Red Royal Enfield C5 with UCE engine

James Parchman wrote a great article about the Royal Enfield company and our new products for the New York Times . Here is the online version of the article. James is a freelance writer/photographer who contacted us while he was in Pakistan doing another article. he went to the factory in Chennai and came back with this great article.  As someone who has taken a lot of photos around the factory over the years I am in awe of his photographic abilities as well. Guess this is what the phrase “trained professional” is all about.  James did a great job and we certainly appreciate it. We are told that he has an upcoming piece in Rider magazine about the C5 as well.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/17/automobiles/17ROYAL.html

Got to India late last night. The trip was horribly long especially from Frankfurt to Chennai. The first 4 hours from Phoenix was OK, the 8 hour flight from Philadelphia to Frankfurt was OK, waiting in Frankfurt for 5 hours got a bit tedious, but the almost 9 hour leg from Germany to India makes you want to claw your eyes out. Unfortunately the trip was not quite as long for my luggage as it missed the flight. Should be here tomorrow and I have what I need in my carry on.

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This is an older ad for the introduction of the Electra model in India (Note the Electra model sold in India is not the same as the Electra model sold in the USA. The name Electra originated because it was the first Royal Enfield with an electronic ignition).

Over the years any number of famous people have become Royal Enfield customers. The first picture is Brad Pitt riding a Royal Enfield (we swear it is him), the second is Julio Iglesias Jr. and friend riding in Miami. Billy Joel owns several Royal Enfield including two on his yacht. He uses one as a daily driver as well.

Brad Pitt Riding a Royal Enfield in India

Julio Iglesias Jr. and Friend on Royal Enfield Bullet in Miami

From Cycle World Magazine's Gallery

Along with the very favorable two articles about the new Bullet Classic C-5 in the March issue of Cycle World, there are quite few additional pictures in a gallery that they have put online. Click the picture to go to the online Cycle World photo gallery.

I spotted a bunch of very cool and interesting pictures of Royal Enfield choppers in a Royal Enfield blog. It is well worth a look, click here to check it out.

Dion from New Zealand recently wrote in inviting us to post some pictures from his recent trip to India. Dion visited the Royal Enfield factory and took some great photos, so I was only too happy to take him up on his offer. Thanks Dion!

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I happened across this great post from Mark Hoyer, of Cycle World Magazine,  that included a perfect photographic example of the more “utilitarian” role common for small motorcycles outside the United States (and India in particular). As mark puts it, “Who needs a 5000-pound SUV?!”

Photo credit: Jeff Allen, Cycle World Magazine

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In early November I spent two weeks in India. Much of my time there was spent with Mark Hoyer and Jeff Allan from Cycle World Magazine. They’re working on an article about our new bikes and the “New Royal Enfield Company”. In a companion piece, Peter Eagan from Cycle World is also doing an article on the AVL Bullet. I had a great time with Mark and Jeff and I think they also had a great time. Although these two are extremely well-traveled, this was their first time in India.

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A Guided Tour of the Royal Enfield manufacturing facility in Chennai, India

This narrated video, produced by Royal Enfield Motors, is an interesting look into Royal Enfield in India. It has some great shots of the Royal Enfield factory and the Royal Enfield brand store in Chennai, with all of their modern amenities.

The narrator also gives some good insight into the modern processes Royal Enfield Motors is using to continually improve quality while maintaining an attractive price point.

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