Royal Enfield 850cc ADV Showcased At Goodwood Festival of Speed

The bike's retro-modern design, pastel colours, and vintage graphics make it a work of art and a performance machine.

Royal Enfield pleasantly surprised the motorcycle community with its recent showcase of a custom 850cc adventure bike at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in the UK. While the bike is a one-off custom creation, it has sparked speculation about a potential entry of the iconic Indian brand into the middleweight adventure bike segment. 

Built in collaboration with renowned custom bike builder David Gwyther of Death Spray Custom, the bike is a stunning homage to the Dakar Rally machines of the 1980s and 1990s. With its retro-modern design, pastel pink and purple paint scheme, and period-correct graphics, the bike is as much a work of art as it is a performance machine.  

The Royal Enfield 850cc adventure bike stands out with its bold and unconventional colour palette. The use of light pastel pink and purple shades is a daring departure from the traditional adventure bike colour scheme. The graphics, reminiscent of the golden era of rally racing, further enhance the bike's adventurous character and pays homage to its Dakar Rally inspirations. With its commanding presence, the Royal Enfield 850cc ADV bike features a tall windscreen that offers wind protection for long-distance riding. The generously proportioned fuel tank hints at an ample range for adventure touring. The bike's semi-fairing extends up to the engine crankcase, providing a classic rally-inspired look while offering some degree of rider protection. Large quarter panels, reminiscent of old-school adventure bikes, complete the rugged and purposeful aesthetic.

Features

Royal Enfield 850cc Adventure Bike has a rally-style navigation centre. Over this is a gauge which could be an rpm meter. The tech on this motorcycle is bare bones even the handlebar has very minimal controls. The bike seems to have twin light units but there's no clarity if they are LED units or halogens. 

Royal Enfield 850cc Adventure Bike Engine

Under the skin, the 850cc adventure bike boasts a bored-out version of Royal Enfield's 650cc parallel-twin engine. We can expect a significant power and torque boost compared to the standard model. The 6-speed gearbox seems to be carried forward and whether the gear ratios have been altered remains to be seen. 

Royal Enfield 850cc Adventure Bike Underpinnings

The Royal Enfield 850cc adventure bike has a significantly upgraded chassis compared to the standard 650cc platform. This comes courtesy of Harris Performance. Paired with this is a top-tier suspension setup featuring adjustable Ohlins components that ensure handling and comfort both on and off-road. The custom swingarm from Harris Performance should add to the bike’s agile nature. 

The Royal Enfield 850cc adventure bike rolls on a set of spoked wheels, a classic choice for off-road capability. Wrapped around these are knobby tyres, specifically designed to tackle challenging terrains. To bring this powerful machine to a halt, it's likely equipped with high-performance disc brakes at both ends, possibly with ABS for added safety. What is unique is the bike's focus on adventure with the covered front disc to withstand the rigours of off-road riding.

An adventure bike based on Royal Enfield's 650cc platform has been a long-awaited prospect for enthusiasts. While the company hasn't officially confirmed such a model, nor have prototypes been spotted, this custom 850cc build serves as a tantalising glimpse into what a production-ready adventure bike could look and feel like. 

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