Royal Enfield, the world’s oldest motorcycle brand in continuous production, has made a groundbreaking entry into the small-displacement motorcycle segment with the launch of its first-ever 125cc motorcycle – the Hunter Cub. The launch event at Royal Enfield’s technical center in Chennai showcased the company’s strategic expansion into a new market segment while maintaining its distinctive heritage-inspired design philosophy and riding experience.
Launch Overview and Strategic Significance
The Royal Enfield 125cc represents a significant departure from Royal Enfield’s traditional focus on mid-capacity motorcycles, marking the brand’s first venture below the 350cc segment. B Govindarajan, CEO of Royal Enfield, emphasized that this strategic move aims to introduce the Royal Enfield experience to a broader audience of young and first-time riders.
“The Hunter Cub 125 embodies our vision to make the Royal Enfield experience accessible to a wider range of riders while staying true to our core philosophy of pure motorcycling,” said Govindarajan during the launch. “This motorcycle has been developed from the ground up to deliver the authentic Royal Enfield DNA in a smaller, more approachable package that appeals to urban commuters and new riders.”
The Hunter Cub will be manufactured at Royal Enfield’s state-of-the-art facility in Oragadam, Tamil Nadu, with components sourced from both local and international suppliers to ensure quality while maintaining competitive pricing.
Design and Styling
The Hunter Cub 125 features a neo-retro design that clearly identifies it as a Royal Enfield while incorporating modern elements suitable for its urban-focused positioning. The motorcycle showcases a round LED headlamp with a distinctive light signature, a teardrop-shaped fuel tank with classic Royal Enfield badging, and a compact, streamlined profile.
The overall silhouette is reminiscent of classic British motorcycles from the 1960s but with contemporary proportions and finishes. The Hunter Cub features a single-piece seat with contrast stitching, spoked wheels (17-inch front and rear), and a short, upswept exhaust with a matte black finish and chrome heat shield.
Available in six distinctive color options – Heritage Red, Brunswick Green, Silver Spirit, Dusk Blue, Black Magic, and Sunset Orange – the Hunter Cub offers personalization options through Royal Enfield’s extensive accessories catalog, including different seat options, handlebar configurations, and luggage solutions.
The motorcycle measures 1,990mm in length, 785mm in width, and 1,055mm in height, with a wheelbase of 1,315mm and a seat height of 790mm, making it accessible for riders of various heights. With a kerb weight of 132kg, the Hunter Cub is significantly lighter than Royal Enfield’s larger models, enhancing its maneuverability in urban environments.
Engine and Performance
At the heart of the Hunter Cub 125 is an all-new air-cooled, single-cylinder 125cc engine developed specifically for this model. The engine produces 11.5 bhp at 8,000 rpm and 11.2 Nm of torque at 6,000 rpm, paired with a 5-speed gearbox featuring Royal Enfield’s signature smooth shifting mechanism.
While modest in output compared to Royal Enfield’s larger motorcycles, the engine has been tuned to deliver strong low and mid-range torque, providing responsive performance in urban riding conditions. The engine features electronic fuel injection for optimal fuel efficiency and emissions compliance, meeting BS6 Phase 2 norms.
Royal Enfield claims a fuel efficiency of 65 kmpl under standard testing conditions, with the 10-liter fuel tank providing a theoretical range of approximately 650 kilometers, making it ideal for both daily commuting and weekend leisure rides.
The engine’s character has been carefully crafted to deliver the distinctive Royal Enfield thump, albeit in a more refined manner suitable for a smaller displacement motorcycle. A balancer shaft reduces vibrations while maintaining the tactile connection between rider and machine that Royal Enfield enthusiasts value.
Chassis and Suspension
The Hunter Cub 125 is built around a new tubular steel cradle frame developed specifically for this model. The suspension system consists of 37mm telescopic forks at the front offering 120mm of travel and twin shock absorbers at the rear with 5-step preload adjustment providing 80mm of travel.
Braking duties are handled by a 240mm disc with a two-piston caliper at the front and a 220mm disc with a single-piston caliper at the rear. Single-channel ABS is standard on the base variant, while dual-channel ABS is available on higher variants.
The motorcycle comes equipped with 100/80-17 front and 120/80-17 rear tubeless tires, offering a good balance between grip and longevity. The 790mm seat height and neutral ergonomics make the Hunter Cub accessible to riders of various heights and experience levels.
Features and Technology
Despite its entry-level positioning, the Hunter Cub 125 comes equipped with several modern features that enhance its appeal to tech-savvy young riders:
- Round LED headlamp with distinctive DRL
- LED tail lamp and indicators
- Digital-analog instrument cluster with LCD display
- USB charging port
- Tripper navigation pod (on higher variants)
- Bluetooth connectivity with the Royal Enfield App (on higher variants)
- Hazard lights
- Engine kill switch
- Side stand engine cut-off
The Tripper navigation system, available on higher variants, provides turn-by-turn navigation through Bluetooth connectivity with a smartphone, displaying directions on a dedicated pod adjacent to the main instrument cluster.
Variants and Pricing
The Royal Enfield Hunter Cub 125 is available in three variants – Standard, Metro, and Metro Tripper – each offering progressive levels of equipment and features. The pricing structure (ex-showroom, Delhi) is as follows:
| Variant | Price (Ex-showroom) | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | ₹99,999 | 125cc engine, LED headlamp, Digital-analog instrument cluster, Single-channel ABS, USB charging port |
| Metro | ₹1,09,999 | Additional features: Dual-channel ABS, Alloy wheels, Tubeless tires, Two-tone color options, Premium seat |
| Metro Tripper | ₹1,19,999 | Additional features: Tripper navigation, Bluetooth connectivity, Premium switchgear, Touring windscreen, Passenger backrest |
Color-Specific Pricing
| Color Option | Standard | Metro | Metro Tripper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black Magic | ₹99,999 | ₹1,09,999 | ₹1,19,999 |
| Silver Spirit | ₹1,00,999 | ₹1,10,999 | ₹1,20,999 |
| Heritage Red | ₹1,00,999 | ₹1,10,999 | ₹1,20,999 |
| Brunswick Green | ₹1,01,999 | ₹1,11,999 | ₹1,21,999 |
| Dusk Blue | ₹1,01,999 | ₹1,11,999 | ₹1,21,999 |
| Sunset Orange | ₹1,02,999 | ₹1,12,999 | ₹1,22,999 |
All prices are ex-showroom, Delhi
Accessories and Customization
Royal Enfield has introduced a comprehensive range of genuine accessories for the Hunter Cub 125, grouped into three collections:
- MIY (Make It Yours) Collection: Including different seat options, handlebar configurations, mirrors, and grips
- Touring Collection: Featuring windscreen, panniers, tank bag, and luggage rack
- Protection Collection: Offering engine guard, sump guard, and handlebar brace
These accessories can be visualized and ordered through the Royal Enfield App or website using the MIY configurator, allowing customers to personalize their motorcycles before taking delivery.
Market Positioning and Competition
The Hunter Cub 125 enters a highly competitive segment dominated by established players like Honda Shine, Hero Glamour, Bajaj Pulsar 125, and TVS Raider. However, Royal Enfield is positioning the Hunter Cub as a premium alternative that offers the brand’s heritage appeal and community experience at an accessible price point.
Industry analysts view this entry as a strategic move to capture a share of the high-volume small-displacement motorcycle market while creating an entry point to the Royal Enfield ecosystem. “The Hunter Cub 125 could serve as a stepping stone for young riders who aspire to own a Royal Enfield but find the larger models intimidating or financially out of reach,” noted automotive analyst Arun Malhotra. “It also addresses the urban commuter segment with a product that stands out from the utilitarian offerings that dominate this category.”
Ownership Experience and Community
Royal Enfield has announced that Hunter Cub owners will have access to the same community experiences and events as owners of larger Royal Enfield motorcycles, including:
- Rider Mania annual festival
- One Ride global community ride
- Local chapter rides and events
- Royal Enfield Garage Cafe experiences
- Service support through 2,100+ service centers across India
The company has also introduced special ownership packages for first-time motorcycle buyers, including:
- 3-year/30,000 km standard warranty
- 24×7 roadside assistance for 1 year (extendable)
- Complimentary first service
- Special financing options with interest rates starting from 7.99%
- Exchange programs for existing two-wheeler owners
Availability and Bookings
Bookings for the Royal Enfield Hunter Cub 125 will commence on October 25, 2025, at all authorized Royal Enfield dealerships and through the company’s website. The booking amount has been set at ₹5,000, with deliveries scheduled to begin from November 15, 2025, initially in metropolitan cities followed by a phased rollout to Tier 2 and Tier 3 markets.
Royal Enfield has announced a special “Early Bird” package for the first 1,000 customers, which includes a complimentary accessories voucher worth ₹5,000, extended warranty for an additional year, and exclusive Hunter Cub merchandise.
With its distinctive design, accessible performance, and the allure of the Royal Enfield brand, the Hunter Cub 125 is positioned to create a new category in the small-displacement motorcycle segment, offering an authentic Royal Enfield experience at a more accessible price point.