The Indian motor press is filled with reports that designer Pierre Terblanche has left Royal Enfield.
Terblanche is best-known for his time at Ducati, where he designed classic models like the 749/999, the SportClassic line, the original Multistrada, the Supermono, the original Hypermotard, and several other significant bikes. He also worked at Confederate, where he worked on the X132 Hellcat Speedster.
Terblanche moved to Royal Enfield less than two years ago, in 2014. At the time, it was hailed as a very significant move, showing the Indian manufacturer’s intention to get serious about designing revolutionary motorcycles.
In the months since, the only new design that has come to market is the Himalayan, and it’s unclear whether Terblanche had a role with that machine. He had been working with Royal Enfield’s English design facility in recent months; the reason for his departure is unknown at this point.
that doesn’t bode well.