Royal Enfield Launches Limited Edition Classic 500 ‘Pegasus’

Inspired by the real-war story of the first proper motorbike to be dropped behind enemy lines, the exclusive ‘Pegasus’ motorcycle is produced in official association with the British Army's Parachute Regiment

Royal Enfield has 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 World War II. Conceived as a tribute to 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 250 units will be available in India.

The company is yet to confirm the timeline for the availability of the models in India. But in the UK, the motorcycle will be available for online bookings starting July, and will be priced at GBP 4999 (on road). In India though, expect the Pegasus to be priced at a premium of Rs 30,000 over the standard model.

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 is also going to be available. Ranging from shirts, t-shirts and caps to 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 motorcycles 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.

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.

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.