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Showing posts with label Royal Enfield. Show all posts

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Best Ever Royal Enfield Bullet Motorcycles Pictures From Around The World

Royal Enfield motorcycles needs no introduction. One of world's oldest motorcycle manufacturer, with the same design since inception, the former British, but now Indian, motorcycle manufacturer have been selling their classic Bullet motorcycle for longer than most of us have lived.

Royal Enfield do advertise, but not in large numbers like other manufacturers. They don't need to, since they address a speciality market.

Most ads below are from India, with a few I found in the USA. Here are best print ads I've found for Royal Enfield motorcycles. Some are definitely out there..... magic mushrooms indeed...

The best NUMBER PLATE for March 2010: Respect your Bullet, Bullet will respect you

Akshay Murthy

advriderakshay@gmail.com

"I would rather ride my Bullet on Sundays and think of God, Than sit in church and think about riding my Bullet...."

Hahhhhh finally fate decided I should own Royal Enfield Bullet on 26th Oct 2007, It happened.

Travelling Freak, Passionate lover of RE. Willing to travel always on free time...... Never ever fed up to ride my Bullet and the thumping sound gets sweeter and sweeter......

I have been hearing the thump of the bullets since the age of 5. As a kid frequently was visiting my father's office (Police Headquarters Bangalore) to complete my homework on every Saturdays because I was too mischives to handle.Every saturday I was having holiday. I use to see the Tiger Mat (Face of a Tiger on it) which is put behind the rear wheel. In 1980s and 1990s usally all the cops in Bangalore who use to ride RE bullet had this Tiger Mat as a standard fitment. As I kid use to think that tiger on the mat is making that huge noice. Now its difficult to find Tiger Mat on any Bullet.

The day I started to admire the Royal Enfiled was when my brother had a CI 500 bullet (Military Green with wide handle). It was awesome. My Brother never let me to lay my hands on the 500 cc beauty because I was still in school. Finally one day when he was out of station I took the RE for a ride. Belive me everybody on the road was stunn to see me ride the RE on the road. The next day as usuall bashings from my brother. This was how I fell in love with the RE. Now he admirs me because I own one now.

SOURCE: http://www.royalenfield.com

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Picture of the Week March 01: From Royal Enfield

Sinking Away
Submitted by Neeraj Saini from Noida

Today, like every other day, you’ll wake up empty and full of a zillion possibilities.

Don't open the door and take comfort in the inner recesses of your mind. Rather, kick start your Royal Enfield and ride off to embrace the picturesque landscapes you love. Then capture it on camera for posterity, share it and inspire the community.

The best effort will be featured here as ‘picture of the week’ along with your name. The only selection criteria is the Administrator’s wow quotient!

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Picture of the Week March 15: From Royal Enfield

Royal Portrait

Submitted by Sanat Tanna from Dahanu Rd

Too lazy to say Thanks or comment here? Why not too lazy to read my post?? If you like this post and want us to post similar articles, Pls give us a feedback and leave a comment here

Picture of the Week March 27: From Royal Enfield

My first encounter with the Legend: My Black Royal Enfield Classic | “It’s not just a bike It’s a Legend”

Hi i have great passion for automobiles like other crazy guys. I had learned driving in my school days on my Yamaha, its still with me . It took me to all places i want to go without fail. After 14 years i started thinking for a new one. It is tough to choose one because lots of vehicles are available in the market in different range.

Then my brother came up with an idea, why should we go for a Bullet. First i thought he was joking because in my mind all bull riders have a better physic. From that day i started watching bull riders and i found that lot of guys like me riding the legend comfortably. This gives a lot of boost that turn my decision from buying a bike to Bullet. The next difficulty was selecting the model, which one i should go for?

Again i started my research on it, it take me to royalenfield.com, online review sites and some proud owners of this legend.

The seasoned users preferred royal enfield standard model and new ones suggested for new generation versions of the same. When we say an enfield the image that came to our mind will be a standerd bullet. But i felt in our traffic condition its difficult to ride it, i saw lot of people struggling with it in the city traffic. Then i changed my mind from standard to Electra and Thunderbird.

In these days i got some friends through orkut and mouthshut.com. These friends helped me a lot in knowing more about enfy and latest models. At that time i heard a news that enfy is going to launch two new models. It was classic 350 and 500. When i saw it first time got attracted very much with its design and decided to go for it. The next thing was money, it was conquered me like any thing, the only thing i wanted to own one at any cost.

My greatest asset is my family members, they agreed with my decision and finally i booked one. Since it is a newly launched i had to wait for two months. Everyday i woke-up with its thought and nights in its dream.

The day finally came 23 December 2009 like an X'mas gift. The most interesting thing was i didn't ride or even sit on it early. Don’t know why i didn’t tried, a small reason was fear. I didn’t touched it on the test drive day too. But my brother had ride its different models. It was my confidence on him, friends and the company that gave me courage to get one without even touching it.

Now i understand i wasn't wrong, the one i need was with me now. The Royal Enfield Classic 350

Till now i covered 600 km. Understanding more about my bull. Now i believe what others says about it is 100 percent true “It’s not just a bike It’s a Legend”

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Royal Enfield Bullet The City Streets: Daddy of all Bikes

Royal Enfield Bullet The City Streets: Daddy of all Bikes

The grand daddy of all bikes, the Royal Enfield Bullet, vroomed onto Indian roads in 1955 when the government ordered 800 350 cc model bikes from the Chennai-based company for its police and Army for patrolling the borders. Soon, it took over the imagination of most young, adrenaline-charged Indian males. For the longest time for our fathers and theirs it was the most macho thing to ride a jet black Bullet with a helmet to match. Over the last decade of so, however, the lean, mean machine thundering down the country's roads became a rare sight, as the demand for lighter, sleeker and cheaper motorcycles rose.

But the legendary Royal Enfield is back on the city streets with a bang. It threatens to overshoot the proliferation of all its meeker cousins that even dared think they stood a chance of winning the race. The original Bullet-riders never really switched loyalties and still vouch for their old machines. Now they have co-fans of the Bullet in Gen X, who are going from ogling the bike to owning it.

An expert on the motorcycle market in the city confirmed that sales for the oldest-running motorcycle model in the world have picked up once again. Although the manufacturers would like to credit this rise in sales to the recent change in the bike's engine, buyers say they are buying the Bullet because of the glamour and history attached to it, which dates back to the World War I.

"I always wanted to ride the Bullet for the sheer glamour of it. I sold my old motorcycle and bought a Royal Enfield about five years ago and am really happy riding it," said Ranjit Baruah, a student of Gauhati University. Ranjit added that no bike is as smooth as easy to maintain as the Royal Enfield. City-based businessman Sanjay Kalita, who goes on long-distance biking trips for both relaxation and passion said: "I chose to buy a Royal Enfield in 2009 as I always wanted to own one of these macho machines. There is a plethora of fashionable bikes available in the market today but those are better for in-city riding. The Bullet is great for long trips." Kalita, who is very proud of his Royal Enfield Thunder Bird Twin Spark added he is rigorous and professional about maintaining his bike he washes, greases and polishes it to a shine every week.

Royal Enfield is the oldest motorcycle manufacturer in the world that is still in business and has a history of uninterrupted trading. The Bullet is the company's longest-running model that has been in constant production. Although the original Royal Enfield company was based in Britain and is now defunct, in India, Chennai-based Royal Enfield still manufactures the motorcycle. Manufactured in India since 1949, Royal Enfield owes its existence on the subcontinent to the British Army, which, during World War II, needed bikes to patrol the borders and contracted a company in Madras to supply parts and finished motorcycles. Eventually, the entire operation was moved to India and the company has been pumping out affordable retro-cruisers since then.

Talking to TOI on Tuesday, territory sales manager of the company, Mahtas Alam said, "Royal Enfield has always been in demand. However, the sales have seen a kind of resurgence since 2009 after the launch of UC engine. Earlier the engine and the gearbox were separate but now they're compact. Besides the UC engine, the company also gave a new attractive look to the bike and made it more comfortable to sit on.

"The Bullet is so popular that there are Royal Enfield Clubs in almost all the major cities in India and also in the 20 countries where the company exports the motorcycle. The demand for the bike had suffered a bit of a setback because of various factors. However, sales have been booming all of a sudden, so much so that we are not being able to cope up with the demand," said Alam.

"We sold 597 Royal Enfield (various models) in 2009. This year we have sold 229 bikes so far," said Alam.

"Supply shortage is a problem most dealers complain of even though the company has doubled its production capacity," he said, explaining that the increase in demand has compelled the company to plan opening more dealerships in Itanagar, Jorhat, Sivasagar and in Agartala.

Saturday, May 1, 2010

List of Royal Enfield Bullet Motorcycles

A list of motorcycles produced under the Royal Enfield brand by the original company, Enfield Manufacturing Company Ltd of Redditch, UK, and its later incarnations, including the current company Royal Enfield Motors of Chennai, India:

Pre-War

Model	Engine	Years	Notes
Quadricycle		1898	Prototype. Production of De Dion powered tricycles and quadricycles started in 1899
First Motorcycle	MAG or JAP	1901	Used Swiss MAG or British J.A.P. engine
Model 180	770 cc		With V-twin JAP engine

Inter War Years

Model	Engine	Years	Notes
Model A	225cc	1930	Two stroke single
Model B	225cc	1930	Side valve single
Model C, F, G	346cc	1930	Side Valve single
Model CO	346cc	1930	Overhead Valve single
Model D, H, HA	488cc	1930	Side Valve single
Model E, J, JA	488 cc	1930	Overhead Valve single
Model K	976 cc	1930	Side Valve V- twin
Model KX	1140 cc	1937	Side Valve V- twin
Bullet	346 cc	1938	Overhead Valve Single with alloy head was derived from Model G. First use of now famous Bullet name.

War Department

Model	Engine	Years	Notes
WD/RE	125 cc		Known as the "Flying Flea". Two stoke single based on DKW RT. Used extensively in WW2 to jump with parachutes.
WD/C	346 cc		Overhead Valve single
WD/J2	346 cc		Overhead Valve single

Post-War

Model	Engine	Years	Notes
Bullet 350	350 cc single	1938-1960	ISDT winner
Bullet 500	500 cc single	1953-1962
Fury	500 cc	1957-1961	Competition model highly successful in the USA; Rare 350 model also existed. Came with 1.5” Amal GP carb and Lucas Racing Magneto.
Meteor Minor	500 cc twin	1951-1960	First twin cylinder post-war motorcycle. Parallel twin housed in the same swing arm frame as the singles.
Super Meteor	700 cc twin	1953-1962	40bhp touring model
Constellation	700 cc twin	??-1962	52bhp with “R” cams and single TT carb; Weak bottom end proved unreliable. Later detuned to make it more reliable.
700 Interceptor	750 cc twin	1960	211 ever made; all were exported to USA; Engine code starts with VAX
750 Interceptor	736 cc twin	1962-1970	Series 1, Series 1A, Series 2 (with wet sump lubrication)

Motorcycles made in India by Royal Enfield Motors , formerly Enfield India Ltd. (1955 onwards)

Model	Engine	Years	Notes
Bullet 350	346 cc	1955–2009	350cc Bullet sold in different variations with both 4 speed and 5 speed gearboxes
Bullet 500	499 cc	1990–2010	500cc Bullet sold in different variations with both 4 speed and 5 speed gearboxes
Ensign	150 cc	1960–196?	150cc two-stroke engine
Sherpa/Crusader	175 cc	1963ndash;1980	Motorcycle with a two stroke 175cc Villiers engine. Sherpa was rechristened Crusader after a restyling job in 1970.
Mini Bullet	200 cc	1980–1983	Motorcycle with a enlarged 200cc Crusader engine. It was a favorite amongst racing enthusiasts in India.
Fantabulous	150 cc	1962–197?	Scooter with a two stroke 150cc Villiers engine and heel/toe gearshift. First Indian made bi-wheeler to have an electric starter.
Machismo	346 cc/499cc	198?–2009	Introduced with the classic 350cc Bullet engine with 4 speed gearbox; it later attained the AVL lean burn engine and eventually a 5 speed gearbox. Later, LB500 model came with the 500cc AVL lean burn engine. Sheet metal and trim had slight variations depending on the year. Indian market only model.
Fury	163 cc	1988–1995?	It was a licensed copy of the Zundapp KS 175. It was the first motorcycle in India to sport a disc brake. Later model was called Grand Prix. Rare DW175 model came with drum brakes, both front and back.
Explorer	50 cc	198?–199?	Air-cooled version of the Zundapp KS50 with 3 speed gearbox
Silver Plus	50 cc	198?–199?	Step thru moped with kick start and hand gear shift. Based on Zundapp ZS/ZX 50 models.
MOFA	22 cc	198?–199?	Mini moped designed by Morbidelli of Italy to manufacture in India. The 22cc two stroke engine had a centrifugal clutch and the fuel was carried in the frame down tube.
Lightning	535 cc	198?–2009	Cruiser style motorcycle with 535cc based on Fritz Egli tuned Bullets. 87mm bore. Indian Market only model. Also available with electric start.
Diesel/Taurus	312 cc	198?–2001	Diesel motorcyle with a 312cc 6.5bhp Lombardini diesel engine. Gearbox was beefed up to witstand increased torque. Taurus came with heavy-duty luggage rack for vending jobs.
Electra	346 cc	199?–2009	Indian market only model with 346cc classic engine. 4 speed or 5 speed gearbox. Later models with electric start and TCI ignition.
Electra-X	499 cc	200?–present	Export only model with 500cc AVL lean-burn engine
Thunderbird	346 cc	198?–2009	Cruiser style motorcycle that was a big hit to command almost half the domestic sales. Indian Market only model.
Thunderbird Twinspark	350 cc	2009–present	Cruiser style motorcycle with Euro-4 compliant Unit Construction engine. Indian market only.

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Jaipur: Jonty Rhodes Royal Enfield Bullet Ride

It was one bright sunny morning when Jonty Rhodes the ace cricketer ventured out on the tarmac instead of the pitch. Donning a helmet he decided to ride out on the Royal Enfield Classic 500 in Jaipur. Meeting up with some of the local Royal Enfield riders and some help from the Royal Enfield Brand Store at Jaipur he set out on a ride out from the Sheraton Rajputana, 25 buddies alongside him on Royal Enfield motorcycles.

The ride back into the city asked for a traditional Indian scrumptious lunch at a restaurants and experienced another spicy side of India. The ride culminated at the Royal Enfield Brand Store in Jaipur totalling about 50 kms. He also saw some famous landmarks around the sesert state capital namely Nahargarh, Jaigarh, the Jal mahal palace and the MI Road. Jonty had earlier visited the Royal Enfield factory in Chennai and their Brand Store in Chennai and it was here where he was smitten by the graceful motorcycle, which eventually led him to actually experience the Bikers lifestyle astride the Royal Enfield motorcycle. He was visibly bowled over by the experience he had on the classic 500, and was heard saying he now had Royal Enfield in his blood and would do everything to do his bit for spreading the Royal Enfield motorcycling experience.

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

What is the Meaning of Enfield? Know Your Royal Enfield Better

In a discussion board, someone said "I thought Royal Enfield was the field where the Queen kept the 'ens". So what is the real meaning of Enfield?

Royal Enfield started as a name for a model of bicycle coined by R.W. Smith & Albert Eadie in 1892 who also incorporated the Enfield Manufacturing Company that year. This would later become the great motorcycle manufacturer. Their inspiration was a contract for supply of parts they had with the Royal Small Arms factory that operated in the town of Enfield, north of London (currently the northernmost borough of the Greater London). Among many weapons produced there was the legendary Lee-Enfield rifle (copies are still being manufactured in the Khyber Pass region in the Afghanistani/Pakistani border today!). In many places one finds incorrect mentions to the rifles as "Royal Enfield rifle". Here is what wikipedia has to say about the origins of the word Enfield,

"Enfield was recorded in the Domesday Book 1086 as Enefelde, Einefeld 1214, Enfeld 1293, Enfild 1564, that is 'open land of a man called Ēana, or where lambs are reared', from the Old English feld with an Old English personal name or with Old English ēan 'lamb'. The feld would have been a reference to an area cleared of trees within woodland later to become Enfield Chase."

The word Enfield also has a meaning in heraldry, it is a mythical beast having the head of a fox, the chest of a greyhound, the body of a lion, the hindquarters and tail of a wolf, and forelegs like an eagle's talons. The origin of the word in this context is disputed. There even is an Enfield Society on the topic!