Royal Enfield is known world over for its evocative and classic range of motorcycles. It is the oldest global motorcycle maker in continuous production, since 1901.
While the brand is known for the Bullet, Classic and Thunderbird, the company also manufactured ‘Made in India’ products like Royal Enfield Fury 175, Royal Enfield Fantabulous, and the Royal Enfield Crusader among others, for the Indian market.
Here’s a complete list of 7 lesser-known India-specific Royal Enfield bikes.
1. Royal Enfield Fury 175
The Royal Enfield Fury 175 was an India-specific model and a licensed replica of the Zundapp KS 175. The Fury 175 was the first motorcycle in India to come equipped with a front disc brake, cast alloy wheels and 35 mm Paioli front forks. The bike had a fuel tank capacity of 14 litres and a kerb weight of 121 kg.
The Royal Enfield Fury 175 used a 163 cc, single-cylinder, 2-stroke, air-cooled engine that was capable of producing 17 bhp (12.4 kW) of maximum power at 7400 rpm. The motor paired to a 5-speed gearbox with a final chain drive. The motorcycle had a top speed of 126 km/h.
2. Royal Enfield Explorer 50
The Royal Enfield Explorer 50 was again an India-only motorcycle that was based on the Zundapp KS50. The bike was on sale in India from the 1980s till the 1990s.
The Royal Enfield Explorer was powered by a 50 cc, single-cylinder, air-cooled, 2-stroke engine that pumped out 6 bhp of maximum power at 8,400 rpm, mated to a 3-speed transmission.
The Royal Enfield Explorer 50 had a top speed of 90 km/h. The motorcycle came with a fuel tank capacity of 9.70 litres and a kerb weight of 97 kg.
3. Royal Enfield Silver Plus
The Royal Enfield Silver Plus was another rebranded Zundapp two-wheeler, based on the ZX 50. The Silver Plus was the first step-through moped from Royal Enfield in India and came with a kick starter and hand gear-shift.
Powering the Royal Enfield Silver Plus was the same 50 cc, single-cylinder, air-cooled, 2-stroke engine from the Royal Enfield Explorer. It produced a maximum power of 6 bhp and came with a 3-speed transmission.
4. Royal Enfield Fantabulous
Some would be surprised to know that Royal Enfield also manufactured a scooter in India. The Royal Enfield Fantabulous was the first and only scooter to be produced and sold in India by the company. The Fantabulous was on sale from 1962 till the 1970s.
The Royal Enfield Fantabulous got its power from a Villiers-sourced 173 cc, single-cylinder, two-stroke engine with heel/toe gearshift. It produced a maximum power of 7.5 bhp. The Fantabulous was the first Indian scooter to feature a Dynastart electric starter system.
5. Royal Enfield MOFA
The Royal Enfield MOFA was a mini-moped that was on sale in the domestic market between the 1980s and 1990s. The MOFA was designed by the Italian company Morbidelli and was manufactured by Royal Enfield in India.
The Royal Enfield MOFA employed a 22 cc, single-cylinder, two-stroke engine that churned out 0.8 bhp of maximum power, while it had a top speed of 30 km/h. The moped came with a centrifugal clutch, while the fuel was stored in the frame down tube.
6. Royal Enfield Mini Bullet 200
The Royal Enfield Mini Bullet 200 used 197 cc, single-cylinder, air-cooled, two-stroke engine, which was a bored-out version of the 175 cc Villiers motor. After Royal Enfield seized operations in the UK in 1971, the Enfield of India started manufacturing the Mini Bullet in 1973.
The motorcycle, earlier known as the Royal Enfield 200 was rebranded as the Royal Enfield Mini Bullet 200. The bike was a favourite amongst racing enthusiasts of the time. The 197 cc motor produced 12.7 bhp of maximum power and 14 Nm of peak torque.
7. Royal Enfield Crusader
The Royal Enfield Crusader went by the name Royal Enfield Sherpa and was on sale from 1963 till the 1980s. The motorcycle used a 173 cc, single-cylinder, two-stroke, air-cooled Villiers engine. The engine used a multi-plate clutch and came mated to a 4-speed transmission.
Also Read: Top 6 modified Royal Enfield Classic bikes in India
The Royal Enfield Sherpa was redesigned in 1979 and rechristened as the Royal Enfield Crusader. The motorcycle had a top speed between 90-95 km/h.