Royal enfield motorcycle for launch at rds

Organisers of the Carole Nash Irish Motorbike and Scooter Show have announced that the iconic Royal Enfield motorcycle marque will make its long awaited return to Ireland with the launch of a series of new bikes at the event, which opens on February 27th and runs until March 1st at the RDS in Dublin.

Royal Enfield is the oldest motorcycle company in continuous production. The company made its first motorcycle in 1901. The brand is synonymous with the Cafe Racer lifestyle that has influenced both motorcycle and mainstream fashion.

Still made by hand, each and every Royal Enfield takes almost a week to build. This results in a one of a kind bike that has character and soul. Nuts and bolts are manually twisted and adjusted to the right specifications and the famous golden stripe on the fuel tank is hand-painted. Final testing is done the old-fashioned way, one lucky worker taking each bike on a short test ride upon completion.

Evolution Motor Works will launch the all new Royal Enfield Continental GT 535cc cafe racer at the show. Drawing inspiration from the classic bikes of the '60s, the GT has everything a cafe racer needs, with low handlebars, hand finished paintwork and, of course, a seat hump. The new fuel injected 535cc, single-cylinder, 4-stroke, air-cooled engine, makes it the lightest, fastest and most powerful Royal Enfield in production.

Manus Lappin of Evolution, commented: “We are excited to be exhibiting our range of new Royal Enfield bikes at the show. These retro bikes are generating huge interest. I believe the reason is that a whole new generation of motorcyclists are joining those of us who already know the joys of owning an affordable, authentic, stylish machine, that’s engaging to ride and full of charm. Visitors will also get to see the rest of the range, including the Bullet 500, Classic 500 and Classic Chrome.”

Ruth Lemass added: “Cafe Racers and the lifestyle associated with them is best known through the emergence of Rockers and Mods in the 1950s. Visitors will be in for a real treat where they can see the newest versions of the Royal Enfield and then drop around the corner to visit the Ace Cafe Classic & Retro Zone, where there will be a host of historic bikes on display.”

Ace Cafe's Classic & Retro Zone will have displays and a special features area showcasing this cafe culture with classic and vintage motorcycles and scooters on display. In keeping with one of the most prolific periods for these bikes, the Ace team will be hosting a 'Spirit of the Ace' awards, for the best of the Mods & Rockers machine’s that turn up to visit the show.

Mark Wilsmore of Ace Cafe London, said: 'When you look at the history of the cafe racer and the lifestyle that surrounds it, you quickly realise that there is so much more to it. Yes, it’s about a machine with a story but it is really a nod to what many consider to be motorcycling’s finest hour, it is the best expression yet of a cultural phenomenon that has simply refused to fade away. Having the opportunity to share this experience with the visitors to RDS later this month is something that the Ace team and I are looking forward to.”

Ace Cafe London will display an array of memorabilia, together with the recently published and critically acclaimed book 'Ace Times - Speed thrills and tea spills, a cafe and a culture' by Mick Duckworth.

For spectacular displays of truly amazing motorbikes and explosive live action entertainment and fun stuff to do for all the family, visit The Carole Nash Irish Motorbike & Scooter Show. RDS, Dublin. 27 Feb - 1 March 2015.