I’m in Sydney to attend the Australian debut of the highly anticipated Royal Enfield 650 twins. Over the next few days, I will be splitting my time between the GT 650 Continental and Interceptor 650; after which, I plan to publish a comprehensive ride review of the GT 650 shortly. Within the meantime, let’s check out a particular undertaking Royal Enfield accomplished final yr in collaboration with efficiency specialists S&S Cycles. Dubbed “Lock Inventory,” this meticulously customized Royal Enfield 650 twin has been transformed into a performance-driven machine, uniquely designed to dominate the drag strip.
Lock Inventory was born to compete in the prestigious 2018 Glemseck 101 Sultans of Speed racing series. While initially familiar, this bike diverges significantly from the commuter models I’ve relied on, sharing a remarkably similar engine configuration to begin with. Previous to the discharge of the brand new Royal Enfield GT 650 twin S&S secured themselves a pre-production pattern of the brand new engine. With the collaboration of various accomplished workshops and component suppliers, they assembled the entire bike from the ground up.
First issues first S&S cracked open the parallel twin to plan a solution to extract as a lot energy from it as doable. Before we dive into the key takeaways, it’s worth noting that the engineers successfully boosted the engine’s power output by nearly doubling its energy and torque levels. The Lock Inventory system is well-suited for handling around 100 horses and 84 Nm of torque. The cylinder heads were bored out to increase displacement and accommodate oversized pistons, effectively boosting the engine’s capacity to 865cc. By replacing the inventory camera with an efficiency-focused model, they opted to reconfigure the fuel system by upgrading the throttle body and injector sizes. To minimize the risk of element failure due to increased energy levels, the con rods have been designed as solid, sturdy components.
Underneath the engine, you’ll find innovative modifications that include custom gears, a Translogic Intellishift fast-shifting transmission, and a high-performance race-spec clutch, all carefully designed to optimize performance. As if all that wasn’t sufficient S&S had yet another energy trick up their sleeve, a whopping massive bottle of Nitrous Oxide. When the nitrous oxide (NOS) tap is activated, a surge of power is unleashed, propelling the vehicle to an impressive 7,500 rpm and leaving a trail of burnt rubber in its wake on the highway.
Upon refining the engine, Royal Enfield sought the expertise of renowned bodywork specialists at Harris Performance. To suit the bikes’ drag racing future, Harris developed a robust, tail-shaped metal body crafted using traditional race-style bronze brazing techniques. The motorcycle features a specially designed pair of Öhlins forks mated to the neck of its body, with the entire machine resting on PVM’s durable solid wheels. High-performance Brembo HPK and Goldline brakes expertly manage deceleration, while Shinko’s Hook Up tyres provide confident grip, keeping the bike steadfast on the road.
On high-performance machines, minimizing weight is crucial for optimal racing performance; therefore, LockShares’ entire bodywork is crafted from lightweight yet incredibly strong carbon composites. Underneath the sleek tank cowl, a robust gas tank contains just enough fuel for a handful of spirited runs, while the sprint’s minimalist design eliminates unnecessary gauges. As for the unconventional zebrastyled paint job, it’s a subtle homage to the camouflage techniques employed by automakers to conceal prototype vehicles. The designated riding position is uniquely tailored to allow riders to adopt a reduced posture, focusing solely on maintaining a steady course.
At Glemseck 101, the Royal Enfield GT 650 Lock Inventory premiered to a stunning showcase in the ‘Dash Freak Class’ as part of the Sultan’s lineup. Led by veteran rider Paul Younger, a former competitor in the Australian Grand Prix, the team’s bike engaged in a thrilling showdown against established powerhouse FCR Authentic. Despite an electrifying start to the day’s run, Lock Inventory’s impressive performance was ultimately marred by recurring technical issues that prevented it from securing a victory. While no motorcycle championship has ever been won without a strong effort, it’s reasonable to expect Lock Inventory to make another appearance at Royal Enfield and give them a good chance of coming out on top this year.
ROYAL ENFIELD
