Wednesday, 26 December 2012

Royal Enfield Twin Engine : History to repeat soon




It is learnt that after the success of the new UC Engine, Royal Enfield is now aspiring to repeat the history by its Cafe Racer and also by now working on a big Parallel Twin Engine. It really tickles the fancies of many middle age guys  who still recall the powerful 750 Interceptor of 1960's days, here is an interesting new video & article at visordown.com from Aniket Verdhan, the guy famous for developing a 350+350  V-Twin Bullet, is now working on to redesign a 998 CC version his Musket V-Twin.

Now when the race is on for what comes first: the Verdhan’s powerful V-Twin Musket or the RE’s own Big Parallel. Whichever it'll be, the Royal Enfield Lovers are now to see a big twin beauty soon………… 

1939 Royal Enfield having a V-Twin engine
1960 Interceptor having a parallel twin engine

Aniket's custom engineered V-Twin 700 CC Bullet

Sunday, 23 December 2012

One Love, One Passion from a Harley to a Royal Enfield



Just visited the Harley Davidson India facebook page and had seen some great beauties of Chromed & Painted. 

I've been asked many times for what I feel or say about the Harley Davidson India after giving my heart & soul to a British Classic and writing the Royal Enfield Blogs here.  My answer comes from a recent post I read on the same page as Willie G. Davidson says:


“Harley-Davidson owners, myself included, will tell you that their motorcycles are very close to the center of their lives. When we’re not riding them, we’re thinking about them.”



now I don't think anyone fails to understand the One Love, One passion that connects the two legends. The chrome reflected the same Sun,

and w
hether on a Harley Heritage or on a Royal Enfield Classic we carry the same dream on that highway of freedom where the road never ends.........





Sunday, 2 December 2012

Mighty Machismo featured on History TV 18



It's very usual now but it always feels great to see the legend rides on a road less travelled on a global TV Show.

This season History TV 18 features Royal Enfield Motorcycles in the show Road Less Travelled. Passionate traveller and the show's host Jonathan Legg shares the story of  Motorcycle God  'Bullet Baba' near Jodhpur before he sets-off riding the mighty 500 LB Machismo on his way from Manali to the Great Himalayas through Khardung Pass - claimed as the highest motorable road in the world.

The series explores India and  the Culture :
Socio-economics scenario, Urban trends, Traditional Food, Yoga, Woman Police Training and finally Legg's real purpose to carve his mark on the mountains of the Himalayas, and he chooses to do it on a 500 CC Royal Enfield Bullet 'Machismo'.





Tuesday, 27 November 2012

Hand Painting the Bullet tank - When did they started ?





























One of the iconic features of the Royal Enfield 'Bullet' is its hand painted pinstripes on the fuel tank and if are you a Bullet lover who keeps exploring the passion of the legendry brand then you must have seen the interesting video of Magic Hands - Painting the fuel tank of a Royal Enfield Motorcycle .


While for many the golden border is the mark of the original “Bullet’ styling, I’m really a kind of curious about how old are these lines on the Bullet tank ?

I mean when did they actually started hand painting it? are these strips as old as the legendry marque ? Has it a beginning at Redditch, England or later sometime in India where they still seem to continue the tradition at the Chennai factory.
Here are some of early pictures of British bullet  around 1950s and of some Indian production.



So what do you guess ?






 

Sunday, 4 November 2012

author Gordon May joins the Royal Enfield’s official magazine as a regular columnist.


Feels great to read that the renowned author Gordon G May will be joining the Royal Enfield’s official magazine The Beat as a regular columnist. He will be sharing important events & stories about the motorcycle and its passion.

Known as an expert writer on motorcycle brands, Mr. May has written some of the remarkable books on Royal Enfield including the "The Legend Rides On" Celebrating 50 years in India.
I eagerly wait to read from his great experience and insights:





































Friday, 26 October 2012

return of the Cafe' Racer



With its all new Unit Construction Engine & EFI, Royal Enfield wishes to repeat the history with Cafe' Racer. The original styling & subculture that originated in European countries in 1960s, Cafe Racer bikes were modified for speed and handling rather than comfort. Cafe racers' bodywork and control layout typically mimicked the style of contemporary Grand Prix roadracers featuring an elongated fuel tank, often with dents to allow the riders knees to grip the tank, low slung racing handlebars, and a single, rearwardly mounted, humped seat.















Addition to the contemporary changes and advancement Royal Enfield is now seeking to boost production up to 1.5 lakh units per annum from the first quarter of the next fiscal year with the opening of a second plant at Oragadam near Chennai, also the CEO Venki Padmanabhan promises to bring down the waiting period for customers to receive their bikes.



Wednesday, 24 October 2012

even God rides on a 'Bullet'


Well, this has been an interesting idea for me to think that if God ever visit us on a weekend and find out what'up amongst the Human as a Human being, what transport will he choose to travel ? I mean will he go by bus in the city, catch a local train, hire a cab or will he ask for a lift?
Now you know and I know that God is a real smart guy who’ll get himself the best way to commute & meet people around, and if he is in this 21 Century, I’m pretty much sure he’ll choose a motorcycle!

but why on a 'Bullet' ? now that’s the stroke of a genius ! Since 1939, being the longest production of a motorcycle brand till date, serving the services of Indian Army & Police Forces, Royal Enfield ‘Bullet, I believe, has really got the honor of being the God’s bike. 
Not only my curious idea but there are actually common stories of ‘Bullet’ being loved & worshipped by the people who once rode it and now are being owned by it. Mark of Respect, Power & Love here are some of the interesting pictures that reflect the same feeling:
Maharaja takes his Maharani on a Bullet as depicted in Rajasthani Painting  
A Yogi going on his Bullet in local town in India
God (played by Akshay Kumar) riding a customized Bullet in the movie Oh My God)
Om Banna- a shrine dedicated to the Motorcycle god, also called Bullet Baba near Jodhpur, India