We love things that are new and shiny, don't we?
I very much include myself in that statement, because I'm certainly not immune to the lure of sleek, aesthetically appealing new things. The crisp tactile sensations of controls that haven't been beaten into submission by a million hands and feet before me; the paint that's so shiny, I worry about how bad I'm going to feel if (and let's be honest, when) I accidentally ding it with something stupid, like my own keys.
I mean, surely I'm not alone in thinking that at least half the reason you buy a used bike is because then you won't be the first person to mar its perfect finish?
I love new technology, too—as long as it's actually adding something of value to my life. And also, as long as it's not adding to the long list of potential personal privacy violations that seem to be built in to many new home electronics sold in 2025. But that's well outside the scope of this piece, although modern motorbikes can potentially be included in that ever-expanding web of devices we use on a daily basis.
Royal Enfield, for one, is hoping you'll see the good in its first foray into bringing EV motorbikes to market. It's also putting its own tantalizing twist on the proceedings, with an unprecedented partnership with Qualcomm to offer enhanced integration of onboard computing and software systems. If you're suddenly finding yourself thinking about the smartphone that's likely in your pocket, on your desk, or maybe where you're reading this piece right now, it's with good reason. Smartphones are why most tech enthusiasts know the Qualcomm name.
Just how deep is the connection? In a chat with industry publication Automotive World, Royal Enfield chief information officer Sudhakar Bhagavatula explained how the Flying Flea will be Enfield's first 'software-defined vehicle.' As it turns out, Enfield isn't just pivoting in a new direction, miles away from its far more traditional combustion-based leanings; it's rocketing off into the stratosphere.
What does the SDV concept mean, though? So far, Enfield representatives have specifically mentioned things that probably won't sound unfamiliar if you've been paying attention to new motorcycles on the market in recent years. Stuff like selectable ride modes, using your smartphone as a digital key, and the ability to take over-the-air (OTA) software updates when needed.
This is made possible through the integration of a suite of electronics; no one's mentioned an IMU yet, but it's almost certain to be present if we're integrating ride modes. Standard Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and 4G smartphone connectivity are all things that are already in common use among models offered by competitors. But further features mentioned for the FF-C6 involve capabilities operated via your choice of touch screen, voice control, a joystick, your chosen smartwatch (universal compatibility? Unclear.), and of course your omnipresent smartphone.
There's also talk of integrating cameras into the bike, which we've already seen on some other powersports machines, but which are far more frequently found on new vehicles in the automotive space. Think about backup cameras, or systems that integrate cameras into their radar adaptive cruise control setups.
It all sounds intriguing, particularly if Enfield can manage to pull off what Enfield is generally pretty good at: Offering a solid, aesthetically appealing bike at a reasonable price, and one that customers are happy to pay for what they get. But at the same time, there are also a number of pitfalls the company must avoid if it wants to succeed in its FF-C6 goals.
One is that, while OTA updates sound great in theory, and the idea of a bike that potentially 'grows with you' is appealing, there are also completely justifiable reasons to be a little hesitant about jumping on the train first thing. In the past, other OEMs have experimented with the idea of locking certain premium features behind a software-only paywall; KTM, BMW (specifically on the automotive side; remember the heated seat subscription debacle, anyone?), and Zero immediately come to mind.
In those situations, I think what was most maddening to riders that didn't like this turn of events wasn't that a company wanted you to pay more for a feature. I mean, companies have basically been doing that exact thing ever since there've been companies to begin with, right? But the idea that you'd have to pay to unlock features that were already present on your bike, just locked behind a software firewall, was hair-pullingly aggravating, and may even have felt extortionate at times.
After all, you already bought the bike in the first place. Why would you want to pay to buy something again that you already bought? (Side note: If you're mumbling and grumbling about physical media and streaming services right now, I hear you.)
And in a way unrelated to bikes, but very specifically related to phones, there's another reason to be a little cautious. On the face of it, I'm reasonably certain that lots of people would appreciate a bike that can truly 'grow with them.' One that gets software (and security) updates on a regular basis, if that's something its operating system needs.
But what no one wants is a bike that suddenly slows down or even eliminates software features, simply because the OEM (and not the rider) has determined that it's reaching the end of its life. While that hasn't happened yet in the motorcycle world, you only need to look at iPhone history to see that this is a real, true concern.
Riders don't always agree on a lot of things, but I think most of us hate the very idea of planned obsolescence with a fervent and burning passion.
If Royal Enfield and Qualcomm can deliver a good, desirable, reliable package with the FF-C6, at a price that customers find reasonable, then that's Hurdle One cleared. And if it can continue to offer software updates that give customers what they want, then that's Hurdle Two.
Will that be what happens? Here's hoping. Watch this space.
