The Bike That Was Discontinued After Only One Year – Royal Enfield Bullet Trials. In the years to come, Royal Enfield has come up with a lot of iconic motorcycles, but not all of them have succeeded to become a success in the Indian market. In 2019, one such bike was the Royal Enfield Bullet Trials, which was introduced and was discontinued in one year.
There were two variants of the Royal Enfield Bullet Trials – the Bullet Trials 350 and the Bullet Trials 500. These motorcycles were constructed with a hardwearing and adventurous look instead of the traditional Bullet. They had raised exhausts, dual purpose tyres, larger wheels, raised mudguards and a rear luggage rack.
Royal Enfield Bullet Trials
| Feature | Royal Enfield Bullet Trials |
|---|---|
| Launch Year | 2019 |
| Variants | Bullet Trials 350, Bullet Trials 500 |
| Segment | Adventure-Inspired Motorcycle |
| Engine Options | 350cc, 500cc |
| Key Design | Raised Exhaust, Dual-Purpose Tyres, Rugged Styling |
| Special Features | Rear Luggage Rack, Sump Guard, Raised Mudguards |
| Bullet Trials 350 Price | Around Rs 1.62 Lakh |
| Bullet Trials 500 Price | Around Rs 2.07 Lakh |
| Discontinued | 2020 |
| Main Reason | Low Sales and BS6 Transition |
A Different Take on the Bullet
Designed with the concept of making its popular Bullet platform more rugged, the Bullet Trials were created by the company, Royal Enfield. The motorcycle was born from the historic trials motorcycles and directed at those seeking a motorcycle that is not the traditional Bullet. The design alone made the bike stand out from the crowd. It had a rugged look with its high exhaust, spoke wheels and tough tyres and a rugged rear luggage rack. But the motorcycle was no ‘hard-core’ offroad type.
This would basically be a lifestyle version of the Bullet. Bullet Trials 350 was launched at Rs 1.62 lakh per copy and the Bullet Trials 500 was introduced at Rs 2.07 lakh per copy at the time. This put the motorcycle above some of the more traditional models produced by Royal Enfield.
Why Did the Bullet Trials Fail?
Its lack of appeal was the biggest issue. The design was really original but not suitable for many of the Indian buyers. The adventure theme of the motorcycle was noticed, but the people who wanted a motorcycle for everyday riding had more familiar models like the Bullet and the Classic. However, those who particularly wanted an adventure motorcycle had choices like the Himalayan.
This meant the Bullet Trials had a very narrow window between the various categories of motos.
Another problem was usability. The concept of rugged solo riding was a major part of its design with the absence of a traditional pillion seat making it less convenient for those who often ride with a pillion rider.
BS6 Norms Made Things More Difficult
It was also significant that it was discontinued at this time. India was about to go from BS4 to BS6 emission standards in April 2020.
Royal Enfield had to make changes to its motorcycle range to comply with the new rules. The investment in a BS6 version was not seen as commercially viable as the Bullet Trials found it difficult to achieve much sales.
The Bullet Trials 500 also saw the more gradual move towards a new range of single-cylinder engines that were larger than those used on the older Royal Enfield products. This, in turn, led to the company’s decision not to continue with the Trials models.
A Small & Powerful Royal Enfield
The trial of the Enfield Bullet was launched in March of 2019, but the company opted to end up the model in 2020. It was one of the more unique and brief-running motorcycles ever to be produced by Royal Enfield in the Indian market because of its brief production run.
Not necessarily a bad motorcycle product. The biggest drawback was that it was aimed at an extremely niche audience. The cumbersome design that was not very functional and the relatively expensive cost was not as appealing as it should have been.
The Bullet Trials is an interesting chapter in Royal Enfield’s history today. It demonstrated the company’s willingness to try out its tried-and-tested motorcycle design, despite the fact that the project never actually sold out.
The Royal Enfield Bullet Trials saga is a testament to the unpredictability of even the most renowned brand with a new model. While a distinctive design may catch the eye, a motorcycle must also have high demand and usability if it is going to have a chance of success on the street.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why was the Royal Enfield Bullet Trials discontinued?
The Royal Enfield Bullet Trials was discontinued mainly because it failed to attract enough buyers. Its niche design and limited practicality resulted in weak sales, while the transition to BS6 emission norms made it difficult to justify further investment in the model.
2. When was the Royal Enfield Bullet Trials launched in India?
The Royal Enfield Bullet Trials 350 and Bullet Trials 500 were launched in India in March 2019.
3. When was the Royal Enfield Bullet Trials discontinued?
The Bullet Trials was discontinued in 2020, roughly one year after its launch.
4. What were the Royal Enfield Bullet Trials variants?
Royal Enfield offered two variants: the Bullet Trials 350 and Bullet Trials 500.
5. What was special about the Royal Enfield Bullet Trials?
The motorcycle featured adventure-inspired styling with a raised exhaust, dual-purpose tyres, raised mudguards, larger wheels and a rear luggage rack.
6. Was the Royal Enfield Bullet Trials a proper adventure bike?
No. It was based on the Bullet platform and was designed as a rugged, adventure-inspired motorcycle rather than a dedicated off-road adventure bike.
7. Was the Royal Enfield Bullet Trials expensive?
The Bullet Trials 350 was launched at around Rs 1.62 lakh, while the Bullet Trials 500 was priced at around Rs 2.07 lakh, making them relatively premium options at the time.
8. Can you buy a new Royal Enfield Bullet Trials today?
No. The Bullet Trials was discontinued in 2020, so it is only available through the used motorcycle market today.
Disclaimer: The information in this article is based on available records, contemporary automotive information and media. The information about the Royal Enfield Bullet Trials, such as price, features, sales figures, and its status, pertains to the time it was sold in India and might not accurately represent the present or future market value. This article is provided for informational and educational purposes only and is in no way to be interpreted as an official statement by Royal Enfield.
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