Its look and sound is distinctive.
The Royal Enfield, made in India, has the classic lines of motorcycles made in the middle of the last century. James Dean would look comfortable on one.
The company was founded in 1901 and has not moved far from original design concepts.
In an environment full of small cars and motor scooters the sound of the Royal Enfield stands out. It has a low consistent rumble. Even someone who knows little about how gas engines function can hear this motor at work and tell it apart from other sounds heard on the street.
You don't see always see a Royal Enfield coming towards you, but you can definitely hear it.
The brand has a limited number of models and a limited number of paint schemes, but they are all simple and elegant. Rarely do owners add accessories, but when they do they tend to improve the utilitarian nature of the machine.
Owners are prideful. They have the income to spend a little more on transportation than their scooter riding neighbors and they are rewarded with what seems to be a durable motorcycle.
People stop to admire the bikes and ask questions.
When you take a picture of a Royal Enfield no one asks why.
Credits:
© Dean Pagani 2019