[sumithb]

Royal Enfield acquires design and engineering firm Harris Performance.

Originally Posted by ET

Royal Enfield, a subsidiary of Eicher Motors on Monday acquired UK based Harris Performance Products Ltd, a motorcycle design and engineering firm for an undisclosed amount. Harris Performance has had a long standing relationship with Royal Enfield and was responsible for the chassis development of the brand's iconic Continental GT cafe racer model. The company did not disclose the value of the deal.

Explaining the rationale for the acquisition, Siddhartha Lal, CEO Royal Enfield said: "Royal Enfield is working on its new generation of products and platforms; to have the Harris Performance team dedicatedly working with us will clearly enhance our engineering and product design capabilities."

Established over forty years ago by brothers Steve and Lester Harris and Stephen Bayford, Harris Performance is one of the leading experts in designing and manufacturing of specialised high performance motorcycle chassis and components.

The current staff at Harris Performance will become employees of Royal Enfield. They will be responsible for the performance and development engineering for Enfield's new range of motorcycles.

Read more at economictimes.com


Interesting time these at Royal Enfield.

[navin_v8]

Somewhere at the back of my mind I was thinking this was going to happen, especially since Harris Engineering designed the chassis for the iconic RE CGT. It shows that RE does want to evolve and try new designs and engineering with both motorcycles and engines. This is a welcome change for a company that was used to stamping out 4 speed CI's with the same chassis and engine from the 1950's (Although I am a huge fan of old tech British Singles). They did try to bring a change with the 5 Speed AVL LB engine but it never picked up as they expected it to. It was the UCE engine that brought them fortunes and made it popular among the new age riders. I think this very change has prompted RE to experiment further while fighting off the competition. Although it is too early for me to comment on their new offerings that are scheduled to launch in a year or two. Nevetheless, All the best RE.

[tharian]

Question is how fast they can make use of these acquisitions and hiring and bring out a good Enfield for a the followers.
We have been hearing of twins and new engines and a new model and sadly as always, apart from being exported first, we have no confirmation.
Sooner they bring out new models, the better. Apart from the GT, the last full new model was the TB500.
And yes, pricing is crucial since there are buyers like me who will look at RE and think of the big boys for later in life.

[Tushar]

A great move by Royal Enfield. I've been an owner for 5 years of which, I was a fan-boy for 3 years and a staunch critic for 2 years. The focus of my statement being the last 2 years. I hope Harris performance brings in an acceptable level of competence in Royal Enfield's products. The brand has been milking its cult status, but product performance and quality is still unacceptable.

This is evidently a move targeting RE's global agenda. Given the confirmation of the new 250cc and 750cc engines, the boys at Chennai HAVE/NEED to make sure that they set a new positive precedent with the new products from the new platforms. Harris can make great products and get better output figures/stats, but component quality control is something where the current management will have to get serious.

[apachelongbow]

Harris performance has been doing a great job in selling upgrade kits and performance parts, chassis and engine bits for the RE bikes in the UK. In fact they are getting almost 50 -60 bhp extracted from the 500cc mill!! So it makes sense for RE to buy this firm and setup their R and D division around this core. I am eagerly waiting to see what new engines or tuneups will these boffins come out with next.

[ebonho]

Originally Posted by apachelongbow

Harris performance has been doing a great job in selling upgrade kits and performance parts, chassis and engine bits for the RE bikes in the UK. In fact they are getting almost 50 -60 bhp extracted from the 500cc mill!!

Considering the stock bike is rated at 27 bhp, that's a 85-122% jump in power. I'd love to see that happening. Not even Egli managed something as big as that on the cast iron motors, even after bumping capacity to 625 cc. Can you share a link please?

[B O V]

So this will be part of the R & D set up they'll have in the UK. Good news for us, Looks like good times ahead I hope.

Originally Posted by Tushar

component quality control is something where the current management will have to get serious.

Exactly, Quality control is something that from which the initiative has to come from the top management.

Originally Posted by apachelongbow

Harris performance has been doing a great job in selling upgrade kits and performance parts

Originally Posted by ebonho

Considering the stock bike is rated at 27 bhp, that's a 85-122% jump in power. Can you share a link please?

Spot on!

That much outta the Enfield mill is hard to believe, the most I've heard of is the ace fireball kit , there was also a continental gt modded for running on the bonneville salt flats.

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/motorb...alt-flats.html

Regards,

BOV

[vinit.merchant]

Originally Posted by navin_v8

I think this very change has prompted RE to experiment further while fighting off the competition.

Come to think of it, what competition do they have? None.

There are bikes under RE, our normal no nonsense commuter bikes having engines from 100cc to 220cc, costing 25-30% cheaper than the RE bulls.

And then there are 750+ cc motorcycles in Harleys & Triumphs costing 5 times the cost of the bull.

But at their level, there is no alternative to consider, when it comes to motorcycles. RE has a charm of its own, and will continue to increase its fan base with its time less design.

[mail4ajo]

Awesome strategic move by Enfield. I have always admired the GT for its design (although nothing ground breaking). They seem to have used good components on GT which is quite evident compared to the other models. Hope our home grown Enfield will be able to up their game in wake of some fierce competition.

[petrolhead_neel]

Great move I must say. After hiring an ex-Ducati designer, this is what they had to do next. Seems like RE is gearing up for the future.

The old pushrod engine was a pure disappointment in the CGT. Such a great chassis and mind boggling looks let down by a crude revving pushrod UCE. I don't have any intention to criticise the engine in particular(In fact, we own one from the same family), but fact is, the engine didn't suit the bike at all. So, first things first, we need a completely new engine.

And yes, if Harris Engineering gets down to work and develop some good chassis', safe to assume that bikes from a higher price range will be given a run for their money. The CGT chassis, as far as I know, is very different from other REs, being a dual cradle. It bursts with feedback, is great on straights as well as corners. This chassis can very well be the platform for a performance oriented bike.
And the much rumored Himalayan can be the one that could be used as an adventure tourer. The old Bulls should stay as they are, no one dare touch that heritage. But, we need new gen cruisers which will rival HDs.

Am I asking for more, hope not! Please don't let us down RE.

[adrian]

On one side, I am happy to see Royal Enfield scaling the wall of technology. On the other side I fear that the self serviceable simple machines are going to be extinct. The riders will have to rely heavily on the RE ASS to service / repair their motorcycles. Hope that Royal Enfield takes necessary steps to enlighten the blokes who can't take care of a single cylinder Bullet.
regards adrian

[navin_v8]

Originally Posted by vinit.merchant

Come to think of it, what competition do they have, None?

Not exactly mate, there is one bike which if not dented has scratched RE's market and in the wake has transformed many purists and hardcore Bulleteers and all for a good reason. The bike in question is the KTM Duke 390. Another couple are Bajaj Pulsar Twins the 200 NS and SS and soon to be lauched Pulsar 400 SS. Other international competition includes soon to be launched Harley Davidson Street 500. There are also rumors of TVS BMW bringing in their mid range motorcycles. I would have agreed to your statement had it been 2010 when there was no one to challenge RE. It is not the case now, Indian motorcycle is growing and evolving by leaps and bounds and there is no reason for RE to think they will be unchallenged in the coming future.

But at their level, there is no alternative to consider, when it comes to motorcycles. RE has a charm of its own, and will continue to increase its fan base with its time less design.

They have been selling just due to Retro Classic design is not entirely true. They are selling in huge numbers due to transformation from 4 Speed CI to UCE. If you remember RE was on the brink of collapse until they released the Electra 5 Speed and the game changer Thunderbird AVL 350 followed by AVL Machismo. Again during the late 2000's its market started shrinking when they decided to bring about a drastically radical change in the form of UCE. RE has learnt from these past experiences and wants to be well prepared inadvance for such onslaughts in future. Like I mentioned Indian motorcycling and riders themselves are evolving and undergoing transformation at a rapid pace and RE wants to keep up with this.

[vinit.merchant]

Originally Posted by navin_v8

Not exactly mate, there is one bike which if not dented has scratched RE's market and in the wake has transformed many purists and hardcore Bulleteers and all for a good reason. The bike in question is the KTM Duke 390. Another couple are Bajaj Pulsar Twins the 200 NS and SS and soon to be lauched Pulsar 400 SS. Other international competition includes soon to be launched Harley Davidson Street 500. There are also rumors of TVS BMW bringing in their mid range motorcycles. I would have agreed to your statement had it been 2010 when there was no one to challenge RE. It is not the case now, Indian motorcycle is growing and evolving by leaps and bounds and there is no reason for RE to think they will be unchallenged in the coming future..

To me, the comparison you put across is like comparing the swifts and i20's to safaris, dusters, Scorpios. For me, cruisers (read as motorcycles) start with the bullet, and then multiply the budget 4-5 times to reach the triumph and harleys. There is, for me, nothing else.
But maybe that's just me.

Additionally, they have been selling more due to the increased purchasing power with the young. 25k down payment and rest on emi is nothing for today's fresher's at job. But in my time, when we started at around 5k, 65-70k for a new bullet was a big thing, and vehicle loans were not easily accessible.

[Vinay Stanley]

Though I have an old iron RE and a new UCE one and ride it once in a blue moon, I see a bleak future for the RE in India, as even after the Harris pullup, their focus is still to cash in on the Euro & US markets with their retro classic associations.

In India, today they will face a tough competition from the new designed Duke, Pulsars, Chinese Lifon (just wait for our globetrotting PM to complete his China Visit).

Seeing how its going politically India is already the dumping ground for every manufacturer be it auto or the defense aviation market. So much for Made in India motto.

[navin_v8]

Originally Posted by vinit.merchant

To me, the comparison you put across is like comparing the swifts and i20's to safaris, dusters, Scorpios. For me, cruisers (read as motorcycles) start with the bullet, and then multiply the budget 4-5 times to reach the triumph and harleys. There is, for me, nothing else.
But maybe that's just me.

Mate you've got to read my post carefully I never compared RE motorcycles with KTM's, Pulsar NS & SS Twins or for that matter Harley and Triumph. I just said they are/will be giving a tough competition to RE in the coming months/years. Ofcourse there will be a price differential among these, but as you have said in your own post below, the income levels are rising and so are the dreams of riders which are getting realized.

Additionally, they have been selling more due to the increased purchasing power with the young. 25k down payment and rest on emi is nothing for today's fresher's at job. But in my time, when we started at around 5k, 65-70k for a new bullet was a big thing, and vehicle loans were not easily accessible.

Read my post above, that's exactly one of the many reasons why RE should be worried. People are earning and there are more and more options available now compared to 5 years back. All I am saying is RE cannot sustain themselves solely by selling Retro Classic motorcycles, case in point Triumph which not only sells Retro Classic Bonneville but also Street/Speed Triple, Thunderbird, Daytona, etc. Harley not only sells Retro Classic Heritage Softail but also Night Rod and V Rod. Get my drift...