Royal Enfield’s Interceptor 750 set to challenge Harley Davidson, despite Trump

Amidst a President Donald Trump-backed sales push by American motorcycle brand Harley Davidson, which sells its Street 750 and Street Rod to high-end Indian customers, Indian motorcycle brand Royal Enfield is set to launch the Interceptor 650 and Continental GT 650 twin cylinder motorcycles in the Indian market.

With the announcement of new Interceptor 750 and continental GT 750, Royal Enfield will tap the market of Harley Davidson and Triumph, which is currently unchallenged in the Indian market. The new bikes are expected to be launched by the middle of this year.

The American bike brand is reported to be getting ready for competition with price cuts for the two siblings. Harley Davidson has reduced the price of its Street 750 range sold in India by up to Rs48,001. This, however, is unconnected with US President Donald Trump's recent criticism of India's high import duties on fully built motorcycles.

Prices of the Street 750, Harley's lowest-priced bike in India, start from Rs4,69,999, ex-showroom Delhi. This means Harley has effected a price cut  of Rs47,001 on the V-Twin cruiser motorcycle. The Street 750's sibling – the Street Rod – also gets a price cut of Rs48,001, and its prices now start from Rs5,59,999. Both bikes are Harley's best sellers in India.

Royal Enfield's Interceptor 750 and continental GT 750 bikes are expected to be priced very competitively, between Rs3 and Rs4 lakh. Harley Davidson Street 750 and Street Rod buyers may see buyers shifting to lower priced Royal Enfields. To make its entry-level motorcycles more attractive, Harley is likely to cut prices further.