BENGALURU, Nov 10 Reuters India39;s Eicher Motors reported a largerthanexpected rise in secondquarter profit on Friday, helped by strong sales of its Royal Enfield motorcycles.

Eicher, which also makes buses and trucks, said its consolidated net profit rose 54.7 to a record 10.16 billion rupees 122 million in the three months to Sept. 30 from a year earlier.

Analysts, on average, had expected a profit of 9.29 billion rupees, per LSEG data.

While twowheelers are largely a barometer for rural demand, premium offerings, where Eicher39;s Royal Enfield has the largest market share, caters to a more affluent Indian population that is largely unaffected by inflation.

Eicher39;s total revenue rose nearly 17 to an alltime high 41.15 billion rupees, riding on a nearly 13 climb in Royal Enfield sales.

Motorcycles accounted for about 92 of the company39;s total sales.

Other twowheeler makers TVS Motor, Bajaj Auto and Hero MotoCorp also topped profit estimates last month.

The beats came despite twowheeler makers reporting a 1.6 fall in Septemberquarter sales, dragged by muted demand for entrylevel models, according to data from the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers.

Eicher39;s commercial vehicle segment, in which it has a partnership with Sweden39;s AB Volvo for the manufacturing of buses and trucks, also recorded its highestever sales in the quarter.

Its rival in the commercial vehicle segment, Ashok Leyland, missed profit estimates on Thursday.

Eicher39;s shares…