Royal Enfield The Beat

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t h e e n f i e l d fa m i ly gear check keep riding DIY www.royalenfield.com april - june 2011 Tour of Rann of Kutch Himalayan Odyssey 2011 + One Ride! one love! + GULF BIKE EXPO + Royal way around marketing newsletter kick start A Hi Friends, fter a great 5 year stint here at the Royal Enfield, it gives me immense pleasure in writing to fellow bulleteers who adore this brand in much the same way as India adores Sachin Tendulkar or Chennai worships our own “Superstar” Rajnikanth. Over the years we’ve seen the brand evolve, grow, redefine itself and appeal to people with a vigour that keeps getting stronger by the day. Being a part of the first ever Royal Enfield “One Ride”, I rode with a sizeable group of Royal Enfield riders recently to Mahabalipuram and back to Chennai. I came away with a feeling that is frankly beyond description. This got me thinking on what makes this brand stay relevant to so many people from different walks of life. More importantly, I dwelt on the factors that are instrumental in delivering such a dream bike to thousands of Bulletteers across the world. In these eventful years, we have seen so many positive developments at Royal Enfield - a consistent growth in volume and financial stability, increased focus on quality, creation of company run Brand Stores in 10 locations, the smooth and successful transition to a new engine platform, fresh new talents joining our family as employees, suppliers and dealers, the blazing performance of the new Classics across the world, dealers presenting themselves to the market with renewed “josh” and the list goes on and on. Here I come back to my question as to what has made this success possible. Our success is mainly driven by individual departments and their functions integrated together which has given us the momentum to keep moving forward all the time. In other words, progress has been driven by 2 locomotives - people and processes. For someone who’s been around the block in the automobile industry, the situation at Royal Enfield was quite a revelation. On one hand you get to see veterans of 25 years of experience and more, who could probably work blindfolded with ease and still creates the masterpiece. On the other hand, you see energetic youngsters raring to be as proficient as the veterans. Visit any department or just walk through the vehicle assembly, engine assembly, plating shop or the painting shops and you would feel the unique power of new and old co-existing to nurture the legend that is Royal Enfield. As we grow in volumes and spread, we will grow better, share more and learn more – of this, I am very confident. With great growth comes the great responsibility of improving on our processes to keep the wheels moving smoothly towards the ambitious goals we have set for ourselves. We have to constantly keep our systems and processes abreast of requirements in all areas, be it design & development, scheduling & procurement, manufacturing & assembly or sales & service. The disciplined SAP usage and constant improvement of the processes have been instrumental in seamlessly absorbing a huge volume increase across the board in all functions. To give a ready example the RTGS implementation across all dealers has made the entire order and payment cycle faster, reliable and more dynamic. Our dealers would surely appreciate the speed of response on fronts like warranty settlement and periodic reconciliation of accounts etc. We will continuously keep updating our systems for future requirements also - the first step being up-gradation of the current SAP platform to the ECC 6.0 interfacing with a robust Dealer Management System. Consequently most of our business processes are being reviewed and reformed to suit our future needs. I sign off for now with the pride of having been a part of a glorious phase in Royal Enfield’s history and the excitement to face an equally bright future ahead. Being a ‘born again biker,’ I am sure I’ll catch up with some of you on rides soon. Till then, all the best and keep the beat going……………… — K Ramesh, Vice President – Finance & Business Process If you would like to contribute to The BEAT email us at [email protected] editorial team Shaji Koshy, Sachin Chavan, Praveen P Sathaye 2 upcoming rides The itinerary J u n e 2 5 - J U LY 1 0 2 0 1 1 , 1 6 d ay s Take the High-Way! I ts back! - The biggest, toughest, highest and the most fun-filled ride above sea level, now in its eighth edition is back again to give all Royal Enfield riders a chance to have the trip of a lifetime riding to the top of the world. Keeping in line with the tradition of promoting leisure and adventure motorcycling culture across the country, Royal Enfield brings the Himalayan Odyssey 2011, a ’trip’ of adventure riding across the rugged and treacherous landscapes of the Himalayas including a ride to the legendary Khardung La pass. Ladakh literally means the Land of the Passes. This Holy Grail of motorcycling roads famed world-wide will take you through three mountain ranges and many passes to a dizzying 18,380 feet high at Khardung La and a 40-km off-road ride through a high altitude desert at the Moré Plains. Rich in natural beauty, the landscape in its silence, emptiness and unbelievable vastness is breathtaking. As it enters its 8th edition of successful running, the annual tradition of the Royal Enfield Himalayan Odyssey today has proved itself to be revered as a ritual of ultimate adventurous motorcycling. This ride has always been considered as an exalting pilgrimage to the Mecca of endurance motorcycling, the mighty Himalayas, Ladakh region in particular. It is this ride from Delhi to Ladakh and back that Royal Enfield Riders undertake every year which is often considered as an achievement by many a motorcyclist. The bikers who choose to embark on this adventure trip are not just guided to understand the perils of rough weather, rugged terrain laden with gravel and boulders but also taught how to make use of their understanding and negotiate and tame this difficult and treacherous Delhi • Chandigarh • Manali • Keylong • Sarchu • Leh • Nubra • sakthi • Debring • Keylong • Kaza • kalpa • Narkanda • parwanoo • Delhi route. It is this ability that the riders develop during the course of the ride that makes these able bodied men (and women) ride on together, Covering each sector of this extraordinary adventure with panache and confidence. The adventure run begins from 25th June 2011 and goes on till 10th July 2011 Details of the same could be had on our website at the following link: http://www. royalenfield.com/company/ events/himalayan-odyssey2011/himalayan-odyssey2011_.aspx You can read about last year’s adventure on the following link: http://www.royalenfield. com/company/events/ himalayanodyssey/2010/ hostory.aspx 3 one ride The itinerary Aug 14 – Aug 20, 2011, 7 d ay s Mumbai • Srivardhan • Panchgani • Guhagar • Panhala • Malwan • Amboli • Vagator Romance the Rains R oyal Enfield takes a memorable trip down the legendary MumbaiGoa highway, the NH 17, a road which has been a scenic backdrop for many a Bollywood blockbuster. However, this trip is with a slight twist as we explore the area surrounding the NH 17 riding along yet-unknown beaches while trying out delicious coastal cuisine, to taking a walk in the clouds 4 in the Western Ghats and riding through mist. Also get a chance to ride through the legendary Valley of Flowers of Maharashtra before finally ending up in tranquil Goa. We shall have the rain gods for company which makes this ride not only more challenging but much more enjoyable as you romance the rains. We encourage you to enjoy the romantic and adventurous side of this ride as a couple and gear up to have an experience of a lifetime. While the main theme is an exhilarating experience, the underlying emphasis is also on safety in every aspect of the ride. Royal Enfield provides service and medical back up to provide confidence not just to the first time participants but also to their friends and family. The Tour of NH 17 has expert and experienced pilots to guide the group in various areas of bike riding and coping with the weather and terrain. The Adventure run begins from 14th August 2011 and goes on till 20th August 2011 Details of the same could be had on our website at the following link: http://www.royalenfield. com/company/events/ tourofnh17/tourofnh17.aspx You can read about last year’s adventure on the following link: http://www.royalenfield. com/company/events/ tourofnh17/tour-of-nh-17.aspx NEWS Classic Chrome & Bullet 500 Launched Royal Enfield’s new CEO Dr Venki Padmanabham unveiled 2 new models for 2011 at the New York Motorcycle Show held during 20 - 22 January 2011. These two models are as follows: Royal Enfield Bullet 500: The Bullet 500 is the culmination of over 8 decades of legacy, of the longest running model in continuous production. Since 1932 the Bullet has mesmerized thousands all over the world with its unique styling and one of its kind feel of ride feel. The Bullet 500 is a seamless pairing of the majestic Bullet styling, performance and reliability with the new technology elements like the Electronic Fuel Injection synergized seamlessly with the period styling. The Bullet 500 is all about romancing with history on today’s terms. Royal Enfield Classic Chrome: The Royal Enfield Classic Chrome is based on the Classic 500 with a rather generous dose of chrome on it. Like the Classic 500, the new Classic Chrome retains the quintessential classic British styling of the 1950s: simple, harmonious, well proportioned. The Chrome sports a seat with a leather finish and adds to the visual appeal of the motorcycle.. Built of old-fashioned metal, in clean elegant lines of Chrome combined with Royal Maroon the design of the Royal Enfield Classic Chrome is a tribute to the retro look of post war British motorcycles. Jay Leno rides a Royal Enfield Jay Leno popular star of “The Tonight Show” and “Jay Leno’s Garage” picked out a brand new Fuel Injected Black Royal Enfield Bullet Electra Deluxe to add to his collection. Mr.. Leno’s new motorcycle was delivered by Mike Francovich representing Royal Enfield in Los Angeles. Mr. Leno and Mike’s father were friends and shared the car collecting hobby. A whole segment about the Royal Enfield for “Jay Leno’s garage” was shot on Saturday April 30, 2011. The episode highlighted the three bikes during the show. Mr. Leno’s Black Bullet Electra Deluxe, a Black Bullet Electra with a Cozy sidecar attached (also make in India) and the ever popular Teal Green Classic 500. Mr. Leno talked about the history of Royal Enfield and then pointed out the feature of the new UCE/EFI bikes. He was very well informed about Royal Enfield and the UCE/EFI bikes when he came to the studio. He observed the features and benefits of each model and sat in the sidecar and spoke a bit about it. Jay Leno is the most popular night time TV host in America. His show is “The Tonight Show”. He is an Actor who rose to become the host of this very popular show. He is a avid automobile and motorcycle collector. He is adamant that he does not collect vehicles as museum pieces but rather as part of a collection to be used. He drives and rides all of his vehicles and is often times seen on the streets of Southern California driving one of his collection. he is an eclectic collector and has everything from early 1900’s steam and electric powered cars to turbine cars and motorcycles. He also had a widely popular internet show called “Jay Leno’s Garage”. It is this show that we will be featured on. We should be on in about two weeks. One nice thing is that the show stays on line indefinitely. 5 ONE Ride One Thought; One Feeling; One love for the Royal Enfield. Starting 2011 the FIRST Sunday of April came to be celebrated as the ONE RIDE day where Royal Enfield owners all over the world were encouraged to take their motorcycles out and ride. This year the ONE RIDE took place on the 3rd of April and was celebrated across the world. This celebration is in line with Royal Enfield’s philosophy of promoting the adventure and leisure riding under its 'keep riding' initiative. Although each rider could have his or her own individual 'One Ride' Royal Enfield encouraged them to either start the ride from any of their Brand Stores/Dealership/Distributor or Service stations or end at them for an easy count. Special ONE RIDE commemorative stickers and cloth patches were distributed amongst the riders who proudly adorned their bikes, helmets and jackets with these memorabilia. Even if the riders were not able to join any of the ONE RIDE celebrations they were inspired to still take out their beloved Royal Enfield on this day and show the chrome and the polished tank some sunlight and ride. This was a ride for camaraderie and unity where the roads came alive with the distinct thump of Royal Enfield machines. The event became big with the support of all riders and enthusiasts who came forward and joined in the celebrations. Perhaps one of the largest celebrations of the ONE RIDE was on home ground in Chennai. Over 140 bikers assembled at the Besant Nagar beach to celebrate the ONE RIDE. This ride was to start from Besant Nagar to Mahabalipuram and then to ‘The Farm’ a resort on the OMR where riders were treated to some good off-roading fun. A scrumptious breakfast and loads of chit chat session later all the riders dispersed for home. Live tweets were done during the ride from our official channel as well as some enthusiasts who were there on the ride. The CEO of Royal Enfield Dr Venki Padmanabham was one of the prominent riders in the group. Confirmed reports of the ONE RIDE from many other locations across the country started pouring in throughout the day and kept coming till the next few days. Major rides happened at places like Ambala, Gurgaon, Delhi, Jaipur, Bikaner, Udaipur, Chandigarh, Agra, Lucknow, Muzzafarpur, Patna, Allahabad, Deoria, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Ranchi, Vizag, Bangalore, Mangalore, Mysore, Madikeri, Cochin, Kottayam, Nasik, Indore, Bhopal, Kolhapur and Goa. Mumbai Pune witnessed one of the largest gatherings of people as 150 odd riders ride from Mumbai, Nerul and Pune to meet up at Lonavla for a brunch session at a motoring theme Cafe. Live tweets were done from the ride be an enthusiast who went along. Internationally the ONE RIDE was also celebrated and riders rode out at following locations. Photographs and live tweets were sent in from some of these locations also Australia, Korea, Japan, Nepal, Dubai, Luxembourg, Spain, UK, Argentina and USA. At last count the total number of riders who celebrated this day across the world could easily run into 4000 plus. 6 One Ride in Korea One Ride in UAE One Ride in Chennai One Ride in Chennai one ride One Ride in Japan One Ride in Athirapally One Ride in Argentina One Ride in Argentina One Ride in Ambala One Ride in Goa One Ride in Spain One Ride in Argentina One Ride in Delhi One Ride in Nepal 7 NEWS International Parkour Experts Andy Day and Thomas Couetdic the two International Parkour Experts who had come down on a tour of India came to Chennai as part of their endeavour to spread the culture of Parkour visited us during their stay in Chennai. They then toured all over India on 2 Royal Enfield Classic 500 motorcycles which were loaned to them by Royal Enfield as a good will gesture. Their journey took them around Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan and all the way till Rishikesh and Varanasi where the journey ended and they handed over the bikes to us. It was a great please for us also be part of their adventure across India promoting and educating people on adventure sports and parkour in particular. Here are a few glimpses from their epic journeys. RM East Ride In January the Kolkata based Royal Enfield Club, Eastern Bulls organised an event called the RM East. A lot of Royal Enfield clubs and riders came for this event. Royal Enfield staffers also attended this event by riding down from Chennai to Kolkata. 8 NEWS Royal Enfield's Newest Facilities New dealerships were recently added to the ever growing Royal Enfield network. 1 2 3 Gautam Motors, Muzaffarpur: Bihar Newaskar Automobiles, Ahmednagar: Maharastra S R Motors, Thane: Maharastra TOP 10 Dealers JAN '11 - MAR '11 Dhone Automobiles Pune H.S.R.Services Bangalore 1 Soniya Motors Pvt. Limited Mumbai Royal Motors Ambala 2 3 Awards for Royal Enfield Best Brand: Royal Enfield was awarded the Best Brand ​2011 in 2 Manmohan Auto Stores Chandigarh wheelers by Auto India. Incidentally this award has been given to us for a 3rd time in a row. Additionally Royal Enfield also climbed 7 places from last year’s 9th position to this year’s 2nd position in terms of Best Styling in 2 wheelers. Kudos to our styling team for their work on the Royal Enfield Classic motorcycles which has significantly contributed to this achievement Teknik Motors Bangalore Power Brand: Royal Enfield was bestowed with the honour of being Jaycee Motors Corporation Amritsar a ‘Power Brand’ by Planman Consulting for the year 2010 – 2011. This listing has been based on a perception based survey conducted by ICMR along with the IIPM think tank. The parameters are based on the high recall value, brand awareness, brand image/perception, brand performance and brand association. 1500 brands were selected from amongst 40,000 across the world and the survey was conducted amongst 10,000 respondents based on the parameters of brand awareness and brand preference across several cities in India. The additional 9 factors which contributed to the selection as a ‘Power brand’ were trust, sustainability, image, awareness, effectiveness, perception, aspiration, loyalty and positioning. Ess Aar Motors New Delhi Amar Auto New Delhi South Delhi Motorcycles New Delhi 9 motor show Bikes and Merchandise on display Bikes Lined up at the Motor Show. Dignitaries from the Arab world admiring the bikes Royal Enfield sidecar Combo on display Gulf Bike Expo G ulf Bike Expo 2011 was part of the Gulf Bike Week and is the Middle East’s only dedicated Bike Festival that showcases the very latest in bikes, off road and all terrain vehicles, apparel, accessories, customdesigned bikes and motorcyclerelated products as well major international lifestyle brands from Europe, the USA and Asia. The Gulf Bike Expo held in Dubai in February 2011, attracted over 30,000 enthusiasts plus 1000 people from the Media. This was the largest Bike and Off Road Festival anywhere in the Middle East. The show had prominent Motorcycle 10 manufacturers and other accessory exhibitors displaying their products. Royal Enfield Participated in the Bike Expo for the second consecutive year backed by the purchase potential in Dubai. Royal Enfield officially launched the Classic Chrome and the Bullet 500 models for this region in the Expo with the media snapping every moment of the launch. Royal Enfield had one open stall and a semi-closed stall which showcased the Classic range of motorcycles apart from the Café-racer customised version by the Dubai Distributor Classic Motorcycle LLC. The Open The 2 Bikes which won the best customised European category trophy booth also featured a prominent sidecar combo on a 500cc Royal Enfield along with the Customised motorcycle models from the distributor. Royal Enfield rider group of Dubai participated in the rally and drew the attention of the visitors for the unique looks and sound compared to the other prominent brands. The visitors were amazed to see the unique combination of our motorcycles with the Classic Retro appeal and style combined with the modern technology. Royal Enfield also Stole the limelight by winning the first and the second trophies for the ‘Best Customised European Category’. The award winning customised bikes impressed everyone for their nuance looks and the retro appeal. contest photo by makarand udavanT Republic Day Ride In the month of February on our Facebook fan page we had a contest for the best photograph of a Royal Enfield Republic Day ride. The three shutterbugs who won a T- Shirt each from Royal Enfield were Riddhi Rathi from Mumbai, Sherman Nazareth from Mumbai and Makarand Udavant from Nasik. photo by sherman nazareth photo by riddhi rathi We are having more such contests on our social media platforms. Watch out for them. Participate and win cool Royal Enfield merchandise Inked for Life Aarti Samant Amit Jambotkar Vaibhav Roy Vaibhav Roy Amit Jambotkar Sameer Saxena Royal Enfield enthusiasts across India showed off their tattoos as we looked for some of the best Royal Enfield marks through our Social media sites. We came across some interesting ones which deserved not just a mention but also won their owners some goodies from Royal Enfield. Theses tattoos definitely do make an impression and carry a theme too. Some depicted their lifestyle on the Royal Enfield while some just depicted their machines and their affiliation to the Brand. The notable winners were Vaibhav Roy from Goa, Amit Jambotkar, Aarti Samant and Sameer Saxena from Mumbai 11 one ride One Ride! One Love… Follow the Leader! Two become One on the ONE RIDE Royal Enfield! text N & photographs : rutavi eed I say more? Well, Royal Enfield is and will always be the dream bike of every biker in India, no matter which bike he is currently riding, he would always aspire and die to be a “One Rider” on a Royal Enfield. I can’t help but hum to the tune of a very popular jingle which was one of the classic advertisements for Royal Enfield, ‘Yeh Bullet meri jaan, Manzilon ka Nishaan’ truly, with that heartening spirit all the Royal Enfield Lovers from Mumbai, Navi Mumbai got together for a journey to the destination that would not only give them a feeling of joy but all the people watching on the road a true sense of cataclysmic awe. The “One Ride” was a ride for camaraderie and unity where the roads came alive with the distinct thump of Royal Enfield machine. With over 155 Royal Enfield Bikes at their helm, hitting the streets together, one can’t just sit back to watch them take the roads. I’m sure each and every passerby must have been dying to be part of 12 mehta the ride. Out of the 155 Royal Enfield Bikes 75 were from Navi Mumbai. 3rd April, 2011 was celebrated as Royal Enfield ‘One Ride’ day across the world where people took their respective Royal Enfields on the road and gave the onlookers a sight of Royal Enfield love. Royal Enfield has proclaimed that this year henceforth, the first Sunday of April shall be celebrated as the ‘One Ride’ day. A lot of folks from Mumbai and Navi Mumbai came together with the Royal Enfield spirit and spent the day at the starting point at Nerul Royal Enfield Showroom and ended their sojourn at the Big Wheels Motoring Café near Pune. For those who already know this place, this had to be the perfect spot to end the One Ride; for those who don’t, well you can call this the heaven of bikers; one that most of them would always love to check into. Indeed, couldn’t ask for a better destination than this place to end the “One Ride”. The One Ride event in Mumbai was Initiated and organized by Mr. Nitin Chawla one ride Line Up outside Nerul Brand Stores Off to Lonavla Line Up outside Big Wheels Motoring the Navi Mumbai Royal Enfield Brand store manager and S.S Ghisad, Regional Manager for service support. Nitin along with the senior riders from Navi Mumbai, like Suresh Nair (celebrating his 356th ride),Manish Sharma, Ajit Matre, Steven Miranda, Akash Agrawal ,Vikram, Ronak Wadhwani, and Manan Patel made the Ride quite a comfortable and good experience for all 155 Riders. They also ensured providing clear instructions/ guidance to avoid any complications on roads or breakdowns. To make each Royal Enfield owner special, the event was photographed by me . “One Ride” was formally flagged off from Palm Beach road where the Bandra Riders also joined in and rode along with the Navi Mumbai riders till the final destination, showing off their chrome and the polished tank in the bright sunlight. It was certainly a day to cherish and from this year onwards, a tradition had begun and all the riders looked forward to celebrate this as a fest each and every year. Highway riders 2 better than 1 on the ONE RIDE Flying colours 13 tour of rok Royal Enfield Tour of Rann of Kutch 12 th March 2011 – Ahmedabad - The riders started pouring in one by one as the bike /riding gear scrutiny started, and briefing happened. The riders got to know each other and exchanged points and expectations from the ride. The Next day 13th March 2011 the twenty six riders took off on their epic journey after they were flagged off by Mr. Amitabh Pathak, Commissioner of Police, Ahmedabad, from Acropolis Mall, S.G. Highway Ahmedabad. A large crowd had gathered to cheer the riders as they embarked on this adventure. Ahmedabad is reckoned as the cultural capital of Gujarat and sets an example to many other cities and towns this side of the country, thus making it the obvious choice for the flag off. With this event the culturally rich city known for the art and craft and culinary delights woke up to its adventurous side. The riders were given an escort by the police vehicles till the outskirts of Ahmedabad and it definitely was an impressive sight for the people around. After the first regroup they headed towards Zainabad and reached later in the afternoon. After a short nap the riders rode through a sandy track, which also gave some much needed practice to novice riders; to a nearby lake to watch the migratory birds, . The next day 14th of March the 14 The Flag off from Ahmedabad Map of the Rann group rode out from Zainabad and hit the little Rann of Kutch. After entering the vast desolate landscape the riders couldn’t hold themselves back and enjoyed it to its fullest extent running wide in the vastness. The terrain was also quite harsh as was evident by the 4 – 5 punctures they suffered by the end of the day but it was all worth the experience. The day ended at Dholavira where the team rested for the day and could see the great vast white rann right in front of their eyes. They prepared themselves for tackling the great white rann the next day. 15th March was the day the Riders ventured into the great white Rann. Riding tour of rok Together we ride Crossing the Tropic Great White Rann 15 16 17 tour of rok A Border Outpost watches over the Rann Raider of the ROK Camels for company Its the ‘JOSH’ that counts over sandy and rocky trails the riders went through the two border outposts at Machhi and Karni which are areas quite secluded from regular civilization. Reaching the Greater Rann, the riders were in for a shock as they realized that the Greater Rann was still wet and flooded. The BSF commandant confirmed that late rains in February and a broken dam on the other side of the border was the cause of it. However the ride through the trails to Karni and Mucchi was any off roaders dream and more than made up for the disappointment. In the evening they visited the 4000 year old Harappan civilization near Dholavira before calling it a day. 16th March was a long day and the riders covered approximately 300+ kms out from Dholavira to Hodka. They stopped at the Bhuj dealership where a traditional gala welcome was organized by the local team. The day ended at the serene Shaam E Sarhad resort at 18 Hodka, after a night ride out into the White Desert which fortunately was dry. 17th saw the riders heading all the way to the India Bridge and then further on to the BSF operated old sardar post. Located right on the border the Old Sardar post is the site where a memorable battle was fought by the CRPF in 1965. To reach the post the bikers had to go ride on surface which was more of an off-road trail than tarmac roads. The temperature in the Rann at this time of year had started to rise already and as per the riders it was very hot. Riding 300 kms on this day was definitely exhausting but the adventure made it seem exhilarating and a test of endurance. On the return the riders rode up to Kala dungar to have a magnificent view of the sunset over the rann. They spotted some wild jackals on the horizon as the wildlife of the rann started getting alive with the fading twilight. After the sunset they headed straight to the resort. 18th March was the penultimate day of the tour and perhaps ended up being the longest day of the whole journey. The riders on their Royal Enfield motorcycles left from Hodka and since they did not get the necessary permissions to cross the little Rann again they had to take the highway all the way back to Zainabad. The weather was hot and the strong crosswinds on the long 400 kms marked the end of one of the most awesome adventures for the year. After a small party for all the riders where they shared stories of the individual adventures they had during the ride and how they bonded over the motorcycles they called it a day. The next day on 19th March the day started off with the riders slowly getting to realise that this was perhaps the last day of their adventure. No one really wanted to head back to civilization but then they shook off the after-effects of the night’s party and geared up for the last 120 odd kilometre ride back from Zainabad to Ahemedabad. The sleepy town of Ahemedabad was woken up to the sound of over 2 dozen thumping royal enfield machines as the riders rode into the city and headed straight to their finish point. Getting off the bike they were exhilarated and recollected each and every moment of their adventurous ride as they dusted their jackets and fi- tour of rok Climbing to the highest point in the Rann 19 DIY DIY ➜ Keep the motorcycle on the main (centre) Stand and place a flat piece of stone/tile/wood under the stand to ensure the front tyre is off the ground. Rotate the tyre and check tyre surface for metal burrs, nails or other objects embedded which may have caused the puncture. be careful while inspecting with hand. ➜ Disconnect the speedo cable. Loosen the Pinch Bolt on the 20 One of the most common problems we face while riding out on the roads are punctures. And in such a case dragging the bike with a deflated tyre to the closest puncture shop may not be the most feasible idea. Better would be to remove the wheel and take the same to the puncture repair shop. Following are the instructions for removing the rear and front wheel of the bikes. right side fork guide. Remove the split pin from the front axle using pliers and remove the axle nut along with the washer. Gently tap the axle Push out the front spindle. Put the nut back on the spindle along with the washer to avoid them getting misplaced on the ground. the speedo drive and the Right side spacer. take out the speedo drive and the bush on the right hand side. ➜ Shake the wheel loose and pull it towards the left side. Tilt the bike to the right side and remove the wheel along with ➜ Tilt the bike to the right side again and insert the front wheel back along with the speedo drive and RH spacer between the ➜ After the puncture is repaired and the tyre set back on the rim. Place the speedo drive bush in position and place the speeedo drive on it. front fork ends. Ensure the speedo drive is placed properly such that the cable can be connected without any difficulty.Ensure that the disc is placed exactly between the disc pads. ➜ Caution: Dont press the front brake lever at all during this operation. ➜ Insert and gently tap the front axle till it fits snugly. Refit the washer and tighten the axle nut. Tighten the pinch nut on the fork gyide. replace the split pin with a new one. Rotate the tyre to check for free movememt. Check for any rubbing sound of tyre or disc plate rubbing.Connect the speedo cable to the speedo drive. Press brake lever 3 - 4 times to check front brake working. Take a short ride to check for wobble. DIY ➜ Keep the vehicle on main Stand and ensure the rear tyre is off the ground. Rotate the tyre and check tyre surface for metal burrs, nails or other objects embedded which may have caused the puncture. be careful while inspecting with hand. remove rear spindle nut. Push out the rear spindle along and remove the rear spindle along with cam adjusters, distance washer and spacer. Put the nut back on the spindle along with these to avoid them getting misplaced on the ground. ➜ Remove the split pin from the rear axle using pliers and ➜ Shake the wheel loose and pull it towards the left side. Tilt the bike to the right side and remove the wheel assembly. ➜ After the puncture is repaired and the tyre set back on the rim. Tilt the bike to the right side again and fit the rear wheel back. Ensure that the sprocket bush rubber slots are positioned into the sprocket drum lugs. ➜ Once wheel is placed with the bush rubber slots well placed inside the drum lugs. Place the collar into the rear wheel seal. Insert spacer and the chain adjuster cam along with the Axle/ spindle. ➜ Adjust the two chain adjuster cams to have same number of notches on both sides. Tighten the spindle nut and lock it with a new split pin.Check the chain for optimum tightness/slack. Rotate the wheel for free movement and check rear brake for tightness and locking. Once done ride the bike for a few metres to check if no wobble is there in wheel. Now you are ready to go. 21 keep riding Following rides were organised all over the country under the Keep Riding initiative started by Royal Enfield to encourage customers to ride out on their motorcycles Bikaner  Ten riders under the guidance of Dhanna Lal, rode out from Bikaner and traversed across some rural patches and dirt roads through the adjoining small hamlets, rode through the desert landscape and around evening time returned back to Bikaner. During the ride they also had to spend some time at the local mechanics getting Ambala – Jaipur  The Royal Bikerz club from Ambala Cantt following the route Ambala-MohriPipli-Panipat-Murthal-Delhi-GurgaonDharuhera-Behror-Jaipur for their recent ride. Their ride started on a cold chilly morning and headed towards Delhi with more and more riders joining in from Mohri and Pipli till Panipat, During this ride they also met Mr. Vijay Singh 22 some motorcycles fixed. The customers on getting to work on the motorcycle realised that this often creates a unique bond and understanding of the machine as you get to see it closely and spot the details too while getting a hands on knowledge transfer of the intricacies. Covering over 200 Kms this ride was definitely going to be etched in the memories of the riders for years to come. of Rajputana Custom Bikes. His Great ancestral house was located opposite the Chief Minister’s house and a portion of it had been converted into a workshop for motorcycle customization. It is here that he built custom Royal Enfield Bikes. At Jaipur they also visited the acclaimed Amer fort and spent time there. Spread across 4 days they rode through chilly nights as well as unseasonal rains but enjoyed the ride thoroughly. keep riding Saputara  Saputara traditionally is known for its calm and peaceful environment. People generally go there to get their dosage of peace and tranquility. And then one day, the sleepy little hill station in Gujarat woke up to the thump of 20 bullets. And life was never the same again. It all started when 21 riders came together at the Royal Riders showroom at Ahmedabad on the cold wintery morning of 21st January 2011. This was their first ride of 2011 and they all had gathered with their riding gear, gloves, winter clothing, etc in place and after a hot cup of tea (or was it many cups) the thump began to stir up the souls of sleeping ‘A mdavadis’. Getting on the old national highway to Vadodara, they made the 1st stop for breakfast at Anand. Some took a rather light breakfast while others decided to fill their stomachs to their limits. Being a long ride, some people also joined from Vadodara and Bharuch. Once the whole group was in place and about 200 kms already under the belt, they stopped for lunch and deeply appreciated the inventors of foam based sofas. Bums rested stomachs and fuel tanks refilled and it was time to begin the 3rd section of the ride. This section was the most fun filled one with broken roads, winding twisties and low visibility. Overall a great experience this ride would be one which all the riders would cherish for the entire year. Tikarpada  Ten Machines and 17 riders including the Royal Enfield service team rode to Tikarpada (Satkosia Tiger Reserve in Orissa). The permission for riding inside to forest was acquired after much efforts from the Royal Enfield staff. The journey started at 5’o clock from kolkata and covered 600 km to the destination. The riders did find some difficulty at the fag end of the trip as they could not locate the place due to heavy fog and had to rest in the middle of Jungle in Tiger Reserve Core area till morning, Ranthambore  Tughlakhabad  Three Riders from Murthal taking inspiration from their Royal Enfield friends took up this trip and started off from Murthal one winter morning. They rode northwards towards Ambala and maintained a moderate pace crossing into Chandigarh, taking fuel and food breaks enroute. After Roopnagar the climb started as they ascended the hills till they reached Bilaspur. Calling it a day at Bhuntar they woke up the next day morning and rode to Kasol, exploring the hilly regions around that place. After visiting the famed Manikaran Sahib Gurdwara the next day they rode back towards Chandigarh. The last day saw them start late in the day, not wanting to get back into city life but the riders eventually rolled back home later in the day. The riders were thankful to “South Delhi Motorcylyes” who were instrumental in keeping the bikes trouble free so that they could enjoy their ride to the fullest. As part of the Log Out programme Royal Enfield riders and friends from Gurgaon rode down to Ranthambore. A small group of bikers, they called themselves the ‘Nomads’ and despite setting off early at 5:30 in the morning had to counter traffic enroute. Stopping at roadside dhabas to try out the local delicious parathas and meals, the riders just took off their urban diet conscious garb as they feasted on the local delicacies. At Ranthambore besides watching the magnificent fort and its huge walls, they also had their share of wildlife; not to forget a tete-e-tete with the mighty Tiger. Guided by Anil Goyal and Arpit Bansal, the riders understood the real meaning of the philosophy of ‘leave home’ on this ride and came back tired but extremely happy and satisfied. 23 rider profile Marina Beach Riding in the ghats Somewhere in Karnataka The Enfield Family text & photographs : dianne sreenivas Enroute to Agra W e call ourselves the Enfield family. We hail from the UK but our association with Royal Enfield began right here in India. So how did this unique relationship begin? It began almost twenty years ago when my daughter Zoe was the first person to buy a 350 cc Bullet. We all watched and admired her confidence riding around Goa, we all followed on Scooters and small 125 bikes until three years later I thought to myself if my daughter could do it, so could I. Thus, I purchased a second hand 350 cc Bullet and suddenly the whole of India was opened to us. My other daughter Tanya was next a few years later and after that we started touring together out of the Goa. In 2002 we saw advertisements in the newspapers/magazines for the newly launched ‘Thunderbird’. And so one fine morning my daughter Tanya, her husband Howard, me and my husband walked into the main Royal Enfield dealer in Margao, Goa and announced that we wanted FOUR Thunderbirds all in different colours in a week’s time. You can imagine the amazement and confusion this must have caused, no one in the history of that showroom had 24 Fan club just walked in like this before and said give me one of each colour, pointing out at any bike. However, one week later, as promised, we all got on our brand new bikes and started touring in earnest. Two years after that my son Warren came to India for his first holiday and was immediately hooked. He too purchased a Thunderbird and toured with us, loving it as much as we do. I guess we really owe it all to Zoe. If she had not bought the first Enfield we may still have been pottering around Goa on scooters. Our association with Royal Enfield went beyond the bikes when we attended the Royal Enfield Rider Mania in Goa in 2009 November. We saw how much fun we could have in the company of all Enfield lovers. We again came to Rider Mania 2010 and met more of the people behind these machines. It was during this that we also thought of visiting the Royal Enfield factory in Chennai. We started off on our trans-India tour this year somewhere around February had decided to make a visit to the Royal Enfield factory in Chennai during our trip, travelling there from Goa on our bikes of course. Sadly Zoe was not able to join us on this trip, but we are sure she would definitely join us the next time we undertake another such adventure. On the way to Chennai we stopped at Hampi, where we met up with friends who run a restaurant in the middle of the At the Factory Bazaar, we have known them for many years and they always make us welcome. Two days later, riding about 350 kms a day, we reached Chennai, found a comfortable hotel in the middle of the city, relaxed for the evening with good food and a few beers eagerly discussing our forthcoming trip to the Royal Enfield Factory. We arrived at the Factory in the morning and were welcomed by the staff from the Marketing group and were shown around all the workshops and were able to watch the bikes being spray painted, assembled and lastly tested. We enjoyed every minute of it and left even more determined to “Keep on Riding”. We left Chennai with regret as we all fell in love with the City and the friendly, helpful people we met and want to do the trip again but next time with Zoe. On the way home we stopped off at Pondicherry, Mysore and Kerala, meeting up along the way with friends we had met on previous trips. This tour was for 16 days but we felt that it was over far too quick. We have now started planning several trips in 2012 but have to travel home very soon to the U.K. So all our bikes are serviced, greased and locked in my apartment until next November – my sitting room literally looks like the local Enfield garage. So now in the UK I shall spend a summer season working hard in my Ice Cream Parlour and counting the days for my return to India. riding tip Water Crossing A ll the brave adventurers who have dared to head out to the Himalayas, Ladakh region in particular on their trusted steeds have often kept in mind 3 major perils of the region namely dropping temperatures, altitude sickness and water crossings. Good clothing and diamox can get you through the first 2 but there is no aid you can call upon to get over the water crossing part. Each one has to ride his own bike. A water crossing has the ability to shrink the scenery to itself and they always seem to look better after you have crossed them. When travelling in a group they bring out cameras faster than anything else on the road. Even experienced and confident riders pay more attention to this particular aspect of the terrain. There are many different kinds of water crossings some flowing into your path some away from you some perpendicular and ever other unimaginable angle. There are some that make a huge splash and a lot of noise and some that flow silently without drama. Sometimes you have no idea what lurks underneath and sometimes its visible on the surface. Its a very simple technique really get in at a manageable speed in a low gear and medium revs with the clutch let out. Before getting into the water establish a firm stance on the bike (either sitting or standing) and look where you want to go. (not just 2” ahead of the tyre) take the crossing with a bit of acceleration so your front wheel is light. This will enable you climb easier over obstacles and give you a bit more clearance. Honestly its as easy as that. Always stay calm and make sure that your actions are from your thinking and not from a panic reaction. Some basic rules to follow ● Take your time to study the crossing and dont be lazy ● Keeping your shoes dry is not the ultimate aim. ● Its better to wait (dry) before the crossing and watch other people cross than to wait on the other side while you dry yourself. ● When in doubt choose the lower gear. ● If you do get stuck try smarter not harder. Take your time dont panic ● Pay special attention not to allow the engine to stall. ● Point into the flow ● Don’t be afraid to get wet ● Have a plan but be ready to improvise ● If riding in a group go one at a time Avoid ● Going in too fast ● Taking your feet off the footrest ● Stalling the engine/motion ● Panic ● Slipping the clutch ● Too much rpm ● Holding too hard on the handle bars In case you don’t get it right the first time, no problem. The worst thing is that you fall and stall. I’m sure each of us will figure out how to handle a fall. In case the bike stalls when the silencer or air filter was below the water level or we suspect that the engine has taken in water do not attempt to restart the engine. Once on dry ground remove the spark plug dry it and give the engine a few good kicks till you no longer see it throw out water. you can use the electric start to crank the engine as well. You are good to go now but remember to change your oil and clean your carb at the next earliest opportunity Ride safe — Sachin Chavan 25 FLASH BACK Royal Enfield Diesels With the rise in fuel prices a lot of automobile manufacturers are turning towards diesel as an alternative fuel. This is something we had touched years ago when we made the motorcycle with the world’s lowest running costs. Here is a look into these ‘oil burners’ of the era gone by: Royal Enfield Taurus: The Taurus was largely regarded as the diesel version of the legendary Bullet. It saw light of day around the end of the 1980’s and was launched into the market early 1990 as a workhorse. Powered by a 325 cc Greaves Lombardini diesel engine producing a measly 6.5 BHP but a good 15 NM of Torque at just 2500 RPM, this bike was better known for its unique range. Claiming a mileage of 70 KMPL and a Fuel tank containing 14 Litres upwards, a full tank would easily take you across 1000 kms without worrying about a fuel stop. It did end up serving as an agricultural con26 traption in many places, including perhaps doubling up as a water pump. One of the rare diesel motorcycles manufactured the world over this definitely was one rare piece of machinery. Being a versatile motorcycle it came with a range of attachments and luggage carrying options. Having a split seat option also this was often operated as a single-seater with luggage taking up space where the pillion would sit. Royal Enfield Robin: At almost the same time in the UK, Ernie Dorsett, who had done private conversions of Matchless motorcycles to diesel, got in touch with Redbreast (Blixworth, Northamptonshire), the UK importer of the Japanese Fuji Robin diesel engine. A deal was reached with Redbreast to provide engines and Banavar Products (at that time the importer of Royal Enfields) to provide a rolling chassis. The Enfield Robin D-R 400D was powered by an all-alloy air-cooled Fuji Robin single cylinder engine of 412cc of displacement. It put out 8.5hp@3600rpm. It had a kickstarter but was also equipped an electric starter, allegedly being the first "Production Royal Enfield" to have electric start. The Robin finally went for sale in 1993 at 4,500 pounds, almost double of what the Bullet 350 retailed for at the time in the UK. High cost, lack of performance and the unfamiliar look of the engine have been cited by some as reasons for low sales for the model. Several dealers in the UK, Germany and other places undertook "private conversions" of various scales, some doing one-off bikes per request others attempting a more regular production. With the cost of Petrol still rising and diesel vehicles getting popular day by day, who knows maybe Royal Enfield shall again come out with another of its legendary diesel engine contraptions combining fuel efficiency, solid torque and the rugged built in one easy to operate package. 27 world tour Loading onto a ship The Royal Heros Royal Way Round Four adventurous young men from the steel city of Jamshedpur set out to go round the world in 1971 and successfully completed the adventure. This year they relived the memories of those days by getting back together to celebrate the occasion at the Royal Enfield Factory. Crossing the Equator 29th January 1971, Four young men working with the Tata’s set out on 2 Royal Enfield Bullet Motorcycles from Jamshedpur with just about 100 dollars in their pockets but tons of grit, and a spirit of adventure; something they credit their motorcycles to have cultivated in them. These gentlemen were Mr Subhash Sharma, Mr Ashok Kher, Mr Sampuran Singh and Mr Manmohan Singh. Their journey took them across 52 countries and 1,60,000 Kms. In the course of this journey they got financial as well as other assistance from people whom they kept meeting and thus managed the finances for this adventure. Their trustworthy motorcycles took them across Deserts, the Savannah, Slushy tracks, across small streams, and including some parts of the Grand Canyon. The riders rode through hot blistering summers and snowy chilly winters as they traversed the continents on their thumping juggernauts. At places where they couldn’t ride they transported their bikes by Ship, or on off road trucks or boats but never 28 even once turned back. The Journey took them from Jamshedpur to Delhi and then Mumbai, crossing over the Arabian Sea into Iran, Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Congo, Cameron, Nigeria, Algeria, Morocco, Spain, France, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, England, Canada and finally the United States. Enroute they visited legendary cities, and monuments like the Giza pyramids, Roman coliseum, Eiffel tower, Niagara Falls and the Grand Canyon. The motorcycles had special racks welded on the rear stays on which they piled up their luggage and during certain legs of the run even carried a spare tyre and tubes tied behind the bike. Their epic journey ended on the 11th of June 1972 after which they got their motorcycles to Royal Enfield factory in Chennai. As a good will gesture Royal Enfield refurbished their motorcycle and gave the bikes back to them back sparkling as new. To mark the 40th anniversary of their epic ride these gentlemen decided to get together; unfortunately one of them is no more so the At the Factory Heaving through slush Well equipped riders Out of Africa 3 got together and decided to come down to the Royal Enfield factory to see how much the birthplace of their epic motorcycles has changed since they visited last. They met the Management and Staff at the factory and took a look at the modern machines being made. They found the new Classic 500 to be very familiar to the bikes they had ridden, not having lost its traditional Royal Enfield style and mark. It is such men who set an example of ultimate adventure spirit by undertaking such an endeavour way back in the days when maps and navigational aids were not as advanced as they are today. It’s no surprise that their trip was called the World Odyssey, akin to Royal Enfield tradition of naming the rides. motorcycle roads Yercaud: Escape from Bangalore & Chennai A quick getaway from the hustle bustle of city life for Bangloreans and Chennites is to take a ‘trip’ to Yercaud, a hill station half a day’s ride away Y ercaud in Tamil Nadu is perhaps one of the perfect getaway destinations from Chennai as well as from Bangalore. It is famous for its peaceful surroundings, the big lake in the center of the hamlet and the hills nearby which also serve as perfect trekking destinations. Besides the weather the other thing Yercaud is famous for are orchids and there is a dedicated Orchidarium run by the botanical society of India. As they say sometimes it’s the journey and not the destination that makes a trip worthwhile, getting to Yercaud from Chennai or Bangalore is also more or less same. The roads and the scenic places with their individual specialities make this journey memorable. A mix of national highways, state highways and meandering ghat roads full of twisties make the route a perfect combination of different driving scenarios. Riding on these roads scores a point more than driving as there is the added thrill of adventure. Starting from Chennai the road towards Yercaud goes out towards the western direction on the Chennai Bangalore highway or NH 4 towards Sriperumbudur, location of the Madras Motorsports legendary Race Track. After Sriperumbudur, the road widens up and encourages one to check the top speed of the motorcycle. However one must be cautious of the fast moving Chennai Bangalore buses and Big cars which often try to exercise control on this patch. The road then leads to the famous temple town of Kanchipuram the bastion of Godess Kamakshi. Cross Kanchi and the next big place to slow down your ride is Ranipet, once Royal Enfield had its manufacturing plant here where it assembled/manufac- tured the Enfield Fury, Explorer and Silver Plus motorcycles. Once across Ranipet, the road again beckons towards the yonder and the journey becomes pleasant. Lined with trees on both sides, and a medium boasting of seasonal flora the road often is a sight to reckon. Riding down this road one reaches the famous town of Ambur known for its Non-Veg Biryani and its leather industry. Good chance of picking up a pair of decent boots here and tank up with scrumptious biryani and chicken dishes. Once you cross Ambur you need to look out for a turn that takes you off this highway into the countryside. This place called Vaniyumbadi often does get missed out. Many people prefer to travel further down the highway to Salem and then climb into Yercaud but we chose to get off at Vaniyumbadi and move towards Harur. The Route from Bangalore also more or less joins here. It comes via Hosur, Krishnagiri and then into Vaniyumbadi. Once you cross Harur the temperature starts going down as you start seeing lush green hills in the distance and feel the cooler mountain air refresh your soul. A shot dash through some villages will take you through a winding state highway to Kuppanur. it’s here that the excitement begins as you start ascending the ghats and since there is hardly any traffic on this road one wouldn’t be startled by oncoming vehicles but it always pays to be alert. Climbing into the hills one can just take stops randomly anytime a small clearing is spotted from where the valley and the nearby hills make up for an amazing sight. The forests on your way up are also densely populated with bamboo, which sometimes provide a great sight contrasting with the other vegetation growing around. As you roll into Yercaud, the sight of the vast lake with numerous paddle boats bobbing up and down in the placid waters greets you. Yercaud also literally translates as “A lake surrounded by Forests” which it indeed is. There are numerous inexpensive places to stay around the lake which would suit every person’s budget. Alternatively you could also camp out in the open at Yercaud and enjoy some treks in and around the nearby mountains. Know an exotic location which is just a bike ride away from the hustle bustle of the city and would be best enjoyed on your faithful Royal Enfield motorcycle; write in to [email protected] and let us know of the exotic location and the ride. 29 REVIEWS Arai tour XD 3 / Tour X helmet review The XD 3 is a mix between a motocross and a open to reduce fogging. There is a pin lock visor street helmet and it is a very functional design as and insert available and I would be trying that this I have discovered. I bought it primarily because year during the Himalayan Odyssey. of its ability to be used with a goggle and a visor; The peak does a good job of taking the glare however I have been lazy and have used it primaraway and there is no sun in your eyes unless it’s ily with the visor only. really low on the horizon. Noise levels remain more Part of buying an Arai is the education and of less the same so it’s not too much of a concern. insight that you get into helmets. After getting I also found it a bit more difficult to turn my head an Arai I realised that my other helmets are too at high speeds or strong winds and I suspect this loose and ill fitting. The Arai XD3 has the ability resulted from the shape of the helmet. to be snug and fitting without being uncomfortThe XD3 has an emergency cheek pad release able. I also love the ‘room’ around the ears and system which is basically two red tabs on the the ease with which the helmet accepts cheek pads. When these are pulled the ★★★★ sunglasses/spectacles and speakers. pads come off making it much easier to In this helmet the extra room in front remove the helmet. However, it goes of the mouth and chin makes it easier to have a without saying that only a trained paramedic conversation without removing the helmet. The should take the call about whether to remove the Camelbak bite valve also passes easier from under helmet or not. The ‘Double D’ ring fastening system the helmet. The XD3 has a chin spoiler that can be is great and I prefer it over the usual buckle arpulled down to reduce noise but I haven’t noticed rangement because it's more secure, comfortable any difference. The extra room makes it more bear- and adjustable. And yes – it’s perfectly OK to put able in the summer but doesn’t penalise you much stickers and even repaint the helmet if you want. when it’s cold. Overall this is a great helmet and if you can afPeripheral vision is good and in spite of the ford it then you should go for it. It is very practical sharply raked design the visor is optically true. for touring in India and nothing else perhaps even You can either lock the visor shut or keep it slightly comes close. – Sachin Chavan 30 Diadora Boulevard Boots: A colleague had ordered a pair of Diadora Boulevard boots for himself, but they turned out to be one size larger. I was looking out for a pair of boots and it seemed like a good idea to try these on. I usually wear a size 45 (Europe) and these shoes (also size 45) did fit me very well. They were a bit of a squeeze for my wide feet initially but a few days of riding and walking around with these boots sorted this out. They do not slip off as easily as kicking off a pair of sneakers, and require me to gingerly take them off using my hands. Once on they fit snug and comfortable too. Diadora was a brand I had not heard of earlier, but I am certainly impressed with the levels of comfort these boots offer. I did have one niggle where I noticed a small gap between the body of the shoes and the sole. A spot of glue was used in time to arrest any further separation. I have not had the op★★★ portunity to test them in rain, but the boots have a waterproof lining which should hopefully keep water seeping inside. They also have a zipper and a double Velcro flap which should ensure that my socks are dry during water crossings. The shoes have enough flex in them and I have had absolutely no trouble shifting gears, even using the toe shifter or while using the rear brake pedal. Having spent a full day riding with these boots, on the highway, I feel these boots are very comfortable and do not induce fatigue. Definitely a good option for a buy if one is looking out for comfortable all weather riding boots. These are available at around $100 at most leading motorcycle gear  selling websites. Customs and Shipping charges would also apply over and above that including them this still is quite a worthwhile piece of equipment.  – D Ravi Kiran WEB WORLD Royal Enfield’s presence on social media is augmented by its presence on twitter too. The official twitter feed tweets about the upcoming rides along with various interesting trivia around this legendary marque. It also serves as a tool for most Royal Enfield bikers out there to communicate with the company as well as with each other and seek help, guidance or just an opinion. Twitter also serves as a real-time live reporting tool as was used during some of the rides and Rider Mania. Twitter stream can be found here: www.twitter.com/royalenfield Royal Enfield’s presence on Facebook is through its official fan page on which Royal Enfield shares interesting videos, images and other news information for Royal Enfield aficionados all over the world. Contests are often held on Facebook with some interesting Royal Enfield merchandise up for grabs for the winners. The Facebook fan page can be found here: www.royalenfield.com/royalenfieldfans Royal Enfield Blogs are basically categorised into Life at Royal Enfield and Riding topics. The senior management at Royal Enfield (CEO and MD) have their own blogs through which they communicate their ideas and visions with the world but giving it a personal viewpoint and not through official communication channels. These Blogs not only have been read abundantly but each comment provides valuable feedback to the writer and to the organization indirectly. The Royal Enfield Blogs are accessible at the following url: http://www.royalenfield.com/ RE_blog/index.asp 31 32