Will summer sun melt the joy of riding?

 I was "forced" to admit to myself after a ride around town this morning on my old Royal Enfield Bullet that I never have had a bad motorcycle ride.

And I haven't just ridden for fun. I was a commuter, riding in all weather and all hours. I've been cold and wet, and there have been close calls and breakdowns. Once I had to push the motorcycle home.

But I always had a good time that left me feeling mentally cleansed and happy.

Yes, I admit to cheating. I've only ever ridden in South Florida and Southern California, both regions renown for sunny weather.

I feel like a bit of a phony when I read The Gun, magazine of the Royal Enfield Owners Club (UK). There was this note, recently, from Leo Nelson, chapter correspondent in Suffolk:

"If you read the Branch Reports, you will be aware by now that the Norfolk and Suffolk Branches support each other. You may have also formed the impression that I have a fixation about the weather. Well, I am British and apparently that's all we talk about, but in this case, with some justification."

His ride reports continued with:

"Forecast, heavy rain and strong winds all day...

"Forecast, heavy rain, hail, thunder, lightning and strong winds...

"Sure enough, the rain and I arrived at the same time, proving my waterproofs were anything but..."

Ever the optimist, Leo concludes with this:

"So, what's the point of the weather report? The forecast puts people off from getting the bike out, and this impacts attendance. However, if you just take a chance, the weather may not be as bad as the forecast.

"Safe and dry riding, (unlikely if you are heading to a Norfolk or Suffolk Branch meeting)."

Stiff upper lips all around, there in Britain. Admirable.

Yet the fact is that Florida's weather this summer has been unusually hot and humid and it does put me off. There are times when I have thought that a little rain might feel nice.

Instead, I'm back from my ride soaking with sweat, eager to get out of boots and jeans and into shorts and flip-flops.

Am I weakening?

I only decided to go riding this morning because it was partly cloudy, blocking the blasting heat of direct sun.

Now there's a "Heat Advisory" for 11 a.m., only 30 minutes from now, and I'm frankly glad to be back at my computer, in the air conditioning.

How much hotter can it get?

Royal Enfield lets you choose: 14 models

The Guierrilla 450 and Goan Classic 350 are new to the U.S. But...

 Has everyone noticed that Royal Enfield now lists 14 different models of motorcycle for sale in the United States? 

Five 650 twins, two 450 singles, two 411 singles, and five 350 singles. 

Here are some of the top choices...

In rough categories, I find:  

Retro twins: INT 650, Continental GT 650, Bear 650 

Classic 350s: Classic 350, Meteor 350, Goan Classic 350, Hunter 350, Bullet 350

Super Cruisers: Super Meteor 650, Shotgun 650

Off-road warriors: Himalayan 450, Himalayan 411

On-road warriors: Guerrilla 450, Scram 411

...and here are the rest!

Interestingly, the Classic 650 twin, the one I've been waiting to see, dubbed Royal Enfield's "most classic Classic" in the markets where it is available, is not yet listed for the U.S.

Royal Enfield lists the Classic 650 AND a Scram 440 for India, but still only names 14 models for sale there.

(India loses the Himalayan 411 and Scram 411 to make room, and these may vanish from the U.S. list when the lasts ones on hand are sold.)

Each model comes in, typically, three to four color "styles," that really make them quite different in appearance. I count 49 different color schemes on the website!

It's actually refreshing that the Classic Bullet 350 comes in only one color: black. How very retro to have only one color per model.

Can you really go down to your U.S. Royal Enfield and find a representative sample of all 14 models and many of their color styles on sale? Ehhh... probably not.

Looking at the websites of some prominent U.S. Royal Enfield dealers, I see a lot of pictured motorcycles marked SOLD, or Not in Stock, or Available to Order. Many of those that do appear to be on the premises are labelled "Demo."

Other makers list as many motorcycle models, but we know that Royal Enfield is constantly adding more variations.

The press in India expects 750cc models and Flying Flea electric motorcycles to be along soon.

Glory Day: The Super Meteor at Thruxton

This Royal Enfield Super Meteor set the pace in 1957.

 A sunny June day in Britain, and the silence of the Southampton countryside is broken; but not by the roar of fighter planes at the old RAF airfield at Thruxton. 

This is the sound of a 700cc Royal Enfield Super Meteor at speed. 

The Royal Enfield immediately jumps to an 80-yard lead over pursuing Triumph, Norton, BSA and Velocette competitors. 

It's the National Nine-Hour Race of June 29, 1957. 

Royal Enfield's performance that day was best summed up by reporter Roger Maughfling, in The Motorcycle News, Wednesday, July 31, 1957. 

His article was entitled "Nine Hour Super Meteor."

Bear that in mind: the racers at Thruxton that day ran for nine hours, at speeds that could exceed 100 mph. To win they would have to complete more than 200 laps of the airfield.

The runway portions of the course —naturally the fast straightaways — were by 1957 rough and weedy from lack of maintenance since the war.

The Motorcycle News applauded the "Nine Hour Super Meteor."
(Royal Enfield Owners Club Archive)

Here's Maughfling:

"One of the outstanding features of the recent Clubman's Nine-Hour race at Thruxton was the performance of the Royal Enfield Super Meteor entered by Lawton and Wilson, of Southampton, and ridden by Derek Powell and Brian Newman. Had it not been for a leaking fuel tank the Royal Enfield would most likely have scored an easy outright win.

"As it was, despite some twenty minutes lost effecting temporary repairs (not entirely successful) and the subsequent need to stop for refueling at frequent intervals because not more than a gallon could be carried before leakage from the crack in the top of the tank became pronounced, the Meteor finished second in its class and third in the race as a whole."

Maughfling subsequently got the chance to try that very Super Meteor racer for himself. A stock Super Meteor was capable of close to 100 mph. He found the racer capable of more than 115 mph, despite clubman rules requiring full road equipment, including working lights. 

"I was told that the increased speed was due largely to the use of 9:1 compression ratio pistons (available from the factory) to cleaning out the ports and to ultra-careful assembly. Because of the race regulations even the carburetor was the stock instrument with a bore of only one inch," Maughfling wrote.

This was race winning speed, and, luckily, you can watch the race highlights in a 20-minute Castrol Motor Oil film from the period. (Scroll down to the end of this blog item to watch the race on YouTube.)

The period film captures the courage and heartbreaking effort the leather-clad racers of the day put in. One rider pushed his motorcycle a mile in hope that a repair in the pits could put him back in the race.

It was a long and hot day. And then it started to rain.

Of the 43 starters, only 21 finished. The Royal Enfield Super Meteor was one of them.

Here's some of the play-by-play from the film:

"Powell's big Royal Enfield is going like a bomb. It's almost certainly the fastest machine out today. 

Super Meteor in the lead.

"And Derek is riding in beautiful style. He's taking advantage of a clear track ahead and quite effortlessly widening his advantage over... the 500s. While the others are at Club Corner Powell is way along the curves leading up to Windy...

"It's a quarter-to-one and Derek Powell is still leading handsomely on his 19th lap. He's averaging well over 70...

Momentary distraction for cameraman.

"One hour gone and Derek Powell leads... 

"After an hour and 20 minutes Powell has a break and Newman presses on with the Royal Enfield."

Change of riders for Super Meteor.

"The Powell Newman Royal Enfield is still in trouble with a split tank. It's leaking like a sieve. Another tank is fitted but it's a botched up one that sprang a leak in practice. They're still second in their class but have covered only 73 laps...

Another fuel tank fitted, but it leaks too.

"Four o'clock the track is awash (with rain) and speeds drop... Another fill-up for the Powell-Newman Super Meteor...

"It's past 8:30 and the sun sinking low. Powell and Newman, Royal Enfield are third...

Hanging on for third place.

"It's been a really tough race!"

Super Meteor is flagged in third.

Now watch the whole show on YouTube.