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JANUARY | FEBRUARY | MARCH 2014

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Royal Enfield Tour of Rajasthan 2014Continental GT Burn-Ups

24 GETAWAYS

THE ROYAL RIDERS AGRA

FLASHBACK : MOTO-X SCRAMBLER

inside02 Upcoming Rides

• Himalayan Odyssey

• Himalayan REunion

04 Keep Riding• 24 Getaways

12 Marquee Ride• Royal Enfield Tour of

Rajasthan 2014

18 Burn Up • Royal Enfield Continental GT Burn

Up

20 Club Profile • Royal Riders Agra

22 News• GT Awards

• New Dealerships

24 International • Royal Enfield Sri Lanka Ride 2014

• Royal Enfield Legend:

Roger Boss

• Flashback: Royal Enfield

Moto-X scrambler

K I C K S T A R T

T he year 2014 started with a bang for Royal Enfi eld, with the recently-launched Continental GT winning

numerous awards, including the 'Motorcycle of the Year 2014', from leading automobile magazines. With each passing month, more and more models are being churned out of the RE stable, and the new factory at Orragadam is working round-the-clock to produce more of the legendary motorcycle to meet the ever-increasing demand of riding enthusiasts.

January saw Republic Day being observed across India with motorcycle rides and rallies, aimed to promote safe riding and celebrate the occasion. This issue also has snippets from rides that were organised across the world under the ‘Keep Riding’ initiative from RE. These events also help to connect enthusiasts with RE staff and encourage them to participate in such rides in the future. With the ‘Riding to Ladakh’ season just around the corner, we also have details of two of the most important upcoming rides from RE. The RE Himalayan Odyssey 2014 and the Himalayan REunion 2014 will bring to riders an unforgettable experience in the coming months.

This issue features the story of the fi rst major ride this year, the Tour of Rajasthan. Riders set out on this desert adventure to leave tread marks on sand and bring back great memories. There is also a feature on one of the popular Royal Enfi eld clubs in India, Royal Riders Agra. A detailed list of all dealerships which have been inaugurated in the fi rst quarter is also put up in the Dealer News section. The International section brings to you news from RE across the globe and features a vintage model in the Flashback section.

We also have the story of the Royal Enfi eld legend, Roger Boss, the man behind many successful models and initiatives from Royal Enfi eld in the UK. We look forward to your contributions and feedback on the new look and on the articles you have been reading. Do send us a mail with your views on thebeat@royalenfi eld.com.

Editorial TeamThe Beat

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Editorial Team: Praveen P Sathaye,

Abhijit Brar, Shaji Koshy, Swati Mitra,

Geetika Sachdev

International Contributing Editor:

Gordon May

Published by: Royal Enfield,

A Unit of Eicher Motors Limited

Gurgaon

Do send us your feedback at

[email protected]

JANUARY | FEBRUARY| MARCH 2014 1

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Republic Day was observed with

much fervour with numerous Royal

Enfield riders and enthusiasts coming

out and celebrating the occasion by

riding together from many dealerships

and showrooms

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

Himalayan Odyssey 2014, the 11th

edition of the ride, will take the riders through

three mountain ranges and six passes −

reaching a dizzying height of 18,380 feet at

Khardung La pass

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Considered the holy grail of all

motorcycle rides in India, the 11th edition of the Himalayan Odyssey, will take you through three mountain ranges and six passes − reaching a dizzying height of 18,380 feet at Khardung La pass. The sense of pride begins in New Delhi itself , where an impressive fl ag-off ceremony marks the commencement of the ride and this sense of pride remains till the last rider rolls back into New Delhi for the grand fi nale. This year, 75 riders will be part of this adventure of a lifetime. The Himalayan Odyssey is so action-packed that it feels like several rides packed into one. Starting off in the sweltering heat of the northern Indian plains, the ride gradually enters the hilly terrain with its tantalising curves.

There is every possibility that you could be drenched in the monsoon showers. By the time you start enjoying the solitude of the hills, you reach Leh, the high-altitude oasis in the stark and barren landscape of Ladakh. Nubra Valley exposes you to the more gentle and idyllic side of Ladakh, while Spiti Valley in Himachal Pradesh opens up another geographical dimension altogether. For some, a ride to Ladakh and Spiti marks the transformation from boyhood to manhood, while for the others it may be from manhood to childhood. The ride is recommended for experienced Royal Enfi eld riders. To know more about the Himalayan Odyssey 2014, please drop in a mail to Robinson Rajkumar G at grrajkumar@royalenfi eld.com


REGISTER

NOW

ROYAL ENFIELD

HimalayanOdyssey2014

.................................................................To know more about the Himalayan Odyssey, please email

Robinson Rajkumar G on [email protected]

Day 1 : Scrutiny and Briefing - New Delhi

Day 2 : New Delhi - Parwanoo | 276 kms

Day 3 : Parwanoo - Narkanda | 158 kms

Day 4 : Narkanda - Kalpa | 213 kms

Day 5 : Kalpa - Kaza | 210 kms

Day 6 : Kaza

Day 7 : Kaza - Keylong | 188 kms

Day 8 : Keylong- Sarchu | 160 kms

Day 9 : Sarchu - Leh | 178 kms

Day 10 : Leh - Himalayan REunion

Day 11 : Leh

Day 12 : Leh - Hunder | 130 kms

Day 13 : Hunder - Leh| 130 kms

Day 14 : Leh - Tso Kar| 154 kms

Day 15 : Tso Kar-Keylong | 240 kms

Day 16 : Keylong - Manali | 130 kms

Day 17: Manali-Chandigarh | 320 kms

Day 18: Chandigarh-New Delhi | 240 kms

ITINERARY : 20th June – 7th July 2014

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This June will see Ladakh, the holy land

of the lamas, come alive to the beat of a thousand thumps as RE celebrates the Himalayan REunion 2014. This annual motorcycling meet is organised by Royal Enfi eld for diehard fans. Besides a musical extravaganza, the action-packed weekend will see various motorcycle-related events with many attractive prizes to be won. The meet will include team events like ‘Assembly Wars’ and ‘Carry Your Bike’, which will test sheer physical strength and knowledge of the enthusiasts, and the popular individual event ‘Slow Race’ that tests the riding skills of the participants. The major attraction at the REunion will be the riders of the Himalayan Odyssey, riding into the venue, as part of their celebratory 11th edition ride.

The Himalayan Odyssey riders will make a detour to the REunion venue, before they continue their epic ride to conquer the rugged mountains. Registrations for the event will open in May 2014. For more details, log on to the Royal Enfi eld website. For all riders headed to Ladakh for the ‘Highest Royal Enfi eld Get-Together', assistance in terms of accommodation and route planning will be provided. Technical assistance will also be provided, since motorcycles would need some R&R after riding through the challenging terrain. Save your dates for 29th June, when Leh will host the ‘Highest Gathering’ of RE motorcycles. Be there!! For more information on the Himalayan REunion 2014, please mail Adarsh Saxena at asaxena3@royalenfi eld.com


REGISTER

NOW

ROYAL ENFIELD

HimalayanREunion 2014

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To know more about the Royal Enfield

REunion North, write in to Adarsh Saxena on

[email protected]

Day 1 : Ride in, events and ride out

ITINERARY : 29th June 2014

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

The REunion will be a high point,

both in location and in scale

4 JANUARY | FEBRUARY | MARCH 20144

K E E P R I D I N G

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Republic Day Ride: Mumbai R1

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Mumbai to Dapoli M3

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Getaways

Republic Day is one of those occasions when the RE Brand Stores in Bandra, Mumbai witnesses massive footfalls. Enthusiastic RE riders from all walks of life get together every year to celebrate the occasion and promote safe riding. This year, about 500 riders assembled outside the store early morning to begin the commemorative ride. They started from Bandra and then rode towards south Mumbai. The staff of the Bandra Stores also participated in the special ride, and extended all their support to the riders. The participants rode for 60 km before ending the ride. The array of RE motorcycles roaring down the streets of Mumbai, was a spectacular sight.<For more such rides from Mumbai, email Harshil Desai on hjdesai@royalenfi eld.com>

The following rides were organised by Royal Enfi eld across the country under the ‘Keep Riding’ initiative, to encourage enthusiasts to ride out on their motorcycles

24

With the advent of spring, it was time again for RE riders to head to the famous beach resort of Dapoli on their steeds. On 8th March 2014, the 600-km ride began from the Bandra Stores with 28 riders. Led by Adesh and Vishal from the Bandra Stores, the ride commenced after the fl ag-off at the Mumbai-Goa highway (NH-17). The riders headed westwards until they reached the coast. After reaching Dapoli, they lined up their bikes on the beach for a photo session. The riders stayed the night at a resort and shared endless stories of adventure they have had on previous rides. Next morning, they started back for Mumbai and after a long day's ride rolled back into the city with its hustle and bustle to greet them. <For more such rides from Mumbai, email Harshil Desai on hjdesai@royalenfi eld.com>

The RE Brand Stores in Mumbai organised yet another ride on 8th February 2014, when 15 riders rode out to the quaint hamlet of Bhandardara, about 185 kms from Mumbai. After leaving Mumbai, the riders rode northwards on the NH-3 towards Nashik and passed through Igatpuri, before reaching their destination, Bhandardara. The riders left for Mumbai the next morning. The 550-km ride was led by Harshil, Vijay and Sunil from the Bandra Stores. <For more such rides from Mumbai, email Harshil Desai on hjdesai@royalenfi eld.com>

Mumbai to BhandardaraM2

JANUARY| FEBRUARY | MARCH 2014

On the occasion of India’s Republic Day, 18 enthusiastic RE riders started their journey on 26th January 2014 from Udaipur to Alsigarh, led by the Udaipur showroom proprietors, Mr & Mrs Jatin Gandhi. The riders set out early in the morning from the showroom at Dore Nagar in Udaipur and traversed across the city towards the village of Alsigarh, often described as nature’s paradise. Located approximately 35 kms from Udaipur and nestled in the foothills of the Aravalli range, Alsigarh off ers breathtaking views, as it is surrounded by small hillocks. The ride was even more special, because of the lush greenery all through the route. After the ride, the bikers returned to the Udaipur showroom and dispersed after the fi nal re-group. <To join more such rides from Udaipur, email Ashwani Karadia on akaradia@royalenfi eld.com>

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Republic Day Ride: Udaipur to Alsigarh

On 9th February 2014, Cruiser Motors, the RE dealer from Rajapuri, New Delhi organised the fi rst-ever ride from his showroom under the 'Keep Riding' initiative. The event saw a turnout of 16 riders, with most of them being fi rst-timers. The ride commenced from the showroom and headed towards Murthal on the NH-1. The array of motorcycles on this ride ranged from the ubiquitous Bullet to the latest Continental GT. After two hours on the highway, the riders halted for breakfast at Sukhdev Dhaba near Murthal. After having their fi ll, they rode back to Delhi late in the afternoon. <For more such rides from New Delhi, email Anil Goyal on agoyal@royalenfi eld.com>

Ride from Rajapuri: New Delhi to MurthalR5

K E E P R I D I N G

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R4

On 16th March 2014, North Delhi Motorcycles, the new dealership at Saraswati Vihar, organised its maiden ride under the ‘Keep Riding’ initiative. The chosen destination was a popular breakfast point in Murthal on NH-1. The ride began at 7 am, it was a beautiful morning, bright and crisp, and one could sense the spring in the air. The ride was led by Saurabh Kaushik with support from Vipin, and after the customary briefi ng at the showroom and demonstration of safe riding techniques, the riders took off in a clean formation and headed out towards the highway. They reached Murthal at 9 am, and after a hearty breakfast and discussions about their bikes and rides, the riders were ready to return to Delhi. Kitting up, they now mounted their steeds and then rode back to Delhi. At the last re-group, the riders got together and after the goodbyes left with plans of riding on the open highways in the future.

<For more such rides from New Delhi, email Anil Goyal on agoyal@royalenfi eld.com>

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6 Ride from Saraswati Vihar: New Delhi to Murthal

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On 29th March 2014, passionate RE riders from Ahmedabad ventured out of the city for an adventurous weekend to the surreal white desert, the Rann of Kutch. A group of 22 riders assembled at Sarabhai Motors in Ahmedabad, and covered close to 80 kms by sunrise. The fi rst break was at a local dhaba, where the riders stopped for quick tea and breakfast and checked their bikes before they ventured ahead. After another quick break, the riders headed to Zainabad. They reached their destination by afternoon, just in time for lunch and feasted on delicious Gujarati food. After riding for nearly two more hours, it was time to call it a day and head back to the resort for the night. The riders set out for Ahmedabad the next morning.

<For more such rides from Ahmedabad, email Bhavesh Patel on bpatel@royalenfi eld.com>

Ahmedabad to Little Rann of Kutch

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Bharuch to Saputura

On 9th February 2014, 18 RE riders began their journey from Bharuch to Saputara in Gujarat. Although there was a nip in the air, the riders were keen to venture out on their bikes, as part of the ‘Keep Riding’ initiative, organised by Vraj Auto. Literally fl ying on their 350 and 500 cc mean machines, the riders covered about 90 kms on NH- 8, before they stopped for their fi rst break. After a quick bite, the group decided to take an adventurous detour and went off -road into a dirt trail. After reaching Saputara, the riders rested for the day. Next morning, it was time to head back to Bharuch with memories of an unforgettable adventure. <For more such rides from Bharuch, email Bhavesh Patel on bpatel@royalenfi eld.com>

The fi rst RE Burn-Up in Ahmedabad was held on 29th March 2014 and 11 Rockers turned up for this ride on their Continental GT bikes. The Burn-Up’s are exclusive rides for Café Racers, where the riders hop from from one cafe to another on their bikes, reliving the swinging 60s. The riders assembled early in the morning on the Sarkhej-Gandhinagar highway. Although the number of Continental GTs in this region is quite small, a sizeable number showed up for this ride. The riders rode to Qwiches Café located in the posh Navrangpura area of the city. After a quick bite, they headed to their next hangout, Shambhu’s Coff ee Bar, another popular eatery in the same area. After the Burn-Up, the riders left for their homes after experiencing Rocker Lifestyle so closely. <For more such rides from Ahmedabad, email Bhavesh Patel on bpatel@royalenfi eld.com>

Burn Up: Ahmedabad

K E E P R I D I N G

JANUARY| FEBRUARY | MARCH 2014 7

On 21st February 2014, 20 riders set out on a ride to Ranthambore, as part of the Royal Bikers Club ride from Kaytee Automobiles, the RE dealer in New Delhi. The ride kicked off at 6:30 am and within no time they reached their fi rst pit stop for breakfast. Rocking the roads of Rajasthan and thundering down the NH-8 by mid-afternoon, the riders eventually stopped for lunch at Dausa and feasted on authentic Rajasthani food, after having covered close to 300 kms. After lunch, as soon as the riders hit the highway, there was heavy downpour, relieving them from the scorching heat. The next day, the riders visited the Ranthambore Fort and the Ranthambore National Park. The next morning, they left for Delhi and reached the city by 5 pm. <For more such rides from Delhi, mail Anil Goyal on agoyal@royalenfi eld.com>

Essar Motors, an RE dealer in New Delhi, organised a two day trip to Lansdowne in Uttarakhand, about 250 kms from the capital. A total of 15 riders assembled outside Bhairav Mandir near Old Fort on 8th March 2014 at 4 am for the ride. The fi rst stopover was at Bijnor, about 160 kms from Delhi, for breakfast around 9 am, and the riders eventually reached Lansdowne by 1 pm. After checking-in into the Blue Pine Resort and having lunch, the group visited the famous War Memorial, Regimental Museum and the parade grounds. The evening was fun-fi lled with music and bonfi re, followed by dinner at the hotel. The next morning, after a beautiful sunrise, the riders started their journey back to New Delhi.

<For more such rides from New Delhi, mail Anil Goyal on agoyal@royalenfi eld.com>

The Brand Stores in Jaipur organised one of its greatest rides on 26th January 2014. A total of 80 RE motorcycles and well over 100 enthusiasts and riders with pillions, graced the roads of Jaipur. The riders went past several landmarks of Jaipur in an impressive formation, creating a grand spectacle for onlookers The sight of numerous RE motorcycles thundering together in a formation, climbing on to the winding twisties of Nahargarh, was indeed a remarkable sight. The highlight of the ride was the special commemorative T-Shirts that all the riders wore, to promote brotherhood and celebrate this special occasion. The ride was led by the only Continental GT on road in Rajasthan, a fi tting inaugural ride for our best motorcycle yet. <For more such rides from Jaipur, email Sunny Soral on ssoral@royalenfi eld.com>

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Republic Day Ride: Jaipur

Delhi to Ranthambore 11

Delhi to LansdowneEssar M

D12

K E E P R I D I N G

Th B

R10


K E E P R I D I N G

On 26th January 2014, around 83 Royal Enfi eld riders celebrated the Republic Day with a ride, which commenced from the Royal Enfi eld Brand Stores in Nishatganj area in Lucknow. The ride kicked off at 9: 45 am after a fl ag-hoisting ceremony. The group rode past the iconic sites of the city and covered close to 65 kms during the day. The ride culminated at the Missionaries of Charity, Prem Niwas, Sapru Marg in Lucknow. The riders' then left for their homes with a strong sense of admiration and solidarity.

<For more such rides from Lucknow, email Piyush Gupta on pgupta4@royalenfi eld.com>

Republic Day Ride: Lucknow O 6

R13

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On 14th February 2014, a group of 10 enthusiastic RE riders started their journey to Katerniaghhat Wildlife Sanctuary, about 170 kms from the RE Brand Stores in Lucknow. This lesser-known Wildlife Sanctuary is situated near the Nepal border in the Terai region and is a part of the Dudhwa Tiger Reserve. The Sanctuary, established in May 1976, comprises six divisions. Katernia, Nishangara, Murthia and Dharmpur are part of the core area and the two others are in the buff er zone, and are inhabited by Tharu tribals. The adventurous route took the riders up north towards Lakhimpur Kheri via Kairabad and then towards Nighasan Road near the jungle camp. The riders returned to Lucknow the next day, with wonderful memories of forest roads and lush greenery. <For more such rides from Lucknow, email Piyush Gupta on pgupta4@royalenfi eld.com>

Lucknow to Katerniaghat Wildlife SanctuaryL14

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On 19th March 2014, a group of enthusiastic riders from Lucknow began their epic journey to Nepal. On the fi rst day, the riders rode out to Butwal and the next day started at 8:30 am for Pokhara, about 165 kms from Butwal. Taking short breaks of 15-30 minutes after every 50 kms, the riders came across the Roadside Cafe, where there was internet connectivity that helped them to touch base with their friends and family. On the third day, they set out from Pokhara towards the sunrise viewpoint, located at Sarangkot village at an altitude of 1,600 m, which aff ords breathtaking views of Dhawalagiri and the Annapurna range. The journey resumed at 7 am on the fourth day from Beni and the riders rode along the Kali Gandhaki river. The riders then returned to Lucknow with some great memories of the ride.

<For more such rides from Lucknow, email Piyush Gupta on pgupta4@royalenfi eld.com>

Lucknow to Nepal L15

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Royal Enfi eld

K E E P R I D I N G


On 21st February 2014, The Royal Riders from the RE dealership in Ferozpur, Royal Hut, embarked on their ride up north and into the mountains. Starting early in the morning, the riders headed on their journey towards the famous hill-station of Kasol in Himachal Pradesh. They rode up through the hilly terrain via Dharamsala, Palampur, Mandi, Kullu and fi nally reached Kasol. The scenic road took them over a distance of 570 kms, but it was an exhilarating ride for all the riders. It was indeed a memorable experience for them to ride under the shadow of the magnifi cent snow-clad peaks, with the wheels thundering down the tantalising curves of the famed Parvati valley. The highlight of this journey was the ride through the tunnels and experiencing the snowfl akes, with the wind lashing against their faces. <For more such rides from Ferozpur, email Aniket Ganjoo on aganjoo@royalenfi eld.com>

On 14th March 2014, a group of eight enthusiastic RE riders set out from Jalandhar to Solang Valley on their beloved motorcycles, to mark the end of winter. The riders began their journey towards Hoshiarpur, from where they rode towards Ner Chowk on the national highway. The weather was really pleasant for a ride on this early spring day. Riding up from Mandi and Bhuntar, the riders reached the Solang Valley by the end of the day and then rested for the evening. The next day, they explored the region before leaving for their home on 16th March, having covered a distance of 840 kms in three days.

<For more such rides from Jalandhar, email Sanjeev Thakur on sthakur@royalenfi eld.com>

Eight riders from Hoshiarpur embarked on a commemorative ride on Republic Day to explore the snow-clad mountains of this region, and celebrate the special occasion. On 25th January 2014, the riders ventured out on the winding twisties and rode through the chilly wind, as they headed towards Bir Billing. The roads and dense forests through which the trails run boast of many adventurous routes for motorcyclists. The riders covered a distance of 538 kms and clicked pictures wherever they took a break. Carrying a tricolor with them, they spread the word of patriotism all through their ride. After the completion of the ride on 26th January, the riders returned to their base with some unforgettable memories and sights.

<For more such rides from Hoshiarpur, email Sanjeev Thakur on sthakur@royalenfi eld.com>

Republic Day Ride: HoshiarpurR16

Ferozpur to Kasol F17

Jalandhar to Solang Valley JJ18

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K E E P R I D I N G

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The Valentine’s Day weekend saw a group of 21 RE riders venturing out of Phagwara in Punjab to Jhatingri Mandi in Himachal Pradesh. Situated at an altitude of 6,600 feet above sea level, and located about 12 kms from the township of Joginder Nagar, Jhantingri Mandi can be reached through Urla on the Mandi-Pathankot National Highway (NH-154). The road to Jhatingri is lined with majestic pine and deodar trees, and the small town boasts of a palace that was inhabited by the kings of this region. The ride commenced from the Khalsa Automobiles showroom, near Amar Palace in Phagwara on 15th February 2014, and culminated in the same town, after the riders had covered a distance of 486 Kms over the weekend. <For more such rides from Phagwara, email Sanjeev Thakur on sthakur@royalenfi eld.com>

Phagwara to Jhatingri Mandi h

P19

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On 9th March 2014, 15 riders assembled at Kayjee Engineers in Secunderabad to embark on a ride to Medak Church, about 100 kms from the city. The renowned Medak church, located in Medak in Andhra Pradesh, is the largest church in the state and said to be the second largest in the world after the Vatican. It is one of the fi nest examples of Gothic architecture in India and can seat up to 5,000 people. Legend goes that the church was built when a famine struck the region during World War I. Moved by the plight of the locals, Reverend Charles Walker Posnett proposed to build a church there in 1914, and it took more than ten years to complete this impressive structure. After visiting the church, the riders headed back to Secunderabad. <For more such rides from Secunderabad, email K Venkata Dinesh on kvdinesh@royalenfi eld.com>

Secunderabad to Medak Church S20

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On 23rd March 2014, a group of 18 enthusiastic riders from Jaipur headed towards the quaint town of Pushkar on their thumping motorcycles. The ride started with much fanfare, with the cavalcade of motorcycles thundering down the NH-8 from Jaipur and towards Ajmer, fi nally riding into the narrow bylanes of Pushkar. This ride covering around 300 kms from Jaipur to Pushkar and back, was just in time to celebrate one of the last weekends, before winter came to an end. The roads ranged from highways to broken roads with tricky surfaces. The highlight of this ride was the Royal Enfi eld Continental GT motorcycle, which stole the show because of its unique style and the history associated with it. The riders returned the next day with some great memories of the ride.

<For more such rides from Jaipur, email Sunny Soral on ssoral@royalenfi eld.com>

Jaipur to PushkarO

J21

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Royal Enfi eld

K E E P R I D I N G

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On 21st February 2014, 11 riders on their RE motorcycles started from Jammu towards Kasol in Himachal Pradesh. The riders started at 10 am from the RE showroom in Jammu and rode through the spectacular tea gardens in Palampur and then along the mesmerising Mandi-Manali highway. After about 10 hours of riding through some beautiful countryside across hills and winding roads, they reached their destination. The next morning, the riders headed towards Tosh, the last village in the majestic Parvati Valley. They passed through snow-laden roads and eventually had to stop a few kilometres before Tosh, as the road was completely blocked by snow. Next morning. all the riders started their journey back home with beautiful memories of Kasol and the unforgettable ride. <For more such rides from Jammu, email Sumveg Bakshi on sbakshi@royalenfi eld.com>

Winding roads, hilly terrain, breathtaking views, pleasant weather and one hell of a ride to Kasol was what more than 80 riders experienced when fi ve groups of riders met here on 21st February 2014. A group of over 20 riders from Chandigarh, more than 30 riders from Punjab and about 30 riders from Himachal and J&K. All of them assembled at the hotel where they were staying after riding for 12 hours. Next day was reserved for local sightseeing and a visit to Manikaran Sahib, that is also famous for hot water springs. The riders enjoyed the natural sauna before heading back to their base in Kasol. On the way back, all the riders rode together with unforgettable memories, and the camaraderie between them was worth seeing. <For more such rides from north India, email Dilsher Singh Buttar on dsbuttar@royalenfi eld.com>

On 17th January 2014, a group of seven riders started from Ludhiana in Punjab to Mashobra in Himachal Pradesh. This was the fi rst ride organised by the regional team in Punjab and what better way to start the year than ride to the mountains. The ride kicked off on a cold day in Ludhiana, with temperatures plummeting below 8 degrees celsius. After covering a distance of nearly 200 kms, the riders reached Mashobra in the evening. The group woke up the next morning, only to fi nd everything bathed in snow. The riders then headed to Chail, where they tackled some slippery roads, and were looking forward to the adventure ahead. At the end of this ride, the group returned to their homes with some great memories to share with their folks and friends.

<For more such rides from Ludhiana, email Dilsher Singh Buttar on dsbuttar@royalenfi eld.com>

Ludhiana to Mashobra L22

Jammu to Kasol J23

Joint ride to Kasol JJJJ24

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M A R Q U E E R I D E

Riding through the historic alleys of

Bikaner is an unforgettable experience for

any rider

y excitement levels kept rising, as the days drew close to

the ‘Royal Enfi eld Tour of Rajasthan 2014’, as this was my fi rst ride with Royal Enfi eld. The much-awaited moment arrived when I reached Jaipur a few days before the ride. The preparations for the ride started the moment I checked in at Hotel Teej. The hotel was buzzing with activity and the sound of thumps as the motorcycles were being scrutinised. All that was required was quick tuning and mandatory service checks, and the machines were ready to roll. There was a short briefi ng on the aspects of riding. The next day, it was time for the fl ag-off ceremony. The riders were up and ready to ride to the Royal Enfi eld Brand Stores in Jaipur, the

M starting point of the ride. On reaching the showroom, the traditional Rajasthani safa (turban) was tied on our heads. The Guest of Honour was the Additional SP of Jaipur, who delivered a speech and offi cially fl agged-off the ride. A convoy of RE riders from Jaipur led us through the streets of the city, accompanying us till we hit the national highway. A small detour from the highway and we instantly went off -roading to get the feel of how our machines coped on diff erent terrains. The track continued for a while till Mahansar, and after a few re-groups on the highway, we fi nally arrived at one of the many heritage hotels during this tour, where we spent the night. On Day 3, we headed towards Bikaner. Bikaner is known for its

.................................................................................................G Robinson Rajkumar | Sarath Shenoy

JANUARY | FEBRUARY | MARCH 2014 13


We stopped at the legendary

Bullet Baba Temple at Pali.

Imagine a 350 cc Bullet

standing with pride like a god,

with garlands around it

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exploded. After the fi rst re-group, we were looking forward to the next one at Longewala, the site of the India-Pakistan War of 1971. We were honoured to meet the BSF Post Chief and spend some time with him. After a long ride, we reached our campsite in Sam. The Sam sand dunes are part of the great Thar Desert and it would have been pointless to visit Sam and miss the desert safari. The day ended with traditional Rajasthani folk music and dance.

Day 7 took us to Jodhpur through the country roads of Shetrawa, which has farm land on both sides. It was then that we decided to give our bikes a day’s rest at Jodhpur. On Day 8, with some time to spare, we visited the magnifi cent Mehrangarh Fort, situated at a height of 400 feet above the city. On Day 9, we were recharged and proceeded towards Kumbhalgarh. We had a re-group at the famous Bullet Baba Temple near Pali. This legendary temple features on the must-visit list of every Royal Enfi eld

rider. After a visit to the temple, the group was back on their bikes after a much-needed tea break, and then proceeded to Kumbhalgarh Fort. The road to Kumbhalgarh winded up and down the hills, and the riders made full use of the tarmac, although a few still missed riding the dunes.

On Day 10, after a short briefi ng in the morning, we were off to Ajmer and soon the winding roads came to an end and we hit the highway and reached our destination. On the last day of our ride, we rode back to Jaipur on the national highway, which seemed like a lifeless straight stretch of tarmac. To everyone’s surprise, we got a chance to ride over the Sambhar, India's largest inland salt lake, which brought us back to life and we completed our ride at Hotel Teej, Jaipur. The next day, as the riders departed for their homes, it was time to bid adieu and look forward to riding again with newfound friends.

local delicacies and its unique fl avour, so we left no opportunity to gorge on authentic Rajasthani food. On Day 4, we took the up-country road with patches of sand, to raise our excitement levels, before we reached our fi rst re-group point at the famous Karni Mata Mandir. We then proceeded to our campsite in the sand dunes of the village of Jamba. The locals asked us to be cautious, as wildlife like the spotted deer or the endangered black buck, could obstruct our paths while riding. Day 5 saw us riding towards Jaisalmer, past the Kichan Lake. We took a break at the Kichan Lake to admire the migratory cranes and then rode past Pokaran, which is an apex research and testing site of the Indian nuclear programme, before reaching Jaisalmer. Day 6 took us on our ride towards Sam and we had our fi rst re-group at the Tanot Mata Mandir, close to the India-Pakistan border. It is believed that during the Indo-Pak War of 1965, the Pakistani Army dropped bombs on the temple, but none of them


3

Facing Page: It takes some time forriders to master riding in the sandTop row from left: Rajasthan has some ofthe best roads to ride • Riders posing with a captured enemy battle tank near LongewalaLeft: Riding on the dry bed of the SambarLakeRight: Riding on sand around MahansarBottom row from left: Dune-bashing:the Royal Enfi eld way • Rajasthan boasts of several magnifi cent forts

Continental GTBurn Up2014

ContinentalGTBurn Up2014


JANUARY | FEBRUARY | MARCH 2014 19

B U R N U P

‘Burn-Up’ is a short ride, when Rockers on their Café Racers get together and

ride, usually from one café to another. This term has its roots in the swinging 60s, when Britain saw the rise of the Rockers and birth of the Café Racing culture. With the launch of the RE Continental GT bike, Café Racers and Café Racing were brought to India and it was natural for riders to have their own Burn-Ups. In 2013, RE organised Burn-Ups in London, Delhi, Pune, Mumbai, Bangalore, and fi nally one in Goa. In February 2014, Kolkata witnessed its own Burn-Up. The sight of the Rockers was received with admiration from everyone who saw them on the roads of the City of Joy! The Rockers rode past the iconic Victoria Memorial, through Esplanade, on to Howrah

A Bridge and the new Vidyasagar Setu. RE Continental GT bike is a perfect blend of old and new, just as Kolkata is. The event was much publicised on social media. March saw Delhi host the 2nd Burn-Up and this time, the fi rst few RE enthusiasts who had got their hands on the Continental GT were invited. The riders assembled at the RE Concept Stores in Saket, and started the day with coff ee and formal introductions. The riders were given the route map for the Burn-Up to facilitate their ride around the city. Starting from Saket, the riders rode to India Gate, where there was a photo session and then they rode past the colonial monuments of New Delhi, before stopping for brunch at the Warehouse Cafe at Connaught Place. With contemporary music from the 60s playing in the background,

the riders exchanged notes about their rides. The brunch consisting of delicious sandwiches and fi sh and chips, with freshly brewed coff ee and tea, reminiscent of the transport cafés of Great Britain in the 60s. After having their fi ll, one group of riders headed towards Gurgaon, while the other towards Greater Noida. The Gurgaon group rode down the NH-8 and then took a small detour on the Gurgaon-Faridabad road. On this road, the Rockers rode on the straight stretches and winding twisties to relive the Rocker life. The Greater Noida group rode out eastwards and after hitting the DND expressway, ending their ride at Greater Noida, close to the F1 racetrack. Around mid-afternoon, the riders ended the Burn-Up at two diff erent points, promising to get together again for another Burn-Up in the capital.


C L U B P R O F I L E

Royal RidersAgra

ometimes, it is best to explore a new terrain and tread your own path, in

order to make it big in life. The Royal Riders Club Agra was founded on this very belief on 1st January 2010 by four like-minded Royal Enfi eld enthusiasts – Rajesh Chauhan, Harish Khandelwal, Aditya Singh and Himanshu Bansal, who interacted during several rides organised by local RE dealerships. The Royal Riders comprises of riders from Agra, Mathura, Firozabad and Gwalior, who ride together on their RE bikes and indulge in adventure and leisure motorcycling. They also promote safe riding and spread awareness about other social issues, during their motorcycle rides and rallies. It is a small group so far, with riders from diverse age groups, coming together from diff erent walks of life − students, businessmen, IT professionals, journalists, engineers and even Air Force pilots. The Club has a massive following on social media and their offi cial website. A strong bonding among the members of this Club has generated interest

s Started in 2010 by four

like-minded RE riders, the Royal

Riders is a close-knit group that

promotes safe riding and other

social issues through their rallies

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

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

among other riders to become a part of this growing community. Aspiring riders are encouraged to join short one-day rides organised by the Club, especially the breakfast rides, and offi cial RE events like the ‘One Ride’. Such events give new

JANUARY| FEBRUARY | MARCH 2014 21

C L U B P R O F I L E

riders the opportunity to experience the Club’s culture, and familiarise themselves with the idea of group riding. It also helps them to acquire necessary skills to ride on highways by observing the ride leaders. The Club members’ usual weekend hangout is Mr Avtar Singh’s workshop. Mr Singh is an authorised RE technician, a veteran rider and an encyclopaedia on the classic British motorcycle. Not only do riders get their motorcycle issues resolved here, but they also update themselves on latest news and happenings in the world of Royal Enfi eld and motorcycling. They also get hands-on training on how to fi x their bikes and are given tips on preventive maintenance for long rides. The members of the Royal Riders Club have ridden together for thousands of kilometres over many long weekend trips and one-day rides,

and have discovered through their rides their spectacular land and its history. While doing so, they never miss the opportunity to connect with people and social causes, to make each ride even more meaningful. The Club has plans to participate in national events organised by RE and other motorcycle clubs to increase their footprint. Having enough riding experience on diff erent terrains, the club also plans to embark on its fi rst Himalayan ride in the 2014 Ladakh season. For latest club activities, log on to the offi cial website www.weroyalriders.com and the Facebook page www.facebook.com/weroyalriders. For membership, drop in a mail to Digvijay or Sabya at [email protected] and join these thumpers from Agra on their adventure.

Facing Page: The Royal Riders often set out

on weekends from Agra

Below: The founding members of the Royal

Riders


N E W S

Awards for RE Continental GT

After its grand launch in India in November 2013, the Royal Enfi eld Continental GT is one of the most admired

and loved motorcycles on Indian roads. Its launch was awaited with bated breath by members of the automotive press community as well as motorcycle enthusiasts across the world. In the words of Mr Siddhartha Lal MD & CEO Eicher Motors Limited, “ The Continental GT is inspired by the Café Racers of the 1960s in its form and in its simplicity; and it captures the feeling of freedom, fun and responsiveness that riders were

trying to achieve then and brings it into the modern context.”

As media coverage on the Continental GT kept increasing and more and more reviews featured in leading newspapers and magazines around the world, the motorcycle also picked up signifi cant awards including the most prestigious of them all – the ‘Indian Motorcycle of The Year' (IMOTY)’. Indeed, the Continental GT is a machine with a story, a nod to motorcycling’s fi nest hour and the best expression of a cultural phenomenon that has simply refused to fade away – the Café Racer.

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

"The Continental GT is inspired by

the Café Racers of the 1960s in its form and

in its simplicity."

Awards bagged by Continental GT in 2014

•IMOTY 2014

•Indian Motorcycle of the Year

•NDTV Car and Bike Awards 2014

•Motorcycle of the year up to 1,000 cc

•Design of the Year

•Creative Commercial of the Year

•Best Integrated Campaign of

the Year

•DNA

•Automotive Design of the Year

•Bike India Awards

•Best motorcycle up to 600 cc

•ET Zigwheels Awards 2014

• Reader's choice 2-wheeler of the year

•BBC Top Gear Awards 2014

• Most beautiful bike of the year

23

N E W S

1 Bikaner Bikes C-15, Samta Nagar,Sriganganagar Road, BikanerRajasthan- 335041%8432761234, 8769200222, 8875012345wsales. [email protected]

2 Concord Auto Yogeshwar Complex, near Moonlight Petrol Pump, Dahod Road, GodhraGujarat-398001% 9879074373w [email protected], [email protected]

3 Link MotorsBeluri, near Food Corporation of India, PurneaBihar-854301% 7766917028, 9931933333w [email protected]

4 Orange International 37-99 & 37-100/A, Dev PlazaPlot No 12 and 23, Shree Colony, RK Puram, NaredmatECIL, HyderabadAndhra Pradesh-500056% 040- 69996789, 65600656w [email protected]

5 PSG MotorsNear Satyasai Seva Trust School, Opp Alfa Hotel, NH-8, Navsari, Gujarat-396445% 02637- 265559, 9824175164w [email protected]

6 Riders Point NH-33, SindurHazaribaghJharkhand-82301% 9234343411w [email protected]

7 Royal Enfi eld Company Showroom GR 01, Ground Floor Multiplex Block, Select Citywalk Mall, SaketNew Delhi-110017%�011-42575017-18w kpandey1@royalenfi eld.com

8�Rooster AutomotivesNo. 9, Imperial Road, Chellankupam, CuddaloreTamil Nadu-607003% 9047422422, 9843313575w [email protected], [email protected]

9�Sri Nivas AutomobilesGround Floor, Nile Complex, HB Road, near Kantatoli,Ranchi, Jharkhand-834001% 0651-2531789w [email protected]

a Venkataramana Motors3-6-431/d/82/3, Zaff erguda,Moghal-ka-Nala, Pillar No 88, Mehidipatnam, HyderabadAndhra Pradesh-500028% 0651-2531789w [email protected]

b�Vintage AutocorpNear SP Jain College, Dwarkapuri, Sasaram, Bihar-821115% 9470570377, 9304503020w [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.

JANUARY| FEBRUARY | MARCH 2014


The route was from Colombo to the

Army camp in Diyatalawa and back − a round trip of 368 kms over varying

terrain, including heavily forested

regions

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

Sri Lanka Diyatalawa Ride 2014

ROYAL ENFIELD

he RE distributor in Sri Lanka, BZL Lanka Ltd, Colombo, organised a

ride for the Royal Enfi eld Riders Club of Sri Lanka on 22nd March 2014. The route for this ride was from Colombo to the Army camp in Diyatalawa and back − a round trip of 368 kms over varying terrain, including heavily wooded forested regions. The ride commenced in Colombo on 22nd March at 6:30 am, and twelve RE enthusiasts turned up for the event. Major General Piyal Abeysekera from the Sri Lankan army also rode along with the riders from Colombo to Pelmadulla and later accompanied them in a trailing vehicle till the end of the ride. The riders also visited the Sri Lanka Military Academy and the site of Sri Lanka's most spectacular racing event, Foxhill Supercross, which is held in Diyatalawa.

T Diyatalawa is located in the Badulla district of Uva province in Sri Lanka. Situated at an altitude of 1,499 m (4,918 ft), it has become a popular tourist destination From Colombo, the road to Diyatalawa passes through some of the best mountain roads and picturesque countryside. The military personnel from the Sri Lankan Army also participated in the event, showing off some daredevilry on their RE motorcycles. At the small get-together conducted at Diyatalawa, the RE Riders Club also exchanged thoughts on various aspects of road safety and shared tips on safe riding techniques. Overall this was a pleasant experience for the club riders and Sri Lankan army who also took part in this ride and event. This was just the beginning of a series of plans RE riders have made for Sri Lanka in the days to come.

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

" I loved motorcycling, particularly

scrambling, but I only got to do it on weekends

and I had very little spare cash to indulge in my

hobby. It struck me that I should find a way to

have someone pay me for riding."

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

Roger Boss

ROYAL ENFIELD LEGEND

oger Boss is a Royal Enfi eld living legend. He joined the company in 1950 as

one of the two test riders working in the Experimental Department. After 5 years, he became a Sales Representative, eventually rising to the position of Sales Manager in the early 1960s. He was one of the last people to be employed by the Redditch fi rm, before it was sold to developers in early 1967. “I remember the day I joined the fi rm very clearly,” Roger reminisces from his home in Upper Bentley, Worcestershire, just four miles away from the site of the old Hewell Road RE factory. “I would come out of the RAF and was working for a job I didn’t enjoy. I loved motorcycling, particularly scrambling, but I only got to do it on weekends and I had very little spare cash to indulge in my hobby. It struck me that I should fi nd a way to have someone pay me for riding. One morning, I walked into the RE factory and asked the commissionaire on the main gate if he

R knew of any jobs for riders. ‘Wait a minute, lad,’ he replied, and in no time, I was talking to Tony Wilson Jones, head of the Experimental Department. A test rider had just left and I walked straight into his job!” The next fi ve years were to be full of motorcycling adventures, as Roger rode hundreds of miles a day, fi ve days a week.“I began by testing the new Ensign 2-stroke engine, rather repetitive, following the same fi ve-mile circuit for weeks on end. To liven things up, I got a road-worker to time my circuits, pushing myself harder and harder to beat my best time. But I soon moved onto the larger twins, which I really loved. The Midlands were at the heart of the British motorcycle industry, and I quickly became friendly with test riders from companies such as Triumph, BSA and Ariel. We’d always meet up and have a race to a cafe... last one there paid! I have a particularly fond memory of one such race. I was out testing the new 700 cc Meteor engine for reliability. As a disguise, the engine had been fi t into a standard 500


cc KH Twin. Looking at my heavy outfi t, he questioned whether the race to the cafe was still on. ‘Of course’ I told him. He must have thought I’d be easy to beat, but my 700 cc engine left him standing. I often laugh thinking what he must have said about my ‘specially tuned 500’ to his bosses at Ariel!” Roger also remembers the fi rst batch of 800 Re bikes shipped to India for the now famous Army order that was the starting point of the whole RE India venture. “All the bikes had to be seize-proof as the army had no time to run them in and I was seconded to join the team of production test riders. We took each new army Bullet out and thrashed it. If it didn’t seize, it was passed fi t for service and made ready for shipment. If it did seize, it had to be stripped, rebuilt then test run again. My memory is of two very long weeks, working day and night to get those bikes ready for India.” During his time as a test rider, Roger had many accidents. He was concussed

25JANUARY| FEBRUARY | MARCH 2014

Left: At 85, Roger still loves riding his Continental GT

Gordon May | Gordon May and Royal Enfield


“We needed a fast endurance run that

would prove that the bike not only boasted

great looks but delivered excellent

performance.”

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

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

point in mainland Britain, to Lands End, the most south westerly point, a distance of over 986 miles in under 24 hours. “I gathered a team of the country’s leading journalists as riders, each representing one of the big three motorcycle newspapers. Motorcycling, The Motor Cycle and Motorcycle News ( MCN) all got on board, although negotiations were tough as each wanted the test to be an exclusive. Numbers were made up by fellow test rider Brian Crow, who rode the fi rst leg, and works trials rider, Peter Gaunt, who rode the second Scottish section. To build extra credibility for the machine, I also arranged for the bike to do two fast laps of Oulton Park with world champion Geoff Duke riding, and fi ve laps of Silverstone with race ace, John Cooper, in the saddle.” Roger continues, “In those days there were hardly any motorways, just a small stretch of the M6, and certainly no 24 hour petrol stations. Shell came on board, arranging refuelling stops throughout the night.” Despite the threat of inclement weather in northern Scotland, the run was set for late October 1964, a couple of weeks ahead of the all-important Earls Court annual motorcycle show. “We made it with surprising ease, completing the run in 22 hours and 20 minutes. There was only a minor electrical problem - the ignition switch worked loose - Geoff Duke couldn’t ride at Oulton Park due to ice on the track and Peter Gaunt suff ered minor frostbite.

John Cooper compensated for Geoff Duke’s missed circuits by lapping Silverstone seven times at an average speed of 70.29 mph.”

As a publicity stunt, the ride was a huge success. “Everyone was talking about it. My one regret was that I was unable to be one of the team. But Major Mountford insisted that I manage the whole operation from the head offi ce. I sat beside the telephone for over 24 hours getting updates and nervously awaited the outcome.” Sadly for both RE and Roger, all the newspaper coverage was wasted as the company, in the grip of cash fl ow and production issues, was unable to make enough Continental GTs to meet demand. “It was extremely disheartening to have long-standing dealers call me for bikes and not be able to supply them. I remember repeatedly visiting the build shop and seeing GTs waiting for petrol tanks, handlebars and exhausts. Such a wasted opportunity. I loved every minute of working for RE and would have done anything for them.” After the demise of the company, Roger founded a commercial vehicle sales business, about 100 m from the former RE factory, a business that his son Andrew runs in the same location today. And for his 85th birthday, Roger received the most wonderful gift from his family: a sparkling 1966 Continental GT.

He married the factory nurse, Peggy, who had treated his injuries several times. Roger then became Sales Manager, responsible not only for the sales team's results but also for orders to the police force and he also organised RE exhibits at trade shows. But his crowning moment came in late 1964, when he instigated the launch of the 250cc Continental GT.

“I was fi rst involved with the creation of the GT’s forerunner, the 250 Continental. Feedback from my dealers was that they needed a motorcycle that captured the imagination of the youth, with cafe racer styling being the order of the day. I spoke to Major Mountford, the managing director, and he gave me the go ahead to put together a prototype. It was a case of changing the styling of a Crusader Sports, with the addition of fl yscreen, steel jelly-mould tank, clip-ons and rear-sets, swept back exhaust and a 5-speed gearbox. Everyone at the factory, and the dealers, liked it, and it went into full production. It was that machine which evolved further into the Continental GT with its red fi breglass tank and humped race seat.”

The GT’s renowned launch, a publicity triumph for the fi rm, was Roger’s swansong. “We needed a fast endurance run that would prove that the bike not only boasted great looks but delivered excellent performance.”

Roger came up with the idea of riding from John O’Groats, the most northeasterly


Left: With feet on the pillion footrests and nose to the tank, Roger Boss pushes a 500 cc Bullet to the limit during a speed test at the MIRA test track for The Motor Cycle weekly newspaper

In the early 1960s, RE's management team was looking for new, profi table directions to pursue. Several short-lived projects emerged, including

some follies. Along with the GP racer, the most well-known of these development motorcycles was the RE Moto-X. First seen in 1964, the Moto-X was intended for top level scrambles use and was powered by the new Villiers Starmaker competition engine, which for a 250cc 2-stroke unit put out an impressive 22 bhp. However, while people could see images of this tough-looking bike in magazines and even in colour factory sales brochures, in reality, it seems that just one example was ever made! The bike was raced for one season only by three riders, most notably the well-

known scrambler, Mick Bowers. Some of these events were featured on the BBC’s Saturday afternoon sports television programme, Grandstand. After this brief fl urry of activity, nothing more was heard of the bike. RE shelved the project, focusing its limited resources on the GP racer short circuit racer concept. Even though images of the Moto-X appeared in just about every book subsequently written about RE, no one knew what had happened to the original example. All that changed in April 2010, when British bike enthusiast, Eddie Brant, an EHV Commissioning Engineer from Crowthorne in Berkshire, was at the Staff ord International Classic Motorcycle Show when he noticed a small advertisement for a Royal Enfi eld Moto

Moto-XRoyal Enfi eld


ScramblerFlashback

Gordon May is a celebrated motorcycle

author, and is recognised as an undisputed

authority on classic motorcycles, especially

the Royal Enfield. His love affair with Royal

Enfield began in 1986 when he bought a

1963 250cc Crusader Sports. His books on

Royal Enfield include Made In India (2001),

Made In Redditch (2003), By Miles The Best

(2004), and The Legend Rides On (2005).

His books have given him a deeper insight

into the history and the achievements of the

brand. Gordon joins us as a regular columnist

for The Beat, and his articles will feature

important international events and products.

27JANUARY | FEBRUARY | MARCH 2014


Nametab Engineering, a Redditch-based Villiers specialist, gave me lots of support with the Starmaker engine and gearbox rebuild. I sent the tank to Ron Hosell of Warlord Motor Cycle. He knocked the dents out of and repainted it. Everything was shot blasted and painted to the best match to the bike’s original ivory colour by Redditch Shotblasters.” The most challenging part of the rebuild was the front forks. Eddie located a pair of leading link forks that had originally been fi tted to a RE 250cc Super-5 and, much as the Moto-X development team at Redditch had done, modifi ed them to suit. “It came with various tubes and plates but without the legs or head. I made adaptors for the original units to make them the right length. The forks took me a year of spare time!” The rear sprocket and brake drum were also challenging. “I created the sprocket from photographs in Turbocad,” he recalls. “The brake drum was missing but in the box of bits I found a reject casting. I did think about making a wooden pattern and having it cast properly, but in the end started from

scratch and produced a drawing, then machined it out of solid aluminium with the brake lining machined out of steel.” Eddie also had the wheels rebuilt with new rims and stainless spokes. The Moto-X’s lack of development was evident in how the engine was kicked over. Eddie explains, “The factory photos show the kickstart fouling the off side footrest. I didn't think this was much of a design so I’ve made footrests that move out of the way for starting.”

Eddie researched the bike’s history, enlisting the help of former Redditch factory worker and RE enthusiast, Julian Edwards. “We believe that the bike, along with a lot of things, was spirited over the factory wall around the time that Redditch folded at the start of 1967. It’s amazing that as much of it survived the intervening 40 years as it did as it seems to have spent most of those years collecting dust in the corner of a barn.” . Now the Moto-X is complete, Eddie plans to take it out for some gentle green-laning. “I don’t think I’ll ever use it in serious classic scrambles. I am just pleased to have brought it back to the best and most authentic condition possible.”

“I get most pleasure from taking a box of rusty bits - the kind of restoration job that most people sensibly shy away from - and resurrecting them.” Eddie reveals. He’s had considerable success, having brought back from the dead a stunning collection of RE's, including Mark 1 and 2 Interceptors, Big Head Bullets, a Fury, Meteor Minor, a Woodsman, Constellation, Super Five and a Turbo Twin. His other bikes include a beautiful BSA Gold Star and a Triumph Trailblazer. “But the Moto-X,” he says, “was the toughest to restore as so little was known about it. When I eventually collected it from the seller, I discovered much of the bike was missing.”Among Eddie’s newly-acquired boxes of parts were the original modifi ed Crusader trials frame, the seat,petrol tank, engine, exhaust system and wheels. The leading link forks, handlebars, mudguards and rear sprocket were missing and the engine plates badly worn around the fi xing holes. As the Moto-X was a one-off , no parts, books or workshop manuals existed and Eddie had only a handful of publicity photographs to guide him. “I found specialists to help. Simon Bateman of


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