| • Science | • People | • Locations | • Timeline |
A partner company in India (Enfield India) started making, under licence, the 350 cc Royal Enfield Bullet motorcycle in 1955. Now independant since the demise of Royal Enfield in England, it still makes an essentially similar bike in 350cc and 500cc forms today along with several derivatives of it. These are being imported into the United Kingdom in increasing numbers, though the newer versions with electric start are becoming more popular than 'classic' version which is little changed from 1955.
The latest UK import version of the Bullet is the Electa X - a 500cc machine with a 'lean burn' engine incorporating a new cylinder head, gear oil pump and roller big end bearing.
The recently designed 5-speed gearbox and electric start are also part of the package. Other improvements are a front disk brake, electronic ignition and new rear damper units.
First designed around 1947, the Bullet claims to have the longest continuous production run of any motorcycle.