quickspin Stunning image of the Continental GT being given its head on the Brooklands banking by the editor. It couldn't hae been a more eclectic venue than Brooklands to launch the first all-new Royal Enfield in six decades! ROYAL ENFIELD CONTINENTAL GT CULTURE CAFE ON TWO-WHEELS Straight modern blast from the past seems an anachronism but it best illustrates how well Royal Enfield has conjured up its first all-new in over 60 years! Adil Jal Darukhanawala swings a leg aboard one of the very first of these biggest of big Indian singles to put the spanking new and absolutely smashing Continental GT through its paces at Brooklands, the spiritual home of British motorsport and beyond. Say hello to a delightfully modern take to classic motorcycling charmingly packed with useable performance for the now and here.

PHOTOGRAPHY : KUNAL KHADSE

t couldn’t have happened any other soaking up the power pulses from a underway, led from the front by Sid way I thought for here I was hustling large single-cylinder thumper with who had no hesitation in pulling in the the biggest bore single ever made by probably the best handling right brains to help him on his quest to IRoyal Enfield on the cobbly B-roads characteristics ever for a bike which turn the firm around. from London on to the hallowed banked made its name with the simple circuit at Brooklands for a press statement of intent: “Built like a Gun.” Understanding the conference to herald the first genuinely The sort of launch that Royal heritage all-new motorcycle to sport the Royal Enfield did was right in character for a While there were tremendous learnings Enfield badge. It was different to begin bike that was in the making for over a coming its way, the most important with but just so very apt for a new decade but no one quite knew that! Let aspect which dawned on Sid and his machine that combines character traits me explain. Ever since Siddhartha Lal band was that they had a brand that from over half a century ago, with was pitched in at the deep end to head had character aplenty but more than handling and performance for the Royal Enfield after Eicher bought it that the brand also incidentally happens present in a contemporary form that is over, the biggest objective was not just to be the oldest British motorcycle delightful, very useable and highly ensuring the marque’s survival but the marque yet in existence in the world! enjoyable. If I have given the game and way to do it. So while we have seen the This heritage and legacy is something the objective away right at the very start quintessential Bullet get better which has been an ongoing one even it was unintentional because this is metallurgy, more efficient after Royal Enfield ceased to exist as an what the new Continental GT will do for manufacturing processes, improved entity in the UK in 1967 but the Indian not just an Indian but a global audience build quality, and a subtle shift away arm soldiered on. Triumph may be back which for the most part will be all new from the dudhwala mentality, we could on the scene but this is an all-new entity as well as spanning the genre from read that with every passing phase with no connect to the old firm except classic oldies to BABs (born again (both successful as well as awful as Sid bearing the original firm’s logo and with bikers), from the young hot shots to the and his team are the first to admit) the bikes that are well, very much commuter-inclined, from those who company was learning. From an old contemporary ‘Japanese’ in character love motorcycling for the joy of being management to a completely new and configuration. There are attempts one with the machine and delight in younger lot the transformation as to revive Norton but yet again these are O ctober 201 3 O ctober 201 3

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contrived and this is exactly where Royal Enfield has that vital edge. In fact if one has to make a comparison then it is only Harley-Davidson which comes close to rivalling Royal Enfield, both having started in the early years of the last century, the British marque was rolling out bikes a year earlier than its Yankee rival. Also Harley-Davidson has stayed true to its trademark vee-twin engine layout and continues in this vein to this day while having dabbled with small singles and twins over its 110 year plus history. Now if you are wondering whether Enfield India as well as Royal Enfield also did other bikes then yes it did! Scooters small 125s, 150s, 175s, 200s and also 35cc, 50cc and 75cc mofas, mopeds, and scooters to boot, with such evocative names as Crusader, Prince, Mini-Bullet, Mofa, Fantabulous, Zundapp, et al. So the model mix was heady but inconsistent before the Eicher era but once Sid and his team got to grips it has been the push-rod Royal Enfield's version of the classic 'feather bed' frame (above) espoused by Norton has been created by Harris Performance, chassis purveyors to the Grand Prix racing single cylinder Bullet engine set. This is at the heart of the Continental GT's brilliant road manners and contributes to the poise and pleasure whatever the set of tarmac the bike heads out onto. which has predominated their State-of-the-heart on two wheels and in the air come together at Brooklands! With the supersonic Concorde as the backdrop, the 1965 Continental GT meets its authentic 2013 successor which is absolutely the right bike at the right time at the right price and with the right performance - heady indeed we say! thoughts and redoubled their efforts to take this unit further. firm began to learn more and started getting more relevant and more about its place in history, along sides that the firm began to Making ‘Built like a Gun” its relevance among British think about moving away from relevant in the Indian motorcycling and also its place in the classic bike config. There context the Indian psyche. From one-off came in the Thunderbird cruiser, The team had to battle massive nostalgic Brits taking to the obviously Harley was the adversity because to begin with it Bullet to a gradually increasing inspiration, and this suddenly just didn’t have the wherewithal bunch of bikers who thrived on opened up a whole new vista for to take on the engineering unhurried classic motorcycling, bike and its users who craved the challenges mandated by the the Bullet started making inroads long distance biking bug. From emission regulations. So while in the minds of European, here on we had a five-speed lean burn engine tech was the American, Australian and gearbox and lest I forget one of “easier” approach to keeping the Japanese bikers while continuing the most important character old single relevant, the to stay relevant in India. detail change to date – the move manufacturing process was also From lean burn engine away from the right foot gear being given a once over. The tech to just about make the shift to the universal left-foot latter took more time but what engine emission norms for Euro gear actuation. This helped open was important was while the III and then on to thinking about a new and larger enthusiast base basic building blocks were being newer better versions of the for Royal Enfield and when the strengthened, simultaneously the original aggregates, the Bullet firm began to dabble with more O ctober 201 3

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Great set of gear and here the pseudo Smiths concentric-type dial faces of the speedo and rev counter dominate as do the superbly crafted triple It is a thought process that marries clamps and clip-on handlebars. some of the best loved design cues of British singles and race bikes of the 1960s, packages the whole mechanical milieu into one devilishly handsome motorcycle with the right proportions

engineering challenges, the move crankshaft completely machined to incorporate the gearbox within from a solid billet. The engines the engine casings resulted in the were powerful and reliable and UCE or engine. for small runs the precision The internals were revised to the approach from Egli was the way extent the reciprocating masses to go. In fact, to give due credit could be without much to Royal Enfield, Sid and his differentiation barring better team played host to Fritz Egli material and machining to give who visited India and helped good balance and friction share his thoughts on how to go reduction. Electronic fuel about nostalgia motorcycling. injection was inevitable given Just as important as the even stricter emissions and performance hop-up was Egli’s suddenly we had a better Bullet, bid to tame the headshake and a more in sync with character the wooliness of the standard British machine but conjured up Bullet chassis which at anything in India. The Bullet Classic as above 90km/h was a handful. It Good equipment abounds all over the Continental GT as this pic illustrates: a single this bike was badged has been pot Brembo with Paioli piggyback gas-charged shock absorbers for preload and a wasn’t just about suspension one of the big block-busters for rectangular section swingarm. componentry which could only Royal Enfield and along with it go a bit but not completely came the move to an all-new eradicate the shortcomings of the state-of-the-art manufacturing chassis. He devised an all-new facility at Oragadam near backbone frame for the Bullet Chennai where the difference is into which his 535cc and 652cc absolutely discernable – the new special engines were housed. Classics from here are even They were a massive better made, finished and put improvement over the single together than what Tiruvottiyur down-tube chassis into which the was ever able to! large cast iron lump was hung – a stressed member as in the Fritz Egli shows the way to original design. Be that as it may power without losing control but the first two major details to I must now move on to a couple try and tame the Bullet did of more detail intrusions into emerge from the fertile thought Royal Enfield’s recent history to process of Fritz Egli, yours truly understand the genesis of the being privileged to have put these Continental GT. The first was all bikes through their paces in Heightening the racy feel and treatment of this greatest of performance offerings ever about performance being asked from Royal Enfield in India - the optional single seat with bum stop is a very classy Switzerland over a decade ago. of the Bullet 350cc lump and all take from 1960s race bikes. First production lot bike shows uneven weld seam of it was from European Showing the way forward at customers. Enter the guru of Auto Expo 2010 and 2012 grunt, the legendary Swiss Fast forward from there on to the motorcycle turner, race-bike Pragati Maidan, and on to the constructor and record breaker Royal Enfield stand at the 2010 Fritz Egli. He was one of the very edition of the Auto Expo. Among first who knew the way to tackle the bikes there was a concept the Bullet and make it perform cafe racer which was perfect as was not just to extract more from regards the direction which the engine but also to devise an hinted at the next model for the all-new frame. The Egli approach company. However the styling resulted in a host of engine was odd-ball and I had no capacities which the Swiss ace hesitation in stating the obvious. did all by himself – there was a However the direction as spot on 535cc motor as far back as 1998, and unwitting as it sounds this and if that wasn’t enough there was what got many excited about was also a 652cc mill as well. as well. Buoyed with this Both these engines were Switchgear is top notch by Indian standards and also to a very high degree when response and with a great deal of carburetted, had specially forged compared to everything but the best custom bits. Bar end mirrors are a throwback interaction with many O ctober 201 3 O ctober 201 3 pistons, con rods and a to the '60s and take some getting used to. enthusiasts the world over, Royal

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Enfield sprang a surprise at the the original company! In 1965, significance of the bike was 2012 Auto Expo by displaying Royal Enfield built a small understood in the right way or In one fell swoop this bike has the first prototype of the 250cc single-cylinder sports not by Sid Lal and his team but Continental GT which yet went bike which was christened the surely the historic contrast to turned the clock back, making the by the Cafe Racer concept name. Continental GT. The bike was this bike and the new Indian- reverse journey from an old aged Finally there it was, just the very peppy and the firm which designed and developed right drool machine with the till then was on an even keel as Continental GT couldn’t be dowager back to youth in a certain proper ingredients in the exact regards financial well being more evident. measure, bringing classic trait suddenly threw caution to the manner which everyone will admit bang up to date in contemporary winds and decided that this bike And on to the renaissance... is most welcome! times. Of course it wasn’t ready had to be developed over all else Time then, to zero in on to the as yet but the proportions, so as to take the fight to the smashing piece of sporty aggregates, style and that hint of predominantly Oriental rivals. motorcycle that the new Royal performance and excitement Sadly too much time, money Enfield is! Let’s start by were all evident. From there on and effort was put into this taking in the style and the began the final race to develop, machine and the management stance of the machine. It is a hone and perfect the machine took their eyes off the other thought process that marries that emerged as the Continental production models and the some of the best loved design GT in England last month. come went bust, shutting shop cues of British singles and for good at Redditch in the UK race bikes of the 1960s, The original Continental GT in 1967. By then about five to packages the whole CONCEPT TO PROTOTYPE and its significance in seven complete bikes were built mechanical milieu into one uto Expo 2012 saw the first hint of a ‘performing’ Bullet RE history out of a total lot of about 50 kits devilishly handsome when Royal Enfield showed off its take on the cafe racer And before I get to the hub of put together at the works. motorcycle with the right Atheme (above). Cobbled up in good thought but poorly the matter having tried to Almost 45 of these bikes survive proportions, the right bits and adorned, the concept nevertheless harked at the road for the register the context as well as and are prized machines among bobs, the perfectly crafted company to travel on. It yet had the same Bullet frame with the the genesis behind its the classic bike aficionados the cycle parts and the right engine being used as a stressed member while having newer development I must hark back world over and in fact it was the embellishments in equitable suspension bits and a sporty single seat. The tank frankly was a to the original Continental GT last sporty Enfield ever. As such measure so as to deliver disaster but in essence the form was just getting together. And that was to prove the downfall of it is not known whether the massively. As Sid Lal himself the out-pouring of enthusiasts for such a sportily-oriented Bullet was tremendous and got Sid Lal and his team thinking about evolving the concept mightily. It took two years to get the packaging just right and Auto Expo 2012 was what turned up in very close form to the production version of the Continental GT (below). Even then the Continental GT name wasn't even in sight or top of mind but the rest of the package was delectable. To have made the move from an idea to a supremely well crafted bike, yet in prototype form, was a joy and the response from show goers was the trigger to go ahead and engineer the machine for production. We couldn’t stop ourselves from applauding and willing it on! As our pics indicate, the bike displayed the overall form which has translated into the production machine though the cycle parts on the latter are way too high up the list and thoroughly welcome! This is a fantastic line of thought which is sure to pay massive dividends.

And the men who did the vital bits to make the Continental GT the pleasure- inducer that it is: we caught this trio of gentlemen bikers at Brooklands during the launch of the Continental GT and they are (from left) Mark Wells of Xenophya Design, S Sivakumar, General Manager of Design & Styling at Royal Enfield and O ctober 201 3 O ctober 201 3 Steve Harris, frame and handling engineer par excellence.

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It is also to Royal Enfield’s the second Indian bike maker to and cool. Even the period tail stance but on the handlebars dead (if it is Brit single cylinder credit that they haven’t skimped go for the right tyres so as not to light is delectable as are the thin there is provision for proper tackle you lust after) yet so very on the essential bits whatsoever devalue the performance aspect slim line rectangular turn-signal upright rear view mirrors which I much a welcome breath of fresh and whomsoever the eye roves of its motorcycle. indicators. If you want even think will be the OE norm. And air away from hyper bikes and on this bike. The front disc brake more proof of the top notch then there are the grooved easy paced motorcycling with is a 300mm dia Brembo unit Stylish & chic craftsmanship take a look at two footpegs replete with classy just about 150km/h capability. with twin-piston calipers while at neo-retro design items and prepare to keep linkages for the gear shifter and While it might have a new the rear a smaller 240mm dia In this issue I have made many a yourself in check from way too rear brake lever on either side of chassis with thoroughly modern disc brake with single pot calliper mention of “if it looks right, it much drooling. The first is the the bike. In true sports bike suspension bits and cycle parts, is employed. The braking system invariably is right” and this Monza-style flip-up fuel cap lid, manner the chain is exposed and the wheelbase is yet the same at is also capable of going to ABS- dictum holds massively true for something so very much a period even though the bike comes with 1360mm but then that’s all one adoption and this should follow the Continental GT. In fact, just delight yet so much in keeping an electric starter, a kick lever is can get to sharing with the in a year’s time. So many times I the name is what is borrowed with the bike’s character. The standard fitment! The Bullet. The weight distribution is have seen bike makers go the from Royal Enfield’s heritage second detail worth mentioning Continental GT also comes with positively inclined for the chassis whole hog but falter when it while the structure and the form are the twin triple clamps for the a main stand as OE (no getting and the suspension to deliver the comes to the boots and the could well have been inspired front forks, they are also a work away from it as yet) and also long legged torque from the structure they are wrapped from a Norton or a ! of art and with the new clip-on with a side stand which is engine and once on the move the around but on this front again The form and the stance as well handlebars, they help exude a hooked up to the engine rock steady ability of the chassis there is positive thought and as the detail has been the work of certain gravitas which no Royal management system in not filters through within seconds. treatment. The alloy-wheel rims Xenophya Design which has been Enfield bike ever had in such getting the large thumper to fire Not just that, the fine steering are virtual works of art with instrumental in styling some of measure. Move on to the grips if it hasn’t been pulled back. Nice makes its presence felt and you straight laced spokes and I am the more recent Triumphs. Mark and the levers and they are in thought this because I doubt any know that you are riding a prized sure that classic bike aficionados Wells of Xenophya Design keeping with the overall high on Brit bike of its time ever had stallion rather than a workhorse. will flock to RE dealers in India worked with Royal Enfield’s very tactility and delight theme such a detail! The absolutely firm yet pliant to get a set for their old Nortons, own S Sivakumar to get the form though I would have loved to see ride is a revelation and the faster Triumphs, BSAs, and and the proportions right and adjustability on the levers. On the road and swinging it you go the better it gets as we the like, as long as it is 18-inch what once gets is a slim and sexy The fully-chromed from Ace Cafe to wherever... found out when nailing the stuff their bikes came with! motorcycle with enough drool headlamp is perfect and in sync The first thing which gets you is throttle to the stop on the These superbly crafted wheels appeal to make many go weak at with the retro-faced dials of the the form and you just want to go motorway blast from Box Hill to come wrapped with top notch the knees. The slimline tank is a twin pod instrument cluster (the round and round the bike to take Brighton. In severe head wind Pirelli Sport Demon tyres (the work of art with superbly dial faces seem a rip off of the it all in, the sensory experience and riding flat out for almost 36 front sporting a 100/90-18 56H sculpted knee recesses to hug the venerable Smiths instruments of being positively overwhelming. miles I had the Continental GT unit while on the rear is a tank in Mike Hailwood style top notch two-wheeled Brit The bike hints at a fairly easy on song and she handled like a 130/70-18 63H tyre). The while swinging through corners rabble rousers of the 1960s but order without in the least bit dream – no weave from the underlining theme here is that and that finely crafted single seat who cares when they work so being intimidating even though chassis, no head shake woollies Indian tyre makers need to get with bum stop displays effectively here!). All the bikes the sporting pretension is there to induce a tank slapper and ready to design and deliver the contrasting stitching to hint at a we had to ride in England came to hint at something beyond a enough poise and grip to keep it right rubber for the latest period in time where such details equipped with the stylishly small Bullet. And it is here that it all so very planted yet with the generation and even were de rigueur. and very ineffective (for most) succeeds, a first move away from throttle wrung to its max. Suffice the likes of MRF have to step up The attention to detail is rear view mirrors fixed on the the venerable produce from to say no Royal Enfield in history their act in this vein. After Bajaj faultless and cases in point are bar ends. I was comfortable with Madras/Chennai (insert what has ever handled better! Auto with the KTM 390 which the front and rear mudguards, them only for the reason that I you like and feel comfortable Heck even from the ride comes only with Metzeler M5 stylishly sporty and with black had spent a good deal of time with) in making for a whole new out from Brooklands to Box Hill goes on record in our interview and a tuned inlet tract for the much a key aesthetic detail of Royal Enfield were seized benefitted from this as did many Sportec rubber, Royal Enfield is extensions that are so sanitary adjusting them for my riding type of motorcycle, back from the through so many legendary (following this feature) that Keihin EFI to do its job. The cafe racers of yore. I loved the of the handling characteristics others down the line. the new bike is about the right fuelling is critical for a big long bent pipe and the way it goes needed for a sporty motorcycle So what we get is a tubular bits and more, the tasteful stroke engine and even with the down and runs parallel to the with added zest and the old down-tube double cradle outcome of so many aesthetic, inclement weather we road before swinging up in single down-tube, stressed strongly gusseted where it dynamic, mechanical and experienced in England, the rakish delight to a finely crafted member engine was too weak matters (at the headstock and esoteric performance and Keihin-induction on the engine megaphonic-exhaust – easy yet and old hat to do the job. A the swing arm pivot) yet strong smile-inducing treatments made it ‘carburette’ cleanly for sporty to the eye and performs double-downtube chassis it had and rigid into which sits the makes this the authentic want of a better word! with aplomb. The only hiccup to be and thankfully the way to massive cast iron engine. In one motorcycling equivalent of the Completely new ignition maps here is not finding that spaced do that saw them head to Harris fell swoop this bike has turned joie-de-vivre spirit. have been designed for the out exhaust note so endearing of Performance, one of the biggest the clock back, making the engine and while power is upped a Bullet but in its place comes a names in motorcycling and reverse journey from an old Egli-inspired engine but by just 2 bhp from the 499cc muffled roar that speaks a new wizards of chassis dynamics and aged dowager back to youth in a RE-built like a gun! Bullet Classic mill, the revvability sound language. engineering. Steve Harris learnt certain manner which everyone At the heart of it all is the engine, of the machine to just around his craft not just in making stock will admit is most welcome! No now bored to 535cc just as first 5400 rpm is laudable for such a Enfield’s version of the standard machines progress to more wobbly wiggles at speed hinted and made do-able by Fritz big pushrod single. For the ‘featherbed’ courtesy even higher performance with and with enough flexibility in Egli over a decade ago. However record the engine develops 29.1 Harris Performance his frame technology but the the mounts, the vibes have been while the cubic capacity hike is bhp at 5100 rpm and while that’s This is the biggest departure from racers for the Isle of Man TT kept to a minimum. With the all about Egli showing the way, just not enough for those louts the Royal Enfield norm and it is benefitted massively from his new frame have come revised the rest is all Royal Enfield and whose biking preferably on one strange that it should have taken stiff chassis that helped deliver new suspension and cycle parts, its engine team for the present. wheel alone, this is more than so many decades to get this bit of neutral handling while soaking in all of them bringing the package No, that’s not entirely correct for enough given the nature of this chassis right. One of the greatest the bumps and the jumps on the bang up to date as regards it is also future proof to a great beast. Having 44 Nm of torque and best handling of British bikes fabled Mountain course on the dynamic ability. So we get all degree, being able to meet made at 4000 rpm is the perfect in the 1950s and 1960s was the magical isle. If that wasn’t all, so new 41mm diameter Stanchion emission norms higher than shot in the arm for the pilot to Norton which developed the many GP racers turned to him to front telescopic forks (made by what are in force today. Engine exploit the right sort of gearing double-downtube frame that was sort out the handling woes on Gabriel) with the right steering dimensions come close to an all- to enjoy his biking. copied by almost every other bike their fast Japanese tackle, from rake and trail while at the rear square bore and stroke, the exact The basic architecture of maker. Born out of racing and Yamaha TZ250 and 350cc there is an all-new rectangular readings being 87mm x 90mm to the engine is one of the visual first fitted to the Norton Manx campaigners to none other than section swing arm which works deliver an exact 535cc delights of the machine and in an Grand Prix bikes, it was the great the likes of 500cc World with twin Paioli gas charged displacement. This is just a 3mm all-aluminium buffed finish TT champion Harold Daniell who Champions Barry Sheene and shock absorbers with piggyback hike in the bore from the contrasting with the blackened said that it felt like he was riding Phil Read who got Harris to preload adjusters. The standard 499cc UCE engine that cylinder block fins continuing in a feather bed after his first stint redesign the frames of the 500cc suspension units not just look does duty in the Bullet Classic the crankcase casings, this is one upon using such a frame. square-four-engined Suzuki the part but behave as well and but there are strengthened evocative single cylinder engine Norton’s featherbed frames went RG500s to make them lend their own to the overall internals, especially con rod and that is yet as modern in its on from GP bikes to road going competitive and winning! In fact, aura of the machine. And to top the bottom end. Much the same classic overtones as it harks tackle like the Dominator twins Sheene’s XR75 version of the it all, the finely crafted front thought has also gone on the top down to Brit bike heritage. The and then were used in the Suzuki was a complete Harris fork brace is both form and end where it all matters, with exhaust system is another piece Triumph-engined Tritons and effort as regards chassis and the function personified as we shall O ctober 201 3 O ctober 201 3 uprated valves and valve springs of tuned and turned art, so very many others. double World 500cc Champion see going forward.

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motorcycling the world over. Every bike maker and market has begun to seek easy going machines that are a joy to handle without in the least bit scaring the living daylights of the rider. I have always held that motorcycling is not about 200 miles per hour or speeds to zero to warp speeds in three seconds and the world is beginning to understand that we do not need sophistication for the heck of it but meaningful technology to SPECIFICATIONS

make do with less for more and R 1 3 5 in this case the Continental GT is 24 6 RE continental GT right up there with the likes of 6 Kawasaki, Honda and KTM who seem to be threading the same 1 2 3 4 5 route with different individual quick takes as seen in the form of the facts 300ZX Ninja, the CB500 and the POWERPLANT 390 respectively. These three Type: Single cylinder, 4 stroke, Air-cooled afford great control and ease of Displacement: 535cc riding with a modicum of Bore x stroke: 87mm x 90mm performance and with the right Compression Ratio: 8.5:1 pricing to delight a wide swathe Power: 29.4PS @ 5,100rpm of bikers. The Continental GT Torque: 44Nm @ 4,000rpm wades right in there with them Ignition System: Digital Electronic Ignition albeit with classic overtones and Lubrication: Wet Sump as much if not more enjoyment. Engine Oil: 15 W 50 API, SL Grade JASO MA The 29 horses might not Fuel Supply: Keihin Electronic Fuel Injection seem sufficient but I have learnt Air Cleaner: Paper Element Engine Start: Electric and kick more than most that it is easy to R 1 3 5 get carried away by numbers 24 6 dRIVEtRAIN rather than how much it makes 6 Transmission: 5-speed Constant Mesh me smile while out there on the Clutch: Wet multi-plate road and in this test the 1 2 3 4 5 Continental GT takes few uNDERpINNINGS Chassis: Double cradle tubular frame B-roads with tight turns, fully planted Pirellis to deliver a most Suspension: Front Rear hedged sides and that classic confidence inspiring ride. I think prisoners. The first cog might a they were sad to hear about the Where and how does it 41mm telescopic forks with Paioli, twin gas charged British weather, the Continental the steering angle and the easy tad tall but once on the move the latter, they did acknowledge the happen from here on 110mm travel with adjustable preload, GT was magnificence personified directional ability – no wallowing bike is nimble and responsive. A fuelling bit and one of the So what is the intent and how 80mm travel in its manners. Even once while here mind you, very precise and couple of bikes in the ride found details being worked upon, at does it pan out from here is Brakes: Front Rear powering out of an uphill hairpin moderately quick is what you get, the fuelling to be erratic but then least for the European bikes, the obvious question to Brembo 300mm dia floating disc Single 240mm dia disc, on the ride up to Box Hill (the are key attributes behind the this isn’t a bike to be revved and was to adopt a Power answer and you should get the 2-piston floating caliper 2-piston floating caliper highest point in southern excellent manners this bike revved hard from cold given the Commander to the bike and set bike from later this year in Tyres: 100/90 R18 56H, 130/70 R18 63H,

England they said), the light and displays. Even on some of the lean burn combustion it up accordingly. I am sure this select showrooms. The main R 1 3 5 shade of the thick forest cover cobbled roads leading out of characteristic of the design. Yet could come to India as well if commercial launch is slated 24 6 Pirelli Sport Demon Pirelli Sport Demon

saw me hit a speed breaker and London and while hammering on the move the bike seemed to not as OE surely as an option. for November and bikes 6 MEASUREMENTS the bike reared its head, the rear down the bit of the historic have a strong torque flow and I Brings me then to a host of should be there for the taking 1 2 3 4 5 Overall Width (without mirrors): 760mm dutifully in line with the front Brooklands banking (as on the think that with genuine options the bike has been at around Rs 2.25 lakhs for Seat Height : 800mm and landing perfectly to keep on opening double spread of this performance close to 150km/h, designed with from the word go. the standard version (no alloy Ground clearance: 140mm with rapid forward progression feature), the straight line stability this is one fleet Royal Enfield. The exhaust systems you see are wheels and without the sporty Kerb weight (90% fuel + oil): 184kg all in one well co-ordinated as well as the perfect ride were Mind you the bike is best the optional ones and the exhaust system seen here plus Fuel tank capacity: 13.5 litres manner. If it had happened while immediately apparent and key motoring at around the 130-135 standard OE ones will appear of course with a dual seat set- astride a Bullet, the action would factors in instilling tremendous km/h mark which she can do all when the bike goes on sale in up). Overall the rest will Electricals: surely have been even more confidence in helping the rider we do not need day long but she definitely India in early November. There remain the same including the Electrical System: 12 volt - DC R 1 3 5 Battery: 12 volt, 14 Ah dramatic to experience and explore the bike and his limits to labours and wheezes while at it will be a standard dual seat, the suspension bits, the24 6 tyres, the describe! The fantastic riding the max. Show the bike a set of sophistication for with the speedo needle nudging bikes in England sporting the style and the performance. Head Lamp: 12V H4 60/55 W position is another key which corners and she tracks as if on the heck of it but close to the 150 km/h mark. nifty race-inspired single seat Who will this bike appeal to 6 Tail Lamp: 12V 21W/5W helps in the manners. The clip- rails, no doubt about that! This Make haste easily is the mantra unit. There will also be a range of has already been addressed Turn Signal Lamp: 12V 10 W (4 Nos.) on bars might look too low down more than anything else was a meaningful with the Continental GT and she rear sets and mirrors plus a and this includes a vast 1 2 3 4 5 but the overall rider integration the big takeaway from the ride in is happiest doing this. Mind you whole host of other mod cons as segment of the biker Price ` 2.25 to 2.50 lakh (estimated) with bars-seat-pegs is England and what impressed was technology to the lack of vibes was telling low RE goes on ahead with the community across segments. refreshingly easy and that one could feed in more and make do with less down and in the mid-range and Continental on its GT trek. The Siddharth Lal put it best when comfortable. It might look more throttle with the surest of it was only when near the carefully orchestrated launch was he addressed the global extreme but is in fact a triumph confidence that the rear end for more 5000rpm mark that the bike not just about the Continental motorcycle media and I would of good thought and form – one wouldn’t breakaway and the bike started buzzing through the GT but also about the experience like to sign off this first report of the key esoteric elements that would continue its forward levers and the seat. Maybe we around the bike and the whole of the Continental GT with his one has to experience to enjoy trajectory as its pilot intended. need an Egli dose to up the bit about culture (design and words: “We believe there’s and revel in. Key this is also the superbly motor’s capability to rev vibe free style, biking mores of the 1960s space for a different kind of The brakes and the crafted and brilliantly engineered and yet get to do the proverbial era), craftsmanship (Lewis motorcycling, something steering work in fine consonance front fork brace, seen just above ton – 100mph or 160km/h. Leathers and the dazzling that’s not 150bhp, that doesn’t

with the chassis and the the mudguard which is worth its I liked the lightly weighted throwback of racing from cafe to cost the earth, is tactile, fun at 1,070mm performance dished out and in weight in handling gold! clutch action as well as the cafe – hence the cafe racer real world speeds and

fact the progressive nature of the And on to the engine and absolutely positive-shifting theme) and history (Gordon engaging.” Heck no one could Height front disc was more than the way we have learnt to 5-speed gearbox though the May, the firm’s own resident have put it better! adequate on the tight British experience Bullet calibre. Make super soft shifts could do with a historian no less introduced the roads. I will wait to see how it no mistake this is in a different bit of a mechanical detente to be new bike to the press at more pictures of the deals with sacred cows here but league though very mellow and felt. I did have a talk with the Brooklands along with Sid Lal) royal enfield continental GT the overall feel and bite from the even more enjoyable. I say this RE boffins on the fuelling and made a sensory assault that was In the Gallery section Wheelbase 1,360mm on www.zigwheels.com O ctober 201 3 O ctober 201 3 Brembos matched the grippy and because there is a major churn in the softy-shift gearbox and while all welcoming. Length 2,060mm

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you are wrong on that you are always overpowering and it’s the going to get everything wrong, all person who is always going to be In conversation your fitments wrong and you the limiting factor. On this bike going to get your ride and in different circumstances it’s handling wrong and then there is the bike that is the limiting no bike left. We do things in our factor, in some circumstances own way but then eventually we it’s the person, in some HITTING THE HIGH NOTES believe that we have come out situations it’s the terrain, so With none other than Siddharth Lal, the ever enthusiastic CEO and driving force behind Royal Enfield as with something that’s fun. there is an equal balance of all three rather than one of them Adil Jal Darukhanawala gets him all animated about motorcycles, Royal Enfield, Continental GT, AJD: Tell me one thing, you taking over the show. have done a wonderful job future prospects and what have you in no particular order. here if I may say so, but do AJD: I have been to many think - not as Siddharth Lal launches all over the world, Adil Jal Darukhanawala: platform but other than that AJD: You don’t seem to SL: Well thanks Adil, I think it is across the world to source the the big name and the big suit cars, bikes, trucks as well; Three years to the time everything is new from the have done anything by half a huge compliment and of course correct bits. We have got a lot of from Royal Enfield but if hope to come to the Questor when you first displayed a ground up. We wanted to make here and I think that shows it’s been people like you who stuff from Japan for example, you had to think as launch sometime soon as cobbled-up concept of a cafe it a really well handling as well very crystal clear because have been supporting us and our fuel injection system, our Siddharth Lal the rider, do well, but very importantly I racer at Auto Expo 2010 and as a solid bike to that extent so motorcycling is all about believed in us even sometimes electrical start system, a lot of the you think you would have have never seen a launch as even then you got zapped by we did a lot of work on the tactile surfaces, different when it was difficult. We have engine work has come in from wanted something a little bit funky as this where you the response. What took you engineering. We got Harris materials and by and large I absolutely spared no expense Japan, we have gone to Italy for a more than this on this bike. married history with the so long in coming that too Performance who has been have always maintained one when we have conceived this lot of nice bits, we have got really I am not going on into multi present, you married the with a fast bike; I don’t doing chassis for Grand Prix thing that if a bike looks product. Royal Enfield doesn’t good Brembo brakes which you cylinder mega machine or youth with motorcycling mean three years but the bikes for 50 years now but he is good or a product looks come out with a new product know are on top of their game. such but I am talking about culture of a long time ago, first all new Royal Enfield in the ultimate authority for Café good it also invariably is every now and then as you know We have got the Paioli gas the bike you know. which was awesome to over 60 years? Racers as well. So we went to good. I think it stands true already. So when we do that we charged suspension for the rear; Siddharth Lal: Yes it is him and worked with him very for this bike of yours, I make sure that we do it properly we have got Pirelli Sports Demon relatively a fast bike and is closely to get this really good think you got it bang on first and every single point of tyres which are so very vital to even though we have used the best components to do supersport nor we don’t there, and your historic based on our existing engine handling bike out. time out. development of this motorcycle the performance and safety want to do big cruisers, we rivals Harley Davidson and we made sure that we put in aspect, I could go on. it’s not about the components, it's about how they don’t want to do ungainly Triumph are trying to whatever it takes to come out all perform in working as a whole and that’s why bikes, because that’s not our move into this turf, I think with a perfect motorcycle AJD: I like this good DNA. We don’t want to do you can lead the field very whether it was working closely measure you have got about we have taken the time and made sure that we simple commuters either, that’s well provided you stay true with Harris but it wasn’t just componentry, really making also out. It boils down to a to what you set out to be. about Harris. It was the fact that its mark to contribute to the have put in the effort certain style of mid-size SL: Yea in India in particular, we took years of engineering in whole. It’s not a sum of its motorcycling which we believe we have done it the hard way, the ride and handling, we went to parts alone you know it’s SL: Yes you can say that, when behold. I think there must SL: Yea, you do need a few that the world will converge we have really understood the tracks and roads around the more than that. we were riding yesterday, you be a lesson in it for grey hairs here and there in onto, and within that whatever market we have understood world to make sure that it really SL: And therefore even though were riding right next to me, you Triumph and Harley- some areas to keep us in check it takes, I mean number of what makes people want this works very well. we have used the best saw that on the motorway when Davidson to evaluate. and guide us correctly. Men cylinders is immaterial, what’s kind of a motorcycle and we components it’s not about the we were going down towards SL: Well thank you, that’s high like Steve Harris, he has got a important for us and that we have made a motorcycle that is AJD: That’s in your DNA components, it's about how they Brighton, I had my head all the praise and like I said we don’t lot of grey hairs but you are have learnt from a lot of friends on one hand extremely now, as I see it just the very all perform in working as a whole way down, belly on the tank and think we do these kind of things right the whole concept is we we have, from Bajaj as well, any enjoyable. It’s something that fact that you did a consumer and that’s why we have taken the we were going downhill and I very often and when we do it want to have people who really platform that you are you want to have, but on the centric idea like doing the time and made sure that we have was up to almost 90 miles an once in a decade and this time get it. Who get the whole committing to, you have to be other hand it is extreme yet rides in India, then trying to put in the effort. We also wanted hour, but then of course you once in 50 years, we said we are culture, which in turn gets the able to support that platform in very practical, you can ride it get to doing rides to validate this motorcycle to come out of know the ton is the ultimate. We going to do this well. We going to people we are selling to, who the long term, you have to be easily, you can service it easily… dynamic ability and I think our new plant, so there was no want to do a ton on this, so in call people from around the get motorcycles and that’s what convinced that you are going to that’s paid off on this bike. question that it was going to this avatar as it is today you world who are motorcyclists, makes our company. Yes we have a critical mass in a AJD: Is it the two-wheeler SL: Yes, absolutely and then we come out anytime before that. know it’s not going to push a ton journalists, enthusiasts, so we got have a lot of youngsters on our particular platform, you have to equivalent of the Apple made sure that every single part We wanted to ensure that it has but we are aiming for it. people from all around the world, team, everyone here is have the requisite numbers, iphone without the on this motorcycle has been got the best paint finish in the from Japan, Australia, Europe, relatively young but we also whatever it means, for our complexity, because you thought through in great detail, world. We wanted to make sure AJD: But actually speaking India, US, Canada. And we said have a share of people who current single platform it don’t need it but you very meticulously. We have got that the type of input we have do you think that whatever it’s not just about the bike, it’s bring in the historical context, means a few hundred thousand want it… all the bits and pieces because it put into the frame had to be you have done so far is about all the one needs to soak who bring in the experience numbers and we are there now, SL: Yea, hopefully. That’s is a higher performance bike micron perfect. It is the skeleton, about doing it or deriving in, and so we had cultural tours, required to make something this is a platform that is there pretty much it, but in this case from our stable so we have gone the basis of this product and if the enjoyment coming the whole concept. We like this happen. for us in the future, we can you also need it to express, in towards the ton. also had to rekindle the idea invest in it, we can develop it, order to get away from the SL: There you have nailed it, it’s behind the café racing culture, AJD: My last question, and we can even change it entirely a world like we talked about of the challenge as well. So we have and the rockers sub-culture of it’s got nothing to do with couple of years from now, everything that being virtual, taken this bike as a starting the 1960s; it was a time when the pricing, I know you will because we can keep putting in just screen, screens, screens. point, it’s a platform, a canvas, post-war there was enormous do it right for India, but money behind this platform. So We want to give something that for people to actually work more optimism with a can-do spirit where do we move on from any new platform that we enter is a real tactile experience, it’s on it and we want to make the and a can go-anywhere attitude here? Because you have will also be done from a something which you can use sort of bikes that are engaging, and in that process you could gone back into history to business perspective, that it is a and arouse all your senses. that call out to you, they want to become anything you felt like - resurrect a very historic platform we are able to invest talk to you, you want to work on that is the kind of optimism that name from Royal Enfield, not just in terms of AJD: You mean all the them and they are very we are trying to bring back with when do you go about modernisation but we will have bells and whistles mechanical and they are very this motorcycle. resurrecting a 500 twin or to meet the Euro IV norms, we sounding as bells and simple in that manner so that a 750 twin, because you will meet sound norms, we will whistles and not you can go round that way, you AJD: Good thing that you spoke also about the have to meet global emission polyphonic tunes? can actually work the bits and spoke about optimism, I market share for bikes in norms. So there is a lot of stuff SL: Absolutely! And to be able bobs. Its tactile, it’s fun, so once think that optimism also the world in the that goes around that and if we to focus on the essential parts you have Continental GT requires an ingredient 250cc-750cc segment being believe that there is a new of it and not the excess, so we platform and if you are a known as youth and I see 8,00,000 units per year. platform that we can enter into focus on the essentials, get it tinkerer you are going to take it, the people whom you have You are presently only at which can be sustainable from done well, and we think we got make it lighter, add a few more got with you, I have not seen 1,60,000 or 1,80,000, I our side for a long term, we will a big future ahead of us. parts, make it high performance many Indian companies, in think you can definitely get into it as long as it meets and you are going to try and hit fact in the Indian two- accelerate yourself away to our brand filters, as long as it’s AJD: Sid, best of luck, a ton, and that’s the fun thing. wheeler field I have seen twice that figure. a mid-sized bike, we are going you have got a wonderful It’s not coming to you on a just Bajaj Auto and you SL: Yea, thanks Adil, but to do it. product, wonderful guys, platter and you have to extract empowering the youth and I conceptually of course anything wonderful company, that by working at it. If you get a see you have empowered that is within our brand filter AJD: Since you have the long may you continue in O ctober 201 3 O ctober 201 3 180 horsepower bike the bike is them a lot. we are game for. We don’t want first more advantage over that vein.

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