17 Bike History/Timeline: Royal Enfield [1893-2010]. Is Royal Enfield the World's Oldest Motorcycle Brand?

Royal Enfield probably is the world's oldest "surviving" motorcycle brand..

I have been hearing about this for sometime now. So I decided to find it out the truth. Is Royal Enfield really the world's oldest motorcycle brand?

Imagine if Royal Enfield models gets the tag of "Manufactured by the World's Oldest Motorcycle Brand..!!"

.. who wouldn't want to own a piece of history like that?

After some "Googling" on the net, the following facts came into light:

• Triumph started to produce motorcycles in 1902



• Harley-Davidson started making motorcycles in 1903

Now there are some guys who say that Royal Enfield made its first motorcycle in 1901..!! The photo posted below is claimed as that of the first Royal Enfield motorcycle manufactured in 1901.

If it is true then that would definitely make Royal Enfield the world's oldest surviving motorcycle brand..!!

More about that later.. but first,

A brief history of Royal Enfield:

3 May 2010, 2 Wheeler Sales in India

May 2010 sales numbers of our Indian 2 wheeler manufacturers.. May 2010 "motorcycles" sales have also been shown..

Highlights:

1. In may 2010, Hero Honda has posted its highest ever sales numbers in its history

2. (Bajaj) Pulsar sales (75,974 units) is more than the "domestic motorcycle" sales of either HMSI, TVS, Yamaha or Suzuki

3. In terms of "domestic motorcycle" sales, HMSI is ahead of TVS Motor

8 Suzuki launches GSX-R 1000 and Bandit 1250S in India

Suzuki launches 2 more exotic bikes in India.. both of which are as different from each other as chalk and cheese

GSX-R 1000

Price: 12.75 ex-Showroom Delhi

Engine: 999 cc, 4-stroke, 4-cylinder, liquid-cooled, DOHC

Max Power: 185 Bhp @ 12000 rpm
Max Torque: 118 Nm @ 10000 rpm
(Need to be confirmed)

Kerb Weight: 205 Kgs

Wheelbase: 1405 mm
Seat Height: 810 mm

Colors: Glass Splash White & Solid Black

4 Hero Honda & TVS lead TV Ad spendings in 2009

TV Ad spendings of our bike makers in 2009

I always interested to know how our two wheeler manufacturers invested in terms of TV Advertisements. The other day I happened to come across the following data about the 2009 TV Advertisements by our two wheeler manufacturers.

Posted below are data as reported by Hindu Business Line:

According to this news article, the price for a 10 second ad spot for an IPL match in 2010 was roughly about 5 lakhs..!!

Ok, the Ad rates during the IPL season would definitely be sky high. But even during normal period, just imagine what a month long campaign of showing a particular TV Ad, 10 times a day, spread across 10 TV channels would cost.

15 Buying Guide 2010: Best Entry Level - Budget Bike/Motorcycle in India

Best Entry level - Budget bike/motorcycle in India in 2010- my Top 3

What an Entry level – Budget bike?

An entry level – budget bike as the name suggests is one that you can buy for the lowest pric tag i.e if you are on a tight budget. It also goes without saying that one naturally expects these budget motorcycles to be also delivering good fuel efficiency as well.

In terms of pricing (in 2010), one can say that motorcycles priced around the Rs.35,000-Rs.40,000 (on road) mark can be categorized as entry level-budget motorcycle in India.

All the models listed below should normally return a fuel efficiency of at least around 60-65 kmpl. A "merciful" right wrist and regular and proper maintenance of the motorcycle might also fetch you fuel efficiency of around 70 plus Kmpl.

The only issue that I see with these entry-level budget motorcycles:

"The mental block of being seen on a C-H-E-A-P motorcycle"

In India the price tags for these entry level motorcycles currently start at around Rs. 35,000 ex-showroom (Rs. 40,000 on-road). The best part is that being cheap doesn’t mean that you can’t have access to features like alloy wheels and electric start.

Yes sir, in 2010 you can get models like the Hero Honda CD Deluxe with electric start and alloys as an option and the Bajaj Platina 125, where these features comes as standard fitment.

It’s not too difficult to choose an entry level – budget bike in India as the list of option is not too long. Posted below are my top 3 entry level – budget motorcycles that you can buy in 2010 in India.

(Prices mentioned below could have undergone revisions. It is advised to personally check out for the lastest prices).

1. Hero Honda CD Deluxe (100 cc):