List of Royal Enfield motorcycles

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is a list of motorcycles produced under the Royal Enfield brand by the defunct original company, Enfield Manufacturing Company Ltd of Redditch, UK,[1] and later users of the name, including the current user of the brand name, Royal Enfield (India) of Chennai, India.

Pre-war[]

Model Engine Years Notes
Quadricycle 1898 Prototype. Production of De Dion powered tricycles and quadricycles started in 1899.
First Motorcycle MAG or JAP 1901 Used Swiss MAG or British J.A.P. engine
Model 150 Motosacoche 1910 2 1/4hp (297cc) side valve, single speed, belt drive
Model 160 Motosacoche 1911 2 3/4hp (344cc) side valve, 2 speed Enfield gear, chain drive. Optional cush drive
Model 180 JAP 770 cc 1912 With V-twin side valve 6hp engine, 2 speed gear, cush drive, chain drive
Prototype Enfield 344cc 1912 Enfield's first home produced V engine. 2 3/4hp Overhead inlet/side ex valve
Model 140 Enfield 425cc 1913 3hp V-twin developed from prototype
Model 200 Enfield 225cc 1915 2 stroke lightweight engine

Inter-war years[]

Model Engine Years Notes
8hp Vickers 1921 Wolseley side valve V engine 8hp
Model 350 350cc 1924 Side valve JAP single
Model 351 350cc 1924 Overhead valve JAP single
Model A 225 cc 1930 Two-stroke single
Model B 250 cc 1930 Side-valve single
Model C, F, G 346 cc 1930 Side-valve single
Model CO 346 cc 1930 Overhead-valve single
Model D, H, HA 488 cc 1930 Side-valve single
Model E, J, JA 488 cc 1930 Overhead-valve single
Model K 976 cc 1930 Side-valve V- twin
Bullet models 1933 Range of 250, 350 and 500 specially tuned high compression engines introduced
Model KX 1,140 cc 1937 Side-valve V- twin
Bullet 346 cc 1948 Overhead-valve single with alloy head was derived from Model G. First(?) use of now-famous Bullet name.

War Department[]

Source:[2]

Model Engine Years Notes
WD/RE 125 cc Known as the "Flying Flea". Two-stroke single based on the DKW RT 125. Used extensively in WW2 to jump with parachutes.

Royal Enfield Ensign, A two stroke of 148cc displacement and spring frame rear suspension, telescopic front forks, introduced in 1952/3.

WD/D 246 cc Side-valve single

Widely used for message delivery.

WD/C 346 cc Side-valve single.

Based on the pre-war 350 cc side-valve bike, this model was supplied in large numbers to various military services and countries around the world, from 1939 to 1941. Post-war, many reconditioned bikes appeared on the civilian market.

WD/CO 346 cc Overhead-valve single

A request by the Army to Royal Enfields for more power saw the overhead Model WD/CO appear, to replace the WD/C Model. This model was supplied in very large numbers 1941–44 to many services and countries around the world. Post-war, many reconditioned bikes appeared on the civilian market.

WD/G 346 cc Overhead-valve single

Supplied in small numbers.

WD/L 570 cc Side-valve single

Supplied in small numbers.

WD/J2 499 cc Overhead-valve single

Supplied in small numbers.

Post-war[]

Source:[3] [4]

Model Engine Years Notes
Royal Enfield Model CO 350 350 cc ohv single 1946–1947 A rigid-framed girder-fork wartime model (WD/CO), put back into production briefly post-war to fill a need for transport and all the machinery and a lot of parts were still available for this model.
model RE and RE2 125 cc two stroke single 1946–1953 A follow-up on the wartime model WD/RE, better known as the flying flea. Starting with rigid-framed girder-fork it got telescopes in 1950.
Royal Enfield Model G 350 350 cc ohv single 1946–1954 A rigid framed model with the new telescopic front fork, as modest priced basic transport it sold well.
Royal Enfield Model J 500 500 cc ohv single 1946–1947 A rigid framed telescopic fork model, it offered a bigger engine than the almost identical looking Model G 350 cc.
Royal Enfield Model J2 500 500 cc ohv single twin port 1947–1954 A rigid framed telescopic fork model, it offered a flashy twinport exhaust system - twin exhaust pipes one each side of the bike.
500 Twin 500 cc OHV twin 1948-1958 The first post-war twin cylinder in a swingarm frame with telescopic forks. It was simply called '500 Twin' and most non-engine parts were shared with the new Bullet. Its factory photograph is often mistakenly called 'Bullet' on various websites.[5]
Bullet 350 350 cc single 1948–1960[6] ISDT winner, and very widely used roadbike with swingarm rear suspension. Amongst the first to be so equipped. (See main article Royal Enfield Bullet.)
Bullet 500 500 cc single 1953–1962 (See main article Royal Enfield Bullet.)
Crusader 250 cc single 1956–1962 A unit construction 248 cc OHV engine with 13 bhp. Its purpose was a commuter bike.
Crusader Sports 250 cc single 1959–1966 A unit construction 248 cc OHV engine with 17 bhp. A bit more sporty as the standard Crusader.
Continental 250 cc single 1963–1966 A unit construction 248 cc OHV engine with 20 bhp. Created as the factory made cafe-racer.
Continental GT 250 cc single 1965–1968 A unit construction 248 cc OHV engine with 20 bhp. Created as the factory made cafe-racer.
Fury 500 cc/600 cc single 1958–1963 Competition model built for US flat track competition market; it was essentially a Bullet 500 bottom end with a substantially larger cylinder head with integrated rocker box, larger ports and valves. The bike was nicknamed "Big Head". Came with 1.5" Amal GP carburetor and Lucas Racing Magneto. 193 ever made. One 600 cc prototype was made and sold per factory records. A "Big Head" bullet was sold in the UK concurrently for the civilian market with a smaller inlet valve and Amal Monobloc carburetor.
Meteor Minor 500 cc twin 1958–1963 Follow up of the 500 Twin. Parallel twin housed in the same swing arm frame as the singles. 1960 onwards as Sports and de Luxe model.
Super Meteor 700 cc twin 1953–1962 40 bhp touring model
Constellation 700 cc twin 1958-1963 Originally with 52 bhp with "R" cams and single TT carb for 1958 & 59 and twin carbs for 1960 to 62; Weak bottom end proved unreliable & progressively detuned to 40 bhp to make it more reliable. Unique scissor-action clutch operation. For 1961 & 62 a "bathtub" model with a unique fiberglass rear end was also sold.[7]
700 Interceptor 700 cc twin 1960 163 ever made; all were exported to North America; Engine code starts with VAX.
750 Interceptor 736 cc twin 1962–1970 Series 1, Series 1A, Series 2 (with wet sump lubrication)

Indian-branded Royal Enfields (sold in USA from 1955 to 1960)[]

Indian branded motorcycles included:[8]

Model Engine Years Notes
Indian Chief 700 cc twin 1958–1961 Longest wheelbase of any post-war Royal Enfield; single Monobloc carb; distributor ignition; 16" wheels; Albion heavy-duty gearbox with AM prefix. Earlier bikes had Super Meteor spec Engine; but later bikes came with Constellation spec engine. This is the only bike that was not replaced with an AMC model when AMC took over Indian in 1960.
Indian Trailblazer 700 cc twin 1955–1959 19" wheels. Single carb and dual carb, valanced fenders. Engine had Super Meteor spec.
Apache 700 cc twin 1957–1959 Constellation spec engine. Single TT carb on most models. Slim alloy fenders. Quick detach headlights. Sportiest of all Enfield based Indians.
Tomahawk 500 cc twin 1955–1959 19" wheels, Meteor Minor engine specs. Early casquette debuted in 1954. Earlier bikes had the pre-1955 frame.
Woodsman 500 cc single 1955–1959 Same as 500 cc Bullet with high pipes and big 5" speedo. Sold as a competition bike.
Westerner 500 cc single 1957–1958 Competition version of the Woodsman with low open pipes, Amal TT carburetor and racing magneto, no lights and speedometer. Very few were made.
Patrol Car 346 cc single 1957–1959 3-speed gearbox with provision for a reverse gear. Hand shifter. Some models had 16-inch tires all around and some others had 19-inch front and 16-inch rear.
Fire Arrow & Hounds Arrow 248 cc single 1957–1959 Earlier models were semi-unit Clipper engine; later models had 248 cc unit single engine.
Lance Arrow 148 cc single 1957–1959 Two-stroke engine. Most were painted yellow from the factory. Not very many were imported.

Enfield India Ltd. 1955 onwards[]

Enfield India was renamed to Royal Enfield Motors in 1995.

Model Engine Years Notes
Ensign 150 cc 1956–1962 150 cc two-stroke engine
Sherpa/Crusader 175 cc 1963–1980 Motorcycle with a two-stroke 175 cc Villiers engine. Sherpa was rechristened Crusader after a restyling job in 1970.
Mini Bullet 200 cc 1980–1983 Motorcycle with an enlarged 200 cc Crusader engine. It was a favorite amongst racing enthusiasts in India.
Fantabulus 175 cc 1962–197? Scooter with a two-stroke 173 cc Villiers engine and heel/toe gearshift. First Indian made bi-wheeler to have an electric starter. It used a Dynastart system.
Fury 163 cc 1988–1995? It was a licensed copy of the Zundapp KS 175. It was the first motorcycle in India to sport a disc brake. Wheels were cast alloy and front end sported 35 mm Paioli forks. Later model was called Grand Prix. Rare DW175 model came with drum brakes, both front and back.
Explorer 50 cc 198?–199? Air-cooled version of the Zundapp KS50 with 3-speed gearbox
Silver Plus 50 cc 198?–199? Step thru moped with kick start and hand gear shift. Based on Zundapp ZS/ZX 50 models.
MOFA 22 cc 198?–199? Mini moped designed by Morbidelli of Italy to manufacture in India. The 22 cc two-stroke engine had a centrifugal clutch and the fuel was carried in the frame down tube.
Lightning 535 535 cc 199?–2003 Cruiser style motorcycle with 535 cc (87 mm bore) based on Fritz Egli tuned Bullets. Hi-volume oil pumps, 4-speed gearbox and two tone paint. Indian Market only model. Also available with electric start. A rare 350 cc model was also sold for some time.
Diesel/Taurus 325 cc 1980–2001 The only diesel motorcycle to enter mass production, with a 325 cc 6.5 bhp Lombardini diesel engine, and 3.5 hp version, the gearbox was reinforced to withstand increased torque associated with a diesel engine. The Taurus came with heavy-duty luggage rack for vending jobs and economy up to 72 kmpl,but the top speed was limited to roughly 80 km/h by its lack of power.
Machismo 346 cc/499 cc 200?–2009 Introduced with the classic 350 cc Bullet engine with 4-speed gearbox; it later attained the AVL all Aluminium Lean Burn Engine and eventually a 5-speed gearbox. Later, LB500 model came with the 500 cc AVL lean burn engine. Sheet metal and trim had slight variations depending on the year. Indian market only model.
Bullet 350 346 cc 1955–present Originally started manufacturing in 1955 with 350 cc iron-barrel engine and 4-speed Albion gearbox. Bullet Continental sold in USA in 1990s with left shift 4-speed gearbox. Attained the Unit Construction Engine in May 2010. Many submodels introduced during its lifespan like Bullet Superstar. In 2010, the classic iron-barrel engine was replaced with the 350 cc UCE engine. Bullet 350 is the cheapest of all the Royal Enfield models and is devoid of an electric starter, front disc brake(the same has been added in 2019), and gas filled shocks. Only available in black with Gold Pinstripes.
Bullet 500 499 cc 1990–2020 Historically sold worldwide in different variations with both 4-speed and 5-speed gearboxes (The 5-speed iron-barrel engine model was sold under the name Sixty-5). In 2009 iron-barrel engine production came to an end but the B5 export model, with a fuel-injected UCE engine, is sold as the Bullet 500 in almost all international markets. It is currently available in forest green and glossy black colour schemes, and features unique silver petrol tank decorations.
Electra 346/499 cc 2001–present Indian market only model with 346 cc classic engine. 4-speed or 5-speed gearbox. Later models with electric start and TCI ignition. Attained the UCE engine in 2010 and is now known as Electra Twinspark. Was available on the export market with a classic carburettor-equipped 500cc engine as the Electra X prior to Euro-4 legislation halting its production in 2009.
Electra-X 499 cc 200?–present Export-only model with 500 cc AVL lean-burning engine and 5-speed gearbox. Equipped with the Euro-4 compliant UCE engine in 2009. A chrome edition was available from 2010-2013, called the G5 Deluxe, which was equipped with fuel injection and a front disc brake. Previously available in several specifications, such as a flat-track style version of the Electra X,[9] sold exclusively in the UK by importer Watsonian Squire[10] between 2011 and 2013. The G5 was sold alongside the C5 Chrome, and has been largely superseded by the B5, often referred to as the "Bullet 500" in the export market.
Thunderbird 350 346 cc 2002–2020 Cruiser style motorcycle that was a big hit to command almost half the domestic sales.[11] Attained Euro-4 compliant Unit Construction Engine(UCE) in 2008 and was rechristened Thunderbird Twinspark.[12] A highway cruiser from Royal Enfield. In 2013, it underwent a major facelift introducing digital speedometer and fuel gauge along with projector headlamps. The motorcycle musters a horse power of 19.8 hp at 5,250 rpm and a torque of 28 Nm at 4000 rpm. Indian Market only model.
Classic 500 499 cc 2010–2020 With Euro-4 compliant Unit Construction engine. Both Indian and International markets. Sold under the model name C5 in most International markets. Features include fuel injection, solo seat and 18-inch rear wheel. Several limited edition and special colour schemes have been available for this model at various times, notably the current-model C5 Chrome, military tan and green, as well as limited-edition Squadron camouflage paint schemes and end of production (1000 units worldwide).
Classic 350 346 cc 2010–present Recently made available in the export market with a Euro-4 compliant Unit Construction engine. Equipped with UCAL\BS29 carburettor and twinspark ignition. Shares styling with the Classic 500 series of motorbikes.
Thunderbird 500 499 cc 2013–2020 500 cc variant of the Thunderbird. Fuel injection, digital console, electronic fuel gauge, projector headlamps and 18-inch wheels.
Thunderbird 350 346 cc 2013–2020 350 cc variant of the Thunderbird. Digital console, electronic fuel gauge, projector headlamps and 18-inch wheels.
Continental GT 535 cc 2014–2018 Features include a fuel-injected 500cc unit-construction engine which has been redesigned and bored out to 535cc, and cafe racer styling inspired by the historic 250cc Royal Enfield Continental, which was produced between 1963 and 1968. Equipped with Brembo 300 mm front disc brake and Pirelli Sports Demon tyres in factory configuration. The double cradle frame developed by Harris Performance UK, and Paioli gas-charged shock absorbers with adjustable preload contribute to a more stable ride. Features a semi-digital console and electronic fuel gauge.
Himalayan 411 cc 2016 –2021 Entry level dual-purpose adventure bike. An all-new engine, 411 cc, referred to as the long-stroke "LS410". 5-speed constant mesh transmission. Front/rear disc brakes.
350cc 2018–present First motorbike made with Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) as standard
Thunderbird 350x 349cc 2018-2020 350 cc variant of Thunderbird x. Digital console, electronic fuel gauge, projector headlamps and tubeless wheels.
Thunderbird 500x 500cc 2018-2020 500cc variant of Thunderbird x. Digital console, electronic fuel gauge, projector headlamps and tubeless wheels.
Interceptor 650 648cc 2018-present Retro-inspired twin, based on a new Harris Performance designed frame and an all-new 270° parallel twin air-&-oil-cooled SOHC engine.
Continental GT 650 648cc 2018-present Cafe racer-inspired version of the Interceptor 650, sharing the same engine, frame and mechanicals.
Meteor 350 349cc 2020-present Named after 1952 Super Meteor.
Himalayan BS6 411cc 2021-present BS6 model of the earlier released Himalayan (2016) catching up to new emission rules in India


See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ Walker, Mick (2003). Royal Enfield- The complete Story. Berkshire: D&N. ISBN 978-1-86126-563-0.
  2. ^ Hartley, Peter (1981). The Story of Royal Enfield Motorcycles. England: Manuset Ltd. ISBN 978-0-85059-467-6.
  3. ^ Bacon, Roy (2000). Royal Enfield- The Postwar Models. England: Niton. ISBN 978-1855790193.
  4. ^ May, Gordon G. (2004). Royal Enfield - By miles the best 1930-1970. England: royalenfieldbooks.com.
  5. ^ factory picture of the 500 Twin
  6. ^ Bacon, Roy (1992). Royal Enfield The Postwar Models. Isle of Wight: Niton Publishing. p. 30. ISBN 978-1855790193.
  7. ^ Bacon, Roy (1992). Royal Enfield The Postwar Models. Isle of Wight: Niton Publishing. p. 64 to 76, 168 to 169. ISBN 978-1855790193.
  8. ^ "Enfield Indians". Retrieved 19 May 2010.
  9. ^ "Flat track inspired Royal Enfield". Visordown. Immediate Media Company Ltd. 25 November 2010. Retrieved 15 March 2014.
  10. ^ "Fury back in production". Watsonian Squire Ltd. 2010. Archived from the original on 15 March 2014. Retrieved 15 March 2014.
  11. ^ Marmar, Shubhabrata; Sadhale, Shreenand (13 June 2005). "Bajaj Avenger vs RE Thunderbird vs Yamaha Enticer". Business Standard Motoring Online. Retrieved 17 November 2015.
  12. ^ Nigam, Abhishek (29 December 2008). "RE Thunderbird Twinspark: Sparks Re-ignited". ZigWheels.com. Girnar Software. Retrieved 17 November 2015.
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