Royal Enfield has unveiled a new limited edition variant of the Classic 500 in the UK. Christened the Royal Enfield Classic 500 Pegasus Edition, the new variant pays homage to the Royal Enfield RE/WD 125 motorcycle which was used by British paratroopers during World War II.

The RE/WD 125 is more widely known as the ‘Flying Flea’, as the motorcycles were air-dropped at battlefields. The lightweight, two-stroke motorcycle was popular among messengers as they could carry the bike on their shoulders when the trenches were too deep to be ridden over.

Only 1,000 units of the Royal Enfield Classic 500 Pegasus Edition will be manufactured and just 250 units will go on sale in India. The limited edition motorcycle has been priced at GBP 4,999 (approx. Rs 4.56 lakh) in the UK market and we expect the 500 Pegasus to retail for around Rs 2 lakh (ex-showroom) in our country.

The limited edition motorcycle will feature a Pegasus logo on the fuel tank. Adding to the period look are the military-style canvas panniers, leather strap with brass buckles on the air box, and tank badge as used on the Flying Flea. Taking the retro theme ahead are the blacked out elements like the exhaust muffler, engine, rims, handlebar and headlight bezel. Internationally, the Classic 500 Pegasus will be offered in two colour options - Olive Drab Green and Service Brown, and only the brown shade will be sold in India. The engine case and the swingarm have also been painted in the same shade as the body colour. All the motorcycles will carry a unique serial number which will be stencilled on the fuel tank.

Mechanically, the Royal Enfield Classic 500 Pegasus Edition remains identical to the standard Classic 500. Powering the motorcycle is a 499cc, air-cooled, single-cylinder engine delivering 27.6hp at 5,250rpm and 41.3Nm of peak torque at 4,000rpm. The cycle parts and 194kg kerb weight also remain identical to the standard Classic 500.

In a similar approach taken by RE in 2017, 15 motorcycles ridden by the National Security Guards (NSG) were sold out in a record 15 seconds, through an online booking facility.