MANILA, Philippines - You’ve probably heard of a scooter company that started out as an aircraft manufacturer. But a motorcycle company that began with a needle manufacturing mill? That is unlikely. But not entirely impossible.
For British businessman George Townsend of Hunt End, England, it was merely the start of a century – but not necessarily the start of something big, or so he thought. From making needles, Townsend’s company Givry Works ventured into the bicycle business. Eventually, the company was renamed as Eadie Manufacturing Company Ltd. In 1891 the company became a supplier of precision rifle parts to the Royal Small Arms Factory in Enfield, Middlesex. The following year, they incorporated a new firm called Enfield Manufacturing Co., Ltd. to market their bicycles with the brand Royal Enfield. Years after, there was another change of business name to Enfield Cycle Company as the company started producing three and four-wheeled vehicles. The first Royal Enfield motorcycle hit the roads in 1901. Two other famous motorcycle makes followed in 1902 and 1904 thus making Royal Enfield the oldest continuously produced motorcycle brand in the world.
Because of their reputation of being durable and versatile Royal Enfield motorcycles were the choice of the British military in World Wars I and II as well as several other military and police forces since 1955. One unique thing about Royal Enfield motorcycles is the bullet-proof chassis. Royal Enfield has since enjoyed huge success in America, Europe, and some parts of Asia (notably India where the now classic modern machines are assembled).
In January 2012, Hardcore Brothers Custom Motorcycles Incorporated headed by its president, Jimmy Barinaga, finally brought this over-a-century old brand to Manila and is now the sole distributor of this nostalgic yet efficient piece of handcrafted art.
For one, the Royal Enfield Classic 500cc bike boasts of a consumption of 38 kms./L with a tank capacity of 14.5 liters. The bike is powered by a 499cc 4-stroke engine with single piston and is electronically fuel-injected. It has front disc brakes of 280mm and a rear 153mm drum, these complement the 18” wheels. And yes, the bike is still bullet-proof.
Nap Villanueva, a gelogist who had heard little of the brand, turned out to be the first Royal Enfield customer of Hardcore Brothers. According to him, his Classic 500 gives him a reading of 38 kms./L, which really proved Hardcore Brothers’ claim. Handling is also great due to its sturdiness. “It’s like I’m on a sofa,” says Villanueva referring to the suspension and fully-padded seat of his bike. Overall, the bike just fits him perfectly through long rides, rough roads, and tough climate as he is now based in the province of Benguet.
Royal Enfield, a veteran of the Himalayas, recently took part in an endurance challenge in Luzon with all three entries ending up a finisher under time-pressure, indeed living up to the tag, “Made Like a Gun, Goes Like a Bullet.” See the Royal Enfield for yourself at 7462 Bagtikan St. San Antonio Village, Makati City.