Royal Enfield

Greg Pullen charts the rise, fall and rise again of Royal Enfield, from the company’s pre-motorcycle beginnings in Redditch, through the impact of the two World Wars, the importance of exports to India and subsequent establishment of factories there, to changes in ownership, recently launched models and new concept bikes for the future.

With 190 photographs, this book includes the V-twins, from the 1930s K and KX range to a glimpse of the concept V-twin shown in 2018; the singles, from 2-strokes to side-valve 4-strokes, and the ohv versions that first used the Bullet name, through to the new singles built in India. The British Bullet: its arrival in 1948 and production in UK, the original orders from India and subsequent setting up of production there are discussed.

The 250s (1958–68), including the Turbo Twins, and the big twins, from the 1948 500 are covered along with the Twin to the final Interceptor in 1970, including the 800cc prototype and the Clymer Indians. The new twins: the 650cc Royal Enfield Interceptor and Continental GT twins and the Bobber concept bike are featured as well as competition success, with notable ISDT achievements, star rider Johnny Brittain and racing the big twins, and Geoff Duke in the GP5.

The British factories and new opportunities with the Indian factories are remembered.