Photos often go viral on social media, reminding us of the past. One such photo is currently going viral, showing an old sales bill for the Royal Enfield Bullet, one of India’s most popular motorcycles. The bill reveals the bike’s then-current price, which will surprise you. This bill is from 1986, and at that time, the company’s name was simply ‘Enfield’.
When the Royal Enfield Bullet was priced at just ₹18,700
This sales bill, currently going viral on social media, is dated January 23, 1986. It was issued in the name of M/s RS Engineering Industries. The bill lists the model being sold as the Standard Bullet 350 cc, a very old and popular model for the company. This bill is from Sandeep Auto Company, located in Bokaro Steel City, Jharkhand, and the old Enfield logo can also be seen on it.
According to the bill, the on-road price of this bike at that time was ₹18,800. The dealership offered a ₹250 discount and added ₹150, making the final price ₹18,700. Today, the starting ex-showroom price of the Royal Enfield Bullet 350 is over ₹1.62 lakh, which is several times more than the price at that time.
Royal Enfield’s Proud History
Royal Enfield is the world’s oldest motorcycle company still in continuous operation. The company produced its first motorcycle in 1901. Its manufacturing plant in India is located in Chennai. The Royal Enfield Bullet also holds the distinction of being the world’s longest-running motorcycle. The company’s license in India was originally held by Madras Motors, now part of Eicher Motors Limited. Seven decades later, Royal Enfield has become one of the country’s most successful two-wheeler brands.
Work on a New Engine
Today, Royal Enfield sells its products in many different segments and is also developing several new models for the future. Reports suggest that the company is working on an all-new 450cc dual overhead camshaft (DOHC) engine, which will utilize liquid cooling technology for the first time. This engine was first spotted testing in the harsh terrain of Ladakh on the new-generation Himalayan adventure tourer. This demonstrates that the company is fully prepared to embrace modern technology while maintaining its heritage.