Will the Royal Enfield Roadster 450 eat into sales of the Classic 350, or attract a different set of riders?
For years now, the Royal Enfield Classic 350 has been the cornerstone of the brand’s lineup, aimed at riders who appreciate the vintage looks and accessible performance. With the more modern and powerful Roadster 450 now on the scene, there's fear that it will cannibalize sales from its smaller sibling. The Roadster 450 is more powerful and will be loaded with modern features, but at a higher price. There are those who say the two bikes will cater to different types of riders, with the Classic 350 continuing to attract more traditionalists and newer riders, while the Roadster 450 will attract more performance oriented enthusiasts. The worry of others is that the Roadster's modern styling and capabilities will make the Classic 350 look dated by comparison, and hurt its sales.
I don't think it's going to cannibalize sales that much. The Roadster doesn’t have the timeless appeal of the Classic 350. Everybody is different.
In reality, it could even propel Classic 350 sales. The Roadster will appeal to people who want more power, and therefore the Classic will feel more approachable to new riders.
They will attract different buyers because the price difference is big enough. Roadster 450 for those wanting to spend more for performance, classic 350 for budget conscious riders.
The Classic could look dated because I'm worried about that. People who test ride the Roadster will probably want more power than they currently have.
Those are completely different bikes. The Roadster is more modern, the Classic is nostalgia. They'll coexist just fine.
It might hurt Classic sales to start off with, but I think it will level off. The Roadster has a cult following, but the Classic has it beat.
RE is smart to offer both. It will attract new customers who wouldn’t have considered a Classic, and that will grow the brand.
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Discussions and Questions Will The Royal Enfield Roadster 450 Eat Into Sales Of The Classic 350 Or Attract A Different Set Of Riders
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