According to recent reports, the launch of the next-gen Royal Enfield motorcycles has been delayed by a few months. Earlier, the bikes were expected to make an official entry into the Indian motorcycle segment before the implementation of the new emission norms in the country on April 1 next year. But as per the latest buzz, the next-gen variants of the motorcycles will be ready by mid-2020.
Since the new emission norms will commence in India from April 2020, the brand is now planning to update its existing 350cc range to meet the stricter BS6 emission norms. This would require offering the 350cc motorcycles with a fuel injection system in addition to offering a new exhaust though there has been no official confirmation on the latter.
Equipping the 350cc range with Fi engine would further increase the price tags of the motorcycles. At present, the 350cc Royal Enfield motorcycles are available at a starting price tag of INR 1.14 lakh for the Bullet 350 X KS and goes all the way up to INR 1.64 lakh for the higher-spec Classic 350 and Thunderbird 350 variants. The reports also suggest the brand to put a halt on the production of its 500cc range for good.
Commenting on upgrading the motorcycles according to BS6 norms, Royal Enfield officials stated – “Royal Enfield is well prepared to launch its range of BS-6 ready motorcycles ahead of the timeline. The communication on the launch timelines will be announced in due course.”
The next-gen Royal Enfield Motorcycles have been spotted testing multiple times on the Indian roads. Since the motorcycles have been equipped with noticeable designing tweaks, a double-cradle frame as well as a new overhead camshaft design for the engine, one cannot anticipate how the brand plans to acquire good sales for BS6 upgraded motorcycles when the new 2020 range will launch within a few months itself.
