Shikta Akarsh
Patna : Royal Enfield, a household name across Bihar’s roads, may soon face serious competition as the central government considers slashing import duties on high-end motorcycles above 705cc to zero. The proposed move, reported by Bloomberg, could reshape India’s premium motorcycle market—currently dominated by Royal Enfield, a subsidiary of Eicher Motors. 
For years, Royal Enfield has enjoyed a cult following in Bihar, where models like the Bullet and Classic are valued not just for style but for their fuel efficiency, affordability, and road handling across diverse terrains. However, the possible re-entry of global players like Harley-Davidson—armed with competitive pricing and powerful engine capacities—could challenge this dominance.
Royal Enfield holds nearly 30% of India’s 125cc+ bike market, far ahead of its closest competitor.
Despite strong brand loyalty and domestic distribution, Royal Enfield may face pressure. Eicher Motors’ shares fell 1.6% on Wednesday to Rs 5,694. The stock is near its 52-week high of Rs 5,906, with a market cap of Rs 1.56 lakh crore.
