ROYAL ENFIELD SET TO GO CRUISING
Royal Enfield used the EICMA motorcycle show in Milan to showcase a possible next step for the firm ’ s characterful 650cc parallel twin platform – and , sadly for many , it isn ’ t a Himalayan . Dubbed the SG650 Concept , the bike was designed by Royal Enfield ’ s Industrial Design Team and blends the line between the company ’ s traditional standard bike and a beachside bobber . “ We are a company in transition - so long a representation of the analogue age and now developing new products that keep that same pure soul yet are fully integrated into the digital present ”, says Royal Enfield ’ s Chief of Design , Mark Wells . “ To celebrate this , we wanted to develop a project that really gave our design team an opportunity to stretch themselves creatively . The goal : to build a unique concept motorcycle that pays homage to Royal Enfield ’ s rich history of custom motorcycles , but one that wasn ’ t encumbered by the past . A neo-retro
interpretation that pushes the boundaries of what a Royal Enfield motorcycle could look like , but at its core still celebrates that iconic Royal Enfield DNA .” The SG650 Concept looks 100 % like a Royal Enfield should with familiar lines and that gem of an engine at its centre , yet it also brings to the table something new for the brand . Featuring a number of one-off parts , the SG650 shows us a hint of what Royal Enfield is capable of . “ We believe that the resultant concept motorcycle , unveiled for the first time at EICMA 2021 , inhabits this world fantastically well and offers up something very new , very original and entirely unique to fans of the brand and motorcycle enthusiasts more widely ”, continues Wells . Currently , there is no word on whether Royal Enfield intends to put the SG650 into production , but with the company in expansion mode and looking to cement its place as King of the middleweight category , we wouldn ’ t bet against it .
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