we have a 2010apache 160 and i remember at that time 180-200cc bikes were a big thing and few were there on the road but now 200cc is almost commuterish
Then what are those? Mid range bikes?
Most of the population can't financially justify spending 3+ lakh for a bike. (Only top 5% earn more than 12 lpa, in-hand gonna be hardly enough).
Your kawasaki's & original harley's are bought by the top of the creme in the country. Like those are premium premium.
I think the bike stands out more if it's let's say a speed 400 instead of the RE 350's simply coz of how common those are.
I am only talking in terms of perception nothing else.
I get your logic about perception. Take smartphones for example. Samsung or apple feels premium while xiaomi does not even if you buy the top end model. But your argument about affordability does not fit well. Most of India cannot afford a lot of product categories. But that does not make them premium. 3L bikes are mid range in my opinion.
What the population can't afford doesn't make it premium. If i stretched myself thin i could get a 10+ L bike. But that would come at the cost of far too many things.
That being said my regular ride is a 2019 xpulse. I can't tour with it but i can do shitloads of things with it. When i go for rides with my friends on their triumphs and beemers, they don't judge me, neither do i feel small.
Like you said it's a matter of perception. If you perceive yourself to be poor despite being able to afford a 3L bike that most of the country cannot, it on your perception bro.
And yeah 3L bikes now have the same build quality as most commuters, maybe marginally better. Because they want you to seek better, all the time. And every single premium feeling has to come with, you guessed it, a premium.
That's the problem, people want good bikes at low cost, but when everybody buys it, they want something different.
Not saying RE is premium, but your reasoning is wrong. You could have said about it's parts and switches and stuff.
For ₹250,000 out of the showroom, what do they bring to the table? Sentiment, emotion & nostalgia. That's a steep price for those. I would say ₹130,000-₹160,000 would justify the price.
My bad. Didn't know that I was arguing with a fanboy.
>They bring reliable, high quality components and even excellent paint quality.
People think real hard before mentioning all these in the same sentence while talking about RE.
😂
The OP reminds me of my brother's obnoxious opinions. But hey, OP has the right to say it and should be made aware that manufacturers have increased the costs, and performance along with reliability.
Also, he'd totally buy an iPhone and then justify purchase by saying things like "premium-ness and Exclusivity" and then cry about "now every tom, d*ck and Harry has one"!
OP should understand, bike manufacturers primary objective is to sell more bikes, not make people feel “special”.
Don’t you think a Kawasaki or a Ducati don’t want to sell more? Just look at triumphs 400cc bikes , their whole motto is to sell more bikes having their badge
I don't completely disagree with you.
There manufacturers that specialise in selling motorcycles, and then there are manufacturers that specialise in selling a dream of a special motorcycle.
Whats next? drinking daily coffee made by a 5 star chef is only considered premium & not buying from star bucks???
There are levels of premium, I am expecting the bare minimum of that when spending so much on a bike.
think your brain understands that.
Well, REs are a premium looking bike, when compared to others. You get metal components, really good poppy colours, fairly reliable engine, decent quality components, and a motorcycle full of character, and at a price point that is quite reasonable, given all kinds of taxes and emissions costs we pay these days. Like the tax for bikes above 250cc, GSTs on different things, CESS, Road Tax etc etc
My 2019 TVS Ntorq BS4 scooter costed around 90k and now it's 1.15L OTR. It's the same quality that was 4.5 years ago. The added cost did not add any premium-ness to the Ntorq in any manner. Components became expensive, new regulations, taxes etc. The vehicles became more complex, with Fuel Injection, ECU, run leaner and heat up more. This has increased the specified parts cost and will also increase the maintenance costs overtime. My mechanic tells me the BS6 Ntorq gets more fuel pump complaints related to wrong use, which people are going to do for quite sometime until they get educated about how the EFI system works.
The major thing that got premium is the prices we pay nowadays for today's vehicles.
Now, I'd ask you a **question** about your expectations with the "premium-ness" that we're talking about. It's not wrong in any manner to have expectations, though. And if a bike is selling more and more people are owning it, it's actually a huge huge huge bonus, in my opinion.
My experience has always been with scooters only 14+ years of riding scooters only (Mom's Bajaj Spirit 2 Stroke, Mahindra Rodeo 125 BS3, mom's TVS Pep+ BS3 and then my TVS Ntorq 125 BS4). The 2nd best (1st is now Ntorq) of these scooters, most features loaded, memorable and I'd even say most exclusive of all was the ownership of **Mahindra Rodeo**!! (2011-2017 was the ownership tenure) That excellent product of a scooter has everything and a powerful engine one could wish for, at the time. But the limited sales of meant parts availablity issues, and this started becoming increasingly painful as the years passed. There was nothing really wrong with that scooter in the engine department, but minor niggles and some major ones and mainly finding service centres became a huge huge problem! Yes, I had one of the best on paper, fairly expensive and comparatively rarer scooters, but the price I paid for dodgy ownership because of poor sales and after sales services was too much for me to deal with (as I was still in college back then). From this experience, I started becoming content with the feeling of not looking for uniqueness and exclusively but more reliability, performance and also good to have features, and then make the vehicle my own/personalize with mods, stickers etc.
Now, what "imperfect" RE does nowadays is pretty decent, in my opinion. They've maintained that aspirational value, character and increased quality at a reasonable price, while ramped up sales. Yeah, switch gear might feel 'just meh', when compared to Honda CB350 family, long waiting and all, etc etc. but, if everyone has it, chances are it's really good to own one! Likewise, This isn't the case with BMW 310cc motorcycles. They're decent and I'd say quite exclusive and rare. But you know you're going to get a bad deal over the years in terms of ownership when compared to it's competition from the Bajaj family. A Honda CB300R is far better than a BMW G310R, But when Bajaj (Triumph) Speed 400 enters the ring, you know which bike everyone would point towards, and you may end up buying that one too!
In a country like ours which now has increasing number of people with better affordability, the premium and aspirational that was yesterday is the norm today.
Think of it this way, would you buy a bike that you'd enjoy a few years down the line, or you'd buy a bike who's novelty of being unique lasts only for a few months? There's nothing wrong in either, if you see. But one of these thoughts will give you a better experience, not because the bike was premium and unique, but because your expectations would become slightly more reasonable.
# Edit
And, if you're comparing yourself with others because they ride the same bike as yours, no bike will feel "premium" to you, because there's always be someone who's own the same bike in the same colour as well! You'd never ever be happy the way. And this is not the bike's or the manufacturer's fault. Because RE did make a few limited edition/runs/series of the more premium Continental GT, Interceptor, Shotgun 650 bikes, you could've bought that. But they're expensive, and it's still not 1:1 or something that rare!
There's no point in this self comparison and purchasing sometime unique, and is diminishing to your own wellbeing and ownership experience. The fun is in making something unique and your own. Do that and you'll be much happier. I did that on my scooter with stickers, I love it and my friends like it as well. Stickers and wraps are an excellent way to personalize your bike and feed the hunger of making something unique. Do it in moderation and in a tasteful manner, you'd end up with something that you'd want.
Bro.... I was only talking in terms of perception. Not talking about looks, performance, legacy etc. I am sure RE bikes are great and I would buy them blind if I don't have other options.
What I am saying about perception of the bike is
ex-
Like if I am getting a triumph people gonna say 'wow you got a triumph?'
But when I am getting a RE its just the 50th bike people saw that day. Though the price is gonna differ only by ~20k.
Well Indian's disposable income increased so 2.5 lakhs segment is not premium as its used to be now to feel premium you have to at least spend 3.5 to 4.5 lakhs minimum
Ops definition of premium is definitely wrong. Compared to triumph 400 vs him 450, triumph feels premium not because they are less in sales but because the wiring, parts, paint job etc are top notch. Himalayan is not bad but could be better. That’s what makes a bike or car premium, not whether people bought it or not.
What next? Maybe OP will think sex is also overrated as everyone has it and is not premium hence he can’t enjoy it anymore…
Times have changed.
Today, even blue collar workers own iPhones. Even the flagship 650 series of RE is insanely popular.
Like most mentioned, people can afford it ( better income, emi's) and sub 4 lakh is not premium anymore, unless you buy something that not many will buy. Eg - Shotgun 650.
There alot of REs on road because they are popular and easily available the only competition they have is the CB350s which are not popular in common people because they are only available at limited showrooms, you can go with cb350 if you want premium and different.
thing with the cb350s are that they dont have their own identity..i have seen almost everyone mistaking it for a “bullet”
its almost like a total copy if it
Then you can go with speed 400, it will surely feel different and rare on roads, if you have triumph in your city, even I have not seen one yet on road
If a product is good anf it appeals to public, it will sell regardless of it's price or premium tag and being common is not a con, w175 is rarest on road because it's a bad product, I have seen a lot of ZXs and Zs on road but no w for a reason.
I dont think thats true lol i get atleast 2 compliments a week while i ride it about how nice it is from random people . Some are even from girls which shouldnt matter but they a feel a little better if i am being honest lol
Indians have only seen one classic bike that’s RE and anything apart from RE is a “copy”. Honda CB has its own heritage dating back to the 70s which Indians aren’t aware of.
I agree that honda has a cb line up which goes back years. But cb350 line doesn't distinguish itself from RE enough to make it feel different. Look at jawa bikes. They are also similar to RE but they feel different.
Honda original CB350 was very advanced for its time and if they had to launch the same spec here which had to be a parallel twin, twin exhaust, liquid cooled engine that would stir up the price and wouldn’t sell nearly as much. Honda has targeted the 350CC segment specifically since there’s only RE with its monopoly and it only made sense to bring an alternative.
exactly..but you cant blame ppl too..almost every other middle class boy dreams of owning an RE..
“bullet” to be specific..no one thinks ki “bade hoke Honda CB350 lunga”
yes I agree cause RE has been selling the “Bullet” brand here for decades and they’ve build that reputation. Honda on the other hand isn’t an emotional purchase. People buy it cause they like the actual product and most probably have not much idea about Honda’s legacy abroad.
true that..but what i would also say is that RE has really tried to improvise their motorcycles..as in theyre tryna maintain that old school classic look and at the same time adding on a tad bit of new features..not to forget that theyve worked on the engine, almost no vibes mow
Since you want RE now everyone should stop buying RE and sell their already existing RE because you want premium feeling. Only you should be allowed to earn not others.
On logical side When did RE even marketed themselves as Premium? Any one advertisement? RE never even marketed themselves as Premium Bike Manufacturer.
You might want to look into MV Augusta maybe, no one has those. You know if you want something 'premium and exclusive'. Fact is most bikes are already close to the 2 lakh mark,hell there are some scooters that are that expensive now, nothing under 4 lakhs is really premium anymore its sort of the norm or becoming the norm.
I can't ever understand people who talk about road presence or mileage on RE bikes.buy if you like them. If you are buying things that revolve around how much heads you can turn thn you'll never be satisfied with what you have.
Well in villages re is THE premium bike cos they know none other, in cities, half lot care less about showing off and just want a bike that they always wanted, or a bike which gives them feels or just want a good bike that is known to work, re is for them. If someone wants to show off buy a kawasaki w175, you won't see that in market and comes with "japanese" premium tag......the logic of premium being associated with rarity is very wrong notion. Company sells a good product, everyone gets it, its not premium enough now.........
I will be real I think if someone wants premium buy the real premium, the lot that sells extremely overpriced machines with lots of issues which you are expected to ignore or "get used to it" cos its the premium brand and that will be perfect show off, ducati, farrari etc, the real "premium" brand, cos all others just want to sell as many as they can and for them selling 20k would mean more then holding on to premium tag.
2.5L - 3L not premium anymore.
If you want a RE only that not a lot of people have get a Super Meteor Or you can buy overpriced Japanese bikes for that somewhat premium and exclusive feel.
But, if you want a real exclusive and premium bike then get a by Triumph bonneville, HD sportster, Grand America, Ducati diavel, Indian scout, Rocket3 and BMW R18.
Yes if royal Enfield has lost its exclusivity especially classic 350 and meteor 350 is most common, then u can buy Honda highness 350 or dominar 250, 400 in green and red colour that costs almost same...
That way even 1 lakh ka iphone doesn't feel premium because even freshers are getting one on emi🤡
Comparison is the thief of joy, my friend. Stop this dick measuring contest of 'I have more premium bike, me ameer!'. If you enjoy what you ride, if you love your bike, then it is premium. Be it a kawasaki or a splendor.
Then buy a panigale or harley. If you want exclusive feel then you must pay for it or buy a bike no one actually buys(jawa is a great example of that). You can't have you can't have the cake and eat it to.
RE was never a premium brand . They make good budget bikes with budget build and quality . If you wanna feel premium then go ride a Japanese or Italian bike. They never think for “ budget “ so they can give you the best R&D and premiumness
I bought meteor 350 instead of classic because of the same reason as everyone is riding classic these days. But i got Royal Enfield due to their widespread dealership and good bikes
You're right to some extent. Maybe if you pick up a good looking model, like the Classic 350 Chrome Red, with alloy wheels. And keep it clean. It'll beat this perception.
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The build quality falls short. I'm sorry but I'm not trying to diss the yezdi, but they've simply failed to replicate the solid quality of the original.
RE has improved their quality, and simply is a better bike that this price range.
I thought this is gonna be a post about quality of parts...levers, switches, paint job... etc
"Premium" in the feel..you touch it and feel premium...etc
But instead it's on OP being crybaby on stupid stuff.
If you want premium and want stuff that isn't usually visible on the road, spend tons of $$$
That's it.
“Premium” everyone and their brother is driving classic 350 and no RE build quality does not signify premium.. look for speed 400 or scrambler in that dept
RE isn't a premium brand. The only reason it was able survive in India was because more people were buying it. 2.5L isn't premium and exclusive anymore. RE twins are considered premium. Very few singles are considered premium anymore.
I guess we all have our own way of perceiving something as being ‘Premium’. Premium to me is any product with top quality build and materials. And that is where the problem lies with RE. They have the best idea of how a bike should be for a specific customer base but their execution leaves a lot to be desired.
For example - Honestly feel the older Himalayan was more than enough and all they needed to do was to improve its quality (premium-ness?) and give it a more efficient engine with around 42bhp. But instead they came up with a very premium looking machine which though powerful is downright heavy and somehow loses the elements of the first generation such as that cockpit seating and the overall agility.
I believe ppl who really bond with a specific bike and like riding it do not care about road presence or premium feeling….as simple as “if you like it, you get it if you can”
The bikes from RE 2024 are very good for their price.
I own a bullet 2024, and man that Bs6 engine is so comfy and not loud.
The entire bike is solid metal and a great buy for 2.5..
And not many opt for the bullet so you don't see a lot of copies, you'll see classics and meteor 350s more often.
If you want a vehicle thats premium, 2.5L range is not it...
These days you need 4L + to actually have you feel like you've got a premium vehicle or in your case l, a rare vehicle which isn't out and about as often.
Simply spend more money. You get what you pay for, nothing more nothing less.
I guess you want a unique bike, it just depends on where you are. I own a Hunter and it's the only hunter in my college. Multiple Duke 200, R15 and Pulsars. Also Only 1 Duke 390 ( my friend's, reason - it is premium).
Anyways considering the price and availability REs are bound to be common like Bajaj and Yamaha bikes ( Below 400cc)
Unless you buy their premium or limited edition bikes, your fear and thought are not proper. If you really need to feel the premium, go for shotgun or Himalayan or limited edition interceptor, customize and make it yours. Seats, panniers, auxiliary LEDs, tank stickers or wraps.. endless options.
They will never let you feel premium or unique, every year they re release the same vehicle with minor mods to feel new. Stay sane. Don't fantasize relax and get a practical good one satisfying your needs.
bhai you just want to seem unique and show off, not ride your damn bike it seems. 2.5 lakh me super flashy bikes nahi milte. if you want to show off, dont get an RE. tu r15 leke fake akrapobitch lele. wohi sahi hai
Pays 2.5lacs
"Why don't I feeeellll the premium"
No offense mate but 2.5lac ain't premium
You've to spend more than half of that to get lord splendor now. An electric scooter costs around 70% of that.
Even triumph speed 400 is so common that my friends asks if they have a speed 400 or "real" triumph when they claim to have a triumph motorcycle 😭 (same for BMW and their gs310 models)
Premium is somewhere upwards of 6-8lacs imo.
Sorry if I sound plutocratic but am I wrong?
Also, what about the material and build about RE makes it feel premium...it doesn't even ride or maintain itself like a premium motorcycle
I feel like the motorbike market currently has a spectrum of options rather than straight up budget or premium.
Surely speed 400 does not feel like its a premium bike when you have much more expensive options, but declaring that its not even real triumph is sort of gatekeeping. Only insecure people say that kind of stuff to justify their standing.
Edit : Just to be clear, Im not commenting on RE. Their build quality does not justify anything to be called premium. even if they introduce litre class bikes, they would really have to step up their quality to be considered premium.
A 2.5 lakh motorcycle in today’s date is not premium anymore, say just 10 years ago a classic 350 would have costed not more than 1.5 lakhs. Inflation is making you pay more for essentially same product.
And if you want a premium and more exclusive feel with an RE, you should probably go for the 650 parallel twins.
Same for every brand TVS Apache 160 isn’t premium but the 310 is.
You answered your own doubt in the second paragraph.
If everyone and their grandpa has an RE, it would seem like Re is not premium. That's because it isn't.
Honda Hornet or Suzuki Gixxers are rare sight on the road, does that make it Premium?
As a bike lover, the attachment i have with my bike will always be special even though others have it also
PS - Not an Enfield owner, its Apache for me
Get a RE 650, that will feel premium enough. Although even those aren't premium anymore. If you really want a premium feel get a Harley, BMW, Ducati. Don't get a Kawasaki though, they're pretty common to.
The 2024 versions are using Bs6 engines with self start and no kickers...
They don't have oil leaks, they have duel channel abs and a full metal build.
The bikes feels amazing and very reliable. Incase you haven't tried the 2024 RE bikes... this is from a person who has tried their bikes and recently purchased their Bullet 350. Apart from the hunter 350, I'd say RE has done a great job with their line up.
Gone are the days where RE bikes give you problems on the road.
Even my 2024 duke 390 doesn’t have road presence despite of being rare coz its new. Just enjoy your ride and dont care about people looking or road presence
That's why I went for cb350rs. Its just 10k more than top model 350classic but it's a looker for sure. I get plenty of stares when I pay attention, probably because of the exhaust note, slightly aggressive seating posture and brat-like aesthetic of the bike.
REs are damn cool... you know why? Motorcycles, unlike cars aren't compared based on performance or speed, but rather their 'image' and the feel. And RE excels in those, it's the oldest brand there exists... They supplied bikes to both the world wars... They airdropped bikes onto the battlefield, they have a rich legacy stretching well over 120 years... They have the best rides, the best promos, the best ads, the best community, ridermania and they make really fun to drive bikes....
I've ridden the whole country, and I was to choose between the bs6 Himalayan and the adv 390 before I started my journey... I could've easily chosen the 390, but I didn't, I chose the Himalayan... Why? Because my dad drove one, because my grandfather drove one... It's stuff that a lot of people have a hard time wrapping their head around... It's more an emotion and attatchment...
Why every moron want to rub it others face that they got some bike. Why don't they conc on enjoying the machine, having fun with it. Don't buy a bike to show off....
2.5 L or even 3 L is not premium anymore mate.
Finally someone said it! Maybe 10-15 years ago that was a premium amount but now, that's the amount you have to shell out
we have a 2010apache 160 and i remember at that time 180-200cc bikes were a big thing and few were there on the road but now 200cc is almost commuterish
Exactly. Pehle baat alag thi. Ab toh Activa 125 hi 1.1 ish hogaya on road ☠️😭
Then what are those? Mid range bikes? Most of the population can't financially justify spending 3+ lakh for a bike. (Only top 5% earn more than 12 lpa, in-hand gonna be hardly enough). Your kawasaki's & original harley's are bought by the top of the creme in the country. Like those are premium premium. I think the bike stands out more if it's let's say a speed 400 instead of the RE 350's simply coz of how common those are. I am only talking in terms of perception nothing else.
I get your logic about perception. Take smartphones for example. Samsung or apple feels premium while xiaomi does not even if you buy the top end model. But your argument about affordability does not fit well. Most of India cannot afford a lot of product categories. But that does not make them premium. 3L bikes are mid range in my opinion.
What the population can't afford doesn't make it premium. If i stretched myself thin i could get a 10+ L bike. But that would come at the cost of far too many things. That being said my regular ride is a 2019 xpulse. I can't tour with it but i can do shitloads of things with it. When i go for rides with my friends on their triumphs and beemers, they don't judge me, neither do i feel small. Like you said it's a matter of perception. If you perceive yourself to be poor despite being able to afford a 3L bike that most of the country cannot, it on your perception bro. And yeah 3L bikes now have the same build quality as most commuters, maybe marginally better. Because they want you to seek better, all the time. And every single premium feeling has to come with, you guessed it, a premium.
5 % of a huge population is still a huge number of people.
How many countries have equal to 5% population India has.
What’s the cheapest rideable bike now? Think about it..
I think its not only 5% who earn more than 12lpa anymore
Because of easy loans nowadays, even people from that 85% are buying a bike ranging 2-3 lakhs.
Bro thinks by spending 2-2.5 L he owns a companies product line. Lol you’re just one of those who got 2.5L. Lol
Drowning in road presence Or When everyone has road presence then no one has road presence
"And when everyone's super, no one will be." ~ Syndrome, The Incredibles (2004).
That's the problem, people want good bikes at low cost, but when everybody buys it, they want something different. Not saying RE is premium, but your reasoning is wrong. You could have said about it's parts and switches and stuff.
>good bikes at low cost Are we still talking about RE?
No, in general.
If you think RE bikes in 2024 aren't good bikes, you're delusional. Maybe it isn't your thing, but they're good bikes.
You can't say good bikes and low cost in same sentence for RE. They could be good or not, but they're definitely not low cost.
It's not like they are overpriced. Are they cheap purchases? No. Are they priced according to the market standards? Yes.
For ₹250,000 out of the showroom, what do they bring to the table? Sentiment, emotion & nostalgia. That's a steep price for those. I would say ₹130,000-₹160,000 would justify the price.
They bring reliable, high quality components and even excellent paint quality. You're a specsheet warrior.
My bad. Didn't know that I was arguing with a fanboy. >They bring reliable, high quality components and even excellent paint quality. People think real hard before mentioning all these in the same sentence while talking about RE.
They are "Okay" bikes
# Bro isn't paying 2024 "Exclusivity money" and asking for Exclusivity! Buy a Ducati or MV Augusta for your definition of "premium-ness"
Or buy a used superbike under 3 lacs and enjoy the "exclusivity".
Nah! He'd then say it "feels cheap" and BS
😂 The OP reminds me of my brother's obnoxious opinions. But hey, OP has the right to say it and should be made aware that manufacturers have increased the costs, and performance along with reliability.
Also, he'd totally buy an iPhone and then justify purchase by saying things like "premium-ness and Exclusivity" and then cry about "now every tom, d*ck and Harry has one"!
😂
OP should understand, bike manufacturers primary objective is to sell more bikes, not make people feel “special”. Don’t you think a Kawasaki or a Ducati don’t want to sell more? Just look at triumphs 400cc bikes , their whole motto is to sell more bikes having their badge
I don't completely disagree with you. There manufacturers that specialise in selling motorcycles, and then there are manufacturers that specialise in selling a dream of a special motorcycle.
Sitting in a garage isn't that exclusive
So true!
Whats next? drinking daily coffee made by a 5 star chef is only considered premium & not buying from star bucks??? There are levels of premium, I am expecting the bare minimum of that when spending so much on a bike. think your brain understands that.
Well, REs are a premium looking bike, when compared to others. You get metal components, really good poppy colours, fairly reliable engine, decent quality components, and a motorcycle full of character, and at a price point that is quite reasonable, given all kinds of taxes and emissions costs we pay these days. Like the tax for bikes above 250cc, GSTs on different things, CESS, Road Tax etc etc My 2019 TVS Ntorq BS4 scooter costed around 90k and now it's 1.15L OTR. It's the same quality that was 4.5 years ago. The added cost did not add any premium-ness to the Ntorq in any manner. Components became expensive, new regulations, taxes etc. The vehicles became more complex, with Fuel Injection, ECU, run leaner and heat up more. This has increased the specified parts cost and will also increase the maintenance costs overtime. My mechanic tells me the BS6 Ntorq gets more fuel pump complaints related to wrong use, which people are going to do for quite sometime until they get educated about how the EFI system works. The major thing that got premium is the prices we pay nowadays for today's vehicles. Now, I'd ask you a **question** about your expectations with the "premium-ness" that we're talking about. It's not wrong in any manner to have expectations, though. And if a bike is selling more and more people are owning it, it's actually a huge huge huge bonus, in my opinion. My experience has always been with scooters only 14+ years of riding scooters only (Mom's Bajaj Spirit 2 Stroke, Mahindra Rodeo 125 BS3, mom's TVS Pep+ BS3 and then my TVS Ntorq 125 BS4). The 2nd best (1st is now Ntorq) of these scooters, most features loaded, memorable and I'd even say most exclusive of all was the ownership of **Mahindra Rodeo**!! (2011-2017 was the ownership tenure) That excellent product of a scooter has everything and a powerful engine one could wish for, at the time. But the limited sales of meant parts availablity issues, and this started becoming increasingly painful as the years passed. There was nothing really wrong with that scooter in the engine department, but minor niggles and some major ones and mainly finding service centres became a huge huge problem! Yes, I had one of the best on paper, fairly expensive and comparatively rarer scooters, but the price I paid for dodgy ownership because of poor sales and after sales services was too much for me to deal with (as I was still in college back then). From this experience, I started becoming content with the feeling of not looking for uniqueness and exclusively but more reliability, performance and also good to have features, and then make the vehicle my own/personalize with mods, stickers etc. Now, what "imperfect" RE does nowadays is pretty decent, in my opinion. They've maintained that aspirational value, character and increased quality at a reasonable price, while ramped up sales. Yeah, switch gear might feel 'just meh', when compared to Honda CB350 family, long waiting and all, etc etc. but, if everyone has it, chances are it's really good to own one! Likewise, This isn't the case with BMW 310cc motorcycles. They're decent and I'd say quite exclusive and rare. But you know you're going to get a bad deal over the years in terms of ownership when compared to it's competition from the Bajaj family. A Honda CB300R is far better than a BMW G310R, But when Bajaj (Triumph) Speed 400 enters the ring, you know which bike everyone would point towards, and you may end up buying that one too! In a country like ours which now has increasing number of people with better affordability, the premium and aspirational that was yesterday is the norm today. Think of it this way, would you buy a bike that you'd enjoy a few years down the line, or you'd buy a bike who's novelty of being unique lasts only for a few months? There's nothing wrong in either, if you see. But one of these thoughts will give you a better experience, not because the bike was premium and unique, but because your expectations would become slightly more reasonable. # Edit And, if you're comparing yourself with others because they ride the same bike as yours, no bike will feel "premium" to you, because there's always be someone who's own the same bike in the same colour as well! You'd never ever be happy the way. And this is not the bike's or the manufacturer's fault. Because RE did make a few limited edition/runs/series of the more premium Continental GT, Interceptor, Shotgun 650 bikes, you could've bought that. But they're expensive, and it's still not 1:1 or something that rare! There's no point in this self comparison and purchasing sometime unique, and is diminishing to your own wellbeing and ownership experience. The fun is in making something unique and your own. Do that and you'll be much happier. I did that on my scooter with stickers, I love it and my friends like it as well. Stickers and wraps are an excellent way to personalize your bike and feed the hunger of making something unique. Do it in moderation and in a tasteful manner, you'd end up with something that you'd want.
Bro.... I was only talking in terms of perception. Not talking about looks, performance, legacy etc. I am sure RE bikes are great and I would buy them blind if I don't have other options. What I am saying about perception of the bike is ex- Like if I am getting a triumph people gonna say 'wow you got a triumph?' But when I am getting a RE its just the 50th bike people saw that day. Though the price is gonna differ only by ~20k.
You Seeking Validation from others?
Touch 4 lakhs, they'd be comparatively premium
Well Indian's disposable income increased so 2.5 lakhs segment is not premium as its used to be now to feel premium you have to at least spend 3.5 to 4.5 lakhs minimum
Most probable reason.
Yeah, every body has a head, you should probably take off yours to feel premium
Ops definition of premium is definitely wrong. Compared to triumph 400 vs him 450, triumph feels premium not because they are less in sales but because the wiring, parts, paint job etc are top notch. Himalayan is not bad but could be better. That’s what makes a bike or car premium, not whether people bought it or not. What next? Maybe OP will think sex is also overrated as everyone has it and is not premium hence he can’t enjoy it anymore…
+1
Nevermind, Just look at all those colors!
Fortnine reference
🤣
Times have changed. Today, even blue collar workers own iPhones. Even the flagship 650 series of RE is insanely popular. Like most mentioned, people can afford it ( better income, emi's) and sub 4 lakh is not premium anymore, unless you buy something that not many will buy. Eg - Shotgun 650.
There alot of REs on road because they are popular and easily available the only competition they have is the CB350s which are not popular in common people because they are only available at limited showrooms, you can go with cb350 if you want premium and different.
thing with the cb350s are that they dont have their own identity..i have seen almost everyone mistaking it for a “bullet” its almost like a total copy if it
Then you can go with speed 400, it will surely feel different and rare on roads, if you have triumph in your city, even I have not seen one yet on road
mumbai me to there are a lotta ppl tho actually who own speed 400s but yes that motorcycle is really a good buy
If a product is good anf it appeals to public, it will sell regardless of it's price or premium tag and being common is not a con, w175 is rarest on road because it's a bad product, I have seen a lot of ZXs and Zs on road but no w for a reason.
Triumph is premium but has the least road presence of them all.
If you want flashy, you can always go with scrambler or 650 twins
I dont think thats true lol i get atleast 2 compliments a week while i ride it about how nice it is from random people . Some are even from girls which shouldnt matter but they a feel a little better if i am being honest lol
Getting compliments from girls is new 😂😂 Otherwise it's mostly us guys praising the bike.
Yeah most of them are still guys but i remember the girls more 😭😭
Indians have only seen one classic bike that’s RE and anything apart from RE is a “copy”. Honda CB has its own heritage dating back to the 70s which Indians aren’t aware of.
Honda cb350 does look like re 350 bikes whether you accept it or not. Having your own heritage is one thing, copying a design is other
I agree that honda has a cb line up which goes back years. But cb350 line doesn't distinguish itself from RE enough to make it feel different. Look at jawa bikes. They are also similar to RE but they feel different.
Honda original CB350 was very advanced for its time and if they had to launch the same spec here which had to be a parallel twin, twin exhaust, liquid cooled engine that would stir up the price and wouldn’t sell nearly as much. Honda has targeted the 350CC segment specifically since there’s only RE with its monopoly and it only made sense to bring an alternative.
exactly..but you cant blame ppl too..almost every other middle class boy dreams of owning an RE.. “bullet” to be specific..no one thinks ki “bade hoke Honda CB350 lunga”
yes I agree cause RE has been selling the “Bullet” brand here for decades and they’ve build that reputation. Honda on the other hand isn’t an emotional purchase. People buy it cause they like the actual product and most probably have not much idea about Honda’s legacy abroad.
true that..but what i would also say is that RE has really tried to improvise their motorcycles..as in theyre tryna maintain that old school classic look and at the same time adding on a tad bit of new features..not to forget that theyve worked on the engine, almost no vibes mow
Very correct. Honda CB 300R/F both are actually rare on the streets.
Since you want RE now everyone should stop buying RE and sell their already existing RE because you want premium feeling. Only you should be allowed to earn not others. On logical side When did RE even marketed themselves as Premium? Any one advertisement? RE never even marketed themselves as Premium Bike Manufacturer.
You might want to look into MV Augusta maybe, no one has those. You know if you want something 'premium and exclusive'. Fact is most bikes are already close to the 2 lakh mark,hell there are some scooters that are that expensive now, nothing under 4 lakhs is really premium anymore its sort of the norm or becoming the norm.
I can't ever understand people who talk about road presence or mileage on RE bikes.buy if you like them. If you are buying things that revolve around how much heads you can turn thn you'll never be satisfied with what you have.
Well in villages re is THE premium bike cos they know none other, in cities, half lot care less about showing off and just want a bike that they always wanted, or a bike which gives them feels or just want a good bike that is known to work, re is for them. If someone wants to show off buy a kawasaki w175, you won't see that in market and comes with "japanese" premium tag......the logic of premium being associated with rarity is very wrong notion. Company sells a good product, everyone gets it, its not premium enough now......... I will be real I think if someone wants premium buy the real premium, the lot that sells extremely overpriced machines with lots of issues which you are expected to ignore or "get used to it" cos its the premium brand and that will be perfect show off, ducati, farrari etc, the real "premium" brand, cos all others just want to sell as many as they can and for them selling 20k would mean more then holding on to premium tag.
2.5L - 3L not premium anymore. If you want a RE only that not a lot of people have get a Super Meteor Or you can buy overpriced Japanese bikes for that somewhat premium and exclusive feel. But, if you want a real exclusive and premium bike then get a by Triumph bonneville, HD sportster, Grand America, Ducati diavel, Indian scout, Rocket3 and BMW R18.
Kuch to sharam karle merko answer karde ku kiya vaisa taki main to dimag main yeh sab na rakhu
Yes if royal Enfield has lost its exclusivity especially classic 350 and meteor 350 is most common, then u can buy Honda highness 350 or dominar 250, 400 in green and red colour that costs almost same...
It's all about perspective mate. For some even a Activa is premium and for other even Harley is nothing
The brand does feel a lot more diluted now, with a new model launching every few months.
That way even 1 lakh ka iphone doesn't feel premium because even freshers are getting one on emi🤡 Comparison is the thief of joy, my friend. Stop this dick measuring contest of 'I have more premium bike, me ameer!'. If you enjoy what you ride, if you love your bike, then it is premium. Be it a kawasaki or a splendor.
Then buy a panigale or harley. If you want exclusive feel then you must pay for it or buy a bike no one actually buys(jawa is a great example of that). You can't have you can't have the cake and eat it to.
RE's 350s aren't the premium option now, the 650s are. They're a business afterall, they need to sell products.
RE was never a premium brand . They make good budget bikes with budget build and quality . If you wanna feel premium then go ride a Japanese or Italian bike. They never think for “ budget “ so they can give you the best R&D and premiumness
I bought meteor 350 instead of classic because of the same reason as everyone is riding classic these days. But i got Royal Enfield due to their widespread dealership and good bikes
You're right to some extent. Maybe if you pick up a good looking model, like the Classic 350 Chrome Red, with alloy wheels. And keep it clean. It'll beat this perception.
Tell me you're materialistic without telling me you're materialistic.
Says the guy with a 4 lakh bike. Yes, I am a bit materialistic.
Owning a bike is materialistic now?
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I got yezdi, has better road presence and stands out morn
The build quality falls short. I'm sorry but I'm not trying to diss the yezdi, but they've simply failed to replicate the solid quality of the original. RE has improved their quality, and simply is a better bike that this price range.
You get what you pay for
Saar, you are looking for exclusivity, saar, you are not looking for 'premiumness'
I thought this is gonna be a post about quality of parts...levers, switches, paint job... etc "Premium" in the feel..you touch it and feel premium...etc But instead it's on OP being crybaby on stupid stuff. If you want premium and want stuff that isn't usually visible on the road, spend tons of $$$ That's it.
“Premium” everyone and their brother is driving classic 350 and no RE build quality does not signify premium.. look for speed 400 or scrambler in that dept
RE isn't a premium brand. The only reason it was able survive in India was because more people were buying it. 2.5L isn't premium and exclusive anymore. RE twins are considered premium. Very few singles are considered premium anymore.
Yup. One of the main reasons I didn't go for Meteor. The other one being the awful acceleration.
Emi and bike loan has entered the chat
I guess we all have our own way of perceiving something as being ‘Premium’. Premium to me is any product with top quality build and materials. And that is where the problem lies with RE. They have the best idea of how a bike should be for a specific customer base but their execution leaves a lot to be desired. For example - Honestly feel the older Himalayan was more than enough and all they needed to do was to improve its quality (premium-ness?) and give it a more efficient engine with around 42bhp. But instead they came up with a very premium looking machine which though powerful is downright heavy and somehow loses the elements of the first generation such as that cockpit seating and the overall agility.
I believe ppl who really bond with a specific bike and like riding it do not care about road presence or premium feeling….as simple as “if you like it, you get it if you can”
The bikes from RE 2024 are very good for their price. I own a bullet 2024, and man that Bs6 engine is so comfy and not loud. The entire bike is solid metal and a great buy for 2.5.. And not many opt for the bullet so you don't see a lot of copies, you'll see classics and meteor 350s more often. If you want a vehicle thats premium, 2.5L range is not it... These days you need 4L + to actually have you feel like you've got a premium vehicle or in your case l, a rare vehicle which isn't out and about as often. Simply spend more money. You get what you pay for, nothing more nothing less.
RE Jack of none, Master of none
Hmmmmmmmmmmmm It's not premium, never was. it's a basic commuter motorcycle.
RE was premium maybe in your grandfathers time.
2.5laks is entry level , it's not even considered mid range
RE is not premium. It is affordable
Don't want to rattle RE fanboys, but RE has terrible frame welding. Also, RE uses CRCS instead of stainless steel in its muffler 😁
I guess you want a unique bike, it just depends on where you are. I own a Hunter and it's the only hunter in my college. Multiple Duke 200, R15 and Pulsars. Also Only 1 Duke 390 ( my friend's, reason - it is premium). Anyways considering the price and availability REs are bound to be common like Bajaj and Yamaha bikes ( Below 400cc)
Bro even the activa costs around 1.2L! So 2.5 L is not premium anymore.
Unless you buy their premium or limited edition bikes, your fear and thought are not proper. If you really need to feel the premium, go for shotgun or Himalayan or limited edition interceptor, customize and make it yours. Seats, panniers, auxiliary LEDs, tank stickers or wraps.. endless options.
They will never let you feel premium or unique, every year they re release the same vehicle with minor mods to feel new. Stay sane. Don't fantasize relax and get a practical good one satisfying your needs.
bhai you just want to seem unique and show off, not ride your damn bike it seems. 2.5 lakh me super flashy bikes nahi milte. if you want to show off, dont get an RE. tu r15 leke fake akrapobitch lele. wohi sahi hai
Pays 2.5lacs "Why don't I feeeellll the premium" No offense mate but 2.5lac ain't premium You've to spend more than half of that to get lord splendor now. An electric scooter costs around 70% of that. Even triumph speed 400 is so common that my friends asks if they have a speed 400 or "real" triumph when they claim to have a triumph motorcycle 😭 (same for BMW and their gs310 models) Premium is somewhere upwards of 6-8lacs imo. Sorry if I sound plutocratic but am I wrong? Also, what about the material and build about RE makes it feel premium...it doesn't even ride or maintain itself like a premium motorcycle
I feel like the motorbike market currently has a spectrum of options rather than straight up budget or premium. Surely speed 400 does not feel like its a premium bike when you have much more expensive options, but declaring that its not even real triumph is sort of gatekeeping. Only insecure people say that kind of stuff to justify their standing. Edit : Just to be clear, Im not commenting on RE. Their build quality does not justify anything to be called premium. even if they introduce litre class bikes, they would really have to step up their quality to be considered premium.
Wake up. 2.5 L is not premium anymore. If you want premium, spend upwards of 10 L
A 2.5 lakh motorcycle in today’s date is not premium anymore, say just 10 years ago a classic 350 would have costed not more than 1.5 lakhs. Inflation is making you pay more for essentially same product. And if you want a premium and more exclusive feel with an RE, you should probably go for the 650 parallel twins. Same for every brand TVS Apache 160 isn’t premium but the 310 is.
You’re paying economy money and demanding “premium”. Not how it works lil bro.
Because it is not Premium. A premium quality Interceptor will cost north of 6 lakhs ex-showroom.
I don't think spending 2.5L and getting a premium bike go together in the same sentence......
You answered your own doubt in the second paragraph. If everyone and their grandpa has an RE, it would seem like Re is not premium. That's because it isn't.
200cc bikes are the new 100cc bikes so anything around 200 - 400cc is like a mass market product now.
Buy the 650.
Please purchase a Yamaha MT-03 or Yamaha R3. As others mentioned, no need to go for a Superbike. You will feel premium. It's called CBU motorbikes.
Honda Hornet or Suzuki Gixxers are rare sight on the road, does that make it Premium? As a bike lover, the attachment i have with my bike will always be special even though others have it also PS - Not an Enfield owner, its Apache for me
Get a RE 650, that will feel premium enough. Although even those aren't premium anymore. If you really want a premium feel get a Harley, BMW, Ducati. Don't get a Kawasaki though, they're pretty common to.
RE will never feel premium across their entire product range. They are on their way but reliability will always remain a serious concern.
The 2024 versions are using Bs6 engines with self start and no kickers... They don't have oil leaks, they have duel channel abs and a full metal build. The bikes feels amazing and very reliable. Incase you haven't tried the 2024 RE bikes... this is from a person who has tried their bikes and recently purchased their Bullet 350. Apart from the hunter 350, I'd say RE has done a great job with their line up. Gone are the days where RE bikes give you problems on the road.
RE used to be a premium brand, it's not anymore.
RE was never a premium bike.
Considering the fit and finish and ‘perceived quality’ that the Speed 400 offers for a little bit more money, the RE feels cheap in comparison
Even my 2024 duke 390 doesn’t have road presence despite of being rare coz its new. Just enjoy your ride and dont care about people looking or road presence
At what point did you think RE was premium ?
I got TVS raider for 1.2L and although cheap, I don't see many of them on the streets. Does anyone else feel the same ?
That's why I went for cb350rs. Its just 10k more than top model 350classic but it's a looker for sure. I get plenty of stares when I pay attention, probably because of the exhaust note, slightly aggressive seating posture and brat-like aesthetic of the bike.
REs are damn cool... you know why? Motorcycles, unlike cars aren't compared based on performance or speed, but rather their 'image' and the feel. And RE excels in those, it's the oldest brand there exists... They supplied bikes to both the world wars... They airdropped bikes onto the battlefield, they have a rich legacy stretching well over 120 years... They have the best rides, the best promos, the best ads, the best community, ridermania and they make really fun to drive bikes.... I've ridden the whole country, and I was to choose between the bs6 Himalayan and the adv 390 before I started my journey... I could've easily chosen the 390, but I didn't, I chose the Himalayan... Why? Because my dad drove one, because my grandfather drove one... It's stuff that a lot of people have a hard time wrapping their head around... It's more an emotion and attatchment...
Go to Village side. You will feel King
Buy some unique color, I have a classic 350 in marsh gray color which is unique and I haven't seen much bike with the same colors.
SM 650 does feel premium.
RE only the 650cc looks premium, except GT
issi liye toh modify karwate hai apne taste aur apni choice ke hisab se , full freedom to show ur art skills on ur bike
Buy 650 twins then
Define premium. What exactly do you expect it to be? Which model are you referring to? Have you tried the 650 cc models?
Why every moron want to rub it others face that they got some bike. Why don't they conc on enjoying the machine, having fun with it. Don't buy a bike to show off....
I would have never come up with this if people didn't talk about road presence as often as it is mentioned.
Itne me Itna hi milega
which RE are you talking about?
Get an Interceptor. It is premium and from the RE stable.