We Indians take great pride in the fact that Royal Enfield is the world’s oldest brand that has been in continuous production for over a century. Eicher Motors, the originally British manufacturer, is known for making retro-modern motorcycles that have a special following across the globe. Despite the numerous flaws people point out about these large machines, the brand has a dedicated fan base in India. With the relaunch of the Jawa brand in India, Royal Enfield has got a serious competitor on its hands after decades of ruling the segment alone. The Company currently offers various bikes categories by engine capacity and built style. If you want to join the Enfield bandwagon but are unsure which bike to get, here are 9 types of Royal Enfield bikes suitable for 9 different types of riders.
Royal Enfield Classic
Recommended: City riders who take on the highways occasionally. Perfect for tarmac roads.
Probably the most popular among all the Enfield Bikes, the Royal Enfield Classic is the modern version of the Bullet. It comes with loads of low-end torque and is ideal for city and occasional highway travel. The retro-modern design of the bike has made it a hot favourite among the youth It comes with paint shades like Desert Storm, Battle Green, Squadron Blue and an all Chrome look. Powering the bike are two engine options, the 350 cc and the 500 cc engines found on many other bikes in the Company’s model lineup.
Royal Enfield Thunderbird
Recommended: Great Cruising ability. Perfect for those who love going on long rides
Thunderbird from Royal Enfield is a proper cruiser with all the necessary bling. It was one of the first proper cruisers to be launched in India under the Rs. 2 lakh price bracket. It carries the typical Royal Enfield old school looks and a comfortable riding position, making it the perfect choice for long-distance travel. Although it is quite heavy and might require some muscle power to ride on twisty hills, it makes it comfortable and thumps. IT comes in both 350 cc and 500 cc variants.
Royal Enfield Thunderbird X
Recommended: The ultimate city smart Enfield bike. Perfect for college goers and city use
The Royal Enfield Thunderbird X is the more stylish version of the regular Thunderbird. It is targeted towards the youth and those who want a stylish bike for city usage. It gets a different saddle and handlebars from the regular Thunderbird and is quite stylish to look at. Also, it comes with factory-fitted blacked-out alloy wheels, adding to its funky nature. Offered in some chic shades, the Thunderbird X is the bike for you if you want a stylish city smart bike without the added heft of a cruiser. It also comes with both 350 cc and 500 cc engine options.
Royal Enfield Bullet
Recommended: The original old school Bullet looks and character. Also a good city bike
The Royal Enfield Bullet is the oldest motorcycle series to be in continuous production in the world, and it still looks more or less the same as it was a few decades back. It can be termed as the perfect modern-retro bike for city use. The bike is powered by two engine options, 350 cc and 500 cc, among which the former is more popular in the market and is also the most affordable bike in the Company’s lineup. It is the best for people who are purists and want to stay within city limits.
Royal Enfield Himalayan
Recommended: People who seek adventure and want a go anywhere bike
The Himalayan is the most affordable adventure bike that you can buy in the Indian market. The Himalayan is quite popular among enthusiasts and Royal Enfield launched a new version of the bike with critical changes that increased its reliability. The is powered by an all-new 411-cc LS engine that develops a maximum of 23 Bhp. The Himalayan gets 220 mm of ground clearance and has the capability to hook your luggage panniers and jerry cans to it. It is the bike that will take you to extreme locations.
Royal Enfield Bullet Trials
Recommended: Its Scrambler looks and capabilities. Cheapest scrambler in India
The recently launched Royal Enfield Bullet Trials is a scrambler-themed motorcycle with several aesthetic changes. The Trials gets both 350 cc and 500 cc engine options based on the Bullet series, while the power and mechanical configuration remain the same. If you are an adventure seeker and love to ride your bike wherever your imagination takes you, this is the bike for you. In addition, it comes with a large load rack at the back for carrying luggage on long journeys.
Royal Enfield Interceptor
Recommended: Smooth and elegant twin-cylinder bike. Best for those who want an all-rounder
The Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 is a gem of a bike and is among the Company’s upcoming new age models. A 648 cc air-oil cooled, parallel twin engine generates a maximum power of 47 bhp and torque of 52 Nm. It will be perfect for people who want a fast bike for everyday use and an occasional ride on the open highways. It has got a very comfortable riding position and has all the power you would want from it. It also gets a slipper clutch, which is an added bonus.
Royal Enfield Continental GT 650
For: Enthusiastic riders with a sense of style
In the Indian market, the retro-looking cafe racer styled Continental GT 650 is the cheapest of its kind. It offers an aggressive seating position and is quite fun to ride. The Interceptor 650 has the same 650-cc, air/water-cooled engine and produces similar power and torque figures as its twin. The bike is also the most powerful in its price range and provides great performance, comfort, and style. The Continental GT 650 loves to be pushed and is the perfect bike for sporty riders.
Customised Royal Enfield
Recommended: Those who want to stand out from the crowd
The Royal Enfield is one of the most popular bikes in the Indian biking scene when it comes to modifications and customisations. Many customisation options are available in the market for Royal Enfield bikes. Through partnerships with a few custom garages, the Company offers custom bikes and also launches special factory-custom bikes like Mo Powa and Lock Stock. Depending on your budget and taste, you can either opt for some accessory add-ons or a full-on modification. A fully modified Royal Enfield bike can attract crowds unlike any other motorcycle.
Cast Iron Royal Enfield
Recommended: Purists and enthusiasts who value vintage bikes
The older generation Royal Enfield Bullets, called the Cast Iron Bullets one of the company’s most problematic yet most loved bikes. However, used examples can easily be purchased since they no longer exist on the market. Cast iron Royal Enfield bikes are distinguished by the ‘wrong’-sided gear lever and brake lever, and have their own special way of doing things. Despite their reputation for being unreliable, they were very charming and had a mood all their own.