Royal Enfield Shine in France

THE CHENNAI-BASED COMPANY RECENTLY participated in the famous Wheels and Waves festival, one of Europe’s major surfing and motorcycling festivals held in France, where they showcased two new motorcycles: custom-made Enfield bikes called Mo’Powa’ and Dirty Duck.

The Mo’Powa’ is a brutish version of a Classic 500, a cross between a dragster and something out of ‘Mad Max’. Royal Enfield went the forced induction route with this build, adding a turbocharger as well as a custom exhaust built by Harris Performance. Although bereft of mudguards and featuring a low handlebar and a lengthened swingarm, this bike still retains the traditional Royal Enfield form, and is easily recognisable as one.

The Dirty Duck is Royal Enfield’s interpretation of a Land Rover on two wheels. The first thing you notice is the snorkel, built by Harris Performance, and the high-level exhaust peeking out above the swingarm. The angular form of the Continental GT has been retained to convey the idea of utilitarian toughness, while the knobby tyres and high ground clearance indicate that this is a bike built to go absolutely anywhere, and comfortably wade through three feet of water — hence the name. The fuel-tank has been naturally rusted to give it a seasoned look and, at the same time, make it obvious that one should not feel bad about dropping the Dirty Duck or hesitate to push it to its muddy limits.