motorbike companies in the world, in 2014 in terms of cult classic motorcycle sales. Approximately 300,000 Royal Enfield motorcycles were sold in that year, surpassing Harley-Davidson’s roughly 268,000 motorcycles.

Royal Enfield’s journey of 120 years

Despite the fact that the first motorized vehicle was invented in 1898, Royal Enfield motorcycles were a surprise addition to the new century in 1901. The first person that springs to mind when one thinks about Royal Enfield is George Townsend. When he was eighteen, he established “Townsend and Ecocys” and began selling bicycles. The business, however, experienced a significant financial collapse in 1891. Albert Eddy, the sales manager of the financier Birmingham Perry & Co Ltd, and businessman Bob Walker-Smith were so tasked by Townsend with running the bicycle company. The first motorized vehicle invented by Bob Walker-Smith was created in 1896. The name of this vehicle was a quadricycle. The business was registered as “The Enfield Cycle Company Limited” in the same year. Royal Enfield began to progressively transition to motorsport around 1900. Jules Gautier and Bob Walker Smith created the company’s first motorcycle, which was manufactured in 1901.

Royal Enfield’s first motorcycle, created by Bob Walker Smith in 1896. | Photo collected.

The Minerva engine, installed in the motorcycle’s steering head, was Royal Enfield’s first creation. A lengthy leather belt drove the back wheel. Enfield started making vehicles in 1902. As a result, a new firm, the Enfield Autocar Firm Limited, was established in Redditch in 1906, and a new plant was built.

Albert Eddy sold the Birmingham Small Arms Company his majority stake in the company after it encountered significant financial difficulties within months of the new subsidiary’s establishment. Bob Walker Smith and Albert Eddy were named BSA’s directors before the sale. Enfield then introduced their first V-twin motorcycle in 1909.

Royal Enfield’s first V-twin motorcycle launch in 1909. | Photo collected.

Frank Walker-Smith and Bob Smith joined the Enfield Cycle Company as joint directors in 1914. The same year, Royal Enfield started manufacturing its first motorcycle with two strokes. During World War I, the business provided motorcycles to the Russian, American, British, Belgian, and French forces. Following the war, the business conducted research and development for eight further models, including the sporting model 351 and the first 350cc and HV 4-stroke motorcycles.

One of the most recognizable and functional motorcycles, the Royal Enfield Bullet, was manufactured by the company in 1932. Frank took over the company’s management following the death of Bob Walker Smith in 1933. Royal Enfield unveiled the revolutionary Model Z Cigar that same year. It included leg shields for passenger safety and a 147cc two-stroke fully enclosed engine. During World War II, Enfield manufactured the first “Royal Enfield Airborne Motorcycle” in 1943, which was transported into combat alongside paratroopers. In 1948 two 350cc Bullets participated in the “International Six Days Trials” in Italy near the end of World War II, and both riders owned gold medals.

Creation of Royal Enfield’s iconic Bullet motorcycle in 1932. | Photo collected.

Royal Enfield’s Journey in India:

Following the World War, Royal Enfield began introducing their new motorcycle designs to the market in 1946–1954. They introduced the renowned “Bullet” model to the market during this period. The 350 cc and 500 cc bullets quickly became popular.

The Indian government looked for a motorcycle in 1949 so that the army could patrol the country’s boundaries. The 350 cc Bullet bike was introduced to the Indian market at that time, and the Indian government’s ideas were exactly aligned with this bullet bike.

It was ordered by the Indian Army in 800 units. The British corporation Royal Enfield constructed an assembly plant in Chennai in 1955 as part of a joint venture with Madras Motors. Even though at first just motorcycles were put together in India, Royal Enfield started producing motorcycles there in 1962. Royal Enfield evolved in India in this manner.

For Royal Enfield motorcycles, India is the biggest market. In 2014, they overtook Harley Davidson to take the first spot in worldwide sales. In India alone, Royal Enfield has sold more motorcycles than Harley Davidson has globally.

The current market status of the Royal Enfield

Royal Enfield’s current market position and its success. | Photo collected.

In India, Royal Enfield sold 805,273 motorcycles in 2019. In the Indian two-wheeler motorbike market, this represents a 3.8% market share. However, according to Rushlane analysis, the company earned a 94.65% market share by selling 31,1388 motorcycles in the 251–500cc motorcycle sector between April and November 2020.

In the meantime, Royal Enfield wants to take on Harley Davidson in the US after gaining market domination in India, according to a Bloomberg article. Currently, Royal Enfield is available for purchase in 50 nations worldwide. Furthermore, the Ministry of Commerce in Bangladesh is currently examining the possibility of eliminating the CC restriction for motorbikes. A memorandum of understanding for the selling of Enfield motorcycles in Bangladesh has been signed by IFAD Autos in this regard.

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