Royal Enfield Classic 350 Redditch variants for Rs 1,46,093

In the 1950s, Royal Enfield motorcycles were manufactured in its pre-world war era factories in Redditch, a needle making town located fifteen miles south of Birmingham in UK. The Royal Enfield Classic introduced in 2008 is designed on the lines of the J2 and it is a tribute to the retro look of British motorcycles in the post World War II era.

Powered by Royal Enfield’s 350cc unit construction engine (UCE), front & rear mudguards, the headlight casing, the fuel tank, the oval tool box, the exhaust fins, the speedometer dials, the single seat spring saddle, tail light assembly and the headlamp cap, all these conform to the native imagery of British motorcycles in the aftermath of World War II. Although the Redditch plant stopped producing motorcycles in 1967, its effect on the look and feel of a Royal Enfield motorcycle is still distinct even today.

Apart from the new colours from the 1950’s, the 2017 Redditch series will feature the Royal Enfield Redditch monogram, first used in 1939 on the prototype of 125cc ‘Royal Baby’, a 2-stroke motorcycle.

The outbreak of WWII put an end to the production plans of the Royal Baby - the 125cc motorcycles for the larger public. The Royal Baby was then soon adopted by the British armed forces, in particular, paratroops. Nestled inside custom-made Royal Enfield parachute cages, these motorcycles, officially known as the model WD/RE, were dropped into enemy territory to support airborne troops. They soon earned the moniker, ‘Flying Flea’, painted olive green and proudly wearing their Royal Enfield tank badge. Subsequent versions of the Redditch monogram were encompassed by the now legendary Royal Enfield wing design. Series such as the Ensign, Clipper and Crusader, as well as the 2008 Royal Enfield Classic, sported this version of the Redditch monogram either on the engine or fuel tank.

Introducing the new Redditch colourways, Rudratej (Rudy) Singh, President, Royal Enfield said, “Royal Enfield launched the Classic in 2008 based on its popular ‘J2’ model, as our brand has always taken inspiration from its rich heritage to come up with evocative motorcycles in the modern era.”