Royal Enfield reveals the Classic 500 Pegasus, a bike that pays homage to RE’s Flying Flea WWII military bike
If anything, Royal Enfield will go down in history for their appetency for the classic bike vibe, and their latest machine couldn’t be a better proof. Welcome the Classic 500 Pegasus, a motorcycle that pays homage to the World War II 125cc Royal Enfield bike known as the Flying Flea.
The Flying Flea replaced bicycles that were parachuted alongside British soldiers in WWII, and proved to be one of the most enduring motorcycles on the battlefield, with a top speed of 65 km/h (~40 mph) and being light enough for a strong soldier to even lift it above the head.
In the present time, Enfield steered away from the small-displacement bikes of yore, so a special edition machine based on one of their bigger models makes perfect sense. Perusing Royal Enfield’s catalog, there is hardly a better base model for such an exploit, than the Classic 500.
Enfield contacted the British Ministry of Defense and the Parachute Regiment to document as well as possible the entire project, and the result of their collaboration is as stunning as it gets. Not only is the Classic 500 donning the Service Brown and Olive Drab Green military liveries, but it also proudly shows off the Bellerophon riding the Pegasus badge in the classic Claret and Cambridge Blue colors and unique military serial numbers.
Also, Royal Enfield added the yellow stripe on the crankcase, used in WWII to let the airmen know the center of gravity upon loading the bikes in the planes and the official Parachute Regiment insignia. The engine, kickstarter, exhaust, rims and headlight bezel are black, complemented by era-correct brown grips and the leather and buckle strap on the airbox. Period-correct canvas soft panniers are also in the game, with the Pegasus logo on them, as well.
On the tech side, the Pegasus does not differ from the standard Classic 500, so we’re looking at a 27hp air-cooled, injected 4-stroke 499cc single that can deliver 41 Nm of torque, mated to a wet multi-plate clutch engaging a 5-speed transmission. Stopping power comes from a 280mm disc and 2-pot caliper in the front and a 240mm single-piston rear one, almost enough to feel secure on a 194 kg (428 lb) bike.
Only 1,000 Royal Enfield Classic 500 Pegasus will be made, with orders starting as of July at Enfield dealers. The price in the UK we found was £4999 (around € 5,695) on the road, most likely with slight variations inherent to each market.
