First pics of the New Engine being developed by Royal Enfield
Royal Enfield enjoys a kind of fan following in India which only a few brands can dream of. Numerous Royal Enfield Groups (formed by individual efforts) scattered all over the country just goes to prove it's popularity. Once you own a Royal Enfield Bullet, you become part of a brotherhood of like minded and dedicated bikers.
The present Royal Enfield Bullet
Boys Vs. Men
"The new Engine platform will have..
>>The Engine and Gearbox as a single unit like other modern day motorcycles"
While the restless juvenile crowd feels like it's “Now or Never” and gets into “Xtreme” antics just to prove that they are “Definitely Male”, Royal Enfield riders on the other hand ride at peace. The lazy motor produces a kind of relaxed thump, whose deep bass always seem to have a calming influence on everyone..
The Enfield Guy knows pretty well that “Everybody Makes Way for a Bullet”.. and that “Some Guys Will Never Get It”. They don’t need to disappear every time from 0-60 Km/hr. in sub 5 seconds to gain attention.
Not that the Royal Enfield bikes lag behind either in B.H.P or in Torque.. its Power figures are still among the highest produced by any bike in India.
Need for Change..??
Refinement and reliability issues always held back many a biking enthusiast who otherwise might have also been a part of the Royal Enfield brotherhood.
Refinement and Bullets together sound like an oxymoron. Bullets are also infamous for its temperamental engine. It’s not uncommon that one fine morning your Bullet just might not be in a mood to wake up. It's a biking nightmare if the engine suddenly has to die on a lonely stretch of road without warning, leaving you stranded. Having a 50 year old engine design, a Royal Enfield constantly needs your care and attention.
In recent years the quality of Royal Enfiled bikes has indeed improved quite a lot. But to bring more bikers under its brand, Royal Enfield needed to do things better. What you see below are the first pictures of a New Engine platform for Royal Enfield bikes which are being road tested presently.
February 2007 Issues of the auto magazines “Bike India” and “Overdrive” carried these photos. The new Engine platform is reported to have
- The Engine and Gearbox as a single unit like other modern day motorcycles
- Hidden oil lines unlike the exposed oil lines of the present model
- The engine has cams which operate via hydraulic pushrods
- Compression Ratio on the new engine will be higher
- A smoother and more refined engine
- Probably be more Fuel Efficient and Cost Effective
- Will be available both in 350 C.C and 500 C.C configurations
Some Purists might object but I am sure many enthusiasts would approve.. including me.
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18 Comments:
Somehow my mail didn't get posted last time.
Anyway,
The Thunderbird is the world's most comfortable bike. Period. The engiene though, cant hold a candle to the iron cast 350.
RE HAS REMOVED THE BULLET 500 LINK BOUT 3-4 DAYS BACK. Is there something coming or just another damn squib?
I am still waiting for B500 with atleast a CDI kit instead of the CB and atleast 5 gears.
Well, nothing better if the looks differ from all the lookalike Enfields
Hi Utpal,
I have taken a few short rides on the Bullet 350, Bullet 350 Machismo and the Thunderbird..
Its a special feeling when you ride a bullet.. YOU FEEL ROYAL
But not everyone can "GET" a Royal Enfield bike..
About new launches from Royal Enfield, I guess we will just have to wait..
Pls this engine should atleast have a sohc, instead of those old old old push-rod setup. Besides revamping the entire clutch system would be a good idea (6 speed wet plate multi-clutch system.... naah) something which gives more feel than the present setup
Lets hope that whatever changes Royal Enfield makes.. its for the better.
Also I sincerely hope that the new bike retains the unique characteristic of the Royal Enfield Bullets.
Amen
Schade, aber das sind keine Enfields mehr. Mit der Fünfgangschaltung ging das Dilemma ja schon los, aber das jetzt ist unausgegorener wir versuchen es halt mal peinlicher 70iger Jahre Style, sorry geht gar nicht . . .
They have stopped the production of 500cc (cast iron) bullets due to emmision norms.
But soon they are going to launch the 500cc in the AVL.May be this new platform is the one which they are moving to.
Harm, but those are no more Enfields. With the five-gear shift the dilemma went already loosely, but that is more unausgegorener we now tries it stop times embarrassing 70iger years Style, sorry goes not at all. .
This is what I could get from the translation of the above comment.. Which is in German.. I would like to say thanks to that German guy for writing a comment. What I get is that he isn't very happy at the changes that seems to be incorporated in the (probably) new Royal Enfields.
Thanks for the information Karthik...
Could you provide any link of the news of the Bullet 500 being stopped production..? It would be really helpful..
They made the unit construction engine because it schould be less expensive to produce but the new price is the way up ??? I understand they need to meke a new engine but please let them stick to the original design. Why not bring out an exact copy of the 1953 but whit the modern design, like H.D. did whit their web fork models.
I think the bullets are simply amazing !
But thinking aloud which colour do you think we desi 's prefer ?Would it be the red or the black ?And why ?
Would like to hear about peoples opinions on this ...u know just thinking aloud
First off I am an American and a former Biker so I know of that which I speak. The new engine is an eyesore, an insult to the great name Royal Enfield. Whatever the reason for this change it is WRONG and should be undone immediately! The reason for the surge in popularity of the Enfield was the "classic" styling. The bikes took us back to a time when life and times were simpler and there is nothing cooler than to be riding a classic piece of history.
Now this new engine and "styling" have undone all that and the wonderful Royal Enfield name is attached to a McClone, a generic "cruiser" of nondescript origin that could come from anywhere and is considered just as disposable as a no-name television or computer that goes out of date.
Remember this, classics endure centuries but clones are forgotten almost overnight.
Do the right thing! Restore the Royal Enfield to its original form
or face mediocrity, obscurity and eventualy the dust bin of history...
Bruce,
Jacksonville, Florida, USA
I ride an Electra 4S 2003 since new. It is the 4th Enfield Bullet in my life. Enfield India should have retained the RH gear shift even for the Electra 5s and also for the new engines, rather than aping the LH side shift. I think the individuality of Enfield Bullet is lost. After spending??? money in R & D, Enfield is yet to find a design where they could use Overhead Cams. The ride comfort could also be increased with a little softer front forks and rear shocks. Even now, unless both, rider and pillion are well built, we cannot enjoy the ride literally.
From: KP Muralidharan Nair, Coimbatore
I just picked up one of the last Bullet Classics ( Iron Head ). I own 4 other bikes, but this one has a style all it's own. I get more comments on it than all my other bikes combined. Simpler is better. Nothing like cruising around town, nice and easy. No hurry, just enjoying the ride. It's a shame they stop producing such a great piece of history.
I own 3 Enfield Bullet out of which one is of 1968 model were the piston is made up of Gun Metal. The oter one is a 1984 and 2006 standared with the later equpped with an air filter on the right tol box. U feel Royal n unique ven u ride all the three...dats d difference. Bullet means sliding the amps, kicking the kicker slowly n starting it gently and play the gear by lifting the gear levear with d bk of ur right foot...ya dats a tradition a legacy of us, we the Bullet owners
I own 3 Enfield Bullet out of which one is of 1968 model were the piston is made up of Gun Metal. The oter one is a 1984 and 2006 standared with the later equpped with an air filter on the right tol box. U feel Royal n unique ven u ride all the three...dats d difference. Bullet means sliding the amps, kicking the kicker slowly n starting it gently and play the gear by lifting the gear levear with d bk of ur right foot...ya dats a tradition a legacy of us, we the Bullet owners
They made the unit construction engine because it schould be less expensive to produce but the new price is the way up ??? I understand they need to meke a new engine but please let them stick to the original design. Why not bring out an exact copy of the 1953 but whit the modern design, like H.D. did whit their web fork models.
Pls this engine should atleast have a sohc, instead of those old old old push-rod setup. Besides revamping the entire clutch system would be a good idea (6 speed wet plate multi-clutch system.... naah) something which gives more feel than the present setup
They have stopped the production of 500cc (cast iron) bullets due to emmision norms.
But soon they are going to launch the 500cc in the AVL.May be this new platform is the one which they are moving to.
I have recently booked a new bullet electra 5s after a long waiting period i am expecting to receive my bike in another two months owning a bullet has been my dream for 15years i have three cars and two other bikes but i never got to own a bullet i suppose it is a previelege to own one of these machines but somehow after reading the comments it is discouraging me to own a bullet i am hoping for a long and beautiful relationship with such a wonderful bike hope my dreams will be fullfilled by this bike
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