WhyRoyalEnfield?
Why will i buy something which…
1. Uses a 50 year old technology…
2. Does not have a fuel efficiency of 100 KMPL, but have an avg of 35-40 kmpl(?)
3. Does not go beyond 110 kmph?
Going back to Circa 1985, i was a school boy sitting in the pillion, with my dad in a bike which had two silencers. yup, The Road King YEZDI (called as JAVA as well) was my dads bike and i used to travel 12 kms a day, to reach school and back home. Those were the days, which thought me the hell a lot of things, to quote a few, the confidence, compatibility and adjusting to things, the traffic sense, all embedded by my middle class agriculturist dad, (who studied only 3rd class) into the small minds of mine. I’m sure, very few of us got an opportunity, to live in a village and study in a town, traveling with dad, on village roads, with agricultural lands on both the sides.
But, after my primary schooling, got hold of a HERO cycle, to commute those 12 kms everyday, with a set of people. Then, there was a sea change in life, when i moved to a closed circuit hostel life for my higher secondary schooling and an engineering degree. Then some work life, again back in college for an MBA degree, now work in advertising, i have used / using varied modes of transportation, and unfortunately, all these are not matching with my childhood ride on the JAVA.
OK.. Lets come to the objective of this write up.
I wanna have a Bullet. Though, i have not done any major research on the models, have checked with few of my friends, who are the pride owners of BULLETS. Few suggested me a THUNDERBIRD, few an ELECTRA 4S and few others the conventional ELECTRA 5S. These guys claim, every single model of Bullet got its own personality. Keeping this in mind, went to Teknik Motors on CMH Road, one of the dealers of Royal Enfield in Bangalore. It was a surprise shock, that you have to wait for 3-4 months to receive a Thunderbird and 7-10 days for an Electra 5S.
Hmm.. Im ready to wait. But… Why am i planning to buy?
Few thoughts here…
a. Is it… cos of the metal embossed ’’Royal Enfield’’ logo on tank stands out and proclaims the rich heritage…?
b. Is it cos of the same old Charm and Personality with Tecnological advances…?
c. Is it the Same Looks and Quality for years together…?
OR… All the ABOVE.?
YUP… With all these mentioned points… “I wanna take my dad, a ride on the same old village road, with the agricultural lands on both the sides”. Royal Enfield is proving again and again, that there is something more about bikes than engines and nuts and bolts. While an average Indian customer will still go for a highly fuel efficient bike, Lemme be a part of a growing legion of people who value a bike in terms of satisfaction, performance and pride of owning one.
Share your thoughts and comments.
~ peevee.
Thanks GUYS. From 11th Dec 2009, I’m a proud owner of a Royal Enfield Bullet Electra. Its been a GREAT one month NOW. I’m LOVING IT.
hi dude,
am an equally crazy guy like u…
talkin about royal enfield, we can talk for hours and hours together without gettin bored…
as a kid i grew up seein royal enfields in my village, and used to pester my dad to buy one… but bein a scooter crazy man, he never went for bikes… but my dream stays on and on…
speakin about enfield, forget those knee breaking kicks, forget those oil leaks, forgive those drained batteries, just love the bullet and the rich tradition it has… just love the loud thumps and the joyful drivin experience…
am savin money to buy a thunderbird twin spark… just cant wait for that wonderful moment of realisin my childhood dream…
go ahead dude buy the thunderbird and start enjoyin life… with the royal enfield, u arent just buyin a bike… you are takin home along with it a rich tradition, a satisfaction, and that commandin road presence along with u… its sooooooo cooolllllllll dude…
A very nice, touching one peevee.
I perfectly agree with you that there are certain things more about bikes above milage, engine, nuts and bolts. In other words, what you ride truly reflects ur personality, what you really are…
Having a bike crazy husband and brother (one who is crazy about sports bikes and other about bullet & owns a 350 classic; both equally crazy about long trips 
) I know exaclty what you are talking about. One of the most memorable moments in my life was the bike trip from B’lore to Cochin that I had with my husband 2 years back. There is nothing that comes close to the feeling of cutting throught the roads in one of those mean machines, nothing comes close to the sense of freedom that you get…
For me even more touching was your statement “I wanna take my dad, a ride on the same old village road, with the agricultural lands on both the sides”. All I have to say is go ahead… make him the proudest father in the whole world.:-)
Trust me mate, with an RE, you’re not buying a bike. If you feel that way, well may be this isn’t the bike for you.
With an RE is more like you’re ingress into a different sect, a religion if you please. It’s a piece of history. It’s an experience, a relationship albeit a slightly difficult one, but one that will last for ever. Its an indulgence, you’re bound to love it. Enjoy. I’d go with Electra 5S, for the traditional classic RE charm and appeal.
“I wanna take my dad, a ride on the same old village road, with the agricultural lands on both the sides”.
This was very touching!
All the Best !!! Which model u decided ?
I still don’t know how to ride a bike
Have to learn it…
@ Rajesh – Thanks Dude.. Im sure they are not just nuts and Bolts.
@ Hmm.. Agree dude.. But.. what to do? Im being an INDIAN in INDIA.
Nice write up. BTW, Crude prices just hit a record $120 a barrel. Not to mention the fact that the more fossil fuel we burn, the more we are adding to global warming.
Yep, Royal Enfield is not just a piece of machinery. It comes with a rich heritage and colorful legacy. Plus, it brings out nostalgic memories in a lot of people.
Got for it dude. I am also thinking of one seriously
@ CVR – Thanks DUDE. Lemme Do It..
@ Subash – Hmm.. Thanks Dude.. Gonna be close to the heart.
“Lemme be a part of a growing legion of people who value a bike in terms of satisfaction, performance and pride of owning one”
Well said peevee… bike is something which is very close to ur heart.. so let ur heart chose it rather than ur head…
//“I wanna take my dad, a ride on the same old village road, with the agricultural lands on both the sides”. //
Nice thought..
All the best!!