Royal Enfield To Expand Dealer Network In North America...

Royal Enfield North America (RENA) is actively recruiting new dealer partners to join the rapidly expanding global enterprise and bring the oldest continuously produced motorcycles in the world to the United States and Canada. The company, a division of Eicher Motors (based in New Delhi, India), is leveraging its recent global momentum to reach new markets.

RENA plans to welcome a select number of qualified dealers in key markets in North America through the end of 2016. The company is looking for savvy entrepreneurial business partners that understand and have a passion for the motorcycling industry and associated lifestyles. RENA is uniquely positioned in the marketplace with an offering of classically styled, middle-weight motorcycles and a storied history that dates back to 1901.

Royal Enfield motorcycles are inspired by the classic bikes throughout motorcycling history, and they still mirror the simplicity, capture the feeling of freedom and emulate traditional craftsmanship paired with modern updates.

“Today, there’s a growing market for middle-weights, and Royal Enfield takes riders back to a time when middle-weight riding was craved. A time of ‘pure’ motorcycling,” said Michael Roark, vice president of sales and dealer development, Royal Enfield North America. “We’re committed to bringing the fun and authentic riding experience that the boomers and Xers grew up with to a new generation of future enthusiasts — millennials. Royal Enfield North America is looking for and excited to talk to both traditional and unconventional dealer partners who share our passion and will become ambassadors for the brand.”

Current Royal Enfield models exude the brand’s 115-year-old heritage. Models include: Royal Enfield’s famous Bullet (the longest continuously produced motorcycle in the world for eight decades), the Classic and the Continental GT cafe racer.

Royal Enfield is supported by a partnership with ThunderRoad Financial and will be offering attractive nationwide retail finance options.

Royal Enfield Escapade COORG 2016

To ride, simply get on and get out.

The third run of Royal Enfield Escapade is here and this time, it's in the misty hills of Coorg. Ride beyond the concrete jungle into the aromatic hillside coffee estates.

Register now: RoyalEnfield.com/Escapade/Coorg

She Travels On A Royal Enfield - The Himalayan Odyssey

This year, Royal Enfield Himalayan Odyssey introduces an ALL Women's edition to be flagged off from New Delhi on 8th July. This is a call to all the women riders seeking their rendezvous with adventure! Women riders can register themselves at http://royalenfield.com/ho/#!how from anywhere in the country, to be part of the history - The first ever Himalayan Odyssey- Women (HO-W). The 17 day adventure ride will traverse 2200 kms in some of the roughest terrains and highest mountain passes.
 
Powered by STRE (She Travels on a Royal Enfield), a community of women motorcyclists who ride a Royal Enfield across the globe, the maiden edition of Himalayan Odyssey - Women (HO-W) will see the passion driven contingent ride the ‘holy grail’ of motorcycling from July 08, 2016- July 23, 2016. Apart from the participants, the entire HO-W team will comprise of women i.e. service staff, technicians, doctors and crew will all be women.
 
The Himalayas have been the mecca for motorcyclists since time immemorial, and the Royal Enfield Himalayan Odyssey- Women gives its women riders opportunity to thump all the way to 18,000 ft to Khardung-La to experience one of the most gratifying motorcycling journeys in the world.
 
Both men and women contingents will be flagged off from Delhi together while they will ride on different routes before finally converging at Leh, Ladakh. The annual ride is an opening for those who seek to look beyond the obvious and venture into the unchartered territories exploring one of the most challenging terrains in the world.

Royal Enfield opens Leh service centre...

 Indian bikemaker Royal Enfield, which organises rallies in the Himalayas, has opened its service centre in Leh, the capital of Ladakh region in Jammu & Kashmir.

The centre has been set up to service several Royal Enfield riders who drive across the Himalayan region during the summer months. Hundreds of bikers ride through the high-altitude district every summer, enjoying the beauty of the region.

“For over 60 years, the Himalayas have been traversed by Royal Enfield riders, and today we have come to call Ladakh our spiritual home,” said a post in the company’s Facebook page. “To support these adventurous riders and explorers better, we are proud to open our first-ever service centre at Leh.”  

Here are the contact details for all riders: 

Royal Enfield
Venture Third Pole
Arya Tara Complex, Housing Colony, Leh-Manali Highway, Leh 194101 (J&K)
Landline No:01982-257700
Mobile: +918492985888, 9999227196
email: royalenfieldladakh@gmail.com

Royal Enfield Rigours

Owning a Royal Enfield is a matter of pride for many. There are endless debates on the thump of the old cast iron engines and the reliability of the modern UCE ones. For all its legacy and the respect it commands on the road, it still is a big, unwieldy machine weighing almost 200 kilos with a full tank! And that means owning one works on your body in more ways than one.

Exhibit A: the centre stand. It is a body weight exercise requiring the application of pressure on a focal point while using the right technique to gently plop the rising motorcycle on its haunches. Often mistaken for a feat of brute strength, it is more about technique and works the calf and back muscles most. Getting it off the stand will also, depending on technique, work the lower back or shoulders. Just be careful with momentum.

Next we have the kicker. A much less formidable opponent now than the machines of old, but still a formidable adversary on a cold morning. A couple of kicks to get the oil flowing, and easing it past decompression stroke gets the legs and shoulders working, before the entire muscle system smoothly arcs to deliver one steady kick. If you do it right, you're rewarded with the throaty roar of the engine coming to life. If not, more exercise for you.

The last and most formidable one, dreaded by every owner, is pushing a broken-down Royal Enfield. The occasional breakdown is unavoidable and sometimes a little locomotion is necessary. This is a full-body exercise that requires balance and foresight, such as building momentum before a slight incline. Preferably done with a light fuel load.

It's all a little daunting in the beginning, but when you successfully manage these exercises, the feeling is worth it.

Kick on this

* Using the right technique to gently plop the rising motorcycle on its haunches is about technique and works the calf muscles

* Getting the Royal Enfield off the stand works the lower back or shoulders

* Pushing a broken down Royal Enfield is a full body exercise

Royal Enfield Classic 350 enters Top 10 List

There’s no doubt that the Royal Enfield Classic 350 is one of the most popular motorcycles currently. The motorcycle comes in the premium segment with a cost near to Rs.1.5 lakh and also has a long waiting period that varies in different cities. Still, it is the enthusiasm of the Indian riders for RE motorcycles that makes them to wait so long to buy one. And that is the reason today the bike is standing among the top 10 selling motorcycles in the country for the month of April 2016.

According to the sales report of the Indian motorcycle industry, Royal Enfield sold 28,567 units of the Classic 350 in April 2016, registering its name on the ninth rank in the list of top 10 selling motorcycles in India. The bike has recorded a whooping 71 per cent sales hike compared to the numbers of the same month in the previous year.

The Royal Enfield Classic 350 is a vintage-modern style motorcycle with all-metal fabrication and robust look. The bike is powered by the iconic 346cc, single-cylinder, air-cooled engine with carburettor type fuel system, and it comes mated to a five-speed gearbox. The thumping motor makes 19.8bhp at 5,250rpm and delivers a peak torque of 28Nm at 4,000rpm.

Some other interesting facts from the top 10 motorcycles list for April 2016 include the newly launched Bajaj V15 that was introduced just 2-3 months back and has entered the list this time round. The Hero Glamour once again has left the previous best selling125cc bike, Honda CB Shine, behind on the sales chart. And all the top 4 positions for the top-selling motorcycles in India are secured by products from Hero MotoCorp, including the Splendor, HF Deluxe, Passion, and the Glamour.

Royal Enfield as a Prize !!!!

In most of the kabaddi tournaments or kushti dangals in punjab...the winners are given bullets as prize....we can say bullet also maybe the reason here to excite young generations into these desi games which however are depleting very rapidly from our country

Tyre air Pressure For Royal Enfield...

There are so many  of factors on which tire pressure depends :

– Which  Company of tire you using

– Terrain on which one is riding (Low on dirt track and high on highways)

– Whether Your riding solo or with pillion

If the tire pressure is low than the handling will effect ,but if tire pressure is high than the contact area would be low.Contact area is weight on wheel divided by tire pressure.Weight means the riders or load weight.

Ride on highways(considering MRF factory fitted tires with 19″ front and 18″ rear) :

– Front – 24psi(solo) But with pillion 26psi

– Back – 34psi(solo)  But with pillion 36psi

Ride on offroad/mud/slush(considering MRF factory fitted tires) :

– Front – 22psi(solo) But with pillion 24psi

– Back – 32psi(solo) But with pillion  34psi

PSI = Pounds per Square Inch.

Gul Panag on the Royal Enfield ‪Himalayan‬...

 Stand and deliver! Gul Panag on the Royal Enfield ‪Himalayan on the mean streets of Mumbai. Her adventure is just about to begin and we can't wait to see where it takes her.

ITS motorbikes may not be the best that India produces, in terms of performance or reliability, and they are certainly not the cheapest, but no other brand comes close to matching Royal Enfield’s cult following. Gul Panag, a Bollywood star-turned-politician, is often seen, as pictured, riding her Enfield. When she got married in 2011, her groom swept her off to their honeymoon in a Royal Enfield with sidecar.

Indeed, it is said that owning one of the bikes can improve a young Indian man’s marriage prospects. They tend to be driven by sensible types, in contrast with those who get their kicks by showing off on flashy sports bikes, such as the KTM Duke 390. Owners of Enfields lavish care and attention on them, diligently polishing each spoke on their wheels. Prospective mothers-in-law find this reassuring.

In its early days of independence it was kept going with orders from the Indian army and police, which used it to patrol rough border terrain. Now consumers drive sales: in February more than 49,000 Enfields were sold, up by 63% on a year earlier. That month there was a frisson of excitement in India’s business press when the market capitalisation of the manufacturer’s parent company, Eicher Motors, briefly overtook that of Harley-Davidson, an equally admired American bike brand, having already surpassed it by sales volume. In Delhi, enthusiasts from across the world flock to rent Enfields for rides through the Himalayas. Other bikes may be speedier on the highways and sip less fuel, but only an Enfield can survive such rugged terrain, “not your Harley-Davidsons,” sniffs one fan.

Yet as recently as 2000 the parent company was planning to close Royal Enfield down. Frequent breakdowns, oil leaks, engine seizures, electrical failures and poor service had dented the bikes’ reputation and burned much of the company’s cash. Sales were down to just 2,000 a month. A third-generation member of the family that controls the group, Siddhartha Lal—who had ridden to his own wedding on an Enfield instead of the traditional horse—persuaded his father to give him a chance to revive the brand.

Over the years Mr Lal made a number of changes to the bike without compromising on what had made it so popular. The gold piping on their petrol tanks is still painted by hand. But mechanical carburettors have been replaced with electronic fuel-injection on many models, to improve mileage and prevent breakdowns, especially at high altitudes. The cast-iron engine was replaced by an aluminum one to reduce oil leaks. When this affected the sound of the bike’s legendary “thump”, foreign consultants were called in to fix things. The thump is one of the bikes’ biggest selling-points: some buyers pay workshops to tinker with their new bikes to make it even louder.

Investment in increasing production capacity, in the firm’s southern home city of Chennai, has helped it meet surging demand, though there is a waiting-list of up to four months on some models. When their bike finally arrives, buyers sometimes hand out sweets in their workplace, as if celebrating the arrival of their first-born. K. Krishnamani, a forty-something manager at a logistics firm in Mumbai, now on his second Enfield, describes how riding his bike makes him feel as royal as the maker’s name. “On the road, anybody will stop and give way to you. That is the liberty you have when you ride Enfield.” 

Harry Potter Rides Royal Enfield...

The much-anticipated Harry Potter blockbuster showed us the beloved wizard riding not a broomstick, but a pale blue Royal Enfield motorcycle and Watsonian sidecar.

The vehicle which featured in the seventh Harry Potter movie (Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1) have been supplied by Blockley-based company Watsonian Squire, the Royal Enfield UK Distributor.

In one scene the vehicle is seen ridden at high speed across London by Hagrid, played by Robbie Coltrane, while Harry, played by Daniel Radcliffe, strongly hangs on in the sidecar.

Ben Matthews, director and co-owner of Watsonian Squire, said all the firm's 20 workers were excited about the new movie. "We were contacted by the company that sources vehicles for films," he said.

Originally the film makers only wanted sidecars but when they saw the Royal Enfield motorcycles they ended up buying seven complete motorbike and sidecar "outfits".

"One ended up in a lake, one was made lighter for a flying scene and one was modified for a stunt," continued Matthews, whose team had to keep quiet about the movie tie-in for the past 18 months.

"It's all very exciting, " Matthews added. "We have been helping get them roadworthy.”

Matthews, who lives in Evesham, admitted that he has never red the Harry Potter books or seen any of the movies, though he said his son, Troy, aged 12, is an avid fan.

A version of the "Harry Potter" motorbike and sidecar displayed at the Motorcycle Live exhibition at the NEC.

Day 11-13 of the Royal Enfield Tour of Nepal 2016

Riding through wide city roads and winding paths in thickets that boast of tall trees, the convoy of riders on the Royal Enfield Tour of Nepal on its way back. 

Here are pictures clicked across two days during the exciting ride between Nagarkot - Chitwan - Bhairhawa.

Royal Enfield: Bullet Machismo 350

 
Patterned in the excellent line of the Standard Bullet and Thunderbird, Machismo 350 is a well-made motorcycle powered by a refined 346cc lean burn engine of single cylinder, 4 stroke and air-cooled set up. The petrol tank displays a sparkling aspect with the beautiful stroke of chrome paint. The options of windshield and saddlebag add to the aggressive persona and complete look of the bike. The other extra features of the bike comprise of an appealing instrument panel that comes along with the optional accessories like front disc brakes, spring coiled twin seats and gas-filled shock absorbers. The bike comes in kick-start and self-start versions as well.

Engine
Royal Enfield Bullet Machismo 350 is powered by single cylinder 4-stroke 350 cc engine. The engine produces a peak power of 18 bhp @ 5000 rpm and a peak torque of 27.5 Nm @ 3500 rpm. The engine has a constant vacuum carburetor which aids combustion and improves initial pick-up. The CDI ignition system of Bullet Machismo 350 eliminates cold start problems.

Design And Comfort
A wonderful fusion of Thunderbird and the Standard Bullet model, Bullet Machismo 350 inherits all the mechanicals of Thunderbird endorsing the classic look of the Royal Enfield brand. The look is very striking to those who love to throttle with the great thumping bike. The red-and-chrome color scheme distinguishes the Bullet Machismo from other Bullets. The ownership of the bike reflects the Bullet loyalty of the owner. The eye catching sturdy cast iron engine with distinct gearbox is wonderful. Full mud guards ensure better mud protection and add style. Plenty of chrome, traffic indicators and the macho look display the complete persona of the monster.

Ride And Handling
Bullet Machismo rides on hydraulic damped telescopic forks in the front suspension and the rear suspension has swing arm with adjustable and gas filled shock absorbers. It hits the maximum speed of 100kmph. The 7" twin lead brakes are the perfect control mechanism of the bike. The bike is also touched up with glass-wool-fitted silencer to reduce heat transmission. The seats are extremely comfortable showing its legendary riding posture. The Rear stainless steel spokes and cast aluminum hubs provide better road grip. It has a five speed gear box at the left side. Lockable toolbox is an ingenious fitment especially for the long trips. The mileage of the bike is around 40kmpl on the average in the city conditions. In this bike we can really attain the smooth ride, light weight, great comfort and the joy of a real macho bike ride.

Bullet Machismo 350 Mileage

Designed for comfortable and smooth driving, Bullet Machismo 350 is equipped with a     power-packed engine. The roaring king gives an excellent mileage of 35-40 kmpl.

Bullet Machismo 350 Price , Variants And Color

The available colors of the Bullet Machismo are Black and Alberto Green.

SIDEBURN Royal Enfield

After 50 years of production in India, Royal Enfield had worked hard to update their range, first with a unit construction engine, then fuel injection and after all that the only thing on Sideburn magazine’s mind was making the 2009 Bullet Classic look like a mid-‘60s flat track racer.

Only half the frame and the engine remains from the original bike that was supplied to Sideburn by UK Royal Enfield specialists, Watsonian-Squire.

Lots of parts came from friends. Or we already had them, and were waiting for the right bike to come along. The alloy tank was custom-made for a friend’s dirt track race bike, but he was never happy with it, so we bought it for a fraction of having one made. The Bimota YB9 triple clamps and Paoli forks were £120 off eBay.

The wheels, Excel 19-inch rims with Honda CRF450 hubs and Maxxis tires, were bought from a friend who was selling his dirt tracker. The tractor headlight was a gift; so was the bobbed Indian Sport Scout rear mudguard and the rear four-piston Performance Machine caliper.

The hardtail loop is by David Bird from Lowbrow Customs, but we had Co-Built shorten the bottom rail to retain the stock wheelbase. Co-Built also made the stainless exhaust.

CFM of Lincolnshire, UK, did a great job of making all the very disparate parts fit together, fabricating brackets, footrest hangers; finding used Japanese master cylinders, switchgear and footpegs on the cheap; repositioning the battery; making the rear fender struts; cutting down the original twin seat and converting it to act as a sprung saddle. Steve Adams then covered it with a panel of real stingray skin.

The biggest challenge was converting the ignition to work with the Mikuni carb, rather than fuel injection. EFI is good, but we really wanted a simple loom and no fuel pump for this bike. Rupe’s Rewires made the loom.

When this bike was built there was no off-the-shelf kit to convert the ignition from EFI, like there is now, but CFM worked it out. The brake discs were special orders from Discacciati in Italy.

The final touch was the Ornamental Conifer paintwork on the blue base, one of the first customer bikes he painted.

The bike has competed in Sideburn’s Dirt Quake event twice, finishing on the podium in the Street Tracker class both times.

Royal Enfield solo ride to Ladakh...

Hemant Vashisht decided to bike it alone to Ladakh when his friend fell sick mid-way. He says the trip made him believe that everything falls into place when you really want it to. His story and useful travel tips for other solo riders. 

It all started in 2010 when I experienced my first solo journey on my Royal Enfield to Spiti and I was only 19-years-old at that time. Now I'm working with a top advertising agency as a Creative Art Director, and can afford to burn petrol and do some serious travel. As I progressed from one adventure trip to another I gained enough confidence to go on my dream solo journey to Ladakh and ride to the top of Khardungla.

At dawn, I saddled my Royal Enfield with the bare necessities and set out on the long road to Ladakh with a friend who was on his own bike. It was during the monsoon season and I expected the ride to be challenging. But the road from Gurgaon to Kiratpur Sahib was easy enough--a series of shifting landscapes. However, my friend fell ill and at Manali decided to cancel going up. That's when I decided to embark on a solo ride and it turned out to be the best decision I have ever made. However, the terrain was not easy. On crossing Rohtang La, I discovered how fickle the trail can be. There wasn't any road to speak of. Only a meandering path across a sheet of ice interspersed with ditches. But my bike did not fail me. As always! 

Incidents along the way
I would love to declare that I had an incredible ride, with no horrible events. But that wasn't the case. In a hurry to cover as much distance as possible in a day, and trying to reach far-flung destinations led to some unpleasant incidents as well. During my halt at Srinagar, for example, two men blocked my way on the bike and shouted 'We hate Indians'. I felt disgusted but didn't react and went ahead and spent the night in Srinagar. I left early the next morning, though I originally had plans to stay and explore the place. After the incident I just didn't feel like. When you are travelling solo, it is advisable to not get into any sort of squabble because it could be risky.

Of course I was scared but I persisted
I knew it was a wild idea, as many had pointed out, but the idea and the thrill of riding across India was too hard to resist. My family is now attuned and doesn't question me anymore when it comes to my bizarre travel ideas though they feel scared at times because riding or driving solo can be dangerous, and one needs to be alert and fully prepared. Driving all alone through unknown highways, the reputation of the Manali-Leh stretch, were all in my mind but I still went ahead. I never knew whether I would be able to reach Leh with the kind of hurdles I encountered on my way but all I wanted to see was how far my bike and I could make it, despite all the obstacles.

My learningAnd just like that, the journey became worthwhile. Suddenly the mountains rose from the earth. And I realized how sublime it is to be small. Suddenly the journey led to Pangong Lake. And I realized how deep the blue truly is. We spend our lives trying to be big. Wanting to be important. And one day we come face to face with the vastness of nature. We stand in awe of the mountains touching the sky. And truly savour the stillness in the silence. One day we realize how small we are--and how wonderful it truly is. This trip made me believe that everything falls into place when you really want it to. Once you embrace the true spirit of the journey, it reveals itself to you. On the bike, moving through the slim, creeping edges, my mind was empty, without thought; my body was just moving through time and space. It was a beautiful experience now that I think back.

Tips for a solo traveller
I followed the route from Delhi-Chandigarh-Manali-Rohtang Pass. Crossing Rohtang Pass was the most painful patch for me because my bike engine was filled with water, my boots and trousers were all wet and cold, but somehow I survived that stretch and felt like a winner. I was on the road for 14 days and am now preparing for another solo ride soon. A few tips that I would like to give every solo rider would be:

1. Keep 2-3 pairs of shoes with you.
2. You should carry a few pairs of warm socks, a riding jacket, and knee and elbow guards.
3. Keep a can of petrol because there are stretches where you might not find any filling station and a can of petrol can be quite handy.
4. It is good to keep some stuff to eat like dry fruits and cookies and of course water.
5. It is also very important to know how to repair your bike (at least some basic stuff) because you might not get mechanics while crossing a few patches.

Hemant Vashisht is a rider, photographer and Creative Art Director at an ad agency. 

Biker Girl Kalki Gears Up for Her New TV Show

Take a peek at Kalki Koechlin prepping to be a biker and ‘Go Places’ for a new TV show. Holding true to its promise of curating journeys and real experiences, Fox Life has roped in Kalki and her dad, Joel, to travel over 5000 kms into the unexplored North East on their motorcycles. The Koechlins’ journey begins this month and the show will be aired on Fox Life in August 2016.

For now catch Kalki gearing up for the ride along with her dad in the pics below:

  Kalki gets a feel of her bike

 Kalki checks for the right pair of gloves

 Kalki tries on a jacket before her ride

 Biker boots please?

 Dark glasses to finish her biker girl look

 Helmet must !!!

 All set for RIDE!

 Kalki’s dad Joel is an adventure enthusiast himself

Joel looks happy with his ride

Meet Siddhartha Lal, The Man Who Saved Royal Enfield...

Royal Enfield is the cool urban bike for most youngsters today. This, however, was not the case a decade back. The motorcycle brand of Eicher wasn’t the first choice for young riders in India who preferred slick, stylish bikes on a road-trip or to college.

Struggling from an image-crisis, Enfield languished in sales and was on the brink of shutting shop. Siddhartha Lal, the CEO of Royal Enfield from 2000 had a difficult decision to make in 2004– to be a major player in the automobile market or to be a smaller one in 14 other businesses. Lal decided to save Enfield and the rest is history.

In the next 5 years, Royal Enfield became a major player in the Indian automobile market as it transformed its image to a rugged cool bike appealing to the aspirational bikers in India. Part of this was achieved by clever use of marketing strategies from sponsoring mountain biking events and cross country runs to rapidly expanding its network across India. The result is that now most of us have that one friend who keeps bugging us to plan a road trip to Ladakh on an Enfield!

Royal Enfield is now the most successful component of Eicher and most of the credit for its success goes to Siddhartha Lal. He developed a biking culture in his team and motivated them to travel and connect with the brand. The Eicher CEO is not just about the smarts, he is also an authority on British bikes of the post-World War era and that is no joke. The positioning of Royal Enfield as a bike of stature and rich legacy is its USP and Lal has been the architect of this makeover from scratch.

From selling just 25,000 bikes in 2005, Siddhartha Lal has brought the brand to a point where it sold 300,000 bikes in 2014. Under Siddhartha the company is now expanding its reach in the west where it exports just 6,000 units every year. Considering how the brand has grown in the last few years in India, it wouldn’t be a surprise if it gives Harley some tough competition in the next two decades.

Mumbai police to get custom Royal Enfield...

Royal Enfield was a part of the Mumbai police motorcade years ago. It got replaced by the more ‘practical and modern bikes’ like the Bajaj Pulsar, Bajaj Avenger and TVS Apache among others. The reason for removing the Royal Enfield from the Mumbai Police fleet was the odd braking and gear-shifting layout, high maintenance costs, low mileage and unreliable after-sales service. Now, the company has revamped itself and has upped its game. The products are more reliable and practical, maintaining the old school charm at the same time.

The Mumbai police will not settle for regular Royal Enfield motorcycles, they will get it in a customized avatar. The job for customizing the fleet of Royal Enfields for the Mumbai police was given to Gabriel Zuzarte, founder of Road Rage Custom Builds. Gabriel has built a prototype police bike years ago, but that never made it to the fleet.

The customized bike is all set to get a large windshield made of fiber, an array of blue and white LED lights, a public address system, crash guard and two utility boxes. The bike looks classy and at the same time has practical utility.

We definitely hope to see these on the streets.

Silk Route Bullets

After a year and more than 22,000 km riding around India, Mathieu Sauvaitre and Sylvain Liard are headed home to France on their Royal Enfield motorcycles via the fabled Silk Route. During this long trip back, their goal is to record and gather music performed by children from orphanages along with local artists.

“The vision of this project of is to record an album of traditional music following the Silk Route,” says Sylvain. “We’re going to reach France from India on our old Indian Royal Enfields and stop in each country of our itinerary to record with disadvantaged children. We record and shoot a video clip in different institutes like shelter houses, orphanages. Once back in France, the album will be produced and the benefits of the sales will be donated to each institute where we’ve been recording in.”

Their journey will cover India, Nepal, Tibet, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Iran, Turkey, Bulgaria, Serbia, Bosnia, Croatia, Slovenia, Italy and France.

Follow their incredibly gallant ride here:http://www.indiaonbullet.fr/en/news-2/

Royal Enfield margins hit record high in Jan-March

Consistent rise in Royal Enfield sales and a recovery in commercial vehicles segment boosted strong operational performance of Eicher Motors   in January-March quarter. A 60 percent jump in Royal Enfield sales in the January-March quarter saw its margins hit a record high of of 29.8 percent in the period. Eicher Motors’ net profit rose by a whopping 71.3 percent at Rs 334.5 crore in January-March from Rs 195.3 crore in corresponding quarter last fiscal.

During the period, total income rose 46.6 percent at Rs 3765 crore against Rs 2568 crore on annual basis. EBITDA in the quarter was up 75 percent at Rs 640 crore compared to Rs 366 crore while EBITDA margin stood at 17 percent versus 14.3 percent year-on-year.

The auto company was expected to see net profit at Rs 345 crore in January-March quarter, up 76 percent (YoY) while revenue was seen jumping 55 percent at Rs 3978 crore. During the period, EBITDA was seen growing 77 percent at Rs 649 crore, according to a CNBC-TV18 poll.

The commercial vehicles segment also posted a healthy sales jump of 38 percent in the same quarter taking the margins higher at 8 percent.

In 2015-16, Eicher Motors has changed its financial reporting period from calendar year to financial year. Therefore, the numbers for the 15-month period (January 1, 2015-March  31, 2016) are not comparable to the immediately preceding calendar year period (January 1 -December 31, 2014).

Commenting on Royal Enfield’s performance, Siddhartha Lal, Managing Director & CEO said, "Royal Enfield has been investing in building strong foundations across all areas of its business. We will be investing Rs 600 crore towardsproducdevelopment, setting up of the two  technical centres,in Leicestershire, UK and Chennai, India, enhancing our manufacturing capacity and market  development activities  across  geographies. In FY 2016-17, we plan to manufacture 675000 motorcycles."

VE Commercial Vehicles grew by 38.1 percent outpacing. VECV posted strong growth in both the Heavy Duty segment and Light and Medium Duty segments. "

In April 2016, VECV’s Eicher branded Trucks and Buses forayed into the sub 5-ton category and launched the Eicher Pro 1049. We will be investing Rs 400 crore in VECV towards product development and capacity expansion in FY 2016-17," Lal added.

For the 15 month period ending March 2016 at consolidated level, Eicher Motors reported total income from operations at Rs 15688.7 crore, operating profit (EBIT)at Rs 1995.6 crore, EBIT margins was at 12.7 percent and net profit was at Rs 1,277.9 crore.

The company has announced dividend of Rs 100 per share.