The 10 Best Royal Enfield Motorcycles Ever Made

Royal Enfield, the world's oldest motorcycle brand, has been in production since 1901. During this time, it has undergone many changes in ownership, location, and product line, and since the turn of this century has reinvented itself as the leading manufacturer of affordable modern-classic machines, with such models as the Interceptor, Continental GT, and Himalayan leading the charge in their successful run of contemporary designs.

The early days of Royal Enfield saw it come to fruition while manufacturing motorcycles for the allies in the First World War. By the time the first "Bullet" model rolled off the production line in 1932, the company was well on its way to becoming one of the most successful motorcycle brands, helped by another run of military orders from 1939-1945. But a significant change occurred once Royal Enfield started creating motorcycles for the Indian market in Madras in the 1950s. By the late 1960s, the U.K. manufacturing plant had closed, and Enfield India has been the sole producer of R.E. motorcycles ever since.

Fast forward to the Royal Enfield of today, and business is thriving, with new models produced regularly and a growing base of enthusiasts worldwide. It has returned to its roots with a new U.K.-based technology center, which manages product strategy, innovation, and design. In contrast, a new production plant in Chennai has expanded the Indian operation. Here we take a look at the best motorcycles to have been created over the course of this quirky marque's long and illustrious history.

The year 1932 saw the introduction of the Royal Enfield Bullet 350, which claims the title of the longest continuous production of any motorcycle, as it is still being built today. Over the last decades, the Bullet has become so ubiquitous in India that it has become a national institution, but its success lies in its classic lines, simple construction, and rugged build quality, first devised in England between the two World Wars.

The Bullet 350 is a great all-around motorcycle. It is ideal for beginner riders as it is not overpowered at 21 horsepower, has a basic 4-speed transmission, and is easy to flat-foot at just 31.5 inches in height. It has a comfortable upright seating position and a wide saddle, with plenty of room for a pillion passenger. Early models had drum brakes at the front and rear, but recent editions have increased stopping power with a single front disc brake and even ABS as an option on some models. Its telescopic forks and rear swing arm, while now commonplace, were a relatively new creation when the bullet was first created, and it still handles well over uneven terrain, helped by its large 19-inch front wheel.

While later Royal Enfield models are undoubtedly more refined than the Bullet 350, they all trace their heritage back to this remarkable machine. It didn't set or break any records and, to this day, is modest as far as its specifications are concerned. However, it won the hearts of thousands of motorcyclists over the years and is both a utilitarian and fun bike that is as at home in the mountains of northern India as it is on the country lanes of rural England.

Royal Enfield has been working hard lately to expand its product line to appeal to a broader user base, and the Scram 411 is one such recent addition. Built on the same framework as the R.E. Himalayan, this go-anywhere bike has classic looks and off-road abilities similar to those of the Triumph Scrambler while being highly affordable, economical, and easy to ride. In profile, it is attractive, with good ground clearance, front and rear disc brakes, an upswept exhaust, high handlebars, and a commanding riding position.

The Scram 411 has the same tried-and-tested single-cylinder 411-cc engine as the Himalayan, delivering a conservative 24.3 horsepower and 32 Nm of torque. It has a 5-speed transmission, mono-shock rear suspension, long-travel front forks, and dual-channel anti-lock brakes. Despite its almost 8-inch ground clearance, it is just over 31 inches high in the saddle, making it an ideal off-roader for those of shorter stature.

Those looking for their first dual-sport motorcycle or anyone who is looking for a simple, easy-to-handle bike that won't break the bank might consider the Royal Enfield Scram 411. Whether you are a weekend day tripper, a daily commuter, or a die-hard adventure tourer, biking should ultimately be fun, and the Scram 411 certainly delivers. While it is undoubtedly niche as compared to most other Royal Enfield motorcycles, it fills a gap in the R.E catalog that needed filling.

In 2017, Royal Enfield re-released the Bullet 500 as the Classic 500, an updated version of their traditional bestseller for the new century. As a later relation of the Bullet, the classic 500 marries its classic lines with a split seating configuration and increased power while retaining most of its essential attributes, including the classic engine "thump" that Enfield fans have come to love.

From the front angle, it is hard to distinguish the Classic 500 from the Bullet 500, as it has much the same headlight configuration, with its inbuilt instrument panel. However, we see a very different machine when viewed from the side. The Classic has an independently sprung saddle with a wide seat, with an individual seat perched on the rear mudguard for a passenger. While this is not as convenient for the pillion, it is aesthetically pleasing and undoubtedly more comfortable for the driver. It also has an upwardly-raked exhaust and, perhaps most crucially, has its shifter and brake pedals reversed as compared to previous Bullets, which unconventionally had their Brake pedal on the left-hand side.

The Classic 500 has a 499-cc engine, giving it that extra edge to keep up with highway traffic and making overtaking much easier compared to its 350-cc little brother. It retains the same single-cylinder block with electronic fuel injection and five-speed transmission, as well as the 31.5-inch seat height and 19-inch front and rear wheels, which make handling a breeze. Royal Enfield has recently reissued the Classic 350 to much acclaim, with some added extras such as GPS and a digital instrument display, but the 500 gets our vote, as it boasts the same traditional good looks while packing more punch.

Royal Enfield motorcycles are like blank canvases that can be modified in all sorts of ways to suit all applications, and perhaps none is more customizable than the Himalayan 411. This bike helped reinvent Royal Enfield and bring the marque into the 21st century by offering riders a fun, affordable adventure bike that could perform in the rugged terrain of northern India.

Why was the Himalayan so successful? Unlike other bikes in its class, such as the BMW R1250 GS, Triumph Tiger 900, or Honda's Africa Twin, the Royal Enfield retails at just under $5,000. This made adventure biking accessible to the everyday rider who didn't necessarily wish to spend the price of a new family car on a motorcycle. You also get many extras as standard, including handguards, crash bars, and luggage racks, with the option to add top boxes, panniers, windshields, and engine guards, or switch handlebars, upgrade the suspension and make many other modifications to suit your requirements.

The Royal Enfield Himalayan 411 is also low in the saddle for an adventure bike at just 31.5 inches, so it appeals to shorter riders or those who prefer not to have their feet hovering a foot above the ground when riding off-road. While some may find it a little underpowered for highway riding at 25.4 horsepower, it delivers ample torque and sufficient speed for backroads and off-roading. In short, the Himalayan is exciting, capable, accessible, and an ideal entry-level bike for budding ADV riders.

Sometimes a product is created that changes the way we look at a brand, and the Interceptor 650 certainly revolutionized the way Royal Enfield was perceived by critics and the motorcycle-buying public alike. This much-lauded classic touring bike has been a great success and is often compared to the highly-respected Triumph Bonneville in road tests, proof indeed that the Indian-owned marque has come a long way since its 21^st-century revamp.

Unlike the Bonneville, the Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 is affordable, especially for new riders, starting at around $6,000 new, and for this, you get excellent value for money. Features-wise, the bike is very similar to the Continental GT; however, with its spacious touring seat, wide and elevated handlebars, forward foot pegs, and upright seating position, it is eminently practical compared to its sportier counterpart. So well-loved is the Interceptor 650 that it has inspired multiple competitors, most notably the BSA Goldstar (from another ex-British, Indian-owned brand).

The Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 is a reliable, economical motorcycle with excellent handling and a commanding road view that is comfortable over long distances and a joy to ride. It would be hard to find a more comprehensively-equipped motorcycle at this price, and it's no wonder it has been so well received within its relatively short lifespan. Royal Enfield's winning formula for British design and Indian construction has managed to deliver a motorcycle that suits almost all skill sets, riding styles, and road-going applications while sticking to their principles of high quality and excellent value.