The 10 Best Royal Enfield Motorcycles of All-Time
Royal Enfield is a motorcycle manufacturing brand that has come a long way since it released its first motorcycle prototype in 1898 with the production of tri and quadricycles commencing the following year.
It’s built some of the most popular motorcycles from prewar through the present. The British motorcycle builder has since moved its operations to India where it has been thriving. Royal Enfield still produces motorcycles today. Here 10 of the most significant Royal Enfield models of all time for your consideration and enjoyment.
10. 2019 Royal Enfield Continental 650
The Continental 650 is powered by a 650cc parallel-twin engine. It’s become one of the most popular models in India, where it is manufactured. The super-light bike weighs just 198 kg and generates 47 hp with 52 Nm torque. It’s available internationally in the Interceptor 650 form as a cafe racer as well as its GT variant that is highly prized by riders who enjoy customizing their bikes.
9. 2019 Royal Enfield Himalayan
The Himalayan is an urban ADV bike that is prized for its affordability and practicality. Although it’s not known for its speed, it’s offered in a range from 250cc to 300c engines as an entry-level dual-purpose machine that serves as both a commuter bike for the highways and urban environments as well as off-road capabilities.
Its maneuverability at low speeds is exceptional which makes it a good commuter bike. It offers a comfortable seat and relaxed riding position for the daily commute. If you live on a bumpy dirt road it will get you home with ease.
8. 2019 Royal Enfield INT 650
The INT 650 has a retro appeal that vintage bike owners love. This motorcycle is built with classic styling, akin to the Continental GT with a story look, conventional fork, ABS-equipped disc brakes, and twin shocks. It offers a longer seat with enhanced padding that is exceptional comfort for the rider and passenger. The teardrop-style gas tank features knee cutouts for greater rider comfort. It’s valued for the midrange power that allows it to easily cruise at highway speeds for both commuting and touring.
7. 1926 Royal Enfield Model 200
The Model 200 was designed with a 225cc single-cylinder engine that generated 2.25 horsepower with a top speed of 35 mph. It was released during a time when most roads were not in good condition and speed wasn’t as much a factor as power and maneuverability.
The Model 200 was a 2-speed hand shift bike that was made for the sole purpose of providing transportation in a naked styling without frills, no headlamp or turn signals, and one tail lamp. It was a lightweight bike with a simple design that was a popular choice for many years.
6. 2021 Royal Enfield Bullet 350
The Bullet 350 is one of the brand’s oldest entry-level motorcycles that goes back to 1933 in its original form. It’s still in production today as an iconic model that has been around for more than 80 years. It’s powered by a 346cc BS6 engine delivering 19.1 bhp and 29 Nm torque. Newer versions are lightweight with an anti-locking braking system and they can be found in three different variants.
The current iteration is a modern-looking bike that bears the old school Royal Enfield badging including a kick-starter for the standard model as well as an electric starter for the X models.
5. 1921 Royal Enfield Vickers 8HP
Bonham’s auction recently listed a 9121 Royal Enfield Vickers 8 HP with Frame no. 18499 Engine no. 06/EC 2684. This vintage bike has gone down in the annals of the brand and all of the motorcycle industry records as one of the first motorcycles with a large displacement that could easily accommodate a sidecar. This offered a comfortable place for a passenger to ride.
This is a significant model in the history of Royal Enfield that showed advancements in the technology and engineering of motorcycles during the early 1920s era.
4. Royal Enfield 1927 Model 351
The Royal Enfield 1927 Model 351 was designed to improve transportation options with a sporty new aesthetic and ample provisions to make the ride more comfortable. It was a more powerful motorcycle that featured solid mudguards for travel in rainy weather. The seat was set in a low saddle position with a lightweight of just over 220 pounds.
3. 2020 Royal Enfield Bullet 500
The Enfield Bullet 500 is one of the brand’s most significant models because it is the longest-running model in RE history. The bike was first produced for sale to the public in 1932 and has enjoyed a long lifespan that doesn’t seem to have an end in sight. It’s a simply designed bike that features a 499cc single-cylinder engine with electric ignition and kick starter. It’s a five-gear bike with a cruising speed of 65 mph that provides all the power necessary for commuting or road trips.
2. 2020 Royal Enfield Thunderbird X350
The Thunderbird X350 is a single-cylinder 4-stroke 346cc motorcycle with 19.8 bhp and 29 Nm torque. It’s a 5-speed that guarantees a comfortable ride with twin gas-charged shock absorbers. It is the first Royal Enfield motorcycle to come equipped with tubeless tires and currently is one of its best sellers. This bike received a major update in 2013 with a duel gauge, projector headlamps, and a digital speedometer.
1. 2020 Royal Enfield Meteor
The Meteor 350 is modeled after the vintage 1952 Super Meteor which was a huge success for the brand in its day. This is an Indian cruising motorcycle that serves as the replacement for the Thunderbird 350. It’s the next generation of bikes that have excelled in performance and popularity for taking on the open road with state-of-the-art technology and riding conveniences.
You can also read:
- A Closer Look at The 2022 Royal Enfield Himalayan
- A Closer Look at The 2022 Royal Enfield Classic 350
- 10 Things You Didn’t Know About Royal Enfield
- 10 Things You Didn’t Know About the Royal Enfield Himalayan