We speculated that Sherpa and Hunter would be great names for the 400cc Himalayan which could soon come as a 650cc variant.
Royal Enfield Himalayan
Flying Flea and Roadster
As for the Flying Flea and Roadster, they are more likely to be versions of the 650cc.
A Roadster could lie somewhere between the sit-up-and-beg Interceptor and the cafe-racer style Continental GT.
Continental GT
Interceptor
The Flying Flea is a reference to the lightweight 250cc bike Royal Enfield produced in World War II which were parachuted into battlefields and behind enemy lines from the Horsa Glider.
In 2018, Royal Enfield paid tribute to the Flying Flea with a limited-edition military-flavoured Pegasus 500cc.
“Flying Flea”
Perhaps the Flying Flea will be a similar style to the Pegasus, although maybe as a 650cc twin, not a 500cc single, or perhaps a 350cc version to match the original’s “light weight”.
This video gives some background on the development of the Pegasus model.
It came in two paint options (brown and olive) with replica badging and even the unique army-style serial numbers painted on the tank.
Adding to the period look were the military-style canvas panniers, leather strap with brass buckles on the air box, and blacked-out exhaust muffler, engine, rims, handlebar and headlight bezel.
Military heritage
Royal Enfield says the Flying Flea was produced in collaboration with the British Ministry of Defence.
The bike was so light messengers could lift it on their shoulders when the trenches were too deep to be ridden over.
Royal Enfield’s military involvement has included making mobile machine gun platforms for World War I, targeting components for anti-aircraft guns in World War II and continual service with the Indian Army since the early 1950s.
The entry level three-wheeled Can-Am Ryker is proving a “hit” with women, says Can-Am On-Road PR Brian Manning.
While women riders are about 10-12% of the riding population, 30$% of Ryker owners are women.
In Australia it is slightly down at 25%, but that is still more than double the percentage of female motorcycle ownership.
The Ryker comes in three versions: a LAMS 600cc version for $A14,899 (standard colour); a 900cc version at $A17,299 (standard colour); and a 900cc off-road Rally Edition at $A18,999 (ride away prices).
That compares with the current 1330cc Can-Am Spyders which start at $19,990 for the RS and range up to $39,590 for the RT-S.
Brian says about 42% of Ryker owners are new to riding, but in Australia it’s a whopping 54%.
Perhaps the three-wheeled roadster is the saviour of motorcycling! After all, in Australia, the Can-Am Spyder and Ryker are classed as motorcycles and riders require a motorcycle licence.
“It’s accomplishing a phenomenon badly needed in the industry — significant growth fuelled by new, younger, and more diverse riders,” he says.
No, this isn’t two wheels, but it’s a hell of a lot of fun to ride. Just a different type of fun. And everybody should have access to the incredible thrill of riding.”
He says Australia’s Learner-Approved Motorcycle Scheme has provided the company with an opportunity for new riders to own a Ryker.
“That is why 60% of sales are the 600cc model,” he says.
“Females love the ease of use and the customisation.”
Training focus
Brian says they have had a focus on rider training in North America and have plans to extend to other countries.
So far more than 20,000 people have gone through Can-Am Rider Education at 193 riding schools in North America.
Brian says about half are female.
“We are implementing a training program in NZ similar to what it has been done in North America,” he says.
The three-wheeled roadster is a rare sighting on the road, but when this extended family goes for a ride, there is a whole web of them.
Jason Woodward, of Penrith, says he started the Spyder family phenomenon with a test ride one rainy day after being inspired by his father Kevin and father-in-law Terry Mansfield to try them.
Family rivalries
He says the Woodwards and the Mansfields had been riding motorcycles all their lives with the usual friendly brand rivalries.
The Woodwards were in the red corner with a love of Hondas while his Mansfield in-laws were in the Yamaha blue corner, except for his Triumph-loving father-in-law.
“So we have interesting discussions around the camp fires,” he says.
When Terry and his wife Audrey developed health problems that made it difficult to ride their Goldwing with a trailer, they started discussing the option of buying a Can-Am Spyder roadster.
Jason was skeptical and thought Can-Am Spyders were ugly.
“I, along with the majority of motorcycle enthusiasts put them down constantly,” he says.
“They are unattractive, unnatural and impractically slow. Why would you even bother?
“If you get to a point in your life when it’s time to buy a Spyder then just buy a car. It’s over.
“I thought to myself he has lost the plot.”
However, Jason thought that at least his father-in-law was still riding, so he spoke to his father about it and found that he was also considering a shift to three wheels.
Spyder web begins
So Jason started researching Spyders for them and headed down to Western Motorcycles in Penrith one fateful rainy day to have a look for himself.
The salesman said their policy was not to allow test rides in the rain.
“But hang, it’s a Spyder that has so much tech you can’t get into any real trouble,” the salesman told Jason.
The salesman then gave Jason a short carpark lesson on the unfamiliar controls such as the single brake foot pedal.
“He asked me to accelerate just like a normal motorcycle by turning the throttle and jump on the brake as hard as I can when he put his hand up, just like an emergency stop,” he says.
“So I did that and the bike stopped on a dime. I was shocked on how well the machine accelerated and stopped. That big Rotax 1330cc motor was better that I expected.
“We did this a few times until I was comfortable. After that I rode around the carpark just so I could feel what it was like.
“The flat turns and the way your body moves to the outside of a corner was weird at first but I was getting comfortable each minute I was in the saddle.”
After a short familiarisation lesson, Jason took the 2017 Can Am Spyder RT big touring model for “a decent ride”.
Jason take his 2017 Can Am Spyder RT on tour
“I took off and rode it up the Blue Mountains for about 30 minutes and went into some twisty bends and also the open highway,” he says.
“This machine is fast and manoeuvrable. It had a radio so I turned it up; I was really enjoying myself.”
Jason also took the roadster to his parents’ house to give them a short spin around the block.
“I was riding back to the dealership with a huge smile and decided right then I was buying a Spyder for myself,” he says.
Jason says his wife, Julie, questioned why he would need a three-wheeler when he was still capable of riding a normal motorcycle.
“I had put crap on these things for years but had never given the machine a chance. They are awesome,” Jason told Julie.
On the day he took delivery of his new Spyder, he rode a couple of hundred kilometres to Callala Beach, near Nowra, to show his in-laws.
“I get a message on the phone and this picture comes up from my dad,” Jason says.
Dad gets his Spyder
“At this stage I have tears in my eyes. He just bought one as well. I couldn’t believe it.
“This man — a life member of the Goldwing Club, has ridden Goldwing since the early ‘80s, has owned every model, is a very active member, and lives and breaths Goldwings — has just bought a Spyder!
“I showed the picture to my father in-law and he says, ‘Cool, I am getting one as well so we can ride together like we did a few years ago’.”
But wait, there’s more.
Jason’s sportsbike-riding brother, Darrin, drove their father to Armidale to pick up his Spyder and took the opportunity to have a test ride.
“A few months later my brother sends me a text: ‘I have just bought a Spyder. I need a lift to go pick it up’,” Jason says.
Another Spyder joins the web
Then Terry texts Jason with a photo of his Spyder.
“Out of the blue, my nephew Sean (Darrin’s son) sends me a message: ‘I love dad’s Spyder. I am getting one’.”
Sean bought the new learner-legal 900cc Can-Am Ryker.”
Ryker
Over the past 12 months, the extended Spyder family has been riding their web of Spyders together “as much as we can”.
Jason has even traded up to the sporty F3 Daytona.
Trade up!
“We are enjoying the machines and having a lot of fun,” Jason says.
If you want to check out the community of Spyder fans, go to the Spyder Buddies Facebook page which is a great source of information, and photos of social events.
Family web (from left): Kevin and Wendy Woodward, Sean Woodward, Jason Woodward and Allyson, and Darrin Woodward. Terry and Audrey were unable to attend due to health issues.
BMW Motorrad has suggested it could produce an electric motorcycle that looks like a traditional Boxer-powered bike.
The Bavarian company has had an electric scooter, the C-Evolution, for some time and has shown its Concept Link electric scooter and electric S 1000 RR concept called the eRR.
BMW eRR electric sports bike
But now they are suggesting that they could have a more traditionally designed motorcycle when they finally go electric.
Now that have unveiled their BMW Motorrad Vision DC Roadster with a boxer-styled powerplant.
It’s not necessarily going to make it into production, but it does show that BMW is thinking about how an electric motorcycle would look.
Here is their press release in full so you can decide what they plan:
“The boxer engine is the heart of BMW Motorrad – an absolute stalwart of its character. But BMW Motorrad stands for visionary zero-emissions vehicle concepts, too. In view of this, one question that arises is: what would happen if we were to replace the boxer engine with an electric motor and the required battery? The Vision Bike shows how we’re able to retain the identity and iconic appearance of BMW Motorrad in distinctive form while at the same time presenting an exciting new type of riding pleasure,” explains Edgar Heinrich, Head of Design BMW Motorrad. “After all: anyone who’s ever tried it out in practice knows very well that riding on two wheels is just as exciting when its electrically powered! The high level of torque right at set-off makes for breath-taking acceleration. This almost brutal power delivery creates a whole new experience of dynamic performance. And the BMW Motorrad Vision DC Roadster puts a face to this experience.”
New drive, familiar appearance
In a motorcycle, the motor is the centrepiece – it is the fundamental element, providing the basis for the entire architecture. But electrical drive components have completely different requirements in terms of installation space. While in a conventional motorbike the size of the engine is mainly determined by its capacity, it is the battery that takes up most space in the case of an electrically powered vehicle. The electric motor itself is relatively compact. Starting from this new basis, the BMW Motorrad Vision DC Roadster is able to make this transfer – retaining the iconic appearance of a boxer while filling it with a new function. This is why the Vision Bike is instantly recognisable as a BMW motorcycle, revealing its electric nature on closer inspection.
Replacing what would previously have been the engine, there is now a vertically fitted, longitudinally oriented battery. For cooling purposes, two side elements protrude with cooling ribs and integrated ventilators. As in the boxer engine of the BMW R 32 – the development of which was masterminded by Max Friz in 1923 – the cooling elements are placed in the air stream.
The cylinder-shaped electric motor is positioned underneath the battery and is directly connected to the universal shaft. The BMW Motorrad Vision DC Roadster thus demonstrates a clever drive architecture that visually echoes the history of BMW Motorrad while at the same time taking it a step further.
Dynamic performance reflected in the proportions
In the side view, the BMW Motorrad Vision DC Roadster presents a highly dynamic gesture with clear front-wheel orientation. The low front section and the short, high rear convey a sense of agility. Instead of the fuel tank, a flat, finely- wrought tubular structure spans the vehicle corpus. Its further shaping integrates the seat in a modern form, thereby creating the flyline of a sporty roadster. The frame structure is a key factor in defining the dynamic side view.
The large battery with its laterally protruding cooling systems is positioned at the centre of a frame milled from aluminium. The three-dimensional surface finish on the battery trim conveys a contemporary aesthetic appeal with its precise contours. The cooling elements echo the slight forward tilt of the battery silhouette, giving the side a dynamic momentum. When starting the electric motor, these cooling elements move out slightly, indicating that the bike is ready to go.
High performance with a light touch.
The overall appearance of the BMW Motorrad Vision DC conveys a sense of lightness so as to emphasise driving dynamics. Elements such as the seat and the cooling system appear to hover around the battery. On the frame itself, lengthwise milled grooves create a fascinating visual effect, reducing the perceived volume and highlighting the bike’s longitudinal dynamics. This impression is further underscored by means of openings in the milled aluminium frame and the tubular frame structure arranged above it. High-tech materials such as carbon fibre and aluminium reduce the overall weight and give the BMW Motorrad Vision DC Roadster a technical aesthetic. Meanwhile, red contrast elements and brushed aluminium at selected points such as the battery, frame and cool systems emphasise the bike’s innovative geometry.
High-quality details on closer inspection.
A key element of the BMW Motorrad Vision DC Roadster’s captivating overall appeal is the elaborate finish to be found in all its details. Within the mainly dark colour concept, it is the mechanical elements such as the exposed universal shaft and the Duolever fork that add striking accentuations. In this case, the two classic BMW features are re-interpreted and elaborately showcased. In the same way, the suggested triangular frame echoes a typical feature of earlier BMW motorcycle models, even recapturing its white lines, which in this instance fluoresce in the dark.
The minimalist design of the front and rear lights is an iconic implementation of the hallmark BMW Motorrad lighting, reflecting maximum reduction in modern style. The headlamp shows the LED daytime riding light in a dynamic, flat U shape, while two compact LED lenses on each side provide the low and high beam. This creates a hallmark lighting design that makes the concept vehicle instantly recognisable as a BMW motorcycle – both during the day and at night. The rear light consists of two C-shaped LED elements which are integrated in the aluminium rear carrier in minimalist, technically high-quality form. On the flanks of the tires exclusively made by Metzeler for the Vision Bike, five fluorescent elements, each about the size of a postage stamp, are integrated. They combine innovative design with safety aspects: standing and moving, the lighting elements create an exciting graphic effect. In darkness, they increase the visibility from the side, thus providing more security. They also convey dynamics when in motion.
Smart rider equipment
The functional two-piece suit is not instantly recognisable as protective clothing: it is an outfit that primarily stands as a modern, emotional fashion statement. The light jacket with large graphics in iridescent colouring and the casually styled black trousers combine fashion sense with new functionalities. The protectors are sewn in almost invisibly, while integrated technologies enable various light functions as well as the digital connectivity of the future. An asymmetrical rucksack vest rounds off the rider equipment for the vision vehicle. Fixed to the jacket by means of magnets, it provides storage space and additional functionality. The permanent magnets means that the rucksack is quick to put on and take off.
Symbol of a new generation
The BMW Motorrad Vision DC Roadster is a visionary symbol of the future of BMW Motorrad with alternative drive forms. It showcases the electrically powered driving experience in honest, authentic form, in particular creating a new, distinctive aesthetic appeal that is still firmly rooted in the finest BMW tradition.
AKO leaning electric trike
MBW tests the LiveWire in the US 
Yamaha patent drawing
Honda patent
Kawasaki leaning three-wheeler patent drawing
Royal Enfield Himalayan
“Flying Flea”
