Royal Enfield announce ‘Pegasus’ 500

Produced in collaboration with the British Ministry of Defence, the Pegasus Edition honours the British Army’s airborne forces from World War II.

Limited to 1,000 units worldwide, the upcoming Classic 500 variant is defined by the blue-on-maroon ‘Pegasus’ flying horse emblem on the tank; the same logo worn by the Parachute Regiment and other elements of the British Army’s 6th Airborne Division.

Britain’s airborne forces served with the distinction during World War II and were actually the first combat troops to engage the enemy on D-Day when they attacked the Benouville Bridge in France. That bridge was later renamed Pegasus Bridge.

Aside from the tank decal, the Pegasus Edition also features the ‘RE’ monogram badge applied to the ‘Redditch Edition’ Royal Enfield Classic 350 models last year and a large stencilled number on the tank that’s unique to each unit.

A pair of canvas saddlebags also define the Pegasus Edition, along with blackout treatment for the engine, exhaust, rims, headlight shell and other parts. Colour choices offered are suitably military Service Brown and Olive Green.

Mechanically, the Pegasus Edition is the same as the Classic 500, with a 20.2kW/41.3Nm 499cc single-cylinder engine, a 5-speed gearbox, single downtube steel frame, 35mm tele forks and twin shock rear, 12-volt electrics and 280mm/240mm front/rear disc brakes.

The Pegasus Edition is due for local release in July. Pricing had not been confirmed as this issue went to press, so contact your Royal Enfield dealer or go to: royalenfield.com.au/models/pegasus/ for more details.