royal enfield rider mania 2012 tour of nepal 2012

OCTOBER | NOVEMBER | DECEMBER 2012

< www.royalenfield.com >

Royal Enfield Rider Mania 2012Tour of Nepal 2012

THUNDERBIRD 500 LAUNCH

FLASHBACK : CLIPPER AIRFLOW

ROYAL ENFIELD GEAR

inside02 Upcoming Rides

• REunion West • Tour of Rann of Kutch • One Ride • Tour of Bhutan

06 Keep Riding

3 Getaways

07 Rider Profile

Amman & Jean

08 Marquee Ride

• Royal Enfield Rider Mania 2012 • Royal Enfield Tour of Nepal 2012

16 News

• Thunderbird 500 Launch • Latest Happenings

19 International • International News • Flashback : Clipper Airflow

24 Showcase

Royal Enfield Gear

K I C K S T A R T

We are pleased to bring to

you the brand new issue

of The Beat. The year gone

by, gave us some amazing

moments with appreciation pouring

in for Royal Enfield Riders’ Cafe, NH 7

Weekender Music Festivals and a massive

turnout at Rider Mania 2012.

Our biggest event this quarter was

the pan-India launch of Thunderbird

500, across several launch events. Hailed

as the ultimate Highway Cruiser, this

motorcycle has been instrumental in

revolutionising Indian highways and the

way enthusiasts traverse the country on

two wheels.

The Royal Enfield Tour of Nepal,

which has now entered its second year,

saw a significant number of enthusiasts

riding into the traditional abode of the

Buddha on their motorcycles. This year,

Royal Enfield Rider Mania in Goa grew in

scale and had some new events added to

the fun aspect of motorcycling.

On the production front, we had a

good year and wound up with 1,00,000

motorcycles produced this year as

part of our endeavour to increase our

capacity and ensure reduction in the

waiting period for our enthusiasts. We

are also kick-starting the new year with

introduction of some more rides and

events, details of which can be found in

this issue as well as in the Royal Enfield

2013 Rides Journal.

Continuing with the exclusive peek

into our meticulously crafted riding

gear and accessories range, this issue

of The Beat brings to you some more of

our unique biker wear . Not only are we

the pioneers of adventure and leisure

motorcycling, but we also enable the rider

to pursue this passion while dressed in

stylish and purpose-built riding gear.

We look forward to your feedback on

this new look and the articles you have

been reading. Shoot us a mail at thebeat@

royalenfield.com

The Royal Enfield Tour of Nepal, which has now entered its second year, saw a significant number of enthusiasts riding into the traditional abode of the Buddha on their motorcycles

Editorial Team The Beat

...............................................................

................................................................

................................................................

...............................................................

...............................................................

................................................................

.............................................................

Editorial Team: Praveen P Sathaye, Abhijit Brar, Shaji Koshy, Swati Mitra and Anumeha Saxena

International Contributing Editor: Gordon May

Published by: Royal Enfield, A Unit of Eicher Motors Limited Gurgaon

Do send us your feedback at [email protected]

OCTOBER | NOVEMBER| DECEMBER 2012 1

................................................................

U P C O M I N G R I D E S

Slated to take place in the lush green mountains of Mahabaleshwar, REunion West is organised by Royal Enfield for its diehard fans, especially from the western region

.....................................................................

As the winter starts

to warm up and

the spring begins, it’s time to start riding

and what a better way to start riding than

to get together with fellow riders and

celebrate by riding down to the Royal

Enfield REunion.

Slated to take place in the lush

green mountains of Mahabaleshwar,

Maharashtra from 1st March, REunion

West is a motorcycling meet organised

by Royal Enfield for its diehard fans.

Although the event is based in the west,

it is expected to attract thumpers from

everywhere.

The Western Ghats will come alive

with the sound of hundreds of Royal

Enfield motorcycles. Besides a rock show,

the weekend would see various events

and games around motorcycling with

attractive prizes to be won. Contests like

‘Assembly Wars’ and ‘Carry Your Bike’

shall keep the crowds cheering for more.

The crowd favourite is expected to be the

‘Slow Race’, in which the riders would be

required to take the longest time to ride

across a short stretch without putting

their leg down or going out of the lane.

Custom bikes on display are an added

attraction as the best customisers from

this region show off their works of art

in the form of customised Royal Enfield

motorcycles. Royal Enfield merchandise

shall be of interest to the riders who

would take back memories of the

legendary marquee.

Registration fee for REunion would

cover accommodation on a twin sharing

basis for all days. It also includes the

dinner on Friday, all meals on Saturday

and breakfast on Sunday.

For more information on REunion

West 2013, visit our website www.

royalenfield.com


REGISTER

NOW

ROYAL ENFIELD

REUNION WEST 2013

.................................................................

To know more about the Royal Enfield REunion West write in to Adarsh Saxena on [email protected]

Day 1 : Ride in, Registration and events

Day 2 : Events

Day 3 : Prize distribution, Events and Ride out

ITINERARY : 1st – 3rd March


ROYAL ENFIELD TOUR OF RANN OF KUTCH 2013

Once on the Rann, you can’t help but notice the vastness of the region and the fact that the horizon seems to be an infinite distance away

.....................................................................

C atch the sunset at

the Kala Dungar hill,

overlooking the spectacularly desolate

Great Rann of Kutch and spend a moment

at the Sardar Post, in the memory of the

brave soldiers of the Border Security

Force who fought valiantly in the 1965

war.

Strangely enough, this hostile land

is also the cradle of one of the oldest

civilisations in the world. You can marvel

at the wonders of the 4000-year-old

Harappan civilisation site at Dholavira

where archaeologists are peeling back

the ravages of time and man, inch by

inch. Don't be surprised if an occasional

neelgai or wild ass crosses your path.

The Royal Enfield Tour of Rann

of Kutch 2013 is one adventure

which you shall definitely cherish in

the years to come. The weather and

terrain being quite demanding, this

ride is recommended for riders with

intermediate to expert riding skills.

This is not an easy ride even though the

highways in Gujarat are good, you would

also be going way off the beaten track

and sometimes even have to carry packed

lunches as you ride into vast desolate

countryside.

Flagging off from the culturally

vibrant city of Ahmedabad in Gujarat, the

Royal Enfield Tour of ROK embarks on

this unique adventure in March this year.

After a day’s ride through rustic

countryside, you get to the vast empty

Rann landscape. Once on the Rann,

you can’t help but notice the vastness of

the region and the fact that the horizon

seems to be an infinite distance away in

whichever direction you look. You may

also get to learn about navigating using

stars for guidance and locating where

you are.

OCTOBER | NOVEMBER | DECEMBER 2012 3

Day 1 : Scrutiny and briefing - Ahmedabad

Day 2 : Ahmedabad - Zainabad | 120 kms

Day 3 : Zainabad - Dholavira | 200kms Day 4 : Dholavira - BOP Karni - Dholavira | 60 kms

Day 5 : Dholavira - Hodka | 300 kms Day 6 : Hodka -India Border - Hodka |

250 kms

Day 7 : Hodka - Zainabad | 350 kms

Day 8 : Zainabad - Ahmedabad | 150 kms

.................................................................

For more information on the tour, write in to Santhosh Vijay Kumar on [email protected]

ITINERARY : 15th - 22nd March

REGISTER

NOW


One thought; One feeling; One love for Royal Enfield – the biggest Royal Enfield ride around the globe

.....................................................................

The first Sunday of

April 2011, came to be

celebrated as the One Ride Day, where

Royal Enfield owners, from all over the

world, were encouraged to take their

motorcycles out and ride.

One Ride is a ride of camaraderie

and unity where the roads come alive

with the distinct thump of Royal Enfield

machines. The event is celebrated

worldwide as all the riders and

enthusiasts are encouraged to come

forward and join in the celebrations.

The celebration is in line with Royal

Enfield’s philosophy of promoting the

adventure and leisure riding under its

'Keep Riding' initiative. This year the One

Ride is slated to be celebrated worldwide

on the 7th of April.

Although each rider could have

his or her own individual 'One Ride',

Royal Enfield encourages them to start

the ride either from any of their Brand

Stores/Dealership/Distributor or service

stations.

Special One Ride commemorative

stickers shall be issued to the enthusiasts

for this ride, which they can proudly

adorn on their motorcycles and helmets

proclaiming their camaraderie to

celebrate their passion towards the

motorcycle.

Royal Enfield shall be organising rides

across the world inspiring the riders to

take out their beloved Royal Enfield bikes

and show the chrome and the polished

tank some sunlight and ride!

Last year this event was celebrated all

over the world with close to 5000 Royal

Enfield riders being part of it.

A dedicated micro-site was created

wherein riders and enthusiasts could

upload their One Ride images and share

their experiences with the world.


REGISTER

NOW

ROYAL ENFIELD

ONE RIDE 2013

.................................................................

To know more about One Ride 2013 please write in to Kyron Gomes on [email protected]

Day 1 : Rides and Updates

ITINERARY : 7th April


ROYAL ENFIELD TOUR OF BHUTAN 2013

The tour will not only test your riding skills in the hills but also promise you unique sights and sounds of the Himalayan region

.....................................................................

Venture into the Dragon’s

lair, Bhutan. Expect

a unique adventure in the Himalayan

kingdom, a land of snow-capped

mountain peaks in the eastern Himalayan

ranges namely the Black Mountain ranges

and the Shivaliks.

Cruise through the country roads

lined with orchards and rice fields,

dotted with tiny villages and bustling

marketplaces. You won’t find any long

straight stretches here, with most roads

ascending or descending into the hills in

a series of sharp or smooth curves. Traffic

on the roads is minimal but the terrain

is challenging enough, ensuring that the

ride never gets boring. It is said that the

capital city of Thimpu doesn’t even have a

traffic light.

Starting at Bagdogra in West Bengal,

you would enter Phuentsolling, on the

southern border of Bhutan, through

Sikkim. After travelling across the

country, you would exit out towards

Guwahati, Assam.

This adventure in the eastern region

is one which will not only test your

riding skills in the hills but also promise

you unique sights and sounds of the

Himalayan region.

Be prepared to rough it out on some

patches in remote places which haven’t

seen tarmac but not to worry, you can

depend on your trusted Royal Enfield to

get you through. Respect the terrain and

always make way for local traffic and you

will definitely enjoy riding in this region.

Make sure not to leave your thermal

liners behind. Daytime weather would

definitely be pleasant but sometimes

occasional showers may add a surprise

element. Not recommended for novices,

grab some practice before hand, if you

seek this adventure.


Day 1 : Scrutiny and briefing - Bagdogra

Day 2 : Bagdogra - Darjeeling | 100 kms

Day 3 : Darjeeling - Pelling | 110kms Day 4 : Pelling - Gangtok | 145 kms

Day 5 : Gangtok - Phuentsolling | 220 kms

Day 6 : Phuentsolling - Thimpu | 176 kms

Day 7 : Thimpu

Day 8 : Thimpu - Bumathang | 220 kms

Day 9 : Bumathang - Mongar | 200 kms

Day 10 : Mongar - Tashigang | 40 kms

Day 11 : Tahshigang - Somdrup Jongka |

180 kms

Day 12 : Somdrup Jongka - Guwahati |

110 kms.................................................................

To know more about the Royal Enfield Tour of Bhutan, write in to Adarsh Saxena on [email protected]

ITINERARY : 5th - 16th April

REGISTER

NOW

6 OCTOBER | NOVEMBER | DECEMBER 2012

K E E P R I D I N G

On a foggy morning of 23rd December, 20-odd riders lined up on their Royal Enfield

to kickstart the most awaited ride of the year, from Lucknow to Jim Corbett National

Park. With visibility down to a few metres only, the riders rode via Sitapur - Pilibhit -

Kashipur - Ramnagar, all the way into the tiger territory. They enjoyed the hospitality

of the Tiger Den Resort and ventured out on a jungle safari. The return ride followed

a different route via Ramnagar - Moradabad - Bareilly back to Lucknow. The total

distance covered in the 3-day ride was 1,100 kms. The ride ended at Lucknow on

Christmas eve.

< To join more such rides from Lucknow please get in touch with Piyush Gupta at [email protected] >

During the weekend of 22nd-23rd December , riders on their Royal Enfield motorcycles

set off from Sarabhai Motors, Ahmedabad, towards Mount Abu. The riders rode out

towards Gandhinagar and onwards to Himmatnagar. En route, the riders took short

breaks at Ambaji and Taleti, after which the uphill ride to Mount Abu started. The first

day of the ride came to an end at Mogliwan Resort where the riders got cottages to

unwind, their night ending with a camp fire under the stars, freshly cooked barbeque

and a tasty dinner. The next day the riders got up well relaxed and pushed on to ‘Nakki

lake’ a tourist attraction located in the heart of Mount Abu after which started the

return journey back to Ahmedabad. All the 13 people on the ride were left wanting for

more and it was a little difficult for them to believe that the ride has come to an end.

< To join more such rides from Ahemedabad please get in touch with Puneet Singh Banga at [email protected] >

Early in the morning of 20th November, 12 proud Royal Enfield riders from the ‘Malwa Riders’ started from Indore for Goa to attend the Royal Enfield Rider Mania 2012. Starting off on the well-laid tarmac of NH3, their first major stop for lunch was at Nashik, covering a total of 400 kms. Further via Thane, they reached Wadkhal by around 9.30 pm. Day 2 saw a new spurt of enthusiasm among riders who also ferried the motorcycles by boat to reach Velneshwar Beach with the cool sea breeze and sound of waves giving them company for the night. Day 3 was the D-Day ride and the route was all through the Konkan coastal roads, the riders entered Goa just before sunset. The next three days were a lot of fun at the Royal Enfield Rider Mania - riders from various states of India met, shared their riding experiences and participated in exciting biking competitions. They left Goa on 26th November and rode via Pune towards Indore over the next two days, marking a memorable ride of their lives. < To join more such rides from Indore please get in touch with Bhavesh Patel at [email protected] >

..............................................................................................................................................................................................................................

..............................................................................................................................................................................................................................

..............................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Indore to Goa1

Lucknow to Jim Corbett National Park2

Ahmedabad to Mount Abu3

A lifelong dream, they eventually

started this epic journey in August 2012

from India and onwards via Turkey,

Greece, Italy, Austria, Germany, Czech

Republic, Switzerland and ending in

Paris, France.

The trip spanning eight countries and

a travel distance of about 16,000 kms, took

R I D E R P R O F I L E

Riding Across the Globe : Amman & Jean

umbai resident and

an avid biker, Amman

Mithani, 43, and

French national Jean

Michel Pap, 52, are

living proof that age for free-spirited

riders is just another number. This year

both riders undertook a road trip from

India to France on their 500 cc Royal

Enfield motorcycle.

Amman has been riding ever since

he stepped out of his teens and has been

nurturing a childhood dream to travel

across the world while Jean has done

many trips across continents.

M They want people to understand that geo-political boundaries are imaginary hur-dles to cultural understanding

......................................................................

......................................................................

approximately 60 days, and was a result of

months of planning and hard work. Most

difficult part being the route planning and

arrangements of visas, documentations,

spares, accessories, clothes, toiletries,

medicals, accommodations; the list of

things to do was never ending. As spare

parts occupied 50% of the luggage, the

rest had to be smartly packed.

These adventurers were in touch

with Royal Enfield Owners’ Club in Italy

as well as in Greece and were given an

escorted tour by both the clubs with lots

of respect and honour.

Communication with the local people

was really the fun part of their journey,

as at most of the places there was very

little English spoken. Hence, most of

the times, sign language was used and

successfully so.

These adventurers hope that the

small step they took to explore the world

on their Royal Enfield motorcycles,

inspire more and more people to follow

through and understand that geo-

political boundaries are imaginary

hurdles to cultural understanding.

These enthusiasts are also the

founder members of the Royal Enfield

Club in Mumbai under the name

Enfield Pirates. Amman is reachable on

[email protected]

OCTOBER| NOVEMBER | DECEMBER 2012 7

ROYAL ENFIELD

Rider Mania 2012

Day 1 : Registration and Events

Day 2 : Events

Day 3 : Events, Celebration ride and Prize Distribution

ITINERARY : 23rd - 25th November

Ride Story

M A R Q U E E R I D E

The largest motorcycling event, where Royal Enfield enthusiasts come together to

celebrate 'the thump that binds'

.................................................................................................

he ride to Royal

Enfield Rider Mania

2012 started from

Mumbai on the 22nd November from the

Royal Enfield Brand Store in Bandra. The

first stop was Pune and subsequent stops

being Satara and Kolhapur. The riders

finally reached Goa nearly at sundown

via Amboli. All through the way, people

kept looking at the cavalcade of thumping

Royal Enfield machines and waving back

at the riders in joy.

Once the riders reached Vagator,

they settled down in hotels and rested

for the night planning the sequence of

forthcoming events. Next morning the

riders reached the venue early and saw

the arrangements being finalised as the

stalls came up and the whole setup got its

finishing touch.

The Rider Mania venue had stalls

selling delicious food, riding gear and

T accessories. The official Royal Enfield

riding gear and merchandise saw a

special place there and it was one of

the most popular stalls with curious

enthusiasts flocking around it.

The first day’s events were the ‘Slow

Race’ and ‘Figure of 8’. The Slow Race,

being one of the most popular events,

saw overwhelming response as everyone

wanted to try their hand at it.

As evening fell, the stage lit up and

Zedde created a musical buzz keeping

the crowd on their toes. TuBlu started

the evening with his rocking tracks and

got the crowds tapping their feet in

frenzy. The second attraction was the

celebrated Raghu Dixit Project band

which mesmerised the crowds with their

soothing contemporary tracks.

The second day saw more enthusiasts

ride in as the outdoor events were the

main attraction. The proceedings started

Praveen P Sathaye | Royal Enfield



Rider Mania, this year, gave all the riders newer memo-ries besides the feeling of bond-ing with promises to meet again at Rider Mania 2013

......................................................................

......................................................................

negotiating the obstacles with panache.

Music and indoor events continued and

in the afternoon the Celebration Ride

took place where all the motorcycles went

around Vagator thumpimg along in a

strict formation.

A slight interesting version of the

‘Lemon-n-Spoon Race’ was also held

where the rider had to zoom across a

short distance while balancing a lemon

on a spoon in his mouth.

Arm wrestling and beer-guzzling

saw everyone take part with great

enthusiasm. At sundown it was time for

the prize distribution and the DJ played

some peppy tunes to set the mood for

celebration. Soon it was time to bid

goodbye to all the biker brothers and head

back to the hotel for the night.

The next day on 26th November, at

day-break, all the riders rode off towards

their respective destinations. Rider

Mania, this year, gave all the riders newer

memories besides the familiar feeling of

bonding with old friends with promises to

meet again at Rider Mania 2013.

Celebrating the thump that binds all

Royal Field enthusiasts.


with the Dirt Track event which saw the

thundering riders negotiate through

tricky surfaces with skill.

The next event was the ‘Carry your

Bike’ competition where a team of men

ran across a short distance carrying their

Royal Enfields on their shoulders. The

next event showcasing technical skills

was the ‘Assembly Wars’. The evening

saw Shaiir n Func perform on stage,

showcasing their new age music.

Sunday started off with the Trials

event where a difficult course was set

up. The riders rode their motorcycles

Facing Page: Even the youngest of enthusiasts rode out on the Celebration RideTop row from left: The trophies up for grabs • Assembly Wars • Royal Enfield riding gear on display Left: Winners with their trophies Right: Raghu Dixit enthralling the crowdsBottom row from left: The Bikernis at Rider Mania • Muscle power at its best - Carry your Bike competition

Ride Story

ITINERARY : 23rd Sept - 10th Oct

Day 1 : Scrutiny - Lucknow

Day 2 : Lucknow -Dhangadi | 100 kms

Day 3 : Dhangadi - Bardia | 160kms Day 4 : Bardia - Lumbini | 353 kms

Day 5 : Lumbini - Chitwan | 189 kms

Day 6 : Chitwan - Kathmandu | 160 kms

Day 7 : Rest Day in Kathmandu

Day 8 : Kathmandu - Pokhara | 210 kms

Day 9 : Pokhara - Jomsom | 179 kms

Day 10 : Jomsom - Pokhara | 179 kms

Day 11 : Pokhara - Butwal | 166 kms

Day 12 : Butwal - Bardia | 315 kms

Day 13 : Bardia - Lucknow | 260 kms

ROYAL ENFIELD

Tour of Nepal 2012

Riders rode to Dhangadi through Dudhwa National Park in Uttar Pradesh where a few fortunate riders had glimpses of chital, barasingha and fox


RIDE

OUT

he thought of Nepal

brings to one’s mind

high mountains and

trekking spaces.

The riders were exposed to different

experiences in Nepal for 11 days. They

mingled with local people, devoured local

cuisine, learned about their aspirations

and dreams, and saw much of the

countryside that is otherwise unreachable

by other tourists .

The riders got together in Lucknow,

the City of Nawabs, on 28th September.

After the final check-up of the

motorcycles and oil top-ups, everyone

assembled for the motorcycle and riding

gear scrutiny. The riders collected their

T-shirts and prepped up the motorcycles

and helmets with the Royal Enfield Tour

of Nepal 2012 stickers.

On Day 1, riders rode to Dhangadi

through Dudhwa National Park where

a few fortunate riders had glimpses of

antlers and foxes.

Day 2 took them to the Mahendra

T Highway which serves as a lifeline for

Nepal, the two-lane road was good with

no traffic except for villagers carrying

their produce and young boys and girls

going to school. After a sumptuous

lunch, the cavalcade proceeded towards

Bardiya National Park on the same scenic

highway. After reaching Bardiya, some of

the riders went on the jungle safari to get

a closer look at the wildlife.

On the 3rd day, all visited Lumbini,

the birthplace of Lord Buddha to

experience a unique aura of serenity at

this place. The place was not crowded as

anticipated.

Day 4 of the tour began with a ride

through the beautiful mountains and

winding roads to the Riverside Springs

Resort in Chitwan.

Day 5 saw the riders ride out from

Chitwan towards Kathmandu, where

everyone stopped and rested for a day.

The riders rejuvenated their bikes with

some TLC.

Onwards from Kathmandu, the

riders rode out towards the beautiful

town of Pokhara. Everyone spent a good

time socialising with the local crowd and

spent some time shopping around the

town, sightseeing, chatting, and sipping

beers at the Bullet Base Camp - a bar

owned by two Bullet fans.

On the 8th day everyone rode from

Pokhara, onwards to Jomsom and after

spending the night there, rode back to

Pokhara, the nest day. Day 10 was a short

ride again on the countryside highway to

Butwal.

A sense of void creeped in, as the

tour was almost coming to an end with it

came the realisation that everyone would

have to return to their mundane lives.

They reached Bardia from Butwal, the

next day. From Bardia, it was time to ride

back into the Indian territory. All reached

Lucknow, by late evening of 10th October.

Surprisingly, even after such a

long ride, no one was feeling tired and

celebrations followed over dinner with

everyone sharing their stories.

.......................................................................

OCTOBER| NOVEMBER | DECEMBER 2012 15

Santhosh Vijay Kumar | Royal Enfield

N E W S

Royal Enfield Thunderbird 500

O n October 11, 2012,

Highway Cruising got

a new definition with

the launch of the Royal

Enfield Thunderbird

500, in Mumbai. Perhaps one of the

most anticipated models from the

Royal Enfield stable, Thunderbird 500

is poised to enhance the pleasure of

leisure motorcycling amongst the touring

enthusiasts.

Combining distinctive 'black' styling

with a powerful 500 cc Unit Construction

Engine, 27.2 bhp power output being

fed through an electronic fuel injection

system and 41.3 Nm torque built in for

very accessible power- the Thunderbird

500 makes a distinct statement on the

Indian roads racers.

Launching the Thunderbird 500,

Mr Siddhartha Lal, MD & CEO, Eicher

Motors Limited said, “When we launched

the Thunderbird in 2002, it was a one-of-

its kind motorcycle on Indian roads that

redefined the cruiser segment. Over the

years, the Thunderbird brand has built

its own cult following amongst Royal

Enfield customers, as a comfortable

touring motorcycle. Today, with the

launch of the Thunderbird 500 with its

unique 360-degree design language and

its higher powered engine that has our

signature flat torque curve, Royal Enfield

has again upped the ante in leisure

motorcycling. With touring enthusiasts

forming the core of our customer base,

the Thunderbird 500 gives them more

power, comfort and style for long-

distance riding.”

“To complete the Royal Enfield range

of highway cruisers, today we are also

launching the all new Thunderbird 350

that rides on the same design principle as

the Thunderbird 500”, he further added.

......................................................................

"The Thunderbird 500 gives the touring enthusiasts more power, comfort and style for long-distance riding"

......................................................................


MOTORCYCLE

LAUNCH

N E W S

The Thunderbird 500 is characterised

by a 360-degree unique design language

that comprises the visual appeal of the

bike. With an overall black theme, it

comes in three distinct shades: Stone,

understated matte finish and rugged

texture capturing the effortless strength

of the legend; Flicker, blackest of blacks

which stays pure forever and is a fitting

tribute to the rider’s spirit; and Twilight,

an inspired blue-black finish that stands

for the rider who stays steady under the

changing skies. The ‘black’ engine with

machined fins gleams with the black-

chrome-steel finish.

The large 20 litres fuel tank that gives

the bike its muscular look and does away

with the need to stop frequently for fuel.

With a range of over 500 kms in a full

tank, Thunderbird 500 ensures that the

rider enjoys a less interrupted ride.

Royal Enfield also launched a range

of well-crafted, meticulously detailed,

purpose-built motorcycle gear with the

new Thunderbird 500. Designed and

developed, keeping in mind, riding

conditions, customers and Royal Enfield

motorcycles, these accessories add flair to

the riding experience and enhance it.

The inaugural 'BLACK' range of

merchandise, celebrating the launch of

Thunderbird 500 includes biker apparel

and riding gear.

The launch of the motorcycle and

the associated riding gear was launched

subsequently in a pan-India series of

events spread over the month of October.

A dedicated micro-site with

complete 360-degree 3D renderings of

the motorcycle was created to explore

features of the motorcycle.

An interactive programme was also

launched on social media platforms

where popular and prominent riders were

invited to experience the Thunderbird

500. Their views and mentions formed

much of the conversations and chatter

prevalent on the web in the weeks that

followed the launch.

Facing Page: The launch of the Thunderbird Top: Siddhartha Lal, MD & CEO, Eichers Motors detailing the leather jacket donned by Mr Shaji Koshy, Sr VP, Sales & Marketing, Royal EnfieldLeft: The interactive Thunderbird website


18

N E W S

As part of its streamlined production process, improvements and constant efforts towards ensuring that the enthusiasts get to ride more Royal Enfield motorcycles, the Thiruvottiyur factory achieved a record high of production run of 1.00,000 motorcycles for the year 2012 in November.

Royal Enfield crosses 1 lac per annum mark

.........................................................

The year 2012 saw Royal Enfield bag a number of awards to mark its contribution towards motorcycling industry and coming out with the ultimate Highway Cruiser in the form of the Thunderbird 500. The awards bagged were: ET-Zig Wheels - Enthusiast Bike of the Year award above 250 cc - Thunderbird 500; Car/Bike India - Bike of the Year award above 250 cc – Thunderbird 500; NDTV Car & Bike – Bike of the Year award above 250 cc – Thunderbird 350; NDTV Car & Bike – Two Wheeler Manufacturer of the Year award; ET-Zig Wheels – Bike Maker of the Year Award.

Awards & Acolades

Rider's Cafe at Bacardi NH7 Weekender The Bacardi NH7 Weekender is regarded as the ‘happiest music festival’ around, and it witnessed more than 60 bands performing live across six stages in Delhi, Pune and Bangalore in October, November and December respectively. The festival was attended by music lovers from all over India. Royal Enfield added a thump to the festival with the Rider's Cafe present at all the three locations which attracted enthusiasts to experience the Royal Enfield lifestyle. Royal Enfield riders got to ride along from select dealerships across the country and enjoyed some exclusive benefits like parking slots closer to the venue, a quick free service and attention to their motorcycles by our service staff at the venues. The Weekender Music artists at the Cafe checked out the recently launched Royal Enfield Riding Apparel and take the new Thunderbird 500 for a spin! Photo booths were created where fans posed with their favourite motorcycles, a print of which was handed to them for memory. A special attraction at the Bangalore festival was the legendary artisan Mr Jaikumar, the man behind the legendary ‘Madras Stripes’ - the gold pinstriping that adorns the fuel tanks of the Bullet. He enthralled the crowds by giving them a demo of his art. The other big attraction was the presence of a custom bike by one of the leading custom bike makers in that region which also showcased the way an artist can create a masterpiece from a Royal Enfield motorcycle. The New Royal Enfield Electra motorcycle was especially hand-painted by leading artists who were a part of the weekender festival and this motorcycle actually travelled across all three locations and is up for grabs for the person who creates the best track using Royal Enfield's legendary Thump. Get more details on the contest from www.royalenfield.com.


N E W S


1 Aaryan MotorsBadge Complex, Shivaji Nagar, Barshi Road, Beed, Maharashtra – 431122% 02442-223780, 9422745311w [email protected]

2 Ajit MotorsTrimmu Road, Near Government College, Sant Nagar, Gurdaspur, Punjabw [email protected]

3 Ananya Auto C-32, Padmanabh Nagar, Bhopal - 462023 % 0755-4076937w [email protected]

4 Apollo Coaches (P) LtdNH-6, New Kolorah,Between Alampur - Dhulagarh CrossingHowrah, West Bengal - 711302% 033-32971712/3290, 9007040904w [email protected]

5 Bhan’s Automotive Opposite Saturna Bus Stop, Badnera Road, Amravati - 444605% 0721 - 2510636, 9372826999w [email protected]

6 Brahma MotorsShowroom No.1, Epicentre 64-C,Near Shoppers' Stop, Wakdewadi,Shivaji Nagar, Pune - 411005% 020 - 64007799 / 64009977, 7276029900 w [email protected]

7 Frontline AutomotivesBallalbagh , MG Road Mangalore – 575003% 0824-4267573,8861006469w [email protected]

8 Lakshmi Automobiles Plot no : C-6, C-13 Near Rural police station Peddapadu road, Srikakulam-532401% 08942-240345 w [email protected]

9 Maxwheel MotorsN.H. - 34, Chunapur, Berhampore , Murshidabad Land mark - Old cold storage complexWest Bengal- 742101% 9233500220, 9233330200 w [email protected]

a Mundra Motors CoOpp. Aerodrome Gate No.1 Aerodrome Circle, KotaRajasthan –324007% 0744-2361264, 9352602347w [email protected]

b Rishi Motors Door No:26-1-1619, Saptagiri Colony, Near GVRR College, Mini Bypass Road, Nellore-524002w [email protected]

c Shambhavi Automotive Agra4/142, Balugunj,Agra, Uttar Pradesh – 282001

% 0562-2260444, 9412164570w [email protected]

d Shaurya MotorsKanchan Vehicle Complex, Mumbai Agra Highway, Chandanpuri Shivar, Malegaon – 423203 % 02554-231171, 9822116171w [email protected]

e Sohan Auto World13, Neelam Bata road,Near Delight hotel Faridabad, Haryana -121001% 0129-40339352, 9811551530, 9311551530 w [email protected]

f Speed WheelsStation Road, Malda, West Bengal - 732101 % 92335666825, 9434065257, 9733333639, 3512265257w [email protected]

g Sukhmani Motors Pvt. Ltd.Near New Azad BodybuildersZero Mile, PahariPatna, Bihar – 800007% 0612 3297056,8298301718w [email protected]

h M/s Surbhi MotorsGate No 97, Plot No 15, NH-3, Mumbai – Agra Highway Awadhan,Dhule – 424006% 02562-239933,8275591311w [email protected]

i Udai Motors Near Town Bus Stand Town-Junction Road Hanumangarh Town, Rajasthan% 01552-226266 , 9414481053 w [email protected]

j Uniglobe EnterprisesBelow Federal Bank Nyamo Lotha Road Dimapur, Nagaland – [email protected]

New DealershipsWith each passing month, Royal Enfield continues to expand its network across India with the addition of new dealers, with state-of-the-art facilities. This is a part of our endeavour to reach out to our customers and enthusiasts, and address all their motorcycling needs.

20

I N T E R N A T I O N A L

A short ride was conducted by the Madagascar distributor CT Motors. A number of riders turned up for the ride and people who saw them on the road also got a view of the classic motorcycles. Despite being present in the island country not so long ago, Royal Enfield has slowly gained significant popularity amongst riding enthusiasts. Such rides also contribute in terms of increasing popularity in this island country and add to the sales numbers.

Madagascar

.........................................................

A short ride in October was organised for Royal Enfield riders in Singapore in October 2012 by the distributor Universal Motors. The ride not only attracted enthusiasts but also many enquiries from curious bystanders. Such events are instrumental in promoting the motorcycles as well as the Royal Enfield leisure motorcycling culture in Singapore. Members of the Royal Enfield Owners' Club in Singapore also came in large numbers and shared stories of their adventures on their beloved motorcycles over the dinner hosted for them.

Singapore

Japan The land of the rising sun saw Royal Enfield participate in the Import Motorcycle Show in Tokyo where the motorcycles did attract a number of inquisitive visitors. Royal Enfield motorcycles are quite popular in Japan owing to their timeless classic appeal as well as modern technology making them an easy motorcycle to own, ride and maintain. Special test rides were also conducted at Fukushima and Okayama to give the Japanese enthusiasts an insider look into the Royal Enfield experience. These test rides enabled them to get a first hand feel of the motorcycle. Royal Enfield motorcycles were also put up on display at the Kushitani riding gear shop at Shizouka, one of the most prominent riding gear outlets where a number of enthusiasts got an opportunity to see the motorcycles in detail.


Royal Enfield saw a significant boost in activities in Malaysia with participation in the Auto Show here and the invitational ride in Kuala Lumpur. The visitors at the show checked out the motorcycles and were enthralled by the timeless classic appeal of the beautiful machines. Royal Enfield has been present in Malaysia since the beginning of 2012 and has seen significant growth in the popularity of its motorcycles during the year. Royal Enfield motorcycles participated in the Putrajaya Custom Bike Show in Kuala Lumpur where many enthusiasts showcased their immaculate machines to the visitors. Royal Enfield motorcycles also participated in the Big Bike rally held in Malaysia and were invited specially by the ministry for the Independence Day campaign parade in 2012.

..........................................................................................................................................

Malaysia

21


UK Royal Enfield distributors since 1999, Watsonian Squire, has had considerable success creating specials from standard Bullets. For 2013, there are a couple of new kids, or kits, on the block. First is the Bullet Sports kit, which draws its inspiration from the Royal Enfield Crusader Sports model of the late 1950s. It comprises a minimalist flyscreen, ace bars and period bar-end mirrors and is completed by a ‘Gold Star’ type silencer which produces a heavenly, snorting exhaust note.

New Kits on the Block Motor Shows: Royal Enfield Continental GT

Motor shows across the globe saw Royal Enfield showcasing its Cafe Racer, now termed the Continental GT, along with its other motorcycles to enthral motorcycling enthusiasts across the globe. Continental GT was showcased at the EICMA Motor Exhibition in Milan in November 2012, followed by Dallas IMS Show, the NEC Motorcycle Live Show in Birmingham, and then at Long Beach, California in December. The VP of the Royal Enfield USA agency, Classic Motorworks and industry veteran Ron Greene was present at the show to answer various questions of the curious visitors. Although, neither final specification nor its release date have been confirmed, Royal Enfield has taken the opportunity to give international audiences the chance to view what Indian crowds raved about when the concept bike was premiered at the Delhi Auto Expo in January 2012. The Texas show drew 30,000 attendees and the California event almost 50,000. Similar crowds thronged the stalls at the European motor shows where the exhibits introduced them to what Royal Enfield is planning for the year 2013 to cater to its International enthusiasts. “Our stand was so crowded at times that I had to step outside to let more people in,” Ron added. “What is encouraging, is the awareness among American public about Royal Enfield. I’d guess that about 70% of attendees knew something about the brand and the bikes. As we say, the bikes are like they used to be, only better.” Royal Enfield sells around 700 new motorcycles each year in USA. It is hoped that the arrival of the Continental GT, on top of the solid foundations already cemented in place by Classic Motorworks, will soon see annual sales rise to above 1000 bikes annually.


This issue once again sees invaluable contribution from our International Contributing Editor, Gordon May, a celebrated expert of Royal Enfield motorcycles, in the form of happenings in the world of Royal Enfield across the globe.

The other new kit is the T5.This one is homage to Royal Enfield International Six Days Trials (ISDT) bikes of the 1950s. This time, Royal Enfield had the likes of Johnny Brittain aboard a Bullet, and the company achieved remarkable success in this annual event. The kit includes braced off-road handlebars, a substantial alloy sump guard and Continental TKC80 Twinduro tyres, which are widely recognised as being superb both on and off road. Both kits were previewed at the UK’s premier motorcycle show, Motorcycle Live, in November 2012. And, the response from the public was excellent.


1961 250cc Clipper Airflow

T he 1961 250cc Clipper

complete with Airflow

fairing is what we feature in

our flashback section this

issue. The Clipper was in

essence, a detuned Crusader, Redditch’s

unit construction utility motorcycle that

first saw light of day in 1957.

Over the following decade, it would

evolve into the Crusader Sports and

form the basis of the Super-5 (with 5

speed gearbox and leading-link forks),

Crusader Trials, and the Continental and

Continental GT cafe racers.

The name, Clipper, had previously

been used on a number of model variants,

all of which were the factory's low-cost,

economical commuter offerings. Whereas

the standard Crusader, and more

desirable Crusader Sports models of the

same year, sported alloy cylinder heads

and offered tuned performance, the

Clipper had a cast iron barrel and head

and produced a humble 13 bhp. It did,

however, cost £20 less than the standard

model and £40 less than the Sports. The

Airflow fairing’s roots lie in a joint project

Royal Enfield entered into with The

Motor Cycle magazine.

In 1956 a standard 350 Bullet was

shrouded in a beautifully designed fibre-

glass full enclosure so that economy and

performance tests could be carried out.

The bike, a one-off, was known as The

Dreamliner. Results were astonishing,

with tests in 1957 revealing improved

petrol consumption right through the

range (at 30 mph, 126 mpg compared

with an ‘un-faired’ version putting

out 102 mpg and at 60 mph, 74 mpg

compared with an ‘un-faired’ 55 mpg.)

Furthermore, the top speed increased by

7 mph, more than ten per cent. Test riders

reported excellent weather protection

......................................................................

The Clipper was, in es-sence, a detuned Crusader, Red-ditch’s unit construction utility motorcycle that first saw light of the day in 1957......................................................................


Gordon May

FLASHBACK


and improved comfort for long distance

riding.

Royal Enfield went on to develop its

own streamlining system, the Airflow,

comprising a full-length dolphin-type

fairing and matching sprung mudguard.

Released on the big twin models

in 1958, by 1959 it was available as an

optional extra on all new machines.

Contemporary advertising declared a

20% improvement in fuel efficiency and

almost 100% weather protection. From

that year, every Royal Enfield model came

with lugs so that Airflow fairings could

easily be added at a later date.

The Clipper costed £189 and 18s in

1961. Fitting an Airflow fairing added

a further £25 and17s. The 248cc unit

construction engine had a bore and

stroke of 70 x 64.5mm. A Lucas 6 Volts

alternator provided the power and DC coil

ignition the sparks. The Clipper weighed

in at 138.6 kg.

A net 8 kg was added by the fitting of

an Airflow fairing and front mudguard.

There was ample storage space in the

fairing’s bulkhead. A Smiths 80 mph

Speedometer was fitted.

The motorcycle featured here had left

the Redditch factory in 1961 and went to

an army Major who used it as his daily

transport for many years. The machine

is painted in Mist Gray, an uncommon

tone used only on 1961 Clippers. Previous

models had been Cherry Red and the

following year saw a change to a two-tone

burgundy and cream colour scheme.

Built for economy, the Clipper is light

to ride and its exhaust tone is muted in

comparison to the bark of the Crusader

Sports.

The motorcycle is part of an illustrious

collection of Mervyn Panning, a former

Royal Enfield Redditch employee.

Mervyn’s connection with Royal Enfield

covers almost 60 years, both as a rider

and a worker. He joined the Redditch

Company as an apprentice in 1955, aged

15, and spent time in many different

departments learning his craft.

Facing Page: Clipper in its grandeur Top: Mervyn Panning with his Clipper AirflowLeft: A closer look at the immaculate detailing on the Clipper


24

S H O W C A S E


ROYAL ENFIELD

GEAR At this year’s Auto Expo, we had unveiled the range of accessories slated for a launch. These are now available through some of our select dealerships and Brand Stores across India. Here’s a sneak peek into some our exciting new products.

Leather Casual Jacket

• Genuine leather shell with antique finish• Dual colour panelling• Antique brass YKK Zipper• Quilted arms

............................................................

Short Riding Gloves

• Genuine leather• Pre-curved fingers• Sure grip palm• Adjustable cuff• Polyster brushed inner

lining• Carbon fibre protectors

at knuckles• Carbon fibre protectors

on fingers• EVA padding• 3M scotchlite reflectors

Lapel Pins

• Legendary 'trip' motif• Royal Enfield logo

• Contemporary RE Winged logo• Durable brass metal

• Hand-filled pigment ink•Collectible value

BUY

NOW

royal enfield rider mania 2012 tour of nepal 2012

Documents