Details out on Classic new Royal Enfield

The new Royal Enfield Bullet Classic 500 unveiled in Europe has yet to reach the United States but we know a lot about what it will be like, thanks to Kevin Mahoney of Classic Motorworks, the U.S. distributor. He provides constant updates in postings in the forum sections of Classic's web site.

We know that the new motorcycle, called the C-5 inside Royal Enfield, will have a unit-constructed engine (or UCE, meaning motor and transmission are inside the same case), fuel injection, electric start and electronic ignition. But read these recent posts by Mahoney for more specifics:

"The three colors shown at Intermot are in fact the colors the bike will be available with. However the turquoise will be first as they have it all sorted out. The black will be easy, but they are still working on the red. The painted frame has brought out some interesting issues with the welds. Because of the color the welds are much more noticeable. This now makes them an aesthetic item instead of a just a practical item. Even with this new bike quite a bit of it is still handmade, including the frame.

"I believe that a dual seat will be available. It takes a special subframe. A rear pillion with a matching subframe will also be available.

"The kickstart option is not an easy retrofit as I had hoped. It would require replacing quite a bit of the transmission. It does have a decompressor, but it is an automatic one controlled by flyweights for starting. Although this design has a (starter motor) sprag it has been trouble free on all of the test bikes around the world. It is designed differently than the current sprag set up. It is connected directly to the engine with no intermediate idler gears, which is where the real problem lies in the current design.

"While I was (in India) we took four bikes right off the assembly line and took them to the track. Right from the get-go they were thrashed, and I do mean thrashed. They were pushed as hard on the track as an Enfield can be pushed all day long. The next day we took them on a 200km ride again being less than kind to them. The performance of all four was absolutely flawless. It sort of amazed all of us. No break-in, no special preparation, etc. This new engine is awesome. Good sound and very linear torque, which is unusual.

"We do not think the new bike will turn us into a big motorcycle company. Royal Enfield and Classic Motorworks would be happy with a modest 10 per cent growth -- which is not much given the numbers we sell. What we do want to become is a small company that is known for selling very cool unique bikes that are reliable and very economical. We have the cool bike and economic thing down and have made big headway on reliability. We are hoping the new power train will put us over the top in that category. RE has enough confidence that they are going to double the warranty to two years on all UCE bikes. This alone is worth something.

"Some people will want a Sportster, some will want a Bonnie, some will want a Honda Rebel, we just hope some also want a Royal Enfield."

Next: More about the new Royal Enfield

Royal Enfields becoming a 'relative' joy

Royal Enfield's direction is "up," said dealer Eric M. Engler of Velocity Motorcycles in Richmond, Va. "Especially with the new improvements, owning one has become relatively an absolute pleasure," he added, with a wry smile.

People who buy Royal Enfield motorcycles need to realize they are not buying Hondas. Other dealers may offer test rides, but Engler emphasizes that Velocity requires buyers to test ride their choice of motorcycle.

"We have never had a customer who felt they'd made a mistake, and that is in eight years," he said.

Stepping from the showroom into the shop shows how far Velocity is willing to go for customers. A vintage BMW 750 has been bulked up with a 900cc motor at a customer's request. It's a neat looking piece of work.

Another BMW in well used condition will be brought up to road worthiness but will be left with its vintage patina, for riding, not showing off, at the owner's request. It's hard not to envy the lucky rider, come Spring.

Far showier is a Confederate American GT with a nickle-plated frame originally made for one of the founders of the company. Velocity has turned it into a sports model, with single seat, smaller lights and foot controls moved back to be underfoot instead of stretched out front, cruiser style. Dual exhaust instead of two-into-one ("it was too loud!") and digital speedometer make it a very unusual bike.

Up on the shelf in the "attic" at Velocity is a 1947 Royal Enfield dual-port that "isn't ready for the showroom yet." Every turn at Velocity seems to bring you to something special. Creative thinking in every direction is the only way to describe it. Where do they find these machines?

Engler says "we look for motorcycles that are in good shape, complete and not running!"

The result is a fascinating collection. I recommend a visit to Velocity Motorcycles if you are in the Washington, D.C. area. The address is 1202 N. Boulevard, Richmond, Va. Yes, the name of the street is "Boulevard." I got lost. The phone is 804-353-3456 and there are directions on the web site, velocityvintage.com

Richmond Royal Enfield dealer up to speed

Velocity Motorcycles neatly fills a classic brick building in Richmond, Va. The Royal Enfields on its showroom floor are protected by a big black dog named Lulu. She is friendly but she was rescued from Hurricane Katrina, so she is entitled to a few quirks. For instance, she barks at people in funny hats.

Owner Eric M. Engler is friendlier. In fact, if it was not for the Velocity logo on his shirt I would have taken this soft-spoken man for a fellow visitor, there to gawk at the magnificent vintage motorcycles lined up on the floor. He describes them almost as if they are human friends:

"This is a Thruxton, number 1,200 of 1,208 they made, so it may be the 'youngest' Thruxton living.

"This is a BMW with a Volkswagen engine. It's like riding a BMW that is heavier but with enormous torque. You have to be careful with the throttle. There were three or four firms in Germany that made kits for these. This one is very well done. Look at the welds here on the frame, to lengthen it. Those are beautifully done."

All the bikes are for sale. A 1969 Norton Commander 750S has a price tag of $9,500. I did not see price tags on two real veterans: a 1912 FN with shaft drive (FN was building shaft drive bicycles so all it had to do was add the motor, Engler explained) and a 1922 New Map 350. The New Map defined old-time motorcycle looks, right down to a small tin box on the tank that might have held the rider's pipe and tobacco.

The New Map is only missing the tire pump, Engler said, pointing to the empty lugs on the left front girder leg. He could get a pump but isn't sure what kind is correct.

In the window is a Royal Enfield cafe racer Velocity built. The price tag is $9,600. Velocity's motto is "The bike you loved then is here now." Their web site provides a good look at the many truly vintage bikes they offer, but the motto seems particularly appropriate for Royal Enfield. Two new Bullets sit on the showroom floor, but more are coming, Engler said.

Next: What Velocity thinks is in store for Royal Enfield.

Royal Enfields and rural roads hard to find

My search for roads appropriate for Royal Enfield motorcycles took me straight up the center of Florida. I hoped to stay far enough away from the beach towns on either side of the state to truly find myself out in the open country. My route up U.S. 441 took me to Ocala, Fla. and a few miles north on Baseline Road out of Belleview found me at a Royal Enfield dealership.

U.S. Highway 441 isn't very pretty in South Florida, where I live. It runs past the incinerator plant and endless rows of big stores. But at its northern end, in Tennessee, it becomes scenic Newfound Gap Road in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Unfortunately, the path to the MelilliMoto Ducati and Vespa dealership in Ocala was more like the U.S. 441 I know than any national park.

MelilliMoto is a neat and clean building with a showroom and a sizable shop area. The showroom when I got there included no Royal Enfields, however. Owner Sebastian Didato said more are expected in at the beginning of next year. A dealer for three years, he said he thinks interest in Royal Enfields is picking up.

I asked if the big complex of golf communities nearby along 441 called The Villages would be a good market for vintage style motorcycles like those retirees would remember from their youth. No, Didato said, the Royal Enfields he has sold did not go to The Villages. Those people were more likely to buy scooters, he said.

And, while 441 wasn't the best road for Royal Enfields, there is good motorcycle country around, he said. Glancing at a map, I suspect I should have taken Route 19 through the Ocala National Forest. I'll give that a try next time.