Royal Enfield Black Chrome: the rumors were true

Paging Capt. Kidd: Your motorcycle is ready.

Royal Enfield dealers learned this week that the new "Black Chrome" model is available on a very limited basis and only in the 49 states, outside California.

Black Chrome! What a name. It evokes images of something pirate Captain Jack Sparrow would ride in "Pirates of the Caribbean."

It also reminds me of the lyric "black and chrome, and made by hands of metal" from Gray Hawke's song "Bullet."

And it's only coming to the U.S. in limited numbers, at least at first, and not in California (where the red Classic Chrome is available). It will be something special to have.

Someday, decades in the future, Royal Enfield enthusiasts may get into shoving matches over whether a "Black Chrome" model ever was available from the factory. There will be those who believe — some will even claim to have seen one — and those who deny.

Of the Classic Chrome, Royal Enfield USA says it "is built on a C5 platform and features chrome tank, fenders and the oval cover that looks like an air box. It has a brown solo seat (with an accessory matching pillion seat) and has a beautiful red stripe with pin striping down the middle. It is very reminiscent of the Interceptor."

I have yet to see one (dealers in my area sold out), but in photographs it looks fantastic in red.

In black it can only be more — black.

Here's the list of U.S. dealers.