[shortbread]

One-off factory custom 850 adventure bike shown at Goodwood

RE could well be gearing up to join the mid-size adventure bike market with a larger parallel twin model, having showcased a 850 rally concept at the recent Goodwood Festival of Speed based on the existing 650 twin platform.

Built in partnership with artist David Gwyther of Death Spray Custom, who was said to be inspired by Dakar Rally racing machines of the 1980s and 1990s. Conversations with Royal Enfield began three-years-ago, with the finished model making its debut at the July 4-7 event.

“Working from what platform they had, I thought about creating a rally bike, but I really wanted it in that golden era of rally bikes from ’88 – ’91 with the Ténérés, Africa Twins because when I was a kid that was the rallying I’d see,” Gwyther told MCN at the Chichester festival.

“I think they took a lot from their flattrack racing program, so the idea was can we make a bike that’s the same horsepower and weight as they were in those days but using the modern technology,” he continued. “And then I wanted to create the style, the graphics, the engineering to be very similar to that era"

Larger forks, spoked wheels, and a bespoke fairing also feature alongside chassis upgrades from Harris Performance. The engine also runs as it should despite the internal revisions and made a number of trips up the Goodwood sprint.

“We’ve got a modified headstock to get the correct rake and then it’s the GT/Interceptor engine block that’s been bored out,” Dave continued. “There’s adjustable Öhlins suspension, a Harris swingarm, Harris exhausts, and the aluminium rear sets are bespoke for the bike.

“The bodywork is all one-off and when we were coming up with the way we created it, it was all about making it practical, and repairable in the dessert.”

MCN caught up with the brand’s Chief of Design, Mark Wells, “There’s absolutely no doubt – and I’m not saying anything I shouldn’t here – in that it’s the most asked for product. I quite regularly say to people in conversation – especially journalists – what do you think we should do next? And nine times out of 10 that’s what people say.

“I guess we’ve got a history of listening to people,” he added.

Source: https://www.motorcyclenews.com/news/...nts-at-future/

[Nilesh5417]

At least in the pics, this thing is looking insanely long. MCN has no lt much in terms of specs and dimensions probably cause it's a one off.

[surjaonwheelz]

Originally Posted by Nilesh5417

At least in the pics, this thing is looking insanely long. MCN has no lt much in terms of specs and dimensions probably cause it's a one off.

It's the overbore kit on the 650 platform, if you sponsor, we can try it on my Interceptor!

Happy riding,
surjaonwheelz