Royal Enfield is on a roll. At this point it almost feels like the company can do no wrong. Whether it’s cracking into the US with affordable twins, shaking up Europe with retro-styled middleweights, or doubling down on its home turf in India, the brand has managed to hit a sweet spot that most manufacturers dream about. It’s nostalgic without being outdated, affordable without feeling cheap, and aspirational without losing touch with everyday riders. And now the numbers are here to prove it.
In September 2025, Royal Enfield recorded its highest-ever monthly sales, moving 124,328 motorcycles worldwide. That’s not just good, that’s historic. To put it into perspective, the brand sold 86,978 bikes during the same month last year. That’s a staggering 43 percent year-on-year growth. On the domestic front, India accounted for 113,573 of those sales, compared to 79,325 in September 2024. Even exports climbed sharply, with 10,755 bikes shipped overseas versus 7,653 the year before.
Growth like that isn’t normal in today’s motorcycle market, where flat or even declining numbers are more common than not.
Royal Enfield’s boss, B. Govindarajan, summed it up pretty well. He called it an “incredible start to the festive season” and pointed to the newly updated Meteor 350 as a hit with the community. And that’s the thing about Royal Enfield right now: it’s not one single bike carrying the weight. The Bullet, Classic, Meteor, Hunter, Himalayan, and the 650 twins all pull their own weight in different corners of the world. That kind of balanced portfolio is rare, and it’s paying off in a big way.
Of course, the landscape is shifting too. India’s new GST 2.0 tax structure has made smaller bikes more affordable and bigger ones more expensive. For Royal Enfield, that means its bread-and-butter 350cc lineup is now taxed at 18 percent instead of 28, making it even easier for buyers to justify. On the flip side, the 450cc and 650cc machines now fall into a higher 40 percent bracket, which will sting for models like the Himalayan 450 and Continental GT 650. But if there’s any brand that can ride out that change, it’s probably Enfield. The 350s already account for the lion’s share of sales, and the company knows how to keep that segment fresh.
Case in point: the 2025 Meteor 350. At a starting price of Rs 196,000 (about $2,360), it’s positioned as a bike that feels more premium without losing its core value proposition. LED lighting, Tripper navigation, a slip-and-assist clutch, and adjustable levers are all little touches that give the Meteor a more modern edge without alienating the riders who just want a laid-back cruiser with classic lines. Royal Enfield also made headlines by teaming up with Flipkart to sell 350cc models online in select cities. It might sound small, but for a brand rooted in tradition, leaning into e-commerce is a sign it’s willing to meet buyers where they are.
And then there’s the elephant in the room—or maybe the Flying Flea in this case. Royal Enfield’s first electric motorcycle is set to debut at EICMA in November before heading to India’s Motoverse later in the month. If the production version stays true to what we’ve seen teased so far, it could redefine how retro styling and electric drivetrains come together. While other legacy brands are still tiptoeing into electrification, Enfield seems ready to make a statement.
So what does all of this really say about the motorcycle industry? More than anything, it shows that riders still want bikes that feel approachable and honest. The average motorcyclist isn’t looking for a spec-sheet arms race or a spaceship on two wheels. They want something that looks cool, feels familiar, and doesn’t break the bank. Royal Enfield has nailed that formula better than anyone else right now. And if its record-breaking September is anything to go by, the rest of the industry might want to pay attention.
Because while some manufacturers are chasing the high-end halo effect, Royal Enfield is proving that success still comes from the middle. From bikes that are attainable, reliable, and a little bit emotional. That’s not just good business, it’s a reminder of what motorcycling has always been about.
Source: Royal Enfield
