Eicher Motors Group company Royal Enfield today launched two bikes, Classic 350 and Classic 500, priced at Rs 98,086 and Rs 1.25 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi) respectively.

As the Clasic 500 glided onto the tarmac, it was flanked by the Classic 350.

The engine and powertrain design of the Classic 500 have been originally validated by Dr McGuigan of Cranfield University, and Ricardo plc, UK. The design team of Royal Enfield has actively collaborated with, Xenophya Design, UK, from the concept stage itself.

The chassis engineering was done with Vepro, UK, Engines Engineering, Italy and the fuel injection system is from Keihin, Japan. The final validation of the complete vehicle was carried out by ARAI, Pune.

The Classic 500 reclassifies the Royal Enfield motorcycle; from rugged, enticing, cool to simply styled, harmoniously proportioned, dexterous, alluring and super-cool.

The Classic 500 is powered by a single cylinder 500cc unit-construction engine (UCE) supported by electronic fuel injection. The unit-construction engine has an integrated assembly for the engine, gearbox and clutch; and this reduces the friction between the tightly-knit movable parts, resulting in lower transmission losses.

The styling and the character of the engine are cued on the quintessential designs of the post World War-II era.

The electronic fuel injection (EFI) helps to precisely control the air-fuel mixture ratios at different speeds and riding conditions. Therefore, cruising at 100 kms/hour on highways can be relaxed and comfortable with a commendable balance between performance and fuel efficiency.

The reverence for motorcycle designs from the Royal Enfield stable is one of the reasons for its cult status. The 'retro' look of the Classic 500 is inspired by Royal Enfield's –'J2'- a model that shot to prominence around the early 1950's.

''When, five years ago, we set ourselves the task of styling the Royal Enfield Classic, the major challenge lay in suffusing the romance of the 1950s and Royal Enfield's British character with the latest engine technologies," says R L Ravichandran, CEO, Royal Enfield.

"The Classic 500 that you see today has an open-out design philosophy quite unlike the modern day motorcycles which have large covered areas; and the eloquence of the UCE design can be attributed to the inspirational 'Clipper 250' - a popular integrated Royal Enfield engine of yesteryears.''

The Classic 500 was introduced in the European markets in October 2008.

"In order to reach out to all customers and give them what they want, we've introduced the Classic 350 in addition to the Classic 500,'' Ravichandran adds.

The colour 'classic green' – inspired by colours in vogue during the acme of the British motorcycling era – gives the Classic 500 a distinct yet timeless aura. The technology is avant-garde with enhanced combustion and tight caps on emissions. So, the 'classic green' also epitomizes Royal Enfield's commitment to a greener environment.

The Classic 500 is completely cast and formed in crafted metal, it is enshrined with an insignia-crested fuel tank, an oval toolbox, shapely front and rear mudguards, an angular silencer, seamless exhaust fins, tiger-eyed headlamp casing with headlight cap, a spring-saddled split seat and an unpretentiously-round taillight assembly. The elliptically-shaped air-cooled pushrod engine with blister forms and winged-emblems and a body-frame matted with the same tone, hues and grace as the body-paint, also conform to the native imagery of British motorcycles in the aftermath of World War II.

Says Siddhartha Lal, MD & CEO, Eicher Motors, ''Royal Enfield has an extremely rich heritage of practical leisure motorcycling for over a hundred years. At its core has been a harmonious integration of design and technology towards delivering excellent rideability at all speeds and riding conditions.

With the Classic 500, we have taken this ideology and refined it further to deliver a sublime and timeless retro-chic look with a highly responsive engine and chassis. This goes on to give the rider an exhilarating ride regardless of whether s/he is going to office in the morning or for an adventure to the Himalayas or even around the world.''

''We will use this philosophy and the UCE platform to design and introduce a wide range of motorcycles over the next 3 years to span a variety of motorcycling genres such as classic sports, touring etc. The Classic 500 and 350 are the start of a new era where Royal Enfield is creating an alternative language of motorcycling globally which is unhurried yet responsive, pleasing to all senses, highly practical yet emotional and romantic. Our passion is to build motorcycles that continue in the tradition of creating that special bond between a rider and his mare which can never be replicated in a chariot.''

Effective today, the 'Classic' series of Royal Enfield motorcycles are available at dealerships and brand stores across India.