This is Royal Enfield's modern version of the classic 1932 Bullet. Styled much like the original Bullet, the 2014 model has up-to-date features such as front disc brake, Electronic Fuel Ignition, electric starter (and kick starter), unit construction (the engine and transmission are a single cast unit), and modern electricals and suspension.
The C5 is a one-cylinder, 500cc bike that puts out a head-snapping 29 HP ! Seriously, you won't win any races with the Bullet, but that's not the point. It's a vintage-looking machine that inevitably turns heads and has people asking "What year is that?" The Bullet C5 cruises comfortably at up to 65 MPH and gas mileage averages 70 MPG. At speeds above 65, the bike is working pretty hard, and vibrates noticeably. It's a perfect rural touring machine if you enjoy riding at speeds of between 45 and 55 MPH and taking a little time to enjoy your surroundings.
Here's a pic of an original 1930 Royal Enfield Model J:
Royal Enfield began making motorized vehicles in the early 1900's in Redditch, England. They continued to manufacture in England until the late 1960's when all manufacturing transitioned to India under new ownership. In 1955, the Indian government ordered a large quantity of Bullets, leading eventually to the set-up of an assembly plant in India under license by Royal Enfield of England. The assembly plant led further to manufacturing operations in India. When Royal Enfield of England fell victim to market pressures from the new slate of Japanese bikes, they closed down operations in England, leaving the Indian company as the sole manufacturer of Royal Enfield motorcycles. In recent years, under new ownership, Royal Enfield of India has been making huge improvements to the quality of their products, and sales have been booming.
I'll be adding some goodies to my 2014 model in the coming days, and I'll update with progress pics.
Saw this Royal Enfield, KR 4640 this afternoon in Whittlesey. Throught at first it might have been a Jap or Velocette
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