The Royal Enfield was the ‘Enfield Cycle Company’ founded in
1893. They used to manufacture motorcycles, bicycles, lawnmowers and
stationary engines. The first Enfield motorcycle was build in 1901. Royal
Enfield were the longest lived motorcycle in history.
RE Classic 500
source: royal enfield
In India, we have always trusted Royal Enfield for its comfort on long
tours and its toughness because of its build quality. Now with the time these
motorcycles are getting modern and refined with the technological advancements.
Let’s go back in history and with some interesting facts,
and find out why this big name in Indian motorcycle deserves the huge respect!
1 .
The Enfield Cycle Company started
its business as a weapon manufacturer. It was famous for ‘Enfield rifle’. During
the second world war the British authorities called upon the
Enfield Cycle Company to develop and manufacture military motorcycle and then
they started creating military version of the Royal Enfield.
Enfield bike 'The Flying Flea'
source:greasengasonline.com
They developed
many models but one of the famous models of that time was Royal
Enfield WD/RE was also called as ‘Flying Flea’ was a lightweight
motorcycle which was used to dropped by parachute along with airborne troops.
2 .
The firm also had a specially
designed side car which could accommodate
a machine gun. Later on, around same
time, the firm also supplied the motorcycles to Russian Army too.
Royal Enfield Side Car with Machine Gun
source:2.bp.blogspot.com
3 .
From 1949 this motorcycle was
sold in India. There in 1965 Indian government were looking for a suitable
motorcycle for police officers and army for patrolling on borders. This
motorcycle was suitable as per the place where it was going to be used, so the
government ordered 800 350-cc model Bullets.
RE Bullet in Indian Army
source:haywards.co.uk
4 .
In 1955 The Enfield Cycle Company partnered with Madras Motors. They
started assembling 350cc Royal Enfield motorcycle in Chennai. First the company
used to imported all the components from England. After 1962 they started
completely in India.
Royal Enfield Manufecturing Plant in India
source:bhp.com
5 .
The Enfield of India started its
branding in the name of ‘Royal Enfield’ in the year 1999. After UK’s company
bankruptcy, The company in India were still making bullets. At the bankruptcy
sale Matt Holder had purchased the rights and the name ‘Royal Enfield’. After the business passed on to David holder of the Velocette Motorcycle Company
of Birmingham, UK. The David holder objected the Enfield of India for using the
name but the UK court ruled in the favor of Enfield India. Its now the
trademark of the India motorcycle.
Royal Enfield BULLET
source:wikipedia
6 .
In the year 1947 Royal Enfield
came up with motorcycles named ‘Super Meteor‘ and ‘Constellation‘ which had a
parallel twin 700cc and were available at a very affordable price. These became
to be known as first super bikes from Royal Enfield stable.
Royal Enfield CONSTELLATION
source:motorcycleclassics.com
Royal Enfield SUPER METEOR
source:classic-motorbikes.net
7 .
In 1990, Enfield India
produced a diesel motorcycle, called ‘Taurus’. Unfortunately, this model of Royal Enfield was not a commercial success for the company and they stopped producing them in
2002. However, it was not popular at that time but now a big
hit with collectors!
Royal Enfield TAURUS
source:dieselbike.net
8 .
Continental GT 535, A bike
introduced in the market a couple of years ago is in fact a remake and a
re-engineered product of a 1965 motor cycle ‘Enfield Continental GT’
which had 250cc and a 5 speed gear box churning out 21 bhp.
RE old and new CONTENENTAL GT/GT 335
source:3.bp.blogspot.com
9 .
Combining the whole
production from its starting in UK to now in India, Royal Enfield is the oldest
motorcycle company in the world still in production and Bullet is the longest
production run model since inception.
OLD Royal Enfield Motorcyclessource;wikipedia
10.
Royal Enfield India manufactures and also exports the motorcycles to Europe, America, Japan, South Africa and Australia and other 45 countries.
Royal Enfield Thunderbird
source:s1.cdn.autoevolution.com
EXTRAS:
You can also understand the whole journey of The Royal Enfield by this beautiful and creative video:
'Take adventure with Enfielders'. Royal Enfield also organised 'Royal Enfielders ride trip', and any one can find all the details about next trip on the riding calendar in official website of RE.
source:indianhimalayamotorcycletours.com
source:pintrest
In the present time there are lots of heart throbbing modified Royal Enfields, we can find in the roads, who roars while wandering with the handsome look of customized biking.
