Motorcycle specifications Royal-EnfieldClassic 500 Pegasus 2018 Theater of operations

Let's delve into the history of Royal-Enfield. For education? For its origins? To glimpse its future? Not at all; just to understand the motivations behind this special series. It's a tribute to a mechanical soldier of yesteryear, the Flying Flea of the 40s, whose memories shine through on this 500 Classic Pegasus.

with its soldier's colors, canvas saddlebags and post-war good looks, the Pegasus reminds us of the dark hours of a conflict, with an imprint that's more military than bloody. A winged horse seems to carry on the name, playing the role of banner. But that's not all. Above all, it's the insignia created for men of exemplary courage. During the trying years of the Second World War, a group of officers led by General "Boy" Browning was formed to create the British Airborne Forces. Thus was born the British 6th Airborne Division.

A production Royal Enfield accompanied some of the soldiers to the front, jumping out of planes as they did. As if this motorcycle had its own courage. It was the RE/WD 125, a simple, robust 125 cm3 two-stroke; quickly renamed Flying Flea for its size and parachute-droppability. It was deployed in combat zones, and took part in the landings.

This little machine weighed just 59 kilos, produced 3.5 horsepower, had a 4-speed gearbox, could run on any fuel, and was a great asset for carrying messages and information when the means of communication were stranded. The government put a lot of faith in it, ordering over 4,000 of them.

many decades have passed since then. The past doesn't seem so far away with this Royal-Enfield bordered by Pegasus and Bellerophon - the two characters on its coat of arms. In Greek mythology, this duo defeated the Chimera by striking it from the sky.
Time seems to loop around her. The ends are linked by its design, its modest 27-horsepower single-cylinder engine, and much of its technology, worthy of a contemporary museum. The memory comes back even further, as the Pegasus is marked by equivocal attributes. Note the stenciled serial number on the tank, army-style; the leather belt holding the airbox; the gun emblem with the motto "Make Like A Gun" (RE was also a gun manufacturer) on the battery housing; and that intriguing yellow line on the right-hand crankcase. It symbolizes the motorcycle's center of mass, essential for preparing the vehicle for release - another nod to the Flying Flea. To complete the cosmetic touch, black is applied to the entire engine, exhaust, rims, indicators, controls, kick and amortos.

you don't see many Royal Enfields. Even though the brand is one of the biggest producers of medium-displacement bikes on the planet. And you'll see this 500 Classic even more rarely in this special Pegasus edition. Manufactured in just 1,000 units, its distribution quota has already allocated 250 units for India and 190 for the UK - two fine slices for countries historically linked to the brand. The importer is confident of the model's success, with 50 planned for France.

M.B - Manufacturer's photos