Royal Enfield is a brand that seems to be doing a lot of things right. This has become apparent especially now, where some manufacturers are sort of losing their way, chasing all sorts of shiny things and trying to be something other than what they really are.
Sure, RE’s bikes aren’t all about high-performance or cutting-edge tech. But you could argue that this is where the brand’s appeal lies. It’s all about a vibe—a feeling that captures the “soul of motorcycling,” as cheesy as it sounds. And it’s true, every time you hop on an Enfield, it takes you back to a simpler time; a time when motorcycles were all about freedom and self-expression…at least that’s the way I feel.
But clearly, a lot of people share the same sentiments towards Royal Enfield as I do, and I’m not just talking about my colleagues here at RideApart. I’m talking about the global motorcycling community. And one bike in particular has made this crystal clear: the Royal Enfield Hunter 350.
Let’s talk about this little roadster and why it’s so important. It’s a bike that made its debut back in August 2022. It’s not exactly anything special; it’s a small-displacement, retro-inspired machine that sort of sits somewhere in between what people in Asia and Europe would consider a small bike and a big bike. It’s rocking a 350cc, air-cooled thumper, standard suspension, and no fancy tech. And yet, despite its simplicity and almost seemingly NPC nature, Royal Enfield managed to sell a whopping 500,000 units in just over two years.
That’s right, half a million of these small-displacement, retro-inspired naked bikes.
Quite frankly, it’s easy to see this bike's appeal, especially in countries like India, Thailand, and the Philippines where I’m from. In these places, maneuverability is essential, so heavyweights aren’t ideal. But moderate power is pretty important, too, especially for folks wanting to go the distance, and perhaps even ride on the freeway. And in most cases, the RE Hunter 350 ticks all these boxes.
And while India indeed makes up the majority of the pie when it comes to Royal Enfield’s sales, its growing presence in other markets, particularly the US and Europe, is something worth paying attention to. In 2024, Royal Enfield reportedly sold north of 850,000 motorcycles. And while roughly 70 percent of its sales were generated in its home country of India, the remaining 30 percent—amounting to around 200,000 machines, were sold in other markets.
And here’s the kicker, in December of 2024, Royal Enfield reported a whopping 90-percent increase in exports versus the previous year. That’s pretty wild.
So, kudos to Royal Enfield, as it’s clearly on a roll. It builds bikes that simply tick a lot of boxes for a lot of people; machines that both beginner riders and seasoned riders alike can enjoy.
Sources: AutoCar Pro, Bike Junction
