A Look At Triumph, Bajaj, Harley, Hero, And The Rise Of The Middleweights
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A Look At Triumph, Bajaj, Harley, Hero, And The Rise Of The Middleweights

A Look At Triumph, Bajaj, Harley, Hero, And The Rise Of The Middleweights

We are now in July 2023, and it has been a busy few weeks for Triumph, Bajaj, Harley, and Hero MotoCorp. These companies have been working hard behind the scenes to prepare Triumph’s Speed 400 and Scrambler 400 X, as well as Harley’s X440 for their debut. The excitement is palpable.

From an international perspective, the partnerships behind the development of these bikes make perfect sense. In many Asian countries, there is a huge number of small-displacement motorbikes being ridden by a diverse range of riders who rely on their two-wheeled vehicles for their daily lives. Large displacement bikes are often subject to high taxes and are less common. This has created a demand for a middleweight bike that falls between the small and large displacement categories. These bikes offer a little more power without crossing into the realm of big bikes. The partnerships between manufacturers are also important for resources, geography, and maintaining attractive pricing structures.

2023 Royal Enfield Hunter 350 - Rebel Blue and Dapper Ash

Royal Enfield has been a prominent player in this middleweight segment with its 350 trio: the Meteor 350 cruiser, the Classic 350 retro-modern standard, and the Hunter 350 modern urban machine. Now, Triumph/Bajaj and Harley-Davidson/Hero are entering the market to compete for a share of this growing segment. Aprilia, part of the Piaggio Group, has also announced plans to launch its own mid-segment bike in 2023. All these companies have initially launched their bikes in India, the world’s largest motorcycle market, with plans to expand to other international markets later.

This segment is attracting attention because it offers a step up from a 125cc scooter, making it an achievable aspiration for many riders. It provides a sense of personal growth and achievement without being out of reach.

Triumph Speed 400 and Scrambler 400 X - Riding 16

According to Bajaj managing director Rajiv Bajaj, Triumph could potentially sell 40,000 to 50,000 TR-platform bikes annually in the next year. Bajaj’s partnership with KTM has given him insights into the motorcycle market, as KTM’s annual sales have grown significantly over the past decade. The partnerships between these companies are aimed at replicating this success in the middleweight segment.

It is worth noting that China is also becoming a major motorcycle market, and KTM has a strong presence there through its partnership with CFMOTO. Recently, Pierer Mobility and CFMOTO announced plans to strengthen their cooperation to meet the increasing market demand in China and the Asian region.

Some More Middleweight Development Details Worth Noting 

  • 2017: Triumph and Bajaj formed their partnership.
  • 2021: Harley-Davidson and Hero MotoCorp formed their partnership.
  • Piaggio Group, the parent company of Aprilia, already has a presence in India and has not partnered with a local manufacturer for its middleweight bike development.
  • Triumph and Bajaj’s TR-platform bikes will be exclusive to Triumph and will not be used by Bajaj for their future bikes.
  • On the other hand, the partnership between Harley-Davidson and Hero MotoCorp is similar to previous deals between BMW Motorrad and TVS Motor Company. This allows both companies to use the same platform for their respective bikes.