Indian motorcycle manufacturer Royal Enfield has revealed the ‘Birth of the Bullet’ and ‘The Picnic Special’ helmets from its limited-edition range to mark its 120th anniversary. Only 120 examples of each helmet will be available for purchase.
The closed ‘The Picnic Special’ helmet will go on sale on the Royal Enfield website on the 30th of October. The helmet is priced at Rs. 8450.
The open face ‘Birth of the Bullet’ helmet is priced at Rs. 6950 and will be sold on the Royal Enfield website on the 31st of October.
‘The Picnic Special’ helmet is inspired by the 1920s, a decade that saw Royal Enfield consolidate its position after the First World War. The company then expanded its minimalist two-model program. The Royal Enfield range evolved through the 1920s to include 350 and 500cc side-valve and overhead-valve single-cylinder bikes which featured advancements such as mechanical lubrication, electric lighting and saddle tanks.
Throughout the 1920s, the mainstay of the Royal Enfield lineup remained the V-twin Model 180 with its 976cc engine producing just eight horsepower. The Picnic Special helmet is inspired by the same motorcycle and sports a beautiful scene showing a group of Royal Enfield riders out on a summer afternoon riding together in the countryside.
‘The Picnic Special’ is certified by ISI, DOT and ECE showing RE’s commitment to the highest safety standards.
The limited-edition full-face helmet also features a breath deflector, neck curtain and D ring for higher safety. It also features improved ventilation and rear exhaust hot air remover for a comfortable riding experience along with a Sun visor and a regular visor with anti-fog film. The helmet’s internals feature Polygiene anti-microbial treatment and require less water to clean.
The ‘Birth of the Bullet’, on the other hand, is inspired by the 1930s which saw Royal Enfield introduce its iconic Bullet. Launched in 1932, the Bullet has been a mainstay of the Royal Enfield line ever since. During the 30s, the Bullet was available with ‘Sloper’ engines that displaced 250, 350 and 500cc. The top of the range 500cc Bullet sported a four-valve cylinder head and could hit a top speed of 100m/h (160.9km/h).
The Bullets were also ahead of the game in transitioning from hand-change to foot-change gearboxes and the adoption of centre stands.
The ‘Birth of the Bullet’ limited edition helmet pays homage to that decade in Royal Enfield’s history and the bike from which it takes its name. The helmet features an image of a 1930s Bullet along with bright red and white stripes.
The ‘Birth of the Bullet’ endorses ISI, DOT, ECE certification for the highest safety standards. The helmet features a face-covering bubble visor (with UV coating), premium leather with Polygiene treated fabric internals and hand-stitched leather trim for the shell, the outer section of which is made from lightweight fibreglass material.
Thoughts on Royal Enfield’s Limited Edition Helmets
The two new limited-run helmets from Royal Enfield pay homage to the 1920s and 30s. They are a great piece of memorabilia for the Royal Enfield superfan and the limited number run will also make them a good item for any collector obsessed with the brand.