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    Royal Enfield Flying Flea – Plans To Resurrect The 125cc Legend?

    Royal Enfield Flying Flea 125ccWith Flying Flea registered both in India and in Europe, it makes one wonder if Royal Enfield is planning a big surpriseRoyal Enfield seems busy with its portfolio expansion plans in 450cc and 650cc segments. The company is also working to develop its electric portfolio. In between these, could Royal Enfield be working on something entirely new?Plans to bring back Flying Flea?Eicher Motors had registered the ‘Royal Enfield Flying Flea’ trademark name in India in 2020. It is valid up to February 2030. The name is registered in Europe as well. Could it be possible that there are plans to bring back the Flying Flea motorcycle of World War II era? It is difficult to tell, as OEMs often register names without any confirmation about their production plans.Royal Enfield Flying Flea 125ccLooking into history, one can see that Flying Flea was a 125cc motorcycle. It was manufactured to be used in the fight against the Nazis during later stages of World War II. Interestingly, the original concept for the bike was based on a German idea. But with a chain of events, the bike was reimagined as a 125cc unit to be manufactured by Royal Enfield.While its official name was WD/RE, the bike came to be popularly referred to as the Flying Flea. It was named as such, as the bike was designed to be airdropped by parachute. This was usually done beyond enemy lines. It was meant to be used by troops for reconnaissance and communications between various dispersed Airborne units. The communications part was an important task, as reliable radio communications were not available in those times.Royal Enfield Flying Flea trademark filedOriginal Royal Enfield Flying Flea weighed just 56 kg. It allowed the troops to carry it across difficult terrain. With a fuel tank of 1.5 gallon, the bike could travel 150 miles (~ 241 km) before refuelling. Top speed was around 35 to 40 miles per hour (~ 56 to 64 kmph). The engine had a low compression piston, allowing the bike to run even with poor quality fuel. The bike had special features such as folding foot pegs, horizontally rotating handlebar, tall seat and a leak-proof fuel tank lid. The exhaust has an expansion chamber to reduce the noise.Possibilities with Flying FleaA decade or two earlier, an ICE-based 125cc Royal Enfield motorcycle could have been a viable experiment. Considering the name, it is unlikely to be relevant for higher capacity bikes. Things have changed dramatically over the last few years, as there’s a greater push towards electrification. Emission norms are getting stricter every year, which is pushing up prices of ICE two-wheelers.In such a scenario, it is unlikely that Royal Enfield will be experimenting with a 125cc petrol bike. The best possibility could be an entry-level electric bike, with aesthetics similar to the original World War II bike. Royal Enfield is already working on its electric bike portfolio. With its catchy name and rich history, an electric Flying Flea can be a serious crowd puller.Source More

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    Royal Enfield Himalayan 452 Golden Black and Grey Red Colours Spied

    Royal Enfield Himalayan 452 ColoursNew Himalayan is lighter, agile, future-ready and a better performer in comparison to its predecessorSince 2016, Royal Enfield Himalayan has been the preferred choice for enthusiasts looking for a budget off-road bike. Himalayan has made its mark across international markets as well. The experience of riding a Himalayan will get better with the all-new 452cc model. It is scheduled for launch on November 07, just a few days before Diwali.Himalayan 452 featuresIn terms of styling, Himalayan 452 is a lot sportier than the current model. The new version looks more agile and is expected to offer improved control and handling. The bike will also be lighter, with an unladen weight of 196 kg. In comparison, existing Himalayan 411 has a kerb weight of 199 kg. New Himalayan is longer and wider, measuring 2,245 mm and 852 mm, respectively. With handguards, the width will increase to 900 mm.Royal Enfield Himalayan 452 ColoursWheelbase is also longer at 1,510 mm, as compared to 1,465 mm of Himalayan 411. However, new Himalayan is shorter at 1,316 mm, compared to 1,370 mm of existing Himalayan. But if the tall screen is installed, new Himalayan will be 1,415 mm in height. New colours of the Royal Enfield Himalayan 452 have been spied. These are dual tone Golden Black and Grey Red.As compared to the flatbed type structure of the existing model, all-new Himalayan 452 has a bow-like arched profile. This is expected to have tangible benefits in ride quality and overall performance. Exactly how much of a difference it makes will only be known when one gets to ride the new Himalayan 452. Some of the key highlights of new Himalayan include USD front forks, all-LED lighting and a new instrument console.Royal Enfield Himalayan 452 ColoursSignature features such as circular headlamp and rear-view mirrors have been retained. New Himalayan has raised front fender, dual purpose tyres, new fuel tank design, front racks, more ergonomic seats and a stubby upswept exhaust. New Himalayan will be getting a comprehensive range of accessories including side panniers and top box.Royal Enfield Himalayan 452 ColoursHimalayan 452 performanceThe upcoming new model is officially registered as Himalayan 452. It gets its name from the new 451.65cc engine. Choosing 452 name seems a deliberate decision, as it creates a lot more exclusivity for the bike. Especially when it’s compared to ‘450′ that sounds quite generic and bland. The new engine generates 40 hp of peak power, way higher than 24.3 hp of the existing model. RPM is also higher at 8,000 revolutions per minute. This will ensure a range of benefits such as higher top speed, improved throttle response and enhanced cruising capabilities.Similar performance numbers can be seen with Triumph Speed 400, although it is not a direct rival to Himalayan 452. In terms of engine architecture, Himalayan 452 is expected to continue with the SOHC setup for the valve train. In comparison, Triumph has utilized a DOHC setup for Speed 400. Triumph has also launched the 400X scrambler. It is possible that a Triumph ADV version could be launched in future to directly rival new Himalayan 450. That battle will be quite intense and exciting to witness.New Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 could be launched at around Rs 3 lakh. An introductory, limited period price of around Rs 2.60 lakh to Rs 2.70 lakh is also possible. The current model is available at a starting price of Rs 2.16 lakh. More

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    Neev Nakshatra 650 Bobber Based On Super Meteor 650 Looks Dope

    Neev Nakshatra 650 BobberThe twin exhaust layout of stock Super Meteor 650 is re-routed to flow through right side with Neev Nakshatra 650 BobberModifications are to Royal Enfield bikes what adrak is to chai. They go hand in hand very well. Royal Enfield owners often resort to modifications by renowned modders to express their personality. One such modder is Delhi-based Neev Motorcycles. Their latest creation Neev Nakshatra 650 Bobber is one of the best mod jobs done on Super Meteor 650.Neev Nakshatra 650 BobberRoyal Enfield Super Meteor 650 is like a wet dream for modders shooting for Chopper style or Bobber style motorcycle build when compared to Interceptor 650. This is because Super Meteor 650 packs a significantly revised chassis and ergonomics that saves modders precious time.We’re talking about a longer wheelbase and overall lower stance with Super Meteor 650 than Interceptor 650. This gives more time to modders to concentrate on design and styling mods. Neev Motorcycles has completely transformed the looks of stock Super Meteor 650. The inspiration behind this build is constellations and hence the name Neev Nakshatra 650 Bobber.For starters, Neev has gone with a dull black finish for bodywork, perfectly complemented by black components and engine bay. The primary aspect of a custom bike is in its fuel tank. Neev has implemented a custom fuel tank that is taller than stock and has twin fuel lids. This is where Neev has placed motorcycle’s instrument cluster along with Royal Enfield Tripper screen.Neev Nakshatra 650 Bobber custom fuel tankFuel lids have sun signs in geometric patterns and Royal Enfield’s logo on fuel tank now says Nakshatra in Hindi. By shifting instrument cluster, handlebar area is kept clean. Speaking of handlebars, it is a custom unit that offers an upright seating posture. Headlights and the cowl around it are custom too. Neev has opted to give floating tank shrouds that lend a muscular aura.Major design overhaulSingle seat setup looks comfy with a custom cover. Engine bay is bully black and Neev has re-routed dual exhausts to have them both flow from the right. There is beefy underbelly protection too and gives an industrial look. USD front forks are likely to be stock along with rear shock absorbers. However, rear twin shockers get beefy covers.Mainframe is mostly kept identical to stock Super Meteor 650. There are new fenders at the front and rear. Along with that, Neev has added custom wheel covers that don constellation patterns. Braking setup still comprises of single-discs at both ends. Dual-channel ABS is still on the cards. Neev has added fat tyres at both ends, which lend an aggressive and muscular stance.Neev Nakshatra 650 Bobber muscular stanceRear tail light is new too and number plate is now shifted to the left side. Except for the exhaust re-routing, there don’t seem to be any engine modifications. So the 648cc parallel-twin engine on Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650 makes 47 bhp peak power and 52 Nm peak torque. This engine is mated to a 6-speed gearbox and a slipper clutch. More

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    RE Meteor 350 Thoroughly Overhauled – New Trim, Features, Colours

    RE Meteor 350 Aurora ColoursThe new Aurora trim with RE Meteor 350 slots above Astral and below Supernova and aims at a more “Classic” appealRoyal Enfield has plenty on its platter to keep itself busy. While the Chennai-based bikemaker is already working round the clock to ensure new launches like Himalayan 450, it is also updating Meteor 350 with a brand new Aurora trim level. Other than that, RE Meteor 350 gets new colours, new features and more.RE Meteor 350 Thoroughly OverhauledRoyal Enfield constantly keeps a tab on its existing lineup by providing some crucial updates in order to check with the rising competition. Ahead of festive season, this effect is further compounded. In similar regards, Royal Enfield has added a new trim to the Meteor 350 range.As seen in the images, this new Aurora trim is a more “classic” iteration of the standard cruiser along with exciting new colour options. Aurora trim slots above Astral trim and below top-spec Supernova trim. Royal Enfield has priced Meteor 350 Aurora at Rs. 2,19,900, while base Fireball costs Rs. 2,05,900, Astral costs Rs. 2,15,900 and top-spec Supernova costs Rs. 2,29,900 (all prices ex-sh).What’s new with Aurora trim?The new Aurora trim gets three new colours – Aurora Blue, Aurora Green and Aurora Black. Apart from new paint options, Royal Enfield is giving Aurora a ton of visual tweaks that set it apart within Meteor 350 range. We’re talking about a multitude of retro and classic elements like chrome-finished engine, exhaust, wire-spoke alloy wheels and other bling elements.RE Meteor 350 Aurora chrome finish engine and Tripper screenAs opposed to black treatment on all other trims, Aurora trim stands out in its classic appeal. RE is also giving Aurora LED headlights, a deluxe touring seat, aluminium switch cubes, a Tripper display for navigation and more.Feature additionsApart from adding Aurora trim, Royal Enfield has fettled with Meteor 350’s trim-wise features list too. Top-spec Supernova trim now gets LED headlights and aluminium switchgear, taking it a notch higher than before. Astral trim now gets Royal Enfield’s Tripper screen for navigation as standard fitment.With base Fireball trim, Royal Enfield has added a new Black stock colour which is both elegant and standard. Powering RE Meteor 350 is a 349cc J-series single-cylinder, air-cooled motor that kicks out 20.2 bhp at 6100rpm and a peak torque of 27 Nm at 4000rpm. This unit is paired with a 5-speed gearbox. The same powertrain is found on newly launched Bullet 350 too.RE Meteor 350 AuroraMeteor 350 is underpinned by a dual-cradle J-series chassis which is suspended on 41mm RSU telescopic suspension at the front and twin shocks at the rear. Anchorage duties are handled by a 300mm front disc and a 270mm rear disc which are aided by a dual-channel ABS as standard.In terms of features, it comes with a semi-digital instrument console, a USB charger, circular LED DRL and a side-stand engine inhibitor, among many.Words from the manufacturerSpeaking about the new range and enhancements on the Meteor 350, B Govindarajan, CEO – Royal Enfield said, “As we reflect on the remarkable success of the Meteor 350 in India and international markets it is evident that the Meteor has struck a chord with many long distance riders and motorcycling enthusiasts. Its dynamic cruising ability and dependable performance have resonated deeply with our riders.The Aurora range is a result of our constant interactions with our community of riders, where we witnessed a strong inclination towards retro-inspired cruisers. The new colourways and features are sure to elevate the pleasure of pure retro-cruising among our customers.” More

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    Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 Production Starts – 1st Unit Rolls Out Of Plant

    Royal Enfield Himalayan 450Powerful performance and enhanced ride dynamics will be among the key differentiating factors for new Himalayan 450For explorers with limited budget, one of the preferred options has been the Royal Enfield Himalayan. To boost its capabilities even further, Royal Enfield is working on the all-new Himalayan 450. The bike is scheduled to debut on November 1st, 2023.Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 production startsAhead of launch, production of the new Himalayan 450 has started at the company plant in Chennai. It will have more firepower to take on rivals such as KTM 390 Adventure. And with affordable pricing, it could emerge as an irresistible deal. For reference, the existing 411cc Himalayan is available at a starting price of around Rs 2.16 lakh.Royal Enfield Himalayan 450As compared to existing Himalayan, the new Himalayan 450 has a relatively lithe profile. The changes should make the bike more appropriate for both highway cruising and off-road environments. Some of the key highlights include raised front beak, round headlamp, round rear view mirrors, large windscreen, wide handlebar, new sculpted fuel tank, side luggage rack and compact exhaust.Users can expect optimal comfort on longer rides, as Himalayan 450 is equipped with a pretty large rider seat. It has thick foam padding and relevant bevels to support the thighs. To make longer journeys more convenient, Himalayan 450 is expected to offer a range of luggage accessories. At the rear, the bike has a dedicated rack for a top box. Racks for side panniers are expected to be offered as an accessory.Royal Enfield Himalayan 450Users can expect to ride longer distances between fuel stops, as the fuel tank appears larger than the current model. Or it may be just that the higher capacity engine will consume more fuel per kilometre, which can be compensated with a larger fuel tank. However, nothing is certain as the new 450cc engine could actually be more fuel efficient.Royal Enfield Himalayan 45021-inch wheels at front and 17-inch at rear will be the same as the existing Himalayan. The bike will have disc brakes, integrated with dual-channel ABS. New Himalayan 450 will have ground clearance of around 220 mm.Some of the features that will be entirely new for Himalayan 450 include all-LED lighting and USD front forks. The bike will also be getting a new single-pod instrument cluster. It’s a large circular unit, with a different layout in comparison to that of other Royal Enfield bikes. The gear indicator is dead centre whereas the speedometer is placed towards the right. The tachometer covers the outer circumference of the instrument console.Royal Enfield Himalayan 450Himalayan 450 performanceNew Himalayan 450 is expected to get a 450cc, liquid cooled engine. It could generate around 35 bhp of max power and 40 Nm of peak torque. This can make a big difference in ride dynamics in comparison to Himalayan 411. The latter generates 24.3 bhp and 32 Nm, which may not be enough for extreme off-road tracks. Highway cruising abilities will also be enhanced with the more powerful engine. New Himalayan 450 is expected to get a 6-speed gearbox. The engine will have features such as slipper and assist clutch. More

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    Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 First Official Photo Out – Launch Soon

    Royal Enfield Himalayan 450With more power and tech integrations, Himalaya 450 will allow users to unlock new sights and scenesFor adventure enthusiasts, Royal Enfield is prepping up the all-new Himalayan 450. This next-gen Royal Enfield bike is scheduled for launch on November 01, 2023. With festivities reaching their peak around Diwali, Himalayan 450 is expected to register booming sales in initial months. Ahead of launch, Royal Enfield has now revealed the first official photo of the new Himalayan 450.Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 featuresHimalayan 450’s design is especially curated for off-road tracks as well as high-speed cruising. A test mule was recently spotted cruising at around 140 kmph. That it had panniers and a top box all along goes on to show the bike’s upgraded capabilities. Himalayan 450 stretches 2,245 mm in length, spans 852 mm in width and stands 1,316 mm tall. With a wheelbase of 1,510 mm, users can expect optimal stability. This will be especially useful when navigating through rough terrains.Royal Enfield Himalayan 450With handguards, the bike’s width extends to 900 mm. And if a larger windscreen is used, the bike’s height will be 1,415 mm. These components will be available as optional accessories. Panniers will also be available as accessories. The full list of accessories will be announced post launch. Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 has gross vehicle weight of 394 kg. Kerb weight could be close to that of existing Himalayan 411 that weighs 199 kg. Himalayan 450 has relaxed and comfortable riding ergonomics.As per Type Approval Certificate, Himalayan 450 is mentioned as Himalayan 452. However, the bike has always been referred to as just the ‘Himalayan’. Even future iterations will carry on with the same popular name. One thing that is not clear is whether the existing Himalayan 411 will be discontinued or will be sold alongside the new model.Himalayan 450 performanceAt the heart of new Himalayan 452 is a robust 451.65 cc engine that promises an adrenaline-pumping experience. This adventure machine is expected to feature a 6-speed gearbox, allowing riders to conquer varied terrains with ease. With power output of 40 bhp and expected torque of 35 Nm, the Himalayan 452 packs a punch. It will undoubtedly elevate your riding experience.Royal Enfield Himalayan 450The engine is not only powerful but also advanced. Equipped with a DOHC setup and a 4V head, it’s designed for optimal performance. To ensure efficient cooling, Royal Enfield has incorporated a liquid-cooling jacket. It is coupled with a large radiator for improved heat dissipation. These features are a testament to Royal Enfield’s commitment to providing a reliable and performance-oriented machine.Himalayan 452 promises to be an exciting addition to the world of off-roading. It is expected to be launched at a competitive price point. Initial offer price could be around Rs 2.50 lakh or even lower. The existing Himalayan is available at a starting price of Rs 2.16 lakh. Royal Enfield has ambitious plans for the 450cc platform. They intend to launch more bikes in the future based on this platform. It will help sustain their dominance in the middleweight motorcycle segment. More

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    RE Himalayan 450 Pulls Away From Spying Car Over 140 Km/h Speed

    Upcoming RE Himalayan 450 cruising speedThe new liquid-cooled 450cc engine on RE Himalayan 450 is likely to kick out around 40 bhp and 35 Nm, mated to a 6-speed gearboxRoyal Enfield is on a mission to have an extensive range of products based on three primary powertrains. We have seen how vast RE’s 350cc portfolio has become and 650cc portfolio is becoming. But Royal Enfield is yet to launch products on its new 450cc engine. A Himalayan 450 test mule is spotted with panniers and other accessories, cruising at speeds over 140 km/h.RE Himalayan 450 have incredible cruising speeds?Himalayan 450 ADV will be the one to debut this new 450cc engine that Royal Enfield has been developing for a long time. It has a liquid-cooling jacket along with a large radiator to dissipate heat and it looks like it has a DOHC setup as well. 4V head will probably be in the mix and the expected output from this engine is around 40 bhp and 35 Nm.How these expected figures translate into real life, is rather interesting. In a recent video by Bunny Punia YouTube channel, we can see a RE Himalayan 450 test mule equipped with two hard panniers and a top box. These accessories will be sold separately as part of accessories. These accessories are not the interesting part of this video.This test mule was cruising at very high speeds. Bunny Punia recorded this test mule from a Nissan Magnite AMT on a highway. As seen in the video below, said Magnite was doing 140 km/h (indicated speed in the instrument cluster) and Himalayan 450 test mule pulled away from the spying car.[embedded content]This is an impressive feat for Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 as it reflects the bike’s high-speed cruising abilities. Being an ADV and a touring motorcycle, this high-speed cruising ability is a solid addition to its belt. Primary rivals would be upcoming KTM 390 Adventure and Triumph Scrambler 400X.What to expect?Speedometers in vehicles do contain some errors. OEM-equipped speed sensors are often enthusiastic and usually show a higher number. Hence, there exist specialist timing gears that will record accurate vehicular speeds based on GPS, calculating velocity over a distance and translating into set speed indications. I own a modern Hyundai vehicle and it usually shows 10 km/h higher indicated speed.Said Nissan Magnite AMT may have an enthusiastic speedometer as well. So, if we consider a margin of error, it might be travelling at around 10 km/h to 15 km/h slower than the indicated speed. So, RE Himalayan 450 could probably hit 130 km/h with relatively low stress and then some. Which is still impressive considering air drag from two panniers and an upright rider.Upcoming Himalayan 450 is rumoured to feature a 6-speed gearbox and might pack a slipper clutch and ride-by-wire throttle, enabling cruise control. What it will offer are, wire-spoke wheels, long-travel suspension, dual-purpose tyres, USD telescopic forks at front and rear mono-shock suspension setup, a tall windscreen, and a fully digital circular instrument screen that also featured on Scram 650 test mule. Launch is likely in early 2024. More

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    Royal Enfield Sales September 2023 – Exports Down 49% YoY

    Royal Enfield Hunter 350Royal Enfield models with engine capacity up to 350cc witnessed improved sales both on YoY and MoM basisRoyal Enfield sales (domestic + exports) in September 2023 stood at 78,580 units. This was a 4.28 percent YoY decline when compared to 82,097 units sold in September 2023. It resulted in a dip of 3,517 units. MoM sales, however, ended more positively with a 1.29 percent improvement over 77,583 units sold in August 2023.Royal Enfield YoY and MoM sales in September 2023It was the company’s models in the upto 350cc segment that saw more demand. Sales increased 9.56 percent YoY to 70,345 units in September 2023, up from 64,206 units sold in September 2022. This was a 6,139 unit volume growth with an 89.52 percent share. In this segment, the company recently introduced the new 2023 Bullet 350.It comes in with striking similarities to its current counterpart but receives some changes in the form of new colour options, a revised frame and some styling updates along with an engine that also powers the Classic 350, Hunter 350 and Meteor 350. In the above-350cc segment, the company sells models such as the Super Meteor 650, Scram 411 and the 650 Twins.Sales grew by 4.36 percent YoY to 8,235 units from 7,891 units sold in September 2022. It was however a 3.80 percent MoM decline as compared to 8,560 units sold in August 2023. This segment currently commands a 10.48 percent share. Total domestic sales thus grew by 0.84 percent YoY to 74,261 units from 73,646 units sold in September 2022 while it improved on a MoM basis by 7.02 percent as compared to 69,393 units sold in August 2023.Royal Enfield sales September 2023Exports on the other hand suffered both a YoY and MoM decline. It dipped 48.89 percent YoY to 4,319 units from 8,451 units shipped in September 2022 while MoM exports fell by 47.26 percent when compared to 8,190 units shipped in August 2023.Royal Enfield Year-to-Date Sales and ExportsIn the period of FY24, Royal Enfield total domestic sales and exports stood at 4,56,986 units, up 15.70 percent from sales of 3,94,969 units sold in the same period of FY23. This related to a 62,017 unit volume growth.Sales of bikes in the sub 350cc segment improved by 19.97 percent to 4,06,196 units in FY24 from 3,38,582 units sold in FY23. In the higher-than-350cc segment, sales dipped 9.93 percent to 50,790 units from 56,387 units sold in FY23. Taking only domestic sales into account, company’s recorded a 22.36 percent YTD growth to 4,16,887 units in FY 24 from 3,40,709 units sold in the same period of FY23.However, Royal Enfield saw its exports slump in the first half of this fiscal as exports dipped 26.10 percent down to 40,099 units in FY24 from 54,260 units sold in FY23. More