New Delhi: Since the arrival of monsoons, there has been intense competition among automobile companies that manufacture and sell cars in India to attract customers. The main objective behind this competition is to attract customers as well as establish market dominance and increase market share. To compete with each other in this market competition, automobile companies are launching new car-bikes or adding new features to old models and another variant. In this vein, America’s Harley Davidson and Britain’s Triumph are trying hard to compete with India’s indigenous bike maker Royal Enfield, which offers the pleasure of ‘royal travel’ by motorcycle. For this, Harley Davidson and Triumph have launched their new motorcycles in the Indian market.
Harley-Davidson and Triumph partner with Hero MotoCorp and Bajaj Auto
Harley-Davidson and Triumph are two prestigious motorcycle manufacturing companies from America and Britain located on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. Both these companies are facing tough competition from India’s Royal Enfield. Currently, both these companies are facing a tough challenge from Indian motorcycle manufacturer Royal Enfield, which has dominated the motorcycle market in the 350-650 cc segment in India for over half a century. Now to compete with this Indian company, Bajaj Auto has partnered with American motorcycle brand Harley-Davidson Hero MotoCorp and British company Triumph.
Harley-Davidson and Triumph have launched two motorcycles
Both Harley-Davidson and Triumph surprised the motorcycle market this month by launching their cheapest models globally. Harley-Davidson launched the X440 motorcycle at a starting price of Rs 2.29 lakh (ex-showroom), while Triumph launched its Speed 400 at a starting price of Rs 2.23 lakh (ex-showroom), which has now increased to Rs 2.33 lakh (ex-showroom).
Royal Enfield’s Classic 350 takes on Harley-Davidson’s X440
Harley-Davidson with its X440 has tried to enter a segment where there is a growing demand for premium models with high performance without putting too much pressure on the pocket. For this, the iconic American motorcycle manufacturer has joined hands with Hero MotoCorp, the world’s largest two-wheeler manufacturer and India’s number one two-wheeler brand. Under their partnership, the X440 was sourced, designed, developed and manufactured in India to avoid taxes, which would have made it impossible to price the motorcycle so cheaply. With this strategy, the X440 became the cheapest Harley model in its history. The model challenges Royal Enfield Classic 350, Meteor 350 and Honda H’ness CB350.
Royal Enfield Classic 350 will be launched on August 30
Bullet maker Indian company Royal Enfield is going to launch new Bullet. Its new Bullet will be launched for customers in the Indian market next month on 30 August 2023. Motorcycle maker Royal Enfield is all set to launch the new generation Bullet 350 in the Indian market on August 30. Several experimental models of the new generation Bullet have already been seen on the road several times. It will be based on the J-platform, which is already used in the Classic 350, Hunter 350 and Ulka 350. The new Bullet 350 will have the same 349 cc engine, single-cylinder motor, long-stroke engine, which is air-oil cooled. Power and torque output will be around 19.9 bhp and 27 Nm. The on-duty gearbox will be a 5-speed unit.
Royal Enfield is famous for torquey nature
However, the engine will be re-tuned to match the specifications of the Royal Enfield Bullet. The new engine is known for its refinement and torquey nature. Royal Enfield has also improved the gear shifting a lot. The motorcycle will have a single-piece seat and spoke rims. The lighting components will be shared with the Classic 350 The instrument cluster will be quite simple with an analog speedometer and a small digital readout for the fuel gauge.
chassis
The chassis of the Royal Enfield Bullet will be shared with the Classic 350. It will be suspended by telescopic forks at the front and twin gas-charged shock absorbers at the rear. Braking will be done by disc brakes at the front and drum brakes at the rear. However, Royal Enfield will also sell a rear disc brake variant.
what is the price
Above all, the price tag is what makes the Bullet 350 attractive. Currently, the price of Royal Enfield Hunter 350 starts from Rs 1.50 lakh and goes up to Rs 1.75 lakh. Next in the lineup is the Classic 350, priced between Rs 1.93 lakh and Rs 2.25 lakh. All prices are ex-showroom.
USP
Let us tell you that Royal Enfield Bullet is a series of motorcycles manufactured by Royal Enfield. Bullet is one of the longest motorcycle models in production. Its first model was launched in 1932. The Bullet is known for its simple, robust design and its distinctive thump-a-thon exhaust note. Different bullet models are available including Bullet 350, Bullet 500 and Bullet Trial. The Bullet 350 is the most popular model, and is powered by a 346cc single-cylinder engine. The Bullet 500 is powered by a 499cc single-cylinder engine and is more powerful and heavier than the Bullet 350. The Bullet Trials are a more off-road-oriented model and are equipped with spoke wheels, handlebars and a skid plate.
Long distance journey
Bullets are a popular choice for long-distance riding. It is comfortable and relatively fuel efficient. It gallops through different road conditions. Bullet is also a relatively affordable motorcycle. If you are looking for a robust and affordable motorcycle, suitable for long distance riding, then the Royal Enfield Bullet is a good option to consider.
Features of Royal Enfield Bullet
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Single-cylinder, 346cc engine
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Air-cooled, four-stroke
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5-speed manual transmission
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Disc Brake (Front) and Drum Brake (Rear)
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Fuel tank capacity: 13.5 litres
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Seat height: 800 mm
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Weight: 191 kg
Harley Davidson has launched the X440.
Harley Davidson recently launched the X440 motorcycle in the Indian market in partnership with Hero MotoCorp. Harley Davidson’s X440 has been launched ex-showroom at a starting price of Rs 2.29 lakh and is getting tough competition from Royal Enfield’s classic 350 Bullet.
Looks and design
The Harley Davidson X440 bike is engineered, tested and developed by Hero MotoCorp. Harley Davidson has given the X440 a muscular look and design, which comes with neo-retro elements. Its design is largely inspired by Hero MotoCorp’s bigger model XR1200. The fuel tank and slick side panels are based on the XR1200. The bike gets mid-set footpegs and a flat handlebar. Its appearance is sporty.
Power and performance
The bike is powered by a 440cc single-cylinder engine, which generates 27hp of power and 38Nm of torque. It is mated to a 6-speed transmission. It also gets a slipper clutch as standard.
Tires and Suspension
The motorcycle rides on 43mm inverted forks and preload-adjustable gas-charged twin suspension. Also, the X440 gets ByBre discs at both ends, which come with dual channel anti-lock braking system (ABS) as standard. The motorcycle gets new MRF Zapper Hike tyres, which cover the 18-/17-inch alloy wheels.
characteristics
Harley DNA was found on this bike. It is offered without any forward-set footpegs or swept back handlebars. The company has given this bike mid-set footpegs and a flat handlebar. The look of the bike is sporty. The bike has daytime running lights (DRL) with ‘Harley Davidson’ written on it. Also, it gets a TFT console, which offers smartphone connectivity as well as a basic readout that facilitates operating turn-by-turn navigation, music control and call/message alerts.
the price
The Harley Davidson X440 has been launched in three variants. Ex-showroom prices start at Rs 2.29 lakh. This makes the Royal Enfield Classic 350 cost around Rs 37,000. But Harley Davidson is much more expensive than Royal Enfield’s Classic 350. This bike offers so many advanced features, but only Royal Enfield is considered royal in terms of ride.
Triumph has launched the cheapest bike in India
British bike maker Triumph launched its cheapest bike in the market on July 5, the new bike Speed 400 to compete with India’s Royal Enfield. This bike is the company’s cheapest bike in India and is developed with the help of Bajaj Auto. The Triumph Speed 400 has been launched at Rs 2.33 lakh (ex-showroom). However, the company has priced the first 10,000 bikes at Rs 2.23 lakh (ex-showroom). At this price, this Royal Enfield bike is only Rs 2,000 more expensive than the top model Classic 350. The Triumph Speed 400 is a completely made-in-India bike. Due to this, the company has been able to launch it in the domestic market of India at a low price. Triumph Speed 400 will compete directly with Harley-Davidson X440, Royal Enfield Classic 350 and Meteor 350.
Design
The company has given the Triumph Speed 400 an attractive street fighter design. Although the company has given round headlamps, teardrop fuel tank and retro rear view mirror to continue the old look with modernity. The bike has telescopic fork suspension at the front and monoshock suspension setup at the rear. The bike is based on a newly designed perimeter frame with exposed parts giving the bike a very muscular look. The bike gets alloy wheels and engine matte black paint. At the same time, a large Triumph logo in different colors has been given on the fuel tank. For rider information, the company has used an analog instrument cluster with a digital display.
The engine is very powerful
In the Triumph Speed 400, the company used a 398cc single cylinder engine. This engine produces 40 bhp of power at 8,000rpm and 37.5 Nm of torque at 6,500rpm. The engine is mated to a 6-speed gearbox. It also gets a slipper assist clutch. The company claims that this bike will get a mileage of 28 kmpl.
safety
In terms of safety, standard features of the bike include dual disc brakes, dual channel ABS and engine immobilizer. All the lights on the bike are LED. It sits on 17-inch alloy wheels with dual purpose radial tires as standard.
