KATHMANDU: The Royal Enfield Classic 350, popularly known as the ‘Bullet’, remains one of Nepal’s most iconic motorcycles. Its charm and pride among riders have stayed strong for years.
Although several neo-classic motorcycles have entered the market, none have managed to challenge the Classic 350’s popularity. The start of local assembly has made it even more dominant.
According to Alpha Automotive, the official distributor of Royal Enfield in Nepal, the company sells around 10,000 units annually, with the Classic 350 accounting for nearly 70 percent of total sales.
Over the years, brands like Honda, Jawa/Yezdi, and Benelli have tried to compete in this segment, but their models failed to sustain.
Honda introduced the H’ness CB350 in Nepal, priced at over Rs 900,000, nearly double the cost of the Classic 350. Due to the high price, its import has now been discontinued. In comparison, the Classic 350 is currently priced at around Rs 550,000.
Benelli had also launched the Imperiale 400 in 2020 through KTM International. Although priced reasonably at around Rs 700,000, it failed to attract buyers due to limited service networks and weak brand trust.
Similarly, Agni Moto Inc. under the Agni Group introduced Jawa and Yezdi motorcycles in mid-2023, expecting strong competition with Royal Enfield. However, sales did not pick up, and imports have been halted for the past three years.
While a few other brands have also tried their luck with neo-retro designs, none could build the same appeal and rider community that Royal Enfield has developed across Nepal.
Recently, Triumph Motorcycles, imported by Hansraj Hulaschand & Company, has entered this segment with the Speed 400, a direct rival to the Classic 350. The model is gaining attention, but it remains to be seen whether Triumph can hold its ground against Royal Enfield’s long-standing dominance in Nepal.
