Monday, November 9, 2009

Royal Enfield: California here they come!

Royal Enfield will invade the California market in 2010 with high quality dealerships, I've heard. Royal Enfield will show off its motorcycles at the International Motorcycle Show Dec. 4-6 in Long Beach Calif.

The news is long awaited. Until now, if you wanted a new Royal Enfield in California you needed do some fancy work-arounds on your own and hope the DMV didn't mind. Your nearest dealer would be across the state line.

California's tougher emissions requirements were the problem, requiring an evaporative emissions recovery system. Royal Enfield has now perfected that, and California testing is proceeding.

This means that next year you should be able to buy new Royal Enfields from official California dealers. These could include South Bay Triumph of Lomita (Los Angeles area), Munroe Motors of San Francisco and Triumph Performance Cycle in Sacramento. There would be "more to come," I'm told.

If this is right, these three dealers look like the sort of people who would understand and care about the Royal Enfield customer. Munroe has been in business since 1958. South Bay Triumph says it is the "home of the world's fastest Triumph" and Performance Cycle has been with Triumph since 1997.
at 7:00 AM
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8 comments:

  1. wowsa! Where did you hear this news? Ive been eyeing a new UCE since they were announced, but unfortunately moved from Oregon to Cali before the were released! Any word on when in 2010?
    If this is true, great news!
    ReplyDelete
  2. It's true, they're coming. The date presumably would depend on when the 2010 shipments arrive from India, since 2009 motorcycles would already be at existing dealerships in other states. Royal Enfield WILL be at the Long Beach show if you're in the area.
    ReplyDelete
  3. Will the evaporative emissions recovery system change how the bike operates compared to non-California versions? When smog systems were first introduced in California in cars they were a pain especially the longer you owned the vehicle such as the 1970 Datsun 510.
    ReplyDelete
  4. As I understand it, all that was really required was a charcoal canister and leak-free gas tank. There should be no effect on performance.
    ReplyDelete
  5. I will be in line to buy one.
    Scott O
    ReplyDelete
  6. Been riding,now for over 50 yrs. Currently on a 04 bullet,love it. My first was a 500 bullet? more like a1948 j2. Ive had almost every Brit ride there is, like wise the Jap. ones. BMW Rs and Ks .Oh never an hd. I guess im bragging about no H.D.s my point? Looking for enfield,enfield/indian 700/750

    just MOE
    ReplyDelete
  7. I like the idea of the Royal Enfield as a simply maintained street motorcycle for the average guy. It would be great for close to home transportation, strong enough to pull a small sidecar, and some might even attempt a distance tour to Sturgis.

    I have a 2007 Kawasaki Vulcan Classic 1500 that HAS emissions controls. There's a Velorex sidecar attached I need to carry stuff for my job needs.

    I keep wondering why new Harleys are allowed in CA without emissions controls, and they're so loud to frighten children and expectant mothers!
    ReplyDelete
  8. Hi David,

    The Enfields have just been approved in CA.

    http://www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/onroad/cert/hmc/2011/royalenfield_m1790001_499_0d8_hn.pdf

    Happy motoring.
    ReplyDelete

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