Royal Enfield welcomed to Canada

The new Royal Enfield Bullet Classic.

Royal Enfield's return to Canada at the Toronto motorcycle show last weekend was welcomed by writer Steve Bond, writing for The Star. Resurrected Norton was at Toronto, too, causing Bond to recall his own riding experiences.

"I'll only say this," he writes, "the happiest day of your life is when you buy a classic British motorcycle and the second happiest is when you sell it."

The new Norton.

He goes on to say that both the Royal Enfield and the new Norton have been upgraded with top notch improvements that mean "no need to hurry home before dark" anymore.

Both brands plan to begin sales in Canada in 2010. Royal Enfield plans additional appearances at Canadian motorcycle shows. The list:

Calgary Jan. 8 to 10, 2010
Edmonton Jan. 15 to 17, 2010
Vancouver Jan. 21 to 24, 2010
Montreal Feb. 26 to 28, 2010

While the Norton is for those with a bit of disposable income, the Royal Enfields "will appeal on price alone," Bond predicts.

The old Norton.

I saw the new Norton, cleverly displayed next to an old Norton, at the Los Angeles International Motorcycle Show (all these pictures are from the Los Angeles show). I don't have much disposable income, so I didn't look that closely. But, obviously, I like the idea of one more Brit-style vintage motorcycle on the market.

The new Norton tailpiece.

Norton was the featured marque at the Cycle World display of historic bikes in Los Angeles, so I got a thorough look at the glories of the past.

A 1969 Norton tailpiece.