Royal Enfield has recalled its Interceptor 650, Continental GT 650 and Himalayan motorcycles in the U.K, Europe and South Korea pertaining a brake calliper issue that could cause a diminished braking effect on the aforementioned motorcycles. It is being reported that nearly 15,200 motorcycles could have been affected by the recall.
Royal Enfield customers that have been affected by the recall will be contacted through local Royal Enfield dealerships and the motorcycles which are suspected of the fault will be inspected, the affected parts cleaned and if required the affected parts will be replaced by the company.
The affected part could be a result of corrosion caused to the callipers piston bore due to corrosive weather conditions or salt solutions sprayed to de-ice roads. The corroded part could lead to decreased braking effect, increased brake drag and brake sound.
Braking duties on the Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 and Continental GT 650 are performed by twin-piston Brembo derived calliper on a single 320mm hydraulic unit on the front and a 240mm rear disc equipped with a hydraulically operated calliper armed with a Bosch dual-channel ABS system.
Braking duties on the Royal Enfield Himalayan are handled by 300mm single disc with a dual-piston calliper on the front and a 240mm single disc with a single-piston calliper on the rear armed with a dual-channel ABS. In India, the new BS6 standard motorcycle features aa new switchable ABS system that allows the rider to disengage the Anti-Lock Braking system from the rear wheel while riding off-roads allowing further control over the motorcycle allowing the rider to initiate a powerslide.
The brand, at a later time, will be rectifying the issue at the production line as a preventive measure. The calliper will be replaced with an improved part which is expected to be completed before the end of this calendar year.
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, there may be a delay in procuring the rectified parts due to the disruption caused in the supply chain.
As of now, the brand has not recalled the 650 Twins or the Himalayan in India.
In related news, Royal Enfield has updated the price sheet of the Royal Enfield Himalayan in India and the motorcycle gets its first price hike of approximately INR 2,750 across the range. The BS6 Royal Enfield Himalayan is now priced starting at INR 189,565 ex-showroom. The updated BS6 Royal Enfield Himalayan retains its exterior features from the BS4 predecessor but gets new features such as a switchable ABS, a Hazard switch and a new engine that conforms to the stringent BS6 standards.