Four 350cc Royal Enfields set for Bangladesh launch

Ifad Motors, the manufacturer and sole distributor of Royal Enfield motorcycles in Bangladesh, is gearing up to launch the iconic motorcycle brand in the country on Monday (21 October).

While the company has kept details of the new models and prices under wraps, urging to wait until the launching event, insiders have told TBS that four locally manufactured 350 cc models – Hunter, Bullet, Classic, and Meteor – will be introduced in an online launch at noon on Monday.

This will be followed by an unveiling event at the  Royal Enfield flagship showroom in the capital's Tejgaon in the afternoon.

The new generation Royal Enfield models carry the iconic legacy alongside ensuring a smoother performance, according to test riders.

While the company has opted to surprise the market with its price announcement, insiders said the Hunter 350 might come at the lowest price tag of around Tk4 lakh, while Bullet, Classic and Meteor will be priced in an ascending manner.   

The four models, equipped with fuel injection systems and more refined single-cylinder J Series engines, will have several variants based on colours and braking system propositions.   

Ifad Motors has built its motorcycle manufacturing factory at Chauddagram, Cumilla.

After two decades of engine capacity restrictions in the country, the Bangladesh government in 2023 allowed locally manufactured motorcycles of up to 375cc on roads.

Uttara Motors, manufacturer and distributor of Bajaj motorcycles, launched the first higher cubic capacity (cc) motorcycle Bajaj N250 at Tk3.4 lakh in November last year, and till the end of June this year, the company sold over 730 units of N250.

Hero, earlier this year, launched Karizma XMR 210cc which was sold at around Tk4 lakh and had a sale of nearly 700 units till the end of June.

Honda recently launched its 180cc Hornet at nearly Tk2.9 lakh. 

The Royal Enfield models, with their larger 350cc engines, will lead the over-165 cc segment in engine size.

Royal Enfield at a glance

Royal Enfield, beginning its motorcycle manufacturing journey in England 123 years ago, mainly for military usage, is the oldest two-wheeler brand which is still operational.

In the 1950s, it partnered with Indian company Madras Motors to form "Enfield India" to assemble the Bullet 350 motorcycles for the Indian army. Over the decades, Royal Enfield became synonymous with Indian motorcycling, with production in the UK ceasing in 1970.

Royal Enfield, now 100% controlled by Indian conglomerate Eicher Motors, has a market presence in more than 50 countries while its sales hit a record high of over 9 lakh in 2023.

In 2023, it established its fifth assembling plant in Nepal after Brazil, Thailand, Colombia and Argentina.