Royal Enfield Unveils Custom 850cc Adventure Bike at Goodwood Festival of Speed ​​| Car news

Royal Enfield unveiled a unique 850cc adventure bike at the Goodwood Festival of Speed ​​in the UK. Developed in collaboration with David Gwyther of Death Spray Custom, this unique creation takes inspiration from the Dakar rally bikes of the 1980s and 1990s. The custom bike features a modified 650cc platform, hinting at Royal Enfield’s potential entry into the dirt bike segment. medium weight adventure.

The bike is inspired by vintage Dakar Rally bikes. | Image credit: Motorcycle News

New Delhi: Royal Enfield won the hearts of motorcycle enthusiasts by unveiling a custom 850cc adventure bike at the prestigious Goodwood Festival of Speed ​​in the UK. This unique creation, based on the 650cc platform, hints at the company’s ambitions to explore the middleweight adventure bike segment.

The custom bike is the result of a collaboration with David Gwyther of Death Spray Custom, a designer known for his bold and innovative approaches. Inspired by the legendary Dakar rally bikes of the 1980s and 1990s, the bike combines historic design elements with modern engineering. Gwyther drew significant influence from the Yamaha Tenere and Honda Africa Twin racing machines of the late 1980s and early 1990s, aiming to create a contemporary rally bike that reflected the power and aesthetics of that iconic era.

The bike has a striking design, finished in shades of pastel pink and purple, with a modern-retro aesthetic reminiscent of the Ducati DesertX. It features an analog-style map book on the front and period-correct graphics on the body panels, paying homage to classic rally bikes.

Technically, the 850cc adventure bike has several advanced components. It is built on a modified chassis from Harris Performance, equipped with adjustable Ohlins suspension for superior handling and ride comfort. The swingarm and custom exhaust system, also by Harris Performance, contribute to the bike’s rugged performance. Riding on spoked wheels fitted with chunky rally-spec tires, the bike is designed to tackle tough terrain with ease.

While this 850cc custom bike remains a one-off project, it signals Royal Enfield’s potential direction for future models. The motorcycle community is abuzz with speculation about the company’s plans to introduce a production version of this middleweight adventure bike. Such a move would mark Royal Enfield’s foray into a competitive segment, offering a blend of vintage charm and modern performance.

In short, Royal Enfield’s presentation at the Goodwood Festival of Speed ​​not only celebrates the brand’s heritage, but also highlights its innovative spirit and forward-thinking vision. This custom 850cc adventure bike serves as a tantalizing preview of what Royal Enfield enthusiasts can expect in the coming years.