Royal Enfield’s flagship model – the Classic series – had been updated with the launch of two limited edition motorcycles – the Classic Desert Storm and Classic Chrome. The Classic models have been very successful, with sales reaching the expectations of the manufacturer. In fact, the demand is so much that the bike maker has had to ramp up production to meet the requirements of the customer.
Engine
Packed neatly within the frame is a 499cc, single-cylinder engine that produces 27.20bhp and 41.30Nm of torque. The Royal Enfield Classic Desert Storm is BSIV-compliant.
Specifications
While most motorcycles out there sport a modern design language, the Royal Enfield Classic Desert Storm retains its classic, old world charm.It gets a round headlight and tail light. The large tank is beautifully shaped, the curved front and rear fenders, the long exhaust pipe, those twin pilot lamps and the chrome finish in certain areas all add up to the bike’s charm. What makes this bike stand out from the rest of the Classic line-up is the pre-war sand-finish paint job. This particular bike’s appeal is sure to lure lots of enthusiasts. It sports a huge round speedometer which houses tell tale lights and gets a key slot and a fuel cum engine warning indicator on either side. The quality of the switchgear has improved. In terms of dimensions, the Classic Desert Storm is 2140mm in length, 790mm in width and 1090mm in height. It employs a Unit Construction Engine that is now used on other Royal Enfield models. Start up the motor, and the thump fills the surroundings. The bike accelerates strongly and is quite quick, and can reach a top speed of 130kph. The bike is always at ease when it’s cruising, and you barely realise it. The gearbox is a smooth-shifting unit. The motor never runs out of breath in any gear. There’s ample torque on offer in the low end of the rev range. Despite its bulk, it’s quite easy to ride in the city. However, vibrations can be felt. At 190kgs, the bike’s weight is quite manageable. The ground clearance, on the other hand, is 135mm, while the bike has a wheelbase of 1360mm and a seat height of 800mm.
Mileage
The Royal Enfield Classic Desert Storm has a fuel tank capacity of 13.5 litres. In terms of mileage, the bike is capable of returning 32kmpl by ARAI, in BSIV guise.
Mechanical Parts
You’re seated nice and high up on the bike, and it’s very comfortable too. And the size of the bike has you believe that you rule the road. The saddle provides ample comfort, and under-thigh support is great too. The bike soaks in all kinds of undulations with ease, be it broken gravel, ditches or speed bumps, this bike is built to take on the rough stuff. The bike feels stable in a straight line, and loves cruising around the 100kph mark. The bike is very composed at high speeds, but isn’t so nimble in city traffic. The bike feels rather heavy, making it a bit of a challenge to ride in the city. Braking performance is average, and the bike should be fitted out with ABS. At the front, the bike rides on telescopic suspension, while the rear gets a swing-arm with gas-filled shock absorbers. The Classic Desert Storm runs on 90/90-19 tyres at the front and 120/80-18 tyres at the rear.
Features
The bike comes loaded with a slew of features like pilot lamps, analogue speedometer, pass light switch, wire-spoked wheels, low-fuel warning lamp, analogue speedometer and passenger footrest.
Colours
The Royal Enfield Classic Desert Storm is available in a single shade like: Sand. Sand is certainly a colour that is bound to be a favourite among young riders.
Prices and Variants
The Royal Enfield Classic Desert Storm is available in one variant: Desert Storm 500 for ₹ 2.04 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).
There is a lot more information available on the Royal Enfield Classic Desert Storm, along with detailed reviews of the same.