Art Blogging: Royal Enfield

"Wait, art blogging about a motorcycle?" Yes, I am. And when gazing upon the sleek, elemental beauty of Royal Enfield motorcycles, how could I not?

The Enfield Manufacturing Co. Ltd. was formed in Redditch, UK in 1893 with a focus on building components for Enfield rifles. As a side business, the owners began the construction of bicycles. Within that first decade, it also produced motorized tricycles and quadricycles (something akin to a subcompact car). Enfield began experimenting with motorized bicycles in 1901 and marketed its wares as "built like a gun", in reference to the company's origin in armaments.

Widespread commercial success came in 1931 with the launch of the company's flagship model -- the Bullet. Technical improvements gradually advanced the model until 1967, when the plant at Redditch closed and the only remaining manufacturing facility in Madras, India, continued to produce literally hand-made Enfields, mostly for military purposes. The Indians made very few technical changes* to the bike and retained almost all of the design specs of the 1955 model. Consequently, until a few years ago, a Royal Enfield was an antique from the moment that it rolled off the assembly line.

A recent resurgence in popularity for the marque has dramatically increased sales for the long-beleaguered company. The bikes are now widely available -- even here in America. There are new models available with modern equipment like electric starters and disk brakes. Quality control, once very poor, has vastly improved.

Which is grand, as now present and future generations can enjoy the simplistic, yet regal splendor of the Royal Enfield. Why do I find these bikes so appealing? I'm not entirely sure -- it's always hard to say why certain works of art are more captivating than others. But its sleek lines accented by circular flourishes remind me of the compact and elegant muscularity of Donatello's David. Or, if I may use a more obtuse reference, the Royal Enfield is the motorcycle equivalent of Bruce Lee in a tweed jacket.

I don't own a Royal Enfield, and now that I'm married, I'll never ride a motorcycle. Still, in my dreams, I ride a green Royal Enfield Bullet Classic 500 over lush hills and meadows.

*To my knowledge, Royal Enfield (India) is the only manufacturer to ever produce motorcycles powered by diesel engines.