The Indian motorcycle market is maturing with the fastest traction seen in the mid-size segment, which can be split into two broad engine displacement categories – 250-500cc and 500-800cc. While the 250-500cc category has more than doubled from 207,142 units in FY14 to 506,773 units in FY16 (+145 percent), sales in the 500-800cc category have more than tripled. This market accounted for just 1,691 units in FY14 but rose to 5,207 units in FY16 (+208 percent).
Royal Enfield, which has been able to turn around its business on the back of the surge in demand for mid-size motorcycles, along with the Bajaj-KTM and Bajaj-Kawasaki alliances, is at the helm of driving growth in the 250cc-500cc sub-category. While Bullets continue to be the most preferred brand for long-distance touring, Bajaj Auto (via KTM) played an instrumental role in upgrading the market from 150cc and 180cc city commuters to performance-oriented 200cc and 375cc Duke and RC models.
At the other end of this burgeoning segment, which is the premium sub-category of 500cc- 800cc-motorcycles, are global brands such as Kawasaki (Ninja 650, Versys 650), Harley-Davidson (Street 750) and Triumph Motorcycles. These global names, other than Royal Enfield, have helped set up and give pace to the recently-born culture of long-distance touring in groups in India.
Long-distance on road touring first saw its immediate large-scale association with the cruiser motorcycle format, with Harley-Davidson leading the pack at the premium end and Bajaj Auto (via Avenger 220) leading at the affordable end. Royal Enfield’s Classic and Thunderbird models have also benefitted in the mid-size motorcycle segment. However, uneven and broken tarmac, and the rising culture of riding deeper into the hinterland without proper road network, has increased consumer awareness for adventure-touring motorcycles.
What are adventure-touring motorcycles?
To put it simply, they are motorcycles featuring powerful engines capable of producing high low-end torque, high ground clearance, sturdy and enduring frame and suspension setup (with long-travel units), comfortable and upright seating position for rider as well as pillion, large fuel tanks, provisions for mounting luggage and necessary touring-specific requirements. Motorcycles of this format typically feature a taller stance with high fenders and large wheels that may sport tyres suitable either for on road or off-road (spoke wheels) applications. These are also termed as dual-sport motorcycles as they offer robust on- (touring) and off-road (adventure) plying capabilities.
Until a few years ago, biking aficionados who could afford expensive tourers went in for globally proven models such as Ducati Multistrada 1200 or BMW R 1200 GS. This category picked up pace when Triumph Motorcycles launched its popular Tiger range in India (as a part of its strong 10-model portfolio) in November 2013. The Triumph Tiger models (based on 800cc and 1200cc engines) were first brought as completely built units (CBUs) in India then. Fourteen months later, in March 2015, the company announced local assembly of its 800cc adventure touring machines and rolled out two new models – Tiger XRx and Tiger XCx. Triumph’s 1215cc Tiger Explorer XC – rival to the Ducati (Multistrada) and BMW (R 1200 GS) – continued as the CBU model.
