Motorcycle madness: ‘It’s impossible to resist the call of the road'

Kiwi Indians are bringing their passion for motorcycling to New Zealand roads, with more than 1400 Royal Enfield motorbikes being registered in Aotearoa in the past three years.

Royal Enfield, an Indian motorcycle manufacturing company with British origins, enjoys a devoted following globally.

In 2024, the company sold 920,000 units in India alone.

"Most of the Royal Enfield owners here are Indian," said Philips Augustine, a lifelong motorcycle enthusiast who started riding at the age of 18.

Originally from the southern India state of Kerala, the 31-year-old recently purchased his first motorcycle in New Zealand three months ago.

"I missed my motorcycle so much and finally got a Classic 350," Augustine said.

Riding in New Zealand, however, presented a different set of challenges compared to India.

Augustine said the country's weather, especially the wind, could be a significant factor.

"Wearing proper gear is very important here, unlike in India," he said.

"On the plus side, parking is a huge advantage," he said. "Many places offer free motorcycle parking, so I often use my bike for city trips. It's much better during peak traffic hours."

Still, Augustine acknowledged that riding in New Zealand wasn't without its challenges.

Theft was a constant concern.

"It's not just the bike - you have to secure the accessories as well," he said.

Yet, his passion for motorcycling outweighed such difficulties.

"The stunning landscapes here make every ride worthwhile," he said.

Lokesh Kalburgi, president of the Enfield Riders Auckland Club, shared Augustine's enthusiasm for riding.

"I know it's a bit cliché, but there's this incredible sense of freedom that's hard to describe if you're not a motorcyclist," Kalburgi said. "For me, it's a mental escape."

Born to Indian parents, Kalburgi's family migrated to New Zealand from the United Arab Emirates in 1994.

Since childhood, he has harbored a dream of owning a Royal Enfield Bullet.

"I've wanted one since I was a kid, but life kept getting in the way," he said.

Five years ago, as his children grew older, Kalburgi finally revisited that dream.

Building a community

What started as casual meetups among a handful of Royal Enfield enthusiasts about seven years ago has now grown into a formal club with around 100 members.

"We initially got together for coffee catchups, but it evolved into a proper club," Kalburgi said.

These days, the club organises bi-monthly rides and events.

The growing membership has even enabled the club to negotiate discounts on insurance premiums.

"We brought the cost of insurance down from about $700 to roughly $150 a year for members," Kalburgi said.

Interestingly, the club has also attracted several Pākehā members.

"Royal Enfield holds a special place for them," Kalburgi said. "Many of their grandparents owned these bikes, so there's a nostalgic connection."

Kalburgi noted that rising fuel and parking costs made motorcycling an increasingly practical mode of transport.

"What used to be a hobby for enthusiasts is now becoming a viable, economical option," he said. "People are buying mid-level bikes just to get around."

Royal Enfield's presence on New Zealand roads is steadily growing.

In 2022, the company sold 528 motorbikes nationwide.

While that number dipped to 411 last year, 461 units have already been registered as of 31 November, according to New Zealand Transport Agency.

However, owning a motorcycle in New Zealand came with its own financial challenges.

"Registration is quite expensive," Kalburgi said.

"And motorcycling can become addictive - you buy one bike, and soon you're eyeing your second," he said. "Before you know it, you're paying $500 to $600 for registration and insurance."

According to the New Zealand Transport Agency's website, the annual registration fee for a private motorcycle would be set at $424.28 for models with engine capacities of 61cc to 600cc from 1 January.

For motorcycles with engine capacities exceeding 600cc, the fee would be $538.44.

Augustine echoed this sentiment, but his love for motorcycling remained undeterred.

"It's a passion," he said. "And with summers like this, it's impossible to resist the call of the road."