HISTORY OF ROYAL ENFIELD
1901
The first Royal Enfield motorcycle is produced. Designed by Bob Walker Smith and Frenchman Jules Gobbet, it is launched at the Stanley Cycle Show in London. The 1 1/2 hp engine is mounted in front of the steering head and the rear wheel, driven by a long rawhide belt.
1909
Royal Enfield’s first V-twin, using a 297cc Swiss-made Motto sac the engine, is launched at the Stanley Cycle Show. The model achieves numerous competition successes the following year, including in the John O’ Groats to Lands End Trial
1914
Royal Enfield's first 2-stroke motorcycle goes into full production. As Britain becomes embroiled in World War I, production of the company’s biggest motorcycle, the 770cc 6 hp V-twin, takes precedence. During the conflict, the company supplies motorcycles to the British, Belgian, French, United States and Imperial Russian armies
1924
Continuous development results in a range of 8 models, including the launch of the Sports Model 351, the first Royal Enfield 350cc Over Head value 4-stroke motorcycle with foot operated gear change. A unique 225cc 2-stroke step-through 'Ladies Model' is also introduced.
1925
A major fire breaks out at the 18-acre Red-ditch factory. The company's own fire brigade manages to fight the flames, which threaten to engulf the entire plant.
1928
Royal Enfield adopts saddle tanks in place of outmoded flat tanks. It is also one of the first manufacturers to change its front fork system from a Druid design to center-sprung girder forks.
1930
The decade begins with a diverse eleven model range, from the 225cc 2-stroke Model A to the 976cc V-twin Model K. New 350 and 500cc side-valve and overhead valve machines with dry-sump lubrication are also produced.
1932
The legendary "Bullet" motorcycle is born. It is first displayed in November 1932 at the Olympia Motorcycle Show in London. Three versions are produced: 250, 350 and 500cc, all with inclined 'slope' engines, twin-ported cylinder heads, foot operated gear change and high compression pistons.
1933
Founding partner and joint Managing Director, Bob Walker Smith, passes away. His son, Major Frank Smith. Who had been joint Managing Director with his father for a number of years, assumes full control of The Enfield Cycle Company
The groundbreaking Model Z 'Cycle car' goes on sale. Aimed at commuters, this 148cc 2-stroke features a fully enclosed engine and leg shields to protect its rider from the worst of the elements
1939 to 1945
Royal Enfield produces large quantities of military motorcycles, bicycles, generators and ant-aircraft gun predictors during the Second World War The most iconic model is the 125cc 'Airborne' motorcycle, known as the Flying Flea. These 126cc 2-strokes can be loaded into specially fabricated parachute cradles and dropped with paratroops behind enemy lines
1949
The new 350cc Bullet and 500 Twin models are launched in the UK. Both bikes share the same frame, swinging arm suspension, telescopic front forks and gearbox
1955
The Red-ditch company partners Madras Motors in India to form 'Enfield India'. Work commences on the construction built factory at Chennai.
1957
Johnny Britain, wins the Scottish Six Days Trial on a Bullet for the second time, and also finishes top of the British trials championship. The 250cc Crusader model is launched in Britain. Producing 13 bhp, the motorcycle features a unit construction engine and alternator electrics with coil ignition
1964
The iconic Continental GT café racer is launched to great acclaim when a team of journalists rides one from John O’ Groats to Land's End in under 24 hours, including 8 laps of the Silverstone circuit
1967
With only two models left in production at the start of the year – the 250cc Continental GT and the 736cc Interceptor, the Royal Enfield Red-ditch facility closes, and the site sold to developers. Production of the Interceptor continues at Enfield underground facility at Upper West wood near Bradford on Avon, the unit closed at June 1970
1977
Enfield India begins exporting the 350cc Bullet to the UK and Europe. Sales grow rapidly as the bike develops a following amongst classic motorcycle enthusiasts.
1993
Enfield India produces the world's first and only mass-manufactured diesel motorcycle. Known as the Enfield Diesel, it uses a high fuel efficient 325cc power unit installed in the standard Bullet rolling chassis.
1994
Commercial vehicle and tractor manufacturer. The group acquires Enfield India Limited, has root in India dating back to 1948
1997
Forty Royal Enfield motorcycles climb to the world's highest motor able pass setting a precedent for epic rides across some of the world's most difficult terrain and creating a blueprint for the annual Himalayan Odyssey ride
1989
A new 24 bhp 500cc Bullet is released. The bike is primarily aimed at export markets, where it is available in Classic Deluxe and Superstar trim
1999
Utilizing the design skills of the Austrian company, production of a revised 350cc all-aluminum lean-burn Bullet engine known as the A350 begins at a new Royal Enfield plant near Jaipur, Rajasthan
2001
The Daredevils the motorcycle display team of the Indian Army Corps of Signals, Jabalpur, forms a human pyramid of 201 men on ten 350cc Bullet hey ride a distance of more than 200 meters to set a new world record
2002
The Thunderbird, a stylish lean-burn cruiser, is launched It features the first 5-speed gearbox used on a Royal Enfield since the 1960 More than a 1000 Royal Enfield motorcycles of all ages descend on Red-ditch for the Royal Enfield Owner Club Red-ditch event
2004
The Electra X an export Bullet with a 500cc version of the all-alloy lean-burn engine, goes on sale The retro-styled Bullet Machismo is rated the ‘No.1 Cruiser’ in a TNS Auto car survey
2005
Royal Enfield celebrates its 50th anniversary in India with the release of commemorative Thunderbird and Bullet Electra models and The Legend Rides On coffee table book
2008
The Thunderbird Twin spark is launched in India with the new Unit Construction Engine Royal Enfield begins exporting the Classic India’s first 500cc EFI, Euro III-compliant motorcycle to European markets
2009
The 500cc Unit Construction Engine is launched in India. The retro-styled Classic version immediately achieves cult status and sales grow rapidly
2011
Royal Enfield riders around the world are encouraged to go for a ride on the inaugural One Ride event. It becomes an annual ride, taking place on each first Sunday in April, The company acquires 50 acres of land at Chennai for its new plant. A factory organized trip crosses the Nepalese border for the first time with Tour of Nepal
2012
Royal Enfield launches its first highway cruiser, the all-black Thunderbird 500 Work on the new Ora Ga Dam factory continues briskly while the old plant sets a new production record to meet 113,000 motorcycle sales
2013
Manufacturing commences at Ora Ga Dam, Tamil Nadu. This state-of-art factory, which includes a robotic paint facility, will be the nucleus of Royal Enfield’s future global ambitions
480, years after developing its first production café racer Royal Enfield rolls out the all-new Continental GT Featuring a cradle frame designed by Harris Performance and a 535cc Unit Construction Engine this new café racer becomes the starting point for numerous custom-builds
2014
Royal Enfield introduces a new retail experience in India with the opening of the first of-its-kind exclusive gear store at Khan Market, New Delhi
2015
The company acquires Harris Performance, a renowned British motorcycle design and fabrication firm, to enhance its engineering and product design capabilities
Royal Enfield North America is established With headquarters in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, it’s the company’s first direct distribution subsidiary outside of India
2016
Royal Enfield debuts the Himalayan, its first adventure motorcycle With an all-new 411cc Single Overhead Camshaft setup engine and long reach suspension it’s designed to give adventurous riders the right tool for all roads and no roads
2017
The new Royal Enfield Technology Center opens at Burn ting Thorpe Proving Ground near Leicester in the UK. A team of over 100 engineers designers and testers begin work on research, development and long-term product strategy
Production commences at the company’s third plant. Located at val lam, near Chennai, this world-class manufacturing facility is dedicated to producing Royal Enfield 350cc machine
The new 650cc Royal Enfield Interceptor and Continental GT twins are unveiled at the EI CMA Motorcycle Show in Milan, Italy, and at Rider Mania in Goa, India. The company opens its first café called the Royal Enfield Garage Café, in Goa
2018
The Royal Enfield Classic 500 Pegasus, a homage to the WWII Royal Enfield Flying Flea, is launched at the Imperial War Museum, Dunford, UK. Limited to just 1000 individually numbered motorcycles worldwide, the Indian market allocation of 250 machines sells in under 3 minutes
An 18-year-old racer from California, sets a new land speed record of 157.053 mph during Speed Week at the Bonneville Salts Flats. Her bike, a Continental GT 650 twin, is specially prepared for Bonneville with S&S Cycle engine tuning. And a Harris Performance frame
2018
With design cues taken from the 1140cc V-twins of the late 1930s, the 838cc Concept V-twin demonstrates the capabilities of the design team at the UK Technology Center. Featuring girder forks with an integrated headlight and a single-sided soft tail rear, it is the star of the show when unveiled at EI CMA
2019
A team of eleven Indian Army and Royal Enfield riders summit the 5,540m Karakorum Pass on Himalayan despite treacherous snow, ice and temperatures below -30°. It is the first time the pass has been reached by motorcycle. The Bullet Trials Works Replica 500 is launched as an homage to Johnny Britain all-conquering trials mounts of the 1950s
The Interceptor 650 wins the prestigious Indian Motorcycle of the Year award. The 650 twin is also named Bike of the Year in the Times Auto Awards, Motorcycle of the Year by Auto car and Two Wheeler of the Year by Bike India. It is voted Best Modern Classic Middleweight in Thailand and Best Retro Bike of the Year by MCN in the UK
2020
Production of the 500cc Unit Construction Engine comes to an end. Its swansong is the limited edition Classic 500 Tribute Black. A new Royal Enfield CKD assembly line is set up in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The President of Argentina, Alberto Fernández, attends the opening ceremony
Make-It-Yours, a unique motorcycle personalization initiative, goes live. Customers can configure their motorcycle when making a booking on the Royal Enfield App, website or in-store. The Meteor 350 cruiser is launched in India to great acclaim. It has an all-new chassis and engine and features the new Royal Enfield Tripper turn-by-turn navigation device
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