THE ROYAL FLEA

Newly Adopted or Forever Foster?

- NIHAL RASHID

Months went by like bing-bop-boom-boom-bop-bam (you know, the Peakaboo tune that's all over the Instagram), and before I knew it, I was in Delhi for a rather chic showcase by a “brand-new” company. And when I say new, I mean a brand that claims to have a 125-year-old legacy—classic marketing, right? No. Their take on the electric future? A cautious step forward.

Why do I say that? Unlike other brands that can effortlessly slap an electric motor onto an existing model and call it a day, some brands don't have that luxury. And which is the first name that comes to mind? Precisely the case we have here: Royal Enfield.

Now, the chaps at Royal Enfield know their customers well—hardcore dinosaur juice enthusiasts who wouldn't trade their beloved thumpers for a silent motor. Aware of this existential crisis, Royal Enfield has done the next best thing: parachuted in an entirely new electric sub-brand, and thus, Flying Flea was born.

For now, Flying Flea has promised us two products: FF.C6 and FF.S6. At the Delhi showcase, we got to see the FF.C6 prototype, and oh boy, does it have some stories to tell.

The backstory to the future story

Royal Enfield didn't just want to jump onto the electric bandwagon and blend into the crowd. Instead, they aimed to make a statement—a loud one. To do that, they decided to go in the complete opposite direction of what we associate with a petrol-powered Royal Enfield.

Flying Flea won't appeal to thump seekers or heavyweight motorcycle lovers. Instead, Royal Enfield has pulled a masterstroke of nostalgia from its 125-year-long legacy. Enter the original 1940 Flying Flea—a.k.a. the Royal Enfield WD/RE—a lightweight British military motorcycle designed to be parachuted into war zones as a transport solution for troops. Weighing just 59 kg, it was light enough to be carried if it got stuck.