Royal Enfield developing single-cylinder, 400cc engine

hollywoodhogan · 17th May 2014, 18:20

as a manufacturer, RE would first invest in the segment that will give maximum returns. when the 350cc segment forms 90% of the sales, it makes sense to first strengthen this position with improvements to the engines and frame which is what i believe that RE is doing with the supposedly near 400cc bike.
with respect to twins, its purely a judgement call on return on investment. 75-100 crore is what it will cost to develop and manufacture an all new twin and all that to sell 50 bikes a month? RE is not ready for that am sure, however, yes a twin will come eventually, but today's priority remains the 350-400cc bread and butter segment.
the GT frame will surely trickle down to other models as well.
we as aficionados cannot see the business end since we are blind to the fact that RE is a company with primary responsibility to ensure stable and long term returns to its investors. if that means postponing the development of a twin and focusing on the near 400cc, so be it.

Aditya · 26th December 2014, 14:51

Apart from the new 400 cc engine, Royal Enfield is rumoured to be working on a 600 cc single-cylinder unit as well. Bikes powered by these engines are expected to be launched in 2015.

Link to Team-BHP News Article

//M · 26th December 2014, 15:09

With the upcoming 400cc and 600cc hearts, I guess RE will gradually phase out the 350cc and 500cc mills. Its good to know that RE has finally pulled up heir sleeves and are working to improve the quality of their steeds and adding new technology too. However, these will surely command a premium.

What next? A 750cc parallel-twin please !!

adrian · 26th December 2014, 21:57

Royal Enfield going after Bajaj launching motorcycles at 50 to 100 cc intervals?

350 cc, 400 cc , 500 cc , 600 cc

I thought they would work on refining their current motorcycles and then as a next step would go for a multi cylinder machine. As for me, I am terribly disappointed

regards adrian

petrolhead_neel · 26th December 2014, 22:21

Bid adieu to the legendary Twinspark 350 engine. Really, have the RE guys gone out of their mind???
Every Indian biker or RE enthusiast knows about the Bullet 350. It has its own niche. With the Twinspark engine they did a fantastic job of reinventing the 350. Adding 50 odd cc more to this potent mill doesn't make any sense.

My grandfather owned the original cast iron Bullet 350. My dad picked up a Classic 350 earlier this year. It was like altogether the same bike with some significant improvements. Real Enfield enthusiasts will understand what I mean to say. With this 400cc displacement RE will lose the history and charm associated with an Enfield 350 engine, be it cast iron or UCE.

IF RE you really want to try something new, leave the Bullets as they are and develop a new chassis.

ecenandu · 27th December 2014, 03:22

From sources I heard its 380cc and 600cc engines with fuel injection. Not sure if its true or not it will be having overhead cam shafts.

17th May 2014, 18:20	#31
hollywoodhogan BHPian Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: bangalore Posts: 423 Thanked: 14 Times	Re: Royal Enfield developing single-cylinder, 400cc engine as a manufacturer, RE would first invest in the segment that will give maximum returns. when the 350cc segment forms 90% of the sales, it makes sense to first strengthen this position with improvements to the engines and frame which is what i believe that RE is doing with the supposedly near 400cc bike. with respect to twins, its purely a judgement call on return on investment. 75-100 crore is what it will cost to develop and manufacture an all new twin and all that to sell 50 bikes a month? RE is not ready for that am sure, however, yes a twin will come eventually, but today's priority remains the 350-400cc bread and butter segment. the GT frame will surely trickle down to other models as well. we as aficionados cannot see the business end since we are blind to the fact that RE is a company with primary responsibility to ensure stable and long term returns to its investors. if that means postponing the development of a twin and focusing on the near 400cc, so be it.
	() Thanks

26th December 2014, 14:51	#32
Aditya Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Mumbai Posts: 17,835 Thanked: 77,063 Times View My Garage	Re: Royal Enfield developing single-cylinder, 400cc engine Apart from the new 400 cc engine, Royal Enfield is rumoured to be working on a 600 cc single-cylinder unit as well. Bikes powered by these engines are expected to be launched in 2015. Link to Team-BHP News Article
	(1) Thanks

26th December 2014, 15:09	#33
//M Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: New Delhi Posts: 6,201 Thanked: 22,920 Times	Re: Royal Enfield developing single-cylinder, 400cc engine With the upcoming 400cc and 600cc hearts, I guess RE will gradually phase out the 350cc and 500cc mills. Its good to know that RE has finally pulled up heir sleeves and are working to improve the quality of their steeds and adding new technology too. However, these will surely command a premium. What next? A 750cc parallel-twin please !!
	() Thanks

26th December 2014, 21:57	#34
adrian BHPian Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Trivandrum Posts: 932 Thanked: 1,215 Times	Re: Royal Enfield developing single-cylinder, 400cc engine Royal Enfield going after Bajaj launching motorcycles at 50 to 100 cc intervals? 350 cc, 400 cc , 500 cc , 600 cc I thought they would work on refining their current motorcycles and then as a next step would go for a multi cylinder machine. As for me, I am terribly disappointed regards adrian Last edited by adrian : 26th December 2014 at 21:58.
	() Thanks

26th December 2014, 22:21	#35
petrolhead_neel BHPian Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Burdwan Posts: 738 Thanked: 1,532 Times View My Garage	Bid adieu to the legendary Twinspark 350 engine. Really, have the RE guys gone out of their mind??? Every Indian biker or RE enthusiast knows about the Bullet 350. It has its own niche. With the Twinspark engine they did a fantastic job of reinventing the 350. Adding 50 odd cc more to this potent mill doesn't make any sense. My grandfather owned the original cast iron Bullet 350. My dad picked up a Classic 350 earlier this year. It was like altogether the same bike with some significant improvements. Real Enfield enthusiasts will understand what I mean to say. With this 400cc displacement RE will lose the history and charm associated with an Enfield 350 engine, be it cast iron or UCE. IF RE you really want to try something new, leave the Bullets as they are and develop a new chassis.
	(1) Thanks

27th December 2014, 03:22	#36
ecenandu Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Stockholm Posts: 1,318 Thanked: 2,475 Times	Re: Royal Enfield developing single-cylinder, 400cc engine From sources I heard its 380cc and 600cc engines with fuel injection. Not sure if its true or not it will be having overhead cam shafts.
	() Thanks