Royal Enfield displayed the KX Concept Bobber at the
2019 iteration of the Bangkok International Motor Show. The concept motorcycle
was unveiled at the 2018 EICMA motorcycle show although its future, as told by
Siddhartha Lal, CEO, Eicher Motors, is still under consideration. In December last year, Lal said
in an interview that the company currently has no plans for bigger bikes. He
stated in the same interview that the production-spec KX Bobber, if approved,
would feature a higher displacement than the concept motorcycle. It’s no secret
that Royal Enfield is working on bigger bikes.
As reported in August, Royal Enfield’s product plans
over the next five years would revolve around four architectures – J, P, Q and
K. 'J' architecture would spawn BS6-ready versions of the Classic, Thunderbird,
Bullet, and Himalayan. The BS-VI Classic and Thunderbird are currently
undergoing test runs. 'P' architecture underpins the Continental GT 650 and
Interceptor INT 650. Bigger bikes would be built around the 'Q' and 'K'
platform with over 700 cc displacement. The KX Bobber would utilise the K
platform.
The concept motorcycle is a reincarnation of the
original Model KX from 1936 – a 1,140cc, V-Twin bobber. However, unlike the
model from 1936, the concept features an 838cc V-Twin engine that has been
developed in collaboration with Polaris Industries in the UK. The frame comes
from chassis experts, Harris Performance. Styling cues include a single
leather-wrapped seat, girder fork up front and a mono-shock at the rear.
Although the styling was retro, KX Bobber Concept
was loaded with modern day features. The list includes full LED lighting,
digital instrument console and ByBre source braking system. Apart from
displaying regular ride related data such as speedometer, tachometer, gear
position indicator, digital clock, and odometer, the single-pod instrument
console also gets smartphone integration via Bluetooth. The system could be
used to access Navigation and control call and music on the go.
The production-spec model is not likely to be
unveiled any time soon as the company wants to concentrate on the middleweight
segment.
