9th Royal Enfield Himalayan Odyssey flagged off

June 23, 2012: The Royal Enfield Himalayan Odyssey was flagged off early today morning by Dr Venki Padmanabhan, CEO, Royal Enfield from India Gate, New Delhi. The non-competitive 16-day adventure run will have 67 riders from India and abroad cover a distance of 2,700 kilometres from Delhi to Khardung La.

This year the event will see the riders venture into the Spiti valley first and cover the Rohtang Pass on their way back, unlike the previous editions. The motorcyclists en route to Leh will pass through Parwanoo, Narkhanda, Keylong, Sarchu via Kalpa and Kaza region. Kalpa and the Kaza region are considered to be the toughest terrain for riding, not only in India but across the world. Following a day’s rest on July 1, the riders will set out for the sand dunes of Hunder and then start their return journey to Leh, Debring, Keylong, Manali and Chandigarh to finally reach Delhi on July 8.

The Royal Enfield Himalayan Odyssey makes for a true test of man and machine. The two-week odyssey takes the riders and their Royal Enfields through some of the most beautiful albeit most challenging roads in the world. The ride involves all various terrain including rocks, mud, snow, rain and sand. The adventure ride also tests riders’ physical and mental capabilities since temperatures drop to as low as minus 30deg C in certain parts and oxygen levels are low.

The Chennai-based Royal Enfield, a division of Eicher Motors, has seen a sales resurgence in recent times. Due to a manufacturing capacity of just 70,000 motorcycles per annum, the company is hard-pressed to meet burgeoning demand and some of its bikes have a considerable waiting period. A new manufacturing plant at Oragadam, near Chennai, which is slated to begin production next year, will increase capacity to 150,000 units per annum. The new plant will produce the entire product range of Royal Enfield motorcycles.

Royal Enfield’s domestic line-up includes the Bullet 350, Bullet Electra, Classic 350, Classic 500, Classic Chrome, Desert Storm and the Thunderbird TwinSpark. The company currently has 11 brand stores, 180 dealers in major cities and towns, and over 100 authorised service centres.