• Royal Enfield celebrates success at MCL25, kicking off its 125th Anniversary celebrations.

• Unveiling of exciting 2026 Models for the UK at MCL25 - with an exclusive presentation for the Bullet 650 and Flying Flea.

• First UK showings of the new Himalayan 450 Mana Black, and new colours for existing models - including the Classic 650, HNTR 350, and Guerrilla 450.

• A positive showroom response to the new sales campaign provided by Royal Enfield Finance 

Royal Enfield, the world’s oldest motorcycle brand in continuous production, celebrates a successful presence at MCL25 (Motorcycle Live 2025), coinciding with their 125th Anniversary.  

Following on from new unveilings at EICMA in Milan, MCL25 served as the ideal starting point for celebrating the brand's 125th Anniversary, ahead of celebrations officially kicking off at Motoverse in Goa, India.

The Royal Enfield stand at MCL25 was a hub of activity this year, giving attendees across all 9 days of the show ample opportunity to chat with the brand's numerous official ride & experiential partners on the stand - including the Flat Track Slide School with Gary Birtwistle, bookable tours and adventures from the UK & Europe, and one-of-a-kind experiences around the world.

Attended by 97,000 this year, MCL25 showcased Royal Enfield’s storied heritage and exciting future, with UK-first reveals for the Bullet 650, the Flying Flea C6 and S6, Himalayan 450 Mana Black, all alongside a substantial selection of updated 2026 colour options (including the Guerrilla 450, Classic 650, and HNTR 350).

These introductions underscore the Royal Enfield's dedication to authentic and accessible motorcycling, limited edition models were also shown at MCL25, including the Classic 650 125 Year Anniversary Edition, and the Shotgun 650 x Rough Crafts Limited Edition.

The community area also hosted numerous heritage and custom motorcycles from Royal Enfield, including the Fuel Fury Bear 650, Sawn Off Shotgun, and Gary Birtwistle’s very own Flat Track racer - with free coffee for Royal Enfield Rider club members which saw them serve 1,898 hot drinks to RE owners.

Media Monday Spotlight

Two exclusive presentations were major draws for the media and public at MCL25, introduced by Martin Marshall, UK Sales and Dealer Development Manager of Royal Enfield UK.

Head of the brand’s twins platform and lead of Global Product Strategy, Glen Corbitt, presented the much-anticipated Bullet 650, detailing how the iconic name has been re-born with the brand's acclaimed 650cc parallel-twin engine. Glen’s presentation emphasised the details and features of the Bullet heritage, now emphasised with the thumping 650cc twin engine.

Head of EV Product Strategy, Matt Cardenas, also presented at the dedicated “Media Monday” showcase on the upcoming Flying Flea duo, the C6 and S6, ahead of their release in the UK. This presentation celebrated the history of the compact motorcycle that played a vital role in World War II, connecting Royal Enfield's deep historical roots with its modern-day brand ethos and exciting plans for the future.

The success at MCL25 has been followed by a notable uplift in interest in the Royal Enfield finance offers recently launched across the range.

George Cheeseman, Country Manager, said:

"We are incredibly proud of the success of MCL25. It was the perfect opportunity to connect with both new and existing customers, gathering inspiring stories of their past adventures and future plans, and exactly why we love the show so much.

 

This positive reception is a clear sign that we are successfully building momentum with new models, whilst honouring our 125-year legacy, showcasing the energy and excitement that will drive our future. Further confidence has been found from our successful sales campaigns, showing the importance of making motorcycling even more accessible for riders young and old, with plenty of excitement around the new 2026 models, current model range, and our heritage and custom bikes on display."

Looking forward, 2026 is set to be Royal Enfield's busiest year yet. Celebrating 125 Years of continuous production, the calendar will be packed with a series of exciting events and announcements throughout the year, promising to further solidify Royal Enfield's position as a global leader in mid-sized motorcycling.

Note to Editors

More images from Royal Enfield at MCL25 found here.

For all media enquiries, including press fleet requests, please get in touch with the Motocom team at [email protected] or call +44 (0) 1525 270100.

About Royal Enfield

The oldest motorcycle brand in continuous production, Royal Enfield has created beautifully crafted motorcycles since 1901. From its British roots, a manufacturing plant was established in Madras in 1955, a foothold from which Royal Enfield spearheaded the growth of India’s mid-sized two-wheeler segment. Royal Enfields are engaging, uncomplicated, accessible and fun to ride; a vehicle for exploration and self-expression. It’s an approach the brand calls Pure Motorcycling.

Royal Enfield’s premium line-up includes Bear 650, Classic 650, Guerrilla 450 modern roadster, Hunter 350, Meteor 350, Super Meteor 650, Interceptor 650 and Continental GT 650 twins, the Shotgun 650, the new Himalayan adventure tourer, the Scram 440 ADV Crossover, the iconic Bullet 350, Classic 350 and Goan Classic 350. The company recently unveiled its new city+ motorcycle brand – the Flying Flea – a fresh take on urban mobility, blending authentic design with advanced technology.

Riders and a passionate community are fostered with a rich profusion of events at a local, regional and international level. Most notable are Motoverse (previously Rider Mania), an annual gathering of thousands of Royal Enfield enthusiasts in Goa, and Himalayan Odyssey; a yearly pilgrimage over some of the toughest terrain and highest mountain passes.

A division of Eicher Motors Limited, Royal Enfield operates through more than 2000 stores across all major cities and towns in India and through nearly 850 stores in more than 60 countries around the globe. Royal Enfield also has two world-class technical centres, in Bruntingthorpe, UK, and in Chennai, India. The company’s two state-of-the-art production facilities are located at Oragadam and Vallam Vadagal, near Chennai. Across the world, Royal Enfield has six modern CKD assembly facilities in Bangladesh, Nepal, Brazil, Thailand, Argentina and Colombia.

The British Motor Museum is celebrating having won the prestigious Royal Automobile Club Historic Award in the Museums & Collections category. The results were announced at a glittering ceremony on 20 November at the RAC Club in Pall Mall with Formula 1 presenter Lee McKenzie. The annual Awards, which are awarded by the industry’s leading motoring organisation, the RAC, recognise outstanding achievements within the British historic motoring and motorsport world. The British Motor Museum fought off strong competition from motor museums across the country.

2025 has been another fantastic year for the Museum with the launch of so many successful and innovative initiatives focusing particularly on young people and education. The Museum’s STEM Career Days programme has been extended to home-educated youngsters, who made up a quarter of attendees for this year’s event. A national initiative mounted in collaboration with the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders saw four motor industry apprentices being trained to drive the Museum’s 20HP Thornycroft of 1904 in the 2025 London to Brighton Veteran Car Run. Aimed at helping even younger people is the Museum’s “Brick Bank” which has collected over two million unwanted LEGO® bricks, to incorporate into packs and redistribute to local Community Pantries.

Bucking the stereotype of traditional petrol heads, the British Motor Museum Collections and Education Departments are managed by two exceptional young women; Claire Broader (education), and Cat Boxall (curatorial) whose dedication and love of the collections shone through during their tour with the Judges earlier this year.

Duncan Wilshire, Chairman of the Royal Automobile Club, said: “I have simply the greatest admiration for all the winners here tonight. In their own contrasting and compelling ways, they truly enrich Britain’s historic motoring scene. Many congratulations from everyone at this Club, where we continue to make more motoring history every year. We offer a home and a backdrop to these Awards rich in history and tradition with, as ever, an eye to a soundly sustainable future. We’re also delighted to bring together all our expert judges who, really, had the hardest task – examining the huge number of brilliant nominations.”

The Royal Automobile Club started its Historic Awards in 2019, acutely aware that the UK’s historic motoring clubs, events, associations, companies and special individuals deserved recognition for their unsung achievements. Since then, more than 170 contenders have been accorded merit as finalists, chosen by judges invited solely for their expertise and independence of outlook. The Awards extend the Club’s 128-year pedigree in recognising motoring accomplishments and celebrating success through its trophies and medals.

For more information about the Awards please visit www.royalautomobileclubhistoricawards.co.uk. To find out more about the British Motor Museum please visit www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk

Suzuki has announced a new special edition Hayabusa for 2026.   

The Hayabusa special edition comes in a striking Pearl Vigor Blue with contrasting white trim, accents, and decals, including a bold kanji symbol on the fairing. An embossed Suzuki logo on the tank also contrasts the blue paint scheme. 

The twin stainless steel exhausts are finished with black tips, and a seat cowl comes as standard. 

The Hayabusa special edition uses the same legendary 1340cc inline four-cylinder powerplant as the standard Hayabusa, and a comprehensive electronics package that includes a six-axis IMU governing ABS, traction control, and anti-wheelie systems, plus launch, control cruise control, and a bi-directional quickshifter. 

It comes with an OTR price of £18,999 and is available in dealerships now.

Long motorcycle trips are about freedom and discovery, but even the most dedicated riders know that proper rest is key to enjoying the journey. Multi-day rides can be demanding, so building rest days into your route helps you recover, explore new places at a slower pace, and prepare for the miles ahead. Time off the bike does not take away from the adventure; it adds depth to it. These pauses let you connect with your surroundings, meet new people, and recharge your energy, whether you are camping, staying in a guesthouse, or exploring a new town. 

Rest and Recovery for the Rider

After hours on the road, your body needs time to recover. Riding a motorcycle engages muscles you might not realise you are using until you stop, and even the smoothest journey can leave you feeling physically tense. A good rest day starts with permitting yourself to slow down. Sleeping in a little later, stretching, or taking a gentle walk can help ease any stiffness from the previous day’s ride.

Many riders find that rest days are ideal for a bit of self-care. If you are near a town or city, look for local spas, swimming pools, or even a yoga class to help loosen up tight muscles. If you are staying somewhere more remote, a quiet morning spent reading, writing, or simply sitting outdoors can do wonders for your mood and energy.

Relaxing and Recharging Mentally

A rest day is also about giving your mind a break from the focus of riding. Long journeys demand concentration, and even when the scenery is stunning, mental fatigue can set in. Taking time to relax helps you reset so that you can fully enjoy the next stage of your adventure.

Many riders find comfort in simple routines during downtime. Listening to music, catching up on a podcast, or reading a few chapters of a book can all help you unwind. Others prefer more interactive forms of relaxation, such as journaling about their journey or sorting through photos taken along the way.

If you are spending the evening indoors or at your accommodation, you might enjoy a few light activities to help you switch off. Some travellers like to play casual games on their phone or tablet, or even try their luck at online casino games for a bit of entertainment before bed. When playing online, bettors can choose between wagering on domestic platforms or international sites that are licensed and operate outside of the UK's regulations, like GamStop. Because of the perks they offer, a growing number of bettors are choosing to visit non gamstop casinos in 2025 so that they can take advantage of the variety of games and large rewards these platforms offer. Light entertainment like gaming online can be an easy and enjoyable way to fill quiet moments while keeping the relaxed mood of the day.

The key is to do whatever helps you feel most at ease. Whether that means sitting in silence with a cup of tea or chatting with fellow riders late into the night, the goal is to let your mind slow down and enjoy being present.

Exploring at a Slower Pace

One of the joys of a motorcycle trip is seeing places you might otherwise miss, and rest days give you the chance to explore those places more deeply. Without the pressure of covering distance, you can wander through local streets, visit small museums, or take short scenic walks. Many towns along popular routes have historic sites, coastal views, or countryside trails that are easy to enjoy on foot.

Photography enthusiasts often find rest days perfect for capturing the details they pass too quickly on the bike. The slower pace allows you to notice the light, colours, and textures that define a place. Others use downtime to visit markets, local landmarks, or viewpoints, getting a feel for the community beyond the road.

If you are travelling with others, a shared rest day can also be a social highlight. Chatting with locals, swapping stories with other riders, or just sitting in a café watching life go by are simple pleasures that balance the intensity of long hours behind the handlebars. Rest days remind you that motorcycle travel is as much about people and places as it is about the journey itself.

Taking Care of Your Bike

While rest days are for you, they are also an important opportunity to look after your motorcycle. A little maintenance can go a long way in keeping your trip smooth and safe. Check the chain, tyres, and oil levels, and take a moment to clean off any dirt or grit from the previous days. This not only helps your bike perform better but also gives you peace of mind for the miles ahead.

If you are staying in or near a larger town, rest days are a good time to find a local garage or motorcycle shop for any minor repairs or adjustments. Even something as simple as checking tyre pressure or topping up fluids can make a difference to how your next leg feels.

Keeping your gear organised is another worthwhile use of downtime. Repacking your panniers or luggage, drying out any damp kit, and making sure your maps, devices, and tools are in order can make setting off again much easier. It also helps you travel lighter, knowing everything has its place.

Planning for the Road

Rest days also gives you time to reflect on where you have been and prepare for what comes next. Reviewing your route, checking the weather forecast, or researching the next leg of your trip can all be done in a calm, unhurried way. It is a chance to make small adjustments or add spontaneous detours without feeling rushed.

Many riders also use this time to upload photos, share updates with friends or family, or simply look back at how far they have come. A rest day often brings perspective, helping you appreciate the distance already covered and the adventures still to come.

The Balance of the Journey

Motorcycle travel is a mix of motion and stillness, adventure and rest. Taking a day or two to pause along the way does not slow the journey; it makes it richer. The best trips are the ones that find balance, where the miles are matched by moments of calm reflection and enjoyment.

So, as you plan your next long ride, remember to schedule time not just for the roads you want to conquer but also for the spaces in between. Those quiet hours spent resting, exploring, or simply being still can turn a great trip into an unforgettable one. When you next set off, you will do so with renewed energy and a clearer mind, ready to embrace the road once again.

Man sitting on the motorcycle photo – Free Motorcycle Image on Unsplash

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