Royal Enfield, for me, isn’t just a motorcycle brand. It defines a big part of who I am: energetic, grounded, and aspirational, with a sense of responsibility that keeps me from going overboard. It’s a brand that resonates with those who understand that a persona isn’t something you show; it’s something others with shared interests interpret.
I’ve been riding RE since 2013, starting with the 350cc Electra. Switching from a car to a bike wasn’t easy, but it made sense. I was traveling daily in Delhi NCR, and a two-wheeler felt like the right choice to save time and money. After trying a Honda Activa, I realized I needed something with more power and a bit of personality. The Royal Enfield Bullet became the obvious choice—it fit my height and gave me the sense of self-respect I wanted when I moved from a car to a bike.
That’s how the Ladakh dream began. My colleague Durgesh and I talked endlessly about taking our REs to the mountains. We experimented with smaller second-hand bikes for daily commutes, but that didn’t last long. In 2013-14, nothing compared to a Bullet for both commuting and long rides.
Since then, I’ve ridden 70,000 km on the 350, including a memorable 3,500 km journey to Ladakh, Nubra, and Turtuk. In 2016, I bought the Himalayan in its launch month, rode another 70,000 km, and then upgraded to the Interceptor 650. In January 2024, I got the Himalayan 450.
But here’s where the irritant comes in.
All Royal Enfield bikes have one frustrating flaw: they leave scars on your left shoe from gear shifting. I’ve ruined several pairs of shoes—whether they were sneakers, boots, or casuals.
It’s a problem, and I’ll likely find a solution in the aftermarket. But for a brand as iconic and aspirational as Royal Enfield, I expect this kind of issue to be fixed in-house. Small irritants like this make a difference, especially when they’re visible to non-bikers.
There are other minor issues, but this one stands out because it’s so easily noticeable.
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