We had reported last week that the Royal Enfield will be showcasing an all-new V-Twin motor with the new concept bike. After editing the teaser image, we can see that the concept bike has a twin-exhaust muffler, and only one header pipe can be seen exiting at the front. Also, the engine area has been masked, which almost confirms that it’s an all-new powerplant and will be a new V-Twin motor.
From what we know so far, the new V-Twin engine is likely to have a displacement of 830cc and will produce around 80 to 90hp. The new powertrain has been developed in alliance with US-based Polaris Industries, which owns Indian Motorcycle. What has also been reported is that the new motor complies with the upcoming BS-VI emission norm, and that the new project was carried out in the UK, between the technical centres of Polaris and Royal Enfield.
While the news of an 830cc Royal Enfield has us excited we must add that the new bike is still in its early stages of development and is unlikely to be launched before 2020. The company is currently focusing its attention on launching the Interceptor 650 and the Continental 650, which will soon go on sale in India.
What is also noticeable in the edited teaser image is that the concept bike looks like it employs a girder fork at the front and a monoshock unit at the back. Other details visible are a twin-disc brake unit at the front with radial mounted calipers and machine-finished alloy wheels. The seat seems to be a cantilevered single seat that is similar to the one on the Triumph Bobber, and the bike appears to embrace a modern flavour, as can be seen with the LED headlight and DRLs. There also appears to be a raised instrument console, along the long and rather flat handlebar.
Earlier this year, it was revealed that Royal Enfield was working on four platforms codenamed J, P, Q and K. The ‘J’ platform is for developing the next generation of Classic, Thunderbird, Bullet and Himalayan range to make them BS-VI norm compliant. The ‘P’ platform spawned the new 650 twins – the Interceptor 650 and the Continental 650. The ‘Q’ and ‘K’ platforms consist of bikes above 700cc, and the new Royal Enfield bobber concept gives us a glimpse into the future products from this portfolio.
Azaman Chothia
Vishal Venugopal
