Royal Enfield motorcycles have a vast fan base not just in India, but across the globe. This Chennai-based two-wheeler manufacturer is among the world’s oldest and is renowned for producing retro-styled modern motorcycles. Royal Enfield’s Bullet and Classic series bikes have gained immense popularity among bikers. However, what many people don’t know is that Royal Enfield had a diesel engine-powered motorcycle in the market too. Last year, a video of an old man starting a diesel Bullet went viral on the internet. In the said video, a YouTuber traces the whereabouts of the old man and conducts a personal interview.
The video has been uploaded by RAO BROTHERS accessories on their YouTube channel. In this video, the vlogger and his friend go to meet the old man who had gone viral after starting a diesel Bullet. The man who owns the bike lives in a village in Rajasthan, and the vlogger had contacted him over the phone and informed him of his visit. The vlogger was interested in seeing the Bullet.
Also read: Modified Royal Enfield Thunderbird 500 motorcycle from Eimor Customs look beautiful
Soon they entered the village and asked locals about him. They inquired about the uncle who owns a diesel Bullet, and the locals pointed to his house. The vlogger met him and started talking about the bike. The owner told him that he had been using this motorcycle for 15-20 years and had not faced any issues with it. The motorcycle still returns around 70 kmpl, and although its condition is not the best, it is still usable. The owner can be heard saying that he had tried the newer generation of Bullet and Classic series motorcycles but did not like them. He specifically mentions that the newer models felt very light, and for him, it felt like he was riding a Bajaj Platina.
People around him can be heard saying that no one else in the village can handle or even start this motorcycle. The vlogger then talks a bit about the history of the motorcycle and the brand. The motorcycles were produced from 1980 to 2000. Even today, if you visit rural areas of India, you might find one of these. The diesel Taurus motorcycle was popular in rural areas mostly because of its fuel efficiency. It had a claimed fuel economy of around 86 kmpl, which is extremely good for a motorcycle that weighed 196 kilograms. Coming to the engine, it used a 325-cc Greaves-Lombardini indirect injection, single-cylinder diesel engine. It generated 6.5 Bhp and 15 Nm of peak torque.
As this motorcycle was meant for fuel economy, the top speed was limited to 65 kmph. Even after Royal Enfield discontinued this motorcycle from the market, it is said that a tractor manufacturer in Punjab, Sooraj Tractors, used to manufacture this motorcycle with minor cosmetic changes. When compared to diesel Taurus and older Royal Enfield motorcycles, the new models are way more advanced. However, the old man in this video does not like the new models and feels that the modern motorcycles from Royal Enfield lack character. Royal Enfield is currently working on several new models and has recently launched the Super Meteor 650 cruiser in the market.
Also read: BSA Motorcycles unveil Gold Star 650: Will Rival Royal Enfield 650 Twins