Royal Enfield Motorcycles

About royal-enfield

Royal Enfield was the name under which the Enfield Cycle Company made motorcycles, bicycles, lawnmowers and stationary engines. The legacy of weapons manufacture is reflected in the logo, a cannon, and their motto "Made like a gun, goes like a bullet". Use of the brand name Royal Enfield was licensed by The Crown in 1890.

Royal Enfield produced bicycles at its Redditch factory until it closed in early 1967. The company's last new bicycle was the 'Revelation' small wheeler, which was released in 1965. Production of motorcycles ceased in 1970 and the company was dissolved in 1971.

In 1956 Enfield of India started assembling Bullet motorcycles under licence from UK components, and by 1962 were manufacturing complete bikes. Enfield of India bought the rights to use the Royal Enfield name in 1995. Royal Enfield production, based in Tiruvottiyur, Chennai, continues and Royal Enfield is now the oldest motorcycle brand in the world still in production with the Bullet model enjoying the longest motorcycle production run of all time.

In 1893, the Enfield Manufacturing Company Ltd was registered to manufacture bicycles. By 1899, Enfield were producing quadricycles with De Dion engines and experimenting with a heavy bicycle frame fitted with a Minerva engine clamped to the front downtube. In 1912, the Royal Enfield Model 180 sidecar combination was introduced with a 770 cc V-twin JAP engine which was raced successfully in the Isle of Man TT and at Brooklands.

In 1911, prior to the outbreak of the First World War in 1914, Enfield added the word "Royal" to its name. They supplied large numbers of motorcycles to the British War Department and also won a motorcycle contract for the Imperial Russian Government. Enfield used its own 225 cc two-stroke single and 425 cc V-twin engines. They also produced an 8 hp motorcycle sidecar model fitted with a Vickers machine gun.

In 1921, Enfield developed a new 976 cc twin, and in 1924 launched the first Enfield four-stroke 350 cc single using a JAP engine. In 1928, Royal Enfield began using the bulbous 'saddle' tanks and centre-spring girder front forks, one of the first companies to do so.

During World War II, The Enfield Cycle Company was called upon by the British authorities to develop and manufacture military motorcycles. The models produced for the military were the WD/C 350 cc sidevalve, WD/CO 350 cc OHV, WD/D 250 cc SV, WD/G 350 cc OHV and WD/L 570 cc SV. One of the most well-known Enfields was the Royal Enfield WD/RE, known as the Flying Flea, a lightweight 125 cc motorcycle designed to be dropped by parachute with airborne troops.

Postwar, Royal Enfield resumed production of the single cylinder ohv 350cc model G and 500cc Model J, with rigid rear frame and telescopic front forks.

In 1948, a groundbreaking development in the form of rear suspension springing was developed, initially for competition model "trials" models (modern enduro type machines), but this was soon offered on the roadgoing Model Bullet 350cc, a single cylinder OHV. This was a very popular seller, offering a comfortable ride. A 500cc version appeared shortly after. A later 1950s version of the Bullet manufacturing rights and jigs, dies and tools was sold to India for manufacture there, and where developed versions continue to this day.

In 1949, Royal Enfields version of the now popular selling parallel twins appeared. This 500cc version was the forerunner of a range of Royal Enfield Meteors, 700cc Super Meteors and 700cc Constellations. Offering good performance at modest cost, these sold widely, if somewhat quietly in reputation. The 700cc Royal Enfield Constellation Twin has been described as the first Superbike.

The 250cc class was important in the UK as it was the largest engine which a 'learner' could ride without passing a test. In the late 1950s and early 1960s, Royal Enfield produced a number of 250 cc machines, including a racer, the 'GP' and a Scrambler, the 'Moto-X'. The Clipper was a base-model tourer with the biggest-seller being the Crusader, a 248 cc pushrod OHV single producing 18 bhp (13 kW).

In 1965, a 21 bhp (16 kW) variant called the Continental GT, with red GRP tank, five-speed gearbox (which was also an option on the Crusader), clip-on handlebars, rearset footrests, swept pipe and hump-backed seat was launched. It sold well with its race-styling including a fly-screen resembling a race number plate which doubled as a front number plate mount.

The Avon 'Speedflow' full sports fairing was available as an extra in complimentary factory colours of red and white.

Other variants were the Olympic and 250 Super 5, notable for use of leading-link front suspension (all the other 250 road models had conventional telescopic forks) and the 250 'Turbo Twin', fitted with the Villiers 247 cc twin cylinder two-stroke engine.

During the onslaught of the better engineered Japanese motorcycle manufacturers in the late sixties and early seventies, the English factories made a final attempt with the 1962–;1968 series I and Series II. Made largely for the US market, it sported lots of chrome and strong performance, completing the quarter mile in less than 13 seconds at speeds well above 175 km/h (105 mph). It became very popular in the US, but the classic mistake of not being able to supply this demand added to the demise of this last English-made Royal Enfield.

The Redditch factory ceased production in 1967 and the Bradford-on-Avon factory closed in 1970, which meant the end of the British Royal Enfield. After the factory closed a little over two hundred Series II Interceptor engines were stranded at the dock in 1970. These engines had been on their way to Floyd Clymer in the US; but Clymer had just died and his export agents, Mitchell's of Birmingham, were left to dispose of the engines. They approached the Rickman brothers for a frame. The main problem of the Rickman brothers had always been engine supplies, so a limited run of Rickman Interceptors were promptly built.

As far as the motorcycle brand goes, though, it would appear that Royal Enfield is the only motorcycle brand to span three centuries, and still going, with continuous production. A few of the original Redditch factory buildings remain (2009) and are part of the Enfield Industrial Estate.

Moto blog

2025 Royal Enfield Bear 650 Review – First Ride

A highly customizable scrambler with ’60s style On a frigid January morning in 1960, a teenage rookie lined up with another 764 riders on the start line of The Big Bear Run, the maddest, baddest point-to-point desert race on the calendar. At just 16 years old, Eddie Moulder etched his name in motorcycle history that day, riding his 500cc Royal Enfield to victory. He was one of just 207 finishers and crossed the line with a bent handlebar and one less rear shock than he started with.

2025 Royal Enfield Bear 650 Review Gallery

2025 Royal Enfield Bear 650 Review Gallery | Motorcycle.com Join Now My History Account Settings Log out Specs Classifieds Bike Reviews Product Reviews Best Motorcycle Cameras Best Motorcycle Earplugs Best Motorcycle Oil Best Leather Jackets Best Winter Gloves Best Sportbike Tires GPS Buyers Guide Gear Deals Types Adventure Touring Cruiser Electric Off-Road On-Off-Road Other Scooter Sport-Touring Sportbikes Standard Touring Touring Scooter Track Youth Brands Aprilia BMW CFMoto Ducati Energica Gas-Gas Harley-Davidson Honda Husqvarna Indian Kawasaki KTM Kymco Moto Guzzi MV Agusta Piaggio Royal Enfield Suzuki Triumph Vespa Yamaha Zero Resources New Rider's Hub Dealers Safety Forums Videos Insurance Specs Classifieds Bike Reviews Product Reviews Best Motorcycle Cameras Best Motorcycle Earplugs Best Motorcycle Oil Best Leather Jackets Best Winter Gloves Best Sportbike Tires GPS Buyers Guide Gear Deals Types Adventure Touring Cruiser Electric Off-Road On-Off-Road Other Scooter Sport-Touring Sportbikes Standard Touring Touring Scooter Track Youth Brands Aprilia BMW CFMoto Ducati Energica Gas-Gas Harley-Davidson Honda Husqvarna Indian Kawasaki KTM Kymco Moto Guzzi MV Agusta Piaggio Royal Enfield Suzuki Triumph Vespa Yamaha Zero Resources New Rider's Hub Dealers Safety Forums Videos Insurance Join Now My History Account Settings Log out Edit & Post 2025 Royal Enfield Bear 650 Review Gallery Royal Enfield has kept itself busy. Hot on the heels of the new Shotgun 650 and the trailblazing Himalayan, the Indian firm invited Motorcycle.com to southern California for the global launch of the Bear 650 scrambler Read the full story here. Photos by Royal Enfield, Bluerock Creative By Guy Pickrell Pin Slideshow Edit Slideshow About Privacy Terms Contact us Advertising Copyright Follow us © 2024  VerticalScope Inc.

2025 Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 Review – First Ride

RE adds to its modern lineup Photos by Motocom Rolling out of the underground parking garage where a DJ had seen us off by kickin’ the jams, we were greeted by the warm hug of Barcelona’s summer weather as the orange morning light splayed across the beautiful Catalan capital. Admittedly, traffic was light, so squirting through the city streets on our way to the surrounding hills was a breeze, making it even more so, was Royal Enfield’s latest addition to its lineup: the Guerrilla 450. Somewhat of a street scrambler-style motorcycle, the Guerrilla 450 shares many similarities with the Himalayan that was developed alongside it.

2025 Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 Gallery

2025 Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 Gallery | Motorcycle.com Join Now My History Account Settings Log out Specs Classifieds Bike Reviews Product Reviews Best Motorcycle Cameras Best Motorcycle Earplugs Best Motorcycle Oil Best Leather Jackets Best Winter Gloves Best Sportbike Tires GPS Buyers Guide Gear Deals Types Adventure Touring Cruiser Electric Off-Road On-Off-Road Other Scooter Sport-Touring Sportbikes Standard Touring Touring Scooter Track Youth Brands Aprilia BMW CFMoto Ducati Energica Gas-Gas Harley-Davidson Honda Husqvarna Indian Kawasaki KTM Kymco Moto Guzzi MV Agusta Piaggio Royal Enfield Suzuki Triumph Vespa Yamaha Zero Resources New Rider's Hub Dealers Safety Forums Videos Insurance Specs Classifieds Bike Reviews Product Reviews Best Motorcycle Cameras Best Motorcycle Earplugs Best Motorcycle Oil Best Leather Jackets Best Winter Gloves Best Sportbike Tires GPS Buyers Guide Gear Deals Types Adventure Touring Cruiser Electric Off-Road On-Off-Road Other Scooter Sport-Touring Sportbikes Standard Touring Touring Scooter Track Youth Brands Aprilia BMW CFMoto Ducati Energica Gas-Gas Harley-Davidson Honda Husqvarna Indian Kawasaki KTM Kymco Moto Guzzi MV Agusta Piaggio Royal Enfield Suzuki Triumph Vespa Yamaha Zero Resources New Rider's Hub Dealers Safety Forums Videos Insurance Join Now My History Account Settings Log out Edit & Post 2025 Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 Gallery The Guerrilla 450 continues Royal Enfield’s trend toward a more modernized lineup. Read the full story here. By Ryan Adams Pin Slideshow Edit Slideshow About Privacy Terms Contact us Advertising Copyright Follow us © 2024  VerticalScope Inc.

2024 Royal Enfield Himalayan Review – First Ride

The Himalayan continues to trailblaze for Royal Enfield Photos by Royal Enfield “Capable but not intimidating; that has been the ethos of the Himalayan from the start,” according to Royal Enfield. I think we can all agree, that pretty well sums up the simple, retro adventure bike from the Indian brand. Has the massive overhaul the Himalayan received changed this character?

2024 Royal Enfield Shotgun 650 Review – Second Ride

A mid-size cruiser with a steadfast engine and elevated technology upgrades Photos by Royal Enfield Taking a giant leap into creating a motorcycle platform with customization in mind, the Shotgun 650 is, at its heart, the quintessential mid-sized cruiser, wrapped in sleek and simple bobber style cladding, and adorned with the latest technology upgrades. Standing squarely in the present, the Shotgun 650 takes the time tested Royal Enfield 650 twin-cylinder engine and provides it with the sleek shape and style of a completely modern cruiser. While standard bikes are the lifeblood of this brand, the cruiser-esque Shotgun 650 stands out in the lineup as a breath of fresh air to the retro-styled Royal Enfields of the previous decades.

2024 Royal Enfield Shotgun 650 Review – First Ride

Born of creative chaos Photos by Royal Enfield Motorcycles In the past six years since Royal Enfield launched its first 650cc twin-cylinder bikes of the modern era in the 2018 model year, the well-developed, well-built and well-priced Interceptor and Continental GT have catapulted the Indian manufacturer into a leading role in the global middleweight motorcycle market. These two debut models were joined a year ago by the Super Meteor, the first of what was billed as a series of Custom versions on the same twin-cylinder platform. This has, if anything, been even more of a global hit than its two predecessors, despite holdups in supplies to various markets of these, the three most costly and most powerful models in Royal Enfield’s range, which its CEO Siddhartha Lal says he expected at the outset would have greatest appeal to export customers.

2024 Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650 Review – First Ride

An Indian take on a uniquely American form of motorcycling Photos: 360Media One week ago I was racing motorcycles around Barber Motorsports Park, pushing my limits and going around in circles at triple digit speeds. After an adrenaline-filled week, I found myself in Dallas, Texas slowing down the pace and riding a cruiser. As the token sportbike guy, I actually appreciate a bit of balance in my life, which is exactly why I get the itch to ride cruisers every so often.

2023 Royal Enfield Hunter 350 Review – First Ride

A gateway drug to motorcycle enthusiasm Credit: Brandon Bunch and Josh Shipps Being a motorcycle publication, Motorcycle.com largely caters to enthusiast readers. However, for every enthusiast there was once a potential rider who was curious about motorcycles. Also, let’s not forget the multitudes of other motorcycle-curious folks who never transitioned into the rider fold for one reason or another.

MO Interview: Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650 Designer Adrian Sellers

The man with overall responsibility for creating Royal Enfield’s first twin-cylinder modern-era cruiser is New Jersey native Adrian Sellers, 42, who after a four-year stint with Honda R&D in Italy and, before that, nine years at Yamaha’s Design Laboratory in Los Angeles, was appointed the Indian company’s Head of Custom and Motorsport in 2016, based at its UK Technology Centre at Bruntingthorpe. Let’s leave it to him to tell us how the ground-breaking Super Meteor 650 came about. 2023 Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650 Review “In my previous roles I ended up doing a lot of research into the Custom scene, as part of keeping abreast of styling trends and so on.