Cheap and cheerful, the Royal Enfield Rumbler 350 is the latest model out of Chennai. Jacinta donned the open face to bring us her thoughts…
Here’s a question for the pub. Who is considered to be the world’s longest-standing motorcycle manufacturer? Harley-Davidson? Triumph?
Nup. Free schooners for those who went with Royal Enfield. At least this much is true — Royal Enfield is the oldest motorcycle brand in continuous production, with the first motorcycle being released in the UK in 1901.
Some history. During WWII, Royal Enfield, alongside other manufacturers, was called upon to produce military motorcycles. In fact, it was in 1943 that the company built the world’s first flying motorcycle known as the “flying Flea” — a lightweight 125cc engine bike that was dropped by parachute along with airborne troops.
Today’s production is based in India, but the brand was established in the UK in 1893. It was in 1955, after the Indian government placed an order for 800 350 Bullets, that the Red ditch company partnered with Madras Motors India to form Enfield India to fulfill the order. The Bullet continued to be built out of India long after Royal Enfield UK was sold to Norton-Villiers-Triumph in 1968, with UK production ceasing in 1970. Got all that? Good, you’ll be the smartest person in the pub.
Fast forward to the present. The company’s claims its modern direction is to bring a lifestyle brand of motorcycle with “greater quality and lower cost to developed markets”. And it’s nothing if it isn’t fair dinkum. With a new facility and design team now established in the UK, the growth of the brand has seen volume poised to reach production numbers of 825,000 units by the end of 2018. Let that soak in. Yeah. That’s a shipload of bikes right there.
This story is from the July/August 2018 edition of Australian Road Rider.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the July/August 2018 edition of Australian Road Rider.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Chip Off The Old Block
ARR’s roving reporter, Ian Neubauer, heads to India to test the new Himalayan, Royal Enfield’s long-anticipated mid-size adventure tourer.
Winter Wonderland
As the weather cools, the tourists and surfers dwindle on the Sunshine Coast and the motorcycle riders move in
Taking It To The Street
Riders converge in Sydney’s Inner West for the 2017 Throttle Roll Street Party
Ride Like Hell
Anyone who hasn’t discovered the literary offerings of Paul Carter is missing a real treat.
Genre Bender
When Ducati produces a whole new bike, we sit up and take notice. When it creates a new category, well, the motorcycle world stands to attention. Leechy reports on the newest thing from Ducati, on the spot in Spain
Elite Fleet
BMW wheels out its very biggest guns to the Aussie press in an epic trip to take on Tassie’s challenging tarmac
Kriega Tail Packs
When it comes to bike luggage, my preference is usually a set of soft saddle bags; you can throw them on and off easily, and they make sense whether you’re packing for a day trip or a months-long adventure.
Pipe Dreams
We’re going hunting for noise after some urban exploration
Riding Me Crazy
Today’s 149km leg took us to 4200m above sea level on wild, rocky, slippery mountain passes with drop off s you just don’t want to think about.
Keeping Girls On Motorcycles
On any given weekend at your local motorcycle club, you will see throngs of kids blasting around on dirt bikes having a great time. More often than not, it’s at these local club tracks where kids are introduced to motorbikes. Boys and girls (under 10 years old) get out there and simply enjoy riding their bike without too much competition. Not many of the kids or parents care where they finish in the pack — it’s just about having fun.
