With 40 years’ experience of operating from the same location, Phil and Paul are in a rare position to comment on how they feel the two-wheeled market has changed over those years. With Paul busy attending to200mph. That was fine but in truth it never made my heart race. I think we’re in a time when people are thinking more about the actual joy of riding. Our main two brands, Royal Enfield and Royal Alloy, complement one another really well. We find people who’ve bought an Enfield coming back and buying a Royal Alloy as they have the same appeal; it’s classic riding in a modern guise. I know that for some riders there’ll never be a replacement for a two-stroke classic. That’s fine as long as you’re prepared to deal with all the compromises involved in running a classic scooter. Our Royal Alloy customer tends to be someone who owned a Lambretta or Vespa years ago and wants to relive that experience but doesn’t want the inconveniences associated with them. It’s also surprising how many Lambretta riders start off by complaining about the Royal Alloy but over a few visits to the showroom slowly come around to the idea. They’re also a great way into the world of scooters for a young rider who wants classic styling but with the reassurance of a warranty. There’s a lot of doom and gloom out there but I think the future’s bright. It may look different in 10 years but I’d never have believed that one day I’d be offering a 350cc classic that delivered better miles per gallon than a Honda Melody. Progress can be a good thing if we embrace it.”
