The first Royal Enfield motorcycle was produced in 1901, but the truth is that the brand’s founders had been working on this project many years earlier, designing and producing motorised vehicles such as four-wheeled bicycles and later motor quadricycles.
The first motorcycle under the Royal Enfield name was built in Redditch, in the United Kingdom, designed by R. W. Smith and the Frenchman Jules Gotiet. “It has a 1 1/2 HP Minerva engine mounted at the front of the steering head. Final drive is to the rear wheel via a long rawhide leather belt,” as described on the brand’s official website.
Years later, the company expanded its production and, with it, its range of models. In 1926, the Sports Model 351 was launched, the first Royal Enfield 350cc OHV four-stroke motorcycle with a foot-operated gear change, powered by a JAP engine. That same year, a model specially designed for women was also introduced — in this case, a 2-stroke 225cc motorcycle.
The 1930s began with the presentation of a varied range of eleven models, and in 1932 the legendary Bullet was born, one of the brand’s most iconic motorcycles, available in three engine sizes. In 1935, a 500cc Bullet competed in the Isle of Man TT. Ridden by Cecil Barrow, it achieved eighth place with an average speed of 74 mph.
During World War II, Royal Enfield produced large quantities of motorcycles and bicycles, including the emblematic 125cc Airborne, known as the Flying Flea — a 2-stroke 125cc motorcycle that could be carried in a parachute cradle specially built for the occasion and dropped behind enemy lines alongside paratroopers.
In 1949, Royal Enfield launched in India, which purchased around 750 Bullet motorcycles for its army. In 1955, the company Madra Motors obtained a license to manufacture this model in India, leading to the creation of Enfield India Limited. During the 1960s, new models were introduced such as the Interceptor 750 and the iconic Continental GT Café Racer, aimed at giving the brand a more youthful and attractive direction.
The 1990s were a decade of change: new bikes, new owners, a new attitude. A whole tourism industry developed around the classic and iconic Bullet. Different travel agencies organised group rides to places such as the Himalayas and the Rajasthan desert. In 2011, the company held its first annual ‘One Ride’ event, encouraging Royal Enfield riders worldwide to go for a ride on the first Sunday of April.
The brand has continued its journey over the past decade, and last year it celebrated 120 years of Pure Motorcycling.
