Yes, folks, Royal Enfield is alive and well in Gauteng! I told you about my visit to Cape Town for the SA launch, at Moto-Royale, of the iconic British brand Royal Enfield, which, despite significant ties to the Old Country, is now Indian owned, with its headquarters in Chennai. I was invited to attend the local launch at the stunning World of Motorcycles multi-franchise operation in Centurion. The whole third floor has been transformed into a Royal Enfield mancave of note, so Irene and I went to check it out.
The evening kicked off with the unveiling of the Enfield presence by Jos Matthysen, owner of World of Motorcycles. Moto-Royale’s Adam McCallum, accompanied by Adish, gave the background to acquiring the rights to Royal Enfield in SA. Braam Smit gave us some history on Royal Enfield’s origins, and Jos introduced his staff and expanded on their commitment to growing the brand in Gauteng. That commitment is very clear when you see the comprehensive stock of Enfield’s on display. Not only are the various models represented, but colour options are too. Royal Enfield is not just a brand; it is a family. Strolling around the bikes on display is like being in the family lounge. Overstuffed leather sofas and tasteful furnishings give a distinct Old English look and feel, the sort of ambience you would get in an upmarket Old English tobacconist, but thankfully, we’re talking motorcycles rather than cigars.
The real thrill was ogling the full range of Royal Enfield models on display. These bikes are soulful in the extreme! We live in a world where change is happening at an exponential rate. Royal Enfield has managed to capture the essence of motorcycling and embody it in bikes with timeless styling. Bikes which have a new heart in an old soul. Modern and reliable mechanics are clothed in old school styling, which harks back to a time when motorcycles were essentially economical transport, which over time morphed into a hugely pleasurable lifestyle activity. A way in which you could pull on your helmet, gloves and leather ‘lummie’ and take off on your bike, letting the worries and woes of everyday life melt into obscurity. Literally therapy on wheels.
Over time, manufacturers saw the economic attraction of building various genres of bikes which would appeal to as wide an audience as possible. Complexity snuck into an activity which was simple and intoxicating. That wonderful simplicity was slowly drowned in a sea of complexity and marketing one-upmanship. In many instances, bikes became more appliance-like as manufacturers attempted to answer questions that weren’t even being asked. Royal Enfield never sold their soul. They remained true to their recipe of simplicity and function. Rather than trying to compete in this rat race of mechanical and electronic complexity, they set about modernising their offerings into superbly functional and satisfying motorcycles. They simplified their manufacturing processes with state-of-the-art facilities with component suppliers in close proximity, thereby maximising manufacturing efficiencies, which in turn significantly lowers their production costs. The end result is a range of superb and soulful motorcycles offering unparalleled value for money.
This is why I refer to the influx of Royal Enfield as a REvolution. I encourage you to pop into World of Motorcycles and see for yourself. The aura of calm simplicity is all-pervasive. Whatever bike you currently ride, you need an Enfield in your garage. A bike that is a reminder of the fundamentals that birthed an industry. You may just find that the “supermodel” that you are currently dating is becoming seriously demanding and heavy on the body and wallet, pulling you more and more into life’s ‘fast lane’. Choose a “girl next door” type of motorcycle who demands little, is incredibly rewarding, and a soulful friend with whom you want to make epic memories. Royal Enfield, still built like a bullet – motorcycling salve for the soul.
Did you know? – The Royal Enfield name evolved from The Royal Small Arms Factory, founded in 1816 and located in Enfield, which was a UK government-owned enterprise that at one time manufactured small arms. Hence the “built like a gun” catchphrase. Two rifles manufactured at this factory have a rich history in South Africa. The Martini-Henry was a firm favourite amongst Boer marksmen and accounted for many unfortunate ‘Khakis’ during the Anglo-Boer War, whilst the British in turn were armed with Lee-Enfield rifles. Other motorcycles that evolved from small arms manufacturers are Benelli, BSA, CZ and Husqvarna.
