Early History
1891 – Foundation: Royal Enfield started in Redditch, England, as the Enfield Cycle Company. They initially made bicycles, lawnmowers, and rifles. Their slogan “Made Like a Gun” reflected durability, and it later carried over to their motorcycles.
1901 – First Motorcycle: They built their first motorcycle by fitting a 239cc engine onto a bicycle frame. This made Royal Enfield one of the world’s oldest motorcycle manufacturers.
Growth in the 20th Century
World Wars: Royal Enfield supplied motorcycles like the Flying Flea (125cc), which could be parachuted with troops during WWII. This cemented its reputation for rugged reliability.
Post-war: Enfield continued producing practical motorcycles like the Bullet, which launched in 1932. The Bullet went on to become the longest-running motorcycle model in continuous production.
🇮🇳 Royal Enfield in India
1955 – Entry into India: The Indian government needed reliable motorcycles for border patrol. It chose the Bullet 350, and Madras Motors partnered with Royal Enfield UK to assemble bikes in Chennai.
1971 – Fully Indian Production: The tooling and technology were transferred, and production shifted completely to India. This saved the brand when the UK operations closed in the 1970s.
From Utility to Lifestyle Icon
For decades, Enfields were seen as rugged workhorses—favored by police, military, and rural riders.
In the 1990s–2000s, under Eicher Motors’ ownership, Royal Enfield rebranded itself as a retro-modern lifestyle motorcycle company. They kept the classic styling but improved reliability and comfort.
Launches like the Classic 350/500, Himalayan, and Interceptor 650 attracted a new generation of riders.
Driving Safety Promotion Center established
In a bid to challenge the market normally dominated by a certain brand from Milwaukee, the Thunderbird cruiser is launched. Powered by a 1600cc parallel-Twin, it’s the largest production engine in this layout.
The Tiger 800, featuring a bored-out Daytona 675 engine, harkens back to the Tiger’s roots as a dual-purpose motorcycle.
Throughout our history, we have created a legacy of providing exceptional Member experiences and we strive to improve the lives of our Members and Associates in all that we do.
