Royal Enfield launched its first motorcycle at the Stanley Cycle Show in London. The year was 1901, making Royal Enfield the oldest motorcycle brand in continuous production. The company is marking this milestone with a 120th Year Anniversary Edition of its 650 Twin motorcycles—the INT 650 and Continental GT 650.
Designed and crafted in collaboration between the company’s teams in the UK and India, the special anniversary editions will be limited to 480 units globally, with 120 being distributed to each of its four regions. So, North America will get a total of 60 Continental GT 650s and 60 INT 650s.
More than just paint
The company reached back into its heritage of building handcrafted motorcycles by creating unique black and chrome colour schemes, along with classic hand-painted pinstripes and hand-crafted die-cast brass tank badges done in collaboration with the Sirpi Senthil family. Multi-generational artisans from the temple town of Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu, India, they have specialized in making the elegant brass effigies for temples in India for centuries. This is their first collaboration with a motorcycle brand.
The chroming was apparently done with a sustainable trivalent eco-friendly process. Complementing the chrome and pinstriping, both the Continental GT 650 and Interceptor 650 feature blacked out components. The motorcycles will also come equipped with a selection of accessories, including fly screens, engine guards, heel guards, touring and bar-end mirrors.
Inspired by the Royal Enfield Interceptor 750 and Continental GT 250 of the 1960’s, these motorcycles were instrumental in the brand’s global expansion and success. The significance of the INT and the Continental GT 650, both in Royal Enfield’s distant and more recent past, made them the obvious choice for the 120th Anniversary Edition.
Adding to the exclusivity, the tank badge will feature a unique serial number, indicating that it is 1 of 60 unique motorcycles in any of the four regions around the world. Each motorcycle will also feature a special side panel decal.
The Royal Enfield 120th Year Anniversary Edition Twins will be made available in North America through a limited time online sale in early 2022. Visit www.royalenfield.com for more information. Pricing and availability will be available soon.
