Royal Enfield Bobber 830 could develop close to 90 hp from the 838 cc V-Twin to take on premium rivals like Harley-Davidson and Triumph
Royal Enfield took the 2018 EICMA by storm by unveiling a brand new concept when no one was honestly expecting it. Just days ahead of the world premiere, the brand released a teaser image and followed it up with another one giving us little details officially but when the concept’s origins started leaking online, we definitely knew it wouldn’t just stay as a conceptual study.
It is the Chennai-based manufacturer’s first proper twin-cylinder creation in quite a long while. The Royal Enfield Concept KX pays homage to the original KX that was introduced eight decades ago with V-Twin powertrain. In a similar fashion to the iconic model, the all-new concept boasts the same configuration but with liquid-cooled technology.
The original 1,140 cc KX broke into the scenes as the luxury motorcycling’s last word according to Royal Enfield. The KX concept, on the other hand, follows the same path in terms of design and was painted in dark green colour scheme. Unlike the model it is based on, Royal Enfield has managed to add in a number of modern bits such as flashy alloy wheels, dual disc brakes and digital instrumentation.
The round-shaped LED headlamp and twin exhaust pipes emerging out of the cylinders are nothing short of menacing. The cantilevered seat and girder fork prove that the bobber concept will see dramatic changes when it enters productions reportedly sometime before the end of this decade.
Royal Enfield has been numb about the nitty-gritty mechanical information. But, the concept does wear a 838 badge on the engine suggesting that it is 838 cc V-Twin. Previous reports suggest that the 838 cc unit was developed in collaboration with Polaris Industries under a special project when Royal Enfield’s owner Eicher Motors and the American company tied hands until March 2018.
RE started working on developing the concept in March 2017 and when it hits production lines we can expect it to be the flagship offering. With the company readying the launches of Continental GT 650 and Interceptor 650 for this month anticipating volumes, the production-spec 838 cc V-Twin Bobber could take a sweet time to arrive.
The DOHC powertrain is expected to develop close to 90 horsepower and Royal Enfield will target premium brands with it. The production-based flagship bobber could be toned down from the concept and it may compete against the likes of Triumph Bonneville Bobber and Harley-Davidson 48 among others. We would have to wait and see how it pans out in the near future!