Raj Enfield

Royal Enfield, one time Weapons manufacturer, and one of the oldest motorcycle companies in the world (started building motorcycles in 1901) is planning on making a come back with the 535cc Continental GT.
In World War 1 the company supplied motorcycles to both the British and Russian militarys. In World War 2 it produced the Enfield WD/RE for the British military.

In 1994 the company was bought and moved to India by Eicher motors. The fact that the bike is manufactured in India should not effect sales the way it used to. In the past India, Pakistan and China products were shun'd for their cheapness, but the work quality has improved so much that many Marques are having motorcycles made for them there, including Kawasaki, Suzuki, and Harley Davidson.

Eicher is hoping to become a leader in the Global market for the mid size bike and is aiming at the United States to be a major purchaser. The 535cc Continental GT is modeled after the Cafe racers of the 1960's and they are hoping to capture the nostalgia market. The demography Eicher is aiming for is the Post performance era. People looking for the simpler motorcycles of yesterday when Cafe racing was an every man's activity.

To help with US sales, Royal Enfield brought in Harris Performance to produce the new chassis and to help with the U.S. market they have hired, former Harley Davidson executive Rod Copes

 

The new Continental GT has a single-cylinder, air-cooled engine and is not much different from the 1965 Continental GT. The bike has limited electronics, so electrical issues will be at a minimum and for those who really prefer a bit of nostalgia the five speed motorcycle also has a kick starter

Copes says that since this is how the GT is configured for all markets for now, the bike's speedometer will be sold in the U.S. with kilometers the predominant display. (MPH shown below)

The Continental Gt has Brembo brakes and Pirelli Sport Demon tyres. It weighs about 400lbs and cruises comfortably at 65mph and below. Above 65 the bike suffers some vibration in the handle bars.
The bike is available in Red or Yellow and will retail around $6,000.

 

For more information you can visit 

http://royalenfield.com/continentalgt/