Royal Enfield's big bike

Harley was the first major player in the country’s big bike market - defined as those with engines above 601cc - and controls 60 percent of a segment that has almost tripled in size since 2014 and is expected to double again in the next 4-5 years.

With the arrival of Royal Enfield, however, it faces a locally-owned distribution network that dwarfs Harley’s roughly 30 outlets by a multiple of 24.

Were Enfield to ship even 10 of its new big bikes to each of its about 700 locations, it could double Harley’s 3,700 in annual sales.

A day before the new bike’s launch, Royal Enfield on Monday unveiled a 650cc twin engine, putting it on track to compete squarely with the Street 750.