The oldest motorcycle brand in continuous production, Royal Enfield, launched
the Classic 500 ‘Pegasus’ limited edition motorcycle. The ‘Pegasus’ is inspired by the legendary RE/WD
Flying Flea 125 motorcycle that was manufactured at Royal Enfield’s underground facility in Westwood,
UK during the World War II. Conceived as a tribute the Flying Flea and Royal Enfield’s military heritage,
the Classic 500 Pegasus is a chance to own a piece of motorcycle history with only 1000 units available
globally, of which 190 will be available in UK. The motorcycle will be available to be booked online
starting July, and will be priced at GBP 4999 (On the road).
Royal Enfield has a proud and enduring history of military manufacturing, as the motto ‘Made Like a
Gun Since 1901’ suggests. Royal Enfield produced munitions, artillery equipment and motorcycles
during both World Wars and supplies the Indian armed forces with motorcycles to the present day.
Royal Enfield was called upon during World War I to supply motorcycles to the British armed forces and
also for the Imperial Russian Government, and continues to make simple, authentic, classic motorcycles
till today. But by far its most storied wartime creation was the airborne troops’ ‘Flying Flea’, a compact
and capable, two-stroke 125cc motorcycle that saw action in some of greatest battles of World War II,
including D-Day and Arnhem.
Known for their ruggedness, Royal Enfield motorcycles served with British troops in France and Belgium
during World War I and were supplied to the Imperial Russian Army. In World War II, tens of thousands
of Royal Enfield motorcycles were shipped to almost every theatre of conflict. But the Flying Flea was
the only proper motorcycle to be dropped successfully behind enemy lines with paratroopers, with the
War Department ordering more than 4,000.
Simple, tough and resilient, the Flying Flea (or WD/RE to use its official title) was deployed extensively as
a front line combat machine. An invaluable asset to the elite soldiers of the newly-formed Parachute
Regiment, it was dropped by parachute in a protective steel cradle or carried in Horsa assault gliders.
On the ground, it was used for reconnaissance, communications and carrying soldiers into battle.
The versatile little Royal Enfield proved itself in September 1944's Operation Market Garden, the
largest airborne operation in history. A daring Allied attempt to shorten the war by entering Germany
from Holland over a series of captured bridges, it culminated in the Battle of Arnhem where besieged
and outnumbered paratroopers held out against German tank divisions for seven days, in an incredible
show of grit and determination. Beset with problems including broken radio sets, commanders relied
on the Flying Flea to carry messages. Its strength and go-anywhere handling made the rugged and
versatile Flying Flea almost unstoppable. Confronted with a fence or a ditch, the rider could simply
dismount and lift the bike over.
The Flying Flea played a different but just as vital role on D-Day, the largest amphibious invasion in
history. As the Allies fought to establish a beachhead in Normandy, Northern France, in preparation
for the invasion of German-occupied Western Europe, hundreds of Flying Fleas and James ML
motorcycles streamed from landing craft on to the beaches.
Each of the 1000 new Classic 500 Pegasus motorcycles wears a maroon and blue Pegasus emblem –
the official Parachute Regiment insignia – on the fuel tank along with an individual stencilled serial
number. The famous Royal Enfield ‘Made Like a Gun’ decal on the battery box is another reminder of
the machine’s heritage. The Pegasus motorcycles’ markings are based on a genuine World War II Flying Flea used by the 250th (Airborne) Light Company, now in Royal Enfield’s official collection at the
company’s UK Technology Centre. The new motorcycles will be painted in the wartime colours of Service
Brown and Olive Drab Green, except in India, where only Service Brown will be available.
An array of Gear, inspired by this decorated motorcycling legacy, are also going to be available. Ranging
from shirts, t-shirts, caps, lapel pins, bags and helmets, the limited-production apparels & accessories of
this collection are also adorned by the official military insignia & the Pegasus emblem.
Each of these highly desirable limited edition motorcycle comes with a bespoke set of military-style
canvas panniers bearing the Pegasus logo. Each motorcycle will have authentic markings of military
motorcycles, including brown handlebar grips, a leather strap with brass buckles across the air filter,
blacked out silencers, rims, kickstart, pedals and headlight bezel to complete the period look. In
addition, consumers can also buy a range of Genuine Motorcycle Accessories that are compatible with
the motorcycle.
Source : Royal Enfield
