Folks, this is the bike I got just last summer. They build these things in India, but the company that originally produced them came from Great Britain. This one is in classic black, with lots of chrome and polished metal. It's a pretty small bike really, weighing in at just under 400 pounds, but you've got to remember that it's made for wrangling your way through the Himalayas on winding dirt roads. And, it sounds almost as good as it looks. It's a single cylinder, 500cc, THUMPER!
Up until 1947, Great Britain owned India. After India won its independence, lots of cool British stuff got left behind - like the Royal Enfield motor cycle factory. After the Brits left, and the Royal Enfield Company in England went bankrupt, Indian businessmen took the factory over and just kept on making the exact same bikes - to this day. At first, they built the bikes for the Indian Army, and you can still buy all-green military versions of the Bullet.
So while my bike is brand new, it's important to realize that it's a actually a 'brand new' 1950 motorcycle! After it's finished being broken in (in about another 250 miles), the top speed will be 75 mph, and it'll get around 72 miles per gallon. You can find out more about these time machines at http://www.royalenfield.com .
I'd always wanted one of these beauties, because when I was a kid I lived in southeast Asia. My dad was a civil engineer, and we got to travel extensively throughout the region. On a trip when I was 14, we visited Bangalore, in India, and a friend of ours who lived there and owned a Bullet, took me for rides around the city.
Oh, until my bike's broken in, look for me cruising along at around 36mph. Don't worry, I'll be pulling over to let you past!
Up until 1947, Great Britain owned India. After India won its independence, lots of cool British stuff got left behind - like the Royal Enfield motor cycle factory. After the Brits left, and the Royal Enfield Company in England went bankrupt, Indian businessmen took the factory over and just kept on making the exact same bikes - to this day. At first, they built the bikes for the Indian Army, and you can still buy all-green military versions of the Bullet.
So while my bike is brand new, it's important to realize that it's a actually a 'brand new' 1950 motorcycle! After it's finished being broken in (in about another 250 miles), the top speed will be 75 mph, and it'll get around 72 miles per gallon. You can find out more about these time machines at http://www.royalenfield.com .
I'd always wanted one of these beauties, because when I was a kid I lived in southeast Asia. My dad was a civil engineer, and we got to travel extensively throughout the region. On a trip when I was 14, we visited Bangalore, in India, and a friend of ours who lived there and owned a Bullet, took me for rides around the city.
Oh, until my bike's broken in, look for me cruising along at around 36mph. Don't worry, I'll be pulling over to let you past!
1 comment:
A couple weeks ago there were four of us standing out in the parking lot, trying to figure out who this bike belonged to. Nice to see it's you!
- Eric
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