Royal Enfield Sets Bonneville Salt Flats Speed Record

Royal Enfield Sets Bonneville Salt Flats Speed Record

 

Royal Enfield Motorcycles set a new land speed record with a modified Continental GT 650, piloted by 18-year old pro motorcycle racer Cayla Rivas. The bike was the product of Royal Enfield’s partnership with American S&S Cycle, who designed and tuned the powerplant, as well as Harris Performance, builder of Superbike chassis and frames.

The pairing with Rivas produced a potent (wo)man & machine combination, which resulted in a class record-shattering speed of 157.053 mph for the week of speed trials. According to reports, she set a record on her first run of the first day, then across 20 runs during the week, she kept breaking her own records, finally achieving the standing record (pending FIM validation) for the 750cc Overhead Cam Open class.

Cayla is the daughter of Chris Rivas, former NHRA motorcycle drag racer. She clearly has racing not only in her blood but in her genes as well.

Royal Enfield, one of the world’s oldest motorcycle companies at 115 years, began building motorbikes in England in 1901. Now built in India, a former British Commonwealth nation, Royal Enfield builds very vintage looking standard and “cafe racer” style bikes, in singles and twins. With the brand finally landing Stateside only three years ago, Royal Enfield now has 90 dealerships across the U.S. and Canada. Helmed here by former Harley-Davidson exec Rod Copes, and (ironically) also headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Royal Enfield hopes to establish itself in America with a simple vision- an old-school motorcycle, with a throbbing engine, simple electronics, and a low price point. An attractive combination.

If Cayla Rivas’ record-breaking Bonneville runs are any indication, Royal Enfield is poised to make some serious waves in the American motorcycling market.

Seattle-based Freeride Entertainment teamed with Royal Enfield to produce a short video of the ride, rider, and races. Check it out here- https://youtu.be/jPiqFH5wLZ0

 

Rob Brooks