Royal Enfield Classic Chrome 500 and Desert Storm launch report!

On a sunny Mumbai Thursday, Team ICB was at the Novotel Hotel at Juhu Beach, Mumbai for the launch of the two new variants of the Royal Enfield Classic UCE500, the Classic Chrome 500 and the Desert Storm 500. The event kicked off with Royal Enfield taking us through the various landmarks that the brand has seen over its chequered history in a crisp little movie accompanied by the booming thump of the Bullet serving as the background. The stage then seemed set for the unveil of the Classic Chrome and the Desert Storm variants.

Royal Enfield Classic Chrome 500-Desert Storm 500 Launch

Mr Shaji Khosy, the Marketing Director for Royal Enfield launched into how well the firm has been doing for the past couple of years, since the UCE engined Classic 350 and 500 was launched in the Indian market. Just as the launch was turning mundane, the rockstar of a CEO in the form of Dr Venki Padmanabhan took the stage by storm. From there on, the mood lifted considerably as the CEO not just put forth his vision for Royal Enfield but also took us through a glimpse of how the Unit Construction Engine had completely turned around the brand.

Dr Venki Padmanabhan and Mr Shaji Koshy at the Royal Enfield Classic Chrome-Desert Storm Launch

Dr Padmanabhan’s easy wit was the perfect complement to Mr Koshy’s serious demeanor and together, the duo launched the Classic Chrome 500 and the Desert Storm 500. Coming to the motorcycles themselves, both the Classic Chrome 500 and the desert Storm 500 are color variants of the Classic range of Royal Enfields, but along the way have seen many improvements that Royal Enfield has incorporated onto these models from the feedback it has received from users over the past two years since the Classic 350/500 has been on the market.

Dr Venki Padmanabhan and Mr Shaji Koshy at the Royal Enfield Classic Chrome-Desert Storm Launch QnA

The changes on the Classic Chrome and the Desert Storm include a sealed air box(this was previously unlaminated), a different spec crankshaft for lesser crank wear and lesser vibes, a remapped fuel injection system, a modified fuel tank, new spark plugs with a different heat range, a redesigned swing arm and a larger 19 inch front tyre for better high speed stability. These changes or refinements are also available on all variants of the Classic 500 EFI motorcycles that are being manufactured currently. Also, Royal Enfield has retrofitted most of these changes on the existing Classic 500 EFI line of motorcycles through its workshops.

Royal Enfield Classic Chrome 500

So, all in all, both the Classic Chrome 500 and the Desert Storm 500 come with many refinements that aims to make the retro motorcycling experience a much more reliable and niggle free one. Both the Classic Chrome 500 and the Desert Storm 500, just as their names suggest come in only one engine variant, displacing 499cc. The 499cc unit construction engine, which is fuel injected produces a peak power of 27.2 Bhp and a peak torque of 41.3 Nm. The Royal Enfield Classic Chrome is available in maroon and black colors while the Desert Storm is available in a solitary sandy mat color finish.

Royal Enfield UCE500EFI Four Stroke Pushrod Engine

While the Classic Chrome was quite well finished, there were a few areas of the Desert Storm’s finish which could see some more improvement. But since these models were display pieces, we’ll reserve our comments on that. The Desert Storm costs INR 1.58 Lakhs and the Classic Chrome costs 1.65 Lakhs, both prices on road Mumbai. From those price levels, the Desert Storm carries a 3 thousand rupee premium over the Classic while the Classic Chrome carries a 10 thousand rupee premium. A top speed of 130 Kph, a nought to sixty sprint in 5 seconds and a mileage of 30 Kmpl is what you can expect in the real world conditions for both the Classic Chrome and the Desert Storm.

Royal Enfield Classic Chrome 500

But a Royal Enfield isn’t about all out performance or even for that matter stretching the last drop of dinosaur remains. Rather, it is an experience to be savored and enjoyed. This was precisely what Dr Venki Padmanabhan, Royal Enfield’s CEO put across in the 15 entertaining minutes he occupied the stage during the event. Royal Enfield, as a brand is very serious about promoting motorcycles as a leisure activity to help people unwind, and the motorcycle maker is firmly focused on this niche area, in which it has been the leader in India for quite some time now.

Royal Enfield Classic Chrome 500

So, the top of the line Royal Enfields are mainly targeted at the weekend warriors who love touring on the weekends rather than just the sundry day to day commuting, which the Royal Enfield will anyway achieve seamlessly. Royal Enfield has been really upping the ante when it comes to leisure riding in India, both at the factory level where a dedicated team organizes various rides across India, from the icy mountains of the Himalayas to the parched sands of Rajasthan. Royal Enfield also organizes various weekend rides through its various factory run brand stores across India.

Royal Enfield Desert Storm 500

The event culminated with a question and answer session where the Royal Enfield senior management, Dr Venki Padmanabhan and Mr Shaji Koshy answered the various queries put forth by the media personnel gathered for the event. While some questions posed by certain sections of the media might have not been very relevant considering the positioning of the motorcycle, the duo managed to keep a straight face and were quite earnest in answering all questions. Team ICB posed one question that many of our readers have had for quite some time now, of that of the Classic 500 being available in carbureted guise?

Royal Enfield Desert Storm 500

We posed this very question to Dr Venki Padmanabhan, who unequivocally stated that there was no plans for the 500cc UCE engine to be offered in carbureted form as the UCE engine has been doing quite well in terms of performance as well as reliability and that he saw no need of meddling with the engine when everything was running smoothly. Also, the waiting period is one issue that Royal Enfield are yet to get a handle upon even though they have boosted capacity to the best extent possible in the existing plant, which is quite ancient to say the least.

Royal Enfield Desert Storm 500

So, the waiting periods for most Royal Enfield motorcycles will not come down anytime too soon, even as Royal Enfield is setting up a spanking new production facility in Chennai that will begin production in 2013. One factor for the inconsistent quality and finish levels of Royal Enfield motorcycles of the present may be attributed to the age old British made machinery at the Royal Enfield plant in Tiruvottiyur even though modern production methods like CNC machines have been introduced. The new production plant in Dr Padmanabhan’s words will change all that as it will be a world class unit with the modern equipment and processes in place to ensure the best quality.

Another misconception cleared was about the waiting period being caused due to a large share of exports by Royal Enfield. Though Royal Enfield exports its motorcycles to nearly 40 countries across the world, only 5% of its total production are earmarked for the export market. India continues to remain at the forefront of Royal Enfield’s business model and gauging by the increasing year on year demand, will continue to do so for quite some time to come. Meanwhile, here are the technical specifications of the Classic Chrome 500 and the Desert Storm 500.